Telling emotional stories that haven’t been heard before, Vietnam War veterans recount their experiences in this one-hour documentary. Vietnam War Stories presents a portrait of the war told entirely from the perspective of veterans, who reflect on their memories of the conflict from five decades ago. For many service members, these experiences still feel like they happened yesterday.

More than 100 veterans from all branches of the U.S. armed services were interviewed by producer Mik Derks for the program. They share moving stories of triumph and loss in the field of duty, of sacrificing nearly everything on the battlefield, and of the strong bond of brotherhood and companionship in the ranks. Archival video, historical photography and maps evoke the stark imagery of the war alongside the veterans’ stories.

This is not the story of the Vietnam War, but of the men and women who went to Southeast Asia to serve their country. In the voices of a few resonate the stories — each unique, each profound — of the three million who served, the ones who didn’t return and those who passed away before their stories could be told.

A film by Mik Derks.

Run time: 60 min.

Learn more about the Vietnam War Stories project, with teacher and discussion resources, maps, and powerful oral histories with slideshows from Vietnam War veterans at wpt.org/wisconsinstories/vietnam/.

Thanks to Wisconsin Public Television for making this screening possible at the Bud Werner Memorial Library.