Library of Congress Veterans History Project

Interview conducted by Jeanne Czarnecki and produced by Jennifer Cockerill. Recorded at Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Downtown Branch, October 21, 2014.

Born in Sunnyside, Washington in 1947, Terrence J. Plank served in the United States Army from 1964 to 1977 during the Vietnam War. He was a combat medic in the 3rd Battalion, 506th Airborne Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne division, and a member of the six-man Long Ranger Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) team. Plank was stationed in more than 11 locations, including Landing Zone (LZ) near Phan Thiet, Vietnam. He participated in many counteroffensives and operations from 1967 to 1968, most noticeably Counteroffensive IV and V, Operation Nevada Eagle and the Tet Offensive. He received the following medals: Bronze Star for Valor, Army Commendation Medal, Purple Heart, and Combat Medic Badge. He reached the rank of E-5.