In a couple months I'll have 33 years sober. I lost my only brother on May 9, 1969. He was a door gunner. I am without a brother in this world. His remaining platoon members came here in 2013 and did a " proper" service for Harold. I cried again that year. We all went out to eat that evening. Thank you for your service.
I'm just 34 n 3 years sober,you have millions of brothers in the sobriety section cheering fir you man ❤ your brother is a brave man ,you'll see him again on other side🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
I was married to a man, a good guy, who was in Vietnam in 67-68. He couldn’t stay married, not sure why. He committed suicide in 2008. I have so much respect for him and other Vietnam vets. You all performed with such bravery and brotherhood. I am forever grateful for what you did.
"Performed" is just putting it plainly. They survived, improvised, adapted, and overcame such deadly situations in the other corner of the world, fighting a fight they weren't meant to, in a place far from home and not knowing if they'll ever get back to see their family and loved ones. Much respect to all the Vietnam Vets! 🫡
All those guys took my fire. As a multilingual spook, I did Cuba and Berlin. Only got in a tight spot a couple of times. I can't polish those guys boots. SP7/SFC Spook 1960-1980
Blessings and Peace, Hank... 363 Coffin Dodger huey gunner with the 57th Gladiators here, Pleiku, central highlands, (70-72), 1753 air combat hours. Have many of the same feelings. 74 years young now, never been in any aircraft since getting out of the service, will not get near the damn things, too much bad Karma owed. Spend my life flying a Freight truck at night down the highway. Retired at 68. Now, I drink alone, (except for an occasional ghost), now live back in the north michigan woods, that suits me just fine. Thank You for your service.
Thank you for your service I was a young cobra mech 79-83 still had a few cw-4s flying with us Vietnam vets trying to get their 20 in and retire . Bravest bad ass Cobra jockeys I was honored to work with !
@@rustybaldwin4851 You know, i owe my life to all my Maintenance Mechs and Support Teams, (some 50+). Back the day, for every flight hour there was up to 9 hours of hard skilled work to repair, service and support my bird and get her ready for the next day's missions. I am alive today because of ALL of them. Thank You for keeping the Flight Aircrews safe and getting us back home. May God Bless You All. and Thank You for your service to this great country!
My dad was an army scout pilot. 68 69. He flew a loach. His story was very similar. My mom said dad was never the same after nam. He died of cancer a couple of decades ago. Britt hughes. Rest in peace dad!!!
The pain is still quite obvious sir 😔. I’m sorry for your loss and the losses everyone else have suffered from that war. I pray you’ll be reunited with your young friends and guaranteed a place in the house of the lord. God bless you 🙏🫡 🇺🇸
I am in awe of the courage and bravery that men like you and your fellow servicemen had. So sorry for the loss of your friend. I take my hat off to you, sir, thank you for your service,
As a pastor, I have worked so often with folks from our country's battles I have almost lost count. Thank you for sharing the raw truth and pain you carry. And thank you for the sacrifice that you an so many others have made for all of us.
Thank you Hank for your outstanding service. God bless you always my friend. You are not alone. My dad fought in 1967 operation kingfisher and he is still alive at 85 years old. You are a great hero
I know this was hard to share. I want to thank this man for his service and his courage for what he did and the story he's telling here... I missed Vietnam draft by 1 year . A lot of my family served that tour and lost 2 cousins.. God Bless this Man !!
Going 4 years and 2 months from opiates after having a brain tumor that briught on my dependency that eventually turned into full blown addiction. Was an alcoholic for 20 years before the chemotherapy made me allergic to it. So I've got since November 2014 off Alcahol. That one was surprisingly easy considering i hadn't a choice in the matter. All i know is if you want to be done you will be done. I also would like to say God is great and i give him credit for all of the miracles that I have received. God bless and know you are important and you are loved. Sir thank you for your service as well as to all the veterans.
@@Filmpilot Yes. We will have our reunion this year at Branson Oct 6-9. We are thinning out a bit. Fewer at Ft. Cavazos last year than at Phoenix the year before I think. You are certainly welcome to come to our reunion as well as HQ Troop.
I’m thinking of my old friend Mike Rigney, a retired police officer in the same home town where I am now a retired firefighter from. We had some good times going to Patriots football games where he at times would give little glimpses into his time as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. He was a hell of a guy and I miss him terribly. ✌🏼
Your story brings back a lot of feelings I tried to repress for years. I spent 31.5 months in Vietnam. I was in the scouts, never got into the drugs and alcohol. I repressed my feelings and memories. I was shot down two times and all of us made it out. I believe we were a different breed. I have to admit that I never feared on any of the missions I flew. Every day I would put my name down to fly every day, every mission assigned to me. I still have rough days for the men we lost. We were all volunteers and if you didn't want to continue with the job, we gave you a release and thank you. I still have my Cavalry hat to this day.
