Vietnam War Memories
Musician Rick Springfield recalls firing mortars and potentially killing a combatant in Vietnam.
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Key Points
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Springfield said the tour lasted about four months and that he initially expected to earn money, but the band ultimately spent what it made at the PX and earned little overall.
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He said troops specifically wanted performers with women in the band because they wanted to see “girls that reminded them of home,” which helped the group secure bookings in the war zone.
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Before the attack, Springfield and the soldiers he had met stayed overnight together, taking positions in perimeter bunkers while he remained in the radio shack.
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Springfield characterized the episode as something that would not be possible today, saying at the time, “This is before—you couldn’t do any of this now.”
Rock star Rick Springfield revealed that he may have killed an enemy combatant with a mortar while performing for American troops in Vietnam in 1968. NBC News reported that Springfield, known for his 1981 hit "Jessie's Girl," was just 17 or 19 years old when a base came under attack during his tour with his band. Soldiers told him the next day that one of his mortar rounds had struck someone, an incident that has haunted him for decades.
The Australian musician traveled to Vietnam for about four months to entertain U.S. forces, but the experience turned traumatic when enemy forces attacked the base where he was staying. Metro reported that Springfield fired mortars from a radio shack after military personnel told him there were no friendly forces in the area. He later described the episode as something that could never happen today, saying the rules and oversight were drastically different in the 1960s.
Why the Band Got Booked in a War Zone
Springfield's group stood out from other performers because the band included female members. OK Magazine noted that troops specifically requested acts with women performers because they "reminded them of home." This unique lineup helped the band secure bookings throughout the war zone. However, the financial rewards were minimal — Springfield said the band spent what little they earned at the PX (the military store) and made almost no money from the tour.
A Teenager Thrust Into Combat During Base Attack
When enemy forces attacked the base, Springfield and the soldiers positioned themselves defensively around the perimeter. He stayed in the radio shack while others took positions in bunkers. Military personnel instructed him to fire mortars, assuring him there were no American forces in the impact zone. Yahoo News reported that the next morning, soldiers informed Springfield that one of his rounds had struck someone — likely a Viet Cong attacker attempting to breach the base.
A Memory That Never Faded
Springfield has carried the weight of that moment for more than 50 years. Metro noted that he characterized the incident as jarring and said he did not fully grasp the consequences at the time. Looking back, Springfield emphasized how different military operations and oversight have become. He reflected that such a scenario—a young performer suddenly thrust into active combat and combat decisions—would be unthinkable under modern protocols and rules.
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