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Vietnam War, hand to hand combat. Ron Melyan's memories of Lo Giang and his tour in Vietnam.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ม.ค. 2023
- Ron served in the Third Platoon as a radio operator, with A Company 1/6 Inf 198th LIB "Gunfighters" Vietnam 1967-68. He shares memories of his tour and the battle at Lo Giang.
Whenever you think you had a hard day, maybe the boss came down hard on you, car problems, kids driving you bonkers etc etc, take some time out of your day and sit and listen to hero's of our past. Gratefully many are still here to tell their story.
From Canada, Thank you for all your service and the sacrifices you've made.
Bless you, you have answered but have no idea what you wrote does to help. We were not hero's but Americans doing what we were assigned whether were were drafted or volunteered we were all the same when the horror started. Just get though that day and do what ever to help your brother survive. While we all failed, we have never forgot those that did not survive and we do not forgive ourselves for that. There is a true saying: there are no achiest or bigots in a foxhole. While your words are painful it helps those of us that lived through the battles to remember what is still today the most reason for being there---to fight and save those that also were doing what our Nation asked us to do. Thank you, God bless you. May America produce more fine citizens as yourself.
Just so you know that you're not the only one that believes that way. My father served heroically in Korea '53-'54. And every time I ASSume that I've had a rough day,I think about what my Pops went through. Trust me, it's help me get me through tough times. My Pop passed away in '99 and not a day goes by that I don't miss him and his presence. "Semper Fi" Pop.
Glad you made it home Ron, hope you are well.
Thank you! He’s doing well!!
@@truestoriesfromthevietnamwar good to hear😊
Was there all of 67 thanks for your service please remember the ones that didn’t make it back home!!
To all who were sacrificed 🙏
Thank you sir and much respect for all the Vietnam vets !
I grew up in a very small town where age didn’t dictate who one hung around with and I either knew those who were my friends’s older brothers or they were just older guys who we hung out with. Being a small town we were all like extended family to one another. Words can’t express how much respect I’ve always felt for my “big brothers” who served in Nam. I extend that same respect to you and all others.
Welcome home “big brother”!
I’m sincerely grateful that you are here.
Thank You for your service Ron, you’re all hero’s 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
@Chris Cuomo Well said
While the service many brave Americans gave to their country and US determination to maintain its hegemony, the tragic misreading of the true intent of the North Vietnamese to unify their country realised the unessesery killing of two million people who called SE Asia home. After, years of colonisation by France and invasion by China and briefly the forces of Imperial Japan before that, played into the American neurosis described among the aggressor nations as, the Domino Theory where if not halted in Vietnam would spread Communist Ideology South until the entire region was under Communist control. Two million people indigenous to the area were killed by service personnel from the US and its Pacific allies to achieve an otherwise nett gain of fuck all other than perhaps the American arms industry. What kind of country is this that sacrifices so many of its young people, sixty-five thousand; and the lost potential they represented to chase shadows in the jungles of S.E Asia. Without American intervention in a civil war, the look of post WW2 Vietnam can be seen now in modern Vietnam as a country welcomed and respected in the region by it's neighbours now the American unpleasantness has been driven out, by forcing a withdraw from their wicked military misadventures in S. E Asia
Even today, the US has learned nothing from their war against Vietnam as the country's ill advised military presence in the Middle East continues to soak up the blood of another generation of youngsters now that American manufacturing has been gifted to China, Vietnam et al.
As America continues to be the Worlds leading trouble maker, creating looser nations and feting the chosen, our planet home has become a more dangerous place to live and a much easier place to die or be killed on. In a cruel paradox, there is noted on US currency this; "In God We Trust". This notion brings about a response: sure, but does God trust America? I've a feeling that God likely trusts China a lot more.
