MovieChat Forums > Full Metal Jacket (1987) Discussion > Did Pvt Joker surive the Vietnam war?

Did Pvt Joker surive the Vietnam war?

posted 4 years ago by bobbynynex (1505)
5 replies | jump to latest

Just curious what you guys heard or think.

[–] phifty2 (141) 3 years ago

FMJ is partially based of a book called "The Short-Timers" by Gustav Hasford. Hasford did indeed survive he war but died young early stateside at the age of.

Anyone interested I recommend reading "The Short-Timers" and its sequel "The Phantom Blooper". Excellent books on Vietnam.

[–] mobocracy (894) 3 years ago

He died at 45 from untreated diabetes. It sounds like he had serious mental health problems later in life. Whether it was due to the war or something else is hard to know.

[–] PaladinNJ (21525) 3 years ago

Never knew that.

[–] mobocracy (894) 3 years ago

It seems likely he would as a military journalist.

I'd guess after a near-death experience in the field, his appetite for getting in the shit probably wound up being more like Lt. Lockhart's -- in the rear, with the gear. To the extent he had further field experience, I'd guess it was safer options like choppering into secure firebases for a few days, and then choppering out. Not joining field units for active combat operations.

[–] whynotwriteme (7725) 3 years ago

I'm hoping Joker eventually got to cover the USO show and managed to meet Ann Margret and see the fur and early morning dew.