Winter Projects - Zimmerman RVN

We were extremely privileged to work with Randy Zimmerman of Pittsfield, IL on a really unique project during the month of January. Randy approached us last Fall inquiring about a slide/photo restoration project from his days in Vietnam during the late 60's with the U.S. Army.
Randy and his wife Cheryll (shown above circa 1968) entrusted us with nearly 700 slides from their attic archives. They tasked us with scanning and digitally restoring the images using our state-of-the-art equipment. Although the slides were 40 years old, Randy had kept them dry and organized in Kodak carousels. With few exceptions, they were in good condition and scanned well. Randy began his tour as an E-6 Staff Sargeant. He later ascended the military ladder as a squad leader, then platoon leader, then company field first (highest ranking non-com in the field in his company). Randy was with the 9th Infantry Division, headquartered in DongTam, right on the Mekong River about 40-60 miles from the south China sea (or Gulf of Tonkin).
HIs first outbase was in CanGuick doing air assualts and long range patrols. He then did mobile riverine out of "Tango"(converted WW2 LST's) boats in the Rocket Belt around Saigon. Then variously to a base camp on "Ambush Alley". Following his time there, he went to the MyTho to DongTam road bridge guarding before heading to the "Plain of Reeds"-that's far western VN right next to the Cambodia border. Randy also served at several Fire support bases like "Moore" and several ARVN bases periodically.

He flew enough helicopter assaults into hot LZ's that he earned two Air Medals, and to this day refuses to ever board another helicopter....he says, "I figure I have used up ALL my luck already...and you know what...when the engine quits...they don't glide down!"

Randy's photos depict 'everyday life' in Vietnam during his tour of duty. His photo journey is filled with the memories of a lifetime.It was a great honor for us to work on this project with Randy and a reminder of the sacrifices that so many men and women make every day to protect our freedom. Thank you Randy for this amazing opportunity!

If you'd like to contact Randy for more information about his project, please visit his website at Zimmerman Bros. on the Square - www.zimmermanbros.com.

All photo's courtesy of Randy Zimmerman