Why This Combat Marine Turned Against the Vietnam War
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 มิ.ย. 2024
- After attending several years of college at the University of Oregon, Howard Boyte entered the Marine Corp in 1968 and deployed to Vietnam as a 0341 mortarman. While leading an advance with E 2/5, Boyte was injured by an NVA booby trap and evacuated. He would recover, rejoin the company and spend the following 13 months in-country. Upon returning to Oregon, he attended Portland State University receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in History, before entering into a 26 year career with Portland Fire and Rescue.
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Chapters:
0:00 - First Combat
1:28 - Walking Point
2:30 - Wounded
6:50 - Evacuation
9:50 - Why Am I Here?
10:04 - A Matter of Survival
10:35 - Atheist in a Foxhole
13:52 - War Crimes?
14:19 - Firefights, Friendly Fire & Accidents
17:42 - Coming Home
18:54 - Reflections
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Perhaps the most sincere and honest interview on VN I have heard. Thank you, Marine, for your service. I'm glad you made it home.
I've seen many many interviews. This is one of probably 5 that goes to the core of what it was like in the Nam. You not only see into this grunts soul but feel the frustration, fear and wonderment to survive the jungles of the Nam. Your not alone, we're here! To all my 11Bravo brothers departed, and present ,peace 🕊️! 🙏🇺🇸🫡 RESPECT!
11 Bravo - Airborne All the Way!!
Thank you all for your service and sacrifice. It is greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your sacrifice. 😊
I was an Army OR Medic in 1972. We stayed busy.
I appreciate what this fellow went thru. Where do you think marines , air force, army soldiers that were wounded, walking point, stepping on booby traps, where do you suppose they were airlifted to??? US Navy, US Army Hospital Operating Rooms. No one had a cake walk. I too didn't attend Church again until 16 years after my time in Nam.
To this day, I suffer from PTSD, agent Orange Parkinsons, pacemaker, double hip replacement.
I count myself fortunate, I joined up.
@@olehippy13 I would not attend church in the States to this very day. After the war, American churchgoers would step over a veteran sleeping under a sheet of cardboard to go in and give money for the Vietnamese refugees. That did it for me.
My father was in the Vietnam War. His name is James Bowman. He's passed now. But my daddy was a truly amazing father figure. I want to thank ALL soldiers for everything you do for our country..the United States of AMERICA ❣️❣️ You are ALL my HERO❤❤❤
Respect Sir! My father was also an 0341, and was assigned to a line company as a rifleman for the 2/27th, the went to 3/1 Weapons before he got wounded in action. He shares a similar sentiment on the unnecessary chaos and faith. Glad you are here to tell us how it was, and teach us! God Bless you Sir!
Politicians should be on the front line along with their children !
Wouldn't be many wars.
@@AMelton-lh3tg zionists would let that happen ,ever.
@@AMelton-lh3tgcorrect
it’s definitely not the politicians children on the frontlines…
Reminds me of my uncle, he doesn't talk about much. The war never left him, bless these men. They weren't welcomed home to fanfare, no ticker tap parades.
I salute every veteran of the Vietnam War every warrior should have been welcomed home
Howard, thank you for your service and especially for your dialogue here.
History shows the US military grossly underestimated the commitment of the Vietnamese people. They had years of experience fighting the French snd were in it for the long game. Sadly the level of training the US troops had left a lot to be desired , resulting in a tragic waste of a generation of young men & women on both sides.
" Lest we forget "🇦🇺
I was a 1371 a combat engineer that he mentioned. That is exactly how it was over there. I served in that area too. I knew it well.
Thank you, my Marine brother for making it back home! Thank you for your service to the Corps and to your community. It's difficult to speak about this kind of experience, yet, it needs to be told, so others can see what it is to be put into a situation that is not normal for most. Lost a High School friend, L/Cpl William Franklin USMC 9-16-1970. We live for those that couldn't make it back. Take care of yourself for you are truly worthy of greater things! Namaste. TVE, thank you for this video. From a Vietnam Era Marine Corps veteran.