Mass murderers
@@brucegibbins3792Don’t get it twisted most Americans are aware of the injustice. If your American it means someone in your history fought hard to get here. There’s pride in that our history is important. You can’t hate on soldiers they’re kids who are patriotic. That sign up to serve a country they love only to find out how dark war is. Every country that’s fought in a war haz committed war crimes there’s no right way to kill people. It’s our politicians they no longer represent the public they just try to control us. Our government is corrupt there’s not much citizens can do about it. Our media keeps us from focusing on the pure hypocrisy of our politicians and media.
@chriscuomo9334 You couldn't be more wrong! Out of any 100 people, for every 1 person who wants to get in, 99 wants to get out of this Commie sh*thole at every available opportunity, as evidenced by the 39 dead Vietnamese migrants found in UK container truck recently on the news, and that's only what's been reported.
Thank you for your service sir , welcome home.
I'm a 3rd gen Marine every male in my family serves in some capacity. I grew up outside of Camp Lejune all my neighbors were Vietnam, Korean war vets even 1 WW2 vet. I wish tech would have been around to record the stories I heard. My neighbor to the left did 3 tours then went in the Marine band, would drink beer and play guitar on his porch was awesome.
Thank you for sharing sir. You are a brave man.
Much respect brother!
May God Bless you!🇺🇸
Thank you for serving and your dedication. The men and women who served in VN deserve our full gratitude. 🇺🇸
You are an amazing hero. I can't imagine what you guys did. My time in the service was, not even comparable. So much respect 🙏
My USMC service(93-97) was pretty uneventful as well. Somalia and Bosnia was about all that was happening. I was with the 3rd MAW in El Toro, Cali but we never received a green light. Enjoyed my tour as I met some good people and knew the best bars in So Cal. Much Respect for All Vietnam Vets 👍
@@kawirocket88 thank you for your service ❤ my husband was a Marine vet himself
@@imeldaaleman1498 Thank you and much thanks to your husband's kind Service. 🙏
Brothers and Sisters: never discount your service. We all raised our right hands, took the same oath, wore the same issued material, honored and respected the same flag. It takes four to six service members to support each front line service member. On the other hand, we all signed up for 24/7 duty if needed, poverty wages, substandard living conditions and sure we griped about it but we earned the right to gripe about it. Three million served in Vietnam. Tens of millions served during the Cold War, millions more in the GWOT. If it weren't for all of us, we would all be speaking another language. GOD BLESS AMERICA. 🇱🇷
Yep!
He's right!
Basic training at 24 during the Vietnam Era was no fun.
I was an overweight 23 year old trainee at Tigerland, Fort Polk, Louisiana... damn near killed me! I lost 60 pounds in 8 weeks and that ain't no bullshit.
Delta 3/2 1968
Glad that you survived basic and the 'Nam!
There are fewer and fewer of us every year. ✌
May have near killed you but probably saved your life
@@unnamedchannel1237
I think you are exactly right.
I hated every minute - but the endured hardships definitely prepared me (at least physically) for war.
you’re a bad mufucka good sir 😂
@@jimw.4161 welcome home.
In my day, 1961 to 1964, US Army draftees averaged 23 yo upon induction, while enlistees averaged tended to be right out of high school. I was 18. Company grade officers were typically just out of college and by the time they reached our infantry battalion were in their mid twenties. Quality of officers was excellent, they could lead a PT session, no problem.
Thank-you, Ron. You are such a solid man and a sweet man.❤
Thank you Ron for your service. Sir. I wish you a happy retirement...
Thank you for your sacrifices. 11-B Vet here....Peace time. So much respect for you men!!
Thank you Ron … you are yet another unsung American hero, thank you for sharing your story.
Heroes!
Thank you for your service and for sharing your story.
being from Jersey myself, I can safely say this is a great New Jersey landlubber, based on the first 3 mins. Makes me feel at home. OK, that's only the first 3 mins. Now onto the rest of the video: Ron, you made it real. I was a few years younger than the 18 yr olds in your platoon so i didn't make it over there although I was about to be drafted. Salute to you.