@davidneidel436 Amazing & from a random civvy thanks for your long service. Do you have any interest in putting your story into a book? I'm not a publisher but I could run the interviews, do the writing & send a hardcopy book for you and your family to keep. Free of charge.
@@Sarita-ci9wc I always tell everyone, it was my pleasure to serve our great nation. I was doing the job I was asked to do. Everyone of us in my units were volunteers and could stop any time they chose with no issues from any of us. Good luck with your future and live life like it is your last day on earth. I do it, still work, and love my life; even being 74 years young. My brother is the same and he is 75.
@@Chase-Scs You are actually another person who has asked me about writing a book about my time and where I am today. The writing of it, I would be able to do for myself. Thank you for your response and kind words.
@@davidneidel436 I encourage you to. I can't tell you how many life lessons I've learned from footsoldiers' journals from wars 80-200 year ago. Let me know if you need assistance, godspeed.
I stayed in college and drank so I could keep a student deferment and not go to Vietnam. I have so much respect for this wonderful man and all the others who went. My son did a tour in Iraq and came home…changed but alive. I tell younger parents now to never let their children be involved in one of these pointless wars. Thank you, Mr. Hankinson. You are an amazing man
Sir I flew with the 155th Assault Helicopter Company, like e you I have lost brothers, I believe if they were here today they would tell us to be be at peace because they are resting in peace. Keep the faith brother. Ltc Ken Donovan
@@geraldcalderone5228-x2p Some of the idiots still call them cowards, I call them smart. They knew an unjust war when they saw it and refused to kill and be killed for a cause that had zero to do with the defense of their country.
Because you didn't get this when you came back-welcome home. Thank you for what you did and lived through. Never forget you're a badass hero. An old lion is still a lion.
Thanks for sharing your experience, strength, and hope Hank! Congrats on stringing all those 24-hour days together! You're an inspiration to me and many others (45 years here.)
This brings back memories of my stepfather who was a door gunner on a huey. When I was in high school, he would get up mornings dripping in sweat. A mix of being back in Nam and living state side (imagine being in a Luckys and suddenly being in a firefight). He too used alcohol as a crutch. I still remember the smell of Pall Malls and Vodka as we talked. I was lucky that he felt comfortable sharing his experiences with me and listening to your story took me back. I'm not sure if this will help you but try to find that young man inside you and embrace him like a son. The two of you can become best of friends and many wounds can be healed.
Hi Hank. Thanks for your service and perseverance not to die. As far as I'm concerned, Scout pilots had balls as big as watermelons. lol I was with B troop "Blues" 1/9 mostly in Quon Loi from 69 - 70. I probably rescued you and your aircraft on many occasions and pulled recon missions under your and the Cobra's watchful eyes many times also. I also know a "Scout" pilot near where I live in North Texas, named Earl Bausch, who was in Bravo Troop 1/9 after I left. Thanks for sharing your story.
Hey brother , Happy 4th . Small world on here . My last unit during my TOD ( 70-71 ) was as a Blue ( medic ) with the 25th I.D. We worked the QL A.O. sometimes and it was always hot . Of course the same was true for the Loch Ninh , Bu Dop and Song Be AO's as well . Actually , I don't remember if it was before FSB Pace or after . But the then renamed " SOG " folks were working out of QL using indig's and yards . They were set up off the active and were using those choppers that did the "rolling " take off and belched fire from the exhaust . I " think " they had eyes painted on the nose ?! I actually know a medic who was at QL before he came to us . His last name was Nixon , don't remember his first ? Have a great 4th , and Stay Strong Brother ! There are less of us by the day ! doc 25th ID ...
Hey William, great story. I'm a fellow Montanan with forty four years in "Bill W's" group. Served in 'Nam 68-69. Glad you got home ok. I had the same "hippie" experience in San Francisco airport upon my return home. I did not leave them unscathed however! God be with you bud!!
I would like to hear more from this soldier. I would like to shake his hand, and tell him he did well. He is another of my generation who has much to say, and for the younger generations to learn - and remember.
I have a similar story, I spent 2 1/2 years in Viet Nam flying mostly C model gunships. I was pretty much a fearless killer. The part of this story that really struck me was the attitude that the bad guys could never get me. After particularly hairy situations I would key the intercom and repeat my mantra of "THEY WILL NEVER GET ME." Well, they never did, and I went on to military retirement after 22 years of service. I never had any negative feedback from the public as I heard told by many VN vets. Drinking was a big problem for most of the pilots I knew, maybe in was a false since of security or a crutch to the daily danger. The drinking to excess is my biggest regret. I finally got it under control with age.
