Access to History: Vietnam War Helicopter Pilot
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 มิ.ย. 2024
- For more stories and resources for veterans, go to bit.ly/MCTV-Combat2College-F
Montgomery College Student, Jacob Ehlers, interviews Vietnam War Veteran Larry Earles. Earles was a helicopter pilot, primarily flying "Loaches" in hunter-killer missions accompanied with gunships. A highly decorated pilot, Earles was shot down seven times while flying in combat zones but miraculously was never wounded.
Montgomery College is a public, multicampus community college in Montgomery County, Maryland. Montgomery College serves nearly 60,000 students a year, through both credit and noncredit programs, in more than 100 areas of study.
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I am a USAF Vietnam vet (72-73). I am virtually at a loss for words. I was so riveted to your interview it may have been the fastest 55 minutes of my life. There is no question God was your copilot and he did not fail you. I want to congratulate both you and your wife for a lasting marriage under such uncertain circumstances. What a strong commitment you both made. "Thank You" sir for your service to America and best wishes always.
Jim B. Thank you for your service in Vietnam.
Ironically religion was forcibly brought over to our continent but sure lets say pure skill is from some “sky God”
Here is a man who, by his own admission, barely graduated from high school. He is articulate, intelligent, sensitive and just plain smart. Contrast him and his ability to communicate with a high school graduate or even an university graduate today. Thank you for your sacrifices and service, sir.
I'm a female RAF AH64D/e pilot with 3 combat tours Afghan and Mr. Earles's interview has touched me deeply. I would like to be like him in later years telling my grandchildren of my experiences. I was conceited too, until someone told me of a Kipling rhyme which I Most Heavily paraphrase - " When you're shot-down and left on Afghanistan's plains; And the women come out to cut up what remains; Just roll to your pistol and blow out your brains; And go to your God as a Soldier; A Soldier of the Queen " - I'm now as humble as is Larry and hopefully, having acheived rank - forlornly aspire to be half as interesting, intuitively instructive and inspirational as Cmdr Earles. 'Heroes' are always forgotten but a legacy of teaching and guidance will outlast
I love how he describes things. "Two pilots shot down twice in 30 minutes. They had a much more exiting afternoon than I did." LMAO!!!!
I personally know Larry and Nora Earles when they lived in El Paso, TX. I taught with his wife at the same school and had the privilege of being his son's 4th grade teacher. They are wonderful people. They left El Paso in the 80's and lost contact with them. I wish we can connect again.
My dad is a Vietnam Vet and when I was in Afghanistan I was on the phone with him when we started taking incoming and I just stayed calm and lied and said my platoon sergeant was calling me so had to go told him I loved him and ran out of the conex scared as I could be but soldiers know not to let their families know about that kinda thing it doesn't help anyone you just tell them that it's boring and everything is going well. Thank you to everyone of our outstanding Vietnam vets the toughest of all our Veterans.
Welcome home Rodney
This is a man you’d definitely want on your team. A born pilot, he just didn’t know it till he answered the call. Thank you, sir.
A dear friend recently passed away served 2 tours as helicopter pilot in Nam spent the rest of his military career as a instructor...RIP Dave....
Flew Charlie and Mike models in III Corps and Cambodia mainly nights. This gentleman speaks in a level , knowledgeable no BS manner and it was very satisfying listening to him. Being an OH-6 pilot in I Corps must have been a very challenging and exciting time.
He reminds me of the meter reader I met when I was about 8. When I saw him coming down the street I would run in the house to get him an ice cold bottle of coke, just to watch him open the bottle with his prosthetic hooks, hands. To me he was the incredible hulk. Watching him finish that drink and handing me the bottle. I remember asking my mother about his super hero hands and her telling me he came back from this place called Vietnam. Truly, you sir are still my hero.
That's an amazing story. One time I had a flat on my 1982 Ford Granada and the wheel had a lock lug and I lost the key a man came out with a grinder he also had a magic hand and he got that lug off
your mom raised good kid
A very emotive description.
Hero in some ways, victim in others.
