Island Brothers/Island Blood: The Stories of Samoan Vietnam War Veterans

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dc.contributor.authorAkuna, Peter
dc.contributor.departmentPacific Islands Studies
dc.date.accessioned2012-10-31T20:02:18Z
dc.date.available2012-10-31T20:02:18Z
dc.date.issued2012
dc.description.abstractThroughout the Vietnam War, America and other allied forces that supported the South Vietnamese government awarded their courageous soldiers with distinguished medals for their extraordinary and exceptional bravery in combat. Yet, the recipients of these prestigious awards attest that their fallen comrades are the bona fide beneficiaries and heroes—the recognition of these soldiers’ deeds of valor in Vietnam was bittersweet knowing that many comrades perished in battle. This deep-seated sense of loss and survivor’s guilt caused some surviving soldiers to never disclose or revealed their notable services. Further, the controversy surrounding the Vietnam War affected the surviving soldiers in a heavier way; the unwelcome and disrespect they experienced when they returned to the United States (U.S.) caused many Vietnam veterans severe distress, for they had risked their lives. The anti-Vietnam War sentiment created an atmosphere of distrust among Vietnam veterans which forced the soldiers to conceal their war history and make it known to only a few, if at all. Most veterans remained silent about their experiences because of embarrassment, fear, anger, aggression, or trauma. Many veterans, to this day, continue to struggle with the debilitating effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as well as sleepless nights and mental and emotional torment consistent with war violence. This project aims to collect and tell the stories of Samoan Vietnam veterans who made enormous sacrifices during the war. This will, hopefully, fill the gap in the literatures and make known to the world, and especially the consciousness of American citizens, the sacrifices of these Pacific Islanders. The service and unfortunate casualties of Samoan Vietnam veterans are generally unrecognized and unappreciated in the dominant narratives of American war histories.
dc.description.degreeM.A.
dc.format.extent115 pages
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10125/24264
dc.languageeng
dc.publisherUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa
dc.relationTheses for the degree of Master of Arts (University of Hawaii at Manoa). Pacific Islands Studies; no. ????
dc.rightsAll UHM dissertations and theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission from the copyright owner.
dc.subjectVietnam War (1961-1975)
dc.subjectMilitary participation--Samoan
dc.subjectPersonal narratives--Samoan
dc.subject.lcshSamoans--Veterans.
dc.subject.lcshSamoa--Vietnam.
dc.subject.lcshWar--Vietnam.
dc.subject.lcshVeterans--Medals.
dc.titleIsland Brothers/Island Blood: The Stories of Samoan Vietnam War Veterans
dc.typeThesis
dc.type.dcmiText

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