I don't even feel worthy to comment. I only want to say thank you to all our troops past and present. This was a stunning documentary and I thank all involved in bringing these truths to light. Thank you again.
I can recall in about '78 sitting at the counter in a diner near Richmond. The fellow next to me and I somehow began talking about Viet Nam. I told him I was about a year too young and missed the draft. He reached out his hand and said "I went so you didn't have to go". Even now I makes me choke up a little. Thanks to all the Veterans of Viet Nam. God bless you.
In spite of his patting himself on the back for saving your life, HE didn't have to go, either. We'd still be bogged down in that country, killing and dying, and preventing any social or economic progress, if some idiots had their way. Don't say "thanks", say "sorry". When somebody steals from you, that's not serving.
most of the people protesting are simply bored young ones who don't have anything better to do. they listen to some attention seeking biased person and get pulled in. happens all the time . even now.
Thank y’all for sharing all the info, my Dad passed away 13 years ago but he served in Vietnam and I know for a fact the troubles, nightmares and bumpiness he went thru his whole life because of it! I wish he could have lived a few years more to finally get the respect they were never given back then that they are finally and deservingly so are starting to get now! Thanks to all that serve our great Nation and we are very proud of u all!!!
I'm sorry that you lost your Dad The respect given out today is far too late, and it' doesn't come from the mouths of our elders, which it should have.
Thank you for setting the record straight. More of U.S. citizens are grateful for the service of all our vets including those who fought in Vietnam. We need these facts so we can learn the lessons of how our own politicians, the educational establishment and deceptive media make a mess of things causing the unimaginable loss of life. Again thank you.
I was there all of 67 arriving at my unit in Vietnam on Christmas Day 66 I didn’t have that bad but a lot of are men and women had it very rough over there! Thanks to all of you for your service!!!! Everyone please remember the ones that didn’t make it back home!!! Thanks for your service!
Thank you for speaking up. I'm not a Vietnam War veteran. Alma veteran newer than that. I did not have so bad either. I've known dozens a Vietnam veterans. Most of which are gone. I am grateful for them. I listened when some of them open up and told me their stories. They opened up to a certain point. I'm just trying to keep my comment focus on the Vietnam veteran and not myself or any debate. Thank you for your service.
@@CAROLDDISCOVER-2025 I am 100% disabled from Vietnam. I have had cancer about 12 times, kidney failure 4 times, 4 widow maker heart attacks, and 46 major surgeries so far. Yet i travel the world and get around pretty good for being disabled. My oldest son followed in my footsteps and became an army ranger, he was hurt and is 100% disabled. My daughter enlisted as an MP and went to Iraq, was wounded and is 100% disabled.
@@rondodson5736 thank you sir and your son and your daughter. I'll make sure I enjoy my freedom today with more zeal. Your family has done quite a bit.
Thank you Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association Foundation for setting the record straight! It is an excellent effort to bust the myths. I didn’t serve in country, but served in the states as the war came to a close. As a DESERT STORM veteran, my hometown wanted me in their parade celebrating the end of that conflict, but I felt saddened looking out at the crowd where Vietnam veterans stood welcoming us back…one was my brother who was in the Tet offensive at Bien Hoa Air Base. They should’ve had a joint parade that included them for the one they never received.
My father served in Korea with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team from 25 September 1950 through 28 May 1951 when he was SWA at Inje. In August 1965 he deployed by ship with the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) to An Khe. From July 1968 through July 1969 he served as 1st Sergeant of Charlie Battery, 1/40 Field Artillery Battalion located at Charlie One. In early summer 1971, he received orders for Germany. Then volunteered for Vietnam. The DOA denied his request. So he hand wrote a letter to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Westmoreland requesting that he pull strings and get his request approved. In August 1971, he was serving as Intelligence NCO with the 101st Airborne Division Artillery at Camp Eagle. In December 1971, he transferred to Bien Hoa where his last assignment was as 1st Sergeant of the Cavs H Company Rangers. Finally, he left Vietnam for the last time on 7 April 1972. After achieving the rank of Command Sergeant Major in December 1973, he retired in August 1975. I am his only child and he NEVER spoke of Vietnam. But after Desert Storm, I overheard him talking to some fellow Vietnam vets at breakfast one morning. They were belly aching about how Desert Storm had been a cake walk...blah...blah. Dad was quick to tell them that because we weren't allowed to win in Vietnam was no reason to steal thunder from Desert Storm veterans. And when he talked, people had a way of listening. They changed the subject.
In San Francisco, the post-Desert Storm parade included any and all veterans! It was interesting how starting at the Presidio, a closed military base with military families and employees cheering ALL on. At the gate, however, on one side of the road, behind barricades, were the usual protesters, and in a surprisingly large number. The march just drove on.
Thank you for your Servive. As part of the Vietnam Nurses, We all cried as we helped the broken and disabled Vets when we arrived back. Some of us covered wheelchair vets with our bodies so that they were not hurt. It was the least we could do after all they had done for us.😂
I was a Crew Chief on a Dust Off helicopter. It was the best job I ever had. Even though I was scared Shitless the whole time I flew, I would do it all over again. Respect for all the Grunts and everything they accomplished in Vietnam.
dustoff pilot 68-69 and 71-72,,thanks crew chief,without you,we never would have been able to take off,,and for all the patients you helped load on board,i thank you
I was well armed whenever my skids were not on the ground, you medi-vac folks had more ballz then us scouts did. My Cav hat is tipped to you brother. God Bless.
My mother married a veteran freshly back from Vietnam in the last year or so of the war. I was thirteen or fourteen and I asked him if he saw any action. he had a fit of temper and wouldn't talk about it, not even for years afterwards, but in his old age, he talks about it all the time and his veteran friends are his best friends. he had problems like a lot of veterans - blinding headaches from exposure to agent orange, and he lost all his teeth because of some black tar that an Army dentist had painted on the teeth of every man in his company. Dentists found the black tar all the way down to the roots of their teeth when they extracted them, and when he got in touch with other guys from his company, he found they all lost their teeth with the same problem. The Army said the records were destroyed in a fire. They never get tired of using that excuse.
@@garycamara9955 Probably. I too am missing some important info from my first tour that would improve my service connection. And yeah, they ALWAYS refer to the fire. Xin Loi.
@@garycamara9955Over my lifetime have encountered two different men who were there at the fire, one an employee, the other one of the firemen. Both said thermite grenades. Later other important archival libraries burned, one of which was a California Library holding most of the history archives of that state just as historians were starting to dig into how close California had come to seceding from the Union in the 1930's.
There is always a fire that destroyed records when they benefit you. Same excuse to my dad, a WW 2 vet. No records of him being in a Marauder crash on takeoff.
I served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army in 1969. On December 14, 1969, I was wounded by mortar fire when our LZ came under attack, one month shy of my 21st birthday. I spent 8 months in army hospitals. I have scars on my right flank, (kidney and liver damage) both arms, both legs, and left foot. A piece of shrapnel tore through my jungle boot, at the base of my toes, almost severing them from my foot. I still consider myself one of the lucky ones to have survived combat in Vietnam. A few years ago I broke a couple of ribs, and a doctor at the hospital asked me what happened, when he saw all the scars. I told him it was from time served in Vietnam. He said it looked like I had been run over by a tank. I didn't realize only 3 in 10 of us still remain. God bless you all, my brothers. Can this be true? If it is, it's pretty shocking to me anyway: "Of the 2,709,918 Americans who served in Vietnam, Less than 850,000 are estimated to be alive today, with the youngest American Vietnam veteran's age approximated to be 60 years old." So, if you're alive and reading this, how does it feel to be among the last 1/3rd of all the U.S. Vets who served in Vietnam?
I didn’t know that myself 3 out of 10. Couple of words that I remember like yesterday “incoming and hit it”. That was our early warning system. Dreaded those words and then the hits. I was very lucky period. Others not. I’m rambling on got to go. Bless those that served and those serving now.
@@r.B829I just looked it up. According to Google, he got into a National Guard Unit. Has since said that he spent the past 60 years feeling guilty that he did not serve "in country".
Wow what a video. I'm 81 and well remember the horrors of this conflict. Thank you for this video and thank you to the Vets who took part.. they should never be forgotten.
@@mmorrell2007 Sam Elliot served in the California Air National Guards 146th Airlift Wing. While he was enlisted in the reserve branch, he was never actually deployed.
I was there in 68/69 with the First infantry division/and advisor with the Vietnamese Regional Forces/Popular Forces. We abandoned those people who trusted us to a hell on earth while the anti-war generation here in the US played the role of the useful idiot. When the communists started to murder people in the hundreds of thousands, the draft dodger generation here in the US never so much as said a word in protest. The Vietnam Veteran who returned home was treated terribly for years by them. The Vietnam Vet fought two wars, the one in Vietnam and the other when he returned home. We are still reaping the benefits of that today in America . The Co Van
when I was leaving for boot camp, I was on a flight to Ohara airport. I was sitting next to an ederly gentleman. When he asked where I was going he offered me a cigarette one after another another. I think he knew where I was going. I wish I could contact that man today. Thank you.
Without a doubt, this is the best documentary I have seen about the Vietnam War! I flew Loaches with C troop, 7/17th Air Cav from January to December of 1971. This reinforces the truths I already knew and points out the traitors whose words and actions cost millions of lives as they played politics and knowingly or unknowingly acted as surrogates of the Communists!
@@dpurser How are ya doing brother. Damn VA put me in a wheelchair 2 years ago. What a long strange trip this has been. Give my best to the gang brother ;}>
I've always felt 2 things that pertain to vietnam vets 1/ they didn't just go they were sent 2/ they didn;t just attend, they served Hats off to them all
You are correct. Many of us did go on our own, but most of us didn't. It was kinda tough for most of us because Vietnam was after WWII and Korea. It put us and our families between a rock and a hard place. Many of our fathers, uncles, etc. fought in those wars, so many of the older generation expected us to 'carry on the tradition' so to speak. My parents didn't want me sent to Vietnam to be killed, but they thought serving our country (no matter what) was the right thing to do. Hindsight is always 20-20.
@@robinstone1256 You are correct, but it's a little misleading because many of the men and women who joined (not drafted) were sent to Vietnam even if they didn't volunteer to go there.
@felixmadison5736 Yes, I would like to see how many volunteered for the Vietnam 1 year assignment. I spent 20 years in the USAF, and yes, I was a career airman and was sent to many tours and TDYs that I didn't volunteer for. That word volunteer has been misleading. Just like all the reasons we were there, I was told when I was 18 when the draft board came a knocking.
I was the gunner on a 50ft gunboat on coastal patrol in the Vietnam War. The stupidest restriction we had to operate under was if we were fired on we had to radio in for permission to return fire. Luckily my boat officer had some common sense. He said I was to return fire immediately and we would get permission later.
Our standard orders were: 1. No weapons or ammo unless on Guard Duty or going outside the wire. 2. No round in the chamber unless ordered by a commissioned officer, even when on guard duty, at night, where the officer is not present, but is supposedly available at the end of a field telephone.
@@mnawrath Our orders on the defensive perimeter since we were no defense we had to fire a warning shot. So everybody understood if you had to shoot, you shot twice.
I served in the Navy 1962-1965, got out and enlisted in the Marine Corps 1967-1970. I wanted to experience the war, and I did. Looking back I became aware of our leaders and why so many of our troops were lost due to the intervention of idiots like Westmorland, and the JCS who would not stand up to the government's bad decisions. We had a shitload of rules we had to follow while fighting an enemy who had no rules. We did not loose the war, we kicked their ass and never lost a battle. I recall hearing once that our air strikes had to first get permission from the South, and so the north knew when and where to expect it. So many lives were lost because of our leaders ineptitude. I wish we could bring the McNamaras back and hold them to account. Side note: I recall returning home (San Francisco) and 6 of us Marines walking by the haters, buy nobody spit on us. They must have known we'd have hurt them bad. Semper Fi
@@B126USMC I attended a grad school orientation party where students compared assistanceships. . I said I had what was left of the GI Bill. Someone said "You don't belongb here you fascist We will take care of you. No one knew my hand was on a knife in my pocket. '. ' '
In 1969, my mom and I were on our way to Hawaii to see my dad (an F-100 pilot) on R&R. We were waiting for our connecting flight to Hawaii at San Francisco International, and I was 10 and old enough to go to the restroom by myself, so my mom let me go. While I was in there, two long-haired guys, one in a fatigue jacket, were just getting ready to leave. The other one asked me in a friendly way, "Where are you flying to, little boy?" Full of pride, I answered, "I'm going to see my daddy on leave in Hawaii. He's a pilot in Vietnam." Their smiles vanished immediately and the one in the fatigue jacket leaned down with a look of pure hatred on his face and said, "Your daddy is an imperialist oppressor and I hope he gets killed! He's a damned criminal!" With that, they both left and I could hear them laughing as they left. I was totally confused and frightened and waited a good while in a locked stall in case they came back. When I told my mom about it, she just hugged me with tears in her eyes and said not to worry. I've often wondered what kind of vile, troubled person could say something like that to a kid...and I think that day was the day I decided I was going to go into the military as well, which I ultimately did. Those two probably wound up as faculty in some university.
@@Buster01Actual Damn straight, and a Hero he truly was, one of many from that time, all of whom were never properly appreciated nor respected. May God bless you, your dad and mom.
@@Buster01Actual the wimps went to Canada. The crybabies burnt their draft cards. We won every major skirmish in Vietnam. Prez. LBJ and Kissinger plus all politicians should keep out of our country’s defense. We were fighting the Red Chinese backed North Vietnamese in Nam. Politicians can screw up a roll of toilet paper !
