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I was with the 254th dust off 66-67 aug. Busy year for me and my unit two purple hearts 💜. Best group of people that I have ever worked with. Bless them all
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I couldn’t put a number on the times a day or even an hour that my life is interrupted by thoughts of the Vietnam. 14 months has completely taken control of my mind and soul. If my life starts looking good, somehow I make sure it goes to hell because I know Charlie is near and will the moment I let my guard down. I’m my own worst enemy, and I can’t help myself. After 55 years, I now understand how all veterans from all the wars are infected with a disease that can’t be eradicated. Vietnam was a war that was unpopular with the public, we were unpopular when we returned, it wasn’t a war we could win. I really am amazed by your article, and all the articles I have seen, because they give us more information and insight off how others comprehend the war itself and how we deal with our problems and feelings. I have gone through several group therapy programs and I have gained knowledgeable experience on how to deal with my anxiety and depression. My anger issues have subsided. If those of us that have any doubts about their mental health, please let the VA help you. Just listen, absorb, and open your heart and mind to some changes. I did and I think it helped enormously. My wife went to a spouse’s support group for veterans wives. She listened for awhile and then remarked to the group that they all sounded like they were married to her husband. Get it, we’re all in the same boat, I like living with a happy family, it’s great. I guess I keep getting lost here, love the article, hope more vets get to see them, and you keep writing them. Thanks A Million
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I really appreciated the article about maintaining Swift boats. I was a UH-1H mechanic/crew chief with 101st at LZ Sally and like yo read about fellow veterans experiences
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My hat is off to the ground personnel who fought there. I was a naval aviator aboard USS Ranger and was a part of Linebacker 2, the final and arguably bloodiest air operation, and the mining of Haiphong harbor. Nixon turned our airwing loose with Laser Guided Bombs which made short work of logistically essential bridges and ports facilities. All of a sudden “uncle Ho” decided to return to the bargaining table for the final cease fire.
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Excellent. Served in Vietnam from 66-67 and TDYs from 68-71 as Special Forces and later as Intelligence and did not know the whole story. Thank you.
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I was trapped outside Long Binh the night the Tet offensive began. I didn’t see that Saigon execution photo until I was in Hawaii on R&R several months later. I am glad to know be able to read about what wasn’t reported about that event at the time.
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Great article, moving story. Highlights yet again the superficiality of most of the basically anti-war orientation of the media coverage of the war. The murderer executed deserved more than the one bullet that sent him to hell.
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The Draft heated up before the Vietnam War. I went into the Navy and the Submarine Force two weeks after the Cuban Missile Crisis to avoid all the camping and hiking the Draft would have forced on me. Riding under the water seemed to be a better idea (and it definitely was).
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The Draft heated up before Vietnam. I went into the Navy, and the Submarine Force two weeks after the Cuban Missile Crisis to avoid the camping and hiking the Draft would have required of me.
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Navy LT OinC Swift 93. Gave Liz Trotta & photo crew ride up river in CaMau ’68. Got ambushed but no one hurt.
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Door Gunner first Aviation. Dong Ha 1970. The blood slick deck still gives me nightmares.
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I served in Viet Nam with the 508th Engineers from June 66 to July 67. And I can tell you I was insulted by these idiot demonstrating against us. And I feel that Mohamad Alie should have been drafted and sent there or to prison for life.
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very good article was there in 68 69 Fox co 2/9 3rd Marines was security on a river by the DMZ while the Sea Bees where building a road never ate so good they took care of me as well as I took care of them
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I take the time to read all your posted war stories, they really interest me because as a young boy we watched the war on tv at night and people go away to Vietnam and those that dodged the draft.
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I am Dianne Houser (now Holcombe), the nurse who found a satchel charge beneath the broken window in my hooch on August 7, 1969. That attack and one that followed later in August of ’69 stay with me all the time as does the death of my brother who was with the “River Rats” on the Mekong River. I get care from the VA, and they have diagnosed me with PTSD.
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Welcome Home
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I have to Read this Book I was in Vietnam with Delta Company 2/7 Cavalry Airmobile from May 70 to April 71
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Thank You. . One of the 3000+ Canadians that served. . .
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Thank You Mike and Welcome Home
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I grew up a military BRAT. What I was looking for was the actual name of the old “John Wayne Bars” not exactly like a “Crunch” bar, but vaguely similar, it was a chocolate bar with some kind of crunchy stuff in it, maybe rice? Or more likely extra vitamins or calories… we loved John Wayne bars. Wish I had some now for my Go bag. 😀
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Welcome home brother, God was, with you all the time.
1lt Auger B CO. 1/8 Cav
1968-1969
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I served in war zone”C” 1n ’66-’67 with the 196th LIB & then 2/12th- 4th Inf, Div.
Ho-Chi-Minh trail and Nui Ba Den mtn. Iron triangle jungles. Recently my book “VIETNAM BEYOND” was published.. Your article is great!
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Well written as it was for us Grunts. I don’t recall having the fear and depression you expressed in your story. As an Infantry Scout Dog handler I stayed focused on my job. My dog and I did a lot of night ambush operations. The life’s lessons I learned in Vietnam have served me well my whole life. I retired from the Army in 1987 and retired from law enforcement in 2008. 49th Infantry Platoon Scout Dog, 199th Light Infantry (Sep) Brigade. “Redcatchers!”
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It is what it is Brother, 24/7…………..I Corps 67-68, RTO
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I really feel for those that went to Nam. My sophomore year I laid in a hospital for 3 1/2 months with a kidney infection. So I was 22 by the time I was drafted and went to Ft. Knox. While in basic I caught pneumonia twice and had to be recycled to another unit to complete basic. Was sent to Germany,, after getting out, I figured they did not want a sickly person in combat. But while in Germany I was with new recruits that had signed up for Germany and after one year were getting orders to go to Nam. I also was with soldiers that needed to wind down coming from Nam before going back to the states. I seen soldiers crying because they were going to Nam and others crying because of what they went through in Nam. Had a first cousin that spent three tourer in Nam, to come home and die in a fire at his house. God gives us life, and He decides when we go Home to Him. Thanks to all those that served or are serving now, God bless as those that has served.
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Covers it all….. well done…. True full….. they don’t understand…. And never will….. that’s ok
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I like the article, I believe I read it totally to fast. I was interesting so I kept going. God!
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My buddy died in my arms looking up at me with those big brown eyes,
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Sorry about that 🗞️.
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I was a Navy Corpsman assigned to 1st MarDiv 1st Force Reconnaissance. I remember faces & no names. To many went home asleep. It should have been me not them. I still see their blood on my hands. 5-67 to 5-68 & 1-70 to 12-70.
Retired in 1-92. HM1.
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God bless the navy corpsmen. Think about the ones you saved.
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Remember those sounds very well. Heard them every night.
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Someday all the people will learn that they should look at v.m.like it was there own family that didn’t,T come home standing up but in a draped coffin.i lost friends in my 12mos in nam.but I still look through the list of deceased and hope I never see there names.even if you don,T went to get close and call them friends please don,T ever forget them,it just may mean that’s the reason you come home to your family and the people that you do call friends. Bless all vets and a special blessing to all my VM friends deceased or not,,,,,,,,,,I will never forget.
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It was a lifetime ago,it was yesterday!
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It really hits home. Thank for sharing. God bless.
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This was a great article written by veterans of the Vietnam War. I was born in 1941 so I was too young for the Vietnam War. However, I took ROTC in college and did 2 years active duty and 6 years Reserves. All of which was a great experience for me and would not change any of it.
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you must have meant 1971. If you were born in 1941 you would not have been too young.
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Or 1961…
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If you were born in 1941, you were definitely old enough to go to ‘Nam. I was born in 1946 and spent a year there as a nurse, But, thank you for the service you did give.
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Yup! Every day!
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Sorry about that 🗞️.
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Eye opening. So many came home drug dependent. I can understand why. I feel for your families who want to help but can’t. No one wins in war.
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Very informative thank you it’s no wonder why alot of em come back with twisted minds in may the Lord watch over them
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This article brought me there this morning. I spent 30. Years trying to leave on the alcohol and drug train, and the last 20 getting off that ride learning to take it one day at a time. O’Brian wrote the book “The things they carried ” this could be the follow up “The things we carry still “. For all of us that came back but never made it all the way home keep moving there’s an end, one day at a time.
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It rang to close to home actually I think having a stroke And losing some of my mind saved my life.
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The author and I had very similar life experiences while serving our tours in Nam.
My first day with my Inf. unit I put 11 guys in body bags. 19 was never the same again! I get that STARE now and again, usually when I’m back there in the Valley
(A Shau). It was beautiful choppering in ord out of there. But pretty damn scary being there, night was the worst.
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The description of the smell of mud, the air and sticky blood re- ignites the memory as if it was yesterday.
The smell of diesel smoke coming from burning shit, the cracking sound of the Huey Helicopter blades, and the sound of an incoming RPG just a split second b4 it hit our tent or dispensory and the instant explosion that followed.
67-68 133rd Med Det.Cat Lai
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Very informative and definitely a good read. Especially for those who couldn’t possibly imagine it, with me being one of them. Thank you to all those who served and made it home alive. I helped get contracts through while working for Defense General Supply Depot in Richmond, VA who provided aircraft and helicopter parts for the Iraq and Afghanistan war.
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Many memories from there as an 18 then 19 year old Army guy. I lost a good buddy over there in March 1969. It bothered me for years as I always wanted to visit his hometown, family, and friends. It was on my bucket list. I got to go there a couple of years ago and did that. I am very happy I did.
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Outstanding. I lost two of my best Marine bro. One died asking me not to let him die he stepped on. a mine I live with that every day. I walk and l live with my Gods help. Semper Fi my brave brothers
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Ooorah
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I had a cousin who returned from Nam as a totally different person. Still a great guy, just distant and mysterious. He passed a few years back. His name was Allen Ray Pruett.
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I had a cousin who returned from Nam as a totally different person. Still a great guy, just distant and mysterious. He passed a few years back. His name was Allen Ray Pruett.
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This article gives me great pause! I was in the Army during the Vietnam Era. I have great respect for those who were there! There are many times have guilt feelings because I didn’t have to go over there and other times very glad I did not have too. I did my job to the best of my ability. I have had Nam Vets tell me to not feel bad about not having gone there and everyone that served had a job to do and mine did not require me to go over there! Each Time I see a another Vet I make a point of thanking them for their Service. Young or Old.
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CANCER, PARKENSONS, HEART DISEASE, M-GUS, YA IM STILL THERE !
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Yeah me to, but diabetes now too. Never expected this in my 70’s, I thought if I carried something back from the Nam it would’ve happened much sooner. Oh well, like many have said about serving in Nam: “ It is what it is”.
Nick Elster
1st Cav. 362nd Aviation company.
Shit hooks !!!!!!!
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I had a cousin who returned from Nam as a totally different person. Still a great guy, just distant and mysterious
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The smell of VietNam after returning from R&R ! Took two weeks to catch a ride (chopper) out of QuanLoi to Saigon. I missed my chosen destination and had to accept an alternate toJAPAN AND IT SUCKED.
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Enjoyed the read. One thing bothered me when you said no one could take your daughters. I never even thought of such a terrible thing but have had 26 yrs to think about it since I lost my baby of 13 about ever day. Thanks for your read
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The article helps me understand Vietnam veterans. We think it’s over but it’s still going on for so many vets.
I’m still angry about the conflict. I’m just a girl who graduated high school in 1970. So many kids from my class were drafted!! Some went to Canada. Some went awol.
It was such a waste. I’m still angry!
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Well put. Spent my time as a Huey door gunner and participated in many hot LZ medivac’s. Cleaning out the blood afterwards was tough. Seems like I have been there every day for the last 50 years.
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It hits home…expressed very well….no matter if you were a grunt…doorgunner…crewchief…pilot…truck driver…no matter what job you had it could…and does for a very many…hit home.
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Was there 67-68 ,turned 21 yrs old there and “matured a lot” During Tet 68 was roughest time getting short and my first child I hadn’t met yet. Afraid I may not make it back to even meet her.Lost buddies and others sent to outposts and never met up again. Hell of a high-school trip. Welcome home brothers and sisters, God Bless All
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If you were in country nothing else needs to be said
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Loved it. Our Vietnam Veteran’s group has also visited schools. We’ve had similar reactions from the students. They eat it up because there is so little in the history books about the Vietnam war. Keep up the good work. They need to know.
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It’s our responsibility to teach our children. If we don’t, no one will. The schools don’t teach military history because, for the most part, the teachers don’t know it. It’s our job! Many schools have veterans day activities and invite veterans to sit with their students. I never fail to take advantage of these events and the students are both respectful and eager to speak with and learn from a veteran.
