2 Readings for May 23rd

Jack Smith by Ron Steinman

What challenges does Jack Smith face as a soldier in Vietnam? (a bulleted list is fine)

• All of the soldiers in Jack's division were inexperienced, so they went in blind.
• Death was a fate that many soldiers were dealt, as demonstrated by the truck full of body bags.
• His CO is new, so he has no idea what he's doing. That lands them in trouble with the Vietnamese.

How does Smith’s attitude toward war change?
In the beginning Smith thought that war was just more living, and had this idea that war was fun and games. After being in combat and killing his first man he realized that it was much more real and disturbing than his ideal.

I Feel Like I'm Fixin' to Die Rag by Joe McDonald

This song by Country Joe and the Fish became one of the first protest songs of the Vietnam Era. Read the lyrics to the song, and then respond to the following:

What is the song asking the “big strong men to do”?

The song wants the big strong men to join the Army and help out in Vietnam.

… the “generals” to do?

It wants the Generals to find and kill any Communists.

… “Wall Street” to do?

It wants Wall Street to have a booming economy so that wartime goods are produced more,

… “mothers” to do?

It wants mothers to send their kids to Vietnam and have them fight in the Army.

Write down four specific lines from the song that display sarcasm, cynicism, or anti-war sentiment.

1. What are we fighting for? Don't ask me, I don't give a damn.
2. Whoopee! We're all gonna die.
   
3. You know that peace can only be won, When we've blown 'em (communists) all to kingdom come.
4. Be the first one on your block, To have your boy come home in a box.