My cousin Daniel Benedett was one of the 41. He was aboard a chopper that was shot down. We had seen him a week earlier in Southern CA just before he deployed. Thank you, History Guy, for this story. You gave me more information in 18 minutes than the US government has given us in 46 years. His family has mostly all passed on now, but you gave me a degree of closure. Danny’s remains were never recovered, but he lives on in my heart. BTW, his namesake, his uncle Daniel Halford, was killed in WWII as the bombardier aboard a PBY in the Pacific campaign. Two Daniels; two wars; same result.
David, I remember this, I was a Marine on Okinawa when this happened. I've talked to two Marines who were involved in this operation last year. Both said the G-2 (Intelligence) was wrong. They were told only farmers and a small group of Cambodian Soldiers were on the island. It's my opinion President Ford should have waited one day. If he had, the Mayaguez crew would have been released. Ford did this because of the Debacle a month earlier during the Evacuation of Saigon in April 75. It's my opinion Ford authorized this to improve HIS approval ratings. The Marines and Corpsman (medics) did what they were told. In my book they were Heroes, and should never be forgotten. Semper Fi from an old Marine Sergeant.
@@usmc-veteran73-77 I think military intelligence officers should always be required to be part of these missions . It might make them work a little harder at their jobs to get it right .
My step dad was one of the survivors of that incident. Prior to this video his story was all I knew of it. It was interesting to hear your video having herd his experience, thank you for making it.
I have a dead presidential candidate in my family... J Edgar most likely ordered our family doctor to let Huey bleed... FDRs doc said to ours he didnt have polio he had syphilis...and he took a 38 sw from behind his ear. This leaves me with my grandma Long. Hueys cousin marries a rail lawyer up north who holds with Ike. We are all masons. Marching orders from Mitchell and the President come on a green way away from any ears and very casually as the day wears away they leave informed of expected action....maybe secret action...but... this would maybe have never occurred as his wife is jewish. Country Clubs had restrictions... so.. this was the power of the freemasons... to allow a thing as he is a free mason and to keep his secret ...among others that ties us together.. spiritual arm twisting . Right down to murder. To be a president a lot of people are going to die... on your watch.. and just to get to the top people die. Usually you listen closely to the president you live... if yer stupid mind over matter it dont matter kinda guy... well... there's a war on ignorance.. it starts with flouride in the water. Cant afford real water in the city ? Oh well you'll never hear god with a calcified pineal gland I guatantee... so I know some things.. I was given the 33° oil since birth. My uncle was senate finance chair ... we are all masons.. to activate the fermented skatefish oil grandma Long would beat me half to death 10-15 minutes... cut a switch swallow the oil dont barf. Then wailing ...shit I would just put my kid on a schwinn. Aeadyne for 20 minutes ... it was a different time OK. ? So I was tapped by OSS Wildman himself... i assured him at 12 inhadnt even driven a car as he put the preflight in my lap as we jumped in his new mercedes after church.. Before it was over Kissinger and Chase flew into my guns on a million acre globalist preserve. I was the diplomatic gunman. Ambasador bought the ranch I worked as a kid. I was a known trick shot out of the marines with the chief detectives old ford and the #1CDX Shepherd and an arsenal. So now I'm playing the queens piano at Col. Greens old mansion. Richard Chase thrashed me on the chess board I could not beat that guy... meanwhile back in town my brothers nasa crew is getting shot up. Men in black anti grav. Then my moms boss had to autopsy his own son at ft. Whipple. I'm back in town and it's a shitstorm like no other.... then Hugh Hefner hands this first year law student a blank check to the supreme court for 3 seeds.. the spillover from the shitstorm... I suppose I should be under the jail as I was the suspect leaker and now out in the cold. When the judge asked me who I thought I WAS....just who do you think you are. Well I gave him finger to lips and sword to throat gesture as I would be breaking my oath to have to tell him in legal court wod get me killed. By my own family. 46 years later they are all gone to their rewards and there are lines around the pot stores. So light up a fatty for me. Today is National " Identity crisis " day..
I worked on that island in 1992 with JTFFA and CILHI. Standing on that beach and seeing all the detritus of that battle while knowing what happened was very sad and humbling. Please see my full comment above and thank you for his service.
I would wish politician's would be haunted by the thought of 3 of ours left behind. It might make them think of the consequences of their actions. These Men gave cover so others could escape and the brass thought it too dangerous to reciprocate. I hope a bridge in each of their respective states is named in their memory. True Hero's.
It wouldn’t be the first time, many have been left behind by the US army and Air Force. Time to stop fighting wars for people who only cares about power and greed,
It also goes against Marine Corps tradition. If it is that dangerous, you call for volunteers. Then, you take the overwhelming force that results (Marines would fight each other to get on that detail) and kill everything you see until you find my guys. Semper fidelis.