Guess Who Pistol Braces were Made For?
One of the best interviews I've seen of military heroes. Amazing person.
What struck me, was the clear, concise manner in which Mr. Earles answered the questions. There appeared to be no attempts to embellish or inflate the experiences he had, just clear answers to what must have been some harrowing events in his life at the time.
Totally agree!!
Larry is a total bad ass!
I really enjoyed this interview, thanks in large part to the young man who interviewed Mr. Earles. He asked good questions and listened until Mr. Earles was finished. Never interrupted once. Because of that courtesy, the interview flowed easily and was very interesting.
Good points LMac. A good interviewer lets the interviewee be the star. The point you made about not interrupting is especially important.
LMac True, he never interrupted, but we have no idea what year he served or where he came from, or what unit he served with. Poorly done in my view.
if that's your only gripe.. then ffs , get over it.
@@Arellar Finished Flight School in November of '68 ... finished 2nd tour July '70.
kimosabbe50 Who did you serve with?
What a cool guy, especially how he re-established his relationship with his wife......big salute!
Mr Earles, from the UK I'd just like to say how much I enjoyed hearing of your Vietnam experience, a true gentlemen and a true American hero. How your fellow countrymen treated you and your fellow brothers and sisters in arms on return was a disgrace. You are all heroes. I salute you sir.
Happened in Australia ..
Your story sound so familiar with what I wanted to do on graduation from college, only to serve in 'Nam. I was selected for Armor OCS and the day following college graduation in '67, was inducted, beginning the journey through Basic, AIT, and OCS at the Armor School, Ft. Knox, KY. I had never been physically challenged in life and I loved my training ... couldn't get enough!
My story finds me losing my way during OCS as a former "love" distracted me from my "mission" of volunteering for 'Nam, but I was commissioned a 2Lt, not in Armor but in the Adjutant General Corp stationed at Ft. Belvoir, VA and got married in '68 The Army knew what it was doing by taking me out of Combat Arms & placing me in an admin position where I could do no harm to anyone. I ended up leaving the Army wishing that I had been able to serve in Vietnam, in combat. Crazy, I know. Many have assured me that I had missed nothing but I still wonder what the experience would have done for me. I loved my Armor training. I wanted to go to "jump school" & survival school. Somehow, it was not to be & possibly why I am alive today. But I will always admire those of you who "kept busy" in the military, earning your CIB and many service recognitions.
I am now retired and life has been very good to me. Divorce of my "love" distraction of 1968 after 20 years finds me married to a wonderful lady who kind of understands me after 33+ years. I often wonder if she, like your Nora, would have waited for me to finish my dream life with the Army. Thank you for sharing your "LOACH" & Huey experiences with us. All together you required "only the best" of yourself with the Army, in government service, and as a husband & father.
You are 1st class and a wonderful credit to the Army and your service in safe administration. Thank you for your service! Jack
2 back to back tours (2 years straight) of Army aviation combat at low level over the jungles of Vietnam against a savage, determined enemy. What guts, these guys make me proud to be American.
This warrior sounds like a descent, kind man as well. Thankyou for your service sir
He is a great guy. I went to school with his kids. Wonderful family.
He's not the only man duped by recruiters... Me too!
I was already very good at stalking game but rejected for sniper school.
Then, much later, someone noticed my skills with a rifle.
I rejected their offers, as I was loving tank recovery in Germany.
Later, they sent us to Northern Ireland, where we endured snipers.
I borrowed a rifle, from an infantryman, laid down some rounds,
with the result that, it got far too hot for the sniper. He went home for tea.
After that, we went carried tracer rounds, to let the patrol know where to shoot.
Green tracer rounds earned me the name, Green Dragon.
davevario pp
[pussywhiped satan] insight.
Why are the 'enemy' described as 'savage'??
