Magnificent Vietnam Warrior Reveals Combat, Bullets, Napalm & Social War Activism
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ธ.ค. 2021
- Green Beret David Christian was unquestionably a war hero in the Vietnam war and as he says, fought valiantly on behalf of the USA. My team and I conducted more than 200 interviews in 1989 from people who had lived through the 1960s and had strong feelings about what they had witnessed and lived through, not only during the war, but in the 1950s growing up and in the time since that war has ended. David Christian was wounded 7 times receiving 7 purple hearts as well as the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism. When he returned from the war, he worked as he does today, to help Vietnam veterans. Bill Ehrhardt, who presents his story in my very popular video clip, “Magnificent Storyteller Soldier” shared his personal experience. Many of my subscribers have reacted to it. I feel that David Christian is an equally powerful storyteller whose war perceptions and experiences were quite different. In this video he reflects on his early upbringing in the 1950s, his Catholicism, his powerful relationship with his mother, his experiences with college protesters in the antiwar movement, his return to America and his battles to help his fellow veterans deal with PTSD, job opportunities and other issues that they have confronted. His story evolves during the interview as he expresses more and more deeply, how he felt and what he saw and how he dealt with it.
Here is what CHATGPT writes about him:
David Christian is a decorated Vietnam War veteran and a recognized war hero in the United States. Born on October 26, 1947, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Christian enlisted in the United States Army in 1966 at the age of 18. He served as a combat infantryman in the 1st Infantry Division and later as a Special Forces officer.
Christian's military career is distinguished by numerous awards and commendations, including the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, and seven Purple Hearts, among others. These awards attest to his courage, leadership, and sacrifice during his time in Vietnam.
After returning from the war, Christian became an advocate for veterans' rights and worked to improve the conditions and benefits for his fellow veterans. He has spoken openly about his experiences in Vietnam and the challenges that veterans face upon their return to civilian life. As a result, Christian has made significant contributions to the understanding and support of veterans in the United States.
Christian's story, both as a soldier and as a veterans' advocate, highlights the importance of recognizing the sacrifices and bravery of military personnel, as well as the need for ongoing support for veterans as they transition back into civilian life.
A magnificent testimony by the son of a Vietnam soldier warrior. Beautiful to watch. th-cam.com/video/oovIgYKKDEU/w-d-xo.html
David Hoffman filmmaker
👁️✝️🛐👁️⚖️🍞🕯️💧🌋👀👂🙏🏻⏳, youtube Revolution Tyrants and War & Who Really Runs The World & Beamable Substainable Prince's via Walter Veith at Amazing Discoveries
Sp check lies, I did not join! A regert of a life time. If ya' ll are veterans my hat is off to you!
Great interview. Sad. I am wondering about his commission @ 18 yrs old and how that came about; high school grad @ 18, college studies 2-4 yrs. Would love to see how that commission came about. Asvab?
They should do a movie of this soldiers life……
Jesuit's eugenics theater
My bio dad served in Vietnam and became an alcoholic from the ptsd he experienced. My mom raised me herself. I’m an army veteran from the mid 80’s. I’m blown away by the current situation my country is in because of greedy crooked politicians. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
When you say biological dad why do you say it like that ? Do you not really consider him her father due to him not being able to help your mom ?
@@low-keyrighteous9575 he and his family denied I was his. Back before dna 🧬 tests. I’d like to think that he might’ve been around if not for what he experienced.
I’ve been looking for the since the 90s. I sent out about 100 letters to men with his name got lots of responses but none of them were him I don’t know if I did reach him or not but he’s since died. Unfortunately I don’t have any communication with his family either. I was proud to serve in the army in the late 80’s. I was fortunate though I got out before desert storm began.
@@theresekirkpatrick3337 I'm sorry to hear that and I apologize for getting in your business .. I should have given my question a little more thought as to whether or not the topic was sensitive to you ..
@@theresekirkpatrick3337
Yes!
GLAD I was out By 1977, But NEVER Was in Vietnam 🇻🇳
Desert Storm 🏜 Exposed Our Vets to Many Toxics, And IRAQ 🇮🇶2, Was Another Waste With NO Weapons of Mass Destruction Ever Found!
Afghanistan 🇦🇫 May Have Been Needed - But NOT The Way We Did it for 20 YEARS!
TRUMP Never Would Have Left The Way Biden Did.
My uncle came back from Vietnam an alcoholic. He had to have 3/4 of his stomach removed. I don't think he weighed even 100 lbs. God bless Uncle Dean.
I’m proud to say I know this man. His heroics did not stop in combat, I’ve seen him firsthand in action. In the midst of an important business meeting he received a call from the wife of one of his platoon that was struggling emotionally 20 years after returning home and he dropped everything and prioritized getting his colleague help. Numerous times Ive seen him do outreach for fellow veterans that were struggling with substance abuse, medical issues, emotional and financial issues that he guided them toward resources that could help.
To this present day he works with veterans with one agenda, to help others. Hero is a word with many different definitions, to me Dave Christian has been heroic in combat, and all throughout his life as a mentor, colleague and friend for those in need .
Wow, thank you for sharing this information. He seemed like a wonderful man in the interview and this is only compounded by everything you wrote. Hero through and through, you’re correct.
Hope someone is taking care of him in that way too.
Wow you're lucky as u could learn a lot from a man like that
That is beautiful
@Sagebrush Hey "Sagebrush" - F you. The interviewer did not ASK if or how Dave Christian was there for his children. Captain Christian's family (while he was in the military) WAS his fellow soldiers. I feel quite sure that Captain Christian's present mission in life is to be first and foremost the very best he can be for his family.
So, once again (just for clarity...) F you !
Imagine a country run by men like this.. and inhabited by people like him.. with his values, his life lessons & his bravery. I'm sad for what we have become
Guys got one hell of a story.
You and the rest of the world. Australians, Kiwis, Canadians, British and other Europeans went to the same wars with no hope of getting anything out of it except death, disability or the revisiting of the horrors lived.
'Imagine a country run by men like this.. and inhabited by people like him..' go back to late 1945, I agree with you but there is a huge toll for that to pay.
I couldn’t agree more. And I’m sad for what the whole of the Western world has become.
I am a retired Marine this is one of the finest testimony’s I’ve ever heard Semper Fi sir
I have a family full of Marines and Army 2 Coast Gaurd swimmer/medics (it might be only 1 now as the other was over 25 years in and wasn't going to reup next time when I last saw him he was going to deliver mail for 20 years and work for his local mountain SAR team then retire with 2 government pensions and continue working SAR as long as he physically could) and a bunch of LE too most the LE are retired military planning on at 58 retire with 2 government pensions and work with me at what I've been doing since my early 30s since I recovered enough from my accident that temporarily paralyzed me at my mid back and really trashed my lower spine and become a professional tourist I did it because the government classified me as disabled and disability doesn't pay the bills (especially as a single parent not getting child support) so between my sister's help with homeschooling the kids and keeping them inline and the farm and garden taken care of when I was away I showed them what my grandmother taught me before I was in kindergarten disabled is in the mind differently abled is in your heart and mind you just have to find something you can do in your condition even if it's starting your own business LLC or 501C3 find something you can do and enjoy doing and are capable of doing and go for it I hear old stories all the time they don't ever get old hearing them and some new ones too sometimes I think family get togethers are therapy sessions for the vets
I’m a Vietnam vet and this guy is telling it like it is I feel the same way as he does I had a purpose and I full filled my purpose with pride and will not trade it off for some politician, I to came home on a stretcher and proud and now I’m 74 still proud
Thank you for your service sir! God Bless you. You Vietnam Vets are the heroes of my generation. When I was a kid we always pretended we were in ‘Nam, and we have so much respect for you guys (all veterans actually-we just grew up hearing and reading the exploits of that war because it was the last war at the time)
I'm not even a American but proud of your karakter keep your pride high👌
And I am PROUD OF YOU AND ALL THE OTHERS WHO SERVED SO BRAVELY! May Almighty God bless you!
Thank you for your service sir. God Bless you.
Thank You Mason for your service .... May God Bless and keep you in His Grip !
