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Jim Kerney, conscientious objector 1st Cav Div medevac crewman in Vietnam.
Episode 3401 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about conscientious objectors service in Vietnam. The featured story is titled: ‘Tell my parents I love them’ | A Vietnam War medic’s chilling audio recording as his helicopter came under fire. It appeared on the Yahoo News website and was submitted by Bob Garcia-Buckalew.
Garcia-Buckalew reported that in 1971, during the Vietnam War, U.S. Army combat medic Jim Kerney of Columbus, Texas, found himself aboard an air ambulance helicopter flying into the dangerous jungles of Vietnam to rescue wounded American soldiers. Carrying a tape recorder, Jim unknowingly documented one of the most frightening moments of his life.
As enemy machine-gun fire erupted, Jim was struck by three bullets. His cassette recording captured the terrifying moments, including his emotional words: “I might live, I might not. If I don’t, tell my parents I love them.” Remarkably, Jim survived and eventually returned home after spending several months recovering in the hospital.
Jim’s story highlights the extraordinary courage of Vietnam War combat medics, men who risked their lives every day to save their fellow soldiers. Many served as conscientious objectors, classified as 1-A-O, meaning they opposed carrying weapons on moral grounds but still believed deeply in their duty to serve America. These unarmed heroes demonstrated incredible bravery, compassion, and dedication under enemy fire.
Jim later co-authored Duty to Serve, Duty to Conscience, sharing a unique perspective rarely told in Vietnam War history: the experiences of an unarmed combat medic.
His service was recently recognized through Honor Flight Austin, which brought him and other Vietnam veteran medics to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials honoring America’s military heroes. Jim was given the solemn honor of helping place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
This powerful story reminds us that Vietnam Veterans are among America’s greatest generation of warriors. Whether carrying rifles, flying helicopters, or saving lives without weapons, these brave Americans answered their country’s call. Their courage, sacrifice, patriotism, and devotion to their fellow soldiers deserve our everlasting gratitude, respect, and recognition.
Listen to episode 3401 and discover more about the conscientious objectors service in Vietnam.
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