The Vietnam War - Edie Meeks

“You don't have time to grieve... I know you took care of that guy for a long time and he's dead now, but you've got some more coming in tomorrow and the next day and the next.”

Photo by Amy Price

The Vietnam War

In this special hour, three stories from the Vietnam War Era. A troop comes under attack deep in the Vietnamese jungle; a triage nurse does her best to save the lives of soldiers; and a young man tries to save his little brothers as Saigon falls. Hosted by The Moth’s Senior Director, Jenifer Hixson. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media.

Dave Dillard and his company are trekking through the Vietnamese jungle when they hear an unusual sound.

Edie Meeks comes to face the carnage of war.

Jason Trieu tries to save his family as the U.S. Army retreats and Saigon falls.

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Stories in this Episode

15:59
Rooster Crow in the Jungle

by Dave Dillard

A troop comes under attack deep in the Vietnamese jungle.

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12:48
Honoring My Brothers

by Edie Meeks

A triage nurse does her best to save the lives of soldiers.

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13:02
Operation BabyLift

by Jason Trieu

A young man tries to save his little brothers as Saigon falls.

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Extras From This Episode

The Vietnam War Extras

Dave Dillard

Dave Dillard 1724 Extra 1

Dave's final goodbye before leaving for the Republic of Vietnam in 1967.

Dave Dillard 1724 Extra 2

Dave with his assault rifle in the Sông Bé river in southern Vietnam.

Dave Dillard 1724 Extra 5

Medals, unit patches, dog tags and more from Dave's tour of duty.

Edie Meeks

Edie Meeks 1724 Extra 2

Edie completing basic training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas.

Edie Meeks 1724 Extra 1

Edie (standing, right) and her fellow nurses in front of their "hooch."

Edie Meeks 1724 Extra 3

Edie at the 71st Evacuation Hospital in Pleiku, Vietnam.

Jason Trieu

​ MRH 1724 Jason Trieu Extra 1

A piece of the $100 bill torn by the Vietnamese police officer who refused to take President of World Airways Ed Daly's cash bribe and allow Jason to evacuate war torn South Vietnam with his two younger brothers.

​ MRH 1724 Jason Trieu Extra 2

Jason and his brothers, Jeff and Jeremy, in 1974.

​ MRH 1724 Jason Trieu Extra 3

Jeremy, Jeff, Jason and his family (left to right) in the present day.

The music in this story

  • The Drift - Uncanny Valley
    Find it on: Spotify
  • Benjamin Verdery - Little Wing
    Find it on: Spotify
  • Bill Frisell - A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall
    Find it on: Spotify
  • Bill Frisell - Have A Little Faith in Me
    Find it on: Spotify
  • Bill Frisell - Across the Universe
    Find it on: Spotify