SPRINGTOWN — Alan Strauss, is a Vietnam war veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force. Alan shares his personal journey from his early life in Greendale, Wisconsin, through his military service and his life post-service.
Strauss was born and raised in Wisconsin, spending most of his childhood there until he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1964. He joined the Air Force as a way to secure a job and avoid being drafted into other branches of the military.
Coming from a family who served in the military, Strauss followed the footsteps of his two older brothers. After completing six months of tech school at Shepherd Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, he was stationed at Warner Robins Air Force Base in Georgia, where he worked on C-124 aircraft as an aircraft mechanic. In 1966, Strauss was deployed to Vietnam, where he served two tours.
“I was in the 360th Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron,” Strauss said. “And I did EC-47s. I spent most of my time at Tan Son Nhut. And then I went TDY to Phu Bai, which is just south of the DMZ.”
During his service, Strauss developed a strong bond with his fellow airmen.
“I think it was the brotherhood, your fellow airmen, I guess, and getting to know the people,” Strauss said. “And wondering why we were there in the first place.”
Strauss’s time in Vietnam was filled with challenges, from enduring frequent attacks to grappling with the moral and political struggles of the Vietnam war. Strauss reflected on the mixed reactions he and his airmen friends received when they came home.
“They made you feel like you did something wrong,” Strauss said. “And when you're in the service, you're told what to do, when to do it, where to do it. You don't have a choice. I was damn proud of what I did.”
Strauss shared what his focus was back in Vietnam and who he believes are the real heroes.
“Just staying alive and wanting to get back home,” Strauss said. “That was the whole thing. And there's 58,487 that didn't make it. They were the real heroes.”
After being discharged at Travis Air Force Base in California, he experienced hostility from the public, including being spit on at airports. After leaving the Air Force, Strauss returned to Wisconsin and pursued an interest in aircraft mechanics. Strauss bravely admitted that he’s experienced some PTSD episodes post-Vietnam.
“I can remember when I came home at first, a friend of mine, we were driving in downtown Milwaukee, and the fireworks went out,” Strauss said. “We were at a stoplight. I jumped out of the car. And he looked at me like, what's the matter? I said, ‘It's nothing you wouldn't understand.’ It's a reaction.”
He eventually attended an automotive technical school in Missouri. Strauss retired after a fulfilling career, and he and his wife Lynn, whom he met in the mid-1990s, now enjoy traveling and spending time with their family, including their six children and 13 grandchildren. Strauss is involved in veteran communities, attending events hosted by organizations like Roll Call.
Strauss credits his military service teaching him a strong sense of discipline and organization. He emphasized the importance of treating people with respect and says only recently are Vietnam veterans getting the appreciation they deserve.
“I enjoy meeting people,” Strauss said. “The ones that do make you feel good are when you walk into Walmart or anywhere and someone acknowledges that you've been in the service and thanks you. That makes you feel good. Yeah. But it wasn't really until later when you got those reactions.”
Strauss is actively involved in veteran communities, attending events such as luncheons hosted by organizations like Roll Call. These gatherings provide an opportunity to connect with other veterans and hear their stories, which Strauss believes is crucial for younger generations to understand.