They called it friendly fire, I never could wrap my brain around that one. Welcome home my brothers
Some of the stories that these veterans tell are very hard to listen to, because it highlights just how horrific combat is. I can't even begin to fathom the amount of psychological trauma these veterans have been subjected to During their time in the service war And it's consumption of life is truly sad😢
First, Welcome Home Brother. I’m also a Marine Nam Vet, Chu Lai 68-69 1st MAW but unlike you, I was even luckier being stationed on an air base. If I hadn’t been, I might not be here today. I really was into your story, especially when you said, “why am I here?” I’ve thought that since then. The only thing I got from being there was getting my VA benefits, since I have type 2 diabetes and other things. But I’m glad you made it back.
I really hope you my unknown friend your life is amazing 👍 all love from theuk 🤣
@@lythalls
Thank You for that. I was just one of MANY that wasn’t out in the boonies, like this Marine was. And yes, I’m very thankful for it.
Every living Vietnam veteran, and the families of the ones that have passed, should be awarded a million dollars tax free, for how they were treated on their return home..
Tax free? Now you are talking my language.
Calley and Medina inlcuded?
They should pay those millions to the children of Agent Orange
IT IS EASIER TO FOOL PEOPLE THAN TO TELL THEM THAT THEY HAVE BEEN FOOLED. EVERYONE IS FOOLED ON SOMETHING!!...EVEN GULLIBLE PROTESTER PUKES. STARTS WITH SANTA CLAUS OR SOMETHING ELSE .
Those orders to deploy to Vietnam were unlawful and should have been challenged in court every one who followed them is a war crimanl
Not one American soldier should have set foot in that place
Vietnam was never a threat to USA are anyone else it was assembly line war with no end from the very beginning
The guus who went to Canada should get that millon dollars for not goimg alomg with that crap
Never have i heard the truth about war put so clearly. Thank you for your service
One of the things that sticks in my head when i got back from vietnam nobody spit on me or said anything but my second day home i went to dennys restaurant and ordered a BLT sandwich it tasted so good i ordered a second one and the waitress looked at me like i was some kind of pig when i went back home and told my mom about it she asked if i told her i just got back from vietnam i told her no i still dont know why i didnt
Dennys restaurant pulled out of my home town, good riddance.
Thank you for your service sir, and welcome home! I am so glad that your experiences are being recorded! Hopefully our future ancestors will know learn from it. Cheers
Thank you for making him serve.
I thank you all for your service.
I remember being 9-10, in 1969-1970, seeing this terrible war on T.V. I am 64, and just learning from Vietnam veterans how they were spit upon when coming back to the U.S. i am so shocked and disappointed with this. I thank you sir, from the bottom of my heart. ♥️
Do you remember watching the evening news number of Kia is as well as aircraft shot down? Exactly your age.
@@paulprigge1209
I remember it like it happened 3 hours ago. Watching as kid on TV , thinking your time will be here. Then neighbor came back thinking you made it back. Not knowing until later, that approximately 25% of Vietnam veterans were drafted. Thanks to all the men and women who served.
❤❤❤ welcome home brother 😇😇😇
3rd Batt. 7th Marines ChuLai,RVN 10/65-11/66
VietNam 65-66. USMC 2nd BN 7th Marines…Quinhon, Chulai. Grunt.
The worst part of VietNam was when it was over, coming home, feeling so alone. I had one year left. After leave, went to Lejeune. Being as how not many had been in combat on that base yet. The rank and file there treated us like shit. Spitshine, do this, do that! I was a corporal and I hated it. The rules sucked. I could not wait for that year to pass so I could get out inJune of 67. I thank God I lived and thankJesus Christ who died for me. He alone gives me hope, even to this day. I shall never forget,the waste of that war for so many. I would not ever fight for this Country the way it is today. This country has become the enemy. It kills our young men and women for greed. All of Washington DC is a giant cesspool. Young people. Don't join.