Spent 15 months in southeast asia.i defend VN vets who drank ie. 0:40 cause you couldn't drink the water and the pop was the warmest sugar water ever. Only time I drank was my 4 years in the navy.
@dienbenedict1384 Firstly thank you for your years of service. Do you have any interest in being interviewed & having your story put into a book? I'm not a publisher but I'd host the interviews, do the writing & send a hardcopy book for you to keep in your family, free of charge.
UH1,AH1,OH6,OH58 crews all hero’s. My MOS 67N20 crew chief gunner. Got out used GI bill for college and learned to fly fixed wing became a airline pilot . Retired now but still a lot of memories. Living in the woods small farm. Trying to forget a lot of things.
Thank you William. A great honest recount. From a British man that reads about the Vietnam war all the time, your story is just like other Loach pilots. Thanks for your service.
Very powerful experiences you shared doing an incredibly dangerous job, as so many of the young men did who were in Vietnam . I'm glad you made it home, and I'm glad you made the trip that saved your life from yourself when you became a friend of Bill's!!! That I can relate to! Between 14 and 30 I drank my life time supply and more. Welcome home!
Don’t know what to say sir but Thank You so much for serving your country when they asked and needed it. My family has always respected our troop and honor your sacrifices and your commitment to duty. God bless you and congratulations on your 50 years of sobriety.
I have no doubt all you guys had to have balls as big as Chicago over there, and here at home with the welcome you [didn't] get. Thank you for your service.
For anyone who doesn't know, this man was a HUGE part of the most combat filled units in the entire war. All of 1/9 Recon was the real deal. Bong Son region was left a beautiful empty valley after the 1st Cav 1/9 moved up north. Almost daily combat.
I really feel bad for the Vietnam vets for the way they were treated after they came home. I went into the Marines right out of high school in 1975 just after the war. Over the next few years I was refused service at bars and restaurants, had eggs and bottles thrown at me, guns and knives pulled on me and harassed by the police. There was a guy in our squadron who was jumped on by a group of civilians and died. I went on several overseas deployments and was always treated better in other countries than when I was at home. This country owes Vietnam vets a HUGE apology and considerable gratitude for what they went through. Thank you, Hank.
These men have real character that was formed through some serious adversity; which is why it's not hard to see why most modern-day Americans can't relate to what vets went through in war, as well as having to assimilate into society afterwards. God bless these men.
I'm an Australian. My step father was a US Army Air Cav Vietnam vet. 1965-67 Stationed in Hue. He was a Tech SGT on Huey's. He hardly ever talked about the war. He only told me maybe three stories about his experiences in South East Asia. This happened only after I had enlisted in to the Royal Australian Army myself. I was 15 years old when the movie Platoon was released in to the cinemas here in Perth, Western Australia and it soon became my favorite film. I was in awe of Vietnam vets and not because of my step father. A little of the war followed Dad home, so in a way, we too experienced the "after war". Veteran families will surely understand what I mean. I'M SO PROUD TO BE A VIETNAM VETS SON! I'M SO PROUD OF ALL OUR VETS... God bless you Sir for your service. May society never forgive it'self for the way you Vets were treated when you came home. and may your sacrifice's never be diminished through time. Marc
My, Good Lord, the gentleman's after action retelling at beginning is powerful. Impacts my heart in profound way. Sir, thank you so much to you and your fellow Vietnam Veterans.
This former 67Y Cobra crew chief always admired all chopper pilots, but especially ‘Snake’ drivers! 👍 Just remember you’re not alone and welcome home brother! 🇺🇸 We, the military, won in Vietnam, I never let anyone else tell me otherwise….
Really amazing story.The guys that went to Vietnam were put through sheer hell.They were fighting against the viet cong who had many years of combat experience like decades.
my brother was a scout pilot in vietnam, he was a scout in a h13 was a key player in the I drang valley nov 65. he had 3000 hrs in the sky. he came home in 66 he just passed 3.17,23. dfc chief warrant officer 2. he was 82 when he died.