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Dear Friend. I served with the 25th also. Delta Company 1st 27th Inf Wolfhounds. 1st plt. 69-70 You have described my tour exactly as it occurred. I was amazed that you remembered so many unique details that only us grunts would know. God bless and thank you for your excellent work
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Very interesting and informative. I served two tours in Vietnam- 377th USAF Dispensary, Tan Son Nhut AB, October 67 to September 68; and Detachment 11, 1131st Special Activities Squadron, Tan Son Nhut AB with duty in Saigon, Vietnam 1969 to 1970.
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Great article. Thank you for the insight
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Aside from a night ambush outside the perimeter at Dong Tam, the Crossroads was my cherry event. Brought home a souvenir piece of shrapnel in my head to commemorate the occasion. Next time out I was no longer the FNG.
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Spent alot of time in that damn Plain of Reeds.
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Good article.Few spots of info did stir up some anxiety.Was a Scout Dog Handler 57th IPSD,70-71 Chu Lai
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Very informative. I served with the 173rd Airborne in the central highlands
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Great and accurate article. In NAM few seasoned Grunts (Marines) wanted the go on a “Search & Destroy” missions with the FNG! It took alot of “not so subtle” persuasion by the Lieutenant and Platoon Sergeant to get cooperation. You were like a leper until you proved yourself. If you survived. Ugh!
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VERY GOOD, AS A VIETNAM VETERAN SERVING IN THE MEKONG DELTA JAN 1969. AND IN SIGNAL CORPS. ON A ARVN BASE. MUCH MUCH MUCH RESPECT TO OUR 11BRAVO BROTHERS.
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Good article, well written. NAG Psyop’s.
“nous axons ete trahis par des politciens sans tripes”
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It is a great article, and I realize it couldn’t cover the other sideline articles of being there like the physical, mental, and psychological affects of actual combat. I’m not knocking any of your writing. I’d do worse if I wrote it. One of many things I remember humping the A Shau with the 101st is the physical exhaustion and how we dealt with it. One of the strongest desires was “ how can I get out of the field”. Anything else seemed better than being in the field. Our battalion went 5 days before realpolitik. I have a breakdown of items by weight in my 101st yearbook. Our overall weight was closer to 90-100 lbs ( unbelievable). Some purposely got malaria to get out of the field. Me, had a strong desire to accidentally shoot my foot, but just couldn’t do it. Over half of the names from the Vietnam Memorial came out of I-Corp. So you can see how stressful it was there living in the jungle only coming in once every 90 days for a two day stand down. Yes, that’s true. The physical exhaustion wore us down both physically and emotionally to affect our morale. Still, words can’t fully express it all. Much more I could say about the whole experience. Yes, it did change me. Some I denied, some for the better, some for the worst, and some I’ll never know.
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The A Shau Valley was like being in another world almost. It was pretty, but oh so deadly.
I was on Hill 937 (Dong Ap Bi) with
C- 3/187 Inf. 101st Abn.
“Hamburger Hill” 10-May thru 20-May 1969.
I do remember at the end of the first day we came down off the hill. I was a Cherry
that morning. Not that night though!
I remember crying like a baby telling the guy next to me I wanted to go home and see my Mom. He looked at me, said he did too..
The crying quit, we made it through the night. Then back at the hill for 9 more days!
Months later we went back to the Valley 2 more times.. dreaded it, each time.
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Excellent article. Job well done.
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Needs to be share with all major outlets. Don’t hold back
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Superb! A sanitized version of real-life conversions from real-life soldier’s and Marines embeded in the jungles of NAM on search and destroy missions. Trying desperately to find the unseen and “cut off the head of the snake”.
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Excellent. Midway Battle Group 1985 USS SAN JOSE. Our constant companion was the oiler Missipillion (not sure of the spelling)USNS I do believe. Great bunch of guys as the crew and very high morale!!! But they had to get so many days cruising and when we pulled into Freemantle, Aus they needed 2 more days so they cruised in circles for those two days while the Battlegroup was pulling liberty. Kinda Sucked!! Just Sayin!!!
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God bless our warriors! Thank you for your service and sacrifice
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A great read. An amazing article of the ingenuity of people in dangerous situations.
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Having served in the 1st Cav. In 67-68 I arrived in An Khe was assigned to A Co, 229th Avn.Bn. which was at An Khe supporting the defense.
My first impression was that a hell of lot of work went into establishing the Golf Course.
This article confirmed that and I truly appreciate that effort even though I spent minimum time there.
Gene Beyer
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NAM NEVER WILL LEAVE ME!!!!!!!!!!!THANKS TO A LOT OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL,I CAN FUNCTION!!!!(OK,I THINK! I MADE SOME CLOSE FRIENDS,DOING WHAT I DID I HAD TO TRUST SOMEBODY!!! MY FRIENDS WERE SOUTH VIETNAMESE AND THE 5 OF THEM WERE MY BROS.I HAD TO TRUST MY A– AND DID WITH THEM,AND THEIRS TOO ME. I DO’NT USE ANY MORE DRUGS OR DRINK ALCOHOL ANYMORE(33 YEARS NOW) THE WAR TOOK SOME REL FRIENDS FROM ME AND I WILL NEVER FORGET THEM. I TRY NOT TO THINK TO MUCH ABOUT THE SCARY TIMES,BUT A LOUD NOISE,A SMELL,A SITUATION STILL TRIGGERS MEMOES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Served with E Co. 1/7th 1st Cav. 81mm Mortar Plt. Squad Leader. This story is an example of ignorant, inexperienced, assinine leadership. Over ran at LZ Ranch (Cambodia) May 16th 1970 because of pompous leadership decision.
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Commo Officer with Engr Bn
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I have a book about Hanoi Jane. But written as though what she did didn’t rise to the definition of treason. Suppositly a naive teenager which she most definitely was not. At 32 years of age and in full control of her mental facilities she is most definitely a traitor to America. Her statement voicing taking it to her grave is the most honest and believable thing she has ever said. Prayers for redemption of her soul. But to do that she has to accept Jesus Christ to be given the grace if God. Sin Loi Jane.
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I hope to know before my demise if she accepted the Lord and asked for forgiveness, admitting her sins. If she doesn’t I fanaticize of finding her for eternity!!!! Never forget what traders did to our troops.
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I served 67-68, Mekong Delta. Jane Fonda knew where she was, with whom she broke bread and what she was in on. She’s an unrepentant liar, content to live in a life of feeble excuses.
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John has given the people a good picture of what they want to know.
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I re-enlisted to go to Vietnam to try to help the Vietnamese government keep from having the communist government of the North take it over. I was to see many brave men have their lives taken from them due to political interference. If General Westmoreland had been given the ability to do things his way, we could have sent the Northerners back to Hanoi with Jane in no time. General Giáp admitted it in his memoirs, that we won most of the battles and had them whipped. We would be a presence in SE Asia , but NO the politicians screwed it all up. B CO. 2/27 Inf, 25 Inf Division. 66-67
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I was in the battle of March 25, 1968. Alpha Co. This article brings memories back to sharp focus. In May of 68 I was WIA and my time in Vietnam was over,(physically).Never knew about the unit citations. Great article.
Thanks for publishing.
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Excellent article. My final unit in RVN was 3/4 CAV. Did convoy protection duty many times as TC on an M113 (diesel version). I was a SGT E5 back then. My DEROS was early Jan 69.
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Brought back memories. That was our AO in 69/70. 25th ID 1/27th Wolfhounds, Delta Company. On May 9th 69 we engaged a very large group of VC and NVA. It was 3 days of our hell, we called in the 3/4 Duece Mech and they brought in 2 companies of the beer cans.
When they got on line and opened up with those 50’s and 60’s it was pure hell. Does anyone out there remember that battle? We were told that the body count of the enemy was over 300 KIA.
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Yea you nailed it. Worked mountains in I Corp with 101st Airborne 1970. I never wore a backpack or hiked again to this day and now I am 74 years old.
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I cant get a thing from the VA except third rate generic drugs,,,”NO MONEY IN THE SYSTEM<<CUTBACKS ETC ETC ETC" But just announced another 50 million for the freaking UKRAINS ,,up YOURS VA AND YOUR MASTERS
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I understand that. Me neither. I was also in ICorp, 1/327 Co.B, 26Jan70 to 17Dec70. Thanks to all that climbing and humping, both knees are shot, bone on bone, but VA won’t pay for replacements ’cause not service connected. And I have permanent Tinitis, both ears; no ringing, just hissing like compressed air hose with a leak. Hisssssssss, 24/7. Kids & people that use backpacks today have NO IDEA what its REALLY like.
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Fits my life almost the same. The only difference I have is I was DMZ artillery and we caught artillery fire/ mortar it seemed like daily. It was our job to get on the guns and begin counterattacks, ie firing back as fast and accurately as possible. We stood tall and fired back scared but knowing it had to be done.
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Worthless war. After being shot in my knees in an ambush and lost my lieutenant and staff sergeant. And left me with the memories of war. And cancer in my vocal cords due to agent Orange. And all the health problems that I still have to endure is impossible to forget that insane war. Now I still loosing brothers due to suicide. Jut like I lost during the Vietnam war.?
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i core for me 1st sq 1st armored cav also b co 1/52 198th lib Americal Div 67-68 brought back many memories great job did my job thank fully came home enjoy helping fellow Veterans though the VA and the DAV 🇺🇸
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God we were young, alex 572 engr co (le)
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I wish a vet like yourself would have stopped by my high school back in the early 80’s. Thanks for your service during and after the war. I was actually going to enlist army after graduation 1985. My cousin doc Ogle Vietnam 1971/72 talked me out of it. I figured he survived Nam I better listen to him. Still wish I would’ve enlisted though.
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Hey, Ed English. Thank your cousin, he was watching out for you. You can bet on it, if you were sent in to battle you would regret being there but not want to leave your brothers behind. It’s just crazy and only because old men don’t know how to manage the affairs or negotiate.
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Excellent outstanding. I was drafted in ’72 and spent 19 months in Germany with the 1/81 FA, Pershing Nuclear Missiles. That experience drove me to collect and read every book I could find on the Vietnam War. The negative stigma associated with the war made books slow to reach the public, but it did finally become more acceptable. This collection of images is just remarkable.
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Very informative
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Outstanding. Thanks for sharing.
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This Is Truly Great Editing Of The Vietnam War..You Have Made This Very Articulate As To How Vietnam ⛩️🌴🌾🎋War Took Place With All Of Its True Drama…Thank you John Podaski 😐🇺🇲👍
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I was in at the time and have always observed the inherent respect for the term “Crazy as a loach pilot”. I cannot thank you or respect you enough for your service.
‘
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Very informative and told in a manner a solder or layman could understand. As a soldier who spent time on FB,s it was just a matter of time.”we have movement in the wire”.
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The grunts are true heroes of the war. I was always at a firebase but never a grunt. You have my total respect.
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Excellent article. I was in the Dak To / Dak Pek area for nearly a month in spring 1968. This all rang true.⁹
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still confusing,,,volunteer ,,,2/18 inf 66-67,,,survivor guilt is the worst of ptsd
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I was with the 101st 2nd506 Co E recon all of 1969. Have been trying to locate members but having little luck. I have a memory loss and want to talk.
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Try contacting one of the many 101st Facebook groups. Perhaps, somebody there can help.
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I think that there are a lot of people writing about some things they know nothing about. I was there as a medic for twenty three months, and saw first hand that we didn’t lose that war. The politicians, the generation of people that hated us for being there and mostly the press. A lot of good men didn’t make it home, but the one’s that did go back there almost nightly. i’m not saying i’d go again but i’m a better man by being there and coming home.
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Well written Lawrence Miller. I served with the 196th LIB in ’67 – ’68. It was an honor to be there with such great soldiers. I frequently think of those that did not come home and feel guilty that I did. Thank you for your service.
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Great article that is so true to life in Vietnam and Thailand. We all had a job to do while contributing to the war effort?
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This was very helpful about the people who worked in the background. It shows the large makeup of the complete war in Vietnam. Everyone had their part to play and most movies of the time only gloss over the solid background people. The actual killing is seen as the be all and end all of war. This is definitely not true. Perhaps a movie could be made of one soldier who moves from recruitment to the killing action to death.
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I was drafted and I went. End of story
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Really enjoyed reading it and watching how things were happening to the platoon! Reminded of the times I was there in Vietnam and flying missions in support of the grunts-a braver bunch doesn’t exits.Proud of my service but also so sad to watch people that would destroy all we fought for in a heartbeat in our government.Some sad people in our country today that actually cruse the flay we fought for! No good!!
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Good read, takes me back there in my memories. A/2/8/4th inf div. Firebase Oasis and camp Enari, 67-68, Haley.
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I’m a Vietnam era vet. Not ‘in country’. I did 4 years on a sub. My comment is, “ thank you ALL who were there. We so much appreciate your sacrifices and dedication to keeping our country safe. You are my heroes!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
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The most heart warming poem I have read in a very long time. It brought tears to my eyes. Thank you
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I REMEMBER THE VIETNAM WAR AS A SMALL CHILD AND WAS AMAZED TO SEE THE CHOPPER IN THE FOOTAGE ON THE NEWS . RESPECT TO ALL WHO WENT AND DIDN’T MAKE IT BACK AND THE VETS WHO DID.