I am a retired 0369 (0311) GySgt. whom served from 1982 to 2002. I am often asked if I would do it all again? Well, I would with the Marines and Sailors "Doc's" I served with during the time I served. But in today's WOKE military leadership and society, NOT ONLY NO, BUT HELL NO!!!!! I wouldn't survive because I would get into some type of trouble for speaking my mind above and beyond my pay grade. ----- Semper Fidelis!!!!!
Thank you for your service Marine!
I fully understand your frustration. I had to deal with much the same. Like you, I turned to God the Father, The Son, and Holy Spirit which allowed me to live with myself and get on with life.
Thank you nonetheless for having served while I understand (and resonate with) why you were conflicted about your tour. It turns out that you had more insight and intuition into the underlying trouble with that war than most folks. I hope that you have found some peace with what you did there and, moreso, what you saw. Thanks for telling your story and educating those of us who were fortunate enough not to have gone to Vietnam.
Thank You SIR......for everything.
I knew after the first couple months that I had made a bad decision volunteering to serve there!
When I returned after my first tour 1966-67 I knew something was wrong with the country when in San Francisco airport a pair of hippies asked me if I was "from Vietnam". I continued on to my home without realizing it was not home any more. So, I cut my 45 day leave short by three weeks and returned for my second tour.I survived the TET offensive in 1968 and the fighting in Saigon. Then returned to the USA and a couple of times heard that it would have been better if I had been killed instead of returning alive. After the third tour and discharge in 1973, I have never looked at Americans the same way since. Now I am in Philippines, married and raised three beautiful children as nurses. I am not an "American", I am a Vietnam veteran. I would not be an American again, not for anything.
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉salamat ❤
Dear veteran
What branch were you in and your mos
And how much were you paid a month and your medals if you don't mind telling me?
Welcome home, thank you so much for your service.👊🏻🇺🇸
They are conflicted because they know the whole thing wasnt worth it.
The greatest pacifists I ever met were combat Marines. 2 of them fought in Korea and hated war. One of the two arrived in Vietnam at the age of 40 and fought in a line company.
Wonderful man.
Spot on.
Who in their right mind would let the new guy walk point? I mean that is just being cruel.
Everyone shares the burden in a Line Company. It's the only way to get experience. I agree, though. Ill advised for a guy this cherry.
One of the most experienced guys should have been right beside or behind him and another with the new lieutenant!
and what ssg that gets a field promotion to lt. has no experience? 🙄
God bless this soldier…ptsd on full display.
I served in G/2/5 from 1993 to 1996. Much love and respect to all Nam Vets. --- Semper Fi!!!
Well said.
It sounded like the biggest threat to his life, came from his own side!
Dear fellow USMC veteran. I was a Marine officer candidate during the big event. Graduating from TBS on 1 May 1975 the day after Saigon fell. It is a valid question to ask:
so what were we doing there? What ever you do please do not blame Jesus. It was LBJ who wanted that war. Rumor is he had stock in the Bell helicopter place up in Dallas. How is that for a blow job? It was good business for the military industrial complex Eisenhower
warned about. We spent enough money in Vietnam on bombs, bullets, and Band-Aids to give everyone in North and South Vietnam a million dollars each. I say again: Blow Job.
Not to mention the blood spilled on both sides. The USA was never at risk from N. Vietnam. None the less, you like a lot of others did what you thought was your patriotic
duty. At least you did not go hide in Canada like some gutless wonders. Semper Fi JE Rish
My MOS was also O341! 81mm mortarman. Ooorah. Served in the 1980s.
And I have also been an atheist since the late '80s or early '90s. Others have discussed whether morality comes from religion, so you're not the first to, rightly. come to this conclusion. I feel I am more moral than plenty of religious people I know. Sam Harris and other philosophers and biologists have discussed the origins of morality.
Gap in the hedgerow you think Pressure pad.
He jumped over it and the Lt stepped on it behind him
Yes he said that and his instincts was right.
He’s talking about the old Sikorsky chopper it dripped oil as the rotary engine was above you he’s correct about the marine eguipment navy also had old stuff Army had the best gear
If they stop dripping it means they ate out of oil of hydraulic fluid.
