Ep.16, Tom Bolinder: USMC Vietnam veteran

Brockton native Tom Bolinder was 19 years old when he fought in the jungles and hills of Vietnam as rifleman with Echo Company 2nd Battalion 7th Marines from 1967-1968. During that time the war was in one of its most violent periods as the North had launched a massive surprise offensive that was later to be called the TET offensive. Tom and his fellow Marines fought a determined and battle hardened North Vietnamese Army and during that time Tom was wounded twice, earning two purple hearts, and the second time requiring 2 years of rehabilitation. On August 18th 1968 Tom and his fellow Marines were conducting an operation when they came under heavy fire and sustained several casualties. Tom repeatedly ran into enemy fire to assist with retrieving casualties and was later awarded a Bronze Star with valor distinction for his actions. After the war Tom returned home and began a career in law enforcement that spanned 34 years. Tom first served as a police officer with the Holbrook Police Department for 10 years until 1981 when he transferred to the Quincy police Department and served there until 2005 when he retired as a Lieutenant. On this episode Tom shares his experiences during the war, how he overcame them, and what he learned from it all.