Rick Springfield Reveals 1968 Vietnam Incident Where He Killed a Man While Entertaining Troops

Key points

• Springfield was 17 or 18 years old when he toured Vietnam for four months to entertain U.S. forces in 1968.
• He was staying at a U.S. Navy encampment near Da Nang when the base came under attack by Viet Cong forces.
• Springfield fired approximately five or six mortars from a radio shack during the attack, admitting he could have lost a hand in the process.
• He learned the next day that one of the mortars had killed a Viet Cong member, a fact he described as the one thing he could not process.
• The singer stated that the memory of the killing remains with him to this day, describing it as 'pretty heavy' when he confronts the reality.

Background

Springfield previously detailed this incident in his 2010 memoir, 'Late, Late at Night,' where he wrote that the war situation still sends a shiver down his spine. This recent disclosure follows his appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience, where he revisited the experience of being a young musician in a war zone.

How outlets are covering it

NBC News and HuffPost both report on Springfield’s interview with Joe Rogan, highlighting his emotional struggle with the memory. NBC emphasizes his age at the time (17) and the location (Marble Mountains near Da Nang), while HuffPost notes he was 18 and focused on the lack of financial reward from the tour. Both outlets agree that Springfield views the event as a defining, unresolved trauma from his youth.

Why it matters

The story highlights the unexpected and lasting psychological impact of war on civilians and entertainers, illustrating how historical events can leave deep, unhealed wounds decades later. It also underscores the complex reality of the Vietnam War, where even those not in combat roles faced life-altering violence.

What to watch

There are no immediate next steps, as this is a retrospective account of a historical event. Springfield continues his music career and public appearances, but this disclosure may lead to further discussions about his experiences during the Vietnam War.