Cpl. Darren Walton, USMC Reconnaissance, Vietnam, Part 2

Veterans Chronicles

In last week's edition of "Veterans Chronicles," U.S. Marine Corps veteran Darren Walton told us about his role on a seven-man reconnaissance team in Vietnam from 1969-1970. He explained his role of point man, what the team's most common objectives were, and how life and death decisions had to be made within seconds. He also described how the jungle itself was also a fierce enemy.
In this week's "Veterans Chronicles," Walton shares the rest of his story of service, starting with the jungle and how every small noise had him wondering whether it was something insignificant or a sign of an imminent enemy attack. He also takes us inside some of his most harrowing missions, including some that required extraction and at least one that would have been fatal for his team if the rescuing helicopter crew had not disobeyed orders. And he explains what happened the day his rifle malfunctioned at the worst possible time.
Walton also tells us how the Marines helped a local Vietnamese orphanage and how they found financial help from the unlikeliest of sources. Finally, he shares how fierce opposition to the war - particularly in his community just north of San Francisco - compelled him to stay silent about his service for more than 40 years.