That's strange jungle you had there in Vietnam, in the Malaysian jungle water is everywhere, mostly good, clean water. We never carried much with us because wherever we decided to stop for the night and prepare our evening meal there was always a spring or a stream within 100 metres. On very rare occasions we would use a pig wallow, but only one where the water was crystal clear. Another source of water which we rarely used was run off from the plastic sheets we used as a roof for our hammocks. It often rained, but it was rarely necessary to use the rainwater. I never used sterilising tablets, because the water was very pure and in any case we had to boil it to make tea or coffee. We had a rubberised bag to hold a couple of gallons from which we took our fill.
Thanks for the therapy. I was army infantry. And lost my religion in Nam
Welcome home Marine
Welcome home Marine Semper Fi
12:38 he was talking about the song with the lyrics " Jesus don't like killin' no matter what the reason's for..." That's a John Prine song. Your flag decal won't get you into heaven anymore.
It's easy to stand on the sidelines and criticize the men who got drafted and would rather be anywhere else in the world.
Welcome home, brother.
Great interview some comparison to dead nva and religious action at the same time
Give him a break, he probably experienced more than you will ever understand
He Didn't sound Like he Turned Against the VietNam War ... He was Just surviving the war ... Remember, reminiscin, the Experiences,, the Womans movement, , Remember War is hell for everyone .
Wow he has a soul and balls to do what's right.Bless you
12:35 - John prine - your flag detail won’t get you into heaven anymore
Semper FI Marine, and Welcome Home.
(Using my sons account) bless you, and grateful for you. It’s so sad that you had to experience all that and you are a hero on all levels. Respectfully, and humbly, I say with so much love and not one bit of judgment on my part, he is not an atheist, he is angry at God. Many professed atheist called themselves that, but subconsciously they are angry at God I don’t blame you, and wish you so much good in life.
Horrible war and destroyed an American generation, but my hat off that he went and served.
yeh...a gen. of dopeheads...plain truth!!!🤨
Mike Co 3/4 3RD Mar DIV 0351 👍
MIKE 3/5 0351 SEMPER FI!! 66-67
"mustang" NCO TO OFFICER
My father
Green to Gold (enlisted to officer)
Battlefield promotion.
There is a God. And that's all I'll say.
I am of the opinion he may or not have been in the Marine Corps. You don't forget"bug juice, mustangs or walk point the first day, Either way he is so off on most normal jar head information. 0331 Vietnam I CORE 1968. USMC
Don't give up on Jesus,he won't give up on you.😊
Yeah he skated through 3x but thinks it's luck
Did you ever watch 9/11
You get blown up and they send you back in? God was with him.
I was in 1/1 contien and got hit all the time but kinda all over the place but I was battalions radio operator I will never do this again i am so screwed up from agent orange
13:19 agreed
A newbie who walked point ! !!! How out of order were the vets ? Absolutely wrong !
Says who? It makes perfect sense why the fng's were made to walk point
Newbies always got point
Echo 2/4 Vietnam
I was drafted in 1967, Vietnam 1st Aviation 1968, I spent fortnight in a field hospital. I hate government people. I'm 100% disabled. My dental care SUCKS! My Veteran health care sucks.
Your war was no different from the war fought by the SS troops in WW11 ..you all fought to stay alive but you were fighting a totally unjust war and you refuse to agnolige it ..2 million Vietnamese killed for what ....?
You have no idea what youre talking about. Its best you keep your mouth shut. Otherwise your ignorance spills out.
Swamp War.... Thank You for Your service not knowing the real Swamp behind it all. Shame on those that have no shame... Shame on them all....Creator knows...... [ EPHESIANS 5:11 ]
Real deal is obvious. Much love and prayers for all you men. G.Justice
Mustang officer
Wonder what % he gets for PTSD
All of them that served get 100% disability so that's about $4,200 to 4,600 a month.
I have mixed thoughts about this poor guy’s testimony. But I understand his frustration with as to why there is war.
