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Vietnam soldier to say thanks to old unit – in Iraq

DAVENPORT, Iowa — Bob Konrardy is 64 years old — four decades removed from his combat days in the Vietnam War.

He’s still seeking closure. And no matter how much it may hurt, he’s willing to put himself back in harm’s way to get it.

Next week, Konrardy will leave home to spend nine days in Iraq embedded with his old platoon, A Company, 1st Battalion, 5th U.S. Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division.

DISCUSSION:

What do you think about the idea of a vet embedding in a warzone? Will he find the closure he's looking for?

It’s his chance to thank the platoon that saved his life 42 years ago, and deliver a few goodies to the troops while he’s at it.

“I want to say goodbye to each platoon member on my last day, wish them luck on their tour and tell them I’ll never forget them,” Konrardy said.

The former soldier never got that chance in 1965, when he was wounded in a battle in the Ia Drang Valley and left Vietnam. His platoon’s radio operator, Ronnie Mathis, rescued him, but Konrardy was flown out before he could thank him. Mathis was captured, tortured and killed later that day.

Konrardy said he is looking forward to reuniting with the platoon, but acknowledges he’s battling the emotions of leaving his family.

“When I left for Vietnam, I was too young to care and was certain I would die protecting my platoon. I was ready for that and accepted it,” he said. “But now I’m saying goodbye to my wife and sons and their families. It’s like burying a child — it’s backward and horrible terror.”

In late December, Konrardy received U.S. military clearance to make the trip. Since then, he has been busy getting documentation of insurance coverage, his passport and vaccinations and medications. He plans to accompany the platoon on all of its activities except for direct-combat missions.

Konrardy will take several pick-me-ups to the troops, including telephone cards, hand-held video games and footballs autographed by several NFL players. He will also hand-deliver some letters, written by middle school classes attended by his grandson in Davenport and Mathis’ granddaughter in South Carolina.

Konrardy’s goal is to learn and record as much as possible about the soldiers. When he returns home, he hopes to create a DVD for the family of each soldier he meets.

“I want to document their activities, their interaction with Iraqis, the platoon’s feelings, opinions, politics, downtime, aspirations, histories and dreams,” he said. “I want to be inundated with information.”