Interview, Richard DeFiore, USMC

Note: second interview conducted March 30, 2013 

Richard DeFiore (b. 1946) was born and raised in Rochester, New York, and graduated from Jefferson High School. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1965, completed basic training at Paris Island, North Carolina, and went on to specialize in combat engineering. Stationed in Okinawa, DeFiore taught other Marines about landmines, booby traps, and demolition. He was then sent to Vietnam, where he fought in the Battle of Dai Do. DeFiore served in the Marines for 4 years and was honorably discharged in 1969. After his service, he returned to Rochester and worked for the City for about 30 years.

In his interviews, DeFiore discusses the Battle of Dai Do, in which nearly everyone in his unit was wounded and 87 of his fellow servicemen were killed. DeFiore recalls that his homecoming from Vietnam was a terrible experience. After being bumped off a plane in Chicago, he was refused service at a bar because he was wearing his uniform. However, he shares that his family was very happy to have him home safe. DeFiore explains that he has developed diabetes as a result of his exposure to the chemical herbicide Agent Orange. He also shares that he has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and receives compensation for the medical problems he developed as a result of serving in Vietnam.