Army Vietnam  Palos Heights, IL   Flight date: 05/11/22

By George “Mickey” Mills, Honor Flight Chicago Veteran Interview Volunteer

Lew Bottando grew up in Chicago with his brother who also served in Vietnam with the Air Force. Before joining the Army, Lew worked as a laborer, building Illinois Route 394, also known as the Calumet Expressway.  Because the money was so good, he waited until the project was finished before joining the Army in August of 1969.

He spent his Basic Training at Ft. Benning, GA, followed by eight weeks at Ft. Polk, LA. His MOS was the luck of the draw: heavy gunner. After AIT, he was sent to Vietnam on January 20, 1970.  He flew to Alaska to begin his trip to Nam.  Before boarding the plane, they were able to pick up some Mickey’s big mouth beers.  While on the flight, because of drinking so many beers, everyone had to urinate.  There were no bathrooms on the cargo jet; they had to fill the beer bottles and put the caps back on them.  He still feels sorry for the clean-up crew that had to get the plane ready for another flight. 

Once he found out he was going to Nam, Lew knew he would be in jungle combat.  He described a week in combat as long, dirty and hot. Lew said “Our ammo was interchangeable with the enemy but their ammo was not compatible with our weapons.” 

Communicating with family and friends was by letter only and very sporadic. He spent an entire year sleeping on the ground with a mosquito net over his face.  Every 10 days or so, he would go back to base camp, which was at Quang Tri near the DMZ, where he could shower and get hot meals. The U.S. government would not let the military shoot at the enemy at the DMZ.  They could see the enemy moving around on their side of the DMZ, but couldn’t shoot any of them – but Lew says “They would shoot at us.” 

April 7, 1970 was the worst day of Lew’s life.  He was carrying an M60 with over 100 rounds when his buddies were being fired upon. He ran up a hill and took out many Viet Cong before a mortar round blew up in front of him, knocking him down and causing damage to his face.  He needed plastic surgery on his nose and face, with his nose needing an entire reconstruction. He still has shrapnel in his face and the back of his neck. Because of this, he received his first Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.

After recovering, as part of a tank group, Lew was equipped with a .50-cal machine gun. His tank was hit with mortar fire and he was knocked to the ground without a weapon and had to do hand to hand combat. While fighting, he received a bayonet to the throat. For this, he received his second Purple Heart plus his second Bronze Star. 

Once again he returned to the field. He served with the 1st Battalion 61st Infantry.  The third Purple Heart he received came after he was knocked off the back of a tank.  He received serious injury to the back of the head with a concussion.

His favorite memory of his service was simple: GETTING OUT!  Many Vietnam Veterans experienced a very cold welcome and Lew was no different; he even had a girl spit on him in the airport. 

After returning home, Lew took advantage of the GI bill and received a degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago.  He joined the Chicago Fire Department starting in Roseland and finished up in Chinatown. Lew retired after 37 years; he spent the last seven years as a Battalion Chief. 

Lew is married to his high school sweetheart, Patty. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary last October.  In his retirement, he enjoys playing golf and cards.

Lewis Battando, you like so many other veterans, are deserving of a celebrated  ”Welcome home!” We laud your extraordinary courage in battle to serve your country in the Vietnam War. Enjoy your day of honor as part of the 101st flight of Honor Flight Chicago.