Hey Hank , hope you have a great 4th today ! Sounds like we worked the same AO's , but my TOD was 70-71 . I started out at Tay Ninh and ended up as a leg , recon and BLUE with the 25th / 17th /Med Det. Tay Ninh . One of my last duties was with my team and some SF in Tay Ninh province during the FSB Pace deal as a QRF. I can vividly remember sitting around the CC bird at Tay Ninh West before we left for the SF camp , and their was a lively discussion about which was the best way to use the " chicken plate " to sit on . The whole AO around FSB Pace was hot with 51 cals' . I ended up sitting on mine with the front down . During that shit I would fly in the C&C bird wearing my Swiss Seat along with a Ranger ( RTO ) who also wore his SS . Thank God we weren't hit with a 51 , and we were only scrambled twice for downed birds . I don't know if you were at Quan Loi , Loch Ninh , Bu Dop or Song Be , or other . But all those AO's up that way were hot for us . Stay Strong brother , there are less of us by the day .. doc
Thank you Hank. I wish I was really somebody special so it could mean more, but I'm not. Me and those that I love have had pretty good lives and I can't shake the feeling that we were gifted our lives by YOU and guys just like you. Thank you for my life and the lives of those that I love and care for Hank. Stay sober Hank, this man has nothing but love and gratitude and admiration for you.
Powerful testimony. I’d been a proud man to have known you. Thank you for service and belated welcome home. I’d love to have known the circumstances of your article 15’s but I’m guessing you saved a bunch of good guys because of them. 😢😢😢
The scout pilots. The cobra pilots. The slick pilots. The gun pilots. The utility pilots. The rescue pilots. The medivac pilots. All these crews, for all those years, for all those lost- I can't think of a better breed and class of combat air warriors who'd I would want supporting and defending me, had I been there. You guys are the best. And I am proud of you. Now in these days, when I see old guys walking around wearing their Vietnam hats, I'm even more proud. Thank you ❤
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 79 | คู่เอก "ก้องชัย vs อาเมียร์"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/WfPSA1A0NHc/mqdefault.jpg)
In a couple months I'll have 33 years sober. I lost my only brother on May 9, 1969. He was a door gunner. I am without a brother in this world. His remaining platoon members came here in 2013 and did a " proper" service for Harold. I cried again that year. We all went out to eat that evening. Thank you for your service.
I'm just 34 n 3 years sober,you have millions of brothers in the sobriety section cheering fir you man ❤ your brother is a brave man ,you'll see him again on other side🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
6-6-88 36yrs keep coming back!!
Is he a machine gunner on a Uh1 helicopter?
thank both of u for your❤ service
Congratulations on 36 years on being sober & to many more!@@chiphargis3703
I was married to a man, a good guy, who was in Vietnam in 67-68. He couldn’t stay married, not sure why. He committed suicide in 2008. I have so much respect for him and other Vietnam vets. You all performed with such bravery and brotherhood. I am forever grateful for what you did.
"Performed" is just putting it plainly. They survived, improvised, adapted, and overcame such deadly situations in the other corner of the world, fighting a fight they weren't meant to, in a place far from home and not knowing if they'll ever get back to see their family and loved ones. Much respect to all the Vietnam Vets! 🫡
All those guys took my fire. As a multilingual spook, I did Cuba and Berlin. Only got in a tight spot a couple of times. I can't polish those guys boots. SP7/SFC Spook 1960-1980
@@JosephAldridge-ti5nzhot damn joseph tell us young folks some cold war stories!
Blessings and Peace, Hank... 363 Coffin Dodger huey gunner with the 57th Gladiators here, Pleiku, central highlands, (70-72), 1753 air combat hours. Have many of the same feelings. 74 years young now, never been in any aircraft since getting out of the service, will not get near the damn things, too much bad Karma owed. Spend my life flying a Freight truck at night down the highway. Retired at 68. Now, I drink alone, (except for an occasional ghost), now live back in the north michigan woods, that suits me just fine. Thank You for your service.
You sir are a bad ass. Thank you for your service.
Thank you for your service I was a young cobra mech 79-83 still had a few cw-4s flying with us Vietnam vets trying to get their 20 in and retire . Bravest bad ass Cobra jockeys I was honored to work with !
@@rustybaldwin4851 You know, i owe my life to all my Maintenance Mechs and Support Teams, (some 50+). Back the day, for every flight hour there was up to 9 hours of hard skilled work to repair, service and support my bird and get her ready for the next day's missions. I am alive today because of ALL of them. Thank You for keeping the Flight Aircrews safe and getting us back home. May God Bless You All. and Thank You for your service to this great country!
My dad was an army scout pilot. 68 69. He flew a loach. His story was very similar. My mom said dad was never the same after nam. He died of cancer a couple of decades ago. Britt hughes. Rest in peace dad!!!
Rest easy good sir! All the best rest easy. ❤
What a great story teller. We are still suffering after 55 years. You are not alone brother.
The pain is still quite obvious sir 😔. I’m sorry for your loss and the losses everyone else have suffered from that war. I pray you’ll be reunited with your young friends and guaranteed a place in the house of the lord. God bless you 🙏🫡 🇺🇸
Bless ;you guy
So sorry you went through that Buck . I can’t even imagine what you must have went through . You have my full respect sir .
