CherriesWriter - Vietnam War website

See what War is like and how it affects our Warriors

My Slide Show

105 photos from my personal collection depicting my twelve-month tour of duty while serving in the Vietnam War. This slideshow has background music and tunes of the day. For best viewing, click on the box on the RH bottom of the screen to watch in full-screen mode. Hit escape to return to the normal viewing mode.

I’m looking forward to your comments about this new video. If you wish to watch more videos with photos linked to the background music of the time, then click below to be redirected to the other pages where I have 40+ videos selected:

My Favorite Vietnam War Videos  

Note: If you put together a similar slide show with personal photos and want to include it here on this website, then pls. contact me via email:  john.podlaski@gmail.com

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67 thoughts on “My Slide Show”

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  1. Richard A. Meyers

    You really nailed the day-to-day life of a Grunt. I served with the 4th Infantry Div.

    1/35th Infantry, originally the 25th Div. in the Central Highlands 1968. I humped a 90mm recoilless. Thank you for pulling together some great information.

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  2. A family just sent me this!!! My father was Cpt. Gordon Vogel if Tom Burke is still living I would love to talk to him.

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  3. Great article. I also served in I Btry 29th Field Arty in Vietnam. My platoon HQ was with Dusters in Cu chi. I worked in Fire Base Diamond 1,2,3. Also n Dau Tieng Base Camp. Fire Base Kotrik (?). Sep 68 thru Mar 70.

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  5. Great slideshow! My father served in Vietnam also, MAJ. Ervin E. Beaver. He just passed away on November 23, 2022. In cleaning out his house, I came across a journal that my father confiscated from an enemy soldier that was killed by my dad’s unit (my dad was a military advisor to South Vietnamese ARVN Field Commanders). The journal is written in Vietnamese and upon preliminary review it contains military plan of attack information and name and numbers of individuals – some with an X by their name – assuming that is to show they died. I feel like some organization that collects war memorabilia would be interested in translating this, but I don’t know where to begin. Any suggestions?

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  6. Thank you for you service and I really enjoyed reading “cherries” wasn’t able
    To put it down. I read it under 4 days and only reading after work before bed. Slide show was amazing after reading book. Can’t wait to read your next novel.

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    1. Thank you, John. I hope you are able to leave a rating and short review about the book on Amazon. I do have two additional stories about my time in Vietnam available. Ck my author page on Amazon.

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  9. Just finished your book “Cherries”; A great read from start to finish. Congrats to you and your buds for making it back home. Your book brought back so many memories of that war.
    I ,too, am a Vietnam vet, serving (1969) as a battalion medic on Duster Compound, HHQBattery 5th of the 2nd Arty…Dusters, Quads, Searchlights. Our base was fire support for Long Binh just north of Bien Hoa. I went to Cu Chi to deliver meds to our medic based there and didn’t think much about that trip except I was impressed at the size of the base. It got overrun in the spring of ’69 and our medic helped feed clips of 40 mm shells to the gunner of our Duster based there. That gun crew was instrumental in running off the enemy, killing several at point blank range. USARV HQ later decorated them and our base for their heroic actions.
    I also have recently written my memoirs of my “tour of duty’ and have all my slides on a disc for family and close friends to view. As you say, most just look bored and don’t know much about that horrible war when you try to tell your story.
    I got home in one piece in late 1969 and was glad it was all over. It has taken me 50 yrs. to write about it but I am glad I did. I have been diagnosed w/PTSD and am getting aid from the Veteran’s Admin. now. It sure helps pay the bills since I am long since retired.
    Thanks again for writing YOUR story John.

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    1. Thank you, Roy. I hope you are able to go onto Amazon to rate the book and leave a sentence or two about your thoughts of the story. When viewing the slide show, were photos a reminder of a piece that you read in the book? Good luck, too, on your story. I hope you sell a million! / John

      On Sun, Jul 10, 2022 at 2:16 PM CherriesWriter – Vietnam War website < comment-reply@wordpress.com> wrote:

      >

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  12. Great John, as a brother Wolfhound (C 1/27th) Jan 69 to Jan70. the FSB Kien was originally Named Mahone 2 and changed by the big Red 1 div. when we turned it over to them in June of 69. If you would like to know more about what the AO was like at that time let me know.