Hey brother . I don't think a lot of people know what PJ's did in VN . Even I as an army medic , didn't know what you guys did until I met one while working on an AFB here in Michigan . John Ley ( 69-70) Da Nang I think . Welcome Home Brother .
As a Nam vet 1969-70, thank you for sharing. We had our homecoming on November 11, 1982 when we dedicated the Vietnam Memorial Wall. I was proud to serve in Nam, to not wear my uniform while home on leave truly devastated me, I was a lost soul. We are the 1% ! I was 19 years old in Nam, I have had 4 bladder cancer surgeries with chemo. I had lung cancer in 2001 with a right lung lobectomy. All due to Agent Orange spraying defoliant chemicals. Through the grace of God I will turn 75 years old this year. NO I did NOT smoke cigarettes. I can go on and on but I will stop now 😊
My conflict about the Vietnam War is we were told it was to support our country and democracy but that's not the whole story. We didn't want SE Asia to fall to communism which is true but it also had to do with the economic benefit of the land and the ports for commercial shipping. It's too bad that this information isn't part of the dialogue. We tend to polarize the war and politics when there is more to it... the bottom line. I'm sorry for all that you went through and the poor health issues you've had to deal with. Bless you and make it to 75 years!
I am 60 now. I and I suppose my older brothers of only a few to five years my senior were ultimately shielded from the news of Viet Nam. A lot has happened since then.i do remember though all the air traffic in the era here by Moffat field in California. Kind of memorizing ..kind of may I say religious , I suppose I sound ridiculous. Needless to say I am mixed but above all though the homecoming of the troops in general I have always found appalling.. it couldn't have been easy. There are military lineage in the family but not Viet Nam. Really lately I have only begun to really look into it...forgive me and as Spock would have said "Live Long and Prosper"
The Hueys I worked on in VN in '69-70 used to come in from the jungles dripping with agent orange residuals during and after rainstorms. The rashes on my hands from working on them still happen today, Both my kids have birth defects from agent orange exposure. But...I'm still alive at 75 years old.
God bless you brother. I was 18 on my first tour. Had two birthdays and xmasses over there. I was only 20 when I got out. 39 1/2 months active duty. My avatar is me and my ship after being shot down in Laos late '71.
May the Lord Bless, Keep, and Protect those who are put in the way of harm in order to protect our USA. I have tears and a broken heart at what our protectors have had to endure, both in battle abroad and disrespect here in their homeland.
Welcome home veterans. Thank you fir your service. I wish I could "say never again!" Proud of your service, ashamed of way you were often treated. God bless you soldiers. Thank you for this respectful message. Ps..the news re American propaganda against our soldiers sickens me. YET...this plan of propaganda still goes on today. It was like leaving our soldiers in those jungles without weapons!
I grew up on Guam during the Vietnam war. We were not well served by our Government. I remember the 100,000 refugees that were housed here during Operation New Life.
My dad served in the Canadian army and the ignorence of humanity just totally shames me that I am part of it, because these men and women who served in any conflict who walked the walk without any complaining,who were then insulted by those cowards who weren't willing to do the same. All i can humbly do is to say thank you for your sacrifice and yet it feels insufficient.
Thank you for telling the truth about the war. We could have won the war. Our government did not support good South Vietnamese leaders that is another point that was not brought up. Our failure to support good Vietnamese leaders and propping up bad leaders hurt war effort. South Vietnamese people did not want their leaders. In San Diego people treated service men very badly. I know because I was in the Navy. Marines were treated worse. It got so bad , the Admiral had us stay on base or ships for 3 days until the mayor said he would do something about it.
American troops were in Laos in 1968. I flew them in and took them out if they were still alive. MACV-SOG were gathering information by the ton about what was going on. Just as a side note, more than 90% of the Americans who were shot, were shot with a built made in Russia. Helicopter pilot 11-67 to 1-70 in RVN, Laos, Cambonda and North Vietnam. And I was spit on at the Oakland Airport on my way home. Took two Navy guys and a big cop to pull me off of her.
I was a Marine in a Raider Battalion in 1972. We were ordered to stand down and not engage the enemy. We were winning, the NVA and Viet Gong were loosing. Washington DC lost the war.. The Swamp lost the war.
When I was in 'Nam in '69, one day we were ordered not fire our weapons no matter what. We were told President Nixon was in 'Paris Peace Talks', and we were in a cease fire. Guess who didn't get the memo?
Thank you to all the Vietnam veterans. I’m sorry you didn’t receive the welcome home you deserved. I want you all to know that there are a lot of us who are proud and thankful of your service. I’m glad there are videos like this to set the record straight. Welcome home to all, and thank you all.
Half of the "Greatest Generation " were leftists if not out right communist. It was not rational to blame the troops for the war. Blame the cowardly politicians who sent them. But no, they couldn't do that. That's too much work. It's much easier to gang up on individual servicemen than to petition congress. Lazy, communist bullies.
The Hippies were the ones that did not like that war, and now we have people called woke people that just hate anything American and their is no war we are involved in now.
You speak the truth. Coming back after being in the bush as a grunt for a year, I wasn't expecting the crap any veteran from the war had to put up with. I saw the changes immediately that had taken place in our country while I was in 'Nam. It's very evident & in your face when you lived in the 'bush' for a year, suddenly pulled out, then planted back in the USA almost all in one motion.....within a couple of days it was for me. It was shocking. I went from civilization, to the jungles, back to civilization and in my case it was unreal. The country had really changed 'Big" time while I was in 'Nam. It was a shocking realization that I saw. It was raw & in your face. I wasn't prepared for the negativity, the rejection, the name-calling, the 'spitting' at me, the way people went way around to not be near to me as if I had some kind of contagious disease. I suddenly felt all alone & very distant from my own country. I became totally confused & unsure of what was happening & why ?? It was so shocking to me. This was in LA International Airport. My mind was so torn apart, then hurt took over. Hours later after my plane landed in my home state; everything was sinking into my brain HARD. I avoided everyone in the Airport. I actually couldn't get myself to go to the payphone & call anyone to come pick me up because I was 'home'. No one knew I was coming. I myself didn't know I was coming home when I was pulled out of my platoon in the bush. I could have called from Okinawa, but I didn't because I wanted to surprise everyone. I totally mentally withdrew while I waited for hours in that airport to get the courage ( can you believe I was trying to muster 'courage' ? ) to make that phone call. I waited till long after it was dark...hours & hours later....to finally make the call. All I wanted to do was be home & be happy. Instead, as I learned later, forget about being happy; just get out of my uniform. The uniform I was so proud to be wearing. And that's the way it had to be........get the uniform off and not let anyone know I was in the service & especially that I was a Vietnam veteran. I couldn't wait for my leave ( 20 days ? 30 days? ) to be up so I could report to Camp LeJeune; but instead, returned there before my leave ended. Never again , unless I had to, did I wear my dress uniform off of base. That was only when I was flying ( I think , if I remember , it was to fly 'military standby') I was approached while stationed at Camp LeJeune to join the VFW; and I did. Years after I was discharged, I finally went to a VFW in the home town area. A large metropolitan city, so there were many to choose from. I needed veterans to reach out to. I had hoped to find some comfort, some camaraderie , some new friends.Someone that could relate to me, my experiences, that understood what I was holding inside. When I went inside the VFW, there were quite a few guys there. As they all turned to look at me, it became very quiet.They just looked at me, without saying a word . I was taken aback , and just stood there looking at all of them. It was like one of those old 'E.F.Hutton" commercials on tv. Dead silence. One of these vets suddenly spoke up , and asked me if I was a veteran, and I pulled my wallet out to eagerly show them that I was a member of the VFW. Dead silence again. I looked at all of them, they all had this sorta blank stare in their eyes and faces. Another vet asked me what war I was in? I told them I fought in Vietnam. Big, big mistake. They 'rejected' me. Said a bunch of bull manure to my face. I turned and walked out. I've never set foot into a VFW ever again. It was bad enough being rejected by my fellow American(s), but worse being rejected by WWII & Korean War vets. All of this has stayed 'with me' all the years of my life. I wear my vet hat now. It's my way of throwing into those older folks faces & minds ( my generation ,the generations before , and the subsequent following generations) of who I was, a proud American who served his country, his fellow man, his Flag, and his God. I wasn't drafted like some guys was. I volunteered. An American who wanted to do my part, my share, as all past generations had done. What a mind boggling, life changing event this was. At present, the progression of those beginning changes I faced & saw , coming home from Vietnam, are more prevalent than ever today. Those same people who denounced my fellow veterans & myself, have continued their pursuit to destroy this once great country I grew up in. I do mean what I say. It's devastating, it's despicable, it's disgusting, calculated & callous, it's heart breaking & wrenching , it's so pathetic; to weaken such a formerly great country. The rest of the world (our enemies especially), are witness to this. They are closely monitoring & watching. All great countries , or empires that throughout mankind's existence that ever existed, collapsed. This collapse of the USA will be the greatest ever. It's coming. Not far out on the horizon, you can see the dark clouds sweeping in.
I've treated 1000's of Vietnam Vets at the VA and many wore baseball caps that said they were "Proud Vietnam Veterans". I have never seen anyone with a baseball cap that said "Proud Vietnam War Protestors" That tells you who can stand tall and who can not
I have worn a baseball cap and t-shirts with the words: "Vietnam, Class of '69". I was surprised by the number of fellow Vietnam Vets saw it and said they too served in 'Nam.
I protested and I'm proud of it. That war set historic precedent: the Conscientious Objector won. Next time you post, refrain from insulting us. I have friends who are veterans. You don't speak for them. Don't enable the denial psychosis.
I did not serve. I was around 10 when the last of our forces came home. I didn't know a lot about that war nor those that were there and nothing about the circumstances they came home too. During the time I grew up, we didn't have any conferentations not like we'd had. It took 9/:11 to put what's in my heart and open my eyes. I felt guilty I hadn't served so I decided since I was too old to learn as much as possible about all that have served. I did and continue to look for and learn all I can, it's the least I can do. That's why I'm watching this. It's not easy at times. Nothing , nothing pisses me more than hearing any of our warriors disrespected. Like our flag , if anyone wants to destroy, burn one , why instead not change address to a country who's flag and soldiers you approve of. I'll continue learning all I can meanwhile I'd like thank every veteran we have, all that are or have served for your service. God bless each of you. You made this country and made it safe for those like me. I'll never forget that a day. You all are heros to me especially those that were covered in our flag on that trip home. Welcome home all.
I am 72 year old retired RN, BSN and my children's father was in USAF. I was a civil servant volunteer Nurse in 1969-1972. I agree with your statements about our ruturn. We left Viet Nam in regular cargo planes, and we stopped over in GUAM before landing in Los Angeles. As we left the the airport, I personally was hit in my face with bottles, trash, virtually anything the protestors could throw. The really sad part was that as a Nurse I was pushing a wounded vet in wheelchair and trying to protect him with my body. I felt totally betralyed. I still have bad hearing and other health problems from my volunteer service. I never watched any of the movies, and I hate the sound of helicopers to this day. Thank you each and everyone of you who shared your stories to let people like me know it really did happen. 😢
I went to a Connie Stevens concert in Las Vegas once, and the nurse who was in charge of the nurses in Vietnam was there. It was an honor to get to meet her. I thanked her for everything her nurses did for all of us who served in Vietnam. They were angels.
Any relation to Steve Ritchie? USAF Fighter pilot and ACE? IF so, I was there. Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, 1971-1973. During Linebacker I and Linebacker II operations. I flew RF-4C in 14th Tac Recon Sq. Steve flew F-4D in either 13th or 555th TFS.
@@danje10 No My Maiden name is Johnson. I was with the 224 Camaron Bay at first then Phon Phen Med Unit and finally out through Saigon.1969-1972 Met a lot of wonderful Pilots while there . All branches! Bless you everyone that were there.
I graduated in '73 and was missed by the draft by 1 #. I wanted to join but every vet I talked to said not to. I researched it and realized that all the good mentors were getting out because they wouldn't let them win. That was enough for me to stay away. Later, life got away from me with just making a living. I did work with a lot of vets and always let them know I appreciated their sacrifice.
My Uncle was a Marine, yes he’s gone now. He fought the Vietnam War until he passed in one way or the other. It’s senseless the way he was treated until he passed ! I will never forget the way he felt or the truth he told me about the war. He was always a proud Marine until the end. GOD Bless the soldiers that fought in the Vietnam War !
As an Australian Vietnam Veteran I was spat on in the 747 bar at Wynyard Station Hotel,no longer there I think.I have never told any one since that I served in Vietnam.I was even treated poorly by my local RSL.Apply for a job my 2years I covered up by saying I was backpacking in Europe.What is there to like about my fellow Australians,? Nothing.we fought with one arm behind our backs.
I served with the Marines in Viet Nam in 1967 and 2968. I never carried a wounded man through a mine field, I never did anything heroic, but I did as I was told. My time there was a mixture of boredom, fear and anger, but I did as all of us did. I was incredibly lucky that I came home with all of my original parts intact, unlike hundreds of thousands of others. None of us were welcomed home, and some people actually demeaned us. I had been home for ten or fifteen years, when the author of DUNESBERRY responded to a comment that I made on his strip, and was the first to welcome me home! The war was a total waste of people and money, there being absolutely no ‘take away’ from all of the years that we were there, and we left in disgrace. Most of us are now dead, many suffering from Agent Orange infirmities, but I am horrified to think how many Vietnamese people we killed in those years, and, how many people have died in that country since we left due to the Agent Orange, and minefields that we left there. It was a horror that should never have happened, but I fear that some of our more recent wars were also totally worthless. It’s a cliche, but I suspect that most old warriors at least think “ NEVER AGAIN “!
