My Father's Brothers

About the movie

Jack Kelley volunteered to serve in Vietnam. As a U.S. Army captain, he routinely led his company of 140 men on patrols in the jungles near Biên Hòa. On June 29, 1966, ill-conceived orders came down from higher command that Capt. Kelley was to spread his platoons 1,000 meters apart in order to cover more area when looking for the Vietcong.During the patrol, the 3rd platoon stumbled upon an embedded Vietcong main force battalion. Outnumbered nearly 10-to-1, the platoon was savagely attacked. The triple-canopy jungle was dense and muddy, impeding the possibility of rescue.A squad sergeant, who took over the platoon after its leader was wounded and incapacitated, would ultimate earn the Medal of Honor for actions above and beyond the call of duty.The battle wasn't well known, like Khe Sanh or the Tet Offensive. It was a firefight on a Wednesday morning in Vietnam; however it was an important part of American history that could have easily been forgotten. For this group of survivors, it made an impact that would shape the rest of their lives.After Vietnam, the survivors go their separate ways. Slowly they reunite over the years, finding ways to cope with PTSD and their past, finding healing in the bonds of brotherhood.The film is a journey to understand what the filmmaker's father and seven survivors went through in 1966 and still go through today. Some had volunteered for the army as teenagers. Others were drafted. Some went back to Vietnam years later in hopes of finding closure and peace.