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Vietnam Vet Harry Van Riper
Dr. Bob Rodrigues of Duquesne University
Episode 2481 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Dr. Bob Rodrigues of Duquesne University of Pittsburg, PA along with his guest Vietnam Vet Harry Van Riper and how the latter demonstrates the greatness of the Vietnam Veteran Generation.
Dr. Bob has been a frequent contributor to this podcast. He teaches about the Vietnam War at Duquesne. His primary purpose there is of the spreading the word so more Americans can appreciate the tremendous contributions Vietnam Veterans have made to their country both during the War in Vietnam and in the five decades since in this country.
In this episode Dr. Bob will be joined by his guest Vietnam Vet Harry Van Riper who served with 1/5 Mech Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. On August 19, 1968 Harry was driving an M113 – Armored Personnel Carrier during combat operations in the Bến Củi Woods. His PC was hit with a rocket propelled grenade (RPG).
The explosion resulted in Harry losing his left arm and portions of his leg. He barely survived and had to spend almost eighteen months recuperating at Cu Chi, Japan and Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
Harry not only survived his terrible wounds but went on to live a productive and inspirational life. In the episode Harry describes in detail the events of August 19, 1968 in Vietnam that led to his injuries and what his brave fellow soldiers had to do to save the badly wounded man in the middle of a pitched battle with hordes of NVA fighters. No one at the time thought he would survive.
Not only did Harry Van Riper survive but when he left the military, despite his wounds he went to college then on to graduate school and became a distinguished professor at his alma mater, Duquesne University in Pittsburg. He also is active in programs supporting his fellow veterans and young people everywhere.
Listen to episode 2481 and discover more about Vietnam Vet Harry Van Riper and how he demonstrates the greatness of the Vietnam Veteran Generation.