That is the most powerful and honest narrative I have ever heard. God be with you Hank.
God be with all of us - as long as we are all manipulated and exploited by people whose job it is to make fortunes in promoting and maintaining wars.
I'm glad you made it home. You deserve all the honor this country has to offer. Salute
Amen. I served with some of the soldiers who served there. They were God's to us privates.
We lost a lot of good guys, I'm glad this man made it. Welcome home.
My Dad was a Cobra pilot for the 114th out of Vinn Long 68-69. My greatest respect for those brave men.
It is VINH....... not Vinn!
@@matthoskin3572
Yeah?
I am in awe of the courage and bravery that men like you and your fellow servicemen had. So sorry for the loss of your friend.
I take my hat off to you, sir, thank you for your service,
As a pastor, I have worked so often with folks from our country's battles I have
almost lost count. Thank you for sharing the raw truth and pain you carry. And
thank you for the sacrifice that you an so many others have made for all of us.
Thank you Hank for your outstanding service. God bless you always my friend. You are not alone. My dad fought in 1967 operation kingfisher and he is still alive at 85 years old. You are a great hero
We should never forget what these men went through, or how the Country treated them when they came home.
Welcome Home Sir.
Welcome home, and thank you for your service.
Thank you to all our brave Vietnam veterans! I was born in 1968 but I feel so much pride in all of you!
Same here I was born in 63 ,love those Vietnam veterans.
I know this was hard to share. I want to thank this man for his service and his courage for what he did and the story he's telling here... I missed Vietnam draft by 1 year . A lot of my family served that tour and lost 2 cousins.. God Bless this Man !!
Pilot RVN 70-71. 6yrs sobriety. Still flying. God bless you.
RESPECT BRO
In September, I'll have 30 years of sobriety. Fifty years is awesome!
Going 4 years and 2 months from opiates after having a brain tumor that briught on my dependency that eventually turned into full blown addiction. Was an alcoholic for 20 years before the chemotherapy made me allergic to it. So I've got since November 2014 off Alcahol. That one was surprisingly easy considering i hadn't a choice in the matter. All i know is if you want to be done you will be done. I also would like to say God is great and i give him credit for all of the miracles that I have received. God bless and know you are important and you are loved. Sir thank you for your service as well as to all the veterans.
Welcome home Hank. I was the last Apache 21. I got shot down my first day in Apache Troop at Song Be with Bloody Bart, who was from Whitefish.
Then you have to know Bill Frazer
@@Filmpilot Yes. We will have our reunion this year at Branson Oct 6-9. We are thinning out a bit. Fewer at Ft. Cavazos last year than at Phoenix the year before I think. You are certainly welcome to come to our reunion as well as HQ Troop.
Courage can be shown so many ways. The most courageous thing someone can do is face themselves. This man has. Respect to you, sir.
I’m thinking of my old friend Mike Rigney, a retired police officer in the same home town where I am now a retired firefighter from. We had some good times going to Patriots football games where he at times would give little glimpses into his time as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. He was a hell of a guy and I miss him terribly. ✌🏼
Your story brings back a lot of feelings I tried to repress for years. I spent 31.5 months in Vietnam. I was in the scouts, never got into the drugs and alcohol. I repressed my feelings and memories. I was shot down two times and all of us made it out. I believe we were a different breed. I have to admit that I never feared on any of the missions I flew. Every day I would put my name down to fly every day, every mission assigned to me. I still have rough days for the men we lost. We were all volunteers and if you didn't want to continue with the job, we gave you a release and thank you. I still have my Cavalry hat to this day.
@davidneidel436 Amazing & from a random civvy thanks for your long service. Do you have any interest in putting your story into a book? I'm not a publisher but I could run the interviews, do the writing & send a hardcopy book for you and your family to keep. Free of charge.
@@davidneidel436 Thank you for your great service. Your strong determination to get the job done. I want to be like you
@@Sarita-ci9wc I always tell everyone, it was my pleasure to serve our great nation. I was doing the job I was asked to do. Everyone of us in my units were volunteers and could stop any time they chose with no issues from any of us. Good luck with your future and live life like it is your last day on earth. I do it, still work, and love my life; even being 74 years young. My brother is the same and he is 75.
@@Chase-Scs You are actually another person who has asked me about writing a book about my time and where I am today. The writing of it, I would be able to do for myself. Thank you for your response and kind words.
@@davidneidel436 I encourage you to. I can't tell you how many life lessons I've learned from footsoldiers' journals from wars 80-200 year ago. Let me know if you need assistance, godspeed.