Welcome home brother. You did your job the way most of us did,,,,and had just a good a chance to get killed or hurt as anybody else. - I would go back into combat with you any time! (Combat Engineer - Class of '68)
I joined the Marines in 1962 and had 3 tours in Vietnam 🇻🇳. I’m now a retired Marine GYSGT and a double amputee. But I would do it all over again and again.
I never experienced ANY of that. I was an HM3 Navy Corpsman with the First Marine Division's First Shore Party Batallion. My base camp was near Freedom Hill Exchange Complex in Danang and I spent my bush time on Hills 63 and 55. I got there in March of 69 and departed in March of 70. I only saw the enemy once in my 12 months and he was being dragged off a helicopter and up the hill by two MP's and he had a hole in his chest I could see light through and I kicked him as he went by. Every time we stopped for the night, I would take the C-rations that nobody wanted and go to the nearest village, pass out the food and then so sick-call on the locals. I was married so at 6 months in-country I got a week's R&R in Hawaii and my wife was flown in from Minnesota to meet me. We went to a luau and those of us in the war were asked to stand and we were applauded. I liked my job so much that I reenlisted after returning home and stayed for 26 years so Vietnam was just one of many duty stations. Nobody ever spit on me and I never had to deal with any air heads from some college. When Woodstock was happening, I was in a war zone and doing a lot more for my country than those diots!
I was in Basic Training in summer 69, half of us from the upper Midwest, the other half Reservists from New York City some of whom actually had siblings and cousins at Woodstock. This while training on the M14 with a wood stock. Trained on M16 in Vietnam in December.
Brian, I wonder if you knew my husband who also arrived at 1st Shore Party in March of 1969. 1st Lt Sam Van Ness. I believe he was the S3a initially. A couple months later he became the CO of H&S Co. Like most if not all Marines, he LOVED you corpsmen. He had come from intensive fighting as platoon commander with B 1/5. He really missed being in the field, so the transition to Shore Party was a challenge. I am still in some contact with a friend he made at 1st Shore Party… Lt Ken Lenz also from Minnesota. Did you know either of them?? Ironically I was just reading his letters yesterday from that time, as our grandson has won an opportunity to visit Vietnam, based on an essay he wrote about his grandfathers time in Vietnam from September ‘68 to September ‘69. I think Sam was with Shore Party for the last 1/2 of that tour. Thank you for writing this positive reflection on your tour of duty there. Cheers to you, Suzanne Van Ness
You said you kicked the prisoner. I think that was wrong. Did it ever occur to you he was fighting for what he believed in and for his country ? I never had hard feelings towards the enemy. I have went back to Vietnam twice after the war and was amazed they held no hard feelings against us for our part in the war.
My late friend Thomas Griffin was a proud Marine who served in Viet Nam. He told me the story of being spat upon at the airport where he landed after returning from the jungle for the last time. He was always bitter. We later both served together in a New Mexico law enforcement agency. The honor guard performed a ceremony for him at the VFW in Las Cruces upon his passing. I am honored and privileged to have known and served with him. Semper Fidelis, Tom.
Just my opinion but but that war was wrong, America was at its worst. playing world police. People had the right to protest but not spit on the soldiers who fought bravely.
@@James-cr5qx America at its worst? Did you even watch that film? Perhaps you could say that it was Democrat politicians, and the war industry that was making them wealthy, at their worst, if you like. But unless you served there, seems to me you have no ground to criticize any American who did.
Terrific documentary and it certainly showed the truth of what really happened and how our leaders at that time errored in decision making. Let's hope that in the future better decisions are made.
Thank you for for this film. Too many people do not realize what are troops suffered, especially since the DRAFT was present. Young men after high school graduation were drafted. It was a terrible time, but nothing can compare to the horrible welcome home our troops got. It still bothers me today. Thank all how have served and the ones that are now serving
FYI.....not everyone drafted ended up in 'Nam. Only about 1 in 5 or 6 that served in 'nam was a draftee. Then again, not every draftee who ended up in 'nam, served in the infantry . Of all the troops serving in 'nam, ( volunteers , draftees, ), only about 10% did the hard core fighting. The other 90% were exposed to dangers of war, but the risk wasn't the same as those in the infantry....which was every second of every minute , of every hour of the day (&night) ; 24/7......there were guys there who slept on cots ( maybe even real beds ?) ate prepared Hot meals, worked an 8 , maybe 10 hour day, kinda like a regular job; went to clubs, drank booze, dated girls, had clean laundry, wore spit shined boots, starched utilities, crapped on a real ( or close to it), toilet, ( won't say the real word we called it) , clean clothes, undies , socks every day, brushed their teeth , combed their hair, relaxed, played on the beaches, watched movies, went on 'liberty' in the bigger cities, listened to real radios playing music, pretty much slept undisturbed at night...etc., etc. I could go on.....I know this from talking with veterans at the VA. Some of the stuff was mind boggling. I mean I can see why a lot of these guys did more than one tour of duty in Vietnam. Also, I know for a fact when the Army was salvaging a Huey helicopter that was partially bobbing on the edge of the South China Sea close to where we were involved in a Search & destroy Operation; and my squad with 2 M-60 gunners from my platoon were sent to provide security for the rescue. Long story shortened; several Huey's with mid ranking officers landed & spoke with us. They asked us who we were, if we ever got new boots, cammies, and better gear , etc. Along with the questions about real food, beer, down time to enjoy and relax, etc. etc. They said we were a 'sight to see & beholden' ; we hurt their eyes so bad the way we looked & smelled. Once we made it clear that a war was going on in the A.O.,( that we were participants of) and that they might becoming 'targets' with all that brass shining on them; they got onboard those Hueys ASAP, and were gone. The war was different for everyone.
I served March 21 1968 to Dec 18 1971 in the US Navy. I served 2 cruises on the USS Oriskany CVA 34 with VA155. I was an AT2 and am proud to have served. I'd go back if called! We worked endless hours for many months to support our Naval air campaign. We lost 10 of our crew. I recently went on an honor flight and had the opportunity to look up their names on the wall and pay my respects. What an experience! God bless them all! I was spat on a few times and called a few names. When I went back to College I was verbally attacked by a professor who didn't like Vietnam veterans. That time has passed forever! I hope! I now have a Grandson in the Navy and I hope he is treated as he should be. He is a patriot and proud of his service.
I had the John Wayne syndrome. Wanted to go fight and be a hero. When i finally went i found out real quick it was nothing like John Wayne showed it in his war movies.We didn't fight for the war or to win medals. We fought for each other hoping we would all make it home.
Just finished watching this film. Thank you for the facts; details and extensive research that went into providing this documentary. A must watch for all. Thanks to all who were part of this documentary your dedication is inspiring. Do let the media; educational propaganda machine in D.C. suppress this documentary.
Very good video; wish it had been around twenty years ago so I could have used it in teaching about the war. I will make two observations: (1) strategies make a difference, but the enemy can also change his strategy--so saying if we had done something does not mean that would have worked; and (2) I used Leonard Scruggs book as a text for two years, and found it had a flaw. He is an Air Force vet, and his book gives too much credit to air power as the curative of all ills. There was a good analogy about using B-52s; it was like using a sledge hammer to swat a fly. And my last comment on the reception returning vets received. Probably very different depending on the year one returned, and whether or not it was to Travis AFB (San Francisco). I came back through Travis in 1970, and did see a crowd of "protestors" yelling at us, but none of them could get close enough to spit. I do know men who did experience that, but the SFPD and the Air Police were kept busy keeping the peace with the hippies. In 1997 I started teaching, and found a college willing to let me do a class on the Vietnam War. I was surprised at the accuracy of Reagan's comment about people who were very opinionated about subjects they were ignorant about. And was also surprised by the number of Vietnamese who signed up for my "Vietnam Era" class. They were curious about the war their parents and/or grandparents did not want to talk about.
I came through Travis in March of 71 with a very happy, exhilarated group of guys coming home. The protestors were there but in the distance. I went home through the San Francisco airport and was treated mainly with avoidance and acting as if I didn’t exist. As recently as ten years ago, though, a group of buddies and I were sitting at a table in an iHOP restaurant talking about Vietnam. I noticed a woman seething at a table nearby. She stood up and marched over to me and yelled with complete hate and spite, “YOU ALL SHOULD HAVE DIED OVER THERE!!!” To the best of my knowledge, many of the former protestors are now pushing the “we weren’t against you, we were against the war narrative.” That’s total BS. They were against us, which I learned after I returned home. College courses were often led by professors who ignored the class title and taught an anti-Vietnam veteran diatribe through the entire term. And they did so with impunity. I still become upset thinking about it. One of my vows was to do my best to make sure other troops weren’t treated the same if they were in future actions by the US. I am proud of the little role I played; I love my country and gained a lot of personal growth because of those experiences. But I won’t forget the Kerrys and the Bidens who lead the efforts to ensure that we and the Vietnamese could never win the war.
They were so maligned when they came home. I received my draft notice, but it came to an end in 75, my senior year. From 65 onwards until we left that’s all I remember. My father was a 25 yr veteran of the Air Force, so my respect for these soldiers goes deep. Great documentary! I just hope that the boys who have returned from Iraq and Afghan- istan our given the honor and respect they soooo deserve. Thank you for putting this out.
I enlisted at 17 so never filled out paperwork for the draft. Finished my enlistment and came home and had to register for the draft then. Three weeks later i received my draft notice in the mail. My mother went to the draft board and got it straightened out. Me i was home packing getting ready to leave the country.
You guys were all HEROS whether Volunteer or Drafted! You went & did what your Country asked of you, Fought Bravely in a Very Unpopular War! I'll admit I was against the War since Spring 1968, but after watching Platoon & other Vietnam War movies, I saw things from the Soldier's point of view & since then I have the Utmost Respect for what you endured!!
These men answered the call to service of our nation. They were not the ones in the wrong. Politicians, and their leadership failed them. They did fail their nation. Thank you all for your service to our nation.
Im 62 yearss old and my dad served in WW2 in the Phillipines and came home a hero. He did his job over there just like the Vietnam soldiers did but he wasnt spat on or cursed at like the guys in Vietnam got as a reseption for doing their duty. I was too little to be involved in that horrible war but I have a brother-in-law who was over there and I'm so grateful that he came home alive and well.
I know you I worked at flat iron and you were there. Just to see one person. A Green Beret veteran. Here’s one other thing, you said and you said it right. humanitarianism is always going to be our greatest victory in war. I love Vietnam vets. United States Army flight medic retired.
Thank you for this video! Thank you from my father (WWII & Korean War vet) who did two tours in Vietnam and from me with a few short months near the end in Vietnam. I'm asking my kids to watch this video as well. I felt like you spoke for Vietnam veterans, and nailed the key important points people need to know. As one now retired from "so called" higher education (degrees in history and sociology, I can tell you just how bad it was for Vietnam veterans in academic settings as students or faculty.
Those were difficult and sad times for those who were involved in a conflict that we didn't ask for, yet served and did our time... came home to a nation disgusted with our service! Lost a dear High School friend and Marine Corps brother; L/Cpl William J. Franklin on 9-16-1970 in the Quasson Valley, Quang Nam Province. He was with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, I Company. Miss him to this day! Welcome Home!! From a Vietnam Era Marine Corps veteran.
I am a Vietnam era veteran but did not serve in country. I witnessed a lot of the atrocities committed against our returning troops by US citizens. I returned with my unit from the Persian gulf in 1991. And I witnessed the yellow ribbons in the banners and the crowd of cheering people for our victorious return. In amongst the crowds of people cheering for us I saw obvious Vietnam vets Standing And proudly saluting Is all of us as we returned. I couldn't believe all of this for us and yet they didn't even get a simple welcome home. And I cried for all of them.
Mr. King, I saw his interview in Atlanta area, and one fine Vietnam vet he is! He was one smart troop in the war, and became a ine Lawyer. A Alabama boy, and his voice was one that I listened to the most. His sstory was brave and yet so honest, and he did many night light huey missions, all I can say is thats when men were men. The true last generation that served and did it out of civic duty, not whats in it for me. That's the absolute truth many many see the same way Mr. King. Glad your still turning those blades.
I'm pushing 60 with 3 grown kids but I grew up in a military town and I know how lucky I am to have been between wars.... i seen these guys that came back from there and what that war done to them both being there in the actual war and what coming back here and a lot of the attitudes they encountered upon returning. Where i grew up was a rural area and we treated our veterans differently no matter what war they fought in... I, as a result, learned to treat all veterans respectfully and could never understand why people treated the Vietnam vets differently... For what it's worth all of you have my appreciation and respect for your service and your risks. All of you.
Jane Fonda aka Hanoi Jane, Thank you for sharing this video. Another hatred seen was ''Sailors and Dogs Keep of the Grass''. I served U.S.N. Ret. 1971-1994 Vietnam/Desert Storm.To all Veterans, WELCOME HOME and Thank You for your service.
I can verify the experience coming home through SFO airport in May 1971. Insulted and yelled at for over a hour before my family arrived to pick me up. I was also shocked by the treatment I received from school friends/some family and the Bay Area community in general. There was no VA or job support groups like there is now. It wasn't until I moved out of the Bay Area and found work in the Rocky Mt states that I started to feel better mentally fell better about myself. Thanks for the video showing a accurate description of what it was like back then.
I didn't want to watch it at first. But, I did anyway. Sobering-truth in a documentary, yes. But I was...and still am...proud that someone had the balls to do so. And like my brothers in arms: I, too served. Did what I could do, with what I was given and/or allowed to do with. But dammit, at least I tried.....