@@diverdownaaron That's what really sucks. When word spread that Marines may have been left behind, plenty of their brother Marines volunteered to go back and find them. A 14 man SEAL Team had also just arrived with the task force from Subic Bay and also volunteered to go in with the Marines as a search and rescue party. They all got turned down.
@@rickieoakes5267 I get what your saying and I agree for the most part but remember it was politicians who stop McArthur from nukng north Korea which would have triggered nuke war with china and Russia it was also politicians who stopped the Cuba crisis which if dod had its way would have went nuclear we need better checks and balances
As a proud USAF Security Forces Veteran this video is greatly appreciated. For it’s relevance today for Afghanistan Veterans and for remembering the brothers who died so long ago. Thank You 🙏 🇺🇸
@@eugeneburns2880 No I cant, its as specific as possible. I can reassure you that Im not implying anything or putting my bias on display, Im just asking the man what he is personally proud of, specifically regarding the actions of the group he worked for.
My dad is in the picture at 14:18, at the front. 18 minutes is not enough to explain everything that went wrong those four days. But you men did your jobs, and should be proud of that.
@johnleidle9910...if Truman had listened to sound advice and supported Vietnamese sovereignty, instead of giving it back to France, none of this would have happened
A very timely HG episode given ongoing current events. One of the Marines grievously wounded during the assault on Koh Tang was a member of our church. I remember seeing him on crutches and the horrible wound scars at the church picnic after he had been released from the Navy hospital. That made a huge impression on a 12 year old me.
My older brother in law was on the USS Robert E Perry and during 1975 and 1976 his ship dealt with the so called boat people of Vietnam. I remember watching the fall of Indo- China on TV reading about in the newspapers, I too was 12 years of age at the time. MY father was stationed at Pearl Harbor at the time attached to NSA.
@@maxpayne2574 What does that even mean? Is American presence in South Korea a 70-year war? Further... what does your faction of "always surrender" have to offer a people who value peace and freedom?
@@cheddar2648 G'day, Clearly you don't know much about either Military History, International Law, or the Korean War... Yes, OF COURSE..., the Korean War, which began in 1950, and which has NEVER Bin-Concluded...., and which had merely Bin-Paused - following the 1953 Signing of a CEASE-FIRE, and an Armistice - but NO Peace Treaty....; is in matters of FACT, Unkle Spam's 71 year Asian War, which has Bin-Stuck in a Stalemate, for 68 Years. Wake up to the Nature Of Reality. In 1975, during a Fisftfght with Bats & Clubs & and Shovels, the North Koreans beat a US Marine Lieutenant to death, in the DMZ during a dispute concerning Tree Pruning. Did you NOT Know that the Korean War is still " a Happening Thing" ? There there, the infamous ..'MurriKan(!) Edjumication Sistem failed, yet again ; with you, apparently. Such is Life, Have a good one... Stay safe. ;-p Ciao !
I was stationed at a US Army signals intelligence base in NE Thailand when this incident happened. I spoke with some of the Cambodian linguists that accompanied the Marines on the attack on Ko-tang Island. They said that it was a complete disaster. This was what happens when politicians are more worried about their polling numbers than they are American lives.
were you at NKP or UT (probably NKP). Air America built their own club at Udorn because the Air Force wives did not like getting groped by the AA crews.
I was an EW2 on the USS Bronstein, FF-1037, part of the destroyer squadron used to rescue the SS Mayaguez. Later in Subic Bay, our crates of stuff bought thru the Navy Exchange was delivered and marked 'SS Mayaguez'. We had rescued our own stereo equipment. A couple of years later, I was a Navy Recruiter in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. Small world :)
To hear that those 3 men were left behind breaks my heart on another level. May God comfort and keep them.....and all the others that gave their last great act of devotion during that time and all other conflicts before and since.
Yup, they were left behind so kissinger could high five ford. Geez! I graduated from MCRD San Diego in Sept '74 and have no respect for ford or kissinger.
There is no proof that any god has ever existed, hence no 'heaven' nor life after. Perhaps if we took time to reflect on that we wouldn't be so god-damned anxious to kill off our young soldiers.