My father served 30 years in the military, 1945 thru 1975. Served in the Pacific theater during WW2, thru the Korean War, all thru the Vietnam War. Rarely spoke about his experience, never complained about America, never stood up on a soapbox dressed in fatigues bitching and complaining. Went to work in a quiet civilian job a month after retirement. He put all of his military memorabilia, medals, awards in a small wooden crate and stowed it in the basement. It was never opened until 2011 when he died. My brother and I (both retired military) were totally flabbergasted when we opened that crate. So many decorations, medals, awards, citations, etc. stacked inside. Just shows you how stoic and humble many veterans are. Most of the civilian sector will never know or realize the sacrifices most veterans have made, especially if they have never served.
What humble and stoic man. Some of the most admirable ways to live. Thank you for sharing.
Same experience for our family and I just feel terrible that we didn’t do more to honor our father. Vietnam vets are true heroes on so many levels! 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙🇺🇸
I never served but my dad served in the Marines in Vietnam at the beginning of the tet offensive in Alpha 1/1 . Books ( even with his picture) have been wrote about him and the guys he served with. President Trump awarded John Canley the Medal of Honor and spoke of the men he served with which would be my dad among other Marines. My dad was the most humble person ever . I'm definitely proud but yeah he's humble. It's amazing how humble he was honestly. I hate to sound like every other kid when I say I had a great dad but I did. He's been dead around 2 months now and all he wanted was military honors which he got. Glad you pointed that out. It says something great about the majority of our veterans. I'll always be proud to be an American!!! Thanks to everyone who has served in any branch at any time. Appreciate you.
And how did this serve him? Did it promote his physical and mental health? His morality and ethics? It made him stoic. So are slaves when they understand that they will never be free.
@@cindyj5522 ??? -- ur sick ...
His story should be taught in every school, His courage and sacrifice make me proud to be an American. 🇺🇸
Thank you for sharing this powerful story.
So very relevant today with yet another manufactured war going on in the middle of Europe. Same mechanism at work. Same propaganda. Same idiots cheering mainstream warmongers. What has changed? Nothing.
Why weren't you proud to be an American before
This is a very emotional video for me. My brother joined the US Army in 1961, I joined the USAF in 1968. We were poor kids from the foothills of Appalachia, our mother was divorced and raised us 2 boys. As David said, being a single Mom in the 50s was incredibly difficult. My brother spent 3 years in VN and passed away last year from Agent Orange Parkinson's. Terrible death indeed. We were young then, listened to the war stories of our family members who had served in theater in WWII (the "good war"). We saw the military as a way to escape poverty and "see the world"... Our Mom told us that we would have 3 meals a day and "free clothes" also! :) America can never recover from the disastrous and terrible lies of our government back then, nor the way our citizens treated returning vets. We were innocent true believers... sadly so, as the lies continue to this day. But at least I recognize them as such.
Welcome home. Thank you.
Thank you for your service to this nation from the bottom of my heart. God bless you.
and now soldiers pay for their uniforms.
Our gov is slowly setting up another disaster. Russia has already began. When China steps up to the plate every will really change. Hopefully there are enough Americans to fight for individual freedom.
@@juliecoates4761not if they're smart it's not like the government keeps an accurate inventory of things I know where I can get tracer rounds of many calibers
My uncle spent 19+ years in the Army with two years in Vietnam. He suffered from PTSD for the rest of his life. The army with all of its wisdom kicked him out just prior to retirement. He also went through two divorces. He died at 52 years old. He never complained and he never asked for anything. The politicians did exactly what this man said the sold out the veterans from Vietnam.
Painful to read. I'm so sad for your uncle.
so sorry....shameful how our vets from the Nam were treated.
Those guy’s were heroes. It’s the politicians who should never have the power to send another man to another country to fight & die for then call it for our freedom. Politicians should NEVER be allowed to make these decisions & never be in any political position more than 8 years maybe less. Your uncle is owed for his service & you should pursue it in his honor. He should not be allowed to go down by weaker men making decisions to put him in his position of failure then not take care of him. This pisses me off even more. Vietnam was a war to kill off population in both countries. Screw biden & he was in office at that time. Politicians who haven’t served should not be making decision unless they go there too & see.
My Dad was drafted in 1951 during the Korean war and had a tour of duty in Viet-nam, not long afterwards after 18 years of service he was notified that he would be kicked out of the Army for not having a high school education. Luckily he was able to get his GED and retire in 1972. I love this country and what it is suppose to stand for but I mistrust the gov't and politicians that keep trying to destroy it. The older I get and the more I learn of things like Opration Northwoods and LBJ using the Gulf of Tonkin incident to put troops in to Viet-nam and all the conspiracy theories that turned out to be true my disdain for this gov't grows to where I don't believe anything that the media or this government says.
@@droppingdimes9580 Know what you mean, and people that would like to correct that problem are also Patriots. Disdain for the US Federal Government does not mean disdain for America as they are no longer one and the same.
I love this guy. I feel like if our Congress was made up of people with this guy's character and thoughtfulness, we'd be in much better shape.
You are 100% correct.
I'm from the UK but that was my thought too. We all need to examine why politicians let us down continually and I believe that means setting into the light, for everyone to see, just what the City State System is and how it is tied and how it works and who it works for. DC is not the US.
Damn straight! Logic and patriotism has been dwindling way since the 60’s as this man so eloquently has said.
@@sharonmorine5407 Yes, there are a lot of problems. But we're rapidly reaching the point where if the good and genuine don't stand up and take their places in leadership, even if unwanted, then the power-hungry psychopaths will be free to take this world into heretofore unimagined levels of global tyranny and suffering. And there won't be anyplace to run to.
Absolutely
I feel like this video should be shown in all schools all over the US, we need people like David nowadays more than ever, a truly inspiring man that is part of history.
That would never happen. Our schools don't want kids to learn about this sort of thing. Schools just teach to get kids to pass a specific test and not much more. They damn sure arent going to teach anything related to patriotism, that gets in the way of the communism they're shoving into young minds.
@@seapete131 sounds like you didn't watch the video because nothing about what he said made me want to go to war
@@maximorodriguez6849true, even though I'm also very critic of the war in Vietnam and I have heard all kind of horrible stuff that went on there, I can hear this man and admire every single minute of this video. He expresses his experience and views in such a way, that is impossible to not appreciate how he very accurately describes de problematics of this historic period
I agree and on every major news network at prime time. This guy could change America for Good!
Yes, My husband Vietnam veteran, Us Navy Gunner, USS mullinix DD 944,we help veterans too!
I'm a Vietnal vet
USMC 69-70 in country. Returning to the USA I felt ashamed and usually hid my service from friends and colleagues. Other than protesting the war with Vietnam Veterans Against the War, I never associated with other Vets. It was pretty rough. I started speaking to high school students about my perspective and though it was difficult, I managed to work through it.
From one Vietnam veteran to another I salute you sir.
Thank you for your Service & Welcome Home💜❤🇺🇸🙏
If our paths haven’t yet crossed, thank you, and Welcome Home. :)
It took me over 20 years to "come home".
We all has different experiences in Nam and upon returning. But the hardest part was after returning.
I salute you, sir as we continue to welcome all our vet home.
@@ronoldcross8189 Welcome Home & Thank You For Your Service Sir💜❤🇺🇸🙏
AMEN! ⛲ "GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY"🇺🇲🕰️🗽🦅🕊️😇🙏🌟🤠🐎
Excellent. I was in Iraq. Afghanistan and so on. Nothing has changed. This should be mandatory viewing
Same here. 11M and 63S when I came back to states
In my eyes you are a hero💯
@@eddiehaynie you are a hero aswell 💯
@@vipboyrockywilliams6577 Thanks. Respectfully, (I’ll throw Eddie into this :) the heroes are you guys that show us respect. The police, fire, medics, public - all of you who try and maintain ‘normal’. That’s all we want Bro. 🤙
Agree!
The gradual lowering of this man's mood from 53 minutes to 55 minutes is one of the most heart breaking things I've ever witnessed. That conflict in him between pride and sorrow. I don't pity that he was put in that position because from the previous 50 minutes of interview I know he wouldn't want that, but it hurts to hear another human being going through the throes of those emotions over a situation he was essentially dropped into, and I hugely admire him for being able to tell his story so honestly.
Enormous respect to David Christian, and thank you David Hoffman for yet another beautifully captured story that would've been lost to time for most of us if not for your ever vigilant film making.
Thank you alllllll veterans for your service!!🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
Hell of an interview! Hard hitting and Real!!!! Brings back heavy memories.