I am the Original Dustoff 39 and extended my tour of duty 3 times. The Dustoff crews were and still are the bravest and most dedicated Warriors I have ever encountered. It was an honor to be a part of that legacy. “When I Have your wounded”😊
Whatever about the morals, strategies and politics of the US war in Viet Nam, the treatment of many of the US veterans of that conflict upon their return is inexcuseable. These soldiers, sailors, airmen served their country in good faith in accordance to their oath. If it was indeed a 'bad cause', this was not the fault of the serving soldier in the field. Do not get me wrong. Atrocities happen in all wars and indeed on all sides. But though most students of the US war in Viet Nam will be familiar with the 'My Lai' massacre, (and that was disgusting) most are less familiar with the mass executions that took place in Hue City during the 'Tet Offensive'. (There were other lesser atrocities inflicted by both sides too, of course...) To suggest, as elements of the 'Anti War' movement did, that ALL US service personnel were 'baby killers' or the like is ridiculous. (Particularly since many US servicemen did not support the war in the way that they were required to fight it...) A true story. I'm a military historian and a student of the US war in Viet Nam. I live in Dublin, Ireland. Some years ago I met a guy, a black guy, in Dublin and he was obviously a tourist. He was wearing a Viet Nam Veteran baseball cap. (I think he was a sailor, actually, though I can't remember the name of the ship that was embroidered on his cap...) I asked was he a veteran and he said he was. I thanked him for he service and asked if I might shake his hand. His eyes filled with tears. (This disturbed me as it wasn't my intention to upset him...) We did shake hands and had a brief talk, NOT ABOUT THE WAR but about how he was enjoying his holiday in my country of Ireland. As I turned to walk away, his wife turned to me and said, 'Thank you'.... xx SF
Mighty nice of you. Aside from that.....I want to comment on 'My Lai'.....now as a 'nam veteran, I can understand why this most likely occurred. I'm not saying it was right......or wrong. When a unit is constantly , over time, suffering casualties in, around , near a village; you get tired ion it, mad about it, then you become more angry. It gets old .Ypu question the villagers, you try to get good solid info from them. They stab you in the back. You, over time, still suffer casualties from this village & area. You find weapons, food caches , medical supplies, etc, that are used by the enemy.You know the village people have been lying to you over & over, again. There is obviously no young men in that village. Only women , children, & old folks. That's a red flag. You know those young men are aiding and probably part of the enemy forces. A day finally comes that you have had enough . You have reached a 'breaking' point.The end result(s) become 'history'
The treatment of America's black servicemen and women returning home after WW II was far more shameful. It probably took years for the producers of this film to find that one white vet who wasn't served in an airport restaurant. Thousands of our valorous black vets couldn't get served in a restaurant 25 years after returning from Europe or the Pacific, weren't permitted to vote, go to school, or buy a home.
My dad received his draft card on 1 April 1965. He arrived in Vietnam in October 1965 with the 1st ID. He never talked about his time there until one year ago. I found his DD 214 and other paperwork about his service. I learned a lot and am very proud of my dad. 👍
Time has shown that we and the Vient Namese are friends. History has shown that Ho Chi Minh was our ally in WWII, as a member of OSS, during the Japanese occupation. We got snookered by France, into "helping" them re-occupy Indo-China, thereby creating our enemy, Ho. After all of the spent lives, on both sides, we ended up handing the country over to North Viet Nam and walking away. Personally, having spent my time at Nha Trang and Bien Hoa, during which time, my job being an Air Traffic Controller, I made friends among the civilians and military. Those memories will stay with me until my end and keep me thinking that my time was not wasted, although today, I suffer from Leukemea, as a result of my exposure to Agent Orange. Very nice presentation!
I don't know any vets who do not hate her. She had it all, beauty, fame, intelligence, and could have had a lot more if she had not betrayed her country.
I disagree...with Reagan. YES the US military was stymied by the politicians...BUT in 1972 President Nixon gave the military the all out authority to attack North Vietnam's capital, Hanoi. THAT all out authority produced a peace treaty the established the freedom and independence of South Vietnam. So, in other words, the US military DID NOT FAIL to WIN the Vietnam War. It DID win the Vietnam War! South Vietnam FELL to the North...TWO YEARS after that peace treaty was signed because the American Congress REFUSED to again allow American B-52's to strike the invading North Vietnam Army and destroy it...the way B-52's had destroyed the same army in 1972. The fall of South Vietnam CANNOT be tied to any deficiency in the US Military. It MUST be placed on the American Congress that sold out the South to the North for, what evidenly, were political reasons.
@@badguy5554 I am not disputing you. I have always thought the same. But when I am in a discussion about it, I don't have factual support. That's why I asked for references.
@@fredh.9114 Read the history of the war...NOT the BS propaganda. The Vietcong were crushed in 1968 during the Tet offensive. They were NEVER a threat after that time. The invasion of South Vietnam by the North, in 1972, was CRUSHED by American B-52's. The capital of North Vietnam, Hanoi, was so devastated by B-52 bombings in December of that year, the North was FORCED to return to the peace table in Paris and sign a peace treaty that GUARANTEED the right of South Vietnam to exist as a separate country. At that time NIXON PROMISED the South Vietnamese that American B-52's would AGAIN be used to CRUSH any future North Vietnamese invasion they way they had crushed the North's invasion of 1972. South Vietnam FELL to the Communists, 3 years after that peace treaty was signed BECAUSE the leftist American Congress REFUSED to fund B-52 strikes against the invaders. In addition, that same Congress cut ALL funding to the South's military. When the South's troops heard about these betrayals they knew the war was lost and IMMEDIATELY quit fighting. It's HISTORY. It's documented!
@@fredh.9114 The documentary covers this. Congress pulled promised funding for military equipment and supplies. Everything Congress votes on is a matter of public record. Just google it.
My Uncle was in Da Nang for 3 1/2 years. I couldnt wait until he got back because we always fished alot. I worked for 4 years in his paint and body shop
I served 1964-1968 in the Army Security Agency. I have always been consumed with "surviver's guilt" due to people like these. Yes, I gave some, but very little, compared to you guys. As I viewed this video, knowing the world of today, I could not help[ but thinking of the quote, "Those who fail to learn from History are doomed to repeat it. Sadly I feel that is the path we as a nation are following. I want to thank each one of you who were a part of such a devestating period, You all are true heros.
I was born October 24, 1950. I was enrolled at Washington State University in the fall of 1968. I was in AROTC my first year. I came to realize that there were two sides to the Vietnam War. I had many classmates who came back dead, wounded, and/or fucked up. I am not a pacifist. Far from it. Like my father, who fought in WWII, I was more than willing to defend my country. I began asking questions about the war that were not answered for me. I came be concerned about our purpose in Vietnam. One very important question that was never answered for me, and was not addressed in this video, was, "What was the truth about the Gulf of Tonkin incident." I began to distrust both sides of the Vietnam War. I came very close to being drafted twice. Fortunately I was not called up. It had a huge impact on me to have to consider going to Vietnam. I still wonder what was true there. There were many good thing done by our military in Vietnam for sure. There were also some things that we should never be proud of. I still have no real answers for what I had to consider about Vietnam. No one else in my immediate or extended family had to confront going to Vietnam. Though I did not have to go, I was nevertheless impacted by that period of my life. My heart goes out to all those that have suffered for sake of the Vietnam.
Two tours Vietnam, found myself working at the USPS where one of the guys was a Petty Officer on the Maddox during the Gulf of Tonkin incident. He said he was topside for some fresh air when the incident supposedly happened. "Nothing happened. I was there. Nothing happened." The other fellow was Marine flown in to secure the embassy at the fall of Saigon. "So yeah there we are when some officer we had never seen before orders us to set up a burn barrel to burn documents as only humans were to be loaded on the choppers. So here come these dweebs in pinstripes carrying cardboard boxes, box after box, heavy, like reams of paper. Only it was brick sized bundles of still sealed $100 bills. Do You know how long it takes to burn a brick of money?"
Yes! This war as was Korea was an action that was a military if not, a political failure. I remember how celebrated military members of WWII were such as my father and many more within my community. It was one of the reasons I joined the U.S. Army in 1959 and stayed for a very satisfying life.
Sir, I respectfully disagree with you about the USA/UN involvement in the Korean war being a failure. I admit that it failed to achieve it's ultimate outcome, which was to rid the entire peninsula of the Kim iL Sung communist regime and re-unite the two Koreas. But looking at how South Korea has become such a successful economic and prosperous nation in such a short amount of time (only 70 years) can hardly be called a failure, especially when you compare it to North Korea. I was stationed there back in 1979-80 north of the Imjin River and Freedom Bridge, (and just a short march away from "The Fence") and it's amazing how much the villages that I used to go to and un-wind have progressed and changed for the better. (places like Munsan, Sonju-Ri, Yonju-Gol) And my Korean friends are just as grateful and appreciative today as they were back then for everyone that helped them. Troy Bullard Former 81mm Mortarman And forever a Manchu "KEEP UP THE FIRE !"
I was in sout🎉h Vietnam suporting the navy riverine forces in 68 and 69 and a 4 months 9f 70 . I never saw or herd of american abuse . I saw first hand and heard from many south Vietnamese of the comunist atrocities .i did go on just two missions to help bring supplies and medical treatment to village's to remote places in the mekon delta and helped train south Vietnamese to rebuild engines on PBR . When i got home the reteric
I don't even feel worthy to comment. I only want to say thank you to all our troops past and present. This was a stunning documentary and I thank all involved in bringing these truths to light. Thank you again.
Welcome. It was my duty as a RN and I am proud of my service. Thank you.
I can recall in about '78 sitting at the counter in a diner near Richmond. The fellow next to me and I somehow began talking about Viet Nam. I told him I was about a year too young and missed the draft. He reached out his hand and said "I went so you didn't have to go". Even now I makes me choke up a little. Thanks to all the Veterans of Viet Nam. God bless you.
In spite of his patting himself on the back for saving your life, HE didn't have to go, either. We'd still be bogged down in that country, killing and dying, and preventing any social or economic progress, if some idiots had their way. Don't say "thanks", say "sorry". When somebody steals from you, that's not serving.
He lied to you.
You have a Bill of Rights because of revolutionaries.
unless you've been, you should be quiet
He lied to you.
You have liberty because of the Contintental Army.
most of the people protesting are simply bored young ones who don't have anything better to do.
they listen to some attention seeking biased person and get pulled in.
happens all the time . even now.
In 1972 we at the MCAS Rose Garden, RTAFB Nam Phong, Thailand supported the elementary school in Nam Phong. A school that still exists to this day.
Thank you for letting me know It worked and is still there.
thank you for your services
@@joerobert-qe9cn Thannk you for your service Sir.
Thank y’all for sharing all the info, my Dad passed away 13 years ago but he served in Vietnam and I know for a fact the troubles, nightmares and bumpiness he went thru his whole life because of it! I wish he could have lived a few years more to finally get the respect they were never given back then that they are finally and deservingly so are starting to get now! Thanks to all that serve our great Nation and we are very proud of u all!!!
May your father rest in eternal peace.
Rest assured many Americans repect and support our VN War Veterans, always have. RIP.
I'm sorry that you lost your Dad The respect given out today is far too late, and it' doesn't come from the mouths of our elders, which it should have.
We are finally getting respect, 50 years too late.
That 'respect' is too little...too late. VN '69-70
WELCOME HOME 🙏🏼 Thank you all for your service in a war that wasn’t yours to fight, or win. You’re the true Heroes.
Thank you!
@@dadskrej5226 Thank you.📿
Thank you
Thank you for setting the record straight. More of U.S. citizens are grateful for the service of all our vets including those who fought in Vietnam. We need these facts so we can learn the lessons of how our own politicians, the educational establishment and deceptive media make a mess of things causing the unimaginable loss of life. Again thank you.
It never should have taken decades to tell the truth. The US is also quilty of lies.
The American people were LIED TO repeatedly by these trustworthy institutions.
I was there all of 67 arriving at my unit in Vietnam on Christmas Day 66 I didn’t have that bad but a lot of are men and women had it very rough over there! Thanks to all of you for your service!!!! Everyone please remember the ones that didn’t make it back home!!! Thanks for your service!
😊
Thank you for speaking up. I'm not a Vietnam War veteran. Alma veteran newer than that. I did not have so bad either. I've known dozens a Vietnam veterans. Most of which are gone. I am grateful for them. I listened when some of them open up and told me their stories. They opened up to a certain point. I'm just trying to keep my comment focus on the Vietnam veteran and not myself or any debate. Thank you for your service.
The ones that didn't make it back are the real heroes.
@@CAROLDDISCOVER-2025 I am 100% disabled from Vietnam. I have had cancer about 12 times, kidney failure 4 times, 4 widow maker heart attacks, and 46 major surgeries so far. Yet i travel the world and get around pretty good for being disabled. My oldest son followed in my footsteps and became an army ranger, he was hurt and is 100% disabled. My daughter enlisted as an MP and went to Iraq, was wounded and is 100% disabled.
@@rondodson5736 thank you sir and your son and your daughter. I'll make sure I enjoy my freedom today with more zeal. Your family has done quite a bit.
Thank you Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association Foundation for setting the record straight! It is an excellent effort to bust the myths. I didn’t serve in country, but served in the states as the war came to a close. As a DESERT STORM veteran, my hometown wanted me in their parade celebrating the end of that conflict, but I felt saddened looking out at the crowd where Vietnam veterans stood welcoming us back…one was my brother who was in the Tet offensive at Bien Hoa Air Base. They should’ve had a joint parade that included them for the one they never received.
Thank you for your service soldier.!! And welcome back to "the world".!
My father served in Korea with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team from 25 September 1950 through 28 May 1951 when he was SWA at Inje.