Thank you for your service my grandfather and uncle were in Vietnam my grandfather was marine corps for 20 years I have nothing but respect for everyone in the service
Warrior. Thank you for your service. My older brother did 2 tours in Viet Nam and passed away in ‘94. He never talked about his time over there.
No words can convey my gratitude and your selfless devotion to our country, your fellow soldiers and your family.
This guy's a gift. What an incredible experience it would be to sit down with Ron face-to-face and just hang out and talk. Special man.
The look on his face as he is reliving that fateful moment....I have a friend of mine who served in Afghanistan.....he had the same look.
Much Respect!
I've always believed that the regular ground pounder is just as good as a Navy SEAL or special forces soldier . When the time comes, many will rise up under incredible stress and meet the situation with courage and do heroic things.
You'd be very wrong friend....with only very few exceptions.
I agree with you , being a Viet Nam Vet myself. Thank you for the comment , we don't get nearly enough credit.
Of course,once there physically fit, all kill the same. Being fit is the best way to stay alive
SF is on another level of training & tactics but yes at the end of the day it’s fight or flight & we’re all human & many will rise to the Occassion when tested. The Avg American soldier has an education which allows us to be be better trained on better equipment other than that it comes down each unit & the esport de corps
Totally different missions. They are all great. No need for comparisons.
Thank you sir for your service!! My brother, a Seabee, was caught up in the battle of Hue City. He earned the South Vietnamese equivalent of the medal of honor. I have a Marine corps hat with globe and anchor he was given by the Marines he fought beside there.
nice, you know how he earned it
P😊
This guy is a hard man. Seen it all, no major break down. A real man.
Thanks Ron for your service. I volunteered for the draft in '67.
I'm so impressed, Mike.❤
I returned from Europe on the Upshire. North Atlantic crossing was pure hell. They kept us below because of heavy seas. I was in the lowest hold in the fantail. The screws kept us awake all night every night.
You're an awesome man Sir. Thank you for your sacrifice and for getting back home. We live for those who never came back home. Lost 2 friends to that craziness! I am a Vietnam Era Marine Corps veteran and you are truly one of my hero's.
Wow that was really incredible. Thank you Ron for your service to our nation.
thank you guys for staying alive and being friends to those who didn't make it.
Thank you for this video and thank you for serving our great nation. 19:53 "People ... say he 'won' the Medal of Honor, he 'won' the Silver Star. It wasn't a contest out there, you're awarded that."
Few recipients are alive when they receive them.
I always heard them say that the brave guys are dead.
Truly enjoyed watching this video of Ron's tour in Vietnam. The way Ron matter of fact told what happened was incredible. To receive fire and return fire is one thing. The way Ron described that one battle. The one where they closed with the NVA. Winding up in fierce hand to hand combat was spellbounding. One could tell it was a very tense battle by Rons description. Thank you so much for sharing. Thank you for your service Ron. 💪🏻🙏🏻✨
Uu
True facts this brother tells I am a Nam vet age 72 Nam was beyond hell.
We all from the big red one thank you
@@johnsullivan7599🕊️
You saved a lot of lives
Great guy, you can always tell the demeanor of someone who has been in close combat, calm, accepting of what happened and always a good word about their buddies.
You did your job well sir. Welcome home and thank you and every Viet Nam veteran that fought and sacrificed their life for our country. My husband was a Marine from 1972/1978 at the age of 17 got permission from his mom. It was towards the end of the Viet Nam era. Your a hero, God bless you and your family ❤️🇺🇸
Absolutely loved how the story from the interview was montaged with photos from duty to present day. Quite an effect.
Thanks Ron, you are a great guy and my hero. You are so down to earth and a great story teller. None of us can EVER possibly understand what you went through. Thank you for trying to walk us through your experience. You have all my respect I mean that that.
The 1960's and early 70's were an extraordinary and turbulence times to have lived through.