@@fatdaddy-viii-8672 I agree with your comment and I see where you’re coming from and whether it was Ford and Kissinger or now “Joke” Biden and Karmela Harris, these politicians are only worried about their own butts and the worry is that they want to get reelected and this includes the president and every senator and Rep. in the house of representatives and here’s why: Anyone, repeat: ANYONE voted in to elective office anywhere in the United States Is assured to attain wealth ! Their actual frenzy once they’ve been elected ...is to get RE-Elected so they $tay in the game and get more grift ! Obama came to the White House worth perhaps $2 million on paper , he left the White House worth about $80 million. And now he’s worth $180 million and sure: a lot of that comes from that Netflix deal and some book deal that he and his wife navigated themselves into . But for other all other people elected there’s plenty of under the table money getting into their pockets for the deals they agree to, and lots of that money is deftly hidden in the names of their children. ( just think HUNTER BIDEN) and much of it goes to secret offshore accounts and plenty of that money is plain bribes .
I was at Lost in the Woods..1st Sergeant came out with a Front page of the Mayagues being captured...He said "we're going back to Vietnam!"...By the time I got to Fort Devens and put on my Lighting Fast Chicken F**ker patch we had been kicked out of Thailand...my duty assignment of choice...
A very moving piece. As a retired service member my heart bleeds for the 41 and the survivors who are still haunted by the absurdity of the operation and the senseless loss of life. RIP guys.
@@stevek8829 because those marines got sent there to prove a point, the vessel and its crew were released without any need for marines. And they got used like playing cards in a needless political stunt. RIP
Thanks for reviewing this incident of "The Forgotten War". I went to high school with PFC Gary Hall, one of those left behind. He was a honorable and kind person, so proud to protect his country as a Marine. He was in the corps for less than a year. I saw him on his last leave back home. So full of life and happy about what he was doing. A shame. Typical cluster f$%^.
Thanks for the share. Life long peacenik here and horrified Gary and two others were left for dead. Thank you for illuminating your pal for us, in that he lives on🙂
My ears perked up at the crash of the helicopters. The same thing happened in the Iranian desert a few years later in a failed attempt to rescue the hostages from the U.S. embassy.
@@chrisbrodhagen3658 There are several parallels. In fact, having not heard of this raid, I almost wonder why a Joint Ops concept did not come out of this '75 debacle but instead had to wait for Desert One.
@@cheddar2648 How minus poor leadership, and planning, and also CH-53s? One included overwhelming firepower and the other, sandstorm so... giant shit show.
Thank you for this story. I graduated with Gary Hall at Covington Holmes High School in 1974. I was there when the Marine recruiter came on career day and like Gary was impressed to see him in the uniform with all the decorations and service stripes down his arm. We talked about it as we left and both decided to join the Marines. Gary immediately after school and I after leaving college. I wondered what happened to him as I never heard from him after high school. I flunked the physical and never entered the Corps. I didn’t find out he died until years later and not about how until about ten years ago. He was a great kid and I still see his face as we left the room that day so excited about what we had seen. We lost one of the best that day in Cambodia.
I knew the senior Marine officer on the ground, Capt Jim Davis, USMC, who made the fateful decision to leave, not knowing until later, that three Marines were left behind. I knew that haunted him until the day he died.
@@tedthesailor172 As troops are landed and evacuated, and radio comms are confusingly garbled, it’s difficult to count heads. This is especially true if the person that performed the original count was KIA or evacuated wounded. Not to mention the generally confused state of green troops coupled with the possibility of someone stating “they bought it” incorrectly. All the best laid plans are just that, plans, until the bullets start flying.
I was stationed on oki. When we were pulled out of Vietnam. We had an executive officer named that he also chronicled our operations we went on including Dewey Canyon. I was with Golf Co. 2/9 68/69 which is the Co. That landed on that island six years later.
I was thinking…if they heard these 3 guys’ radio call, wouldn’t they treat them same as if they were 3 downed air crew? Have aircraft lay down heavy suppressing fire and smoke until a helicopter could get in and get them out? But I suppose the air assets needed just weren’t immediately available. And by the time they could be, they were probably already captured. I think such a situation is pretty well represented in the 1957 movie, Bridges at Toko-Ri. I know it’s Hollywood, but back when Hollywood knew how to do good things. That movie always gets me. Three good men lost. Just couldn’t get necessary forces to them in time to save them. Because I know it’s representative of so many real stories.
I was a member of the 56th Security Police Squadron at NKP when this happened. I knew all 18 Security Policemen that died. One of them was my roommate SSgt Jerry Coyle. About three years ago I started thinking about what happened. I started feeling guilty because Jerry died and I didn’t because I didn’t take part in the mission. He had a wife and young daughter back in the states. These feelings started to intensify when COVID hit last year. I finally decided to ask for help which has helped me immensely. God bless Jerry Coyle and all the other service members who perished during this incident.
@@Newsguy2024 I don’t recall that name. I looked online and there wasn’t anyone with that name that died. You might want to google the list of casualties to see if any of the names look familiar.
