Interview, Lawrence P. Camp, USA

Larry Camp (b. 1949) was born in Niagara Falls, New York, during his father’s service in the United States Navy. Because of his father’s military status, Camp and his family moved around a lot before settling in Spencerport, New York, in 1955. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1969. After his service he returned to Rochester, where he became an active member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 20 color guard.

In his interview, Camp explains that he was trained as an Army medic, but that he did not often get to put his medical training to use. Instead, he performed clerical work that required him to have a high level of security clearance. Camp discusses his experiences in Texas and in Fulda, Germany, where he was part of the 14th Air and Cavalry Unit that was to serve as the first line of defense against a Russian invasion. He reports that while he was stationed in Fulda, he did not think about being located so close to nuclear warheads, but that looking back on it later, he realized the importance of the role he played in the Vietnam War. After four years of service, Camp was honorably discharged and returned home to Rochester.