I know that I'm already in the history books and that people are going to remember me as the prisoner of war and the fabricated stories, but you know, to me I was just another soldier over there doing my job.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I was a soldier in WWII. The last couple of months of the war I was actually in combat.
I served my time and came out of prison when I was just 26 and have worked with the government for 37 years. But people only remember me for what I did before that.
I'm interested in wartime stories, as I think it's important to remember what the soldiers went through.
I will never forget the moment when I was liberated by the American Army. I will never forget those very young boys coming up the hill, who had to take me a prisoner to liberate me.
I was assigned to the Waffen-SS but was never involved in any crime. Besides, I always felt the need to write about my experiences in a larger context one day. This has only developed recently, now that I have overcome my inner aversion to writing an autobiography in the first place, specifically one having to do with my younger years.
When I did A Soldier's Story, I was very young and green and thought I knew everything-now I know I know everything!
I remember when I was a private soldier. I remember the days when I was taken care of and when I was not taken care of.
I don't want to be remembered as a writer. I would rather be remembered as a storyteller.
I learned about life before I went into the theater, which is why I've been so happy. I was a soldier.
I carry the memories of the ghosts of a place called Vietnam - the people of Vietnam, my fellow soldiers.