The military service and sacrifice of a local Vietnam veteran has been recognized and will become part of the oral history of the nation’s veterans at the Library of Congress. Kenneth Ziemer of Yellville is part of U.S. Senator John Boozman’s “Salute to Veterans,” a series recognizing the military service of Arkansans.
Ziemer was raised in Wisconsin and worked as a medical research assistant at the Veterans Hospital in Madison when he received his draft notice. He completed basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, in advance of going to military police school. His early troubles of throwing a hand grenade, which he eventually mastered, changed the trajectory of his service.
Ziemer was sent to Brooke Medical Field Service School at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas and studied to be a pharmacy specialist. He was later sent to Fort MacArthur, California and was reassigned as a lab technician.
Shortly after that, Ziemer was transferred to Fort Lewis, Washington and was instructed to gather all pharmaceutical supplies and medications he would need to open a combat pharmacy in Vietnam. He was assigned to the 523rd Field Hospital, and he worked nights in the pharmacy manufacturing medicines, cough syrup, suntan lotion and other products in short supply on the base.
During his time in Vietnam, Ziemer volunteered in a variety of duties. He was known for escorting patients to USO concerts. He was stationed in Nha Trang, considered a safe area, allowing him flexibility to also leave the base and visit the local orphanage. He also took Vietnamese lessons in the hopes of returning to work with the children and missionaries in the area following the completion of his service. Ziemer was encouraged to become a commissioned officer, but he declined the offer and returned to the states.
Ziemer recently gave an interview on his military service, and excerpts were posted Thursday to YouTube. Senator Boozman says he will submit the entire interview to the Veterans History Project, an initiative of the Library of Congress’ American Folklife Center to collect and retain the oral history of the nation’s veterans.
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