In 1967 and '68, a 24-year-old graduate of Virginia Tech served as a first lieutenant in the Army's Fourth Infantry Division during some of the fiercest fighting of the Vietnam War, including the Tet Offensive.
Now, 42 years later, Homer Hickam, 66, esteemed local author and winner of an Army Commendation and Bronze Star medals for his service in Vietnam, is returning to the country on a peaceful mission.
He and his wife, Linda, left Friday and arrived in Hanoi late Saturday night for a 12-day trip at the invitation of the Vietnam branch of the International Institute of Education, an organization that encourages Vietnamese students to attend American colleges.
Also, in what Hickam calls a great coincidence, "Rocket Boys," his best-selling book that was turned into the hit movie "October Sky," will be available in Vietnamese for the first time this week.
"First of all, I had no big desire to go back," Hickam said before leaving Friday morning. "I thought I had seen it and wasn't sure I wanted to see it as it is today. But when the opportunity presented itself, I thought it must be fate or karma."
Hickam said Mark Ashwill, head of the International Institute of Education's branch in Vietnam, contacted him about a year ago and said he thought "Rocket Boys" and "October Sky" would be perfect for the Vietnamese.
"I thought it over and talked with Linda about it," Hickam said of the trip. "I also mentioned it to some Vietnam veterans, and they thought it will be a real cool thing to do.
"I have no reservations at all (about going). From what I understand, the Vietnamese really love Americans these days and don't remember the war. They're very intrigued about the United States."
The Hickams will be visit several cities, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Min City, formerly Saigon. They will also visit the American Embassy in Hanoi, meet the ambassador and talk to the staff.
Hickam will also visit the Central Highlands, including Pleiku, where he served during the war. He knows this trip will be a much better experience than his last.
"I approached Vietnam a couple of ways - as a young man and volunteer," Hickam said. "I liked adventure, but once I got over there, I realized war is not an adventure; it was a slog.
"I did a lot of growing up and met some wonderful men and women in our service and some special Vietnamese. When I came back, I was fortunate that I went and was lucky to survive and have been grateful to the military ever since."
Hickam is blogging about his Vietnam experience during the trip at homerhickam.com.