Frank C. Barnes, Oral History

Recorded: May 4, 1995
Interviewed by Connie Sickels
Transcribed by Lisa Whalen and Kate Medicus 

My name is Frank Barnes. I'm a psychiatric patient. When this happened, I was at Ohio State University campus, in 1970, after I'd been fired from my second high school. I was made mentally ill by a girl down there who called me all the time. At the Administration Building on campus at Ohio State -- was surrounded by National Guard -- Ohio Guard. And the students were throwing marshmallows at the Guard. Later I went into Columbus State Hospital for two years. Donna Dunch -- I dated Donna Dunch, she told me the ROTC building was burned. The campus at Ohio State was closed for a week, with helicopters flying over the fraternity house. I was a post-graduate student in physical education. The week -- the University was closed for a week, with helicopters flying all over the campus. I think Vietnam was a mistake. A well- intentioned mistake, just like MacNamara came out and said. Personally, I'm a mental patient and was exempt. I was in three mental institutions before I went to college. It kept me out of Vietnam, the draft. I had to take a physical in Cleveland, but my mental disability kept me out of the service. Some fraternity brothers were killed. I look at it as a big tragedy. The holy trinity is my savior. God the father, God the son, God the holy ghost. Amen. That's it.

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