Dear Mr. Hankinson - Thank you for all that you gave, and all of those who served with you. God bless.
God Bless the men AND women who served in Vietnam. They had it rough there and coming home. 🇺🇸
Amen.
Your attitude that you thought was bad is the one thing that saved you through it all . Thanks for your tour of Duty . Blessings to you , Sir !
I stayed in college and drank so I could keep a student deferment and not go to Vietnam. I have so much respect for this wonderful man and all the others who went. My son did a tour in Iraq and came home…changed but alive. I tell younger parents now to never let their children be involved in one of these pointless wars. Thank you, Mr. Hankinson. You are an amazing man
Sir I flew with the 155th Assault Helicopter Company, like e you I have lost brothers, I believe if they were here today they would tell us to be be at peace because they are resting in peace. Keep the faith brother.
Ltc Ken Donovan
Thank you for your Service,I'm a Canadian ,feel bad you got treated so badly when you got home !!!
I wish that your government didn’t accept our cowards
@@geraldcalderone5228-x2p
Some of the idiots still call them cowards, I call them smart. They knew an unjust war when they saw it and refused to kill and be killed for a cause that had zero to do with the defense of their country.
@@marcusaetius9309 I can respect that point of view. But they should not have been offered amnesty.
I had a friend who became a Cobra pilot in the 7th Cav. Killed by a .51 caliber bullet. January. 1970 near Tay Ninh. Great guy. So much potential.
Because you didn't get this when you came back-welcome home. Thank you for what you did and lived through. Never forget you're a badass hero. An old lion is still a lion.
Thanks for sharing your experience, strength, and hope Hank! Congrats on stringing all those 24-hour days together! You're an inspiration to me and many others (45 years here.)
This brings back memories of my stepfather who was a door gunner on a huey. When I was in high school, he would get up mornings dripping in sweat. A mix of being back in Nam and living state side (imagine being in a Luckys and suddenly being in a firefight). He too used alcohol as a crutch. I still remember the smell of Pall Malls and Vodka as we talked. I was lucky that he felt comfortable sharing his experiences with me and listening to your story took me back. I'm not sure if this will help you but try to find that young man inside you and embrace him like a son. The two of you can become best of friends and many wounds can be healed.
22 YEARS FOR ME YESTERDAY ODAAT. THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME STAY SOBER TODAY.
Hi Hank. Thanks for your service and perseverance not to die. As far as I'm concerned, Scout pilots had balls as big as watermelons. lol I was with B troop "Blues" 1/9 mostly in Quon Loi from 69 - 70. I probably rescued you and your aircraft on many occasions and pulled recon missions under your and the Cobra's watchful eyes many times also. I also know a "Scout" pilot near where I live in North Texas, named Earl Bausch, who was in Bravo Troop 1/9 after I left. Thanks for sharing your story.
Hey brother , Happy 4th . Small world on here . My last unit during my TOD ( 70-71 ) was as a Blue ( medic ) with the 25th I.D. We worked the QL A.O. sometimes and it was always hot . Of course the same was true for the Loch Ninh , Bu Dop and Song Be AO's as well . Actually , I don't remember if it was before FSB Pace or after . But the then renamed " SOG " folks were working out of QL using indig's and yards . They were set up off the active and were using those choppers that did the "rolling " take off and belched fire from the exhaust . I " think " they had eyes painted on the nose ?! I actually know a medic who was at QL before he came to us . His last name was Nixon , don't remember his first ? Have a great 4th , and Stay Strong Brother ! There are less of us by the day ! doc 25th ID ...
God bless you, your family, and all Vietnam Vererans.
Guy has a lot to be proud of I hope he realizes that before he’s done.
Hey William, great story. I'm a fellow Montanan with forty four years in "Bill W's" group. Served in 'Nam 68-69. Glad you got home ok. I had the same "hippie" experience in San Francisco airport upon my return home. I did not leave them unscathed however! God be with you bud!!
Thanks for sharing your experience. Glad you made it.
I would like to hear more from this soldier. I would like to shake his hand, and tell him he did well. He is another of my generation who has much to say, and for the younger generations to learn - and remember.
I have a similar story, I spent 2 1/2 years in Viet Nam flying mostly C model gunships. I was pretty much a fearless killer. The part of this story that really struck me was the attitude that the bad guys could never get me. After particularly hairy situations I would key the intercom and repeat my mantra of "THEY WILL NEVER GET ME." Well, they never did, and I went on to military retirement after 22 years of service. I never had any negative feedback from the public as I heard told by many VN vets. Drinking was a big problem for most of the pilots I knew, maybe in was a false since of security or a crutch to the daily danger. The drinking to excess is my biggest regret. I finally got it under control with age.
