1968:I VOLUNTEERED FOR THE DRAFT.

saigon shufflePhoto Illustrated Vietnam Memoir

Dominic R. Sondy

Maybe this was a Twilight Zone trip … Vietnam was a place like no other.

Armored Personnel Carrier from Bandido Charlie 1st BN 16th Inf in the Michelin Rubber Plantation, 1969.

I grabbed a M-16 and hopped off the track along with everyone else. In all the noise and smoke I didn’t see that I was the only one going after the snipers.

Only a couple of dozen people in the entire 1st Infantry Division had the emblem sewn over the Big Red One patch with the words Official U.S. Army Correspondent.

No rank was required, many thought that we held the highest rank: civilian.

As a photographer, there was only that one rule. It was that prime directive about “dead, dirty or wounded GIs”.

One thing that set me apart from my civilians counterparts was my commitment to the troops. I had been a ‘Grunt’. I felt obligated to get their story right.

A Medic from 1st Infantry Division 1st Admin Co. checks a woman from Lai Khe village as her child watches.

These children materialized while on patrol in the rice paddies between Di An and Saigon. They are not begging for candy—the object of their focus is a cigarette.

1986:Welcome Home, Vietnam Veterans

Dominic R. Sondy’sVietnam Photographic Contributions Include:

Richard M. Nixon Memorial Library Yorba Linda, CA • www.nixonfoundation.org

First Division Museum at Cantigny Wheaton, IL • www.rrmtf.org/firstdivision/

National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum Chicago, IL • www.nvvam.org

Library of Congress’ Veterans’ History Project

Washington DC • www.loc.gov/vets/

SAIGON SHUFFLEBuy the book: www.saigonshuffle.comDominic R. Sondy has a lifetime of photographic experience. While

in Vietnam (1968-1969) Dominic attained a position as a Combat Photo Correspondent for the First Infantry Division Public Information Office. His photographs were regularly published in The Stars and Stripes as well as stateside through international news and wire services. Upon his return to civilian life, Dominic completed his college education continuing with positions at leading major newspapers in Detroit and Chicago and now enjoys a freelance career while living in Traverse City, Michigan (www.vintageimage.biz).