First, reference to Marine enlisted promoted to officer ranks: they are called ‘Mustang’ officers. Next, there are many recorded instances of ‘close in’ fighting and hand to hand combat with the enemy in the Vietnam war. My uncle was a Marine during Tet 68, and he fought hand in hand with NVA attackers! This old man seems to have not wisened much in his later years. All veterans regret war, the sense of loss, the insanity. The true realities, tragedies, abstract inconsistencies, ironies, the deaths of good men (and women), the displays and acts of courage and cowardice, the senseless destruction of lives and property, the deaths of innocents, killings of old men and women, mothers with children and babies, these are all scenes of practically every armed conflict since the beginning of time. Again, it is called insanity. War is an inevitable consequence in the history of the world. It is not going to end, but that does not mean we should stop working toward peace. War is inevitable, it is part of the true nature of man, like it or not. History repeats itself, unequivocally. This guy in his old age should know that. And last but not least, if he does not know God and dies today, he is in a for a rude awakening, to say the very least.
Myself, a retired career soldier and a Vietnam war veteran, I cannot and will not forgive our country’s betrayal of South Vietnam when the democrat controlled Congress in 1975 ended U.S. support to fight the spread of communism in Vietnam. The decision was a direct slap in the faces of 58,200 who died when the American government sent us to fight in Vietnam! Shame on that Congress! Shame on that moral coward who was called LBJ!
I'm not sure what you're objecting to. His view seems consistent with many Vietnam vets and doesn't even contradict your own comment. He also doesn't seem to object to God or proclaim atheism, he just rejected organized religion and he gave a pretty good reason for it.
@@shyman3000 A combat veteran can be bitter, angry, frustrated, and even regretful. But, being a whiner is not acceptable. This guy comes across as such. I did not want to say it in the beginning, yet you ‘begged the question’.
@@wlodell Fair enough. I guess i do not see any whining in this testimony. I don't see anger, frustration or even much regret either. Just a guy recalling what he experienced.
A whiner? He told the truth. Donald had bone spurs.
The SSgt he mentioned that were promoted to Lt. Yes you're right once an enlisted becomes an officer they are a 'Mustang officer.' But what this veteran didn't know. The SSgt. was given a battlefield commission.
Was it common for new guys to be put on point? seems messed up
It’s called a batttlefield commission. And it’s called bug juice, not bug spray.
No your wrong Mr.Obvious. He's referring to an enlisted Marine who is commissioned. They are known as "Mustangs." If you had your hearing aids turned on you would have heard him state the former Staff Sergeant had no combat experience. Battlefield commissioned officers receive their commission as a direct result of actions on the Battlefield. Now, go take your Geritol.
Same logic as previous combats aren't worth it, so are police actions domestically because of lack of will to have an outward predominant postage of outreach for people to live toward living longer in life threw out our country on billboards and on signage and such, instead unjust enrichment is instilled threw alcoholism and hopelessness that people that people are surrounded by are uncaring about guaranteeing each other's care about each other's ability to be all they can be while caring about each other or even caring about each other in a basic and reasonable way without biases for unjust-enrichment career hours toward law enforcement pensions and so on.
Sounds like the Ashau valley where he was.
Respectfully, i pray the Lord opens your eyes to the truth of His love.
I know Jesus well, he used to mow my lawn before he got deported.
@@duanejackson6718not funny. But i guess you'll be laughing on judgement day when you get on your knees and saying Jesus is Lord.
There should be a special place in hell for Johnson, McNamara, Nixon and Kissinger. Stalin and Mao could have learned a ton from those four.`
Mao alone has probably 10x the kill count of Johnson, McNamara, Nixon and Kissinger combined.
I'm not here to argue. I base my opinion on what I've learned over the years, not on the pablum that I've been fed all of my life. Peace@@Melior_Traiano
@@DrMarkAinge Great! You think for yourself, that is what I admire about people like you. And thats why you won't forget the countless people, who died under the communist regimes of Stalin and Mao.
Wasn't Nixon the one who got us out of Vietnam?
Well Kissinger just died and went to H.E.L.L.
MORTAR MEN DON'T LEAD. THEIR SUPPORT H & S CO ATTACHED!!
