Jay Setchell
Vietnam veteran
Jay Setchell
Sgt. USMC, Ret.
1967–1970
Pvt. Jay Setchell
San Antonio, 1974
My best day in the Corps? Earning the title “United States Marine”.
I joined the Marines shortly after graduating high school, and felt there was a greater purpose for me. The Corps was my answer. I had always been a “head down, bull my way through and get the job done person” with a chip on my shoulder and something to prove. I never bought the “it can’t be done” comment.
After Tanker school, I was offered a mini-school for snipers. There was an interest in men that had hunted. Cover, concealment, and negotiating the land was what you were raised with, and made those necessary skills easier to pick up. I then accepted an assignment with the Criminal Intelligence Division. There was a lot of drug activity between California and Viet Nam, and covert ops were frequent.
My worst day in the Corp? 12 November, 1969. I died that day. While transporting another Marine to base for serious wounds to head and neck, we were in a horrific accident. The vehicle crumpled in half and burned with us in it. Between a coma, life saving surgeries, intensive care, and more surgeries I was eventually placed on the TDRL (Temporary Disability Retired List) and released from the Naval Hospital after almost a full year. This changed my life … I felt I was a strong person, but this proved to me how strong I was, and I have never let go of that “gift of life”. It haunts me every day.
How do Marines earn their reputation as one of the best? I find most Marines have a purpose greater than themselves, they flourish in adversity, and they do not like being told they can not accomplish something.
I was, and am very proud to be a Marine. My son is also a Marine, which gives me yet another reason to be proud. {02-16-2014 • Canyon Lake, TX}