Thank you, Ron, for your service, sacrifice during the Vietnam conflict and welcome home Sir.
I dedicate these two songs by SSgt Barry Sadler from his 1966 record album Ballads of the
Green Berets to you and all the men and women who served during the Vietnam conflict.
"I'm a Lucky One"
SSgt Barry Sadler
I'm going home, my tour is done
I'm going home, I'm a lucky one
But I left friends behind me
Who won't come home no more
Yes many friends remain forever
On that bloody shore
But at night when I sleep, I know my dreams will be
About my friends I left across the sea
I'll here verbal young men harn, laugh again out loud
We'll all be together in a happy crowd
But then I hear the sound of bullets whining overhead
Feel the crash of morters and all my friends are dead
My friends they fought and gave their all
My friends they died for freedoms call
As my dream was ending, they'll come and say goodbye
Though I'm sound asleep a tear I'll cry
And they say something which fills my heart with pain
Tell them about us Sadler, don't let us die in vain
I'm going home, my tour is done
I'm going home, I'm a lucky one.
"Salute To The Nurses"
SSgt Barry Sadler
After the battle after the fight
many owe their lives to the ladies and men in white
And all of the men in this war torn land
salute the nurses of Vietnam
They know the awful toll of war each day
they know more than any the price we pay
A soldier his hands too burned to write
a nurse takes down his words through the lonely night
They have gone to the front where men fought
in the night from Pleiku to Qui Nhon
where war these men fight
Many a wounded soldier pain is eased for a while
by opening his eyes to see a nurses smile
To each of the wounded on the operating shelf
these nurses give a part of themselves
I know every soldier to the last man will
sometimes say a prayer for the nurses of Vietnam
After the battle after the fight
many owe their lives to the ladies and men in white
And all of the men in this war torn land
salute the nurses of Vietnam.
You are convincingly honest, direct, intelligent and devoted to your comrades and our Country.
God bless you, Sir!
Ironic that you chose the word "comrade" when that is a word used by communists, ..the folks that he was sent to defeat!
I would like to thank every soldier from every war for fighting for our freedom. You are the heart and soul of this country!
They weren't fighting for our freedom. All these Vietnam videos are basically BS. These veterans ( minus draftees like this guy) willingly chose to go to an unwinnable, illegal war. If they say otherwise they are promoting a falsehood. A lot of these people push the image that they could or did win the war, but the "politicians" and the "people back home" lost it. Vietnam was a national American disgrace, tragedy and defeat...and they share in the responsibility of it. The politicians and American people saw that the war was not being won, or was unwinnable. The US never really had the "hearts and minds" of the South Vietnamese people...who they supposedly were fighting for. They don't talk much about the war crimes they committed against the Vietnamese....OR even against their own personnel. Lastly, whether these guys won or lost...the Vietnam war had absolutely NO effect on American freedom, security, safety or way of life. They did NOT sacrifice anything for my...or your freedom. These veterans present themselves as victims and wrongly treated. They are big boys and went to a country to kill or be killed. They shared in the failure. Now they want to be recognized for their "sacrifice" through videos, Honor Flights, endless trips to the Wall in DC or to Vietnam itself. They never grew up and really moved on. They have made themselves an embarrassment to themselves and my generation. Ripley like all the other Vietnam veteran weren't heroes they were survivors. They were chumps and pawns of the military industrial complex. Vietnam did absolutely nothing for American safety, security and freedom. All it did was claim 60000 American lives and waste the country in treasure and talent. Not to mention it almost tore America apart. These veterans including Ripley were invaders and aggressors in someone else's country that did nothing to Americans or the USA. When it comes to Vietnam...they can get to the back of the line when the term "hero" is used. There are tons of people in society that are true heroes that no one will want a video. And...they had no legitimate right or reason to be in Vietnam in the first place. It didn't matter if they manned a BB gun or a tank. That's their "story". Now....on to the next veteran's video who didn't belong in Vietnam either. Let's analyze this. U.S. troops were potentially sacrificing their one and only lives on in Vietnam. Vietnam is around 7500 miles from the US across the entire Pacific Ocean. Vietnam did nothing to Americans or the US. The US did not declare war against a country it beat the sh*t out of for 10 years. They was nothing less than an invader and aggressor in someone else's country he had NO business being in. It was an Asian civil war to be dealt with by Asians. Win or lose....Vietnam never posed a threat to American safety, security or freedom. Whatever you have to say doesn't remove the fact that most vietnam veterans were were foolishly ignorant with their lives and accepted a fight that had nothing to do with them. I'm sure people want to call him a "hero" and thank him for his service. Maybe Vietnam veterans were cowardly by not standing up to his dysfunctional Government and its policy by resisting going to Vietnam.
