John Danielski, 75, is a student at Washington State College of Ohio at Marietta in a social work and counseling program to become a drug, alcohol and PTSD counselor

PARKERSBURG – A Vietnam War veteran has dedicated his life to helping other veterans cope with the struggles he’s experienced.

John Danielski, 75, of Parkersburg joined the Marines when he was 17 years old after convincing his father to sign his enlistment papers. He was sent to San Diego for boot camp and served in Vietnam 1968, 1969 and 1970, first with the 3rd Marines, then with the 1st Marines after the first company he was assigned to, Delta Company, was decimated in a battle.

“There were only four of us left,” he said.

Danielski arrived in Vietnam at the Da Nang Air Base and encountered two elderly women carrying baskets. He said he came to realize anyone in this country could kill him.

Danielski’s first combat experience was in June 1968 on Hill 36. He and his company moved down the hill, across a stream and followed a trail for about an hour.

Then came the crack of an AK-47. Danielski dropped to the ground when the platoon leader shouted to form a line and push forward through the bushes. Danielski said he could see the enemy through the brush, their grenades falling in the middle of the platoon.

Danielski served two years in Vietnam. For his service, he received two Bronze Stars for heroism, a Combat Action Ribbon, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and a Presidential Unit Citation.

What happened in Vietnam affected him upon returning to civilian life in his hometown of Grand Rapids, Mich., Danielski said. Suffering from what was later to be known as post-traumatic stress disorder, he drifted from state to state, eventually settling in West Virginia. But the disorder continued to impact his relationships with his wife, child, friends and work, and he eventually became homeless.

Desperate, looking for help anywhere, his life was changed by a veterans employment officer who got him into a drug and alcohol treatment program at the VA Hospital in Clarksburg. He completed the program, but still had to cope with PTSD.

A doctor referred him to another six-month program specifically for PTSD, which taught him how to control the emotional triggers, pain and panic.

“Those people and programs at the VA saved my life,” Danielski said. “I was there for a year, but they gave me hope when I thought I didn’t have any. They helped me out a lot.”

It’s been over 30 years since the diagnosis of PTSD, Danielski said. He didn’t know or understand until years after returning from Vietnam how the disorder was affecting his life or that there was counseling available, albeit from a few places.

“We didn’t know that much about this back then,” he said. “There wasn’t very much out there for us.”

Those experiences made him decide to dedicate his life now to assist other veterans no matter what they may need. Danielski has helped veterans connect with mental and physical health programs, food and housing programs, apply for and obtain veterans benefits and services and social events, such as organizing the funding for field trips to famous landmarks through the Mid-Ohio Valley Veterans Support Group. Rick Stanley, a counselor, organized the trips.

“Anyway I can help them,” he said.

He also wrote a book about his experiences and about PTSD, “Johnny Come Crumbling Home with PTSD and the Effects of Agent Orange.” Danielski illustrated the front cover.

Now, Danielski is taking things a step further. At age 75, he is a student at Washington State College of Ohio at Marietta in a social work and counseling program to become a drug, alcohol and PTSD counselor and will graduate in May 2027.

Most of Danielski’s fellow students are barely in their 20s. He said he enjoys being around them and the interactions with the younger students, and was asked to attend the spring commencement in May to support his fellow students.

“I’m teaching them a lot about history,” Danielski said. “They’re teaching me a lot about the new technology.”

Jess Mancini can be reached at jmancini@newsandsentinel.com.