Gregory Stock and his mother Naomi Stock 2010
Sargent First Class Gregory Stock
How did you enter the war?
I was in College attending Georgetown University when I enlisted for the Marine Corps in 1968. I saw demonstrations around the White House on my walk to class every day that I didn’t agree with so I decided to get off my ass and do something about it.
When did you volunteer and where?
I was about 18 ½ when I volunteered in Davidsville, Pennsylvania. Ma barley let go of my hand at the door. It was something I wanted to do on my own.. something I had to do.
Did your family support your decision to volunteer?
No. Ma said over and over ‘Charles is already in the Army, why do you too’ (brother) they just didn’t understand why I wanted this. My dad took me to the side and said ‘you know if anything happens to you… or if you don’t come home… it will kill your mother.’ I always thought about Ma and how I would come home to her. This was my decision and it was important to me.
Did you have a significant other waiting for you back in the states?
Other than my Ma? Haha. Well yeah I had 3 actually. Including your Great Aunt Jodi Court.. maybe we should keep this interview out of her reach. Haha
Did you know anyone else in Vietnam with you?
Well yes you’re Great Uncle Charles Courtney. (10 years older than Gregory) I met a lot of men on the flight over and at training camp at Camp Pendleton. You know you’re not sposta make friends because then you grow attached and a lot don’t make it back.. Learned that the hard way.
What did you in Vietnam?
I was in Civil Affairs, 1st Marine Division, Helicopter Outfit VMA 354.
Is there a memory you could share of something that you saw that changed your life?
Absolute poverty… Absolute poverty. The South Vietnamese lived like F*cking American Indians. Atrocious… they lived in huts with no electricity, no pluming, they had one set of clothes that they would wear down to the creek and take them off wash them then lay them out to dry and then they sat there f*cking naked…ah-…Absolute poverty.
Did you ever get awarded in the war?
Why yes. I moved up in rankings pretty quick because I was there to fight and kill. Sorry if this is graphic. I got awarded with a Combat Action Badge which is for taking and returning fire to the enemy and Combat Aircrew Badge which is if you flew at least 25 missions and received and returned fire at the enemy at least 10 times. I went on over 35 missions and received 5 stars.
Where were you in Vietnam?
I was at the northern part of Vietnam, Hoivec to be exact. I was actually stationed with your Uncle Charles.. Lets just say, you didn’t want to be around the border.. never a dull day
What did you do there for the most part?
I lived in the village with them. It was a 800:3 ratio to us Marines.. We taught them basic higine, taught and led their troops to defend their village on their own. I also was the 1st gunner on the helicopter. Very, very hard job but someone had to do it. I just wanted to fly. I think I was born to fly. I liked flying better anyways, less of a responceablity to protect the civilans.. that was our #1 priority but like I said if you grow attach to people who have a chance of dying it’s just devastating… just horrible.
How were you treated when you arrived home the first time?
I came in through California. People played in front of the bus I was trying to depart on. They threw things at me and yelled things I wont say. It look a hour for the bus to call patrol to come remove the people so we could get the hell out of there… took 3 hours for patrol to show up, and when they did.. I swear they were just joining in the riot not helping. But the second time I came back the war was almost over. I came back alone this time. I only had minor.. minor problems. And from all people it was from a janitor. All I said was ‘if you are a wise man you would shut up’ and he did. (Uncle greg still always says that today)
Do you have any regrets?
No. I went to Pitt and had good counciling from a Korean War Veteran. We talked on a daily basis for 2 years. The guys who don’t talk about their experences are the ones who have regrets and have problems.
Is there anything you learned while in Vietnam that the U.S doesn’t really know?
A lot of Vietnamese wanted to be free. A large percentage of them were forced into communist style. South Vietnamese wanted North Vietnamese to stay in the North.
How did you feel when you heard about the invasion of N. Vietnam on S.Vietnam?
Sad. I was very very sad. I was in college when I heard. The reason S. Vietnam fell was because Nixon promised to help if North invaded South but then he resigned so North invaded… he turned his back on us…I mean them and that’s a shame.. that’s a damn shame.. I knew every person in my village. I ate dinner with a lot of them.. I played with their kids most of which I delivered… it was devastating to hear about the invasion.
Would you ever return to the country?
I can’t..I just can’t..
Do you still have your combat clothes, medals, etc?
I still have my clothes, or what’s left of my clothes.. In my devoice, Jodi threw out most of my things… Gregie (his son) has everything that is left of that time.
Do you remember where and what you were doing at the time of the JFK assassination?
I was in Mechanical Drawing class, 8th grade I believe. The principal came over the P.A. and told us to not be alarmed but the President Kennedy has been shot and is being sent to the hospital. My teacher cried and other teachers were roaming hallways finding other teachers to be sad with. Then 45 minutes later my principal came on again and said they pronounced him dead. I went down to where he was shot 10 years later because I’m a history nut.
How did you feel about Johnson?
I was too young to worry about that.
Do you have any last words about anything we talked about?
Yeah just remember. You’ll hear things from a bunch of people who weren’t at Vietnam, weren’t on the front lines.. they weren’t there.. so they are wrong. A lot of people said we shouldn’t of been there… but we gave the South a chance.. they had no one else… just remember that. Also, always tell the people you care about you love them.. if the Military taught me anything it taught me that. I love you Courtney
Gregory Stock 1967
2 month before he volunteered
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