Biography
Steve is the founder and past president of the California Central Coast Chapter of Vietnam Veterans Against the War. He has written articles for the “The Veteran”, a Vietnam Veterans Against the War publication.
As a prior California contact for the Vietnam Veterans Against the War he often corresponded with students about the effects of war. He has also written articles for
VetSpeak.org.
Steve joined the Air Force in March of 1968 and volunteered for Vietnam in November of 1969. By January 20th 1970 he found himself stepping off the plane in Cam Ranh Bay. A few months later he shipped to Danang. He served as a weapons loader on F-4 Phantoms and was honorable discharged in March of 1972.
Steve is a writer of human interest stories which push the reader to think outside of the box and yet be able to draw a connection through similar experiences.
The rain is so heavy the planes coming in are forced to catch the cable barrier and the planes waiting to take off are stacked up ten deep.
November 10th, 2011 | Posted in History,Living,Vietnam War | Read More »
I miss the action of the flightline and even the adrenalin rush during a rocket attack.
June 27th, 2011 | Posted in History,Vietnam War | Read More »
Whenever I get a care package I become that same little kid opening presents at Christmas. But this time my present is wrapped with my hometown newspaper so instead of casting the wrappings aside like that excited little kid I take care to save them for reading later.
June 5th, 2011 | Posted in History,Vietnam War | Read More »
Being a lead team didn’t mean we could just kick back and watch the world go around. We trained over and over until we nailed loading every weapon with precision and in the shortest possible time. Before long we will be training new crews and certifying the existing crews.
May 15th, 2011 | Posted in History,Vietnam War | Read More »
Runway duty can really be boring until the rats come out at night. I was lying on a wooden bench inside the sandbag bunker and just about to doze off when something got my attention. In the moonlight I could see the silhouette of a rat in the opening of the bunker.
April 24th, 2011 | Posted in History,Vietnam War | Read More »
More and more we are being scrutinized in one way or another by the upper command and it’s beginning to feel like the battle is between headquarters and us, and not the enemy.
April 17th, 2011 | Posted in History,Vietnam War | Read More »
Military justice in Vietnam can be swift but only if it is carried out by the victims. There is a feeling here that I can’t explain. It’s a kind of lawlessness that lends itself to a vigilante form of justice. At the same time I somehow thought we were all brothers and had each others [...]
March 27th, 2011 | Posted in History,Vietnam War | Read More »
Could this be the beginning of the monsoons I’ve heard so much about or just one of those sporadic downpours? Our barracks were constructed a little like corn cribs. The exterior walls had open slated wood siding backed with screen on the inside. The corrugated tin roofs had large overhanging eaves and midway between the [...]
March 20th, 2011 | Posted in History,Vietnam War | Read More »
Bullet riddled planes are returning to base at an alarming rate. Until now the planes have returned without incident but whatever is happening out there it seems to be heating up. I’ve also been talking to guys that are flying the gunships and they too are catching more ground fire. Some of the Marines are leaving and the Vietnamese Army is starting to take over some of the guard post positions. Is it possible that the war is drawing to a close? But how could that be when our planes are taking more ground fire? I’m getting more confused about the war as well as my participation in it.
February 20th, 2011 | Posted in History,Vietnam War | Read More »
Self medicating wasn’t going to work for me. My hospital stay was over and I’m not going anywhere for the next nine months. This was the turning point in which I realized I have to either adapt to my surroundings or I’m going to loose it. Keeping myself busy and making my surroundings more suitable [...]
February 14th, 2011 | Posted in History,Vietnam War | Read More »
What do chickens, goats and a Caribou have in common? The chickens and goats were my traveling companions and Caribou was our ride to Danang. I was told I had five days to report to Danang and how to get there was up to me. So I hopped a flight out of Cam Ranh Bay [...]
February 7th, 2011 | Posted in History,Vietnam War | Read More »
Four guys were killed when a rocket hit the chow hall. I don’t remember how many were wounded, that didn’t seem to matter. I can’t write home about the guys getting killed, that would be too upsetting. I need to say something humorous in my letters. Humor here seems to fill the gaps between absolute [...]
January 30th, 2011 | Posted in History,Vietnam War | Read More »
Letters Home from Vietnam – Chapter 1, The Blackboard Jungle By Steve Crandall, Staff Writer January 21st 2011 marked the 40th anniversary of my return home from a one year tour in Vietnam. My mother saved all my letters I sent home of which I have read bits and pieces from time to time [...]
January 23rd, 2011 | Posted in History,Vietnam War | Read More »
By Steve Crandall, Staff Writer I’ve heard more than one comment coming from combat veterans regarding a lack of respect for REMFs like if you weren’t a combat veteran you weren’t there. I was a weapons loader of F-4 aircraft at Danang in 1970 and yes, I was an REMF. In Vietnam we not only [...]
September 4th, 2009 | Posted in Of Interest | Read More »
Supporters with different political view points about wars past and present rally to save our veterans’ land. By Steve Crandall, Staff Writer The rally on the 16th of August to save our veterans’ property was a great success. We had individuals representing the Disabled American Veterans, Gold Star Families Speak Out, The Evan Ashcraft Foundation, [...]
August 21st, 2009 | Posted in Veteran Service Organizations | Read More »
By Steve Crandall Once again we are being called to defend our land. This time it is not from a far away land but here at home. Our weapons of defense have changed from rifles to pens, laptops and protest signs. This time we are fighting over a broken promise. The promise is included in [...]
July 31st, 2009 | Posted in Veteran Service Organizations | Read More »
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