This man is very well spoken. I can tell this man is grateful for life
I stumbled across this interview. The young man doing the interview is the next great generation and did a very good interview. I'm a drafted disabled Republic of Vietnam 1st Aviation combat veteran '68. I was a crew chief that trained on the OH 6 at Fort Eustis, Virginia in 1967. I was trained to be a crew chief on the UH-1 too. About 5 months of training. I was sent to Vietnam as an OH 6 Crew Chief. The OH 6 had a push pull type system with no hydraulics and no need for the hydraulic oil. The engine was a little gem. I had a pilot that shot a hole in the rotor blade with his revolver. I guess these guys learnt from us. Eaglegards...
I was a paratrooper, but the closest I ever felt to flying was a LOACH ride off FB Birmingham towards Camp Eagle. I was a Pathfinder at the time and operated hand in hand w/aviation, so this pilot decided he was gonna show me what he could do, and it was a thrill, to say the least. Those guys could fly them under jungle canopy and maneuver out, amazing skill.
A magnificent testimony of American's warriors. A well-done to all.
From an 83 yr-old Marine.
Semper Fi SIR
Thanks Sir.
I agree with you very much!!
"I wanted to be a sniper." Army sends him to flight school.
Sometimes the Internet produces some quality content.
What a well balanced individual he turned out to be.
Thoroughly enjoyable...
As a kid in my early teens I can remember visiting the USA on holiday from Ireland and watched with horror and disgust as a soldier on home leave from Vietnam was abused by his own country men at JFK airport New York, even then as a kid I knew the cowards that abused this soldier hadn't the balls to stand in his shoes.
Thank you
Bravo, well said!
Kaan Akcay how do you know that he as a individual committed war crimes
@Joe Menguy I grew up in Northern Ireland and during the 30 year war here the British army did a lot of bad things against my people including mass murder but they weren't all bad most of them were just kids trying to stay alive but there's bad apples in every barrel.
All high school I took military training. Wanted to be a pilot which I did at 17 years old finally. Went to enlist to be a helicopter pilot at end of 1970 when 18 years old. My mother trashed the letters from the recruiters. Also hung the phone on them when they called. Kept me in a college i hated instead. I could have ended up shot up in Nam and killed, Heli pilots were shot down by hundreds a month in 1971-72. Thanks for your service, Captain.
I know this is and Old interview but here's a SALUTE to you sir!
I was in Vietnam about the same time Warrent Officer Earles was there, '68-'69. I was with the 595 Signal Company and we supported the Big Red One in DiAn and several other posts. I remember well when the copters would return from a mission as the runway was right behind our hootches. So many times the copters would just barely get back to base and crash land near where I lived those many years ago and so many were thrown from their aircraft when it crashed. We would run out and help them as best we could. It was so sad, but we were glad they made it back. One of my classmates was a Medic on one of those copters that never made it back. R.I.P. Larry Van Meter from Bluffton, Ohio, I miss you buddy.
Great video, I was in Nam too in the Infantry. Served in Americal, 11th LIB, Delta Company 1st/20th Inf. I posted a tribute to the last Chaplain to be killed in combat along with 10 other men. It all happened in front of me after Chaplain Merle Brown came out to our bush location on Easter Sunday 1971 to bring us hot food and give us Easter Services. I sat next to him for over an hour and talked with him. I felt he was my new best friend. I was devastated as I watched the explosions of his helicopter and knew he was probably dead.
Thank you, I was a doorgunner with 2 tours also, 1970-1972. So many thoughts popped into my mind, thank you for the memories.
The smell though...ringing ears forever.
Did you shoot women and children?
Shawn Ryan Pay attention. He was the bait for the Cobras to carry out seek and destroy missions. He was purely after soldiers shooting at him. You’d make a good hippie.
You're a hero thank you for fighting for freedom!
👍👍👍🎖
A BIG salute to this great American. 🇺🇸
Absolutely
I was in Pleiku, Dak To, Ben Het. Combat Engineers. This clip brings back alot of memories. Flew on recon 1 time as a Combat Engineer. Mine swept road from Kontum to Dak To many times. Thks again. God Bless all who served their country there. Sp5 Larry C. White, 4/69 to 3/70.
Nice job of letting Mr Earles finish all of his thoughts and not interrupting him. People don't tune in to listen to the interviewer. Questions were well thought out, and relevant. Mr Earles you are a hero! Thank you for your service.
