Veterans History Project Collection
Record Group 024
NARRATOR: Mark Fischer
BIOGRAPHY: Mark Fischer, at the time of this oral history interview, is working as an urologist in Dothan. He has a wife and two sons and resides in the Dothan area. Mr. Fischer was born in Minute, North Dakota, where he attended high school. He was attending college at the University of Colorado when he decided to join the army. He joined the army in January of 1970 and served in the Vietnam War. Mr. Fischer feels that the time spent in the military changed his life in a positive way. The military taught him deeper responsibility and he feels the army made him a better student. His time spent in the military is the reason he became the man he is and for the life he has created.
Birthdate: October 15, 1950
OCCUPATION: Urologist
INTERVIEWER: Bernard Karabin
DATE: July 22, 2003
PLACE: Fischer residence
GENERAL TOPIC OF INTERVIEW: The veteran life history of Mr. Mark Fischer and the effects of the military on his life.
Date processed: 5-2005
Processed By: M. Olliff
TOPICAL INDEX OF FISCHER INTERVIEW
No. of tapes: 1
No. of sides: 2
Length of tape: 40 minutes
|
Initials |
Side |
Counter |
Topic |
|---|---|---|---|
|
MF |
1 |
001 |
Introduction |
|
MF |
1 |
004 |
Name: Military Branch |
|
MF |
1 |
006 |
Introduction to military service |
|
MF |
1 |
007 |
University of Colorado |
|
MF |
1 |
008 |
Joined the Army |
|
MF |
1 |
012 |
Enlisted in North Dakota |
|
MF |
1 |
013 |
Basic Training |
|
MF |
1 |
015 |
Leadership School |
|
MF |
1 |
016 |
AIT |
|
MF |
1 |
018 |
Jump School |
|
MF |
1 |
021 |
Volunteered for Vietnam |
|
MF |
1 |
024 |
Description of Vietnam |
|
MF |
1 |
025 |
Oakland Army Base |
|
MF |
1 |
027 |
4th Infantry Division |
|
MF |
1 |
032 |
Description of Duty |
|
MF |
1 |
038 |
Greatest impression war left on his life |
|
MF |
1 |
039 |
Time overseas |
|
MF |
1 |
045 |
Positive aspects of the military |
|
MF |
1 |
047 |
Changes as an individual |
|
MF |
1 |
051 |
Study skills |
|
MF |
1 |
053 |
Better student |
|
MF |
1 |
055 |
Negative aspects of military |
|
MF |
1 |
058 |
Physical and mental difficulties |
|
MF |
1 |
062 |
Do not learn everything about yourself |
|
MF |
1 |
063 |
Trauma (scared) |
|
MF |
1 |
068 |
Being married and drafted |
|
MF |
1 |
073 |
Personal opinion about Vietnam |
|
MF |
1 |
075 |
Not knowing where you're going or why you’re there |
|
MF |
1 |
077 |
Iraq (example) |
|
MF |
1 |
082 |
Fighting an unknown enemy |
|
MF |
1 |
086 |
Making use of what was available |
|
MF |
1 |
090 |
Weather conditions |
|
MF |
1 |
102 |
U.S. in Vietnam (then) |
|
MF |
1 |
108 |
U.S. in Vietnam (now) |
|
MF |
1 |
113 |
Outlook on life or time spent in the military now |
|
MF |
1 |
115 |
Good on a professional and personal level |
|
MF |
1 |
119 |
Puts limits on fear |
|
MF |
1 |
124 |
Made life easier |
|
MF |
1 |
128 |
Learn not to take things for granted |
|
MF |
1 |
132 |
Memories of war |
|
MF |
1 |
144 |
Pre Military years |
|
MF |
1 |
145 |
Birthplace |
|
MF |
1 |
147 |
Description of birthplace |
|
MF |
1 |
153 |
Education |
|
MF |
1 |
155 |
Joined the army |
|
MF |
1 |
157 |
Childhood memories |
|
MF |
1 |
160 |
Flashlight tag |
|
MF |
1 |
160 |
Backyard football |
|
MF |
1 |
161 |
Basketball |
|
MF |
1 |
162 |
High school sports |
|
MF |
1 |
166 |
Possible changes of the past |
|
MF |
1 |
170 |
Would not change things |
|
MF |
1 |
180 |
Vietnam (in detail) |
|
MF |
1 |
185 |
First shots |
|
MF |
1 |
192 |
Difference in shots |
|
MF |
1 |
210 |
Knowledge of gun shots |
|
MF |
1 |
217 |
Cambodian Invasion |
|
MF |
1 |
218 |
Laos Invasion |
|
MF |
1 |
220 |
Wounded in battle |
|
MF |
1 |
223 |
Combat Base Dong Ha |
|
MF |
1 |
228 |
Watching the war |
|
MF |
1 |
247 |
Hard times (wounded) |
|
MF |
1 |
259 |
Talking to your mom |
|
MF |
1 |
270 |
Description of wound |
|
MF |
1 |
293 |
Laos (Historical aspect) |
|
MF |
1 |
312 |
Tet (Vietnamese holiday) |
|
MF |
1 |
359 |
Basic Training |
|
MF |
1 |
369 |
Physical Training |
|
MF |
1 |
382 |
Motivation |
|
MF |
1 |
395 |
Exercise |
|
MF |
1 |
412 |
Gas Training |
|
MF |
2 |
427 |
Preparation for war |
|
MF |
2 |
445 |
Skill Training |
|
MF |
2 |
447 |
Artillery |
|
MF |
2 |
450 |
Function of Artillery |
|
MF |
2 |
469 |
Actions if over run |