John Bagwell is a Vietnam Veteran Speaker
Are you looking for a Vietnam Veteran Speaker?
I speak at Churches, Civic Groups, Military Associations, and Patriotic Events about my experience in Vietnam. I live in Dallas, Texas.
Nothing Ever Happens Here
During the Tet Offensive in 1968, I was a disc jockey for the American Forces Vietnam Network. While this would seem like an easy and safe job for the military, I was part of the only American Forces Broadcast group ever to be taken by the enemy. Of the nine persons at the facility, five were captured and taken prisoner of war (and later released); three were killed, and I escaped, spending several days behind enemy lines.
There were 12 times when I should have died – six when the enemy tried to kill me and six when the Americans, thinking I was Vietnamese, almost took my life.
Initially, a disc jockey in An Khe, South Vietnam, assigned to the 1st Air Cavalry Division, my job was to play records during the afternoon shift.
When people learn I was a disc jockey in Vietnam, they often ask if I was part of Good Morning Vietnam, the film featuring Robin Williams as DJ Adrian Cronauer. The answer is no— I arrived in Vietnam after Cronauer had already returned to the United States.
My humorous and breathtaking story will help audiences appreciate life’s little things and enjoy one day at a time.
Key Takeaway: Live every day to the fullest.
Schedule me here as a Vietnam Veteran Speaker or Connect With Me on Social Media.
Documentary:
Vietnam -The War That Changed America on Apple TV
Episode 2 Features My Story from the Tet Offensive in January 1968, along with interviews from other Vietnam Veterans.
John Bagwell – Disc Jockey in Vietnam
Here, you can find a more in-depth article on my experience in Vietnam and an audio recording of one of my radio shows.
The Tet Offensive: January–February 1968
The Tet Offensive, launched in late January 1968, was a pivotal moment in the Vietnam War and a turning point in American public perception of the conflict. Coinciding with the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, or Tet holiday—a time traditionally marked by ceasefires—the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and Viet Cong forces launched a massive, coordinated surprise attack against more than 100 cities and military targets throughout South Vietnam.
Major battles erupted in Saigon, Hue, Da Nang, and other key locations. Perhaps the most symbolic moment was the assault on the U.S. Embassy in Saigon, which, although quickly repelled, sent shockwaves across the United States. In Hue, fierce urban combat raged for nearly a month, resulting in significant casualties and the discovery of mass executions carried out by communist forces.
The Tet Offensive was a failure for the North militarily. U.S. and South Vietnamese troops eventually repelled the attacks, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. However, the psychological and political impact was profound. Graphic media coverage and the sheer scale of the offensive contradicted official U.S. government claims that the war was nearing a successful conclusion.
Public trust in the Johnson administration plummeted, fueling anti-war sentiment and protests across America. Influential figures, including news anchor Walter Cronkite, expressed skepticism about the war’s progress, contributing to a dramatic shift in public opinion.
Ultimately, the Tet Offensive exposed the vulnerability of U.S. strategy in Vietnam and marked the beginning of a slow but steady withdrawal of American forces. Though the offensive did not achieve its immediate military objectives, it altered the war’s course and shaped U.S. foreign policy for years.