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I was a point man with a scout dog. Walked point for 1st Infantry for a year.
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Did you know a fellow from Fullerton, California named Stan Fuller? He was a dog handler. He was in my German class when I was a senior at Sunny Hills High School. There was a photo on the front page of Army Times sometime in December, skipping rope in front of some Vietnamese children, about the time he got killed.
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It is eye opening and made me appreciate what the infantry and other troops had done.
I had the opportunity of serving in VAL4, Light Attack Squadron Jan 71 to Feb 72 and found it an honor to fly support for ground troops!
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This must have been the start of the small helicopters program.
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This article tells how these vets value the lives of others . Cobra was controlled by an angle. He should have Medal of Honor .
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I was a Radio Research 04B2LVS, mostly in Pleiku and Nha Trang from late May ’69 to July ’71. I live in Fountain Valley, California, a mile south of Little Saigon. My three children attended La Quinta High School, a school that is around 70% American-Vietnamese and has very good test scores. I have Vietnamese neighbors. One of my church parishioners went to America after she was told to help take care of children on one of those planes hauling orphans out in 1975. Several years ago, an incoming freshman at UC Irvine, whose parents fled Vietnam, thanked me for my service. “Without you and the others that went, I wouldn’t be here,” he told me. True fact.
The war was a terrible, terrible waste of human life. None of our presidents wanted to bail out because the political fallout from the “loss” of the place would have been too high. I’m sure that Walter Cronkite would have been among those criticizing our lack of “resolve” or whatever, had Kennedy or Johnson told us further involvement was pointless. He only had the courage to turn against the war once Tet got rolling and ordinary people became disenchanted. Ever see how excited he was after he rode along on a bombing mission? Man, was he stoked. Changed his tune later.
The war was a criminal act of our country lying to itself. Read “The Quicksand War” by Lucien Bodard and ask yourself if anyone that had read the book way back would have wanted to send our people over there.
I think that no president, senator, congressman/woman, cabinet member, employee of State or Defense, or general should sign off on our going to war if they don’t have a spouse, child, grandchild, niece or nephew, brother or sister, in-law or cousin that is in the service and would go to the war immediately. None of the people I just listed should have a deferment of any kind. Let them lead the way, I say.
Comments?
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Thanks! My last year of four service; brown water every day.
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Hey guy if you really want to get pissed off at the so called brass.read about what they did to a unit with a patch with a heart with a little heart in it..you probably will never find the patch.i had to get pissed at va just to get itvrecognized..firebase tomahawk 1 and 2..don’t trust govrnment
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Vietnam 69 I can only hope you would not vote democrap again..the only good moment I remèmber is the friends I had in country
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Sorry I’m al not anonymous.i didn’t see name spot
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Vietnam 1966 & 67 USMC. I don’t see how ANY AMERICAN could vote Democrat after seeing what’s being done now.
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I thought we worked with every weapon the Army had, from the .45 side arm through the Minute Man Rocket, during our training at Ft. Sill. We saw a lot of the the Army hand me downs that the Marines were still using. That gave me a lot of respect for our Jar Heads. But, I never saw a Ontos. I loaded and fired jeep mounted 106 recoiless rifles, along with the 90’s. Six 106’s side by side was was enough to move your steel pot, shake the ground, rattle your brain and set your hearing back into last week. I can’t imagine six 106’s on one vehicle. Where can I find out more about the Ontos? I’d like to know which branches used them, how were they reloaded and who did the firing. I’ll bet vehicles following an Ontos were well behind the back blast area.
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Try
Wikipedia.
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Biker. thanks for sending me to Wikipedia. It was a good read about the Ontos. I got a kick from the paragraph about the test at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, when all six 106’s were fired at the same time. It validates my comment about vehicles following the Ontos better be way behind it, becasue of the back blast area. Wiki said the back blast from all six firing at one time knocked bricks from a building and back windows from cars in the parking lot. No wonder the reports of Victor Charles Di Di ing from buildings when Ontos landed marking rounds, from the 50 on a 106 barrel, in the window/
The confusing part is why were the Ontos units deactivated in May ’69? They were obviously effective in Nam, especially in Hue I’m sure the Army light infantry units were happy to get them.
Id love to have seen one in action. A fire power demonstration at Ft. Sill had all types of artillery round lobed over our heads, landing in a valley in front of us, Cobras destroyed football size areas and even some Zoomies dropped ordinance in the same area. M48 tanks, Jeep mounted 106’s and APC’s rigged with 4.duce mortars put on a good show, but no Ontos. I guess at the time only the Marines had them.
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Always interested in any stories of I-corp,
Delta 1/4 3rd. Marines
I-Corp 1968 – 1969
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Hi marine.welcome home.i Corp also was the 2nd of 138th and 1st of 39th self propelled..
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I am an Admin of a small Veterans park and I love this site because I can send it to my web site for the Veterans to read and it helps me to beable to talk to these guys and gals and understand some of the problems they have. God Bless you all and Thank You for your service.
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Reinstate the Draft Now!
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It was very informative I did not know those people exist or that we worked with them. That’s one of the best articles I’ve ever read about Vietnam.
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Very good 👍 Tom
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Good article
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My self and Lt Reese, pfc Temple made a 3/4 ton gun truck w/twin fifties on it and ran out of Chu Lai north and south on highway 1 during early 1969 till late 69 I was promoted to Sgt and the B Co. Received V 100s two Sgt C W Overturf Co B 23rd S&T. Loved this article with I had pictures of truck. ( lost them in fire).
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Knew most of what I watched still enjoyed 26th combat engineers ,23rd m p co.70 71 A O trying to take my life God Bless All
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I was in LZ Sally,68-69. I was with the “Black Widows” 188th Avaition. Enjoyed your story.
God Bless
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Brought back a wide assortment of memories. From highest to lowest of a nunforgetable time in life. Wouldn’t take a million dollars for that time of life but would not give 2 cents to do it again. The real disappointment of it all is how our freedoms are being handled now.
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Great hero,s every one.
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I to remember I got khe sanh the first phillweek of March and was put with bravo co. And remember March 30 . That morning was one day in my life that I can never forget.. I am now 72 years old still wake up in a cold sweat more times than I would like to say. My name phillip lanford and was wounded that morning by hangernade. I was s private . I went on in the Corp to leave the marines in 1975 as a s/sgt my email is usmc992@gmail.com.
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Brave men all makes me proud!
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In some ways it’s good to read this. My experience in this time period was….
My draft # was 27 in 1970 and they were taking up to 150 that year, so I was a “goner,” and from what I’d been able to find out from anybody who’d been there that I was able to talk to, being in Nam, especially the “bush” was the last place you wanna be. So I filed for C.O. and stretched it out till “Trickie Dickie” called it off in ’73 and I was off the hook so to speak.
It was a political clusterfuck on our end misreading the situation as communism v. Capitalism. It was both an internal civil war of north vs south, and a fight of the Viet-namese to rid themselves of another foreign invader, the US all at once. Just as they had been doing for 1000 years prior.
The above might be totally unpopular to those with star spangled eyes, but I’m still alive while 58,324 of my brothers never had a life.
That was a hell created, as had been done by others, by old men, of that time and paid for by my generation.
I lost what I considered a big brother from my HS who joined the Corp. in ’68, and came home in a box. So between these two things, I despise war in general. The only winners here are the profiteers and politicans.
Just dredging this up hurts on so many levels I hope I don’t have to for a long while.
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I think it is very good and interesting. I served in Vietnam 1967-68
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Vietnam was a bloody terrible war, I will never forget it!
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Got out of high school in1974 it was the end of the war.THANK GOD
Just so you know i had your back thru the whole war.I was number 15 if they had drafted the last year .Iwould have gone and served proudly. God bless the ones that didn’t make it and thank God for the ones that did.
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Well written, factual and most of all, it should be informative to almost anybody reading it.
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I enjoy reading the story. It reminded me of my youth. I was in high school in Cambodia and had heard the news.
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Excellent.
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I enjoyed it, I have a lot of respect for all soldiers but these guys are top notch 🙏🏻
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Very nostalgic, love seeing old pictures of the past and seeing what people went through . We need many more like these blogs .
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I was wounded on 19 June 1970 while in Cambodia. 100% disabled. I would like to know the statistics for the time period that we were legally allowed to enter Cambodia.
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Started end of April. April 29th 1970 i believe, ended nineteen days later. I was there with A Company 1/12 Cav. First Calvary Division. If you were wounded 6/19 in Cambodia you were not supposed to be there.
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It was very moving it told me alot very interesting
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An entertaining story of a careless moment on a mission. “Keep your mind on the game” is my take on the story.
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I served with the Marines as a corporal. I served with 2nd battalion 9th Marines in 1967-1968. This article was pretty much right on.
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Accurate and insightful
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Article reads well, i remember when i returned to college after discharge in 1966, we veterans had to hide the fact that we soldiers returning from Southeast Asia. Many professors labeled us as baby, women and children killers.
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Had a tattoo put on my arm when I came home from Viet Nam not knowing public opinion. Wore long sleeves for over 40 years to hide my honorable service. Have been spit at and called baby killer on numerous occasions. Little did they know my first year back I turned in 13 w2 forms to the IRS. Had alcoholism and basically gave up on me or plain did not like me. Viet Nam turned a happy go lucky kid to whatever I am now. PTSD has dominated my sleep world. The VA therapists say I can change my nightmares. Their idea was drugs that did not help. They kept telling me WE HAVE HAD GOOD LUCK WITH THIS DRUG. Then I find out alot were told to flush the drug and tell the VA that it works good. I have been sober for decades, estranged from family and today, I like me. I have moved to Mexico and proudly wear Viet Nam Veteran hat. Occasionally someone thanks me for my service. My thought is Viet Nam Vets have never been treated fairly by the VA or the Public. But today we should hold our head high, and respect the 2 out of 3 that have already died, and the 530 that die every day. WE WERE THERE.
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I was in the Big Red 1 infantry we never lost a battle. If they would of bomb the north into given up we could of left . And cut of supplies we would of brought the north to the peace table . You never mentioned how the north killed a million of the people we left there . Talk to the people who got out and came to USA great citizen they love America
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Interesting, my spouse fought in the Vietnam war. He told us, his family. “We didn’t belong there” Terry died last year @ 67 years old. The government destroyed countless lives & still refuses to admit & compensate Veterans for Agent Orange health problems! My husband was one. With the stroke of a pen, our government destroyed generations. Don’t glamorize your statistics. They mean nothing!
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It has been nearly 60 years since US forces engaged in “the Indochina adventure”. In those decades historians now have unlimited sources of study and research regarding “why or how” we got involved. At a national/ strategic level I’m confident that well meaning leaders considered many pros and cons of US support to the South Vietnamese government. However, those national considerations were separate and apart from the experience of who served when their country sent them into war.
I’m not sure if the “proxy” war in Vietnam could or should have begun. Hindsight says there was never any real strategy “for winning”. Winning, was never adequately defined and was never a viable option. Our political calculus seemed more of a global chess game than a well-developed military strategy.
The “ante” price for the US to play in the Indochina War Game eventually cost the lives of 60,000 American and allied boys and girls just so the US could be a global player in the “game”. Not a single politician or national leader ever paid any price remotely like families who buried a child or whose child was forever scared by their wartime service.
As much as we hope to believe that our government, with its sacred entrusted power over life and death decisions is driven by a higher purpose. Often, reality show us that it’s actually driven by politicians who need/ want to retain power and control regardless of the human or economic cost. Those become abstract values and can be rationalized as simply “the cost of doing political business”. Those who send our kids off to war never ace personal accountability or feel the horror of war in any tangible way. That is the shame of all this.
Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and whatever future conflict might lay ahead were conflicts spawned from the same parents. War has seemingly become just another political calculation. Only those who must follow orders, bleed, and die in some far away land know the actual cost of war. National leadership doesn’t bleed or sacrifice anything personal. If things don’t work out as planned, they can blame someone or something else. They never face personal accountability.
As written centuries ago, War is indeed an extension of politics by other means. We as citizens and parents must never allow our children to ever again be wounded or die without exhausting every alternative to war.
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No one that has ever been in combat should ask for war. The horrors that you see among other atrasaties lenger in your life and mind forever. My son has 24 years in the Navy and just made chief and when he and his brother asked me about Nam I just said don’t ask me for as long as I live never ask me.
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Vietnam seems like another lifetime so many years ago yet still painful
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Good and well done !
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Thank you for a very good discussion of how it was over there.
I was with HHC 3/22 25th I D from Apr’68-Apr’69. I was at CuChi. Tay Ninh, as well as FB Washington and FB Bruell
Thanks again for the great story.
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Brought back ugly memories that still hurt to this day. I wish that anyone wanting a war should read these articles because they don’t know what they are asking for. Cu-chi 70-71
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I was in nam 1968 as a crew chief on a uh 34 don,t see any thing about this unit we had a clover leaf on the chopper our role was medivack and resupply
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I think about the ones I had the privilege of knowing that gave their all in the service of our country freedom is not free and to many in our country have choose to ignore this once again we need some leadership that will bring back the principles that our country was founded on God bless America.