In August 1965 he deployed by ship with the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) to An Khe.
From July 1968 through July 1969 he served as 1st Sergeant of Charlie Battery, 1/40 Field Artillery Battalion located at Charlie One.
In early summer 1971, he received orders for Germany.
Then volunteered for Vietnam.
The DOA denied his request.
So he hand wrote a letter to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Westmoreland requesting that he pull strings and get his request approved.
In August 1971, he was serving as Intelligence NCO with the 101st Airborne Division Artillery at Camp Eagle.
In December 1971, he transferred to Bien Hoa where his last assignment was as 1st Sergeant of the Cavs H Company Rangers.
Finally, he left Vietnam for the last time on 7 April 1972.
After achieving the rank of Command Sergeant Major in December 1973, he retired in August 1975.
I am his only child and he NEVER spoke of Vietnam.
But after Desert Storm, I overheard him talking to some fellow Vietnam vets at breakfast one morning.
They were belly aching about how Desert Storm had been a cake walk...blah...blah.
Dad was quick to tell them that because we weren't allowed to win in Vietnam was no reason to steal thunder from Desert Storm veterans.
And when he talked, people had a way of listening.
They changed the subject.
In San Francisco, the post-Desert Storm parade included any and all veterans! It was interesting how starting at the Presidio, a closed military base with military families and employees cheering ALL on. At the gate, however, on one side of the road, behind barricades, were the usual protesters, and in a surprisingly large number. The march just drove on.
Thank you for your Servive. As part of the Vietnam Nurses, We all cried as we helped the broken and disabled Vets when we arrived back. Some of us covered wheelchair vets with our bodies so that they were not hurt. It was the least we could do after all they had done for us.😂
I was a Crew Chief on a Dust Off helicopter. It was the best job I ever had. Even though I was scared Shitless the whole time I flew, I would do it all over again. Respect for all the Grunts and everything they accomplished in Vietnam.
dustoff pilot 68-69 and 71-72,,thanks crew chief,without you,we never would have been able to take off,,and for all the patients you helped load on board,i thank you
@@peteredgette9357 Welcome Home
Where were you in 71 ? @@peteredgette9357
@@peteredgette9357I was a marine and appreciate the pilots of those choppers.They were outstanding.
I was well armed whenever my skids were not on the ground, you medi-vac folks had more ballz then us scouts did. My Cav hat is tipped to you brother. God Bless.
My mother married a veteran freshly back from Vietnam in the last year or so of the war.
I was thirteen or fourteen and I asked him if he saw any action. he had a fit of temper and wouldn't talk about it, not even for years afterwards, but in his old age, he talks about it all the time and his veteran friends are his best friends.
he had problems like a lot of veterans - blinding headaches from exposure to agent orange, and he lost all his teeth because of some black tar that an Army dentist had painted on the teeth of every man in his company.
Dentists found the black tar all the way down to the roots of their teeth when they extracted them, and when he got in touch with other guys from his company, he found they all lost their teeth with the same problem.
The Army said the records were destroyed in a fire.
They never get tired of using that excuse.
The records fire in StLoius in 72?
@@garycamara9955 Probably. I too am missing some important info from my first tour that would improve my service connection. And yeah, they ALWAYS refer to the fire. Xin Loi.
@@garycamara9955Over my lifetime have encountered two different men who were there at the fire, one an employee, the other one of the firemen.
Both said thermite grenades.
Later other important archival libraries burned, one of which was a California Library holding most of the history archives of that state just as historians were starting to dig into how close California had come to seceding from the Union in the 1930's.
There is always a fire that destroyed records when they benefit you. Same excuse to my dad, a WW 2 vet. No records of him being in a Marauder crash on takeoff.
@@balsachopper7 -That was a really big fire. You shoulda seen it. If you had maybe you'd believe them.
I served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army in 1969. On December 14, 1969, I was wounded by mortar fire when our LZ came under attack, one month shy of my 21st birthday. I spent 8 months in army hospitals. I have scars on my right flank, (kidney and liver damage) both arms, both legs, and left foot. A piece of shrapnel tore through my jungle boot, at the base of my toes, almost severing them from my foot. I still consider myself one of the lucky ones to have survived combat in Vietnam. A few years ago I broke a couple of ribs, and a doctor at the hospital asked me what happened, when he saw all the scars. I told him it was from time served in Vietnam. He said it looked like I had been run over by a tank. I didn't realize only 3 in 10 of us still remain. God bless you all, my brothers.
Can this be true? If it is, it's pretty shocking to me anyway: "Of the 2,709,918 Americans who served in Vietnam, Less than 850,000 are estimated to be alive today, with the youngest American Vietnam veteran's age approximated to be 60 years old." So, if you're alive and reading this, how does it feel to be among the last 1/3rd of all the U.S. Vets who served in Vietnam?
I am so grateful for your service. 😢
@@middleclass59 Thank you.
I didn’t know that myself 3 out of 10. Couple of words that I remember like yesterday “incoming and hit it”. That was our early warning system. Dreaded those words and then the hits. I was very lucky period. Others not. I’m rambling on got to go. Bless those that served and those serving now.
@@felixmadison5736God bless you, and welcome home. I hope you are doing well
@@TheMattC9999 Thank you.
Awesome film, as a Vietnam Veteran I really appreciate the truth.
I believe Elliott stated on the Johnny Carson show that he was a conscientious objector , if I heard him correctly ??
ME TOO.
@@r.B829I just looked it up. According to Google, he got into a National Guard Unit. Has since said that he spent the past 60 years feeling guilty that he did not serve "in country".
THANK YOU for YOUR SERVICE.🙏
Wow what a video. I'm 81 and well remember the horrors of this conflict. Thank you for this video and thank you to the Vets who took part.. they should never be forgotten.
THANK YOU.
Dude! Sam Elliott is an awesome choice for the narration of this film! My respect for him just went up another notch!
I would agree if he had served, but he skated, so no joy.
@@mmorrell2007 Sam Elliot served in the California Air National Guards 146th Airlift Wing. While he was enlisted in the reserve branch, he was never actually deployed.
@@Aerandir-w5tpoint being, he would gladly have served in battle.
I was there in 68/69 with the First infantry division/and advisor with the Vietnamese Regional Forces/Popular Forces. We abandoned those people who trusted us to a hell on earth while the anti-war generation here in the US played the role of the useful idiot. When the communists started to murder people in the hundreds of thousands, the draft dodger generation here in the US never so much as said a word in protest. The Vietnam Veteran who returned home was treated terribly for years by them. The Vietnam Vet fought two wars, the one in Vietnam and the other when he returned home. We are still reaping the benefits of that today in America
. The Co Van
when I was leaving for boot camp, I was on a flight to Ohara airport. I was sitting next to an ederly gentleman. When he asked where I was going he offered me a cigarette one after another another. I think he knew where I was going. I wish I could contact that man today. Thank you.
Without a doubt, this is the best documentary I have seen about the Vietnam War!
I flew Loaches with C troop, 7/17th Air Cav from January to December of 1971. This reinforces the truths I already knew and points out the traitors whose words and actions cost millions of lives as they played politics and knowingly or unknowingly acted as surrogates of the Communists!
Ah , a little bird pilot . Same , same Dinky Dau :D Welcome home brother. doc 25th I.D. Blue .
@@indycharlie Thank you, and welcome home! I flew as Red-17, all over I Corp and II Corp.
Hi Don - george
@@gotchagoing4905 Hi George.
@@dpurser How are ya doing brother. Damn VA put me in a wheelchair 2 years ago. What a long strange trip this has been. Give my best to the gang brother ;}>
Excellent. Vietnam Era Veteran 1965 to 67
Me 67 to 72.5!
So when were you in country?
I've always felt 2 things that pertain to vietnam vets
1/ they didn't just go they were sent
2/ they didn;t just attend, they served
Hats off to them all
You are correct. Many of us did go on our own, but most of us didn't. It was kinda tough for most of us because Vietnam was after WWII and Korea. It put us and our families between a rock and a hard place. Many of our fathers, uncles, etc. fought in those wars, so many of the older generation expected us to 'carry on the tradition' so to speak. My parents didn't want me sent to Vietnam to be killed, but they thought serving our country (no matter what) was the right thing to do. Hindsight is always 20-20.
2/3 of those who served were volleneers.
@@robinstone1256 You are correct, but it's a little misleading because many of the men and women who joined (not drafted) were sent to Vietnam even if they didn't volunteer to go there.
@felixmadison5736 Yes, I would like to see how many volunteered for the Vietnam 1 year assignment.
I spent 20 years in the USAF, and yes, I was a career airman and was sent to many tours and TDYs that I didn't volunteer for.
That word volunteer has been misleading. Just like all the reasons we were there, I was told when I was 18 when the draft board came a knocking.
@felixmadison5736 Once I read the average age of Vietnam, servicemen was 19, and the average age of the WWII was 30.
I was the gunner on a 50ft gunboat on coastal patrol in the Vietnam War. The stupidest restriction we had to operate under was if we were fired on we had to radio in for permission to return fire. Luckily my boat officer had some common sense. He said I was to return fire immediately and we would get permission later.
Our standard orders were:
1. No weapons or ammo unless on Guard Duty or going outside the wire.
2. No round in the chamber unless ordered by a commissioned officer, even when on guard duty, at night, where the officer is not present, but is supposedly available at the end of a field telephone.
Thank you for your service. God Bless you and everyone else who served our country.
@@mnawrath Our orders on the defensive perimeter since we were no defense we had to fire a warning shot. So everybody understood if you had to shoot, you shot twice.
I've often read that the ROE became really really bizarre. What caused that to occur?
Sex 120-Volt@@mnawrath
I served in the Navy 1962-1965, got out and enlisted in the Marine Corps 1967-1970. I wanted to experience the war, and I did. Looking back I became aware of our leaders and why so many of our troops were lost due to the intervention of idiots like Westmorland, and the JCS who would not stand up to the government's bad decisions. We had a shitload of rules we had to follow while fighting an enemy who had no rules. We did not loose the war, we kicked their ass and never lost a battle. I recall hearing once that our air strikes had to first get permission from the South, and so the north knew when and where to expect it. So many lives were lost because of our leaders ineptitude. I wish we could bring the McNamaras back and hold them to account.
Side note: I recall returning home (San Francisco) and 6 of us Marines walking by the haters, buy nobody spit on us. They must have known we'd have hurt them bad.
Semper Fi
Never advertise to your enemy what you will do
By the way.....I remember a few times where we had to get approval via the 'higher ups' to open fire; after we were receiving incoming fire
@@B126USMC I attended a grad school orientation party where students compared assistanceships. . I said I had what was left of the GI Bill. Someone said "You don't belongb here you fascist We will take care of you. No one knew my hand was on a knife in my pocket.
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Really? What unit were you with and what was your MOS? I did RVN '66-67, E/2/1 1st Mar Div. 0311.
all true, mate you are much admired
I am greatful for this truthful documentary and for those that I served with Vietnam.
In 1969, my mom and I were on our way to Hawaii to see my dad (an F-100 pilot) on R&R. We were waiting for our connecting flight to Hawaii at San Francisco International, and I was 10 and old enough to go to the restroom by myself, so my mom let me go. While I was in there, two long-haired guys, one in a fatigue jacket, were just getting ready to leave. The other one asked me in a friendly way, "Where are you flying to, little boy?" Full of pride, I answered, "I'm going to see my daddy on leave in Hawaii. He's a pilot in Vietnam." Their smiles vanished immediately and the one in the fatigue jacket leaned down with a look of pure hatred on his face and said, "Your daddy is an imperialist oppressor and I hope he gets killed! He's a damned criminal!" With that, they both left and I could hear them laughing as they left. I was totally confused and frightened and waited a good while in a locked stall in case they came back. When I told my mom about it, she just hugged me with tears in her eyes and said not to worry. I've often wondered what kind of vile, troubled person could say something like that to a kid...and I think that day was the day I decided I was going to go into the military as well, which I ultimately did. Those two probably wound up as faculty in some university.
Horrible story. Much respect to your dad.
@@LovingLife6717 Thanks so much, Robert! My Dad was always my Hero, and he survived Vietnam and passed in 2004.
@@Buster01Actual Damn straight, and a Hero he truly was, one of many from that time, all of whom were never properly appreciated nor respected. May God bless you, your dad and mom.
@@LovingLife6717 Many Thanks again, Robert! And May God Bless you too!
@@Buster01Actual the wimps went to Canada. The crybabies burnt their draft cards. We won every major skirmish in Vietnam. Prez. LBJ and Kissinger plus all politicians should keep out of our country’s defense. We were fighting the Red Chinese backed North Vietnamese in Nam. Politicians can screw up a roll of toilet paper !
DOC MAGOO USAF PJ VIETNAM VET 1969-1975. VERY PROUD OF MY SERVICE.
Hey brother . I don't think a lot of people know what PJ's did in VN . Even I as an army medic , didn't know what you guys did until I met one while working on an AFB here in Michigan . John Ley ( 69-70) Da Nang I think . Welcome Home Brother .
As a Nam vet 1969-70, thank you for sharing. We had our homecoming on November 11, 1982 when we dedicated the Vietnam Memorial Wall. I was proud to serve in Nam, to not wear my uniform while home on leave truly devastated me, I was a lost soul. We are the 1% ! I was 19 years old in Nam, I have had 4 bladder cancer surgeries with chemo. I had lung cancer in 2001 with a right lung lobectomy. All due to Agent Orange spraying defoliant chemicals. Through the grace of God I will turn 75 years old this year. NO I did NOT smoke cigarettes. I can go on and on but I will stop now 😊
My conflict about the Vietnam War is we were told it was to support our country and democracy but that's not the whole story. We didn't want SE Asia to fall to communism which is true but it also had to do with the economic benefit of the land and the ports for commercial shipping. It's too bad that this information isn't part of the dialogue. We tend to polarize the war and politics when there is more to it... the bottom line. I'm sorry for all that you went through and the poor health issues you've had to deal with. Bless you and make it to 75 years!