My Dad served in Vietnam in the infantry. I’m so sorry you had to go through that in that Seattle airport. My Dad had a similar experience in San Francisco airport. You guys are heroes, you more than answered the call. Thank you so much!
No one dared say anything at all to us. The most that happened to me was that people would take a few steps away from me. I sat at SEATAC and the person I had sat next to, got up and sat somewhere else away from me. No one spoke to me and I didn't mind as I didn't have any grudges as I still do not. All pilots, but especially OH-58, OH60 pilots and MED EVAC were badass. I was inserted and extracted on LRRP operations by UH-1s accompanied by Cobras and HOGS. He was truthful when he said they would fly low and slow to draw ground fire and then they would scram as the Cobras would initiate their gun runs. It was a beautiful sight to behold for a grunt.
The MED EVACS would fly at night in weather so they're higher up my list of badasses but they all were. They saved me and my team mates several times risking their lives daily. Thank you for the work did.
@@Wildcat5181 Welcome home George..no political BS here just saying welcome home
That was an amazing interview. I was particularly touched by Patsy’s email. That said it all.
I'm an old 67-N ARNG helicopter fixer. Thank you for your service.
I was in the AF as a crew chief on jets . After that I went to Vietnam as a helicopter mechanic and sheet metal repair . I have the utmost respect for both services pilots but these helicopter pilots in all services are truly brave warriors . I flew with the Army pilots in Vietnam just to travel around but I was glad that I didn’t have to do it every day or so like they did . Flying low level with no protection is not a occupation conducive to longevity . These men are true heroes.
As a civilian heli pilot I am in awe of these men.
Who could possibly give this a thumbs down?! What a hero this man is for his country. Great job by the student.
Really appreciated this interview!! I also served in Vietnam in 1968 and flew OH-6A's. Larry was a warrant officer and I was a commissioned officer (1st Lt while in Vietnam) so our training path was subtlely different but basically the same!! I am amazed at the commonality of his experiences and mine and would love to meet him at some point!!
Richard Ohlrogge thank you for your service and courage
THANKS SIR I AM FOREVER IN DEBT TO YOU. TO SEE WHAT OUR COUNTRY IS NOW IS LITERALLY MAKING ME SICK. I WILL NEVER FORGET THE OATH I TOOK AND WILL DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND BILL OF RIGHTS AT ALL COST GOD BLESS YOU SIR
You both are maturing . . . don't wait ! 🇺🇸
Flew with Larry in Nam. One hell of a pilot and individual to this day. He trained this newbie at the time in the OH-6 and flying "Whiteteam" missions. White teams were a pair of gun loaches that operated on their own. Also, Larry went to Nam as a Warrant, but he was offered and took a first lieutenant slot before he left Nam, rest of story. 33
everytime i relayed the schedule for the next day i wondered how the loh crew got up for it. 71st ahc ops nco
How can 200 people dislike this mans life story?
Larry, I too am a vet of Viet Nam, Jan.1966 - Jan 1967. I too spent a year and half at Fort Hood , Tx. I got out in July 1968. I want to say THANK YOU for your service and a wonderful story. God is watching over you. Thank you
Had two Vietnam tours. Only time I was disrespected was by the son of reporter Bob Considine. That occured at a party in Long Branch, N.J. 1967. My two tours were 1965-66, 1969-70. Then went to Panama for four years and retired 1980 as a major. I did my first solo Cessna 150 at Robert Gray Army Airfield. Yes, I was scared as well. Came home 2d tour 19 July 1970.
A friend of my fathers was a chopper pilot in vietnam, survived being down by enemy fire 3 times, hearing what these crews had to deal with was pretty unreal.
I want to add to the complement given to the interviewer. So many times the person interviewing disrupts the flow of the conversation. Thank you Mr. Earles
for sharing your life story. Thank you for your service to your country.
You, sir, are an inspiration. Your wife, also, is obviously a very special lady. TOTAL RESPECT.
