Returning North Vietnamese Soldier Item for Vietnam Veteran to Vietnam, Part One

Larry looking at the buckle he wants to have returned

(L) Larry when he served as a medic in Vietnam, Thuy with the buckle

Larry Hoffmann…..HM3  -Aka “Doc”  “bush doc” “mother doc”

Enlisted July 1967,  Served with: 2nd Bn. 1st Mar. 1st Mar Div.

Echo Company 1st, Platoon. 1969 – Hon. Dis. July 1971

Buckle came from wounded NVA soldier…..early summer of 1969…..the place and time where I treated this man is a little fuzzy….but it was during a Marine Operation called “Pipestone Canyon”…….it was to the west of Danang and perhaps a little to the South. If I remember correctly, it was called “Go Noi Island”…whether this was a real name or Marine Speaklesh I have no idea.

I am returning the buckle to Vietnam because it belongs to Vietnam…I have been the care-taker of this buckle for the past 42 years……I am sorry that I could not do more for this soldier…..he died in my arms, with peace and dignity.

Thuy, as I have shared with you in the video, you know most of this story…It is my hope you can explain to those you encounter, how the time spent, caring for this man, is so much the part of who I am today as a human being.

Wishing you many satori on your journey home…. Namaste’ ~ Doc Larry

Related Posts to this story, Part two and three below:

Read Thuy’s Reflection regarding her first encounter with Larry (Part Two)

 Read Thuy’s final reflection (Part Three) of the actual handing over of the buckle ceremony that took place in Vietnam

See Video interviews below (Taped before Thuy left to Vietnam to return item) Video will return soon

Related Posts to this story, Part two and three below:

Read Thuy’s Blog regarding this first encounter with Larry (Part Two)

 Read Thuy’s final reflection (Part Three) of the actual handing over of the buckle ceremony that took place in Vietnam