Veterans Corner: Vietnam veteran Victor Ianniely recalls combat, return home and local veteran services
December 22, 2025 | Monmouth County, New Jersey
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Sue Kiley, Deputy Director of the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners and liaison to aging, disabilities and veteran services, hosted the Veterans Corner interview with U.S. Army Vietnam veteran Victor Ianniely.
Ianniely recounted his path into the military via ROTC, attendance at basic training and officer courses, and deployment to Vietnam in 1968. He described combat experiences and lasting memories of wounded and killed comrades and civilian casualties.
Speaking about his return to the United States, Ianniely said he came home "in uniform through California, and people spit at me, called me a baby killer, threw eggs at me." He added that VFWs displayed sheets saying "Vietnam vets not welcome," and that it took years before Vietnam veterans were accepted in those organizations.
On veteran services, Ianniely said his experience with the VA in East Orange involved long waits that discouraged him from returning, but he praised local volunteer veteran service officers and singled out a county service officer, Bill Gardell, for consistent help. "On a scale of 1 to 10, I give you a 100," Ianniely said when asked to rate Monmouth County veteran services; he later clarified that Gardell had been particularly helpful, returning calls and locating needed resources for veterans.
Kiley thanked Ianniely for sharing his experiences and closed the segment, noting viewers would see the program again in future episodes.
Ianniely recounted his path into the military via ROTC, attendance at basic training and officer courses, and deployment to Vietnam in 1968. He described combat experiences and lasting memories of wounded and killed comrades and civilian casualties.
Speaking about his return to the United States, Ianniely said he came home "in uniform through California, and people spit at me, called me a baby killer, threw eggs at me." He added that VFWs displayed sheets saying "Vietnam vets not welcome," and that it took years before Vietnam veterans were accepted in those organizations.
On veteran services, Ianniely said his experience with the VA in East Orange involved long waits that discouraged him from returning, but he praised local volunteer veteran service officers and singled out a county service officer, Bill Gardell, for consistent help. "On a scale of 1 to 10, I give you a 100," Ianniely said when asked to rate Monmouth County veteran services; he later clarified that Gardell had been particularly helpful, returning calls and locating needed resources for veterans.
Kiley thanked Ianniely for sharing his experiences and closed the segment, noting viewers would see the program again in future episodes.
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