Veteran Spotlight: Barry Funfar

I have been so privileged to meet such outstanding people since writing my Veterans Spotlight column and this week is certainly an exception. An honor to feature Barry Funfar. Although his intense humility would prohibit him from admitting it, he is a true American Hero. Mr. Funfar served his country in the United States Marine Corps. from 1966 – 1970, (including 19 months during the Vietnam War), retiring as a Sergeant. He would fly an amazing (127) missions as a Door Gunner on the classic Huey Helicopter. Growing up in Lidgerwood, ND Sergeant Funfar speaks with immense pride when talking about his humble beginnings and family. “I grew up on a farm….was a farm boy…..worked (10) hour days with no O.T. and got $3.00…..left and went to The University of North Dakota….worked at The Student Union for 90 cents an hour….had (4) brothers and we all did well…..I always tried to be a good example to my brothers….guess you could say we were an American success story” he recalled.

He was sent to basic training at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, CA and received his first assignment as a member of the VMO – 2 Marine Corps. Air Wing at Marble Mountain Air Facility, about 3 miles from Da Nang. “It was a hot base....we got mortared and shot at constantly…..was there from February ’68 – October ‘69” he recalled. He continued, “Initially, I was in charge of the Vietnamese people. They were reinforcing our bunkers…..had a tremendous amount of respect for them” he said. I asked Sergeant Funfar about the holidays; “Christmas, 1968, I volunteered to work….another work day for me….we were trained to do a job and we did it……I do remember, Bob Hope came in and did a huge show for us…..never forget it….they had speakers set up…..the applause, the laughter was unbelievable….could hear it way off in the distance…..never forget that…..I have always had the greatest respect for Bob Hope” he remembered. When I asked him if he was ever afraid, Sergeant Funfar responded, “I really don’t remember being afraid….the adrenaline takes over…..you do what you’re trained to do…..I loved to fly….the landscape of Vietnam, despite the napalm and bomb craters, was really gorgeous…..but when you have 51-caliber shells coming at you the size of footballs….well that’s when reality sets in (over 12,000 helicopters got shot down during the Vietnam War). He continued. “We did a variety of missions, night flying, extractions, Medivac, guys would tell us they just loved seeing us come and get them…had real empathy for the “ground pounders”, the “guys on the ground.

Ya know, the life expectancy of a Door Gunner in combat was (5) minutes. There was always a lot of talk about drugs & alcohol in Vietnam…..we didn’t have drugs in my unit….Marines couldn’t even have hard liquor….if you were on flight, no way you could be on drugs….I played chess a lot in the off hours…..read a great deal, even played hand ball……had to be ready at all times” he remembered. When asked of a mentor Sergeant Funfar didn’t hesitate one second and said, “Gunnery Sergeant Black….great mentor….think of him often…..always tried to dissuade me from flying.”




Thoughts on his service? “I would do it again, and again…..I was very proud of the job I did…when I was discharged, they flew us into San Francisco…..told us not to wear our uniforms….that was so devastating….simply devastating” he recalled. Sergeant Funfar conveyed that he suffers from extreme PTSD. “When I came home….all the protests, insults…..that hurt me more than combat….was filled with anger and depression…..I was one of those that came home and didn’t say a word to anyone…..bringing back memories took a lot of time….lots of pain, lots of sessions……I’ve gone back to Vietnam for therapy several times…..the war NEVER goes away…..those of us that were in war (he paused, emotionally) it never leaves. My interview was time, extremely well spent and I am so grateful. Sergeant Barry Funfar, thank you for your service to our great country and welcome home.