I have had the opportunity to meet Larry a couple times now, and he is a total gentleman. I really enjoyed listening to your story, Larry! I appreciate you and your service! :)
As soon as i see the killer egg and he mentioned hunter killer teams i was like please be a scout pilot! Then he said i flew out in front was like yuss! These guy's where the bad boy's of Vietnam war army aviation. This should be good. Now back to the interview!
What an amazing story--I can't believe you got back in a helicopter after every crash landing! wow. I was lucky enough to have a Vietnam vet helicopter pilot when doing wildlife work in roadless areas of SE Alaska. He was so confident getting us in and out of tight spaces--you could tell he knew exactly what his craft was capable of. Once he took my coworker and I on a little flight where he skimmed an alpine ridge at low altitude and then took the helicopter in a steep dive down the other side, joking, "sometimes the engine does stall when you do this." We always felt so safe with him, which makes sense since he must have had soooo much flying under his belt compared to the civilian pilots I have flown with.
Thank you for sharing your personal story of the war. These oral histories are so valuable for current and future generations. Thank god you survived to come home, but it must have been a tough transition. Thankfully nobody seems to blame service men and women now for things that are in the hands of politicians--back then was a crazy time in the US, lots of anger and politicians seemed so distant and inaccessible. Times have changed and I'm sure anyone who jeered a soldier back then must feel awful about it now.
Seems Crazy as Hell Flying at Low Altitude, but You Don't Have a Snowball's Chance of Walking Away Falling from a Great Height. In Urban Areas, Power Lines are the Greatest Threat to Vertical Flight as are Billboards, Freeway Light Towers, Water Towers, Radio Antennas and Cell Towers
A humble man worthy of respect
Mr. Earles... THANK YOU for YOUR service!!!
Love this story. I to was in Nam and was spit on when I returned to Travis on a medi vac flight. I would not be alive today if pilots like you weren't there. You saved many lives. Thanks for your service.
Was Travis so open that protesters could gain admission onto a DOD instillation ?
What was your Rate? Rank?
Eighteen years ago, my wife required an emergency med flight for the emergency delivery of our daughter. The pilot was a Vietnam veteran pilot, nearing the very end of his flying career. He obliged my wife's desire and request to fly by a local church on her way to the hospital. Not only did he oblige her, but truly buzzed the bell tower on Easter Vigil. She said it felt like she could reach out the window and touch the steeple. Anyway, a skilled and extremely competent, compassionate pilot, to say the least.
I fought in Iraq (Baghdad) in may of 03. When the man was asking questions i would answer him before Mr. Earles did and remarkably we had the same exact answers for most the questions. Yes, mail call was the brightest part of the day but for some was the worse part as well. Also we didn't have access to phones in fobs (foward operating base) only when we got to go to the Baghdad international airport where the Division command was set up. Towards the end of my tour, the did start allowing Iraqi on the fob and they brought satellite phones we used to call home once a week for about 10 mins. Time flies almost 20 years have gone by and the sites and smells of war are still fresh in my mind. I just want to salute all the veterans that have served, are currently serving, and will serve in the future. God bless you and especially all my brothers that paid the ultimate sacrifice. " It shall be done"
Two tours with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. I was a Forward Observer where we did multiple combat assaults, then 5 months a Liaison Officer for the 3/503. I flew 450 plus hours with the Battalion Commander. The Huey Pilots were nothing short of amazing men, courageous and caring about the soldiers. We lost hydraulics twice and were shot down twice. Everytime the skill of the pilots was extraordinary. The risks they were willing to take always exceeded expectations. I was in awe of the pilots and the door gunners. There was always a tendency to take them for granted. I doubt that they ever received the credit they deserved.
You are an articulate man who lives with pain of war. Thank you for your service and God bless you and your family.
Very good and smart interviewer, not interrupting and letting the interviewee tell his own story.
Larry Earles...Thank you for your service. You show remarkable courage, honor, integrity and patriotism. Welcome back home to the land of the free and the brave thanks to your contributions, dedication and commitment.