Sure hits home hard.
I was a 17 year old 102 pound high school dropout. 1969 I volunteered and joined the Army. I suppose I was one of the 100,000 in Operation 100,000.
My older brother had done 4 tours in Vietnam. I joined the Army to have a chance at a better life. I went overseas and ended up being retired on a 60% disability. I was fucked. A 19 years old, disabled veteran. America turned her back on many of us. This man speaks great truths.
From a Brit, you ain't one of Mac's morons, far too eloquent. I'm very lucky no conflict came along during my youth, my brainwashing would have made me volunteer to fight. I protested the Iraq war at 19 because was too switched on to wars of Imperalism by then, was lucky it was that war though or I would of been one of the first there. Good luck to you.
I am very sorry for your disability and I agree you are well spoken and articulate. Thank you I was 6 in 1969 and I honestly believed you folks were protecting me honestly. Being disabled now I know how hard it is. I destroyed myself working hard with a unknown genetic disease at the time, tore muscles, joints, nerves. I was 53 when they figured it out, by then as you said pretty much fd. My heart and prays go out to you sir.
You were where overseas? Disability noncombatant?
There was a gentleman in the neighborhood I grew up from the 1970 thru my enlistment in '84 who we all new as mentally challenged as he spent hours just walking the blocks or standing on the corner of the larger avenue smiling and waving at passing cars. Didn't see much of him after I returned in the early 90s as he was much older and having trouble getting around when I would see him. Eventually I came across his obituary and a photo of him in a Green Beret uniform. He was highly decorated and his exploits made Rambo seem like a JV bench warmer. Battle injuries and medication to allow him just to smile and wave at passing cars took an early toll on him. Wish I had kept his obit as it was almost unbelievable. Kids can be cruel to men smiling and waving at cars although I don't recall any of my friends or I doing so. Semper Fi
Reality is the opposite of how people are motivated for being indifferent towards wars. The danger is indefinite, but the media and other methods that are being used to promote conflicts are strong. The constant propaganda that is delivered to children through toy guns, and making heroes after men/women that fight wars is immoral and corrupt. Peace in the world should reign.
It wasn't like he was a nucence or some weirdo walking the busy streets. He was a hero. We can all be crule at times and we need to broaden our opinions. Don't be in a big hurry the judge. That meand all of us.
He spent days walking the busy streets trying to communcate but falling short. Shame on all of you who can't quiet get a grip on this hero's problems. There is nothing wrong. with waving at passing cars. He leads a very simple life. Maybe he just wants to people to know that he fought the only war we ever lost. Shame on you of it is true. Thank you Juan.
PTSD isn't a mental challenge. It's a reaction to trauma. Guys with PTSD are suffering not retarded.
@@ileanafigueroa8685 up
My father is a Vietnam vet. My uncle, was boots on ground, shot the cannons... came home to keep quite silent about it all and die very young at age 45 to a massive heart attack. Agent orange was a silent killer years later!
Sorry, your uncle was so young. Hope your dad is doing well!! Agent orange was an idea that should have been honestly investigated heavily before even thinking of using it!!!
This is the most compelling, articulate and powerful storytelling I have ever heard from a Vietnam Vet. What a man. Dave Christian you are indeed a hero and an inspiration. From one of your allies in the UK, sending my most profund respect and best wishes.
My oldest brother served in Vietnam in the Marine Corps. My cousin - Larry D. Kittrell died in Vietnam. He is on Panel W42 Line 62. THANK YOU VETERANS FOR YOUR SERVICE. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. THEY FOUGHT AGAINST AN ENEMY THAT THEY COULDN'T SEE.
That man has 2 gallantry medals from Vietnam, commendation metal 2 silver stars one bronze star and a distinguished cross and while being a Capt at 20.... 20!!!! Now that's a real hero on the field and off the field I thank you for your service.
That's insane... a legend.
@@Gcock I was a bit puzzled about that when I Googled his name. Do you happen to know the particular code for medal use in uniforms? I'm not a US vet, but wanted to know a bit more about this.
Totally real hero and you ratfinks wouldn’t know what the real deal looked like if it fell over you.
@@radium05 army regulation states medals are not to be worn on class A or B uniforms AR 670-1 while active service, but can be worn on dress blues or if retired.
@@Gcock im familiar with them I know what your talking about my dad was Vietnam vet. I know it's basically forbidden to wear the same medal twice. Only way to show repeated awards is ribbons with oak leaf. But maybe for the video he did it for visual affect... who knows. But I would be heartbroken if he was doing some stolen valor thing.
I am the ex-spouse of 2 Combat Vietnam Veterans. The ‘60’s were painful, sad, and the most pivotal time in our nations history. Yes, I still cry and yes, I am still angry but I will always support the Vietnam Vets and will never let American forget!!
GOD bless you Sheila
Working class fighting a war to serve the interests of wealthy powerful people who only participate in the profits, not the dirty deadly dangerous stuff
As a son of a WW2 veteran who saw a lot of action in the war, a veteran of the Vietnam war era and a brother of 2 other Vietnam war era veterans, one who was a Green Beret himself, this interview touched a lot of tender spots for me and brought back memories of what it was like in the late 60s. This veteran is spot on for the times and thought processes that every young veteran went through at the time. Thank you for sharing this. We need more patriots like this today.
👉🇺🇸👈
AMEN
@@stomper2582 Thanks for your bravery and defending this nation, no matter who we think is right or wrong. My dad is probably your age, from Tennessee. He got drafted to Vietnam from a rural town in Tennessee but didn’t make the final cut due to failed medical clearance. His dad, my grandfather, and also my mother’s father both fought in the Pacific Theater of WWII. I only knew my mom’s father sparingly, and never met the grandfather on my dad’s side as he had passed before I was born. I just recently erected his military headstone in a private family cemetery in Bolivar,TN. I was proud to do it…..Really wished I could’ve learned a lot of things from them, not only their experiences in war, but as a boy learning from brave men..…😢😢….Thanks again soldier!!!….👌🏾🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
This interview is incredible and deserves to be watched over and over . It needs to be heard and once again David Hoffman thank you sir for having the presence of mind to capture this man and his words .
Thank you for your comment. If your resources allow, I would sure appreciate your using the THANKS button under any of my videos including the one you have commented on. It is something new that TH-cam is beta testing and would mean a great deal for my continuing efforts.
David Hoffman filmmaker
I'm a personal friend of Dave Christian, and this interview shows his intelligence & perspective about his Vietnam experiences. He pulls no punches, something I've always liked about him. I grew up in Pennsylvania, like he did, and I was drafted by the Marines in Scranton, PA. I ended up spending 4 years in the U.S., getting orders for West-Pac 3 times. All 3 times something happened out of my control, and my orders were rescinded. As a Marine, you go to fight, so I had a lot of guilt over never getting to Vietnam with buddies who didn't come back, came back without limbs or were messed up in the head. Friends like Dave helped me to deal with those feelings, so it was great to watch this interview to get some perspective from someone who was there. It would have been an honor to serve with him in combat! He should have been awarded the Medal of Honor for his combat history & injuries, in my opinion (others agree with me too). Please watch this all the way through, as it is fascinating & spellbinding, thanks to the talents of the interviewer - David Hoffman! If you can get Dave's book: "Victor Six" - it is a must read! Semper Fi, Robb Trexler, San Diego.
Thank you Robb.
David Hoffman filmmaker
@Robb Trexler we know you were ready and faithful, you rate no guilt
@@dmoon9037 Thanks, D Moon!
As an Army combat Nam Vet 67 & 68 trust me, don't feel guilty for 1 nanosecond. You raised your hand as we all did & served. THX, brother! After returning to the world, many Marines became my very close friends. We were all native Southern Californian's, although I just moved to TX. Semper Fi
@@roryschultz3788 The John Wayne movie Green Berets came out June 19,1968.
Not 1969 that is just one of your statements that is wrong.There are others as well.
44:20 'I don't ever ever see another protracted war that America's going to get into.' It must break this great man's heart to see how we've repeated history. I watched this video, and it hurts to listen to many parts of it, but makes me feel so proud to call this man a countryman.
