Near the border of South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, covered by a rainforest canopy, lies the tiny village of Dak To. During the Vietnam War, it was here that the North Vietnamese Army shifted their tactic to close-quarters fighting for the first time, resulting in one of the deadliest engagements of the war.
Memories of war
Paul, now 79, was serving in the U.S. Army’s 4th Infantry Division when he was sent to fight in the Battle of Dak To in 1967. For weeks, soldiers endured relentless fighting, sacrificing everything for jungle-covered ridges and hills. By the battle’s end, the North Vietnamese Army’s losses reached the thousands. More than 900 Americans were wounded, and 280 were killed.
During the battle, Paul was trapped in a foxhole. His memories of the harrowing experience remained vivid: the chaos of combat, the trauma of stepping over fallen soldiers, the devastating loss of his good friend James Whitmore, who died beside him during the firefight. Paul himself was wounded with shrapnel, which led to many medical complications, an injury for which he was awarded a Purple Heart.
“I was on Hill 721 where U.S. troops were annihilated the night before,” Paul remembered. “Being in Vietnam and seeing and experiencing the impact of war has greatly changed my life, and I have dealt with PTSD ever since.”
Moving forward after injury
After being injured in battle, Paul recovered in Japan for two months, then spent the rest of his tour in Korea. He was honorably discharged in October 1968 and returned to his home in Wyoming.
Mental and physical scars of war remained with Paul, yet he channeled his efforts into hard work and building a career. From an early age, he learned mechanic skills from his father, which shaped his 42-year career as a co-owner of a trucking service and gas station. His honest work and reliable service built a loyal client base, with customers returning for decades to have their vehicles maintained under his care.
Still, images of his lost comrade, James Whitmore, were never far from Paul’s mind. Though PTSD made travel, being in crowds, and unfamiliar situations difficult, he dreamed of visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., to pay tribute to James and others who never returned home. Wish of a Lifetime made it possible by inviting Paul to join a cohort of 15 Vietnam-era veterans as part of our 2026 Voyage of Valor program.
Experiencing “The Wall”
Standing at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall had a profound impact on Paul. He felt it was both a tribute to fallen soldiers and a personal honor. “There are about five people that I knew who went to Vietnam and didn’t come back. I couldn’t remember all of their names, but I saw three of them on the wall, and I prayed right there for them,” Paul said.
He also reflected on his friendship with James, whose memory continues to shape his life. “When I found James Whitmore’s name, I remembered that moment in the foxhole. He took such good care of me. I can’t say enough about him; I would have to say he saved my life,” Paul reflected. “It was sad but satisfying and brought some peace.”
Traveling alongside him, Paul’s wife, Carla, watched as the experience left a lasting mark on his heart. “For Paul and the many others who served, particularly the Vietnam veterans, finally being honored meant so much, and their sacrifices were not in vain,” Carla said. “The honor you gave him brought healing and closure. This wish reinforced the value of honor and dignity he has for this country.”
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