Exclusive Interview: Legendary Vietnam war correspondent Joe Galloway

Honoring veterans who weren’t welcomed home, war correspondent Joe Galloway began his career covering the Vietnam War. The men he met overseas are his friends to this day. He’s now making sure they and their fallen comrades are paid the respect they deserve.

We spoke to Galloway about his new mission to support veterans and document their experiences. He told us he is doing it for the sake of saving their accounts of the war in Vietnam, and for the benefit of those who may delve into further research of the war in future generations.

MORE: Journalist Joe Galloway, chronicler of Vietnam War, dies

First, Galloway described his own life-changing experience in the war.

“My first day to go out in the field, I got off a plane in Da Nang carrying a Samsonite suitcase and wearing chinos and loafers,” Galloway told Rich Kolko, WINK News Safety & Security Specialist.

Young and naive, Galloway quickly learned the reality of war.

“I fell into the bloodiest single battle of the Vietnam War in November 1965,” Galloway said.

The Battle of Ia Drang.

“We’re the first battalion of the 7th Cavalry — Custer’s old outfit was — surrounded by a vastly larger force, a very good north Vietnamese regular army troops,” Galloway recalled. “They were there to kill us all.”

Galloway went on to describe the bloodshed and the aftermath of the battle.

“And I was on this helicopter to witness this battle and to participate in it. Because it went on for two nights and three days,” He said. “And before it was all done, 234 Americans were killed. 250 wounded out of two battalions. And 2000 enemy soldiers dead and rotting in the jungle all around us. The stink of it was overwhelming.”

Death was all around the battlefield.

“I would never see battle more horrific than on those three days in November 1965,” Galloway said. “We were literally fighting for our lives. And either we succeeded, or we all died.”

FULL INTERVIEW WITH JOE GALLOWAY