Any "'freedom"' that has to be defended through war is despicable, I think.
🙊🙊🙊shhhhhh,,, it'll be ok,, don't cry
@networkinc.6825 don't worry I won't tough guy!
God Bless you - Veterans of the Vietnam War.
I was 6-8 yrs old when you balled up to battle ours drama❣️ 🙏🏽
God bless you Ron Melyan, and thank you so much for your service.
Thank you for your service Ron! You’re a great American hero!
Hero????????/ Why because why were American soldiers there? Why were they killing people whose only crime was they were Vietnamese? 2 to 3 million murdered!
Thanks so much for your service & sacrifice Ron. These stories need to be told & archived . Not many WW ll vets left & Vietnam vets are aging rapidly.
Amen!!!
Thank you sir. We were the ones flying over you. God Bless you all.
Damn that made me tear up. God bless you. V3/4 Lucky Co. USMC. 0311 Infantry. Can’t even begin to imagine that fighting that you all did. Thank you for your service
Thank you SIR
We here in MAINE a thank you for ur service an protecting our way of life ,we love our vets an service men an women ,god bless 🇺🇸🇺🇸⚓️⚓️🇺🇸🇺🇸
Ron, thank you sir for my family's freedom.
Thank you endlessly for your service!! May God bless you always!!!! ✝️🇺🇲✝️
Mad respect for the men who fought that war
Thank you Ron and may you enjoy the calm seas and sunshine that you deserve!
A heartfelt 'thank you' to you Ron for your service! Much respect for the hardships you endured. May God continue to Bless You and your family!
Love ya, Ron. Thanks for serving our country. 🌸
I salute you sir! Thank you for your service.
Can’t even begin to thank you enough!
Great interview. From a conscript, disabled, Republic of Vietnam combat vet'68. 1st Aviation, Crew Chief OH6A, 67v20.
Thank you for your service and sharing your stories . My uncle served he went in in 64 and came home in 67 , I always asked as a kid all kinds of questions about Nam but he would never talk about it .
Why three years and not just one ?
He dropped out of high school his senior year and enlisted. As far as I know he wanted to stay in the service .o will jave to ask my Aunt . He never talked about and when I was a kid I would ask him quite a lot but would never talk about it .
That's a Soldier. God Bless You. Alot of love and pain in those eyes. Just Remember Always. You are the best. Semper Fidelis.
Thank you sir...I wish you peace in your life...your story opened my eyes...you are a brave man
Thank you for your service. My dad served in WW2 and Korea.
Ron thank you for your service ,, im 68 from canada i always prayed for you guys ,, god bless
A big salute to you sir, 56 years late but I hope you are doing well. God bless you.
Bless you Warrior and your fellow soldiers. Thank you for your dedicated service to our country.
Thank you for your service. Love you guys, and you veterans of Viet Nam are my heroes.
Thank you for your service Ron!
