Scope and Contents

Less than one linear foot of a DVD copy of original footage from an 8mm film reel documents Thomas A. Veigh's second tour of dury in Vietnam as the 3rd Platoon Sergeant/Right Guide of Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division.

Biographical / Historical

Thomas A. Viegh was born on 29 September 1946 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1965 Veigh volunteered for the United States Marine Corps, beginning a total of four years of service. Veigh arrived in Vietnam in August 1965 when he joined B Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. He was then transferred to E Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division from October 1965 until August 1966, when he was rotated out of Souteast Asia. In September 1968, Veigh returned to Vietnam with D Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Throughout his service, Viegh held various positions and ranks and was stationed at various locales. Beginning as a rifleman, Viegh transitioned to varous other positions, including automatic rifleman, fire team leader, squad leader, right guide, and finally platoon sergeant, and his rank increased from Corporal to Sergeant. He was stationed at Hills 41, 22, 10 and 37, along with Chu Lai aboard the USS Valley Forge. He also served a total of two months as a reactionary force. Veigh was involved in multiple operations during this time, including Double Eagle 1 and 2, various ambushes, security road sweeps, and security sniper engagements. In 1969, Veigh was discharged from the USMC as a Sergeant, having received the Purple Heart and the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V device. He is currently a life member of the Disable American Veterans (DAV) and has worked in the private sector since his service.