Spent 15 months in southeast asia.i defend VN vets who drank ie. 0:40 cause you couldn't drink the water and the pop was the warmest sugar water ever. Only time I drank was my 4 years in the navy.
@dienbenedict1384 Firstly thank you for your years of service. Do you have any interest in being interviewed & having your story put into a book? I'm not a publisher but I'd host the interviews, do the writing & send a hardcopy book for you to keep in your family, free of charge.
UH1,AH1,OH6,OH58 crews all hero’s. My MOS 67N20 crew chief gunner. Got out used GI bill for college and learned to fly fixed wing became a airline pilot . Retired now but still a lot of memories. Living in the woods small farm. Trying to forget a lot of things.
Thank you William. A great honest recount. From a British man that reads about the Vietnam war all the time, your story is just like other Loach pilots. Thanks for your service.
Welcome home brother!
Thank you sir for your service God bless you
Welcome home, thank you all for your service,👊🏻🇺🇸
Wow! That was a good story, thanks! Thank you for your service.
Thanks for sharing your story. Welcome home.
Very powerful experiences you shared doing an incredibly dangerous job, as so many of the young men did who were in Vietnam . I'm glad you made it home, and I'm glad you made the trip that saved your life from yourself when you became a friend of Bill's!!!
That I can relate to! Between 14 and 30 I drank my life time supply and more. Welcome home!
Don’t know what to say sir but Thank You so much for serving your country when they asked and needed it. My family has always respected our troop and honor your sacrifices and your commitment to duty. God bless you and congratulations on your 50 years of sobriety.
I have no doubt all you guys had to have balls as big as Chicago over there, and here at home with the welcome you [didn't] get. Thank you for your service.
God bless this man. Loved hearing about his life and experiences. Thank you for your service and welcome home.
For anyone who doesn't know, this man was a HUGE part of the most combat filled units in the entire war. All of 1/9 Recon was the real deal. Bong Son region was left a beautiful empty valley after the 1st Cav 1/9 moved up north. Almost daily combat.
God bless you sir thankful for you.
I really feel bad for the Vietnam vets for the way they were treated after they came home. I went into the Marines right out of high school in 1975 just after the war. Over the next few years I was refused service at bars and restaurants, had eggs and bottles thrown at me, guns and knives pulled on me and harassed by the police. There was a guy in our squadron who was jumped on by a group of civilians and died. I went on several overseas deployments and was always treated better in other countries than when I was at home. This country owes Vietnam vets a HUGE apology and considerable gratitude for what they went through. Thank you, Hank.
I'm a High School Graduate. Class of 1979. My deepest respect for the men and women who've served.
Mr. Hankinson, you are a hero. I'm sorry for how you were treated. You did your duty . I salute you. God bless.
These men have real character that was formed through some serious adversity; which is why it's not hard to see why most modern-day Americans can't relate to what vets went through in war, as well as having to assimilate into society afterwards. God bless these men.
Thank you for your service and all of the sacrifices you made !
I'm an Australian. My step father was a US Army Air Cav Vietnam vet. 1965-67 Stationed in Hue. He was a Tech SGT on Huey's.
He hardly ever talked about the war. He only told me maybe three stories about his experiences in South East Asia. This happened only after I had enlisted in to the Royal Australian Army myself. I was 15 years old when the movie Platoon was released in to the cinemas here in Perth, Western Australia and it soon became my favorite film. I was in awe of Vietnam vets and not because of my step father. A little of the war followed Dad home, so in a way, we too experienced the "after war". Veteran families will surely understand what I mean. I'M SO PROUD TO BE A VIETNAM VETS SON! I'M SO PROUD OF ALL OUR VETS... God bless you Sir for your service. May society never forgive it'self for the way you Vets were treated when you came home. and may your sacrifice's never be diminished through time. Marc
My, Good Lord, the gentleman's after action retelling at beginning is powerful. Impacts my heart in profound way. Sir, thank you so much to you and your fellow Vietnam Veterans.
He should have said, "None. But the day ain't over yet."
I just want to reach out and give him a hug! ❤
This former 67Y Cobra crew chief always admired all chopper pilots, but especially ‘Snake’ drivers! 👍
Just remember you’re not alone and welcome home brother! 🇺🇸
We, the military, won in Vietnam, I never let anyone else tell me otherwise….
Really amazing story.The guys that went to Vietnam were put through sheer hell.They were fighting against the viet cong who had many years of combat experience like decades.
His dramatic pauses are something.