I am 60 now. I and I suppose my older brothers of only a few to five years my senior were ultimately shielded from the news of Viet Nam. A lot has happened since then.i do remember though all the air traffic in the era here by Moffat field in California. Kind of memorizing ..kind of may I say religious , I suppose I sound ridiculous. Needless to say I am mixed but above all though the homecoming of the troops in general I have always found appalling.. it couldn't have been easy. There are military lineage in the family but not Viet Nam. Really lately I have only begun to really look into it...forgive me and as Spock would have said "Live Long and Prosper"
The Hueys I worked on in VN in '69-70 used to come in from the jungles dripping with agent orange residuals during and after rainstorms. The rashes on my hands from working on them still happen today, Both my kids have birth defects from agent orange exposure. But...I'm still alive at 75 years old.
God bless you brother. I was 18 on my first tour. Had two birthdays and xmasses over there. I was only 20 when I got out. 39 1/2 months active duty. My avatar is me and my ship after being shot down in Laos late '71.
May the Lord Bless, Keep, and Protect those who are put in the way of harm in order to protect our USA. I have tears and a broken heart at what our protectors have had to endure, both in battle abroad and disrespect here in their homeland.
Welcome home veterans. Thank you fir your service.
I wish I could "say never again!"
Proud of your service, ashamed of way you were often treated. God bless you soldiers.
Thank you for this respectful message.
Ps..the news re American propaganda against our soldiers sickens me.
YET...this plan of propaganda still goes on today. It was like leaving our soldiers in those jungles without weapons!
Thank, and Gad Bless you. - That there are people like you really does make it difference to Vietnam Veterans (I'm class of '68)
I wish all America would watch the documentary. Well done.
I grew up on Guam during the Vietnam war. We were not well served by our Government. I remember the 100,000 refugees that were housed here during Operation New Life.
My dad served in the Canadian army and the ignorence of humanity just totally shames me that I am part of it, because these men and women who served in any conflict who walked the walk without any complaining,who were then insulted by those cowards who weren't willing to do the same.
All i can humbly do is to say thank you for your sacrifice and yet it feels insufficient.
Thank you for telling the truth about the war. We could have won the war. Our government did not support good South Vietnamese leaders that is another point that was not brought up.
Our failure to support good Vietnamese leaders and propping up bad leaders hurt war effort. South Vietnamese people did not want their leaders.
In San Diego people treated service men very badly. I know because I was in the Navy. Marines were treated worse.
It got so bad , the Admiral had us stay on base or ships for 3 days until the mayor said he would do something about it.
The South-Vietnamese people wanted South-Vietnam.
American troops were in Laos in 1968. I flew them in and took them out if they were still alive. MACV-SOG were gathering information by the ton about what was going on. Just as a side note, more than 90% of the Americans who were shot, were shot with a built made in Russia. Helicopter pilot 11-67 to 1-70 in RVN, Laos, Cambonda and North Vietnam. And I was spit on at the Oakland Airport on my way home. Took two Navy guys and a big cop to pull me off of her.
Still going on Bro. I did 3 tours on Destroyers giving you all gunfire support. Am 100pct disabled fm that war.
Hope they didn't get you off too quickly.
I was a Marine in a Raider Battalion in 1972. We were ordered to stand down and not engage the enemy. We were winning, the NVA and Viet Gong were loosing. Washington DC lost the war.. The Swamp lost the war.
When I was in 'Nam in '69, one day we were ordered not fire our weapons no matter what. We were told President Nixon was in 'Paris Peace Talks', and we were in a cease fire. Guess who didn't get the memo?
There were no Marine raiders in Vietnam! Only force recon. Raiders were brought back around 2008 I was a0321
I served in nam with the walking dead 9th marines never heard of raiders until many years later
@@billthompson5429 Glad you saw that and corrected the post.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE SIR GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SIR !
This story is applicable to all the other parties in the Vietnam War Australia, New Zealand South Korea Thailand etc
Kinda like a rogues gallery of country's bending to the will of the United States.
Were they disrespected as well?
@@garycamara9955 Probably in the same way US Troops were
@@garycamara9955 Some were. treated badly.
@@garycamara9955 Well South-Korea was a dictatorship so no. Australia's involvement is only controversial because of America.
Thank you to all the Vietnam veterans. I’m sorry you didn’t receive the welcome home you deserved. I want you all to know that there are a lot of us who are proud and thankful of your service. I’m glad there are videos like this to set the record straight. Welcome home to all, and thank you all.
They shamed us in the airports and when we got home, they abandoned us including the "Greatest Generation".
Welcome Home, Brother Warrior!
Half of the "Greatest Generation " were leftists if not out right communist. It was not rational to blame the troops for the war. Blame the cowardly politicians who sent them. But no, they couldn't do that. That's too much work. It's much easier to gang up on individual servicemen than to petition congress. Lazy, communist bullies.
I salute you brave man! There are no tougher guys out there today than the guys that endured the things you guys in 'Nam did. Welcome Home!
The Hippies were the ones that did not like that war, and now we have people called woke people that just hate anything American and their is no war we are involved in now.
You speak the truth. Coming back after being in the bush as a grunt for a year, I wasn't expecting the crap any veteran from the war had to put up with. I saw the changes immediately that had taken place in our country while I was in 'Nam. It's very evident & in your face when you lived in the 'bush' for a year, suddenly pulled out, then planted back in the USA almost all in one motion.....within a couple of days it was for me. It was shocking. I went from civilization, to the jungles, back to civilization and in my case it was unreal. The country had really changed 'Big" time while I was in 'Nam. It was a shocking realization that I saw. It was raw & in your face. I wasn't prepared for the negativity, the rejection, the name-calling, the 'spitting' at me, the way people went way around to not be near to me as if I had some kind of contagious disease. I suddenly felt all alone & very distant from my own country. I became totally confused & unsure of what was happening & why ?? It was so shocking to me. This was in LA International Airport. My mind was so torn apart, then hurt took over. Hours later after my plane landed in my home state; everything was sinking into my brain HARD. I avoided everyone in the Airport. I actually couldn't get myself to go to the payphone & call anyone to come pick me up because I was 'home'. No one knew I was coming. I myself didn't know I was coming home when I was pulled out of my platoon in the bush. I could have called from Okinawa, but I didn't because I wanted to surprise everyone. I totally mentally withdrew while I waited for hours in that airport to get the courage ( can you believe I was trying to muster 'courage' ? ) to make that phone call. I waited till long after it was dark...hours & hours later....to finally make the call. All I wanted to do was be home & be happy. Instead, as I learned later, forget about being happy; just get out of my uniform. The uniform I was so proud to be wearing. And that's the way it had to be........get the uniform off and not let anyone know I was in the service & especially that I was a Vietnam veteran. I couldn't wait for my leave ( 20 days ? 30 days? ) to be up so I could report to Camp LeJeune; but instead, returned there before my leave ended. Never again , unless I had to, did I wear my dress uniform off of base. That was only when I was flying ( I think , if I remember , it was to fly 'military standby')
I was approached while stationed at Camp LeJeune to join the VFW; and I did. Years after I was discharged, I finally went to a VFW in the home town area. A large metropolitan city, so there were many to choose from. I needed veterans to reach out to. I had hoped to find some comfort, some camaraderie , some new friends.Someone that could relate to me, my experiences, that understood what I was holding inside. When I went inside the VFW, there were quite a few guys there. As they all turned to look at me, it became very quiet.They just looked at me, without saying a word . I was taken aback , and just stood there looking at all of them. It was like one of those old 'E.F.Hutton" commercials on tv. Dead silence. One of these vets suddenly spoke up , and asked me if I was a veteran, and I pulled my wallet out to eagerly show them that I was a member of the VFW. Dead silence again. I looked at all of them, they all had this sorta blank stare in their eyes and faces. Another vet asked me what war I was in? I told them I fought in Vietnam. Big, big mistake. They 'rejected' me. Said a bunch of bull manure to my face. I turned and walked out. I've never set foot into a VFW ever again. It was bad enough being rejected by my fellow American(s), but worse being rejected by WWII & Korean War vets. All of this has stayed 'with me' all the years of my life. I wear my vet hat now. It's my way of throwing into those older folks faces & minds ( my generation ,the generations before , and the subsequent following generations) of who I was, a proud American who served his country, his fellow man, his Flag, and his God. I wasn't drafted like some guys was. I volunteered. An American who wanted to do my part, my share, as all past generations had done. What a mind boggling, life changing event this was. At present, the progression of those beginning changes I faced & saw , coming home from Vietnam, are more prevalent than ever today. Those same people who denounced my fellow veterans & myself, have continued their pursuit to destroy this once great country I grew up in. I do mean what I say. It's devastating, it's despicable, it's disgusting, calculated & callous, it's heart breaking & wrenching , it's so pathetic; to weaken such a formerly great country. The rest of the world (our enemies especially), are witness to this. They are closely monitoring & watching. All great countries , or empires that throughout mankind's existence that ever existed, collapsed. This collapse of the USA will be the greatest ever. It's coming. Not far out on the horizon, you can see the dark clouds sweeping in.
I've treated 1000's of Vietnam Vets at the VA and many wore baseball caps that said they were "Proud Vietnam Veterans". I have never seen anyone with a baseball cap that said "Proud Vietnam War Protestors" That tells you who can stand tall and who can not
I have worn a baseball cap and t-shirts with the words: "Vietnam, Class of '69". I was surprised by the number of fellow Vietnam Vets saw it and said they too served in 'Nam.
I protested and I'm proud of it. That war set historic precedent: the Conscientious Objector won. Next time you post, refrain from insulting us. I have friends who are veterans. You don't speak for them. Don't enable the denial psychosis.
I'm standing tall right here.
McNamara lived to 95 and after he apologized. What are you afraid of?
Wonder if they have reunions?
@@tedclark8178 Once every war.
My uncle served in the army 1968 to 69. You boys were the greatest of your generation! Much respect for you all!
I did not serve. I was around 10 when the last of our forces came home. I didn't know a lot about that war nor those that were there and nothing about the circumstances they came home too. During the time I grew up, we didn't have any conferentations not like we'd had. It took 9/:11 to put what's in my heart and open my eyes. I felt guilty I hadn't served so I decided since I was too old to learn as much as possible about all that have served. I did and continue to look for and learn all I can, it's the least I can do. That's why I'm watching this. It's not easy at times. Nothing , nothing pisses me more than hearing any of our warriors disrespected. Like our flag , if anyone wants to destroy, burn one , why instead not change address to a country who's flag and soldiers you approve of. I'll continue learning all I can meanwhile I'd like thank every veteran we have, all that are or have served for your service. God bless each of you. You made this country
and made it safe for those like me. I'll never forget that a day. You all are heros to me especially those that were covered in our flag on that trip home. Welcome home all.
Stories like yours is what made it worth fighting for for many of us.
I am 72 year old retired RN, BSN and my children's father was in USAF. I was a civil servant volunteer Nurse in 1969-1972. I agree with your statements about our ruturn. We left Viet Nam in regular cargo planes, and we stopped over in GUAM before landing in Los Angeles. As we left the the airport, I personally was hit in my face with bottles, trash, virtually anything the protestors could throw. The really sad part was that as a Nurse I was pushing a wounded vet in wheelchair and trying to protect him with my body. I felt totally betralyed. I still have bad hearing and other health problems from my volunteer service. I never watched any of the movies, and I hate the sound of helicopers to this day. Thank you each and everyone of you who shared your stories to let people like me know it really did happen. 😢
I went to a Connie Stevens concert in Las Vegas once, and the nurse who was in charge of the nurses in Vietnam was there. It was an honor to get to meet her. I thanked her for everything her nurses did for all of us who served in Vietnam. They were angels.
Any relation to Steve Ritchie? USAF Fighter pilot and ACE? IF so, I was there. Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, 1971-1973. During Linebacker I and Linebacker II operations. I flew RF-4C in 14th Tac Recon Sq. Steve flew F-4D in either 13th or 555th TFS.
@@danje10 No My Maiden name is Johnson. I was with the 224 Camaron Bay at first then Phon Phen Med Unit and finally out through Saigon.1969-1972 Met a lot of wonderful Pilots while there . All branches! Bless you everyone that were there.
I graduated in '73 and was missed by the draft by 1 #. I wanted to join but every vet I talked to said not to. I researched it and realized that all the good mentors were getting out because they wouldn't let them win. That was enough for me to stay away. Later, life got away from me with just making a living. I did work with a lot of vets and always let them know I appreciated their sacrifice.
Great Documentary!! Thank you all for your service.
SALUTE every veteran who served. I wented through that too.
I am so sorry! Heartbreaking to see what really happened during that war. Thank you for all your services, and God bless you all. I will share
My Uncle was a Marine, yes he’s gone now. He fought the Vietnam War until he passed in one way or the other. It’s senseless the way he was treated until he passed ! I will never forget the way he felt or the truth he told me about the war. He was always a proud Marine until the end. GOD Bless the soldiers that fought in the Vietnam War !
Our Vets had the same. Hello from Australia, and respect to your uncle.
As an Australian Vietnam Veteran I was spat on in the 747 bar at Wynyard Station Hotel,no longer there I think.I have never told any one since that I served in Vietnam.I was even treated poorly by my local RSL.Apply for a job my 2years I covered up by saying I was backpacking in Europe.What is there to like about my fellow Australians,? Nothing.we fought with one arm behind our backs.