At this very point in time, Biden and Bleeken are threatening sanctions against Russia because America wants NATO in Ukraine. America is gun crazy and is forever seeking wealth through war. You watch a video of a bitter damaged man who was swindled by America, and yet you do not see this. You have been so brainwashed by your warring government that you cannot see that America is doomed.
Kristine Conlan grow up. You sound bitter yourself...I see you do not know much. It is Ukraine who has ask the united states and NATO to step up and help them...Russians massing troops at its border, which it has every right to do and Ukraine and NATO (not just Americans) posture and stand ready to help if needed...the problem is more like most of the leaders in the west, not just America, are to quick to threaten war. Most People do not want war. Sounds like you are brainwashed towards America.
@@Dstew57A and you read as if you got nothing from the interview but instead troll through comments looking to insult. You know nothing of war except the one inside yourself.
@@kristineconlan5744 America, by way of Biden, doesn't want war in Ukraine.
America wants to replace Russia as Europe's supplier of natural gas.
We have an oversupply of natural gas and we've made that oversupply a strategic national interest (as we should). However, we can not beat Russia on price. Russia is close enough to build pipelines. We need highly specialized liquified gas tankers crossing an ocean. These tankers are essentially a pressurized, superchilled thermos. Pipelines can move gas in it's natural state over, or under land.
Our only advantage over Russia is politically.
Europe must cede some level of independence to Russia to exchange for cheap, abundant, easy natural gas. We (America) must make that loss of independence to Russia clear.
How? Make Ukraine the example of the dangers involved in reliance on Russia.
Europe should pause, as reliance on Russia is a bad idea.
We should pause, as war for profit has always cost more than it could ever reap.
Our veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq are experiencing exactly what Vietnam vets experienced. The protests aren't as harmful, but as David Christian said, it wasn't the protests causing vets the most harm. It was the transition back to a nation which moved on without them as if their experiences didn't count.
They're forgotten, and the time they gave leaves them at a perpetual disadvantage.
Despite their gallantry and devotion to our nation, our nation extends little in return to them.
My father was a Green Beret for two tours in the late stages of the war. He never talks about it aside from being a Distinguished Marksman, and funny stories about the guys from training, but never speaks about it. I've got more admiration for that man than anyone else in this world, and I'm privileged to be his son.
I'm glad this guy did speak about it. I've never been in battle. It's hard to imagine how horrible it is. I've been to some of the worst prisons in Louisiana, and it's very unpredictable violence, but being put out of a helicopter and left with enemy everywhere trying to kill you! It's got to be very traumatic. I thank your Dad for his service.
Some testimony…. He must feel humbled. The rest of us wish we could say the same. Best to you.
God bless him for his service
Do you have anything from the military that ties him to the green berets?
My father was a LRRP in Vietnam and also never talks about it. He is the complete opposite of the old guys you see wearing their Vietnam veterans hats. He is just very humble. I have always been very curious about his time in Vietnam because I can tell it has had a gigantic effect on who he is despite the fact it is something he never has talked about or openly dwelled on. I became a bit obsessed with learning about LRRPs for a bit and I think a lot of us with Vietnam vet fathers have this great curiosity about their experiences.
I'd definitely vote for Mr Christian for president. I'm a USMC combat vet and what he is saying is how 90% of we Marines feel. Thank you for your service David. I appreciate it. 🇺🇸🇺🇸
CPT (Medically Retired) David A. Christian is now 75 years old. He deserves great credit for his patriotic (and heroic) accomplishments in life. I wish him and his wife well.
I have never heard such a clear and tearing confession from a vet......you have all my respect.....I am not a military...but I salute you
Thank you Eric for your comment. If your resources allow, I would sure appreciate your using the THANKS button under any of my videos including the one you have commented on. It is something new that TH-cam is beta testing and would mean a great deal for my continuing efforts.
David Hoffman filmmaker
@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker where is the thanks button?
@@billygrahamyachtsinc753 on mobile its by the download button. Its in the row of all the symbols beneath the title
Marine Gulf veteran here.
This is a very impressive man. I salute you sir.
All Vietnam vets please know that to my generation of servicemen, all of you are heroes.
Please know this from the heart.
Welcome home brother. God bless you.
Thank you for serving!
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L.
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I grew up in the home of a Vietnam Veteran; He had also served during the South Pacific Campaign after graduating from the first Officer's Candidate School ever conducted outside of the United States prior to the invasion of the Solomon Islands. As well, he served during the Korean War. He ruled our home with an iron fist. He beat each and every one of his children unmercifully. What shocked me, as a kid, was that no other officer who lived next door to us and could not help hearing the screams from us ever said a thing about it. No one ever turned him in. As each of us came of age, we fled his house of horrors. I, at 16, could not take another beating from him. He slugged me in the face with a right cross and I nailed his ass with an uppercut; It was on. I'd been training in sports for two years, could benchpress twice my body weight, and my thighs were so big that my mother had to buy me Husky Jeans. I beat him into complete submission. My mother had never dialed 911 in all the years he beat us, she did that night. I was arrested, held without bond, and sent to the State Reformatory. The Judge wanted to send me back home, but I told him that from this day forward, it is total war between me and the Ole' Man. It would end with one of us dying or possibly both of us. The Judge had no choice and I asked to be sent to the Department of Corrections; At least there, the people beating me would not be the man who was supposed to protect me. From the time I left my father's house, my life blossomed. I was a leader in the Reformatory compound which was being desegregated under court order when I arrived. When I was released in February 1968, I was hired at the Medical College of Virginia as an Orthopedic Technician. All the interns I worked with were former MASH surgeons fresh back from Vietnam. They took me under their wings and taught me so much more than just medical training. It was the first time in my life that I'd ever been told I was intelligent, capable, and could be anything I chose to be. Two years later, I was awarded a full four-year scholarship to Virginia Commonwealth University. I've enjoyed a wonderful life, traveled all over the world, and my only regret is that I was too late to serve in Vietnam although my MOS was 11 Bravo. I did not attend the funerals of my Father and five years later, my mother.
A very sad story. I am sorry your dad was so cruel. That was so unnecessary.
David Hoffman filmmaker
I’m proud of you mate.
@mdavis1992 While victims seldom have escape routes from abuse, they are forced to heal themselves from the damage inflicted on them. At 13, I refused to be a victim. That was the moment my true character actualized. I have never forgotten that I was one of the lucky ones.
@@jamesolson807 I can tell you’re a man of great character and a fighter. Hold your head high because your story is worthy of respect. I wish you nothing but the best.
My dad was bad but thankfully not as bad as that, mainly when he was drunk which was often. I know the fear and threat very well though. I will say he had his moments though and taught me alot. I haven't and will not ever inflict that kind of environment on my children.
I also have flourished since I broke free, some of my siblings not so much. In some ways it made me.
My Grandfather fought in the Ia Drang Valley. He was Drafted and didn't have a choice to go. He's 81 years old now and still can't talk about it without feeling guilty or ashamed. He praised Col. Moore however and said he was a good man who cared about his men and was the last one to leave the field. When I told him about Col. Moore's passing, he looked heartbroken.
I have read the book. Your grandfather is truly a warrior. That mission was such a disaster to be in and perform. He was fortunate to leave alive. Head in the leadership of one and intelligence should have rolled,but did not. It was an extraordinary fight and maneuver to survive and accomplish in the final result. Moore was all a leader should be in his performance,and his troops pulled off a grand finality of the fight. All that were there should have been commended. A great number for one fight did not come back.
Thank you David Hoffman for posting the full interview. Although the length of the video may impact engagement statistics Mr. Christian deserves to have his full story told. And do not be discouraged, people are listening and learning!
You are welcome, and I hope that it's length does not deter folks and cause the algorithm to pay no attention to it. I will try to not be discouraged.
David Hoffman filmmaker
@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker People these days watch content that's hours long. People will watch this.
@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker I watched every minute. Amazing piece of historical documentary and I feel privileged to have been able to see it in full.
Thank you for that support.
David Hoffman filmmaker
@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker no the length is great. If people don't have time to watch the whole thing then they weren't interested in the firs place. You can watch it in two or three nights. Maybe break the videos into part 1, 2 and 3?
Exactly right, the politicians sold out our heroic young Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Special Ops, Coast Guard. These young warriors fought as heroically as any American warriors ever have.
...and have done so for the past 70 years. Nothing has changed....and won't change until citizens stop sending their sons to fight these bankers' wars.
