Deno Sylvia enlisted in the Navy in 1965 because he wanted to combine his love of the sea and air. He attended Naval Aviation School in Tennessee, and in 1966 shipped off to Vietnam for his first of three tours. Syliva recalls his immense responsibilities as an 18-year-old, which quickly turned him from boy to man. In his interview, Sylvia remembers Commander John Mape for both his heroism and leadership, but also for his last encounter with him, for Sylvia was the last person to speak to Commander Mape before he was shot down and killed. Syliva's conversation highlights his training before Vietnam, his experiences during the war, and his struggle with coming home to a hateful country who disputed his PTSD.