Joe Giannini and the Vietnam War

July 26, 2021
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Black and white photo of empty boots worn by a Marine in Viet Nam from a collection in the National Archives.
Vietnam...Combat boots worn out in service. Photograph 127-N-A373233; Combat Boots; 5/23/1970; General Photograph File of the U.S. Marine Corps, 1927 - 1981; Records of the U.S. Marine Corps, Record Group 127; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD.

We continue our conversation with Long Island historian Christopher Verga, discussing his oral history interviews with Vietnam veterans from Long Island.

Today we feature excerpts from Chris’s interview with Joe Giannini. Joe was born in Brooklyn, moved to Massapequa, and graduated from Hofstra University in 1966. Drafted soon after, he enlisted in the Marines, serving (and surfing) in country. Through his oral history, Joe describes the racial tensions he encountered during training at Camp Geiger, his exposure to Agent Orange, and what he experienced on his return to the States.

Christopher Verga is seeking to document the histories of more Long Island Vietnam vets. Listen for ways you can get in touch with him and share your story – or recommend someone to interview.

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