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Catalog number: VIS.201.0708
In this interview, Tony Lett recalls his experiences serving in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He remembers growing up in Atlanta, the son of a World War II veteran who served on the USS Yorktown. He remembers listening to the stories his father's shipmates would tell when they visited the family. He describes his education, his reasons for joining the Navy, his training, and his first voyage to Vietnam. He was assigned to the USS Bonhomme Richard and remembers landing on the carrier while it was deployed in the Pacific. He recalls watching all his belongings fly across the deck during flight operations when his luggage broke open upon his arrival. He describes many incidents, both harrowing and amusing, including a near-collision with a tanker; the traditional "crossing the line" ceremony; losing a helicopter and its entire crew during flight operations; Soviet forces trying to jam the carrier's communications; and watching Japanese Zero planes land in San Diego as they prepared to be transported to Hawaii for the filming of the movie "Tora! Tora! Tora!" He recalls his post-military career, family, and activities and reflects on his military service.