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Anderson Today
By the People, for the People
Vietnam War Veterans Return to Former Marine Base
Emotional visit to C-4 base brings closure for Marine who lost friends in 1968 ambush
Mar. 29, 2026 at 10:03am
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A group of Vietnam War veterans, including Marine Ed Niederberger, recently returned to Vietnam to visit the sites where they served decades ago. For Niederberger, the trip to the former C-4 base was particularly poignant, as it was near there that he lost two close friends in a North Vietnamese ambush in 1968. The emotional visit allowed Niederberger to find a sense of closure he had not expected.
Why it matters
The return of Vietnam War veterans to the sites of their service provides an opportunity for healing and reflection on the lasting impact of the war. Niederberger's experience highlights how revisiting these locations can be a powerful and cathartic experience, allowing veterans to process their trauma and find a measure of peace.
The details
During the visit, Niederberger collected dirt from the former C-4 base, a place he had not expected to be able to return to. As he stood on the site, memories of the brutal firefight that claimed the lives of his friends, including Lance Cpl. Bill Burgoon, came flooding back. Niederberger, who left the Marine Corps as a sergeant after serving in the war in 1967 and 1968, had previously returned to Vietnam in 1990 but had not visited the specific locations where he fought. This trip, organized by the nonprofit Greatest Generations Foundation, proved to be a deeply moving experience for Niederberger and the other veterans.
- In January 1968, Niederberger was involved in a firefight near the C-4 base that claimed the lives of two of his friends.
- Niederberger returned to Vietnam for the first time in 1990.
- Niederberger and 14 other Vietnam War veterans recently visited Vietnam as part of a program through the Greatest Generations Foundation.
The players
Ed Niederberger
A 68-year-old Marine veteran who served in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968, including during the Tet Offensive. He lost two close friends in a North Vietnamese ambush near the C-4 base in January 1968.
Lance Cpl. Bill Burgoon
A boot camp buddy of Niederberger's from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego who was killed in the January 1968 ambush near the C-4 base.
Greatest Generations Foundation
A nonprofit organization that provides free visits to battlefields where Vietnam and World War II veterans served.
What they’re saying
“I didn't think it was possible to even get here. I certainly didn't have any thought it would impact me like it did.”
— Ed Niederberger, Marine Veteran
“Chris, I can't believe I'm standing here where C-4 was and talking to you. This is crazy. This is beyond anything.”
— Ed Niederberger, Marine Veteran
What’s next
The Greatest Generations Foundation plans to continue organizing trips for Vietnam War veterans to return to the sites of their service, providing more opportunities for healing and closure.
The takeaway
The emotional return of Vietnam War veterans to the battlefields where they fought decades ago highlights the lasting impact of the war and the importance of providing veterans with the chance to revisit and process their experiences. Programs like the one offered by the Greatest Generations Foundation can play a vital role in the healing process for those who served.