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Awesome and chilling.
My husband did 2 tours
During VN. 1967 and and 1969.
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Makes me sad, mad, but yet so proud of all our boys and girls now men and women who bravely and courteously fought, prisoned, and died all for a useless war even though it was never declared a war.
Ron 101st airborne 1968
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Great article, loved the nose art. One correction, we flew the OH-23G for the 54th and 23rd Artillery Groups in 1969.
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I was there in 1968 USMC!
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Widow of a VietNam soldier died of AO poison.
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Too watered down, it’s war people die, so we’re soldiers, sailors, air men, marines, in the bush,in the rear. Even the coast guard served with honor!
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It’s been a long time since I remembered a good time. I guess it was taking a Viet. Boy to the movies at than son Nguyen. Oh yeah I almost forgot about my cousin visiting me. I got a day off from being a dustoff medic.
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Well written, factual and most of all, it should be informative to almost anybody reading it.
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Very, very informative.
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I trained MCNamaras 1PM in, 00 to af4er my first tour in Vietnam. We hgv and 6 months for them to complete their 8 week medical airman training. I later served with some 9f them that made,a career of the military. I 2as wounded during my first tour and no longer fit for military service but was given a,waiver to remain 9n active duty. Three years later I was sent back to Vietnam anyway.
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Was an interesting article outlining things difnt know oe totally forgot. I enlisted in 1967 but most of the guys in basic training & AIT were reservist doing their initial training also. Didnt see many of the guys as you’ve described. Most drafted/enlisted guys were average to above average mentally.
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Excellent. My father-in-law, and 2 Uncles served in Vietnam. Thankfully they all came home. Sadly they all passes from the effects of Agent Orange. These articles give me some insight into what the saw…how they served and the scars they carried. Good bless all who served. Thank you.
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Truly fascinating,interesting and also must have been frightening at times.
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When asked about my Vietnam service, I seem to always have a reference to the kids,or children of Vietnam.
Those are the ones that had to live with the sacrifices and possibly sorrow of an incredibly hard to believe life. Most of us have gone on to lead a good life.
But the kids I ran across were some of the most selfless people I was ever.
exposed to.
I pray that they lived the best way possible for them.
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garryowen………. 11B40……….. 1st cav……………
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The article was well well written I was a point man 69-70
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Incredible, gut-wrenching pictures that capture the horror of that war. I still remember crying when watching the news during those years and seeing the flag-draped coffins being removed from planes onto the tarmac and when seeing the disrespect shown at other times when soldiers came home to people cursing and spitting at them and calling them names. It broke my heart to see our own citizens have no respect or empathy for what those brave soldiers had endured in Vietnam! I will be forever grateful for any to our military! 👍🏻❤️❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻
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I was very impressed with the article, it cleared up much of my previous thinking.
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It was accurate but not comprehensive.
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Very good article, better than I could have told the story, been there, done that.
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Good Article about a place we never should have been in.
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Great article and very troubling memories. I was a a newspaper carrier in my pre-teens and teenage years and I saw these images 65 times daily and 83 times on Sunday. From 1966 until 1975.
One Monday evening I was collecting for the paper and went to a house where a young couple and their baby lived who were customers. Her dad answered the door and told me, “Son, please come back later, my daughter was just told her husband was shot down in Vietnam”. That made the time even more real for me.
The draft ended before I became of age, but just barely. Still have my Selective Service card.
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Right on and to the point lived it in thr iron triangle with first infantry 1st of 2nd infantry battalion as squad leader lot of cherry had to grow up fast 2 mass attacks lost 34 in one day as I lived it every day hard to talk about now after air these years
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Vietnam Wife of 48 years. Valuable lessons for new wives of our current military, especially those who have seen action. My husband was a Combat Medic and Medevac Medic. He is still fighting the war.
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I think you men were very brave very scary to read and imagining being there thank you for your service
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Great!! Accurate real life sharing battle experience
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Great post-I was @ Camp Eagle Dec.68 thru Dec.69 with a Cobra gunship unit.
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In the poll, there are two categories labelled OTHER. What is the difference?
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just a duplication that can’t be deleted.
On Mon, Feb 21, 2022, 9:10 PM CherriesWriter – Vietnam War website wrote:
>
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Thank you brave men. I was out of Viet Nan late 1966. 1/5 FMF Corpsman Williams
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Great article. Over the years I have thought more about the physical torture we grunts endured than the combat. The author really nailed it here. Great job.
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A co,2Bn 60 INF These were brave men
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Great reading about an experience that few can indetstand or comprehend stsy safe bro
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You got it right for all 1966 1967
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I can hear Life flight before anyone else, Fire works gets me if I don’t hear them coming out of the tube. Duc Pho Vietnam 20Jan1969-20Jan1970. We were the best America had!
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At least I don’t cry out in the middle of the night anymore.
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Outstanding
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Excellent site thank you for doing this. Many statements spoken here are what have said during my life. The problem to old men in charge dont want to hear the young men. Dont want to hear from our KIA’S either😢. Thank You
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Informative and enlightening
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Sydney bars had a Happy Hour of free drinks . July1971.
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I was there that night with Bravo Company 1/4 2nd Platoon. I was the Last one on the Chopper and the 1st off. It was bad night.
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Thought it was great.I myself was in transportation two tours 70-72 120th Trans. Soctrang and BINH Thuy Army
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Have commented before, and now will just say that it is remarkable (not in a good way) that we are still debating the pros and cons of the Vietnam War, but too often as though it was somehow the “fault” of our GIs…Unbelievable! Ken Burns and all the lefties who essentially blame those among us who fought because they believed they should, were compelled for any reason to put their very lives in grave danger, they fought the good fight and are HEROES in my book, now and forever!
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Excellent. I was an Air Force Pilot during Viet Namn
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Enjoyed your story . I too was a cherry untill after our first ambush from nva.
USMC 1968-1972 in country 1969.
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Thank You so very much for this information!!
These have been very long hidden, not talked about issues in the military that needs to be addressed for ALL (& their loved ones) who heroically served their/out Country.
I am so proud and honored for the bravery that all and everyone of these “War Caregivers” that had to endure and live every moment of every day for their warrior spouses (male and females)
Many blessings and hopes for ALL concerned to see the sunlight at the end of their tunnels of faith, compassion, love and healing.
Godspeed
Semper Fidelis
A Woman Vet
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Every veteran who has ever been asked or ordered to serve has a story. We who have served and those who have not served have an obligation to listen. Too often the stories are not told…it’s the way everyone who has served is wired. LIstening is the greatest gift anyone can give…even if it sounds like you have heard similar stories before…listen…listen…and try to understand.
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The article on tunnel rats was good. I was one that went in after them.
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I too was on operation Hastings as a Corpsmen. While I have blanked most of it out of my memory that portion that remains is still hard to face.
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What heroes they were. These young lads went to hell and back and got little sympathy or recognition for what they did. Thankyou for the insight.
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This gave me a firsthand account of a Combat Medics’s duties during the Vietnam war. I served in the Iowa National Guard from 1962 – 1968. I was in Headquarters Company of the 1st. Battalion, 133rd., Infantry of the 34th Division. ( Red Bull Division)I was trained at Fort Sam Houston, Texas as a combat medic. When the reserves were called to active duty by President Johnson, the Second Mechanized Battalion was
Activated (Iowa Guard) for Vietnam.
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Good article on whether or not you are a vietnam veteran. First visit to this blog. Wow, even have readers from WWII.
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Forgot to mention I was in Vietnam
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I thought the article was well written. I find it difficult to understand why there is always someone on these kind of sites who want to destroy anyone who opposes his opinion. I served 12 at Danang with the Air abase ground defense forces. I m proud of my duty, my country and my fellow Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines. Welcome home brothers.
William Morrison, USAF retired
Wjm48161@yhoo.com
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Great story. Thanks for writing. I btry 29th arty Song Be 10-67 to 10-68. As my uncle who served in WWII told me before I went to Nam. Wouldn’t want to do it again but wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.
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Very good article. I have a huge respect for the folks that served in the infantry.
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Extremely interesting subject, as several friends and I have debated this very subject. Those of who were actually “boots on the ground”, think the history that includes era vets doesn’t really get at the substance of the issue. The “Commeration” really skews the whole thing by including everyone who served during the time in question. In short, I agree with the writer.
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Great writings.
Was 1A then changed to 1H. Nixon ended things. My birthday was usually in the top 10.
But thanks and my utmost respect to all vets especially Vietnam Vets.
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My brother’s birthday was #2 in the lottery. Now, he did get a deferment, but please don’t hold it against him! He was not, has not ever been (still is not) a fighter. He woulda come home in a body bag, so-that he did not go was a blessing for our family. Just saying…
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A very well thought out article!
I totally agree with need to starting a draft of some kind
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1st Air cavalry Vietnam 11 b
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Thank you for the article. I spent one year with the Seawolves in 1970-71. Extremely proud to have been one of the crew.
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When I arrived at El Toro, I had less than 6 months of active duty left, so I was discharged. They kept us on base for 8 days. While there, I found Marines I was stationed with in Vietnam and they really helped with the transition back to the “world.”
The day I was discharged, instead of being able to fly into BWI, I to take a flight to Dulles. (My intent was to fly into BWI, get a cab and just walk up my back alley, walk in the kitchen door and act as though not happen the last 15 months.) I called my sister-in-law, told her my flight number, my arrival time and I was coming into Dulles. My mother, my older brother, my younger brother were at the airport waiting. BTW – to get from the plane to the terminal, we were driven in these high vehicles; a man in his late 30s asked if I was returning from Vietnam and when I said yes, he said: “Welcome Home.”
That fall, I started community college, the school went out of their way to create a meeting for returning Veterans.
It wasn’t until I was in my early 30s that I started dealing with assholes my age that saw too many Vietnam movies and had incorrect judgments.
I found, to get job interviews, it was best not to acknowledge any military service. Also – the white-collar world was full of too many in-secure draft dodgers that believed in management through committees; my attitude – get out of my way and let me complete the task!
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It was a very tuff war issue my uncle caught aent orange there married a Vietnamese women brought back to Maine has teo grown adult girls now one 50 another one I not know her age. he married another Korean Asian who was married from a GI. after he divorced her and raised up her kids by another marriage
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Looking forward to more stories.
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Excellent and brings back many old memories. USMC 5th Marines TACP Vietnam 1966 & 67. Every single chopper pilot in Vietnam deserves honors and saved many, many lives. Mr. Taylor is one of many that deserve the highest honor!
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Welcome home Brothers n Sisters
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Deserved honor as are many still untold memories 😔. USMC Vietnam combat vet 1966 & 1967. TACP 5th Marines.
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Memories. 119th assault. 1968. Pleiku.
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I liked reading the article & though I didn’t experience that intense level of combat, thankfully, I had enough to get evac’d after 10 months in ‘Nam.
Congratulations to all involved!
Sorry for the losses but those are inevitable in that level of combat!
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Thank you for writing it down. Most of can’t or won’t or don’t want go down the road that defines us. We need to clear the air and get over the hurt even though we don’t want to. Some would even like to hang on to their anger for all the reasons you already know.
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I thought it was a great story of an exceptional soldier. 5 consecutive tours is incredible, he was apparently quite at home there. With the atmosphere back in the world, it’s understandable. He was an amazing man, a true hero in every sense. Thanks for sharing that article.
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I’ve always respected the tunnel rats, because of what they had to deal with. It takes a certain kind of man to do that. The in-depth detail of what these guys went through, only scratches the surface. But it was very well written.
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Liked it. More MOH to come, I think.
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Excellently written.
I was a female college student who supported our military during Viet Nam War.
I read this article in particular because of a high school friend who served in the army in Nam.
I am so thankful for the men who served in our military during the time of the Viet Nam War.
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Vers good
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Well worth the read!
Operator of US Air Force MARS AI8AH, Tuy Hoa AB, RVN 69-70, on my every third day off. Not bragging, just have a passion for amateur radio. Calls: WN4ZCY, WB4SWO, AFC4SWO, WA7GAT, K4KGL.
I support the Warrior but not always the War. Some wars are necessary, the Vietnam War in retrospect, was not.
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I was 11B with A 3/21 196th in 1970. When not in the field I was on LZ Center. I only lasted six months thanks to a booby trap. Shrapnel to a nerve root at the L7. I was in Heip Duc Valley May 1, 1970 when my company suffered heavy loses. A description of that engagement was on the front page of the Southern Cross which is posted or transcribed on the internet. As the division report states, we were “co-located” with a NVA battalion command post. Bad things happen when intel is lacking.
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I thought the comments were supposed to be limited to The Poll? Can nobody follow directions? I might have added a few qualifying questions that identified the year(s), units, duties/MOS etc. Otherwise there actually isn’t a lot to comment about…
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Company C, 1/27th Wolfhounds, 25th Infantry Division- Vietnam 1967-1968.