@@LDPD1 Gerald coyle died along with 22 others on a CH53 “knife 13”leaving NKP like the others headed to Utapap. History has always stated it went down due to mechanical failure but it was shot down. their “last photo” is always shown when this incident. I could go on and on. My uncle was also killed with Coyle
As usual, The History Guy opens the door on an incident I was unaware of and needs to remember. Thank for the memorial to those we lost, including the three.
What a sad and tragic story. I can't imagine how people felt when they learned that they left three people behind to die on that island. And all for nothing. My heart goes out to the men who were lost, and to their families and fellow servicemen.
@@stevek8829 it was for nothing. Americans died because the US refused to trust a communist country. Refused to trust on ideological lines. It's kind of mirrors Afghanistan. The US hasn't learned the neccessary lessons in more than 50 years and our children will be the one's paying for our mistakes.
@@shawntucker7674 Communists are 100% of the time objectively untrustworthy, soooooo. lol By this one comment, I can tell literally thousands of lies you think are truths, and how garbage your overall worldview is. lol
@@shawntucker7674 do you know about the USS Pueblo? Do you know anything about the Pol Pot regime? I really don't imagine you could and say what you did.
The way you honor our nation's military here on THG channel has touched my heart so many times. When you include the names of those that have made the "ultimate sacrifice " I take the time to read out loud , each and everyone. It's the very least that I feel I can do to remember those that have given their lives for our nation. May God bless them and their families, and may God bless THG for not only history, but Americans who deserve to be remembered ❤
I was fortunate to have served with 2 USMC veterans of the Mayaguez incident during my Army career. I thought of the action as a great success at the time. The message they shared was that it was an f***ed up operation. I assumed they meant the usual military clusterf**k. Thanks for helping to set the record straight.
Thank you for this. This was very appropriate at this moment; as a veteran, this really hits home as a friend, Spc. David E. Hickman was the last soldier to be killed in the 2011 withdrawal from Iraq. Next time I visit the memorial wall, I will be sure to take a closer look at the last 41.
History Guy, I was the Mission Commander on the P-3 (VP-17, Crew 9, flying ZE-6, Buno. 152168) that located the Mayaguez at Poula Wai Islands on May 13, 1975. We took.50 cal. fire through our vertical stabilizer. However, we remained in the air on station and tracked the ship to Koh Tang Island. The gun boats continued to fire at us throughout the transit. I will attempt to contact you off line to give you the full story. Thank you for keeping this story alive.
BTW…We took that famous photo of the gunboats tied amidships of the Mayaguez. It was subsequently published in Time and Newsweek. The photo was taken about 30 seconds before the firing began.
I was VP-4 aircrew AW E-5...we flew too. I heard about the .50 cal....I though our planes got shot at too...my memory is not so clear anymore. Thank you sir.
I remember this incident. I also remember it being a great success. What I don't remember is it being an ill timed ill prepared disaster. Thanks for telling getting the real story, those men deserve it!
My brother Robert Dochniak was one of the Marines that was a part of the Mayaguez Incident. I met Fred Morris and others who were also involved in that incident and those men still to this day honor their fallen brothers and the three left behind. My brother never really spoke about what they all endured during that time they spent on that island in Cambodia. Sad, sad event. Thank you to ALL the men who served during that time. 🥺🙏🇺🇸🙏🇺🇸🙏🇺🇸💞💞💞
I enlisted in the Marines in August of 1974, a 17 year old high school dropout, and took my oath in Nov and left for boot camp. I never considered myself a Vietnam Vet because I never served in country or was in a combat situation. Many Marine Veterans of Vietnam tell me when I say that, that I am wrong. That I could have still been sent to fight. I had heard of this incident but never knew the details. Now I know why my Veteran Marine friends insist I am a Veteran also. Still don't feel like one, but this brought it in to perspective for me. Thank you for putting this old Jarhead's mind at ease after all these years.
Even when the content is dark or disturbing, THG uploads are some of the best on YT...top marks for polish and professionalism of the content. It's second to none.
Thank you to THG. I have been a history buff all my life, I vaguely remember as a young teenager hearing about the “Mayaguez incident “ in the news and I even joined the US Marine Corps in 1980 right after high school. Until I saw your video I never heard of Koh Tang Island nor did I know that marines fought and died there. Semper Fi brothers, and thank you for sharing this chapter of history that some how has eluded me for all these years.
You’re doing amazing work Sir. I never heard of this operation and yes these men do deserve to be remembered. It was a beautiful touch to add their names at the end of the video. I’m sure I can speak for the veteran community in this instance when I say, thank you Sir for what you do.
This is indeed "History that Deserves to be Remembered". THG always treats events like this with dignity and honor - two words that are unfortunately falling out of the vernacular.
