From the Frontlines to Advocacy: The Journey of Vietnam War Veteran Bob Ventimiglia

PO2 Robert “Bob” Ventimiglia standing near Bunker 8 during his first tour of Vietnam. Photo provided by Bob and used with his permission.

On Vietnam Veterans Day, we’re breaking a sweat to honor the courage and sacrifices of those who served in one of the most challenging conflicts in modern history. Among them is PO2 Robert “Bob” Ventimiglia, a former US Navy Seabee who served two tours in Vietnam from 1965 to 1967.

Bob Ventimiglia, now retired and residing in Austin, Texas, reflects on his service with a mixture of pride and solemnity. He joined the Seabee Reserves just three days after his 17th birthday. Bob sought training as a Construction Electrician with the Seabee Reserves as a backup plan in case he ran out of money for college. And he did.

Ventimiglia completed his training at various military installations, including Navy Boot Camp at Great Lakes Naval Station and Construction Electrician School at the Navy Seabee base in Davisville, Rhode Island. In September 1965, his military journey took him to Camp Adenir in Danang East, Vietnam, where he joined the Mobile Construction Battalion 9 (MCB9) at China Beach. Yes, the China Beach featured in the 1980s television series by the same name. 

Recalling his arrival in Vietnam, Ventimiglia vividly describes the harrowing experience of landing in the combat zone. "Scary feeling after landing, smell, color, sounds," he recalls. His first tour was marked by camaraderie among fellow Seabees.

PO2 Robert “Bob” Ventimiglia filling sandbags near his squad tent during his second tour in Vietnam. Photo provided by Bob and used with his permission.

"We worked hard and partied hard," Ventimiglia reflects. "And when necessary, we fought hard." His unit faced significant combat involvement during the Battle of Danang East in October 1965, where they valiantly defended their base against a major assault. Despite sustaining casualties, their resolve never wavered.

Ventimiglia's second tour brought him face-to-face with the unpredictability of living in a combat zone once again. He recalls on a particularly quiet day how he’d hoped they’d get shot at, so he’d have something to do. "I volunteered to ride shotgun for a surveyor while scouting possible job sites. He took a wrong turn, and we got shot at," he recounts.

Yet, amid the chaos and hardship, Ventimiglia found moments of connection and humanity. Working alongside local Vietnamese electricians, sharing meals, and forging friendships amidst the turmoil provided a glimpse of normalcy amid the chaos of war.

However, the scars of war run deep, and Ventimiglia emphasizes the importance of supporting fellow veterans. "Because it helps me as well as them," he says. Encouraging veterans to seek help and support, he emphasizes that it's not a sign of weakness but an essential step towards healing.

It’s something he found when he joined Team Red, White & Blue in 2014 when he was managing severe PTSD from his combat experience.

Ventimiglia saw Team RWB giving out free water bottles at the Austin Marathon Expo. He “likes free stuff” so he stopped by to get one. He was skeptical when told Team RWB believes in “no one left behind” because he’d been left behind by other groups in the past. He says, “Team RWB proved itself the first time I ran with them! I always had someone with me.”

As a member of Team RWB, Ventimiglia has been able to use his own experience to encourage younger veterans to get the help they need as well. He shares the camaraderie he’s experienced and purpose in serving others has helped him better manage his PTSD. He’s especially proud of how he connected a fellow veteran with multiple service-related injuries with the Texas Veterans Commission to file claims. She ended up getting a 90% service-connected rating.

Ventimiglia's journey from the battlefields of Vietnam to advocating for veterans serves as a testament to the resilience and courage of our Vietnam veterans. As we honor their sacrifices on this Vietnam Veterans Day, let us also commit to supporting and uplifting all those who have served.

In the words of Bob Ventimiglia, "Remember our training, keep moving forward, don’t give up, no one left behind -- let alone you!" Let us heed his call and stand in solidarity with our Vietnam veterans, ensuring that their sacrifices are never forgotten.

Join us as we honor Vietnam veterans with our March Monthly Mission by taking on the Vietnam Battle Drill.