For those who are interested in the type of activity, he was involved. A book called "Low-level hell" talks in detail of the risks, daily routine and procedures of a Hunter-Killer group.
If I’m ever half the man that this soldier is I’ll be very happy. Salute to you sir.
Had the same thoughts watching this (sadly, in my case I don't think it will happen). Would love to know what makes some men real men and heroes.
AaI will be eternally grateful for these pilots & copilots crewcheifs& door gunners for getting us in & out of some horrendous situations & saving our lives!
Mr. Earles, if you do happen to read this, please know first off, I'm terribly sorry for all the jeering and spats you got on your way back. At best those bastards who did that have not had a clue. To me personally, you are always a hero. And if I ever happen to run into you, all your beers will always be on my tab. Thank you. o7
Thank you for your service
@@mtlassen1992 I am a Vietnam vet. It was an atrocity.!!! This guy is a fool. You are misguided.
I feel bad for some vets, people in Washington that made some bad choices and sent americans and Canadians into a war that was not right.
Vincent Conti I Respect Everything U did an Thank U for Ur Service Sir U Guys are true Heroes.. But I think Ur misunderstanding what tht Guy is Saying, He’s Talking About the People who protested U Guys then some idiot who talks Bad & Judges U when they were Never there an Don’t Have a Clue What U Guys Saw & Been Threw But they have the Freedom to judge Only because of Men Like U...Vietnam Might have been Wrong, But thts on the Gov. Not the Men An Women Who Served.. U & this Gentleman Might Have Different Opinions About the War But Thts What We’re Supposed 2Have Or Life Sure would be Boring if We All think alike..Thank U for Making this Country Great 👍🏼🇺🇸Thank U for Everything.!! God Bless U God Bless America 🇺🇸🇺🇸
@@richardpluim4426 I feel sorry for the Vietnamese, they never asked for this war, the just didint want to be occupied, this is always forgotten
An honour and a privilege - thank you sir...
Hi Squirrel, This is Stan Jaworski I watched the whole video, One of the best. I still communicate with Joe Gwizdak and Jim Tomes. I am glad your life turned out OK. You and Mr. Phelps were the pilots I admired the most. I have a poster in my office taken out of the bunker we lived in.
5798478 hi Stan thanks for your bravery!
Mr Earles, Job well done. I salute you and all the men who flew in the Nam. I was the WOC who designed the safety sign that our class (68-27 - 68-515) built at the Y at Ft. Wolters. I had been a concrete finisher prior to entering the Army and with my classmates we built that sign. Quite a task for young men. Being in 68-515, 2 week accelerated program, I never got to see it finished but I see it is still standing on googlemaps. Left the military in late 69 and sold insurance most of my life. Raised a great family and now PAPA to 5 grand kids. I too was spit on and had a little old lady throw a can of urine are me. We were not liked and I lost jobs too by including VN on my resume. Learned to quit that. Glad you made it and God Bless you!
you can tell this was very emotional for him talking about his experiences
What a humble man such dignity thank you for sharing your story
Very nice interview jack black. And thank you captain Larry Earle
yeh, maybe would have been better if the interviewer was just a disembodied voice.
he was a warrant officer not a captain
Hunter Killer = Fishbait. The Only Thing That Makes a Better Target is Coast Guard Orange like 'Finding Nemo' or Magnum P.I. Treetop Flat Hatting Increases Survivability Cause Helos Don't Have Parachutes. JP4 = Kerosene Camp Fuel/AVGAS. JP6 = Diesel, JP2 = Jet Fuel. You can Run JP4 in Place of JP6, But Not Vice Versa Because it Gums Up the Engine. Any M2 Carbine they Gave to the ARVNs Would Been Better than a Handgun, but Pilots were Instructed to Act like Non-Combatants in the Hopes the Commies Would Treat them Better. Pilots Were Always Selected to Make Propaganda Statements. In Xmas 1968, You Could See Starlets from Bonanza and Petticoat Junction on the Pages of Playboy Magazine. Talk about Pinup Girls! Nowdays Green Berets are Known as 'Baby Killers' Because Training Militia Usually Involves "Able-Bodied Men" Too Young to be Conscripted into Military Service
"we have jack black at home"
jack black at home:
One of the best interviews I have ever seen, what a brave, honest individual whom answers his questions thoughtfully.Sorry you lost ya mates Larry. Thankyou for your service.