I was in High School when this happened and used this incident for a report in school. I remember tracking down every newspaper and magazine article I could find for all of the information I needed. It started my lifelong addiction to studying history. I really enjoy your videos and am grateful for your dedication to preserving history. Something many high school and college graduates in recent years have no clue about.
My father, John M. Rodgers, was the Captain of the USS Henry B. Wilson during the Mayaguez Incident. I was only ten years old when this happened and much of what you describe resonates well with the stories he shared. The reverence and keeping of the memory you provide for those who did not return that is the focus here is so much appreciated. A VERY SHORT WAR by John F. Guilmarten is another reference for the events, and as it describes on page 98 what my father told my brother and I, that this situation was severely disorganized. And while my dad was not aware of machinations and weighing of the optics in the White House, he stated that he first learned of the seizure via a BBC(?) shortwave radio report and on his own initiative ordered a change of course for the DDG 7 towards the incident. While much of the press celebrated that the crew had been "rescued", my father always praised first and foremost the dedication, bravery, and skill his crew exhibited, especially those who volunteered to man the gig and head into the battle to rescue the marines who pilots of the downed helicopters.
You're correct. Sometimes bitter, yes but a pill we all must learn to accept. History can be (and has been) mythologized to distraction; miles away from the truth, is perhaps why we forget what needs to be truly remembered!
Thank you so much for sharing. I have never served but this left tears in my eyes. God Bless those who gave their lives, the men who served with them, and their families.
I Am a Marine who was there at Okinawa when 2nd battalion left to retrieve the Mayaguez. After they left my battalion was put on barracks lockdown and we went to the armory to "suit up". We sat on a football field for 3 hours that afternoon waiting for choppers to pick us up that never came. After 2nd Battalion returned I talked to one of the Marines that was there. Sitting in a local bar he quietly told me what a fubar operation it had been. I remember being shocked since I had not heard a word of this in the press. Thank you for covering this little known operation.
Thank you for your excellent service! God brought you back home. Almost forgotten today, is the fact that he US Army 82nd Airborne was preparing a small amphibious-trained platoon (trained at Norfolk just days before) to deploy to the Mayaguez. I was a part of this platoon. We were issued live ammo and boarded a C-130, already running. After we all boarded the mission was aborted. We were told that the White House, President Ford, had changed his mind and sent in the US Marines, instead. Maybe somebody needed to know this for closure.
I’m at Air Force tech school watching this. Graduated basic two weeks ago. Both my parents are Khmer Rouge survivors. Never heard of this incident before. Thanks for sharing this history.
Thank You as always “That History Guy”. You have once again brought light and truth to a relatively unknown topic. May those who were lost Rest In Peace & those who survived come to their own peace. Thanks and Blessings to you.
As a Veteran of this period THESE are the lessons never learned of the cost paid by FOOL politicians in power. Tears flow once again for my brothers may they rest in peace through your telling their story.
Disliking a video for telling the truth doesn't alter the fact more than enough men have fought and died to give that privilege of freedom. Thank you for doing this. Thank you for listing the brave men who died; it is the least they deserve!
If they all died for Freedom I would be All In ... that is just not a fact ! Henery Kissenger called poor people Useless Eaters . Not much has changed . BTW I gave thumbs up .
@@danoneill2846 Yeah, I'm convinced Vietnam in no way was fought for freedom. I still will not refuse to respect those who fought and died. The fact Congress never declared war doesn't change the fact our men, and women fought an all out war. And, if they came home, they still battled PTSD, and some, as my stepfather, and all his men joined the ranks of those KIA by cancer, caused by Agent Orange dumped on their heads. The horror of war doesn't end on the battlefield.
I went through Army National Guard OCS in 1984 with a former Marine named Ed Hill who had been present at both the evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Saigon and the Maya Guez landing. He told me how they went ashore and all hell broke loose. He said that it was something he could never forget!
Thanks for this sir! It’s channels like yours that allow us to remember the sacrifices of theses men forgotten with time and politics. I honor their memory…in a time when history seems to be repeating.
I was a 19 year old sailor on the USS Coral Sea assigned to VA-95 intruder squadron through out this incident and the prior fall of Saigon, South Vietnam. I rememberer this well of the AF jolly green giants landing on our flight deck. We were scheduled for a liberty visit to Australia at the time but abruptly reversed course and steamed approximately 48 hours back into flight operations range. That old ship was cutting a pretty swift wake behind us. A SEAL team was brought on broad in route. The Marines shared hot racks with the squadron until we offloaded them in the Philippines. The Washington stuff we knew nothing about. Just our liberty visit being canceled until it was all over.