I don't think the "sellout" stopped at, nor IN, Vietnam!! Just ask a "real" Gulf War Vet!! By "real", I mean one who was "there", in the "thick" of that war!! Not just one who was "In the service, at that time.", like myself, for example.
Right!! And the way they were treated when they returned is shameful. I believe informed people rightly put the blame on the government, but sometimes when a person's treated badly by a group of others, the ones who support them, kind of end up fading into the background thru the perception of the soldier.
It was an illegal war. Deal with your mistake. This gov does not care about you. "War is big business, invest your Son." You suffered and died for the Military Industrial Complex because you didn't keep your oath to protect the Constitution. Now we are fighting unconstitutional wars all over the World because of these "heros". Will you idiots EVER become self aware? When you ignore the Constitution you are no longer fighting for our country. You were wrong, wrong, wrong, and the whole world is now on the brink of WWIII. THANK A VETERAN? No way.
I’m pretty fortunate guy wasting a lot of time on TH-cam. Can’t say how happy I am to have watched this video. This video has made a difference and has given me a better appreciation for life and being an American. Thank you David Hoffman for bringing the best of the Internet right here. Thank you David Christian for your service. You both made difference. Thank you.
I can relate to Dave as I had some very similar issues in my younger years.
My mother was, unfortunately, the alcoholic. My father, when around, was extremely verbal abusive, and at times, physically. No good times, grateful I had no siblings. No other family around us.
I grew up in the same surrounding area as Dave. His assessment of the 50's & 60's is spot on. I am in agreement with many of his points.
Unfortunately, I found myself homeless at 17. So, rough times until I turned 18. That's when I went to the Marine Corps recruiting station and joined. Shipped out 10 days later.
So first and foremost, Semper Fi, my brothers. I served from 66-74. Went in as a 0311 infantry man. I was extremely athletic growing up so that was an asset. I was also always very angry. Growing up in Brooklyn, as a teen I never lost a street fight. That guy though is long gone and buried! It was an asset back then, as I had no idea what was ahead in my life.
So, after infantry training, I found myself being sent to 3rd Force Recon, due to my training accomplishments. That turned out to be the most demanding experience in my entire life. When checking into 3rd Recon Battalion, my eyes gravitated to their Motto up on the wall in headquarters, "Swift - Silent - Deadly. It spoke to me, as I took this as a early warning for what was to come. It spoke to me that this a serious business!
So, by 1967, we were in Vietnam. At times, it felt as close to a living hell as I have ever lived. Death was surrounding us. While on a particular patrol we lost our 1st Lieutenant and my closest buddy to a booby trap. That was a game changing dramatic turning point for our unit. We later came together and discussed the loss of our brothers. We decided to transition and have a hunters mentality. The Viet Cong were our prey as they wanted us dead. We purposed that we would be inflicting death and avoiding it to every extent. My anger was now at the highest point ever!!!!
We had to fight to remain alive. Of course, I am leaving 99% of the details out as I would have to write a book.
Most importantly, I will say that I served with & lost some of the greatest men I have ever known and served with to this day!!!!
So, upon my discharge, I found myself right back into a homeless situation. Left my Marine family and went back to no family. That was mentally almost as horrible as beinging in-country! I will jump ahead as this is simply a YT post.
Somehow, I was determined and knew I could succeed, and I did just that. It's not easy, a lot of rocky roads. I refused to accept failure, just as I refused to die in Nam and keep my men alive.
So, I met the most amazing and beautiful women through my first civilian job. She was so stunning that I was intimidated to approach her. That was the first time in my life I was intimidated by anyone or thing!
I finally got approached her, dated her, and married her. We are still together 50 years later. Had 7 children in our first 11 years of marriage. We had our own little squad. Now, they are all grown-ups. We also have 5 grandchildren. We did all this by trusting, knowing, and loving God and serving Him. Our trust is not in our government!
So, I also started my own business in 1979, which grew from a startup into a multi-million dollar business today. It is still growing. I am close to turning it over to a few of my sons! I plan to stay around as a consultant at no charge! I achieved the "American Dream"! Today, where did that dream go for people?
All my successes after my military service has not clouded my memory of that war, my brothers, and the unimaginable time it was. Impossible to forget! Writing this was hard as I never have before. The tears are flowing.
Semper Fi, be well brothers and God bless America🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
Wow bro your some man that was heavy story.god bless From 🇬🇧.
I am grateful the 2nd half of my life was a major turn around. The tough parts prepared me to value the good parts. My seven children tell me I should write a book. My answer to them is that I'm still fact gathering, and they are the main topic.
You are a true combat marine and have seen the fight and gone on with life and succeeded and are happy. Semper fi.
This should be shown in schools to teach kids about that divisive time and what wars do to people. Thanks for sharing this David!
We’re living similar times
Kids nowadays are more stressed than soldiers in warzones.
@@combativeThinker Per capita, I would agree.
@@combativeThinker to many bathroom choices 🤔
Doing so wouldn’t fit the current narrative. To be a patriotic American is scorned these days. But not by everyone. Some of US still love our country, good and bad.
Painful and sad. Bless him. He suffered a lot and is able to articulate his experience and personal wisdom with integrity and honesty. I hope he found some joy and peace in life to help offset some of the pain, trauma, loss and mistreatment he felt. He represents so many others as well. Ordinary men and women are always the ones who get used by governments. Heartbreaking. Very moving testimony. I'd love to see this video reach millions. Thank you sir for your service, courage and words.
Rachael, stop the unnecessary bullshit, already!
Beautifully said, Rachael Mc Namara Montejo!!!
the way this gentleman talks, seems so familiar. I could swear that some actor has studied this interview, and used this mans vocal inflections for a movie part. This guy and the other one really tell it like it was..straight and to the point..no glossing it over, no uncontrolled rage...just perfect.
It's super bowl morning and I am a two time Iraq combat vet (4/1 Cav 121 BSB)....I stayed up from about 5:45 a.m. and watched this whole thing...drank two beers and listened to this intelligent brother wow my thought process...Thank you and God speed man...Absolutely wonderful man 🙏🏿 👊🏿
Thank you for watching it.
David Hoffman filmmaker
My Dad was a combat Vietnam Veteran 11th cavalry 66-67. PTSD. An Agent orange was a reality in our family an the insanity that came with tht territory. My Dad suffered in ways only another combat Veteran would understand an the family suffered along with him.
. The combat infantry Badge waz the only medal tht meant anything to him. I miss him dearly . He was a full blown Man. God Bless you Vietnam Veterans.
As a Vietnam Vet myself and have an uncle that was also in Special Forces of the 60’s, many memories and feelings of being ‘alone back home’ still have ever-lasting effects to this day. But not, when I’m in the company of other Vets, regardless of the time or theater they served. Welcome Home, All Veterans. Thanks for this video. It needed being said!
Thank you, Sir, from a grateful nation. As an American who did not serve, I can only express my disappointment that you were not given the respect and honor you certainly earned for your service, which in my opinion should always be the very best of everything our country can offer our Vets with no limits or exceptions.
@@rodmcdonough6111 well said Rod, I totally agree
THANK YOU, sir, for your service and sacrifice. We do appreciate it. My parents were born in Czechoslovakia and lived through WW2 and escaped in the 60’s. Folks like you made this country the place people everywhere in the world wanted to come to. God Bless you and all veterans. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. We need more people like yourselves to be in government. People who have given to their country.
@@MrRugercat45 - Thank you, Sir!
Welcome Home and Thank You for your Service.
It should have been said to you when you first came home!
That is a hard man who created our good times. What a stoic hero, inspirational.
Mr. Christian is telling the story of every soldier who served in Vietnam; this is their story not just his. Best history lesson I've had in my life and draws contrast to life in the USA today.
Thank you David Christian, for your service and sacrifices.
You're welcome. Now, it's your turn.
@@jeffrygagnon5506 - Um... World War Two?
@@Ricopolico - Yes, the "thank you for your service" has become a bore. It’s too easy.
This vet is so fair, and wise. He states he's Republican, for strong defense of country; but, also supports programs to keep our citizens stable.
If any of our elected officials had such clarity, I'd be a happier camper! He's many valid points.
Thanks, Mr Hoffman! Very special and well worth my time!