As a 26 year old man that has never come close to anything like these exercises id just like to thank you and the veterans of Vietnam for serving our country and my heart hurts for your sacrifice. Vietnam was definitely its own hell from what I learned from it and my moms stories of her friends leaving for nam and not coming home or not being the same if they did. There's young people who respect everything you guys did. This may mean nothing but I won't forget and I'll always refer people to these videos to learn before we speak about history.
Thank you Ron for your service! 🇺🇸
Thank you for your service.
Well done! These stories need to be heard. I did not go to Nam but served in the late 60s. I too remember peoples names,home towns, etc. Sorry for your losses.
very good. thank you for your service. im an aussie. my uncle fought in vn.
mjr
tokyo
Kudos to this guy for sharing his story. Great to capture this type of testimony for history, these types of guys are true heroes.
Thank you sir for your service.
Thank You Sir and Welcome Home!!!
Thank you for sharing this. Respect.
Thank you....for everything.
Thank you, Ron! ❤🙏
A true hero; a great American- a beautiful man. Your discussion of camaraderie says it all. God bless you, sir. We owe you for our political freedom. And, yes, you do have a wonderful sense of humor. 'I'm proud to be an Okie, from Muskogee ... RFGA, Ph.D.
This Man seems really Lovely I’m so glad he survived that Hell on Earth
Many precious guys gave their lives in this war....for what?..
A war that we lost and the government kept sending more and more guys to give their lives for nothing. I'm 72. I lost friends who were sent to a war we knew we were losing but the government wouldn't end it.
It was to make those corrupt politicians richer! They don't care who dies long as they make $ off it!
this a stereotypical take as they weren’t losing by casualties/ physical conflict.. thus the army did its role and you never hear this bs take about Korea only due to victory . Look how many lives were saved there.. yes if all of korea was under the north millions more humans would have died. Look at quality of life in Korea and Koreans are more successful than whites in many western nations. They are a great allies, trading partners etc
The loss in nam was actually changing the minds of pro communist people. That’s where the failure was.
Looking at the photos at the end of the young men in a foreign land and different time who shared such intense experiences and had such close bonds and who are now mostly gone was bittersweet.
Thank you Ron for your brave service and our freedom.
These stories are so powerful. I learned about the Vietnam War in high school history and it was basically a fact based instruction. Everyone who listens to stories will benefit immensely. This is oral history at it's finest. Thank you to all who served. And thank you for preserving these valuable stories.
I like that Ron nails it down to his specific platoon and company, 3rd Platoon, Alpha Co, 1st Bn, 6th Infantry. Non-GIs just can't grasp that naming arrangement, with CARS regiments.
Such a great interview.
Much respect to Mr. Melyan, and the rest of the troops.
Thank you for your service, sir.
There was a guy in my basic training at Ft. Polk that was 35 years old! Talk about Pops! He had been in the Army before in the Korean War. I think things hadn't worked out for him in civilian life, but he was a good guy and made it through basic just fine. I think he became an MP.
Thank you Ron, for your service to our Republic 🇺🇸
There will never be brave young soldiers like you guys,much honor and respect for the fallen and the returning men,they will never be forgotten.
Love this guy… thank you so much . I appreciate you all
Bless you and THANK YOU Ron!🙏♥️
Love Ron!! Great interview!
Thank You for your service , and Thank You for sharing your story !!!!
Original vets went there as he did -on a ship. Glad I flew there in 68.
I knew one of those Air-force guys dropping the those flares all night long. His name was Bill Griffin . And he recounted to me years ago about thus battle. And how it was the longest night of his career , he recalled dropping over 2,000 flares in one night from the back of a Spook .
RIP Bill. 🙏
L
Amazing ,just simply amazing ! Thank you fine sir for what you did for your brothers in arms and our country 🙏
God BLESS you Ron.. SIR! 🇺🇸
God bless the Vietnam veterans
A human under extreme stress and fighting to survive is capable of anything
Thank - you Ron ! Good Health to ALL !
Thank you sir for your service
God bless you Ron Melyan and thank YOU for your service!