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I was with the 27 wolfhounds 1967 I was there tunnel rat do you go to the reunions
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Excellent article and well written.
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Sad but excellent writing! Will history repeat it’s self, hope not!!
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Just came across your pages. Love it.
Field medic and then Dustoff medic, 1969 – 1970
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My husband died June 11, 2015. He earned a Purple Heart. Sharpshooter medal etc. We were married 40 years. Had 2 beautiful children, three grandchildren and now have two great grandchildren. No where in all that time had he gone into an great detail about his time in Vietnam. I know he served. I know he was wounded. I know he was honorably discharged.
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Donna I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband but it sounds like you had 40 wonderful years with him and have a beautiful family. There have been many Vietnam Vets that haven’t wanted to talk about their war experiences and as a Nam vet myself I understand some of the reasons. Thanks for sharing your memories!!
Tom
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Donna:
My condolences to you and your family. Always hold him close in your heart and tell your grandkids about the Vietnam years; as I don’t foresee American high schools in any hurry to remember us before we all go.
We’re reminded with each veteran lost that we have far more years behind us than before us and we’re saddened that another brother or sister has left us.
Please tell your children that there WAS A TIME when heroes stood tall; despite the attempts to bury us.
My prayers are for your pain to lessen and only the lovely memories to remain.
Allen Brown
RTO – 1st Brigade
101st Airborne Division (Airmobile)
Thua Thien & Quang Tri Provinces
1970-1971
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I enjoyed your memories, I can’t believe all the politics it brought out. Welcome home Brother
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Very fascinating and a grim reminder of the evils of war.
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I came from a family of Marines. Sniper, Door Gunner and Recon. My middle brother passed away last May of 20. He was a Door Gunner with HMM264 70-71. I miss him with all my heart. The flag in my front yard is at half mast. Underneath that flag it simply sates, “A VETERAN DIED TODAY”. The most worthy of that honor. He sent an email to me shortly before his passing speaking of the politician scumbags getting the half mast treatment while the vet goes mostly in obscurity. Not here. It prompted me to write a song “FLY THE FLAG DOWN LOW”. I would love to post it somewhere for everyone to hear. Thanks for serving all.
Jeff Larson USMC Ret’d
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Thank you, a Vietnam Vet 68-69
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It is gratifying to know there are young individuals out there that read about Vietnam and the mistreatment the Vietnam veteran experienced!
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I found this article to be relevant to some of my time in the “Nam”.
I served from 1967-1971 as a Fleet Marine (8404) Corpsman. I was assigned to the 1st Battalion 1st Regiment HMM265. I was assigned to triage, where I saw what our story was about.
Great article for bringing some memories.
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Great insight of a good commander
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OUTSTANDING WEBSITE! I’ve been a subscriber for some time now and I have been taken back to my Tours, (1968 & 1969), many times. The A Shau Valley article that I just finished reading describes the area to a “T”. I’m glad to see that I wasn’t the only Troop to serve under a Company Commander that really cared for his Men, dogs and their morale and health this well. Kudos to CPT Nightingale! Glad that he made it Home! Take care, be safe and Always Check Six!
Ed
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My name is Rafael Roman. I just posted the previous comment. Forgot to say that I was with C Company, 159th Aviation Battalion, 101 Airmobile @ Phu Bai from December 31, 1968 to December 24, 1969
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Right On. We were sprayed and betrayed. The intent to use Agent Orange to maim the VC and North Regulars at our expense is criminal. The homecoming and life back at home were deplorable. There was no such thing as “Thank you for your service”. It was more “Get the #*^! outta here”. Thanks, we needed that and for many, this was to hard to recover. We still bleed from neglect. VA health, especially mental health sucks.
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Bring back memories !
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Go forward
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Great read. Served as Crew Chief, A Trp. 2/17 AIR CAV.
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The guy was between a rock & a hard place! Rating out a brother is a difficult decsion. I would have made it very clear to the stoner I’d bust his head if I caught him fucking off on guard duty! My life & his depended on our both being awake!Thank you for your service, Brother!
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sky pilot was included in the last post of 35 videos.
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Great read you where spot on walking point I was in 1stcav 2/7 Cav work Slack WIA 4 months Medvac out 1968
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Good to see but very few songs I recognize probably due to preference for country music. But one song I am surprised is missing is “Sky Pilot” by Eric Burdon and the Animals.
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Hi Vance I was with Charlie Company 1/35 Fourth Infantry but my brother served with the First Cav unit in An Ke from 66-67. He passed on at a young age with esophageal cancer on the outside of his esophagus (but never smoked) . One theory the docs had was possible exposure to Agent Orange which according to my bro was stored behind his hooch!! So Vance I’m sorry to hear about your situation man you’re a great American Vet trying to live with the ramifications of a hellish experience. My thoughts snd prayers are with you!! Tom
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I was lucky, served in the Headquarters Company of the 1st Air Calvery Div. in An Ke Vietname. Drafted and did not want to go to Vietneme. The day I went to Ft. Dix in New Jersey, to my suprise, some of the draftees where from my high school class. Did not go to college, married, children, poor, white, black: off to Vietnam. , Now I am 76, wth hemangiopericytoma, a cancer caused by Agent Orange. Tumor left side of head, now tumor in right hip. Not shot in Vietname, but it is still killing me.
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41yr old Canadian lady. Lover of all things historical.
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I will just say thank you.
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Awsome read…Ben there ..done that..Thanks ..with tears in my eyes.
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A unique description of all of the 2.5 million who served in Vietnam.
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Chopper IC made the right call — wounded not dead take priority.
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Absofreakinlutely!!! As much as it hurt to lose a man it was more important to get the wounded out and hopefully save as many of them as possible!!
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Sad, there were far too many soldiers like Roberts who paid the ultimate price. War is hell.
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Brough home memories of some very young brothers warriors who will never come home. God Bless.
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I was station chief of AB8AU in 1969 9th Div. Proud to have served.
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Wonderful. I flew Bird dogs in this area at same time of this event.
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Brilliant
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Good
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Thank you for your most interesting podcast. My brother served with C/4/503 173rd ABN and was KIA 1-14-67. Your podcast gave me an inside look of a infantryman and their daily life. I look forward to seeing more of your podcasts. I read your Cherries for a long time. Thanks again and thank you for your service.
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Awesome read. Not all experience was same as Grunt but we shared in the jungle anything we engineers had. Food, ammo, c4. Anything we had we shared. We supported Grunts, patrols, food, cigs, ammo, and were welcomed no matter where or what was needed. I opened and closed firebases.
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Very interesting bringing back a lot of memories I was a combat soldier with the 101st airborne unit Delta 1/506 70-71
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Pretty much nailed it. I was one who humped 8 canteens. We got resupplied every 5 or 6 days and humped a full case. Rifleman. Central Highlands with the 4th. If anyone should comment negatively here, they were not there humping the bush. Nice work.
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Hi Jim sounds familiar I was with Charlie Company 1/35th Fourth Infantry. Base Camp Pleiku but like you we were out in the boonies most of the time. 9-67thru 9-68. I think I had about 4 canteens or so so ya got me beat there ha!! Great to hear from you take care buddy!!
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Thank you..for what you endured, for sharing; even though you have 2 relive. Much of what you didn’t share, in order to give a different light 2 us civilians. I think, all need a better understanding of what our veterans young lives were like. Now is the time to share. What veterans can share. What isn’t shared…will soon enough, never be known …therefore suffers continued injustic to never being remembered or respected or appriciated.
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I’m Terry Misener, and I remember the full account of what happened on the listening post on LZ peanuts. All men on listening post were decorated for heroism.
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You nailed it I was a RTO Central highlands 25th Infantry 1/14th Golden Dragon
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I just want to say thank you for preserving my freedom.
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Excellent. It covered issues that we’re going on and faced by grunts, yet I have never read about it in print.
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I helped work at an orphanage outside of Saigon in 68, built it from ground up,
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Although I was a Remf with 11th MTB West of Danang, I am so interested in what our guys went through the hell over there. Many of my friends were grunts and sometimes talk about the shit they went through.
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Yes. you nailed it! One thing you didn’t mention was even when you made it to nightfall it was setting up ambush positions and the endless sleep-2, watch-1 until daybreak and then do it all over again. I was a RTO, C-4/12, 199th Light Infantry Brigade, Vietnam 1967-68.
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By being a door gunner I have high respect for the tunnel rats !
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Absolutely sir! My middle brother was a door gunner with HMM264 70-71. He made the comment to me one time….”But we had nowhere to hide”. I am proud of all my adopted military vet brothers. Amen
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Amazing story! I appreciate knowing what our soldiers went through in Vietnam. I’m a Navy vet that was stationed in Guam from April 1975 until Jan 1977 and things were still moving pretty fast then getting everyone out of the country and safely back to the good ol USA. Thanks for your sacrifice and hard work.
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I like the article. I was one of the tunnel rats and I am mentioned in the book tunnels of chu chi. 1st infantry division HHC 1st engineer battalion. 1969-1970 Swofford.
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I was too young for Nam, too old for Gulf War. 1975, 7 days before my 18th birthday they evacuated Saigon. 2 days before, they stopped the draft. The next year I signed up. 4 years Airborne, 8 years Combat Engineer. I knew a lot of guys that came back. Thanks for your Service.
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I liked & enjoyed it a lot.
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Intense. I don’t know any other way to put it into words. There really aren’t any words to describe it. It gives me a whole new respect for the Army and the Rangers in particular! I am still trying at 63, to understand what my older stepbrother, a Marine, went through as a Marine in his two tours out of a three year hitch. He was in Vietnam and my dad was in Thailand during the war. I can’t say “ I know”, but, I can try to understand. Still! A lot of emotion there.
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Very informative and sad but true
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This was one of the best combat stories I have
ever read.
I turned 17 in 1974 and went to P.I., where almost everyone involved in our training was a combat veteran from Viet Nam.
Everything I was taught was Viet Nam orientated.
I have read countless books in fact and fiction, and this story showcases the quality of Americans in combat.
Really enjoyed this.
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It makes me think back, with much sadness, to say to all who served both the living and those who have died ,thank us all for believing in what we stand for. I served, 1967- 1971
USAF.
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Everyone should be encouraged to read this story
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Excellent article, factual, brought back memories…DaNang 69-70
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Good read need more similar ones
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Great article … Brings back a lot of memories
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A testament to very very brave men and women. They fought a war across the other side of the world to fight a peasant army with support of Russia and China regular forces..Such a waste of life for a generation who shaped the world in death so others could live to tell the story.
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Thank you for sharing. I am just a friend who is crying right now. My heartfelt thanks to all who have served! ss
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Thank you and to all our Vietnam Veterans WELCOME HOME!!! Walked point in A/2/7 1st Air Cav for 5 months from Hue thru Khe Sahn and the Ashau, and again in our Recon Company.
Thanks for your service and writing the story of all of us. As to the comments of Lauren a few years back, remember guys we also fought for the ignorant and uninformed citizens too!!
If she had been around when we returned I have no doubt that she would have been one of those who spat on us on our return. Go figure? Welcome Home and GARYOWEN!!!
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I have a question. Is there a way to get in touch with Michael R. Conroy? I was just informed that my Father(who is no longer with us) was mentioned in this book. I was looking for a copy. But the only ones I could find were in the hundreds of dollars range. And I can not afford it.
Thank you
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Try the library if you’re looking for the book as it’s out of print. He did have an article published in 2003 in Vietnam Magazine. Perhaps you can write to the editor and ask if they have contact information.
On Thu, May 14, 2020 at 11:25 AM CherriesWriter – Vietnam War website wrote:
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Lost friends in Nam still have bad dreams up every 2hrs still. Checking perimeter of home area habit has not ended yet. Entered Nam Oct 12 66 left Nov 14 68
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Hope life is good to all .
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I was in the 1/50 from September 68 until September 69. My tour we were part of the 173rd Airborne
I was going to extend to get out early but then I heard the battalion was moving and I said screw it. Every time we moved we would get into firefights.
Sorry about our KIA’s we would never keep a pothead out in
the field
1/50 play the game
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Great Article! Thank you for your service, courage and heroism!
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Brings back a lot of memories …. I was a FO/LRRP out of LZ SHERRY, just north of Phan Thiet. We had similar actions against us. Seemed like these attacks last forever, while in the dark not knowing who to shoot or what actions to take.
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I flew choppers in Nam from Feb 69 thru Sept 70, have been thru several similar incidents and mostly walked away slightly wounded or no even a scratch to show for the mirical I had just experienced. Some say I had a Angel on my shoulder and now 50 years later and reading this mans account I believe I was truly blessed as was he, broken up but a live to tell his story. May God bless you and keep you . Capt Fitz 189AHC Ghostrider s
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Thanks Capt Fitz for your actions in Vietnam. You know as I that most of our missions were like that. Nothing happening just routine, something happening but leaving
Just great stories, or something happening and not a good outcome. And most of the time when you least expect
It. I thank God daily that God put me in a position with great soldiers to get me outta there. I was useless once that chopper went down.
