Originally from Nebraska, John E. Foster enlisted in the Marine Corps Aug. 28, 1966. He went to basic training and upon graduation, served with a bridge building unit where he would construct bridges and then blow them up.
Foster first served with the 3rd Marine Division and went to the DMZ in South Korea. However, the Marine Corps reassigned him to the 3rd Force Service Regiment in Okinawa, Japan.
Near the end of his enlistment, Foster decided to extend his service for another seven months to fight in the Vietnam War. He served with the 1st Marine Division and served in Da Nang and Phu Bi in Vietnam.
Afterward, he returned to Camp Pendleton, California in 1969 and was discharged from the Marine Corps. On the bus ride to the airport, Foster recalls people throwing eggs and tomatoes at the bus and protesting the Vietnam War.
After his time in the Marine Corps, Foster enrolled University of Nebraska at Kearney and earned his degree.
More of his story is located at http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/bib/loc.natlib.afc2001001.62739.
Thank you for your service!
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Veterans History Project
This #VeteranOfTheDay profile was created with interviews submitted to the Veterans History Project. The project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war Veterans so that future generations may hear directly from Veterans and better understand the realities of war. Find out more at http://www.loc.gov/vets/.
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Editor: Barbie Carranza
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Graphic artist: Tenzin Chomphel
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Good work fellow Marine
John E. Foster did a great service to the United States, Thank You
Thank you for your service – John E. Foster.