NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES OFFICE OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY Military Collection State Archives of North Carolina Archie L. Hackney Interview Summary MilColl OH 341 Interviewee: Archie L. Hackney Interviewer: Rusty Edmister Interview Date: December 1, 2010 Interview Location: Pittsboro, N.C. Interview Runtime: 1:28:50 Biographical Sketch Archie Lee Hackney was born on February 20, 1947, in Chatham County, N.C., to Lewis Raeford and Martha Ernestine Hackney. Archie Hackney graduated from Pittsboro High School in 1965. After high school, he worked at an auto parts store in Pittsboro, N.C., until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in December 1968 for service in the Vietnam War. Hackney completed his basic training at Fort Bragg, N.C., and Advanced Infantry Training at Fort McClellan in Calhoun County, Alabama. After training, Hackney married Peggy Riddle on May 17, 1969. In mid-1969, he left the United States from Fort Lewis, Washington, for Vietnam. Hackney arrived at Cam Ranh Air Base, South Vietnam, where he was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division. The 4th Division was based out of An Khê Army Airfield and Pleiku Air Base. In early 1970, he was reassigned to the 101st Airborne Division, where he remained until the end of his tour of duty in mid-1970. Upon his return to the U.S., Hackney was stationed at Fort Bragg. He was honorably discharged from active service in the U.S. Army on December 12, 1970. After his military service, Hackney was the owner of the Pittsboro Appliance Center for over 30 years. He began working for Donaldson Funeral Home and Cremation in 2013. At the time of this interview, Hackney was living in Pittsboro, N.C. 1 Interview Time Periods Section A, 0:00:00-0:16:18: Hackney discusses his life prior to his military service, and being drafted into the U.S. Army. He also discusses basic training at Fort Bragg, including the type of training he received; his drill instructors; food; and people he met during training. Section B, 0:16:19-0:29:02: Hackney discusses his training at Fort McClellan. He discusses the location of the base; the type of training he received; the change of his orders during his time at the camp; and his feelings about going to Vietnam. He also discusses his marriage; his memories of Fort Lewis; his journey from the United States to Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam; and the orientation he received at Cam Ranh Air Base. Section C, 0:29:03-0:46:47: Hackney discusses joining the 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam. He discusses his first night at the Division’s firebase; his experiences in the field; his combat missions; the weapons and supplies he carried during missions; the process of receiving supplies in the field; and the food he ate on missions. Section D, 0:46:48-0:57:40: Hackney continues to discuss his combat experiences, including encountering booby traps; casualties he witnessed; medical care in the field; his weapons; and transporting the wounded from the field. Section E, 0:57:41-1:09:22: Hackney discusses receiving mail and care packages while on missions; taking photographs with his personal camera; his R&R in Honolulu, Hawaii; and his feelings of fear while stationed in Vietnam. He also discusses an incident where he witnessed an American deserter killing a U.S. military police officer in a Vietnamese village. Section F, 1:09:23-1:19:03: Hackney discusses why he was reassigned to the 101st Airborne Division, and offers his opinion of his new division. He discusses a weapon that he brought back to the U.S.; his perception of his experience in the Vietnam War; his return to the U.S.; and his visit to the Pentagon to appeal his orders. Hackney also discusses his service at Fort Bragg, and why he decided not to reenlist in the U.S. Army. 2 Section G, 1:19:04-1:28:50: Hackney discusses his feelings during his journey home from Vietnam. He also discusses his experiences with helicopters pilots in Vietnam; his interactions with a Kit Carson Scout during his service; and his general opinion about military service in the United States. Subjects 101st Airborne Division 4th Infantry Division An Khê Army Airfield (South Vietnam) Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam Cam Ranh Air Base (South Vietnam) Chatham County, North Carolina Fort Bragg, N.C. Fort Lewis, Washington Fort McClellan, Alabama Kit Carson Scouts Pittsboro, N.C. Pleiku Air Base (South Vietnam) U.S. Army Vietnam Vietnam War 3 .