After Dennis Kinney left Kentucky, he was sent to Vietnam. While in Vietnam, he moved around from base to base as a cook. Since most of his time was at a base, Dennis did not see much active fighting, but since he had duties, such as night watch, he was occasionally brought to the enemy. The bases he was stationed at did not see any major attacks during his time there. Dennis was originally supposed to fight for twelve months, but he extended it to fourteen months. Even though he was close to the front line, he was luckily able to survive the war uninjured. Dennis was honorably discharged on March 31, 1971—six days after his twenty first birthday, and about five months before his brother.[1]
Darrell Kinney, on the other hand, did not go to fight in Vietnam, and was stationed at Fort Cason in Colorado as a medic. His main duties included giving injections, taking and recording the vital signs (such as temperature and blood pressure), and giving some care to wounded soldiers who had been brought back to the United States from Vietnam. Darrell also sometimes worked in Fort Carson’s Psychiatric Ward giving care to soldiers who had been traumatized from combat. He had to work for eighteen months, rather than twelve, because he did not go to Vietnam. Since he had more training and his brother stayed an additional two months in Vietnam, he left about five months after his brother Dennis.[2] Darrell was honorably discharged on August 26, 1971—exactly two years after being drafted.[3]
Both Dennis and Darrell received a Certificate of Appreciation for their service in supporting their country during the Vietnam War.[4]
Darrell Kinney, on the other hand, did not go to fight in Vietnam, and was stationed at Fort Cason in Colorado as a medic. His main duties included giving injections, taking and recording the vital signs (such as temperature and blood pressure), and giving some care to wounded soldiers who had been brought back to the United States from Vietnam. Darrell also sometimes worked in Fort Carson’s Psychiatric Ward giving care to soldiers who had been traumatized from combat. He had to work for eighteen months, rather than twelve, because he did not go to Vietnam. Since he had more training and his brother stayed an additional two months in Vietnam, he left about five months after his brother Dennis.[2] Darrell was honorably discharged on August 26, 1971—exactly two years after being drafted.[3]
Both Dennis and Darrell received a Certificate of Appreciation for their service in supporting their country during the Vietnam War.[4]
[1] Dennis Kinney to Jagger Riggle. May 6, 2018. Courtesy of Dennis Kinney.
[2] Darrell Kinney to Jagger Riggle. May 5, 2018. Courtesy of Darrell Kinney.
[3] Darrell Lynn Kinney Certificate of Appreciation. Courtesy of the Kinney Family.
[4] Darrell Lynn Kinney Certificate of Appreciation. Courtesy of the Kinney Family.
[2] Darrell Kinney to Jagger Riggle. May 5, 2018. Courtesy of Darrell Kinney.
[3] Darrell Lynn Kinney Certificate of Appreciation. Courtesy of the Kinney Family.
[4] Darrell Lynn Kinney Certificate of Appreciation. Courtesy of the Kinney Family.