Oh, what was it like for Australia there?
Thank you,You Tube & Sam Elliott,for this information.
I served with the Marines in Viet Nam in 1967 and 2968. I never carried a wounded man through a mine field, I never did anything heroic, but I did as I was told. My time there was a mixture of boredom, fear and anger, but I did as all of us did. I was incredibly lucky that I came home with all of my original parts intact, unlike hundreds of thousands of others. None of us were welcomed home, and some people actually demeaned us. I had been home for ten or fifteen years, when the author of DUNESBERRY responded to a comment that I made on his strip, and was the first to welcome me home! The war was a total waste of people and money, there being absolutely no ‘take away’ from all of the years that we were there, and we left in disgrace. Most of us are now dead, many suffering from Agent Orange infirmities, but I am horrified to think how many Vietnamese people we killed in those years, and, how many people have died in that country since we left due to the Agent Orange, and minefields that we left there. It was a horror that should never have happened, but I fear that some of our more recent wars were also totally worthless. It’s a cliche, but I suspect that most old warriors at least think “ NEVER AGAIN “!
Welcome home brother. You did your job the way most of us did,,,,and had just a good a chance to get killed or hurt as anybody else. - I would go back into combat with you any time! (Combat Engineer - Class of '68)
Wars never good for either side. You should hold your head high and be proud of your service. Many refused to go. You went.
I'll bet the guy you carried through a minefield thinks your pretty heroic.
Yep, still standing.....too. Gene T. Spanos 1st tour 2/68-2/69 DMZ
I joined the Marines in 1962 and had 3 tours in Vietnam 🇻🇳. I’m now a retired Marine GYSGT and a double amputee. But I would do it all over again and again.
I never experienced ANY of that. I was an HM3 Navy Corpsman with the First Marine Division's First Shore Party Batallion. My base camp was near Freedom Hill Exchange Complex in Danang and I spent my bush time on Hills 63 and 55. I got there in March of 69 and departed in March of 70. I only saw the enemy once in my 12 months and he was being dragged off a helicopter and up the hill by two MP's and he had a hole in his chest I could see light through and I kicked him as he went by. Every time we stopped for the night, I would take the C-rations that nobody wanted and go to the nearest village, pass out the food and then so sick-call on the locals. I was married so at 6 months in-country I got a week's R&R in Hawaii and my wife was flown in from Minnesota to meet me. We went to a luau and those of us in the war were asked to stand and we were applauded. I liked my job so much that I reenlisted after returning home and stayed for 26 years so Vietnam was just one of many duty stations. Nobody ever spit on me and I never had to deal with any air heads from some college. When Woodstock was happening, I was in a war zone and doing a lot more for my country than those diots!
Respect to all, no matter the MOS. We all signed the same contract, up and including our life. (B-2-506, 101 Airborne, '67-''68.)
I was in Basic Training in summer 69, half of us from the upper Midwest, the other half Reservists from New York City some of whom actually had siblings and cousins at Woodstock.
This while training on the M14 with a wood stock.
Trained on M16 in Vietnam in December.
Brian, I wonder if you knew my husband who also arrived at 1st Shore Party in March of 1969. 1st Lt Sam Van Ness. I believe he was the S3a initially. A couple months later he became the CO of H&S Co. Like most if not all Marines, he LOVED you corpsmen. He had come from intensive fighting as platoon commander with B 1/5. He really missed being in the field, so the transition to Shore Party was a challenge. I am still in some contact with a friend he made at 1st Shore Party… Lt Ken Lenz also from Minnesota. Did you know either of them?? Ironically I was just reading his letters yesterday from that time, as our grandson has won an opportunity to visit Vietnam, based on an essay he wrote about his grandfathers time in Vietnam from September ‘68 to September ‘69. I think Sam was with Shore Party for the last 1/2 of that tour. Thank you for writing this positive reflection on your tour of duty there. Cheers to you, Suzanne Van Ness
You said you kicked the prisoner. I think that was wrong. Did it ever occur to you he was fighting for what he believed in and for his country ? I never had hard feelings towards the enemy. I have went back to Vietnam twice after the war and was amazed they held no hard feelings against us for our part in the war.
Proud. C co. 2nd Battalion 327th Infantry Regiment 101st Airborne...68-70. Good narrative...
Excellent video !!! God bless all our Vietnam veterans for their sacrifices !! ❤
My late friend Thomas Griffin was a proud Marine who served in Viet Nam. He told me the story of being spat upon at the airport where he landed after returning from the jungle for the last time. He was always bitter. We later both served together in a New Mexico law enforcement agency. The honor guard performed a ceremony for him at the VFW in Las Cruces upon his passing. I am honored and privileged to have known and served with him. Semper Fidelis, Tom.
Just my opinion but but that war was wrong,
America was at its worst. playing world police.
People had the right to protest but not spit on the soldiers who fought bravely.
@@James-cr5qx America at its worst? Did you even watch that film? Perhaps you could say that it was Democrat politicians, and the war industry that was making them wealthy, at their worst, if you like. But unless you served there, seems to me you have no ground to criticize any American who did.
Terrific documentary and it certainly showed the truth of what really happened and how our leaders at that time errored in decision making. Let's hope that in the future
better decisions are made.
Dream on. History is already repeating. as our cowardly leaders tryto fight Hamus,
Thank you for for this film. Too many people do not realize what are troops suffered, especially since the DRAFT was present. Young men after high school graduation were drafted. It was a terrible time, but nothing can compare to the horrible welcome home our troops got. It still bothers me today. Thank all how have served and the ones that are now serving
FYI.....not everyone drafted ended up in 'Nam. Only about 1 in 5 or 6 that served in 'nam was a draftee. Then again, not every draftee who ended up in 'nam, served in the infantry . Of all the troops serving in 'nam, ( volunteers , draftees, ), only about 10% did the hard core fighting. The other 90% were exposed to dangers of war, but the risk wasn't the same as those in the infantry....which was every second of every minute , of every hour of the day (&night) ; 24/7......there were guys there who slept on cots ( maybe even real beds ?) ate prepared Hot meals, worked an 8 , maybe 10 hour day, kinda like a regular job; went to clubs, drank booze, dated girls, had clean laundry, wore spit shined boots, starched utilities, crapped on a real ( or close to it), toilet, ( won't say the real word we called it) , clean clothes, undies , socks every day, brushed their teeth , combed their hair, relaxed, played on the beaches, watched movies, went on 'liberty' in the bigger cities, listened to real radios playing music, pretty much slept undisturbed at night...etc., etc. I could go on.....I know this from talking with veterans at the VA. Some of the stuff was mind boggling. I mean I can see why a lot of these guys did more than one tour of duty in Vietnam. Also, I know for a fact when the Army was salvaging a Huey helicopter that was partially bobbing on the edge of the South China Sea close to where we were involved in a Search & destroy Operation; and my squad with 2 M-60 gunners from my platoon were sent to provide security for the rescue. Long story shortened; several Huey's with mid ranking officers landed & spoke with us. They asked us who we were, if we ever got new boots, cammies, and better gear , etc. Along with the questions about real food, beer, down time to enjoy and relax, etc. etc. They said we were a 'sight to see & beholden' ; we hurt their eyes so bad the way we looked & smelled. Once we made it clear that a war was going on in the A.O.,( that we were participants of) and that they might becoming 'targets' with all that brass shining on them; they got onboard those Hueys ASAP, and were gone. The war was different for everyone.
I served March 21 1968 to Dec 18 1971 in the US Navy. I served 2 cruises on the USS Oriskany CVA 34 with VA155. I was an AT2 and am proud to have served. I'd go back if called! We worked endless hours for many months to support our Naval air campaign. We lost 10 of our crew. I recently went on an honor flight and had the opportunity to look up their names on the wall and pay my respects. What an experience! God bless them all!
I was spat on a few times and called a few names. When I went back to College I was verbally attacked by a professor who didn't like Vietnam veterans. That time has passed forever! I hope! I now have a Grandson in the Navy and I hope he is treated as he should be. He is a patriot and proud of his service.
I would imagine most of you heroes didn’t want to go to war including ww1 ww2 and all wars heroes each and every one Godspeed thank you
I had the John Wayne syndrome. Wanted to go fight and be a hero. When i finally went i found out real quick it was nothing like John Wayne showed it in his war movies.We didn't fight for the war or to win medals. We fought for each other hoping we would all make it home.
I served in Vietnam war in 1970-71
Me, too...'69-70.
Same , same ...
This documentary puts a whole different light to the story.
Just finished watching this film. Thank you for the facts; details and extensive research that went into providing this documentary. A must watch for all. Thanks to all who were part of this documentary your dedication is inspiring. Do let the media; educational propaganda machine in D.C. suppress this documentary.
Very good video; wish it had been around twenty years ago so I could have used it in teaching about the war. I will make two observations: (1) strategies make a difference, but the enemy can also change his strategy--so saying if we had done something does not mean that would have worked; and (2) I used Leonard Scruggs book as a text for two years, and found it had a flaw. He is an Air Force vet, and his book gives too much credit to air power as the curative of all ills. There was a good analogy about using B-52s; it was like using a sledge hammer to swat a fly. And my last comment on the reception returning vets received. Probably very different depending on the year one returned, and whether or not it was to Travis AFB (San Francisco). I came back through Travis in 1970, and did see a crowd of "protestors" yelling at us, but none of them could get close enough to spit. I do know men who did experience that, but the SFPD and the Air Police were kept busy keeping the peace with the hippies. In 1997 I started teaching, and found a college willing to let me do a class on the Vietnam War. I was surprised at the accuracy of Reagan's comment about people who were very opinionated about subjects they were ignorant about. And was also surprised by the number of Vietnamese who signed up for my "Vietnam Era" class. They were curious about the war their parents and/or grandparents did not want to talk about.
I came through Travis in March of 71 with a very happy, exhilarated group of guys coming home. The protestors were there but in the distance.
I went home through the San Francisco airport and was treated mainly with avoidance and acting as if I didn’t exist.
As recently as ten years ago, though, a group of buddies and I were sitting at a table in an iHOP restaurant talking about Vietnam. I noticed a woman seething at a table nearby. She stood up and marched over to me and yelled with complete hate and spite, “YOU ALL SHOULD HAVE DIED OVER THERE!!!”
To the best of my knowledge, many of the former protestors are now pushing the “we weren’t against you, we were against the war narrative.” That’s total BS. They were against us, which I learned after I returned home. College courses were often led by professors who ignored the class title and taught an anti-Vietnam veteran diatribe through the entire term. And they did so with impunity.
I still become upset thinking about it. One of my vows was to do my best to make sure other troops weren’t treated the same if they were in future actions by the US.
I am proud of the little role I played; I love my country and gained a lot of personal growth because of those experiences. But I won’t forget the Kerrys and the Bidens who lead the efforts to ensure that we and the Vietnamese could never win the war.
@MonteOlsen, what did you say to her?
They were so maligned when they came home. I received my draft notice, but it came to an end in 75, my senior year. From 65 onwards until we left that’s all I remember. My father was a 25 yr veteran of the Air Force, so my respect for these soldiers goes deep. Great documentary! I just hope that the boys who have returned from Iraq and Afghan-
istan our given the honor and respect they soooo deserve. Thank you for putting this out.
I enlisted at 17 so never filled out paperwork for the draft. Finished my enlistment and came home and had to register for the draft then. Three weeks later i received my draft notice in the mail. My mother went to the draft board and got it straightened out. Me i was home packing getting ready to leave the country.
You guys were all HEROS whether Volunteer or Drafted! You went & did what your Country asked of you, Fought Bravely in a Very Unpopular War! I'll admit I was against the War since Spring 1968, but after watching Platoon & other Vietnam War movies, I saw things from the Soldier's point of view & since then I have the Utmost Respect for what you endured!!
These men answered the call to service of our nation. They were not the ones in the wrong. Politicians, and their leadership failed them. They did fail their nation. Thank you all for your service to our nation.
Im 62 yearss old and my dad served in WW2 in the Phillipines and came home a hero. He did his job over there just like the Vietnam soldiers did but he wasnt spat on or cursed at like the guys in Vietnam got as a reseption for doing their duty. I was too little to be involved in that horrible war but I have a brother-in-law who was over there and I'm so grateful that he came home alive and well.
I know you I worked at flat iron and you were there. Just to see one person. A Green Beret veteran.
Here’s one other thing, you said and you said it right. humanitarianism is always going to be our greatest victory in war.
I love Vietnam vets.
United States Army flight medic retired.
And you and the other medics saved thousands of lives. God bless you. Cary King, AVVBA Padt President.
Thank you for this video! Thank you from my father (WWII & Korean War vet) who did two tours in Vietnam and from me with a few short months near the end in Vietnam. I'm asking my kids to watch this video as well. I felt like you spoke for Vietnam veterans, and nailed the key important points people need to know. As one now retired from "so called" higher education (degrees in history and sociology, I can tell you just how bad it was for Vietnam veterans in academic settings as students or faculty.
Those were difficult and sad times for those who were involved in a conflict that we didn't ask for, yet served and did our time... came home to a nation disgusted with our service! Lost a dear High School friend and Marine Corps brother; L/Cpl William J. Franklin on 9-16-1970 in the Quasson Valley, Quang Nam Province. He was with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, I Company. Miss him to this day! Welcome Home!! From a Vietnam Era Marine Corps veteran.
