Gary Hutchison Memorial Chapter 1028

Vietnam Veterans of America

During the Tet Offensive which swept across Vietnam in January 1968 the 1/508th, 3rd Brigade was dispatched from the U.S.  and en route to Chu Lai within 24 hours of receiving its orders.  The 3rd Brigade performed combat duties and engaged the enemy  in heavy fighting in the Huê-Phu Bai area of the I Corps sector. Later the brigade  moved south to Saigon, and fought in the Mekong delta, the Iron Triangle, and along the Cambodian border, serving nearly 22 months.  The unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for its actions in Vietnam.

508th Parachute Infantry Regiment

82d Airborne

All American

Paul (3rd from L.) at platoon reunion in 2013 near the Drop Zone in Daytona Beach.

Paul's squad after a firefight near the Cambodian border in Tay Ninh Province, 1969

Squad member Eric Ream with cigarette (KIA 9/26/69) and others with Paul (R. hand on hip).

Paul (R) enjoys a little down time with his buddies

Paul entering a bunker at Tay Ninh base camp.

On a road somewhere near Tay Ninh

Paul, an RTO takes a break at a base camp near Tay Ninh.  His radio and gear rests against the bunker.

Paul served with the Alfa Company 1/508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division in Vietnam in 1969.

THEN

NOW

Paul Arca

It's been decades since we served. But to many of us, it seems like only yesterday.  Today we are old and slow; but once we were young and swift.  For those who never knew us then; and for those who can't remember when, take a look back at​  the way we were:

The Way We Were