Agree! Also, Jacob did an excellent job of allowing Mr Earles to set the pace of the interview. He didn't interrupt or talk over him but rather gently asked his questions then gave his guest time to answer. For many veterans, especially Viet Nam vets, talking about their service is very difficult and to put into words the brutality of war is stressful, to say the least. I have no idea if there was an opportunity to rehearse but it felt like Mr. Earles was hearing the questions for the first time - these make the most honest interviews. Appreciate the upload and the job well done.
I completely agree. One of the most interesting and informative interviews I have seen. Much respect to Mr. Earles for his service and for sharing his stories.
What a guy. Thank you for your service.
Semper Fi from a Marine and Army OEF vet! Thank you for your service!
watched from mongolia
repect to this succesful pilot
im a chef pilot too ive learned soo much from him nice interview
Thank you Larry for sharing your experiences as a Army helicopter pilot. God Bless you and your wife and thank you for your service. The more we hear about our American history the better the chance we can survive as a nation of free men and women dedicated to free speech, and liberty. Older fellows like you can teach our young people the missing parts of history they do not get in the public schools anymore due to PC culture blocking the truth. They need to know the truth, good and bad in order to lead others in the future. Thanks again for taking the time to share. 👍👍✌
This man matured well from the prideful man that his wife knew at first. He seems like such a humble man now.
One of best interview l have seen on Vietnam , what a great person and a true hero , welcome home ,God bless kind sir 🇺🇸
You are an extraordinary human being. I wish you a peaceful, content, happy, long, life
He earned it.
no, he was just a sheep following unjust orders, just like the nazi ss. there ar no heroes in an unjust war, just victims.
moron.....if we dont kill them....if we dont stop their gene pool...destroy their DNA....they will come back or their kids wiil.......
Golly you can't go about divulging the actual plan Jerry einstandig, the slow flakes melt at the notion of protecting ourselves, by eliminating those who seek to destroy our freedoms and the seekers would go on to teach their children who teach their children, etc. etc. Stop the spread whilst you can. Oh but you've also revealed the penultimate plan of protecting all of humanity by attempting to stem the tide of overpopulation and cleaning up the gene pool. Poor frozen thing probably burst into flame.
Golly you can't go about divulging the actual plan jay Berkowitz, the slow flakes(Jerry einstandig) melt at the notion of protecting ourselves, by eliminating those who seek to destroy our freedoms and the seekers would go on to teach their children who teach their children, etc. etc. Stop the spread whilst you can. Oh but you've also revealed the penultimate plan of protecting all of humanity by attempting to stem the tide of overpopulation and cleaning up the gene pool. Poor frozen thing probably burst into flame.
Absolutely fabulous interview, top marks to the interviewer and the interviewee. Really enjoyed this. What a hero.
Thank you, from the UK
That description of what pilots are like brought back memories of my father.
He flew cobra gunships in 1969, I can still remember when he was over there.
RIP dad.
Thank you for your service Mr. Estes.
So understated, so HONEST, so HEROIC, and a man who continued to serve after his war... Be proud of you life, Sir, we are honoured to hear you share your experience. You, Sir, are THE EMBODIMENT of all that's fine and good in the US Serviceman. One of the best and most informative TH-cam interviews I've ever seen. xx SF
Amen
Thanks, Larry and I am so glad you made it home.
My father was part of the Hunter / Killer teams or "Pink Teams." He flew the AH1G Cobra and always had the utmost respect for the "Loach" pilots and the courage those men had while attempting to flush out the enemy. I know he lost many friends and fellow pilots who flew these helicopters in such dangerous situations. My father passed away at a young age from cancer due to Agent Orange. I wonder if Mr. Earles has had any problems with AO exposure due to his time in Vietnam? Thank you for your service, Mr. Earles and I thank Mr. Ehlers for conducting such an important and enlightening interview.
