The story of a Vietnam War veteran who was thrust into some of the bloodiest battles of the conflict was the subject of a recent “MTSU On the Record.”

Host Gina Logue’s interview with MTSU alumnus J.L. “Bud” Alley first aired June 20 on WMOT-FM (89.5 and www.wmot.org). You can listen to their conversation above.

J.L. Alley

 Alley, who earned a master’s degree in history from MTSU in 2011, is the author of “The Ghosts of the Green Grass,” a chronicle of his experience as communication officer for the 2nd Battalion of the U.S. Army’s 7th Cavalry Division during the Vietnam War.

He graduated from Furman University with a bachelor’s degree in biology and was commissioned into the Army in 1964 as a second lieutenant.

Among his honors are the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and the Presidential Unit Citation.

Alley said the “ghosts of the green grass” are the psychological aftereffects of the fierce fighting he experienced in the jungles of Vietnam.

“For 25 years, I slept with the light on,” Alley said. “I was afraid of the dark.

“I was very fortunate. I had a very perceptive doctor who recognized I might be having some issues other than generally described medical conditions.”

You can learn more about the book at Alley’s website, www.theghostsofthegreengrass.com.

To hear previous “MTSU On the Record” programs, visit the searchable “Audio Clips” archives at www.mtsunews.com.

For more information about “MTSU On the Record,” contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.