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I think this is a great article I was with 25th infantry division Dau Tieng April 68 August 69 spent time on 105,s 2/77 I do appreciate what the hunter killer teams did I think they did a fine job
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patrick, Thank you for your service, The Greyhounds flew 25th missions, usually near Swan Loc (excuse the spelling). It was a 25th mission some weeks earlier when Capt pawulak and I went into to drop ammo to a surrounded unit. We had no LZ so we dropped the boxes from tree top. No incident on this one just some happy grunts with
More
Bullets.
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Beautiful and soul touching. I was 11B and received slight wounds and really appreciated those chopper pilots.
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Curtis, I was a fully trained 11B and Infantry Officer, and as silly as it might sound I regret not getting an opportunity to serve on the ground with the bravest of all soldiers, the Infantry. Thank you for your service.
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Interesting, his narrative on the mind of a young soldier struck a chord with me. I was already in the machine and like many others who were not there, only were able read or catch glimpse on tv. The country split in two, the anarchists and the rest of us. A small but vocal group with media savvy able to sway eventually sway public opinion and perception.
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Fred, truly one of the most interesting events to watch. I just wish I had snuck my camera in there.
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Great historical content.
I believe UES Naval Air has a squadron called “The Ace Of Spades”. I don’t remember if it was fighterd, or attack.
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As a former medic in Vietnam, It was outstanding!!! Brought back a lot of painful memories but was proud to be associated with such heroic individuals.
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Those that go get the injured are a special breed… And those that care for them to restore a semblance of normalcy deserve an equal billing as part of the entire war machine made up of humans. War is not glamorous. There are no atheists in foxholes. Just DO your job well. ALOHA
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I really er enjoyed reading about this nurse. Thank you for your service.
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Yes compassionate
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AB8AAR 313th Signal Company 199th LIB
I was Company CO when we set up the station on the brigade main base. Used a helicopter to put up the antenna! My lineman climbed the pole without his gloves. Got quite a shock from the down draft! He stuck with it until the antenna was installed in the brackets. The Engineers dug a hole for the ground with the biggest auger they had. We filled it with scrap metal and salt with a watering pipe. We had reports that we had the strongest signal coming out of country. The Engineers also built a small building just for the station. We had a “telephone booth” at the forward fire base with a circuit to the station so troops in the field could make calls. One caller was in the booth during a rocket attack. Took a week for us to find him to complete his call!
Nice site. Particularly the list of all the call signs with locations.
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My name is Franklin McArthur Jr, the Founder and President of the now defunct PFC. Dan Bullock Foundation, I really appreciate you helping me to perpetuate Dan’s story, God bless you and God bless America!
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I have a couple of questions related to the comments and reply options for your web site 1. First I think you have a great web site and love to read you’re articles , but I’m not sure how to track a comment or reply that I have made on a certain article. 2. I usually read your articles on a mobile device and wondered if there is any tech! Disconnect when I reply through a phone because it seems as if I cannot locate a comment that I may have made about an article that has been submitted. 3. Is there a waiting period between submissions / comments/ replies after a person responds to an article.
Thank you Tom Dilley
>
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Tom Dilley, first of all, thank you for your comments. There is no waiting period and comments are posted immediately unless they are considered spam. Comments should also be posted AFTER the article and not on THIS page. I, too, have problems with using my cell phone and can’t locate things. Best to use a work station whenever possible.
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Hey thanks very much and sorry for the late response but with everything happening right now I temporarily forgot to get back to you. I appreciate the information and hope you’re doing well in this crazy time period.
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Thank you so much for a fine article as this
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Was an interesting article and right to the truth. I had been in Vietnam for a little over two weeks when I was picked out of the group to carry a PRC25 for an artillery forward observer. I was wounded by flying steel not to long after carrying the radio on a Recon in Force. The antennae was a dead giveaway and our enemy was smart to know that cutting the communications you might have could result in him having ab upper hand on the battlefield. Fortunately for me and others that were wounded as well to include the Forward Observer we had Gunship support in the air and the response by them may well have saved a lot of lives. It was 26 December of 69 in 3 Corps area.
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I was an RTO with Charlie Company 1/35th Fourth Infantry Division for about 5 months late 67/ early 68. I stuck by my LT. like glue. He was an awesome guy who unfortunately hit a booby trap right in front of me and lost his life. I‘m not sure how I survived without much damage but I did. He was replaced with an LT. that refused to change his silver shiny bar to a black drawn on bar on his helmet . So now not only did we have a shiny bar making us stand out like we wanted the enemy to shoot us but we also had that big ass antenna which I camouflaged as much as I could. Anyways I always believed that the Cong or NVA wanted to knock out leadership, communications, and fire power in whatever order they could manage.
Thanks for the article and thanks for the follow-ups it brought back some good and bad memories but that’s how we keep moving on through life dealing with things on a daily basis. Tom Dilley
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Interesting and seems factual. I served in an Airborne infantry unit and a LRRP Ranger Company where I was both a squad leader in the infantry and team leader in the LRRP/Rangers . I heard lots about Officers and RTOs being first targets and found it not so. 60 gunners were what Charlie wanted to take out first because of the volume of fire they represented. You hit that nail on the head. Army infantry and USMC infantry lost over 31,000 KIA not including officers and medics.
My LRRP Ranger unit had 48 men 8 6 man teams. In one year the unit lost 24KIA.
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AF munitions, load crew chief of four man teams, bombs, rockets, canons, cluster bombs, gatlin guns, napalm, occasional leaflet bombs (if it could be hung on a pylon we could load and arm it, regarless of weather and day or night!). AF 6th SpecOps, ’68-’69, Pleiku.
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Thanks for this and all your articles. I have 2 years in Nam …66/67/68 I came home in July of 1968.God Bless you and Welcome home brother. Navy Seabee Heavy Equipment Operator.
All I corps DaNang, Chu Lai, Quang Tri, Dong Ha.
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I was an RTO on Arty FO teams for 7 or 8 months then became the Recon Sgt/FO for another 25 months. The radio was always there. I only had 1 man hit with me and that was a “to whom it may concern” mg burst that hit a number down the line. But, there was nothing more worrysome than a new LT saying out up the long antenna (with the big red flag)!
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Great read….I think most people that were not there ,never even heard or thought about the life expectancy ,of us in Vietnam. I think most of us knew about what our life expectancies were…from what I experienced, no one really thought much about it. We just did our jobs and did the best we could to stay alive and help our brothers stay alive. My life expectancy was very short….I was a Scout Dog Handler and walked point ,with my HERO german shepard my whole tour….GOD BLESS US ALL
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Great article. As stated we were never made aware of how those percentages were arrived at. I did learn that LRRP’s had a mortality rate of less than two minutes in battle. Always felt bad for those guys.
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Correct in every way 🇦🇺👍
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Great read! Thanks and Welcome Home! USMC 67,68 AnHoa Golf 2/5
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I thought it was excellent. I too was aTanker in Vietnam. I was an 18 year old E-3 Tank Commander. I was with 3rd Tank Batallion 3rd Marine Division in I Corps on the DMZ. I remember all the things that you spoke of and more. It was a
Very scary thing to be out in the bush on Operations especially when we were out for several days. Night time is an altogether different animal from day time. We mostly shot at muzzle flashes.
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11B40 Mech Humble, Humble, humility, Site like this need to teach those who can’t identify with any of this to see that “we” never forget, and they should not. We cannot let them forget.
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I Really believe this is the most Hair-Raising “Short” story about ‘Nam I’ve read. I was there as a Marine
M60 Machine Gunner, saw & lived thru Combat, Mortars, Grenades & Bullets but Not to the extent
the writer experienced.
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Many thanks for this story, one that was riveting and heartfelt.
I served on active duty (1968 -1969 during the war in Vietnam. Joined USNR 1967 and continued in the active reserves until 1977. Although my aviation squadron wasn’t sent to Vietnam, I went where they sent me, served for over ten years and received an honorable discharge.
James Walters
Gold Star Brother to George Norton Walters (KIA 7 AUG 52 in Korea)
Nephew of a KIA uncle, Lovic G. Keith (Battle of the Bulge)
Son of PVT Leon J. Walters (twice wounded in WWI (he was almost 50 when I was born)
Great grandson (Andrew Looper Keith) who was an officer during American Civil War.
Seventh generation grandson to a colonel of a South Carolina Militia unit during the American Revolution; proud member of Sons of the American Revolution.
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Every day in RVN was spent praying to survive another day. Any location or any MOS that a Marine was was susceptible to attack by the enemy. This was especially true during the Tet offensive of 1968. You never do out put it far enough in the past in order to forget the experience.
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American Vietnam War Veterans were Compassionate during the time allot was tired of the killing and ready to go home! I never met my real other American father at the base at nha-trang but my Great Stepfather Army father married my mother or after the war the V.C would of killed us all me especially for having a American Soldier father that I never met. So my Stepfather father brought us back after he married my mother and raised me as his own Son I love him to this day even though he has lung cancer from the years of smoking G.E laid him off from Camden NJ and and a hard time walking with a bad back and leg Problems. He so messed up! God Bless America! 🇺🇸
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It touched the spot where I am myself right now!
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I got out of the AF about the time the Vietnam war heated up. I got a job with the Army as a civilian making munitions for the army, in 1966. IMHO : the Vietnam war was not a war. It was a good way for some people with good connections to rip off the US. Government, and get a lot of excess poor people killed off. In 1967 I had gotten burned on the leg by WP.
I was on light duty, working in the back of the WP plant, opening 81 Mm morter rounds to be filled, when this tech-rep from the company that was making buster Wells for 2.75 rockets came running up to me, and hollering ” Here is your problem, Mr Bray! This. SOB is deliberately sabotaging the shells! ” I said ” Now wait a minute here Mr. What kind of Shell’s are you down here to see about? 2.75s, or 81mm,s?” He said ” 2.75, that is what these are, ain’t they?” I told him ” No sir. These are 81mm. You should be a little more certain of what you are talking about before you go accusing people of being sabators.” He told my supervisor ” Do i have to take this off this sorry mother f$$king whores son.? I demand that he be fired! “
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I think the article was over done bordering on sympathy getting
Of all my veteran mates we have had one suicide and one has disappeared which is probably at about the same as the national average in the general public.
I was a combat veteran and nasho during the Tet offensive we lost our platoon commander, radio operator, one infantryman with four more wounded.
I remember the grief and loss and realised the only thing that l wanted to achieve in that place was survival.
Yes l had problems when l got home and like the rest it takes time and help but l can live with the experience now
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Love this article, born in 1960 my family lived in a area of southern ca. Los Alamitos with the airforce not far from our home! Most of the neighbors either had family in service or were themselves in service. The war and its affects were close to me. I thank every military personel For there service during vietnam. I am embarrassed and angry for the treatment of all service men and women after the war.
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Thank you for your kind words and appreciation…
I always knew there were people back home who still cared…
A Brown
Sp4 (RTO)
1st Brigade
Thua Thien FS Bases &
Ashau Valley Relay setups
101st Airborne (AMBL)
Aug ‘70 – Oct ‘71
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This needs to be promoted throughout this country. Too many people do not know enough about the Vietnam conflict and remain ignorant and apathetic. My husband did two ‘tours’ with drastic results, was wounded, both mentally and physically unfortunately. Bless his heart. My heart goes out to everyone who served and the gratitude of the nation ought to be foremost by all of us.
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Very true. I’m a Vietnam veteran. 25 th infantry. 11bravo. Maybe trump will take care of us
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I was there; I was a assault boat coxswain on the USS Bayfield (APA-33) and assisted landing the 3rd Marines on the beaches under fire. I’ll never forget the sound of the shells going over my head to the beach areas.
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Guys, it’s time to get over Jane Fonda. She was and still is a shallow minded California pretty faced liberal from a wealthy family who was little more than a puppet. But in reality she did little if any damage other than piss us off. The people that did the most damage to us veterans is the American collective media and the VVAW, Vietnam Veterans against the War. They are the two main organizations that turned the public against us with their lies and innuendo. As for the media, they are all guilty, especially the NYT and CBS. The face of the VVAW was soon to be Senator and later Sec of State John Kerry, who did far more damage to us than Fonda could have ever done. At least Fonda has some what apologized, but not Kerry. If you must, vent your anger toward Kerry – he’s the real evil.
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My brother and I were both USNavy serving
On different ships-he on DD and I on AO in 1972 while Fonda was spewing her garbage over there.
We will never forget the harm she caused.
