QUANG NGAI SUMMER 1972

(submitted by John “Tex” Talmadge)

The Quaker Rehabilitation Center in Quang Ngai cared for Vietnamese civilians injured during the war. As an important disclaimer, I must say that I served there as a physician only a few months in spring and summer of 1972. Like many volunteers, the experience left me with lifetime guilt that I could not do more or stay longer. I was in fact still a medical student with some basic training in orthopedics and community medicine. My intentions were good, but there was nothing heroic or even terribly helpful on my part.

The conditions were primitive. We had no lab, x-ray, trained nursing staff, or up to date equipment. 

Our patients were two to a bed in what the locals called “the chicken ward,” a building with open widows and an occasional visiting hen or rooster from the village. Our surgery space was a converted garage where at times the nearby bombing would cause flakes of ceiling plaster to drift like tiny snowflakes into the operative field. I had taken one trimester of French at Dartmouth, and that’s how I awkwardly found my way around

I am writing this to describe the courageous work of the American Friends and the Vietnamese who kept the place going. 

The rehabilitation center treated all civilians without regard to race, religion or political affiliation.” Among patients, men outnumbered women two to one; around 37% were aged 21–40, and surprisingly, 5% were under five years old, with a quarter of patients under sixteen—often children injured playing in mine‑contaminated areas. From the outset, the center prioritized building local skills, as one team member explained: “We hired all local people to work with us and recruited widely… Our goal was to build and train the local people so that they could take over when we left.”

The Vietnamese government assumed responsibility for the clinic post‑war—a lasting testament to Quaker Service and American Friends.

The stirring narrative of Quakers in Quang Ngai is barely a historical footnote, and the story has never been documented properly. Some staff members served for years there, and one of my predecessors was captured and held by the National Liberation Front (Vietcong) for months. 

My only really close call (other than nearby bombing or mortar fire)  occurred when Ed Allen, a stringer for Dispatch News Service, convinced me to visit the nearby site of the My Lai Massacre. We were stopped near a burned out refugee camp by the North Vietnamese. They recognized the Quaker symbol on my shirt and permitted us to turn around and leave. To my good fortune, Ed’s French was much better than mine, and the NLF soldiers were surprisingly civil about the whole thing. 

Like many returnees, I came back to America with all sorts of stories. I have come to appreciate the way that memory fails and fades. There are moments I remember that I am sure, did not happen at all — or at least not the way I recall. 

Strange things happen during wartime. One afternoon I was called out urgently, and I met a family coming up the street. A mother held her seven-year-old son in her arms, and in Vietnamese she was sobbing, “Doctor! Doctor!” The child had fallen into a well and drowned. There was nothing to do. What kind of God, I wondered, places a child in a war zone, only to let him drown? 

I have cared for many military veterans during my career. As Chief Resident in Psychiatry at the Madison, Wisconsin VA Medical Center I worked with many Vietnam vets. I also served at the VA Medical Center at Duke, and for many years I headed the Addiction Psychiatry Training Program at the VA Hospital affiliated with UT Southwestern Medical School. In my generation we took care of veterans from WWII and Korea as well.

The Vietnam war was, as we all know, a tragic episode. Like most armed conflicts since World War II, the whole nasty business should have been avoidable and solvable. I’ve never met a participant who had neutral feelings about having been in Vietnam. The first-hand accounts of heroism, told to me by those who were there, fill me with awe and admiration. And many of us will always carry the silent burden of feeling that we might have stayed longer and we should have done more.

ADDENDUM

Historical Overview and Humanitarian Efforts

Overview of Quang Ngai Province

Quang Ngai Province, situated along the central coastline of Vietnam, was a significant locus of conflict during the Vietnam War (1955–1975) due to its strategic location and political relevance. The province was predominantly rural, with the majority of its inhabitants engaged in agriculture and fishing. Its proximity to the demilitarized zone and vital supply routes rendered it a focal point for both Viet Cong operations and United States/South Vietnamese military activity.

The Vietnam War in Quang Ngai

Throughout the Vietnam War, Quang Ngai Province was subjected to sustained and intense combat, resulting in widespread devastation. The region endured heavy bombardment and frequent ground operations as opposing forces vied for territorial control. The My Lai Massacre, which occurred in Son My village in 1968, remains a notorious episode, wherein United States soldiers killed hundreds of unarmed civilians, drawing global condemnation and highlighting the war’s harsh realities.

The conflict caused the destruction of numerous villages, displacement of local populations, and a severe decline in the provincial economy. Quang Ngai experienced acute hardship, including food shortages and the ruin of vital infrastructure. The repercussions of the war persisted long after the cessation of hostilities, leaving enduring challenges to health, environment, and societal well-being.

Quaker Service and the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) in Quang Ngai

The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), commonly referred to as Quaker Service, is a United States-based Quaker organization dedicated to the promotion of peace and humanitarian service. During the Vietnam War, the AFSC was among the limited number of American entities actively engaged in providing aid within South Vietnam, including Quang Ngai Province.

In Quang Ngai, Quaker Service focused on delivering nonviolent assistance to civilians affected by the conflict. Its principal initiatives encompassed:

• Medical Aid: AFSC operated clinics and supplied medical equipment to local hospitals, thereby facilitating the treatment of war casualties and enhancing overall healthcare provision for civilians.

• Rehabilitation: The organization provided support to individuals injured or disabled by the war, offering physical rehabilitation services and prosthetic devices.

• Child Welfare: Numerous programs were established for children orphaned or traumatized by the conflict, including initiatives in nutritional support, housing, and education.

• Community Development: AFSC contributed to reconstruction efforts by building schools, repairing damaged infrastructure, and promoting agricultural recovery.

Quaker Service was distinguished by its steadfast commitment to neutrality and humanitarian principles, continuing its operations in areas of active conflict while maintaining a reputation for impartiality. The organization’s work in Quang Ngai and neighboring provinces alleviated suffering and facilitated reconciliation, even amid formidable challenges.

Legacy

The legacy of the Vietnam War in Quang Ngai Province remains profound. Nevertheless, the endeavors of organizations such as the American Friends Service Committee brought hope and tangible relief to many individuals. Their contributions laid a foundation for post-war reconstruction and underscored the essential role of humanitarian aid during times of conflict.