Thank you L
While in Vietnam, feed the children in the garbage dump, and knew the children parents were problem killed in some battle, they tell me there parent left, and never returned, and children end up homeless,and eating in the garbage dump, also remember the piranha fish, what a disaster, also piranha fish, save the United states government billions in damage to the rivers, in vietnam.
My father is a Vietnam Vet who went on to serve 26.5 years in the US Navy. I had the best childhood moving to exotic places. My father, and all Vietnam Vets everywhere are my heroes ❤️
"What could be and should be isn't, so I can't complain about that." I took that as a noble way of saying - "with that much combat I should be dead but I'm not, so my injuries and suffering isn't the worst."
“Welcome Home”me my brother.
Thank you for telling the truth
Vietnam veteran 1968-70
Very good documentary. Would love to see you interview him now on what is happening in this country right now. I'm sure it would be very interesting.
An update would be amazing!
The Taliban kicked the crap out of dozens of countries. Same story, different century. Americans don't learn the easy way.
@@kayaar00 Taliban wasn’t even close in comparison to Vietnam. The issue is it’s unsustainable to keep control of a country so vast and lawless. Vietnam was an absolute nightmare for many.
@@angelmanfredy Even the highest ranking N. Vietnamese general admitted that the North was utterly defeated after Tet failed and expressed astonishment that the U.S. conceded defeat instead of declaring victory. He said in biographies and interviews allies in the West accomplished the victory the North was unable to secure on the battlefield.
Yes! Damm he's well spoken!
These guys keep reminding me of some of what my vietnam vet dad went thru.
Back then growing up in the 70's as kids we had no clue, he never spoke of 99% of it.
How's he doing? I'm a VN Veteran's daughter.
@@DM-wu5hn he died in the 1990's after a 10 year nightmare of living thru a body destroying stroke that tortured him in every way physically and mentally
( yt does not let me know when someone replies here )
@@rob-robi Sorry for your loss.
Great interview from someone that understands a combat vets pvt hell. As an Army Vietnam Vet 67 & 68 coming home was hard. Most of my friends were graduated or just graduating from college and not one of them ever asked me any questions or were interested in the Vietnam War. Although home, I still had brothers in the fight & continued to receive letters from in country about the deaths those young warriors. I watched TV news in order stay informed on the war. My friends told me to turn that shit off, we have better things to do. So most of my friends became veterans of all services no matter what their MOS was. We tried to live the best life we could to honor those that sacrificed all. Life is peaks & valley's, but everyday is a blessing. To my brothers who did not return, you will never be forgotten.
Those "young warriors" died for nothing and murdered lots of poor Vietnamese people for no good reason. No respect.
@@SteffiReitsch Oh, so you were there & probably never even served as a verkehrspolizei. Tell that to the hundreds of thousands South Vietnamese that fled Nam to the US after the war. Prost.
@@Nam-id7kj Most of them who weren't collaborators came for economic reasons when given the chance, the same reasons they flood in now from south of the border. You MURDERED about 1 million Vietnamese. And spray hideous poison all over their land. Thousands of babies born with ghastly birth defects. You fckers need to hold your heads down and be humble and keep you bloody mouths shut. .
This man is so intelligent and articulate.
I once heard that if you ever run into a Vietnam veteran in public, always remember to say "Welcome Home". Many never heard these words upon returning from the atrocities of Vietnam. These people deserve nothing but respect and I can't thank David enough for shedding light on these mens stories.
Thank you
I will! I will pass this on.
Amen!!!
I do. I thank other vets but the Vietnam vets get a welcome home. Some ignore me and some get elated. You and your sacrifice are not lost on me.
I worked with several Nam vets (one very closely) when I was in even a few Korea & Nam vets. They were all a great group of people and I feel fortunate to have worked with them and learned from them. I never asked them about their experiences, I waited until they opened up (which was usually at a beer party) then I sat and listened. The stories were amazing and I feel fortunate to have heard them. These people deserve so much better than what they received when coming home. WELCOME HOME TO ALL OF OUR NAM VETS! FLY NAVY!!!
Powerful.
Being able to articulate heart-rending pain clearly and calmly shows his real strength.
I love the phrase "anti-everything"- he coined a common language term that even more accurately captures what people often mean by "nihilism".
He’s so articulate about his experiences. I remember him well from Making Sense of the Sixties.
Thank you. And this clip presents his entire commentary which is quite extraordinary.
David Hoffman filmmaker
@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker Thank you for this - sharing it💜🙏
He ran for Congress from Bucks County, PA and lost to a light-weight. Captain Christian is a great man and a great leader. It is our loss that we didn't elect him!
I am not a veteran but my father went to Vietnam. I don't pry but I have heard stories.. the fact our vets got treated how they did when they got home ,pulls at my heart. I Truly thank all of you
One of the best interviews I've seen in a while. So insightful. A lot of his descriptions of the war with Vietnam sounded eerily similar to the war against Iraq and Afghanistan.
In a lot of ways, Afghanistan and Iraq were my generations Vietnam. Just confusion, so many people are lost, still lost. The politicians in this country are evil. These boys in Nam went through some tough stuff, unspeakable horror, and I will say that the men and women now who fight get far more respect. Amazing story.
Having lived thru this time, you can not imagine the rotten treatment these men got when they returned. You probably never got spit on. Disgraceful treatment after doing what we forc3d them to do. It was a draft remember. The Country blamed them for losing the war. I had 4 brothers through this time, tho none were drafted, but can you imagine what my mom went through?
@@amazinggrace5692 Yep, well said. I had two uncles who served in combat units during the Vietnam War. The treatment of Vietnam vets was deplorable. At least the vets that have come home over the past 40 years haven't had to endure that. That's one big difference between then and now. I tell that to the 20-, 30- and 40-somethings that I work with and they look at me like I have two heads, they just don't understand how it was back then. They only know patriotism and military parades, but that didn't exist back in those days. The "youngins" can't even grasp that. They thought 2020 was bad (and it was) but 1968 was much worse. Anti-war protests, race riots, 2 high profile assassinations, Tet Offensive, it was a very bad year.
This is a great informational interview about history. He explains everything very easy and it’s easy to listen to. If this guy is still alive in 2022 you need to interview him again. This guy is a Hero for serving his country.
Qui Nohn 12/69-2/71.
Look at any war or so called police action we have been involved in and compare the ones that had the democrats in charge to the ones that had the Republicans in charge.
You don't want to be involved in a military conflict when the democrats are in charge!
The world is fortunate that our x ally ho chi Minh was the communist leader after the democrats abandoned vietnam like biden left Afghanistan.
Can you imagine how this world would be if Vietnam had a leader like kim or pol pot!
A HERO!
A baby killer and a coward would be more accurate.
He speaks lucidly and articulately. It's informative and compelling. Great interview. Thanks to all involved.
This interview should be archived and never forgotten. This Man speaks truth, I went in the military in 1977, we never flew military ( note: I was in a science base military outfit) we flew commercial and told not to where the uniform because of the public disdain for the military. this man has given a very accurate account of the time and attitude, although I am a complete opposite in politics, he has a very accurate account because I saw first hand the post-Viet Nam veterans where not supported when they come back.
Having been a Ranger ‘82-‘90 I served with some Vietnam vets in my early years in Regiment, and this kind of open-eyed, objective and honest patriotism is badly missed in this country. This man is a hero and a man I deeply respect for both his service but also for his articulate defense of the patriotism that I grew up with, just like him. He served honorably, more than honorably, but he is incredibly self-aware and articulately forthcoming.
Thank you David Christian. My father was an Army Engineer in Vietnam. I never met him. I'm glad there were some people like you, who loved America, weren't addicted to Opium, and fought bravely.
This is a great interview. My dad passed away around a month ago. He once did an interview with my cousin for a school project but is a lost interview now. . My dad was a Marine in Alpha 1/1 2nd platoon at the beginning of the tet offensive. Those are the hardest stories to find about the first few days in Hue with Alpha company because so many were KIA . They are all true American heroes. President Trump finally recognized John Canley who my dad served with and awarded him the Medal of Honor. There's a book written by Kenneth Jordan about Alpha 1/1 titled "Marines Under Fire"and tells some of my dad's story . Since his passing away I have been blessed enough to find one of his two best friends he served with over there online. All those people who served over there deserve recognition. Appreciate the upload ! Thanks for everyone's service in any branch of our military at any time.
