Scott Camil - Life

Life

Camil's parents were divorced when he was four years old. His mother remarried and he, his mother, stepfather, sister moved to Florida where and two stepbrothers were born. Camil had a troubled childhood, frequently being beaten by his authoritarian stepfather, and occasionally getting into fights with school children who would harass him because he was Jewish. He was brought up to believe he lived in the best country in the world and that, as a citizen, he had a duty as a male - that duty was to go in to the military to serve his country after high school. He enrolled in the Marines delayed enlistment program while still in high school, and entered boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island three days after graduating.

He served with the Marines from 1965 to 1969, earning two Purple Hearts, Combat Action Ribbon, two Presidential Unit Citations, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three stars, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Leaf, and Vietnam Campaign Medal during two tours in Vietnam. With Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, he acted as a forward observer for artillery. He was a sergeant when honorably discharged.

After his discharge from military service, Camil enrolled with Miami-Dade Community College on the G.I. Bill, and later transferred to the University of Florida. While studying philosophy at UF, he heard Jane Fonda speak about the deceptions of the United States government with regard to the Vietnam War. Fonda said, "In order for democracy to function the citizens have to have access to the truth. And the government is not telling the truth about Vietnam. So it's the duty of patriotic Vietnam Veterans to come forward and to share their experiences in Vietnam, so the public knows what's really going on." This was when he learned about the Winter Soldier Investigation, an event that he would attend that would change his attitude about the war. He later became active in the Vietnam Veterans Against the War, and became a chapter leader of that organization. He graduated from UF while on trial as one of the "Gainesville Eight".

As of as of 2010, he lives in Gainesville, Florida with his wife Sherry, is active in local politics, and is writing an autobiography. He is the subject of the 2002 documentary film, "Seasoned Veteran: Journey of a Winter Soldier", by Benito Aragon, Melinda Kahl and Michael Kirschbaum.