More Oral Histories of LRRPs
Meet the LRRPs
This exhibition owes its creation to the oral histories of LRRPs. Taken from various archives, these oral histories provide a multitude of perspectives on the LRRP experience. I encourage you to explore each veteran’s unique story below.
Photograph of Gary Dolan
Gary Dolan
Raised in a military family, Dolan grew up in Augsbury, Germany. His father was commissioned as a Transportation Corps Officer and served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. After attending Ohio State University for a year, Dolan transferred to West Point. Upon graduating, he was commissioned into the 1st Battalion of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Ft. Bragg. He then volunteered to serve in Vietnam, joining C Company, 75th Infantry Regiment at An Khe as the Platoon Leader for Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP). He returned to the United States in 1971 and left the Army in 1974. In the aftermath of his service, he transitioned into the National Guard, earned a law degree from New York Law School, and became a businessman.
In 2019, David Siry conducted an interview with Gary Dolan for the West Point Center for Oral History. Click here to access the interview.
Photograph of David L. Flores
David L. Flores
Born on February 28, 1949, David L. Flores grew up in Long Beach, California. He started City College in September 1967, but he did not have enough units to receive deferment. He enlisted in the Army and chose to join the Airborne Infantry. Arriving in Vietnam in 1968, David L. Flores served in the U.S. Army as Sgt E-5 of F Company, 52nd Infantry Regiment. He was eventually reassigned to be part of a Long-Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) team in I Company, 75th Infantry Regiment (Rangers). He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Parachute Wings, the Combat Infantry Badge, and the Bronze Star.
In 2014, Janice Wong conducted an oral history interview with David L. Flores for the Library of Congress. Click here to access the interview.
Photograph of Terry Massey
Terry L. Massey
Hailing from Sparta, Wisconsin, Terry L. Massey was drafted in March 1969. After attending basic training in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Massey was assigned as an infantry rifleman (MOS 11-B) under the 4th Infantry Division. After going through orientation, Massey volunteered for the LRRP unit and was placed into K Company, 75th Infantry Regiment (Rangers). By May 1970, Massey had gone on 21 standard LRRP missions and 4 radio relays. He left Vietnam by October 1970.
In 2003, James Kurtz conducted an oral history interview with Terry L. Massey for the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center. Click here to access the interview.