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  16. Thank you for doing the slide show, which was both informative and brought many memories back to me from my time there and those related to me by many of our brother vets.

    People who were not there will receive some informative glimpses by viewing your slide show. I look forward to reading your book Cherries: A Vietnam Novel. I speak to high schools in my are about the war and what it was like to have served during it.

    Thank you for your service and your ability and passion to tell it like it was and for no-one to “Never Forget!”

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  17. Loved the pics from the slideshow and especially enjoyed your book. It was a fantastic read that was hard to put down. Very well written and depicts your service proudly.
    Thanks for your service and for putting your experience in writing. That was the best and smartest thing to do. Take care and stay safe and healthy!

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  19. Very well written. I was a combat writer and combat photographer for the 101st Airborne Division. I worked out of Phu Bai and 2nd Brigade, 101st from Aug. 70 to Aug. 71. The first assignment I had was on and off of Fire Base Tomahawk. Was also at Vandergrift during Lam Son 719 and 720. Spent nights by the Rock Pile. Welcome home Brother.

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  20. It was excellent. It’s remarkable how close our experiences were. I’ve posted my presentation on YouTube titled “Vietnam Welcome Home Lt. Rochelle.” YouTube police always fight with me about the song bits I use. Whatever. Ain’t No Thing.

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  21. Hey John, You did it again. Great post. I still thank God I didn’t end up in Grunt patrols like you and your buddies. You were the backbone and workhorse who held the line so many times. As someone said here, the AF boys had it plush in comparison. Although, we all did our part. I hope you have got your vaccine and are being safe. ‘Welcome Home.’

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  24. An excellent video and great photos. I was near Bein Hoa June 67 – June 68 with a US Army SIGINT unit (USASA/Radio Research) and worked in the camp communications center (72B). Retired from the Army 1 December 1990. Welcome Home Brother !!

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  27. Great slide show…..25th. 1969-1970 –2/77arty 105″ Badass” drove thru Kien on the way to Cambodia in April of 1969.16 miles in Cambodia at fsb hilltop and x-ray. Spent months in Hobo woods, Renegade woods ,along the border .Thanks for the memories.

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  28. Great presentation. We saw a lot of the same dirt, me in ’67-’68 flying as a doorgunner and crewchief in support of the Wolfhounds and later the 101st. Your show brought back a lot of memories, good and bad. great job,music was good too.

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  30. Great article! I’ve lived long enough 71 yrs! 25 yrs of service, 3 Army, 22 Navy; A total 23 months in country 13 Army/10 Navy: Went back the easy ride afloat twice USS America CV 66/ USS Midway CV 41: I’ve learned each and everyone of us felted and saw so many things in our own way. But unless you’ve gone in harm’s way it’s hard to make those who have not truly understand, as for me when I read or watch someone’s input I either get “that’s no s**t feeling” or I don’t: Bro I had the feeling from the Article and Pic’s. Enjoyed the returned to my youth. And Old Soldier/Sailor. PRCS E. J Hayes

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  31. I enjoyed your slide show, captions, and 60’s rock n roll. I was a uh-1b huey gunship crewman and in aero scouts oh-13s with 9th air cav,1st cav div in central highlands 65-66, and you are right,it was a different war for everyone who served. in movie “platoon”, the good nco, william defoe, says, “this is not the same war I fought back in 66”. can you look at my umits website photos and transfer them to your site so others can see them? google “charlietroopcav.org/mikekelley” if not, I can send you my photos to you. you have done a great job of creating your website. I hope more people, especially younger people see it and read about what we did over there. I also was at fort hood upon return to states. 2nd armored div. spent last 10 months there from jan-aug 1967 until my ets discharge. hood was worse than vietnam. its why I did not re-up. I was discharged as a sp5 at age 21. I have a cousin who came from Utica,not far from your hometown. he served over 20 years in the air force and retired as an e-9 chief. hope all is well with you and stay safe. welcome home.