The french were kicked out Vietnam in middle 1954 ,so why the americans , if they really wanted to fight the communisme and not feed the US corporations already ; didn't assisted the french in the 50's ?
The United States first began asserting itself in Vietnam's affairs during the French-Indochina war. The United States gave France $2.6 billion over the next decade to help the country re-establish rule in Vietnam. In fact, the U.S. allocated more funds for the French-Indochina War than did the French.
@@eldandonsmith5372thanks for saving me the time to say the exact same thing. Excellent freaking post bro.
My brother Craig Hemphill was killed in Viet Nam in 1969😢He was stationed in DaNang. Craig was a Marine. According to Trump, my brother Craig Hemphill is a loser. No Mr.Trump my brother Craig Hemphill is a hero.
God bless you! You served faithfully, I salute you! I understand your feelings and thoughts about God and Jesus... but they are wrong. Don't be deceived. We do have an adversary, the devil. He is the one responsible for the evil. Nevertheless, we are sinners, who need a Savior. Jesus, the very son of God, died for all mankind's sin; past, present, and future. He died and rose from the dead so we could be saved and reconciled to a Holy God. Turn to Jesus and tell him you are sorry for your sins and receive His mercy and eternal life! Turn to Jesus and live!
LordJesus.. Dont blame him for the worlds sin. .and he died for you..wow 😂 crucifixion that's a nam and a halph🎉 thank you also like I thank him for giveing your life for me..all of us .🎉thank you for your searvice.i love you big brother .thank you .welcome 🏡/🏡..ask him into your heart.and he will come in . Be a new guy!you remind me of sergeant Tom at camp pendleton.
Its easy to give up on Jesus when you've never known Jesus.
Let the man have his own beliefs, just like you.The only way anyone knows Jesus is if he lived over 2000 years ago.
I knew Jesus in the '80s, he used to mow my lawn before he got deported.
Glad you made it back, Howard. Thanks for your service. I am sorry you seem to be taking the atheism route... without Jesus Christ there is no meaning in life, and I have abundant life due to only Him.
Well that is your opinion at the end of the day and he shouldn’t have to share the same view as you if he doesn’t want to.
@@myrealname8767 He has the ABILITY to share his view, but the multifaceted, complex evidence of nature implies that atheists are illogical, irrational FOOLS.
AFSC 20470, E-5, 1971 - 1972, Task Force Alpha, Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand. On the banks of the Mekong. I hated it from Day 1 until DEROS...on a C-141 Medical Evac. I was "fortunate" in that I am a Total & Permanent Disabled Veteran, but seven of my HS classmates gave their lives in service to this inane war. BTW, I too went to the University of Oregon.
Sir if you do not get saved and trust Jesus as Lord you find out he'll is a real place
Nobody cares! Semper Fi
The reason Vietnam veterans turn against the war while on duty is due to the Russian mentality/attitude of the Democrat administration toward the individual soldier.
That LT got killed by the enemy before his own men could kill him.
Staff Sergeant goes to OCS, or PLC and gets commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. He's called a "Mustang"
Usually the best kind of officers out there in any branch, but this SSG turned 2LT actions sure caught me by surprise.
Sorry but Jesus is real no matter how hard you try to believe hes not. I will defend Yahuah with my life. Just because people die doesn’t mean Gods not real. Humans do evil things not God.
Hard time liking this guy. 100% sure he voted for Biden and has a rainbow and BLM sticker on his Prius.
I'll bet he voted for George McGovern too and he's got a commie flag on the wall in his garage.
Dude shut up. He served his country and did his service. Respect veterans because they deserve to think what they want to think.
You get an idea that maybe the way that conflict is portrayed in movies and news stories isn’t the way it was actually conducted….Lots of officers made nice pensions out of it….So did a bunch of corporate poons…jmo🥸
they use the Gulf of Tonkin attack as an excuse to go in, now we know that the attack was a false flag perpetrated against ourselves and a complete lie. And even if that weren't the case with the hell's the point of them running around in the jungle trying to kill each other. Sounds like the US just wanted to drag the war out to spend money and kill as many of our own people as they could.