@@robertswick7654 yes it was! This video filled in the D.C. put I never knew. I knew something bad was happening but never knew about 3 Marines left behind or the AF security crash. God Bless them. Thanks for posting your thoughts shipmate!
My father was the CO of the USAF Security Policemen (now Security Forces) who were lost in the helicopter crash. It affected him for the rest of his life. He was in one of the other helicopters on the way to re-take the Mayaguez. I was there to see his reaction to seeing the names of his men on the Vietnam Memorial... devastated.
@@avgj0378 I know his name well. I’ve been working with Jerry Nelson at VSPA on the planned Luke AB memorial. Jerry said he and your dad were good friends and that your mom donated boxes of records he kept About knife 13’s crew, planning and crash. I plan to visit Luke in the near future again and view the records with Jerry.
We have continued to produce the videos on our Monday/Wednesday/Friday schedule, (although I occasionally take a day off.) The podcasts are released every-other Tuesday in addition to the regular video schedule.,
I had no idea about this incident. I served 24 years in the USAF and this huge loss of Airmen was never talked about. How tragic, terrible and wasteful.
Another amazing video, thank you. It may be of interest to those who don’t know that the USS Harold E Holt mentioned in this video was named after an Australian Prime Minister who drowned while in office. In Australia, we ironically named a swimming pool after him.
I knew many of the names on the Wall. My high school year books always had a few of the lost. Maya Lin grew up in my home town. She's enough younger that I don't remember her. Very proud she designed such a thoughtful memorial I have touched so many times. Heard Fords speech at Arlington that year. This one brought so many memories.
Hello again history guy. It’s Popeye and Janie’s son again. thank you for your work and efforts. You are a great storyteller and I thank you for the content that you create. Thank you for listing their names so we can see their names out loud. Say their names so they will be let in and remembered. Be peaceful, Big Mountain Hodge
BOY DO I REMENBER THIS. I was A 29 year old Ranger temp stationed in Thailand out of the 2nd & 75th Ranger Bn. Fort Lewis Washington. My sniper team was giving the job of over watch for the marines, which was strange because everyone knew that the marines had the very best snipers? After I question the logic with my superior's I was told we were one of the few that had seen combat. The mission was a cluster F from the start! What the hell we couldn't even tell who were the bad guys and who were Friendly's. After they captured the ship and were getting the hell out of Dodge. I started yelling you have friendly's down over the radio several times I was told to shut up. They left though marines behind I feel like shit every time I think about it. Then the chopper crashed on the way back. Later leaning 43 had died. When I got back to base at the debriefing I told everyone there that that was the biggest piece of crap mission I was ever on. I was told by some douchebag in a suit that if I ever open my pie hole about this mission I would be court court martialed. Well F you come and get me! I was busted from Sgt first class to SSG and kicked out of the unit. I end up finishing my 20 with the 2nd & 60th Mech Unit based out of Fort Lewis. The irony was I could look across the air field and see the Ranger Barracks I use to love being a Ranger.
I was on the Coral Sea. This has always brought back sad memories. I remember the brave Marines. I was but a boiler tech, but the whole ship knew this was a bad time. Not nearly enough has been done to honor these men who gave their all.
Thank you for covering this fiasco. The American public needs to hear again of this. I was an HM3 Navy Hospital Corpsman at that time with 3/9 on Okinawa.
Kudos for this Informative video of the lesser known chapter during the Vietnam War. Leaders of that time made bad decisions with deadly consequences. Looking forward to ur next one.
I joined the US Army in May of 1975. I served four years in the infantry and every day we thought we were going to be sucked back into that meat grinder. Those guys lived and died that nightmare. A little piece of all of us is still there.
I believe there is more to the battle than you’ve mentioned. I heard there was an AC130 called in and it devastated a few of those bunkers and the KR had actually sunk a gunboat of theirs in a shallow part near the beach, which looked like it was abandoned, but it was actually a trap and the AAA gun on it was fully functioning and it brought down the two helicopters. Quite a lot about the battle was very heroic from the point of view of the Marines. Tragic they left three behind.
Thank you for sharing this Lance. I can't believe I've never heard of this, and I am a retired Marine. This op truly was a fiasco, and Ford should've flattened that damn island so the Cambodians would never use it for piracy again. And with the recent utter failure in Afghanistan, the loss of so many- some my friends- I now know how my Vietnam brethren feel. SEMPER FI MARINES.
The navy patrol squadron I was in VP-17 was on deployment in that area during the incident. One of our aircraft located the ship and got a little shot up by anti aircraft fire while making a positive ID. They were able to return to base safely.