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  32. All the respect in the world to you guys. Your slide show was tremendous. Thank you to you and all the Vietnam vets for the many sacrifices made.

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  33. Thank you so much for this website and this slideshow, and of course, thank you for your service. I’m not American, and I was born in ’76 and have no family connection to the Vietnam War, but thank you for the education you’ve provided here, and thank you to all those who served.

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  34. Watched this twice, very interesting, my time was as Corpsman with a Grunt Line Company 2nd BN 7th Marines/ I Corps/ 67-68. You’ve gathered a lot of historical data and presentation, the report on the Forrestal fire is the most extensive I’ve cane across. I appreciate your efforts and sharing such. I started two books over 20 yrs ago and have reasons to never finish them; I do find myself spotting the candor and similiar reflections of the RVN phase of my military past wearing Navy, Marine and Army Uniforms. Carry On Brother – – –

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  35. Very nice. My only suggestion would be to slow it down so we can explore the pictures. I can’t read fast enough and see the picture well enough at the same time (course I’m older than dirt now and have slowed down a bit)

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  36. Good slides. Forgot about the animals song,When I was Young. Sterling Hts? I was living in Taylor when I went in,67. Unit was 369th sig, Long Binh,diAn, cu chi, Tay Ninh… we had IWCS SITES everywhere. Welcome home!

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  38. Excellent slide show. Thank you for your service. You are truly blessed my brother. I was AF ground radio operator with three tours in S.E.A. Got to see all the hell I wanted. Dodged a few small arms fire and mortars at MACV team 38 in Bao Loc and to dam many rockets at DaNang but nothing like you have seen. Welcome home.

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  40. Well Done!! We both share a Bronze Star, a CIB, etc. If you would like to see a speech about how long Vietnam Veterans waited to be thanked for their service please visit “The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Veterans Dy 2013” Jake Tapper of CNN also spoke about his book on Afghanistan, “The Outpost” Thank you for your service-how long we waited to hear just those simple words!!–Tom Reilly

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  41. Super slideshow. I flew College Eye radar missions in support of Rolling Thunder. Saw a completely different view of the fighting. Almost all of it was in the air, over Laos, or the Gulf of Tonkin. The bombers fighter would rise out of Thailand for bombing missions into Laos or the route packs of North Vietnam. Flew with some folks that “weren’t there” and saw things we “didn’t see”. Long time ago. Not lots of photos.. Cameras were not encouraged generally. The AF guys generally did have it made…. Worst memory was the powdered eggs in SEA and that nasty Hi-C orange…. The hundreds of bombers would take off and mostly, they would come home. Some with holes in them… Fighter pilots do panic, and rightly so… There sanctuary is leaving them to the elements below, where they pray that the military, North Vietnamese, or Laotian get them before the natives or villagers do… Long time ago. Some folks are still flying those missions, just like some guys are still back in “Nam”, and will never really leave.. Again, excellent slideshow. I am passing it to the son of one of the member of the Chu Chi group… With caution though, he has PTSD and this show might trigger something… Thanks for the show…again. BTW, a minor point, but your medals, in your shadow box seem to be out or order…. Just me… Sorry..