Always wanted to be a bush pilot. Congradulations on 50 years sober. Me ive only got 35😂
That is one tough dude! He could have been great doing audiobooks or podcasts, the way he tells his story.
"Scared Pilots Die." Interesting because I can apply that to life situations too
A good analogy would be skiing steep hills, attack it and go balls out and youre fine, hold back and be timid and you have lots and lots of problems..
Vietnam guys were some tough, brave men! I can’t imagine how scary that place had to be.
my brother was a scout pilot in vietnam, he was a scout in a h13 was a key player in the I drang valley nov 65. he had 3000 hrs in the sky. he came home in 66 he just passed 3.17,23. dfc chief warrant officer 2. he was 82 when he died.
Powerful stuff. A lot of wisdom there. Thanks for posting this.
Grateful for the told experience👍
Sober Veteran here , June 1st 09 ! 0311 Marines, 13fox Army
Damn we have some truly ungrateful and disgusting civilians. I'm sorry you had to endure that homecoming.
I respect no one more than combat vets from any war. God be with you always.
Thank You Sir and Welcome Home Your Service and Sacrifice are and will be always Remembered 🇺🇸🙏
What a great man, i salute you
Hey Hank , hope you have a great 4th today ! Sounds like we worked the same AO's , but my TOD was 70-71 . I started out at Tay Ninh and ended up as a leg , recon and BLUE with the 25th / 17th /Med Det. Tay Ninh . One of my last duties was with my team and some SF in Tay Ninh province during the FSB Pace deal as a QRF. I can vividly remember sitting around the CC bird at Tay Ninh West before we left for the SF camp , and their was a lively discussion about which was the best way to use the " chicken plate " to sit on . The whole AO around FSB Pace was hot with 51 cals' . I ended up sitting on mine with the front down . During that shit I would fly in the C&C bird wearing my Swiss Seat along with a Ranger ( RTO ) who also wore his SS . Thank God we weren't hit with a 51 , and we were only scrambled twice for downed birds . I don't know if you were at Quan Loi , Loch Ninh , Bu Dop or Song Be , or other . But all those AO's up that way were hot for us . Stay Strong brother , there are less of us by the day .. doc
Thank you for your service.
I was a weapons repairer on the Cobra (MOS 68J10) 1986 to 1989. The 20mm turret gun, Tow missles and 2.75 rockets were such devastating weapons.
50 Years is amazing. You are a hero in more ways than one.
each has there own story, but we were all young and a long way from home...here's to absent friends
❤ Bless you sir. Let's all the bit on veterans that made the ultimate sacrifice.Or or was wounded or just served in a combat unit. Brave brave man.
God bless you sir and thank you for your sacrifices. They don’t make em like you anymore. You are appreciated sir!
Thank you Hank. I wish I was really somebody special so it could mean more, but I'm not. Me and those that I love have had pretty good lives and I can't shake the feeling that we were gifted our lives by YOU and guys just like you. Thank you for my life and the lives of those that I love and care for Hank. Stay sober Hank, this man has nothing but love and gratitude and admiration for you.
Life would never be the same for these young men.
Powerful testimony. I’d been a proud man to have known you. Thank you for service and belated welcome home. I’d love to have known the circumstances of your article 15’s but I’m guessing you saved a bunch of good guys because of them. 😢😢😢
The scout pilots. The cobra pilots. The slick pilots. The gun pilots. The utility pilots. The rescue pilots. The medivac pilots. All these crews, for all those years, for all those lost- I can't think of a better breed and class of combat air warriors who'd I would want supporting and defending me, had I been there. You guys are the best. And I am proud of you. Now in these days, when I see old guys walking around wearing their Vietnam hats, I'm even more proud.
Thank you ❤
Thank you and welcome home brother. I’m sorry you had to do this but I’m proud you stood up.
So powerful. Lest we forget.
Welcome home hero!
A powerful story indeed..
Thanks for sharing your experiences..
I have nothing but respect
🏴
These men raised me when I was a young Cobra crew chief and later a CWO and Cobra pilot. I stand on their shoulders...shoulders of giants.
Great job getting sober! We are proud of you and hope the best for you sir. Thanks for your service and sacrifice! ❤
Sir for your experience s over there you seem pretty well rounded. Thank you for your service.
What a warrior. Massive respect to you, Mr. Hankinson. Please stay sober.
I'm sorry for your loss and I want to thank you for your service
WELCOME HOME SIR. THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCE 🙏🏼
This is the heaviest life gets. Thanks for your service.
I had a pal that was 3/5 D Troop. 70-71
OH 6er
Lighthorse - Warwagon
Those guys are forever in my heart !!
"none, it was a slow day"
man that's rough.
Yeah what a weird question