This took place a little less than three years before I was born but I've certainly read about both events, seen the images and in the case of the fall of Saigon the videos as well. I certainly didn't see any of that in the US public school system through the 80s and 90s. Rather instead it came about through self-education. Still I feel very old as well. When I learned my son had a head for history I made sure to share with him whatever I possibly could and gave him access to my ever growing array of references. When mention of the fall of Saigon came up in the media cycle over the past weekend my son knew exactly what they were talking about. Sadly I can guarantee that for most of his peers it was the first they'd ever heard of it.
Several years after this, I was working for a trucking company in Jacksonville, Fl. that had a yard alongside some docks on the St. Johns river. One day a ship was tied up at the dock just outside our yard, which wasn't unusual, and then I noticed that it was The Mayaguez.
I remember when this happened. At the Gerald Ford Museum in Grand Rapids Michigan, you can actually pick this incident tosee how you would have handled it. I went in with marines and had 1 casualty, a marine who sprained his ankle.
I read the book a long time ago. This is a great example of why this channel is so good. I bet if you surveyed 100 people 99 would never had heard of this incident. Yet, there's so much to learn. I pray that this mistake (these mistakes) are not repeated right now. BTW, have you ever done a video on Operation Eagle Claw? That would be a really good topic.
Lost alot of friends in 9/11 in the tower and in Afghanistan. Spent 3 years in Iraq. With all the stuff going on I feel really depressed. I'm just glad I came back whole but I know there are others worse off than me. Killed at the WTC SPC Roshan Singh and his sister Khamladai Singh and Mr Dominick Berardi, Killed in Afghanistan SFC Joesphy McKay, SGT Deon Taylor and 1LT Daniel Farkas, Paratus Et Fidelis. Lastly to my kin LCPL Greg Buckley Semper Fidelis.
That has made me very sad I know something had to be done but the 41 brave men that died is why we need to always remember and not forget very brave men there should never have been any loss of life thank you always history guy!!
My cousin Daniel Benedett was one of the 41. He was aboard a chopper that was shot down. We had seen him a week earlier in Southern CA just before he deployed. Thank you, History Guy, for this story. You gave me more information in 18 minutes than the US government has given us in 46 years. His family has mostly all passed on now, but you gave me a degree of closure. Danny’s remains were never recovered, but he lives on in my heart. BTW, his namesake, his uncle Daniel Halford, was killed in WWII as the bombardier aboard a PBY in the Pacific campaign. Two Daniels; two wars; same result.
David, I remember this, I was a Marine on Okinawa when this happened. I've talked to two Marines who were involved in this operation last year. Both said the G-2 (Intelligence) was wrong. They were told only farmers and a small group of Cambodian Soldiers were on the island. It's my opinion President Ford should have waited one day. If he had, the Mayaguez crew would have been released. Ford did this because of the Debacle a month earlier during the Evacuation of Saigon in April 75. It's my opinion Ford authorized this to improve HIS approval ratings. The Marines and Corpsman (medics) did what they were told. In my book they were Heroes, and should never be forgotten. Semper Fi from an old Marine Sergeant.
@@usmc-veteran73-77 I think military intelligence officers should always be required to be part of these missions . It might make them work a little harder at their jobs to get it right .
@Todd not a bad idea. Semper Fi from an old Marine Sergeant
100⁰2222222⅖a
@@spyder8431 may I ask what does
100°22222222.... means??
My step dad was one of the survivors of that incident. Prior to this video his story was all I knew of it. It was interesting to hear your video having herd his experience, thank you for making it.