I am a Vietnam era veteran but did not serve in country. I witnessed a lot of the atrocities committed against our returning troops by US citizens. I returned with my unit from the Persian gulf in 1991. And I witnessed the yellow ribbons in the banners and the crowd of cheering people for our victorious return. In amongst the crowds of people cheering for us I saw obvious Vietnam vets Standing And proudly saluting Is all of us as we returned. I couldn't believe all of this for us and yet they didn't even get a simple welcome home. And I cried for all of them.
I feel anyone who served deserves respect. You could have been sent but was lucky you didn't have to go to Vietnam.
Ty to all who served. You did your duty with honor and love of freedoms. We The People love and will Not forget your valor...
Butch&Deb
Thank you very much.
This is one of The Best doc on the Vietnam war, I HAVE EVER SEEN! This needs to run during prime time TV. GOOD JOB!!!
I knew you veterans where not treated right when you got back home. I didn’t know it was this bad. From Australia to all you vets 🫡
It wasn't that bad. Media has different aims.
Mr. King, I saw his interview in Atlanta area, and one fine Vietnam vet he is! He was one smart troop in the war, and became a ine Lawyer. A Alabama boy, and his voice was one that I listened to the most. His sstory was brave and yet so honest, and he did many night light huey missions, all I can say is thats when men were men. The true last generation that served and did it out of civic duty, not whats in it for me. That's the absolute truth many many see the same way Mr. King. Glad your still turning those blades.
This documentary was excellent. The lessons learned should have not been ignored in Iraq and Afghanistan.
I'm pushing 60 with 3 grown kids but I grew up in a military town and I know how lucky I am to have been between wars.... i seen these guys that came back from there and what that war done to them both being there in the actual war and what coming back here and a lot of the attitudes they encountered upon returning. Where i grew up was a rural area and we treated our veterans differently no matter what war they fought in... I, as a result, learned to treat all veterans respectfully and could never understand why people treated the Vietnam vets differently... For what it's worth all of you have my appreciation and respect for your service and your risks. All of you.
Jane Fonda aka Hanoi Jane, Thank you for sharing this video. Another hatred seen was ''Sailors and Dogs Keep of the Grass''. I served U.S.N. Ret. 1971-1994 Vietnam/Desert Storm.To all Veterans, WELCOME HOME and Thank You for your service.
Thank You for your service!
I can verify the experience coming home through SFO airport in May 1971. Insulted and yelled at for over a hour before my family arrived to pick me up. I was also shocked by the treatment I received from school friends/some family and the Bay Area community in general. There was no VA or job support groups like there is now. It wasn't until I moved out of the Bay Area and found work in the Rocky Mt states that I started to feel better mentally fell better about myself. Thanks for the video showing a accurate description of what it was like back then.
California has become even worse, today.
I’m an Army war veteran (infantry 3ID 03 Iraq) and yes I seen combat but I salute any vet that served in Vietnam… Yall had it worse than we did.
I didn't want to watch it at first. But, I did anyway. Sobering-truth in a documentary, yes. But I was...and still am...proud that someone had the balls to do so. And like my brothers in arms: I, too served. Did what I could do, with what I was given and/or allowed to do with. But dammit, at least I tried.....
I am the Original Dustoff 39 and extended my tour of duty 3 times. The Dustoff crews were and still are the bravest and most dedicated Warriors I have ever encountered. It was an honor to be a part of that legacy. “When I Have your wounded”😊
Whatever about the morals, strategies and politics of the US war in Viet Nam, the treatment of many of the US veterans of that conflict upon their return is inexcuseable. These soldiers, sailors, airmen served their country in good faith in accordance to their oath. If it was indeed a 'bad cause', this was not the fault of the serving soldier in the field. Do not get me wrong. Atrocities happen in all wars and indeed on all sides. But though most students of the US war in Viet Nam will be familiar with the 'My Lai' massacre, (and that was disgusting) most are less familiar with the mass executions that took place in Hue City during the 'Tet Offensive'. (There were other lesser atrocities inflicted by both sides too, of course...) To suggest, as elements of the 'Anti War' movement did, that ALL US service personnel were 'baby killers' or the like is ridiculous. (Particularly since many US servicemen did not support the war in the way that they were required to fight it...)
A true story. I'm a military historian and a student of the US war in Viet Nam. I live in Dublin, Ireland. Some years ago I met a guy, a black guy, in Dublin and he was obviously a tourist. He was wearing a Viet Nam Veteran baseball cap. (I think he was a sailor, actually, though I can't remember the name of the ship that was embroidered on his cap...) I asked was he a veteran and he said he was. I thanked him for he service and asked if I might shake his hand. His eyes filled with tears. (This disturbed me as it wasn't my intention to upset him...) We did shake hands and had a brief talk, NOT ABOUT THE WAR but about how he was enjoying his holiday in my country of Ireland. As I turned to walk away, his wife turned to me and said, 'Thank you'....
xx SF
Mighty nice of you. Aside from that.....I want to comment on 'My Lai'.....now as a 'nam veteran, I can understand why this most likely occurred. I'm not saying it was right......or wrong.
When a unit is constantly , over time, suffering casualties in, around , near a village; you get tired ion it, mad about it, then you become more angry. It gets old .Ypu question the villagers, you try to get good solid info from them. They stab you in the back. You, over time, still suffer casualties from this village & area. You find weapons, food caches , medical supplies, etc, that are used by the enemy.You know the village people have been lying to you over & over, again. There is obviously no young men in that village. Only women , children, & old folks. That's a red flag. You know those young men are aiding and probably part of the enemy forces. A day finally comes that you have had enough . You have reached a 'breaking' point.The end result(s) become 'history'
The treatment of America's black servicemen and women returning home after WW II was far more shameful. It probably took years for the producers of this film to find that one white vet who wasn't served in an airport restaurant. Thousands of our valorous black vets couldn't get served in a restaurant 25 years after returning from Europe or the Pacific, weren't permitted to vote, go to school, or buy a home.
My brother is a Vietnam Veteran. I have always been so proud of him.
Very interesting presentation. Deepest respect for all the Vietnam veterans.
I volunteered for the military...went to Vietnam as an OR TECH 1972 3rd Field Hospital in Saigon.
Not all of us, my friend! Nam 1968-1971 650+ days in the bush (scrub), 0311/0302 (Grunt), and "I was only 19!"
My dad received his draft card on 1 April 1965. He arrived in Vietnam in October 1965 with the 1st ID. He never talked about his time there until one year ago. I found his DD 214 and other paperwork about his service. I learned a lot and am very proud of my dad. 👍
Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you☘️🇺🇲🇨🇮☘️
Time has shown that we and the Vient Namese are friends. History has shown that Ho Chi Minh was our ally in WWII, as a member of OSS, during the Japanese occupation. We got snookered by France, into "helping" them re-occupy Indo-China, thereby creating our enemy, Ho. After all of the spent lives, on both sides, we ended up handing the country over to North Viet Nam and walking away.
Personally, having spent my time at Nha Trang and Bien Hoa, during which time, my job being an Air Traffic Controller, I made friends among the civilians and military. Those memories will stay with me until my end and keep me thinking that my time was not wasted, although today, I suffer from Leukemea, as a result of my exposure to Agent Orange. Very nice presentation!
Thank you so Very Much!
Please don't get me started on this two bite B! Hanoi Jane will always be hated by me for what she knowingly did to the American soldiers!
I don't know any vets who do not hate her. She had it all, beauty, fame, intelligence, and could have had a lot more if she had not betrayed her country.
As a Vietnam Veteran Welcome Home to my Brothers and Sisters , I also encourage to make a Honor Flight if you can it is a very moving experience
I disagree...with Reagan. YES the US military was stymied by the politicians...BUT in 1972 President Nixon gave the military the all out authority to attack North Vietnam's capital, Hanoi. THAT all out authority produced a peace treaty the established the freedom and independence of South Vietnam. So, in other words, the US military DID NOT FAIL to WIN the Vietnam War. It DID win the Vietnam War! South Vietnam FELL to the North...TWO YEARS after that peace treaty was signed because the American Congress REFUSED to again allow American B-52's to strike the invading North Vietnam Army and destroy it...the way B-52's had destroyed the same army in 1972. The fall of South Vietnam CANNOT be tied to any deficiency in the US Military. It MUST be placed on the American Congress that sold out the South to the North for, what evidenly, were political reasons.
That is an interesting perspective. Please provide references that support your argument. Thanks.
@@fredh.9114 It is NOT "perspective". It's what happened. It IS the reason South Vietnam fell to the Communists.
@@badguy5554 I am not disputing you. I have always thought the same. But when I am in a discussion about it, I don't have factual support. That's why I asked for references.
@@fredh.9114 Read the history of the war...NOT the BS propaganda. The Vietcong were crushed in 1968 during the Tet offensive. They were NEVER a threat after that time. The invasion of South Vietnam by the North, in 1972, was CRUSHED by American B-52's. The capital of North Vietnam, Hanoi, was so devastated by B-52 bombings in December of that year, the North was FORCED to return to the peace table in Paris and sign a peace treaty that GUARANTEED the right of South Vietnam to exist as a separate country. At that time NIXON PROMISED the South Vietnamese that American B-52's would AGAIN be used to CRUSH any future North Vietnamese invasion they way they had crushed the North's invasion of 1972.
South Vietnam FELL to the Communists, 3 years after that peace treaty was signed BECAUSE the leftist American Congress REFUSED to fund B-52 strikes against the invaders. In addition, that same Congress cut ALL funding to the South's military. When the South's troops heard about these betrayals they knew the war was lost and IMMEDIATELY quit fighting. It's HISTORY. It's documented!
@@fredh.9114 The documentary covers this. Congress pulled promised funding for military equipment and supplies. Everything Congress votes on is a matter of public record. Just google it.
My Uncle was in Da Nang for 3 1/2 years.
I couldnt wait until he got back because we always fished alot.
I worked for 4 years in his paint and body shop
I was surprised to learn upwards of 40,000 Canadians fought in Vietnam.
I served 1964-1968 in the Army Security Agency. I have always been consumed with "surviver's guilt" due to people like these. Yes, I gave some, but very little, compared to you guys. As I viewed this video, knowing the world of today, I could not help[ but thinking of the quote, "Those who fail to learn from History are doomed to repeat it. Sadly I feel that is the path we as a nation are following. I want to thank each one of you who were a part of such a devestating period, You all are true heros.
1969-1972 Army Army Security Agency, 72B40 Com Sec. 175RRCO, Bien Hoa
No reason for guilt. You served with honor. I am a nam vet. 71-72. I made a career from 1966 till 1990.
Excellent documentary, and very well done, first rate
I was born October 24, 1950. I was enrolled at Washington State University in the fall of 1968. I was in AROTC my first year. I came to realize that there were two sides to the Vietnam War. I had many classmates who came back dead, wounded, and/or fucked up. I am not a pacifist. Far from it. Like my father, who fought in WWII, I was more than willing to defend my country. I began asking questions about the war that were not answered for me. I came be concerned about our purpose in Vietnam. One very important question that was never answered for me, and was not addressed in this video, was, "What was the truth about the Gulf of Tonkin incident." I began to distrust both sides of the Vietnam War. I came very close to being drafted twice. Fortunately I was not called up. It had a huge impact on me to have to consider going to Vietnam. I still wonder what was true there. There were many good thing done by our military in Vietnam for sure. There were also some things that we should never be proud of. I still have no real answers for what I had to consider about Vietnam. No one else in my immediate or extended family had to confront going to Vietnam. Though I did not have to go, I was nevertheless impacted by that period of my life. My heart goes out to all those that have suffered for sake of the Vietnam.
Two tours Vietnam, found myself working at the USPS where one of the guys was a Petty Officer on the Maddox during the Gulf of Tonkin incident. He said he was topside for some fresh air when the incident supposedly happened.
"Nothing happened. I was there. Nothing happened."
The other fellow was Marine flown in to secure the embassy at the fall of Saigon.
"So yeah there we are when some officer we had never seen before orders us to set up a burn barrel to burn documents as only humans were to be loaded on the choppers. So here come these dweebs in pinstripes carrying cardboard boxes, box after box, heavy, like reams of paper.
Only it was brick sized bundles of still sealed $100 bills. Do You know how long it takes to burn a brick of money?"
Yes! This war as was Korea was an action that was a military if not, a political failure. I remember how celebrated military members of WWII were such as my father and many more within my community. It was one of the reasons I joined the U.S. Army in 1959 and stayed for a very satisfying life.
Sir, I respectfully disagree with you about the USA/UN involvement in the Korean war being a failure. I admit that it failed to achieve it's ultimate outcome, which was to rid the entire peninsula of the Kim iL Sung communist regime and re-unite the two Koreas. But looking at how South Korea has become such a successful economic and prosperous nation in such a short amount of time (only 70 years) can hardly be called a failure, especially when you compare it to North Korea. I was stationed there back in 1979-80 north of the Imjin River and Freedom Bridge, (and just a short march away from "The Fence") and it's amazing how much the villages that I used to go to and un-wind have progressed and changed for the better. (places like Munsan, Sonju-Ri, Yonju-Gol) And my Korean friends are just as grateful and appreciative today as they were back then for everyone that helped them.
Troy Bullard
Former 81mm Mortarman
And forever a Manchu
"KEEP UP THE FIRE !"
I often visit the va as a vet my heart sweĺĺs when I see allot of these veterans proudly displaying evidence of their service .
I was in sout🎉h Vietnam suporting the navy riverine forces in 68 and 69 and a 4 months 9f 70 . I never saw or herd of american abuse . I saw first hand and heard from many south Vietnamese of the comunist atrocities .i did go on just two missions to help bring supplies and medical treatment to village's to remote places in the mekon delta and helped train south Vietnamese to rebuild engines on PBR . When i got home the reteric