Where's Charlie? Memories from a Time of war, 1966-68
Tim Soyars served as an officer with the 1st Air Calvary, Vietnam from 1967-68, receiving commendations for valor and leadership. After the war, he finished college and was recruited by Mobil Oil Corporation, working domestically and internationally for more than twenty years. After retiring from Mobil, he served as the director of business operations and college computing at Mountain View College, retiring from there in 2013. He and his wife, Jeanie, live in Heath, Texas, have three children, five grandchildren, and two great grandchildren with a third on the way. Jeanie is a retired teacher.
How do you prepare for war and combat? How do you face the challenges and fears? What makes one person more successful than another during war? Is it luck or lack of luck, depending upon the outcome? My personality, background, and attitude contributed significantly to my approach, my will to succeed, and my contributions during the Vietnam War. Military training contributed to my skills and enthusiasm as a leader in combat. At times during my tour of duty, I believe luck and prayers were with me. I had a few loved ones at home thinking of me and writing often, and I was very thankful for that. The letters made a big difference to my morale and attitude, and I longed for mail call. But before we continue with my story about Vietnam, I’d like to share a few stories to lay the foundation for my participation in combat and my approach to the challenges and fears. I have often heard that a person’s past is a good indicator for how they’ll handle their future.
As a small boy, I often played war by myself and with friends. As I played, I’d engage the pretend enemy, shooting with my toy weapons and visualizing them falling to their death. I’d run from cover to cover, shooting and sometimes being shot. I’d hit the ground wounded or dead, and then bounce back up, taking on a new character and continuing the battle. When I pretended to be wounded, I rose to greater dramatic heights, leading a charge and showing great heroism. Pretend war took imagination and some scripting, or rather directing, so my playmates didn’t always appreciate the role-play. When my friends got tired of this, I’d sometimes continue playing alone. I could always entertain myself using my imagination. I loved watching war movies and could relive the actions in my daydreams, playing out the various parts.
I wasn’t born into a military family, but the news and movies in the 1940s and 1950s helped shape my feelings about duty, country, and military service. My wonderful family’s many fine examples of military service from the American Revolutionary War to Vietnam helped to enhance my attitude and desire to be a soldier. No one in my family was violent or encouraged violence, but all were extremely patriotic. Being a soldier was something I always wanted and planned to do.
After I graduated from high school, I worked and attended a local college for a while, but like many young men of my age, I didn’t have a career plan. However, there was never any question in my mind about serving in the military. The Vietnam conflict provided the opportunity, and my family heritage determined what branch. Obviously, I needed to continue the family tradition in the US Army.
It's been many years since I left the military, but keeping the memories of war alive is important to family, future generations and to the history of the era. I hope you enjoy my website and stories from my time of war.
Jeanie and I have had a wonderful life; fortunate in family, health, education, travel, and prosperity. Life has been good to us.
Tim Soyars, First Grade