I am HIGHLY impressed by the way Jacob conducted this interview! Better than many professionals we see around! Mr Larry Earles is an amazing guy! I wish there was more people like him I wish you Sir and your family all the very best!
Thank you Mr. Earles for your service and for opening up and helping us understand more of what you and the other members went through. Stay well and be safe.
Thank you again for your service, Larry.
I'm really glad I found this video.
Mr. Earles gave a very clear view of his time in Vietnam.
You can tell that recounting his story was very poignant for him.
Wow! Great stories. My Dad was a Huey and Cobra pilot in Vietnam and he told me many stories such as the ones this gentleman told. I have so much respect and admiration for these guys and for my father! Thank you for your service.
How can anyone in good conscience spit on someone coming back from war?
Because they were cowards.
Only Democrats
@Tom Smith sounds like folk in seattle are a very strange bunch .. greetings from NZ .
My daughter lives in Washington state .
Thank you for your service. I was deeply moved by your interview and you are a genuine hero. Words not enough
I LOVED the story of his courtship and marriage to Nora. It brought tears to my eyes.
Anybody else SO RELIEVED that Larry and Nora continued to find happiness after his service? His success as an officer in the Correctional System, (after a fashion since he was a Safety Officer...) seems to suggest that on a very basic level he's the kind of man who is drawn to serving society in in a manner that, while providing him personal meaning and fulfilment, is also very challenging. His totally matter-of-fact, even understated tone, in the way that he describes harrowing experiences that would possibly shatter another person's well-being is beyond respect. Finally, huge kudos to the interviewer who managed the relaxed conversation in a really professional way, whilst getting to all the answers we as listeners/viewers wanted to know. Not to be disrespectful to ANY VETERANS WHO HAVE SERVED, we tend to make CHARACTERS of CERTAIN VETERANS who have served and, (and bless them) some people make CAREERS of writing books and talking about their past service. (Whatever works for them...) Larry Earles sold vacuum cleaners door-to-door when he came home... He NEVER capitalized or monetized his unusually heroic service. What a guy. Wow. xx SF
I THANK GOD FOR MEN LIKE YOU. THANKS FOR ALL YOU DID.. YOUR A VERY LUCKY MAN. AND A TRUE AMERICAN!!
That’s what an American hero is folks!!! Thank you Mr. Eagles for sharing your story and your service!! God bless you!!
This man only tears up when he talks about the pain of others, not his own. He is a treasure.
This is the most remarkable story.
Amazing story, thank you for your service and the sacrifice of your youth Mr. Earles.
Thank you Mr. Earles for your service to our country. Thank you for the positive impact you have made as a citizen who survived combat as a soldier! God Bless you sir!
I don't care what anybody says, Larry u are a hero for what u did in Vietnam, you were only doing what u were told to do. And I want to thank u for serving our great nation, and I wish u and your loved ones nothing but great health and happiness. And no matter what u hold your head held high, because u are a great man. Most of us would only hope that we can be half the man u are. Thanks again Larry, I no u don't no me but I am truly proud of u for what u have accomplished in your life. 🙏🇺🇸🗽🇺🇸🙏
You were the Bait. And those choppers were incredibly maneuverable-my favorite chopper to fly. Love the speed, the agility, the just plain fun you can have flying these ships.
Unfortunately it’s not “fun” in your circumstances.
Massive respect. Thank you, sir.
The 500’s were great lifters too!
THANK YOU LARRY !
What an articulate interviewee. Great stories, well told. As a veteran (1966-1970), I can relate to some parts of his history, but he has opened up some new aspects of a veteran's military days.
Years ago I had a friend who did what this man did. When I met Jerry he was flying for a coal company. He lost his life while flying in a Life Flight situation. Great guy.
Flying indeed is a feeling that we couldn't explain. Only to be father to my children, is ever topping that unique emotion. Hell I want to go back again to the cockpit.!
I'm just looking for history on my father Chief Warrant Officer 3rd Dennis Leverette pilot CH 36 boxcar 3