Herbert “Scotty” “the Buzzard” Watkins is a Marine from my home town of Reading, MA and served in Alpha 1/1 with Sergeant Major Canley at the battle of Hue. Scotty attended Sergeant Major Canley’s MOH Ceremony at the White House, along with several other brother Marines who fought so valiantly under the direction of CSM Hanley. I’ve attached a paragraph below which is part of an interview that Scotty gave to a New Hampshire news paper some years ago. Scotty was a hero to a lot of the citizenry in Reading, MA and especially to high school aged males, who had knowledge of his courage under fire. The “Buzzard”, Herbert “Scotty” Watkins, one of the Marine Corps finest, lives a happy life with his grandchildren and the rest of his family. God Bless him and those like him “Damn Few.” Semper Fi Scotty!
Herbert Watkins was also there. The 21-year-old Marine nicknamed Buzzard was on one of the trucks and was hit by shrapnel outside Hue. Almost everyone got hit that day, including Canley who was bleeding from the face but ignored the wound. “He was all over the place. He was charging machine gun nests, him and (Sgt. Alfredo) Gonzalez,” said Watkins in a phone interview from Manchester, N.H., where he retired after 36 years with the Post Office. “He was directing fire, dragging people out of the street and he was always so calm. … It’s like it happened yesterday. I still visualize everything,” Watkins said, thinking of the sergeant the Marines still call Gunny. “Oh, a great man, a man of stone.”“I never saw such a Marine as him,” Watkins said. “It was amazing. He’d walk around nice and calm, rounds flying all around him.”
S5
So true that you need to listen to people's stories in depth. The problem with social media these days is everyone's talking but no one's listening. We need interviews like this. Thank you!
This man is a true warrior. I'm sure he's not the only one who feels like this,most didn't have to go,but did. This interview puts the damn ear into a totally different perspective,great job! Thank you for sharing this n God bless you and your fellow troopers.
“Combat in Vietnam was a lot easier than coming home”. This is a sentiment shared with Bill Ehrhart - “Magnificent Storyteller” also on this channel - whose view on Vietnam evolved during and after his voluntary 13 months there.
These soldiers didn't realize they had been fighting on the anti-democracy side until they got back home.
Some still haven't figured it out.
These aren't heroes.
These are victims.
@@Highley1958 IDK about the political part, but victims they are. Very unfortunate.
I served in Vietnam. I won’t argue that perhaps coming home was harder than combat in Vietnam. However those that came back lived through it and survived. So I got my feelings hurt and I was treated badly. Others died and did not come back. Later in life I became an RN. I’m no stranger to saving a patient’s life and then being treated badly verbally. Suck it up buttercup or should I say snowflake. A hater will never treat you well. They might recognize their hate later but even then you may not get an apology. I did what was right. I served my country. I do know one thing. Things won’t change by re-electing the same people for forty years. But then Jill Biden and others don’t think so.
@@Highley1958 There was no "anti-democracy" side in Vietnam. Only Capitalism vs Communism.
technically a democracy entails political decisions made by the majority. since the largest nationalist party of vietnam was red, intervention with such was anti democratic
@@gsuhz41
This is one of the best interviews i have listen to, His voice is very captivation and he is a good storyteller. A man with conviction in what he is doing and is not afraid to say so! We need more people like this.
Our National Guard who went to Kuwait and Iraq do not qualify for veterans benefits now. Very thoughtful conversation brother, thank you for telling your story. Eye opening, many things I never considered before. Thank you for your service. Dad was in Korea, he always said they were a forgotten war. He dragged us to every Veterans Day event, every memorial and even to the VFW bar. He wasn’t as verbal or elequent as this man, helpful to gain some insight
David…Love to see you interview him today. Keep up the important work. Thx Brother.
I’m not religious, but God bless this man. I’m not a Republican, but I would vote for this man. I’m not a veteran, but I have immense respect for him and feel I can understand this man. Thank you David Christian, and welcome home. You did your family name and your country good. Though we can never fully repay you* we should perpetually try to do so.
*or any veteran who has fought for our country
Same for me.
Kevin IF You Were a Real Combat Vet, You'd Know that You Fight For Your Other Combat Vet Brothers, and Hell With the Politicians who Usually Care Less About Veterans, and Start Many Wars.
@@coiledsteel8344 While I am definitely not a veteran - combat or otherwise - I have nothing but respect and gratitude for those who have fought and sacrificed for our country and our way of life.
WELL SAID, Kevin!!
@ Kevin Rheault 1) I’m not part of a church family, religion is a product of man, I’ve seen & been a part of 2 abominations - not denominations. I’ve got a very strong belief in God, He is a part of my life daily. Believing in God doesn’t have the prerequisite of being a part of any specific religion. Sure, being a part of like minded people is great, but many church doctrine are not scriptural, but are man made rules & ceremonies. Any questions on having a relationship with Christ can be found in the Bible. 2) With the way things are today, you can no longer belong completely to one party, each vote should be based on the specifics of each individual and will they represent us or do they show that they don’t serve “We the People”, but serve the lobbyist & the big corporations. Too many in Washington DC, on both sides of the aisle, could care less about the every day American. They care about expanding the size of their wallets & their cronies. Change needs to occur, from school boards, towns/cities, counties/parishes, states/commonwealths & finally nationally. 3)I to have great respect for our vets, they have so much to teach us, the battles they have been a part of have given them such a great understanding of mankind & our own humanity. I wish we could get more men & women who have served, as well as those who haven’t but are willing to speak out, to come forward and help clean up the mess that we now see throughout the country. Just yesterday the senate voted into the SCOTUS, a judge who won’t define what the word “woman” is, has a history giving out shorter sentences than recommended on child porn & pedophilia & more. The qualification for the nominee was the person would be black & a woman (being left leaning would help)! Well it worked & now we are stuck.
I do hope there will be a follow up on this great man’s life. He’s been to hell and back. Surviving the burns alone is a miracle. I worked in the SICU/Burn Unit when I got out of nursing school, in 1971. Back then the treatments for severe burns was going through a transition. As often happens, much of what happens medically & surgically on the battle fields, transitions to the medical schools & associated hospitals. If these soldiers were not injured in battle, the doctors/nurses & support staff wouldn’t have tried things to save lives, so I thank all service members who did their hardest to save the lives of their brothers & sisters injured in battle. What they saw & did was miraculous. For those that didn’t survive & gave the ultimate sacrifice in honor of our country & our flag, it was not in vain. Even in death, lessons were learned. We wouldn’t have different levels of trauma centers all across our nation, nor the level of training for EMT’s & Paramedics, reaching people in that golden hour, giving someone injured a better chance of surviving if treatment can begin in those first 60 minutes. Utilizing choppers to evacuate the most seriously injured. All of this is a result of what worked at the battlefields & benefits each of us today. Much of this came post Vietnam Nam.
Thank you for sharing this video. Good bless you, our men & women who have & are serving & God help our nation get back on track!
I agree with everything that both David Christian and Bill Ehrhart say. I'm a veteran (Afghanistan) and would be thrilled to have a beer with either one of these men. Thank you, David, for sharing these stories with the world, for the ages.
Absolutely!
He was wrong about the United States being the only country that produced steel.
Great patriot; wonderful veteran whose story rings absolutely true. I spent one year in the war in SEA at a small radar site on the Laotian border- more bombs were dropped in Laos than in VN. When we went to college after our service, we formed a group called “Veterans on Campus”because they were the only ones who understood our experiences. All we had were each other. I agree 100% with this brother! Thanks for your truth and courage.
A complex story takes time too tell. I´m thankful for this mans words. He has a very good macro perspective and describes it very well and efficiently. Thank you.
Thanks for posting. Great interview. Should be required viewing in all high school history classes. And thank YOU David Christian for your service. Welcome home Sir.
B. Nininger , USMC 1982-86
Am I the only one who sees that his uniform is not squared away!? He's literally wearing 5 purple hearts... This is fishy
@@roryschultz3788 that's insane!
As a veteran and Purple Heart recipient from 09/03-09/04 OIF I,II I whole heartedly agree; don’t enter a war unless the point is to win.
That's not what he said though, and your comments are equal to Monday morning quarterbacking.
@@belen3732 that's almost exactly what he said actually. "If you're going to fight, you fight to win. There is no second place in a war". Even if he was wrong,which he wasn't, you should probably be a little more respectful towards this man who shed blood for this country. Thank you, David Watts for your service!