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Very good account. Throughout the years the pieces of this combined action slowly come together for me. I was with a Weapons Platoon on Hill 1364 I think it was, on the N.E. side of the A Shau. As a comm rat assigned to babysit the crypto radio with my expendable body. On loan from 11th Marines, I went to lots of places in I corps, mostly hill numbers. We were right on the Trail maybe 75 ft above up in the mist. The triple canopy was pretty awesome…at this point, the trail was about 25 – 30′ wide..no sunlight, period. Nearby an old French resort for officers built of stone all shot up by the Japanese in ’37 before WWII. The accounts of this action get fuzzy so maybe this is another piece for someone else….OUT!
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Riveting!
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Great truth Vietnam vet 68/69
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We who are still here appreciate the help and respect we are finally receiving. We will never forget how we were treated but we can move on and help America treat their veterans w the respect that they deserve.
U.S.Army, 69-70 Vietnam Vet.
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Eloquent, compassionate, just. Thank you for your service and for your words, Robert!!–Tom Reilly
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This was a great article!! I am surprised that I never read it before. Brings back memories of my homecoming in 1967.
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For a different perspective on the Vietnam conflict, obtain “Our War Was Different” by Al Hemingway. For further resources look up the USMC “Combined Action Program”.
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Very thought provoking and remembering of things that occurred.
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I remember, “The Day” ’67/68 Some went to college and we went to school. Also remember the Stew’s, most of them back then were lookers, especially coming home! Fantastic article, thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank You….
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Interesting read. I arrived in Vietnam on Flying Tigers Airline 1968.
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I’ve read all these comments and I read this story because I’ve been there and done that. I rode FLYING TIGER both to and from Vietnam. I was tha young sgt in the seat crying scared as hell, having no idea what was ahead. I was also that combat solder that was sure the plane would crash I’d never get back to”the world”
It brought back memories like it was yesterday. What I hate is the spermatozoon in this country and people who express an opinion about things they were never involved in.since when has it become a crime to care for your brothers in arms or the elderly or anyone else. Just because you care doesn’t mean your a “commie liberal”. What’s happened to decency and caring. One responder was correct, dynasties come and go and if we don’t be careful we will give a our country Away. God help us!!
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Thank you. Proud Army Mom of a CSM, member of Nam generation.
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It describes me to a T. After Nam I became a cop, in a time when cops were under siege from those they were trying to protect. That was as close to recapturing the sense of brotherhood of the Army. It’s ironic that 50 years later today’s young cops are facing the same abuse we did in the ’70s.
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Nice article. You might check out the 147th Infantry Division on IwoJima. The world has no idea. The Marines had a great photo- journal Company to advertise their movements. Same with Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. The Army should take note.
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Is this a joke? No one went where the Marines went espicially near the DMZ during the Vietnam war. This is why all you see on TV. And on the news are clips about Army units very seldom Marines. I don’t remember ever seeing but one camera person in 13 months of combat with the Marines Cat. Leroy 23 years old.Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
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I too saw ONLY One Camera Crew while in ‘Nam Fox 2/4/3rd MarDiv and They
Weren’t there to see us Marines.
There was some HollyWooden Actor and THAT was the Big Deal !
Don’t even remember who s/he Was.
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Often Compassionate, also Often Incapable of Compassion due to the Circumstances and Surroundings. Every situation HAD to be Very Carefully Evaluated for Extreme Conflicts of Interest on the part of those being considered FOR Compassion !
A 10 year old Girl sets off an Explosive Charge as soon as there were enough Marines around her. Almost Certainly she had No Idea what was about to Happen BUT how Compassionate would You be if those Dead or Mutilated Men were YOUR Teammates ? How would YOU React to Do to the “Villagers”
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Two tours as a Dustoff aviator and unit cdr. It is a well done presentation. Thanks for putting it together….
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great, i was a medic with the 498th at lane 69 till jan 70 and this article really brought back memories both good and bad thanks and welcome home brother.
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Experience. Dennis our machine gunner was desparet to get sent to the rear. After we were over run on LZ Jamie he decided to get bit by a rat so he would need rabies shots. He put peanut butter on his hands and got bit the same night. Got a job on the log pad back in tay Ningand if I remember never got sent back to the lz
By the way his continuous firing that night kept the gooks frim our bunker and they over ran several bunkers To the left and right. May 12 1969. I was feeding Dennis the belts for the m60
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I think she was very legitimate and truly sorry. I truly accept her apology and thank her for it. She has the guts to say it where MANY others do not.
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I flew on(Huey) through Hawk Hill on my way to fix a generator on LZ West and back to Chu Lai where I spent a year with Rocket Attacks May 1970. I never fail to tear up on war stories because I have my own. I wish I could write so well because I would tell my own stories. They never go away. I am 72 and still 21 like I was in Nam. God Bless All my brothers and sisters in arms. We fought the only real shooting war of the Cold War and we won!
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It is a very good Article. This Captain is A Vietnam Veteran Hero. He tells a very touching story and explains very clearly and precisely what he saw and experienced with his eyes and mind. He is forthright In explaining his feeling while he did his absolute best in savings the lives of Infantry Soldiers. I hope that he received numerous Commendations from the US Army. His greatest reward was saving the lives of Infantry Soldiers who suffered unimaginable pain and suffering. Their purpose as the Captain was in fighting and helping their Brothers in Arms to live through a hellacious War. Thank you Captain for helping and saving so many lives while placing your life at risk. God Bless you Sir.
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I’m Always Depressed AND Impressed by the People who served in Vietnam (‘Nam) as We call that Horrid Place. I live with my Nightmares Continually yet knowing that So Many Others had Far Far Worse experiences than I !
Between Mosquitoes & Malaria, Mortars and Rockets, Bullets & Shrapnel, Heat, POURING Rain, Mud & Blood, Lousy Food, even the Best of the Time in that HellHole was Horrible, to Me at least ! Often You’d hear a Fellow Marine say something like “Sure wish I could get a Golden Bullet so I could go back to the WORLD”
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I was a Crew Chief with DaNang Dust Off from
Jan69- Jan70. I knew Mr Hill and flew many
Missions with him. Highly respected and liked by all. I was the person who painted the unit
sign, the unit Creed is on the reverse. Glad to hear that someone else from time frame is
still alive
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Thank you for yours services
Semper Fi
Saigon Pham
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Very very nice
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Thankyou for your attention
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Good tells it like it is
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I want to understand how Americans could treat soldiers so badly, who laid down their lives to keep our Country (America) free from communist control, and still do. It did not affect me personally but I knew a little about it, hated it, and want to understand more now that the fire is mostly subsided.
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Thank you very much Jeanne. While I don’t know if anything will totally erase the snubs and disdain we received when returning home from Vietnam, in my case after 20 months in the Infantry and Artillery, but it sure comes close to it. Bless you and others who recognize we were just service members doing what we thought we owed to our country.
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our “free press” has more “swing” than it should. they can influence normally good folks into believing almost anything. nobody wants to take the time to research for themselves. damn shame.
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Many Thanks for this article. I enjoyed reading we were Soilders Once and Young as well as We Were Soldiers Still. A friend of mine is returning again
in January to complete his journey!
Joe
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I have great admiration for the writer who put their thoughts of this war and their experience of it to paper. Being a vet myself it helped to know another that went through this period of time and felt this way.
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Old men send young men to war. — The old men LBJ, Kissinger did not fight to win the war. As a teenager who could see how the war was not being to win. ? ? ?
Politics do not fight to win on the battlefield.
The POW/MIA who were left behind alive were sacrificed because of win the politics at all cost.
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This is a portion of Vietnam war. We know war
Is bad but to me a Vietnamese at that time is
a beautiful life in Saigon in ’60-’70. Good G.I. in
battles on duty, And off duty G.I.s strolling in Saigon down town, Watching American TV series on AFVN TV network: Adam Family, Gun Smoke, Bonanza, Bob Hope X Mas Show in Cu Chi, Long Binh. Now 50 years passed, many
had passed away, many reached 70 and more
All were memories of good and bad.
C
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Very will written article, made me think about the year I was their. 68-69 just outside Saigon place called PhuLam signal Btn.
Made several trips into Saigon, remember seeing a compound full of new Ford tractors. We also had a orphanage that we would bring to the post once a month. Very sweet children and they loved Ice Cream.
This was a great duty station for me.
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1st. Writer MUST Have seem a Different Vietnam than I Did !
I saw Lots of (I thought at the Time)
the Very Poorest & Most Fearful People on
Earth. Of course I’ve learned since that
Millions of People are Much Worse Off than
the Vietnamese I was around.
We completely believed Every Male We encountered was a V.C. (Viet Cong) for Anyone
Who might Misunderstand.
Booby Traps were Seemingly Everywhere.
Explosive & Otherwise!
And We’d Seen the Horrific Pictures of fellow
Marines Who’d been Tortured to Death.
Rockets and/or Mortar Rounds were Frequent
Visitors both On a Patrol or Operation & Were
More disrupting in Our Home Bases.
We Often Chose to Eat C-Rations rather than
going to Mess Hall ’cause the Food was Lousy.
And the (So Called) Milk was Beyond Belief
Horrible! They called it “ReConsituted” and
Lots of Us drank Water rather than have that
FOUL Taste in Our Mouths.
So No, I personally, Never Dealt with anything
Positive there.
Except getting Out Alive !
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Thank for yout Attention
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Well written and researched. Thank you my brother for helping me get in touch with my feelings about a semial time in my youth that will continue to heal the pychological scars that I just couldn’t deal with on my own.
17 year old volunteer at
NSA DaNang RVN 66-67
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Apakah ada buku terjemahan dalam bahasa indonesia tentang kisah cherries ini. mohon bantuan informasinya.terima kasih
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Great article. I was in VF-11 from 68 to70. First deployment after fire.
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I was in the USMC from Aug 1960 to July 1965 and spent my last 3 months at DaNang, RSVN. We were the first USMC fixed wing aircraft squadron to be sent to Vietnam. We lived in squad tents at the end of the DaNang runway, NO barracks in those days!!
It was a hectic time, our pilots flew missions the second day after arriving at the airfield to support the USMC grunts who came ashore a few days before we arrived. It was quite an experience, I was glad to leave.
But the worst was yet to come!! We were flown back to Atsugi, Japan where we were stationed for most of our 13 month Far East tour. Then we caught a bird to MCAS El Toro, CA. Since I had less than 90 days on my enlistment, I decided on an “Early Out” discharge.
However, the worse was yet to come!! On June 25, 1965, a USAF Boeing C-135 bound for Okinawa crashed just after takeoff into the 1,300 foot Loma Ridge about 150 feet below the crest.
Some of our VMFA-531 squadron members, who were waiting for our discharges, spent some days up on the hill cleaning up the crash site. Most of the 84 military personnel on the flight were Marines heading to Okinawa. The 12 man crew was USAF personnel.
It was the most gruesome sight I have ever seen. God Bless all 84 who perished that day in the crash!
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I remember our ship the Iwo Jima, Marines SLF docking along side of the Forestall at Subic Bay. She was still smoking. We learned later in the day about the horrible accident that took the lives of many of her crew. God bless them all.
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Good to see the younger ones are getting on with life and not dwelling too much on the past. However, they need to have a grasp of the past to hopefully help prevent this from happening again.
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It’s sad that even though we all served during the Vietnam war are still at war with one another. I appreciate what the grunts in the fields did but I mention that I served 70-71 in Thailand as a mechanic on reconnaisance aircraft that I’m not a Vietnam Veteran. Anyone that served in South East Asia should be considered Vietnam Veterans not Vietnam ERA Veterans. I won’t even wear my hat anymore or talk to anyone that show’s they served, because they ask where you served and walk away. I am so angry about this whole bunch of BS that I won’t even bring it up to anyone anymore.
WE were all apart of the Vietnam war and I was in a support group also, but none of the grunts will accept that. If we didn’t step foot in country then we didn’t mean anything. Bullcrap!
I do appreciate the author who brought this about so that I could read comments from so many.
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Every American should read this and weep for the brave and betrayed POWs who were left behind, in enemy hands, to be exploited and used as labor. My husband Larry was among them.
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Entertaining at BEST ! One Pilgrim’s opinion is NOT gospel truth.
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HooYah! Three Tours to ‘Nam War Games:
Make War and Love
Doc Rio ST-2
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Which one of us living today will be the last living Vietnam War veteran?
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I never do, but thank you for the heads up.
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“Theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do or die…”
“Onward noble 600…”
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Excellent!
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Appears accurate but I didn’t visit many base camps besides the ones that I was assigned-to: Di An and Lao Khe from Feb ‘67 to Feb ‘68. Di An was subject to frequent artillery attacks and our Lao Khe base camp was unwittingly built over a nest of VC tunnel complexes so we were often subject to sniper fire at night. They’d pop out of their holes, try to kill one or more of us, then drop back into their holes.
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Somewhat true. As I found out later, most soldiers did not see combat. One of my friends lived in a hotel in Saigon. I was on a small base in the. Delta. Very boring, no r & r.
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Very good. But the USA DID NOT RUN THE WAR. We had to ask permission from the South Vietnamese before we llaunched an operation. Therefore the NVA OR CONG informants would advise there compatriots that we were coming into an area and they could adjust accordingly.
