Vietnam: It was after that terrible incident that you decided to become an officer?

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Walsh: It was on the medevac helicopter. They piled us on the helicopter and flew us to Ben Tre, to the hospital. On the way there I started evaluating the incident. I was in a mild state of shock.

Vietnam: Bitter about what happened?

Walsh: No. I was a SEAL. It was the nature of the beast. But I looked at the guys with all the missing legs and I could see it in their eyes: What's gonna happen to me now? I thought, there but for the grace of God go I. That could have been me. What would I do if I was out in the world tomorrow? I was a petty officer 2nd class in the Navy. I didn't feel as though I had anything to market. I decided right then that I was going to get an education, and I was going to get a commission.

Vietnam: You went to college?

Walsh: University of Southern Illinois. I did it all in the service, and eight years later, I got my officer's commission.

This article was originally published in the August 1996 issue of Vietnam magazine.

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