Ep 12: Vietnam in the Rearview Mirror with Norman Hile

Welcome back folks to another episode of the American Attic, where we explore the past through expert-led, dialogue-driven discussions of California history, and beyond.

In this episode, we're joined by author Norman Hile to discuss his recently-published memoirs of his experience in the Vietnam war, Keeping Each Other Alive. Mr. Hile, retired attorney, served in the US Army from 1968 to 1971, including a combat tour in South Vietnam from August 1970 to June 1971. He received his JD degree from Columbia Law School in 1973 and became a partner at the Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe firm in 1980, leading its Sacramento office for more than twenty years. He lives in Sacramento, California.

In this episode, we explore Norm's abrupt drafting into the conflict, his experience as a artillery observer in Vietnam and lessons he's learned from the period of his life. Copies of Keeping Each Other Alive are available here. Norman remains active in the community, speaking often about his experience overseas in one of our country's more controversial conflicts. His remarks as part of a Sacramento Public Library series can be found here as well.