@@belen3732 Actually he did if you had watched the video 10:55, there ya go, maybe think before you speak yeah?
@@brandoncooke6564 Great post. I almost said to Belen373: "you apparently can't read well or recall what you heard". But I saw your comment. Well said. More power to ya!
@@chrismeyers5963 Ka blam!!! TY
Thank you for your service. I appreciate you telling it the way it is. Many of my friends are veterans even though I could never serve. A big thank you to all our veterans.
My Dad was a Drill Instructer in the Marine Corps. He was stationed in Camp Pendleton, CA. He went to Vietnam. He's still alive I should interview him! I thank you for these great films you made!
Just do it. It would be interesting to see and watch. Please tag me when you’ve done it.
Yes, please do it!!!
Yes definitely record his personal experience in Vietnam! Everyone who fought in the war should be interviewed! Although I understand many might not want to relive those times 😔
An extremely well spoken man. I HONOR him for his character. Not a swear word in the whole interview, BRAVO!!!
...a swear word is your measure of a man's character? He killed, saw friends killed, children killed, was used and lied to by the government, and still suffers from what he did and saw. And you are worried about a swear word??
@@JH-wc5rk - Yup. And I agree with him.
@@terryv y'all are both silly then
@@calliopeshif7581 - A name like yours, and I’M silly? Gotcha.
@@terryv hahaha oookayyy, so let's review the facts: you think absence of swearing is a valid measure of character, and you think a less-common name is silly. Seems you might be stuck with some questionable values there bud.
Would you be more comfortable if my name was "John" or something similar?
What am emotional and fabulous testimony by a great American. Thank you to all those who served in Vietnam. From a proud Cold War Air Force veteran.
While I was too young to serve in Viet Nam, this interview brought back a lot of memories of the 60's . . . and as he says, the 60's were filled with much trouble and grief.
What a well spoken, thoughtful man. I love the shell vs soul of the nation analogy and how he could be both conservative and liberal. I regret that I did not do more to say thank you to our returning vets then, even though I did not do anything negative either. He’s right that in middle America we just didn’t want to deal with it-and it’s sad that we engaged in an even longer war later that we in middle America didn’t even remember all the time. This is one of the best interviews I’ve ever seen. Thank you for sharing. I’m a bit shook.
I agree with you on your comment
They distract us with entertainment and sports so we can make them our heroes; while protesters get to run our educational system to influence our gullible kids into becoming atheists communists.
@@luanaspa4400 Science may be atheist but it is proven and your post on this media is an example of man's achievements, not some sky fairy born to hallucinating Mesopotamian sheepherders before optical science. Teaching Democracy is only a threat to the Plutocratic Oligarchy that owns 90% of US media. Religion is 9.1% of US GDP and tax free. Real Democracies allow a free press, too. The 90% owned corporate media hate democracy so they label it socialism, but it is OECD based Democracy, and successful before America made 46,000,000 refugees since their War on Terror began and they are too racist/xenophobic to save the refugees they themselves created. Canada took the Vietnamese and Chilean refugees from US's adventures. www.eiu.com/n/campaigns/democracy-index-2020/
My great aunt and my mother asked my great uncle why he was going back to Vietnam when driving him to the airport for his return flight to go back "in country." He had enlisted in 1949 when he was 17, served most of his career in Berlin. Got mixed up in the whole SF / Green Beret thing at some point and sent to SE Asia. It was his 2nd or 3rd tour when he was KIA in April of '67. He told them as they drove him to the airport in October of 1966 that he just thought he might be able to keep some of those young boys, like David Christian, alive.
I understand why he felt that way.
Thanks to you for sharing this piece and thanks to David for this very generous act of sharing his experience.
"We must protect the soul of our nation"
That said it all.
This is beautiful. Thank you!
We started our bomb drills under our desks. Then we went to the hall. The teachers were worried but we weren't. The Vietnam traveling memorial made me burst into tears. I felt so humbled to see all those names. A vet was hunting frantically for his buddy's name and couldn't find it. He looked like an addict. It had been marked incorrectly in the records. I walked down quite aways and a name jumped out at me. I went back and asked him if this was his buddy's name. He exclaimed YES! I took him to the name where he kneeled cried and placed a flower and some items on the ground beneath the name. This day God Almighty taught me of His love and concern for veterans. My four kids were with me.
I think God led you to that name and offered a tender mercy for him.
I remember being told to be careful about picking up pens on the road or sidewalk bc the Russians were making pen bombs! Insane - 1962!
That was awesome.
Thank you Linda...Now I know I was running w the soldiers
Wow... so touching!
This is one of the best interviews I've seen in my 38 years walking the earth. I love the dichotomy of the patriotic warriror parallel to an open mind for freedom of open discourse about right and wrong and the direct, zero BS way to form a more perfect union. It's beautiful.
The antidote to cancel culture
Both the cancel culture clowns on the left, and especially the seditious cancel culture traitors on the right would be well served to watch this great Patriot’s interview and take his words to heart. He truly understands what makes this country unique in the world.
@@alireid5874 Could truly be. :D
@@joshanderson5676 By "the right", are you meaning RINOs or whom?
What a man, what a great and candid interview.
A deeply moving and emotional interview. Thank you for sharing. A good reminder that the vast majority of the people who fight for their countries are not aware of why they are fighting, nor are responsible for the fight to begin with.
For myself, one who missed the hell of Vietnam by just a few years, because of my age, and knowing some around me that served in Vietnam, I cannot imagine the ignorance of those that turned against these kids sent to fight. I cannot understand how anybody can treat these kids with disrespect after imagining the hell they lived through. I have great respect for any person that has served and fought to preserve the Freedoms I have enjoyed my entire life.
What was done to him at 101:33 is inexcusable, cowardly, and sadly typical of that profession.
Most of us feel that way now, you have to understand how wrong that war was and what was going on here in the states? It hurts but I forgive them all.
War is a racket
God forgive them for they know not what they do by causing the veteran hero to suffer. We fought to help the underdog as they are brutally killed for the sake of communism.
@@mtsflorida
The Vietnam War was wrong.
I feel mostly bad for the men who had to fight in a war that they could never win.
Those who fought did their duty.
The ones that sent them were acting out of fear and arrogance.
That war has crippled America.
Wow! I’m super impressed with this soldier. I personally respect our military. Loved hearing this, especially with everything going on today. Should be mandatory for every student! Very clear and precise. Really makes you stop and think. God bless. 🇺🇸🇺🇸
Thank you sir,and hope and pray our USA once again rises up against Treasonous politics.
Thank you for doing this interview.
Thank you David Christian for your Honorable service to our country. I would be proud to serve with you anywhere, any time.
i'm not american, i'm not vietnamese and i was born in 71, still i want to thank you for posting such a magnificent testimony of this piece of history
I hope this man is still alive and still educating people on his experiences. Thank you for your service.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_A._Christian
Thank you for your service . . . sucker. Guys like you sure as hell made my life easier.
@@Ricopolico You're a good-for- nothing punk.
@@Ricopolico hope you get drafted in the future... Early lol
@@tylermiller6532 - That would be like double jeopardy for me. But, not to worry, we'll still have you to defend our freedoms. Right, Jody?
This reminds me so much of my dad, a green beret veteran. He suffered from PTSD and was treated poorly in some ways by the government. I dropped him off at the airport probably 12 years ago and he left for the Philippines. I never saw him again and he died last August from liver failure due to alcoholism. He was a good father but he had some demons. I miss him so much.
SO sorry for you and , especially , him.
sorry your dad suffered so much, wish you peace ahead
Not demons, memories. Sorry that you also were wounded by your dad's sacrifice, my dads childhood was overshadowed by my Grandfather's PTSD from WW2 I guess it's something that happens more frequently than anyone acknowledges.
All for the country that will never love him... All warriors should be rewarded for life, for risking their lives for greed and conquest to get nothing in return.
That is sad.. You Dad was a true hero who suffered for his war. He is at peace now and I thank him from the bottom of my heart for his service. X
This was so outstanding. I have an immense amount respect for this guy.
I'd like to thank you for sharing this interview. I would also like to thank Mr Christian for serving his country in Vietnam and continuing to do so sharing the story of his experiences.