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  43. Excellent slide show. Much different from my time is SEA. I flew “Rolling Thunder” support missions, mostly over Laos with the 552nd Airborne Early Warning & Control Wing’s “College Eye Task Force”. We were Air Defense Command folks loaned to 13th and 7th Air Forces in a TDY Status. Did a total of 18 months in three years, and 45 Combat Missions. Flight followed the bombers going North out of Thailand to bomb N Vietnam. Mostly dull. A luxury from this point of view. We only lost one man, during the seven years of the task force. That one was caused by alcohol poisoning… Lots of radio traffic from the Red Chinese. Lots of radio traffic from fighters and bombers “going in” to bomb, coming out with damage to consider ejecting. Most made it back to base. Some, still died, or went to POW Status. AF conditions, compared to the Army were “plush”. Always had either house boys (Tainan, Taiwan, the Northern Operating hub), or house girls in Ubon, Udorn, or Korat Air Bases, in Thailand. We would have a 50 ft, off the water, mission over the Gulf of Tonkin, requiring us to land at DaNang to refuel and wait for the afternoon “time on target”. Originally, College Eye flew out of Saigon, but, because of the mortars and rocket attacks, the organization was moved to Thailand. The move was to protect the aircraft. Not the people. The AF troops, who were in Saigon, received more than 248 Purple Hearts. After the move, none. Also flew counter fighter control in Korea after the Navy EC121 shoot down in 1969, being diverted from Taiwan to Korea, instead of heading back to Tailand. We flew back to Tailand later, after being relieved by other crews at Itazuke AS, in Japan, where they continued the Korea missions. Complicated. Still consider most of the Military Personnel, I served with, all services, to be some of the finest people in the World… Did 20… Ended up in Personnel. In SAC. “The Real Air Force”.

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  44. Excellent slide show. Brings back many memories. I was in stationed out of Cu Chi with “A” battery 3/13th artillery 155 self propelled guns from 10/1/68 till 12/13/69. Probably shot fire missions for you guys humping the same ground. I only got back to Cu Chi once for a 3 day R & R. I spent all of the rest of the time at two FSB’s which I don’t remember the names of if they had any. Again great slide show and keep up the stories. We all enjoy reading them.

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  45. Dear Mr. Podlaski,
    Ft. Hood took a formal picture of you on your last day in the Army?
    When I left Ft. Hood in June of 1970, after serving with the 82nd ABD in Nam 68-69,
    they couln’t open the gates fast enough for my drive back to Clinton Township, MI.
    Great shadow box. All Vietnam Veterans should put one together for their family to see and be proud of Dads/Grandpa’s SERVICE.

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  46. Too many memories, Cu Chi, the Michelin Rubber Plantation, the Iron Triangle, even Vung Tau. I was Air Cav maintenance and traveled that whole area but had a home to come to each night. You 11 Bravos deserve all the respect in the world for what you endured. Welcome home brother. And yes, be proud of that CIB.

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  50. Excellent John. Don’t know how you were able to take so many pictures. Many scenes looked the same, many different. 1st Inf Division: no beer in the field except one on Thanksgiving and Christmas. No swimming pool, no stand down at the beach but I was 3 years earlier than you. Things improved with time. Where are you in Detroit ? Do you belong to a VVA Chapter ? I’m in Livonia. Always wanted to write a book and if I had all the letters I wrote home, I probably would have. Memories left are enough to recollect some good times, some bad, not enough to pen a novel. Keep up the good work.

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  51. Great photos. Tell a super story. All who served there can relate and cherish the memories this brings back. The crazy things one did to relax were always hilarious.

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  52. Nice. You had carbines in basic. We had 14’s and then 16’s. C/2/22 Mech 66-67 at Dau Tieng, 3rd Brigade 4th ID. Soui Tre March 21 67. We were assigned to the 25th till August 67 and then they switched back. While you were at Cu Chi, looks like you were at all of the same places . Each unit many times over did the same ground. From beginning to DOS we all joined the Vietnam Weight Watchers Program. You also had recreation Dau Tieng had a pool but who got the time. You had Mini golf and a trip to the beach, us never. Never Forget…How can one? Would like to forget about 60%, but remember the times we found a way for humor to survive. Derogatory names for each other, nick names, practical jokes, dumb 2nd LT’s I was a Squad Leader E-5 from day one but they should have given us the rocker ( E-6)for discharge. Except for those gun Ho’s that re-upped and went to Germany till they were asked to go back. Keep writing.

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