Soldier Nicknames in The Nam

When serving during the Vietnam War, many of us were unaware of the real names of our fellow soldiers in the bush; the exception being those extremely close to us.  Our fatigues were severely worn and without unit patches, rank and name tags – no identities.  Nicknames were easier to remember so that was how we referred to one another; some names were scribed with magic markers on helmet covers to let others know.  Soldiers had arrived in country with existing nicknames  – either having the moniker since childhood or inherited one in basic training.  Those without, were quickly dubbed by their peers, using their looks, stature, home state, last name and occupation before the service as possible criteria to consider.  These names stayed with us during our entire tour – and for some of us – ever since.

This is how we knew one another.  Unfortunately, this practice caused problems for many of us later in life when  trying to locate old friends and/or identifying lost brothers on the Vietnam Memorial Wall.   Many vets were successful in their search…others are still trying to find them.

This is a list of nicknames that I’ve compiled from memory.  I know it’s not all-inclusive and I’m looking to add to it.  If your nickname is not mentioned, please let me know and I’ll make the changes.  I’m not certain if  call signs are appropriate for this list unless it’s the only alternative name you were known by at the time.  Looking forward to your feedback…thank you in advance…Welcome Home to all!

 

Ace

Aftershock

Alphabet

Alpine

Asshole

Babe

Baby Huey

Bahstin

Baldy

Bam-Bam

Bama

Batman

BB

Bear

Beetle

Benny Clap

Big Al

Big Daddy

Big Ears

Bigfoot

Bird Man

Bizo

BJ

Blondie

Blood

Blue

Bonzo

Boom-Boom

Bowser

Bozo

Brother Man

Buck

Bud

Buddah

Bug

Bugs

Bull

Bunny

Butch

Cactus Jack

Calico

Cap

Cat

Charlie Brown

Charlie Sierra

Cherry

Chief

Chink

Click

Cool Hand Luke

Cotton Top

Country

Cowboy

DA

Deadeye

Dee

Dero

Dewey

Dizzy

Doc

Dock

Dog Boodie

Doo Rag

Duser

Dutch

Earnie

Fearless Freddy

Fish

FNG

Fragman

Fred

Freddy

Frenchie

Frisco Kid

Frog

Fuge

Fuzzy

GI

Ghost

Gomer

Grasshopper

Green Mountain

Grits

Grumpy

Grunt

Guns

Ham

Hammer

Hardcore 54

Hawk

Hawkeye

Head

Hero

Hick

Higgi

High Pockets

Hillbilly

Hippie

Hippy

Hobo

Hollywood

Hound Dog

Huey

Indiana Brown

Irish

Jammer

Jock

Joe Shit

Joker

Jolly Green Giant

Jumbo

Junior

Kid

Killer

Killer Niner

Kootch

Krazy Ken

Lifer

Little Brother

LT

Lucky

Lurch

Mack

Mad Dog

Mad Mike

Magoo

Maggot

Magnet Ass

Man Overboard

Monday

Monk

Monster

Moon

Moose

Mop

Mort

Mouse

Muleagain

Old Man

Ollie

Outlaw

Pa

Pal

Papa

Peckerhead

Pigpen

Pills

Pineapple

Polack

Polecat

Pops

Preacher

Precious

Professor

Radar

Rat

Rebel

Red

Road Dawg

Rock Ape

Rock Star

Rubber Duckie

Sandy

Scooby

Scout

Sgt. Marty

Sgt. Bird Shit

Sgt. Bull

Sir James

Shit Head

Short Round

Shorty

Sixpack

Ski

Skippy

Smiley

Smitty

Smoke

Snake

Snag

Snoopy

Spanky

Sparky

Speed

Spider

Spiderman

Spooky

Stake

Stack

Stoner

Stoney

Stube

Stud

Sugar Bear

Sunshine

Sully

Super Jew

Superman

Surfin’ Lou

Swede

Sweden

Tack

TC

Tennessee

Tex

Thor

Tick

Tiger

Tiny

Too Tall

Top

Trail Spike 23

Trung Si Ski

Radar

Vulture

Whore

Wild Bill

Wild man

Wizard

Wop

Xonk

 

 Note:  All new entries added since publication are in italics.

Did I miss yours?  Please list it below under comments.

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