A Conscientious Objector's Year in South Vietnam 1967-68 by Allan M. Sather

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I took this picture of myself where we were first housed in Can Tho (Happy Hotel). Notice mosquito netting and shined shoes thanks to the "mama-son" who cleaned our rooms and took care of our shoes. The shoes immediately got dirty when we walked outside.

SDA CO's eating Sabbath Dinner, Adventist Compound, Saigon, 1968

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Soldiers who could get away on Sabbath would come to the compound for Church and a good vegetarian meal. Elder Neal is the one standing with bow tie.

SDA Church Compound, Saigon, Vietnam, 1968

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This was the most peaceful place I found in Vietnam. Homes for missionaries and a school for vietnam children was located here. I stayed in this home several nights. Pastor and Mrs. Neal lived here. As I remember he was President of the mission.

Seventh-day Adventist Hospital, Saigon, Vietnam, 1968

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Seventh-day Adventist Church, Saigon, Vietnam, 1968

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US Embassy in Saigon shortly after Tet Offensive, 1968

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View from roof of our hotel, Can Tho, Vietnam C.1967

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Contact me at allansather@gmail.com

2007-12-21T03:40:00.000-08:00

I snapped this picture of an ARVN "tank" as it drove by one afternoon. Notice the dark clouds forming. This was during the monsoon season and huge downpour was just about to get us wet.

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The "Huey" was constantly landing and taking off from our airbase. We heard this familiar sound 24 hours a day.

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Inside the room where Church was held. This was pulpit. Can Tho, South Vietnam

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This was the second pastor and his family. According to church leaders this family disappeared when the communist gained control of South Vietnam.

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This is the pastor and family that ministered to the church during the first part of my attending. According to church leaders this family made it to the United States before the communist takeover. This picture was taken around fall, 1967. The actual church service was held in the pastors home. Notice large clay pots to collect rain water.

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On one of my early trips about town I found a building identified as a Seventh-day Adventist Church. Being a SDA, I decided to visit the church at my earliest opportunity. This is the church congregation I worship with during my year in Can Tho, South Vietnam.

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Typical street scene. Notice French style bread. The French had quite a influence on Vietnam. Many of my picture show the disrepair of streets, sidewalks, etc.

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"River rats" poise for my camera. These boys used the river for swimming, washing, bathroom, and home. Many lived on boats parked in the background.

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Kids loved to poise for any camera. These two were selling "something" for anyone who was willing to buy. We did not eat local foods! Instance sickness resulted if you did.

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Cyclo drivers were everywhere. Some used motorcycles and others bicycles. Soldiers used cyclos to individually get from place to place. We encouraged them to race each other. The fare was very cheap at first, but as more US soldiers came to Can Tho, the prices soared. Soldiers referred to the drivers as "cowboys".

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When our unit was moved out to the air base our sergeants told us to build a bunker. We resisted and half-heartedly build a bunker about three feet high with no roof. After the first night of the Tet Offensive (motar and rocket fire all night long) we built this bunker on our own. (Notice steel plating and telephone poles for support). I spent many nights sleeping in this bunker.

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Helicopters at the air base, Can Tho, South Vietnam, c. 1968

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From June, 1967, until the Tet Offensive, Feb of 1968, we had very little contact with the Viet Cong. After the February, 1968, we were regularly motared, rocketed, or attacked. A motar hit this barrack.

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Down by the river, Can Tho, South Vietnam. Vietnamese Navy Base. c. 1967

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I took this picture from a Huey. Bomb cater probably caused by a B-52 strike. I was on a flight from Saigon to Can Tho, South Vietnam, Feb. 1968.

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The fountain after the Tet Offensive, February, 1968

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Fountain in city center, Can Tho, South Vietnam.

This is what it looked like before the Tet Offensive.