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I think it it very informative and touches on a lot
of points I had considered myself over the years. Two months after I got to Vietnam in 1970, I had the feeling we weren’t going to win because of the political problems at home and the lack of pursuing the VC and NVA. It seemed absurd not to cut off the Ho Chi Minh Trail, and our pilots complained that they couldn’t bomb obvious targets. I was a supply officer, so we worked our butts off to get supplies to our troops to keep them alive. I had served on the Korean DMZ in 1968 as an infantry officer, so I knew what it was like to do without what we needed.
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Excellent. Well documented with myriad reasons why we should have won this war in first 2 years. As we were trained at West Point, invoking General MacArthur’s saying: “There is no substitute for Victory.”
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We could see it happening, but politicians neutered us. Johnson, McNamara, and Nixon have a special in hell to reminisce
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It WAS a long time ago but the emotions are strong with certain smells, sounds, temperatures, humidity, etc. My first rip in 70-71 was an eye opener but the second in 72-73 was a game changer,
It did change me, sometimes I think for the better and sometimes for the worst but I still live with it in spite of those who never asked about it.
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One of the many . . .
According to Christian Appy in Working-Class War, “most of the Americans who fought in Vietnam were powerless, working-class teenagers sent to fight an undeclared war by presidents for whom they were not even eligible to vote.”
Steve
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very well said.
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I served in Vietnam in 1967 to 1968, went home and returned from 1969 to 1970. I have lost the front 1/2 of my heart due to Ischemic Heart Disease,I have Diabetes, nephropathy in my feet so bad I can hardly walk, I have COPD, and Blood Clots in both legs. Which the VA doesn’t view as connected yet. All of this is due to Agent Orange, so BROTHER I COULDN’T AGREE WITH YOU MORE!
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Informative. Since I was drafted it hits home that the privileged were spared the experience. It is also interesting that 2.2 million were drafted. 2.5 million served in the Vietnam conflict. But today there are supposedly 9 million Vietnam veterans. There are only less than 800,000 of us left today who served in Vietnam. We are losing way too many everyday to the real tragedy of the war. Agent Orange.
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Don, I agree with your last statement. As for the 2.2 mm drafted – only 25% of those were part of the 2.5 that served in country…the difference was staffed by RA’s
On Sun, Aug 11, 2019 at 6:28 PM CherriesWriter – Vietnam War website wrote:
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Your statistics as to the percent of draftees who were actually in Nam are accurate from everything I have read. See also, the book “Stolen Valor”.
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in the “line” platoon i spent over 15 months with, we had one, get that right, fuking ONE ra. late sept ’67, thru Christmas eve ’68.
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I am not impressed with your article. You must not understand that the War in Vietnam was against world communism.
Your article lacks real combat information about the battle. I was the Command Pilot for LTG. Stilwell who was the Commander of the 24th Corps. LTG. Stilwell was Zais’s commander. I flew LTG. Stilwell out to that mountain before the battle started so we could watch the B-52 strike on the mountain. After the B-52’s hit the area then the battle began. I never heard any radio traffic that indicated that Zais was in the area. We made many trips by helicopter out there during the battle and at one point during the battle LTG Stilwell wanted to land on the mountain. Naturally there was not an LZ but there was a large bomb creator on the side of the mountain where some 101st troops were dug in. The area was under mortar fire that was hitting in the trees around the area. I was able to hover close to the side of the hill where LTG Stilwell and Command Sargent Major James jumped out and I departed. Later that afternoon I picked them up on the back side of the mountain. They had walked over the mountain during the battle. Your characterization of the military conditions in the valley at the time were just not accurate. We controlled that entire area. We were killing thousands of NVA with little loss of American troops. America was clearly winning the Vietnam War when the Communist in the American government undermined our efforts.
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I’m with ya. and all those bastards have buildings and bridges named after them. truthfully, guys, I believe we have the most corrupt gov’t money can buy. then, and now. after “being there”, and coming home, the people lost in the AO I was in, we “donated” to the war. I really do hope to extract a pound of flesh from some piece of shit gov’t lifers on my way out of here. why are there no REWARD’ posters on the power poles? I’m still looking for the 2 afganistani camel humpers that must have been awesome to need all the treasure and blood spent on them. this entire witch hunt has been for Saudi’s. if you see one, kill him.
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I enjoyed your MARS article. While I was stationed in Viet Nam, I was assigned to the 53rd Signal Bn and was a MARS operator at AB8AT at Plantation adjacent to Long Bien. We were dedicated to providing the best service to our fellow soilders. We averaged around 1200 calls a month. I have many great memories of some of the calls I placed home. For instance, one of the guys wife was pregnant. We made sure the last he got a daily call to make sure everything was going good. The last call, unbeknownst to our caller, was directly to his wife in the hospital, after giving birth that day. She sounded weak, tired, and our guy was concerned. As he asked her how she was feeling, he heard his baby crying. It was a great day for him and us.
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Very well done! The best I’ve read. It depicts the actual feelings of us that humped the boonies and fought the fights in the boonies! May God bless my brothers that fought and died beside me. My memory’s will never forget them. Jerry Rogers 2nd 327th Inf. 101st Airborne
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Realistically and honorably told. I appreciate that the story is free of racially desparaging comments about the then enemy.
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I was in Vietnam 1970 with the 597th transportation company 1st logistical command.
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I am a civilian who had a brother in AF and many school friends I Wrote to in the Corps. They shared what they could but your article is a real eye opener. Just living through this was a miracle in itself. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your service. I will be on lookout for your book and will purchase.
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Resisting communism is never a waste. At best, most of Southeast Asia did not fall to communism. In that respect, we, once again, saved more then we lost.
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Never left behind…transcends family and is deep rooted in those who truly value our resolve to bring our people lost in war, back home, to be honored for their sacrifices. Thank you to our recovery teams!
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this should have been a traumatic experience for many.
I know a little of Vietnam, but im from another era, born in the middle of the sixties I know about nam from others, but, please here goes my respect to all these brave men and women of that period.
I lived in Saigon from 2012 to 2017, the mix of old and new, the frozen in time ideas and behaviors imposed by the communism, mixed with a new generation of professionals starting to have sort of “critical thinking”, the conspicuous remnants of the “American war” the smells, the food, it was a very different experience than the one you, young kids experienced. I miss my Vietnam experience, and keep looking at it in places like this, even it is the wrong place.
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Awesome
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HEART WARMING!!
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Just an ARMY brat. Whose step dad (Sgt Joeseph M. Felkel) was a door gunner for the 189thAHC, Ghostriders from Feb 68 to Feb 69. Much love and respect for ALL the Vietnam Vets.
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Thank You! I am a two tour Vietnam Vet. I have nothing but respect for ALL MY BROTHERS>
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Package from home-My mom used to send me a bottle of Seagram Seven whisky enclosed in a loaf of bread. And yes, we all enjoyed it!
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very good indeed I served Victor 5 coy ANZAC Battalion.
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I liked it those brave women were 👼 Angels then and now may God 🙏 Bless 😇 them I wish I could meet some of them I will be in DC 5-25 Bronx NY 1st Cav B/2/12 68-69 iron tri will be in front of their mem at 1:30pm
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I think your poll should have a Vietnam Era veteran, Alot of us were drafted and served honorably but the luck of the draw sent us to other places. I have deep respect for anyone sent to Vietnam.
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Thank you, Roger. Unfortunately, the poll has been up for over 4 yrs. and era vets have chosen “Other” as their choice. If I were to add “Era” as a choice today, it wouldn’t be a true representation. I’ll keep this in mind if I launch a new poll in the future. / John
On Fri, May 24, 2019 at 7:35 AM CherriesWriter – Vietnam War website wrote:
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Received this from a friend of mine who served in the same company in VN. I am really impressed. Keep it up.
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Thank you, Rick! Welcome aboard! / John
On Mon, May 20, 2019 at 5:22 PM CherriesWriter – Vietnam War website wrote:
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Forward Observer out of Hill 4-11 Duc Pho, 2 months and 6 days in country, but with DOG woke up in Valley Gorge Army Hospital 18 days later, went into the Bush the day I got to my unit, never saw my Arty Unit.
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I was a USN pilot in HC1 attached to USS Ticonderoga in 1967-1969. Thanks for your blog and it was great to read it.
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Mr Williams I was in the 85th in Qui Nhon in 1968. I would love to talk to you. hotelhooper@yahoo.com
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My favorite line is “Where are the men?”
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One of the most realistic, honest, detailed history of the warriors life in and after their experiences in Vietnam!!!
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Great article. ‘The Bush’ engulfs you, mesmerizes
you. Couldn’t stop reading it. Kudos to the author.
US Army,
Vietnam 1965-66 / 67-68.
MACV / 8th Field Hospital / 85th and 93rd Evacs.
God bless the Grunt!
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What a great article. Wish there were some way to get the North Vietnamese to release all the info and remains they have on all the MIAs and POWs that they had or still have. The same for the Laotian Government we lost a lot of people there too. I was part of a two man crew that flew in the area of the HO CHE TRAIL and all over northern and central Laos (1969).
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Excellent capsulation of the facts. God Bless all who fought in Vietnam.
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Made me cry……the truth always stands out.
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I’m on your six…thank you all
Sam Simmons 135th AHC Bearcat
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I’m liking this website. Thanks to Lanny Julian for bringing it to my attention. A/Co 229th AV BN, 1st Cav Div. Feb 68-Feb 69, Camp Evans, LZ Sharon (Quang Tri), Tah Ninh
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most informative…and to sum us all up…….
vietnam reflections 377
the old man lies alone
skin of leather
heart of stone
he lays straight beneath his earthen mound
there is hardly a sound
save the cadence
of footfalls
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Heart breaking yet uplifting at the same time. The door gunners would gladly take my mail and comment on how lucky they were not to be living in the jungle. I was extracted by a Huey ( dust off) in a litter, because a tree landed on me while on the border with Cambodia , west of Dakto.
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1969 LZ Professional. Point man Americal Div. . Heavy casualties. Poor unit. Death Valley by Keith Nolan.
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Brought back a lot of memories.
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Glad you’re still with us Marine…
I concur with your BCT and AIT assessments…
I’m GLAD I had the training, but wasn’t really
practical… How’s that saying go?
An Army prepares to fight a war based
on the last war the leaders fought and
won… [ something like that ]
America had recently battled enemies with enormous conventional military forces… WW ll and Korea shaped our leaders and they based our training on the wars they’d fought; not really looking at the Vietnamese, as a valid threat to our capabilities… so we took heavy ‘everything’ to wipe them out in weeks… it would have been better to learn more about their culture, history and motivation in assessing if we SHOULD go in and – if ‘yes – WHAT would be the best strategy and tactics??
We’d have been better trained had we used the Indian Wars as our model instead of Germany and Japan.. Among our leaders’ (military and civilian) biggest frustrations was that Native Americans appeared & made contact only if/when they saw a successful outcome based on surprise, numbers, munitions, etc… so did the VC and NVA… and when superior numbers or element of surprise faded, they would break contact and ‘disappear’.. Likewise, SE Asia proved to be eerily similar.. So frustrating was it that after the sis Drang Valley battles, Gen Westmoreland decided to wage a ‘war of attrition’ to convey how well we were doing… he should have studied France’s experience before adopting that strategy..
So we didn’t really find out about the war until we were ‘in-country’; generally.. I would have preferred more training on knowing how much equip we REALLY needed to carry, or how to spot BBTs and how to ‘unjam’ an M-16 QUICKLY (just like Custer’s troops, jammed rifles happened all too often..
I was an RTO with 101st Airborne and spent most of my tour on fire bases between Camp
Eagle and Ashau Valley… I’m glad to have learned Morse Code but four months of learning that and never knowing we had encrypted transmission capabilities was disconcerting upon arrival at Camp Eagle… the in-country ‘booster’ training up at Camp Evans
(such as HOW to call-in MEDEVACS and air support)…
And maybe someday they’ll realize we’re NOT police; we’re at war to kill/destroy and get out so peacekeepers can come in
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Excellent assessment!!
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Your statement: “it would have been better to learn more about their culture, history and motivation in assessing if we SHOULD go in and – if ‘yes – WHAT would be the best strategy and tactics??” is valid. It might interest you that there WAS such a program in Vietnam-the Marine “Combined Action Program” where a squad (or less) of Marines lived in a village with Vietnamese “Popular Forces” (somewhat like reservists) to provide village security, run patrols, and in essence protect the villagers from the VC and NVA. Results were mixed, but it can be safely said that NO village under the Combined Action Program ever reverted to VC or NVA control…
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Excellent
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Very interesting. My father was in country in 68 and 69 during tet.
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Dont remember a thing about flight home either.
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I slept for almost the whole trip home. A lot of us were just pulled from the filed, had a day to pack up our shit and then sent to Tan Son Nhut or wherever to board the bird home.
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We were the BEST America had.
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Great writing, great photos
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Thank You, Sgt- USMC-0311- Charlie Co. 1/5- 68-69,