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How Hollywood Has Stolen Vietnam of Its Heroes and History

© John Lovett

In the book review by LTC Richard W. Roberson, U.S. Army (ret.) in VIETNAM MAGAZINE Vol. 12, No. 1, June 1999 of Stolen Valor: How the Vietnam Generation was Robbed of Its Heroes and Its History (Verity Press, Dallas, Texas, 1998, $31.95) by B.G. Burkett and Glenna Whitley (http://www.thehistorynet.com/reviews/bk_... ), LTC Roberson informs us of the efforts of B. G. Burkett's efforts to uncover the frauds of the Vietnam War. Certain persons, some veterans, have been coming forward and telling all who would listen of their exploits against overwhelming odds, killing all in their path, and saving the proverbial day. In addition, it seems that many of these veterans were members of some super - secret special force. Of course, unfortunately no record exists of their exploits because they were uhmm, secret. There never is a truck driver, typists, clerk, mechanic, ordinary grunt amongst these people. Does all this sound familiar?

In previous articles, I have spoken about two major movie making issues that bug me. One, most characters in war movies are portrayed as invincible heroes that were once members of some elite special force. Two, every soldier I see in the movies or TV has some post - traumatic syndrome he has to overcome. I think this modern experience in veteran fraud is an unfolding phenomenon promulgated in part by the motion picture industry.

The portrayal of soldiers in post - Vietnam War movies have tended to put soldiers in either one of the two categories I just mentioned. Either you have the invincible hero that was in a special force or the traumatized veteran that was in a special force. Nary a truck driver, typist, clerk, mechanic, or ordinary grunt to be seen. As guess if you were a truck driver, typist, clerk, mechanic, ordinary grunt you don't have after war problems. At least, that's what Hollywood would suggest.

Let us look at the situation thusly; gullible individuals watch RAMBO and think that they too can become John Rambo by "walking the walk and talking the talk." Does this mean that the U. S. Government should ban all war movies because there are poseurs? Of course not. However, as certain gullible individuals watch RAMBO and then want to be Rambo there are individuals within the motion picture and television industries who will listen and give these poseurs complete credibility.

Here is what I suggest. Listen to what to real veterans have to say. If you have doubts about what a so - called expert has to say, ask another veteran. The asking does not impugn anyone's integrity and allows for further clarification of story.

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