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A Comparative Analysis Of '67' And Stephen Ambrose's Band Of Brothers

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Although Andy Wiest's Boys of '67 and Stephen Ambrose's Band of Brothers are set in different historical periods, with the former taking place during the Vietnam War and the latter in World War II, both stories reveal similarities in the soldiers' experiences on the battlefield. These shared elements center around camaraderie, and the collective experience of trauma. However, notable differences also existed, such as the objectives of each war, the character of the conflicts, and the public perceptions surrounding them. Despite the transformative shift in warfare from World War II to the Vietnam War, a consistent theme emerges in the narratives of Wiest and Ambrose- death and dealing with trauma. Wiest's depiction of the servicemen from Charlie …show more content…

Post World War II, soldiers were largely embraced by society, celebrated as heroes. Many veterans did not shroud their war stories but reflected on them with a mix of nostalgia and melancholy. Corporal Walter Gordon exemplified this sentiment when he described the war's profound impact, saying, "It had the most awesome effect... I'm incredibly lucky that I got through it and even more fortunate that I was with this group of outstanding men." (Ambrose, 118). Despite the grim realities of war, like many of his fellow WWII veterans, Gordon chose to adopt a more optimistic perspective. In stark contrast, the Vietnam War divided the nation, sparking widespread protests and civil unrest. The soldiers in Wiest's account faced a less welcome homecoming, often driving them to conceal their past military service. Moreover, many veterans from Charlie Company struggled with life after the war compared to their counterparts from Easy Platoon. Willie McTear, a Vietnam veteran, exemplified this struggle. On returning from Vietnam, he grappled with PTSD, “… spending all his money on booze and drugs.” (Wiest 352). Although McTear eventually managed to turn his life around, his story mirrors the path many Vietnam veterans had to tread. Overall, the stark difference in public opinion on both wars and the contrasting post-service careers of the soldiers demonstrates the fundamental disparities highlighted in 'A Band of Brothers and 'The Boys of

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