The Effect of the Vietnam War on SoldiersThe Vietnam War was America's longest and most unpopular war of the 20th century. The United States was involved in Vietnam from 1944 to 1973, but only in recent years has it deployed ground troops (Lawrence 1). For the first time, the United States was the aggressor. Vietnam is located thousands of miles from the United States and therefore does not pose a direct threat to U.S. security. Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh seems to admire the United States, their declaration of independence is proof of this. U.S. involvement was so controversial because, in the eyes of some, the United States was trying to stop the heroic Vietnamese national liberation movement. Tim O'Brian was a college graduate when he was drafted to go to war. He wrote several short stories about the Vietnam War. His writings serve to clarify the suffering endured by soldiers in Vietnam. He intentionally blurs the line between fact and fiction to make the reader feel like his story is true. Each war has its own profound effect on soldiers. The psychological impact of wars on soldiers has always been present, but the Vietnam War was different from previous wars. In his short story "The Things They Carried", O'Brian uses symbolism and imagery to show the reader the physical and mental burden that soldiers in the Vietnam War had to carry. O'Brian effectively juxtaposes the physical and metaphysical burdens to show the reader how similar these seemingly different burdens are. His short story O'Brian gives a deeper understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The United States has always fought conventional wars, where, as Josh Hochgesang says, armies meet on a battlefield...... middle of paper. ....the discontent of IC.Tim O'Brian has written several novels and short stories about the Vietnam War, including Going After Cacciato, If I Die in a Combat Zone. His writings provide insight into the Vietnam War and all the soldiers suffering in Vietnam. In his short story "The Thing They Carried," O'Brian lists everything soldiers carried into battle by the soldier in the short story, items like jungle boots, personal letters, and feelings like fear and shame. Tim O'Brian effectively puts a face to the burdens, regrets and fears the soldier endured during the Vietnam War. He uses imagery, symbolism, and effectively juxtaposes physical and metaphysical burdens to show the reader how similar these seemingly different burdens are. O'Brian uses vivid imagery to add credibility to his writing, he intentionally blurs the line between fact and fiction..