Thanks for sharing, I'm a veteran myself!!!🙏👍😷
@@mauricedavis8261 pm German shepherd dogs
I have a dead presidential candidate in my family... J Edgar most likely ordered our family doctor to let Huey bleed... FDRs doc said to ours he didnt have polio he had syphilis...and he took a 38 sw from behind his ear. This leaves me with my grandma Long. Hueys cousin marries a rail lawyer up north who holds with Ike. We are all masons. Marching orders from Mitchell and the President come on a green way away from any ears and very casually as the day wears away they leave informed of expected action....maybe secret action...but... this would maybe have never occurred as his wife is jewish. Country Clubs had restrictions... so.. this was the power of the freemasons... to allow a thing as he is a free mason and to keep his secret ...among others that ties us together.. spiritual arm twisting . Right down to murder. To be a president a lot of people are going to die... on your watch.. and just to get to the top people die. Usually you listen closely to the president you live... if yer stupid mind over matter it dont matter kinda guy... well... there's a war on ignorance.. it starts with flouride in the water. Cant afford real water in the city ? Oh well you'll never hear god with a calcified pineal gland I guatantee... so I know some things.. I was given the 33° oil since birth. My uncle was senate finance chair ... we are all masons.. to activate the fermented skatefish oil grandma Long would beat me half to death 10-15 minutes... cut a switch swallow the oil dont barf. Then wailing ...shit I would just put my kid on a schwinn. Aeadyne for 20 minutes ... it was a different time OK. ? So I was tapped by OSS Wildman himself... i assured him at 12 inhadnt even driven a car as he put the preflight in my lap as we jumped in his new mercedes after church.. Before it was over Kissinger and Chase flew into my guns on a million acre globalist preserve. I was the diplomatic gunman. Ambasador bought the ranch I worked as a kid. I was a known trick shot out of the marines with the chief detectives old ford and the #1CDX Shepherd and an arsenal. So now I'm playing the queens piano at Col. Greens old mansion. Richard Chase thrashed me on the chess board I could not beat that guy... meanwhile back in town my brothers nasa crew is getting shot up. Men in black anti grav. Then my moms boss had to autopsy his own son at ft. Whipple. I'm back in town and it's a shitstorm like no other.... then Hugh Hefner hands this first year law student a blank check to the supreme court for 3 seeds.. the spillover from the shitstorm... I suppose I should be under the jail as I was the suspect leaker and now out in the cold. When the judge asked me who I thought I WAS....just who do you think you are. Well I gave him finger to lips and sword to throat gesture as I would be breaking my oath to have to tell him in legal court wod get me killed. By my own family. 46 years later they are all gone to their rewards and there are lines around the pot stores. So light up a fatty for me. Today is National " Identity crisis " day..
I worked on that island in 1992 with JTFFA and CILHI. Standing on that beach and seeing all the detritus of that battle while knowing what happened was very sad and humbling. Please see my full comment above and thank you for his service.
@@petehaack5228 Thank you for your service and for sharing!!!🙏😷
"We left 3 guys behind" is the most painful thing I've heard as a soldier.
Sure is. That part brought a tear to my eye, thinking of how they must have suffered. RIP guys and on behalf of everyone all I can say is we're sorry.
What a humiliation
The Khmer Rouge killed them.. execution style.. on the third day when they caught one of them foraging for food and drinkable water
I would wish politician's would be haunted by the thought of 3 of ours left behind. It might make them think of the consequences of their actions. These Men gave cover so others could escape and the brass thought it too dangerous to reciprocate. I hope a bridge in each of their respective states is named in their memory. True Hero's.
It wouldn’t be the first time, many have been left behind by the US army and Air Force. Time to stop fighting wars for people who only cares about power and greed,
It’s one thing to leave three men behind by mistake, but to hear their distress call and decide not to go back for them is practically criminal.
It also goes against Marine Corps tradition. If it is that dangerous, you call for volunteers. Then, you take the overwhelming force that results (Marines would fight each other to get on that detail) and kill everything you see until you find my guys. Semper fidelis.
@@diverdownaaron
That's what really sucks. When word spread that Marines may have been left behind, plenty of their brother Marines volunteered
to go back and find them. A 14 man SEAL Team had also just arrived with the task force from Subic Bay and also volunteered
to go in with the Marines as a search and rescue party. They all got turned down.
Things like this will always happen when politicians are allowed to make military decisions
@@rickieoakes5267 I get what your saying and I agree for the most part but remember it was politicians who stop McArthur from nukng north Korea which would have triggered nuke war with china and Russia it was also politicians who stopped the Cuba crisis which if dod had its way would have went nuclear we need better checks and balances
@@jennifercunha2539 you're right Jennifer but I've seen too many politicians make the policies that have killed service members
As a proud USAF Security Forces Veteran this video is greatly appreciated. For it’s relevance today for Afghanistan Veterans and for remembering the brothers who died so long ago. Thank You 🙏 🇺🇸
Out of curiosity, what are you proud of?
@@MrLoobu I'm Proud of Jason and his fellowship.Very Proud.
@@eugeneburns2880 So many people are. That has nothing to do with my question.
@@MrLoobu Okay then...can you please be more specific in your question, as to me it appears passive aggressive?
@@eugeneburns2880 No I cant, its as specific as possible. I can reassure you that Im not implying anything or putting my bias on display, Im just asking the man what he is personally proud of, specifically regarding the actions of the group he worked for.
My dad is in the picture at 14:18, at the front. 18 minutes is not enough to explain everything that went wrong those four days. But you men did your jobs, and should be proud of that.
Respect to your father and you.
Things went wrong from 1963 until 1973.............
Bless him for sure!
@johnleidle9910...if Truman had listened to sound advice and supported Vietnamese sovereignty, instead of giving it back to France, none of this would have happened
Oh, wow... 🤮🤮
A very timely HG episode given ongoing current events. One of the Marines grievously wounded during the assault on Koh Tang was a member of our church. I remember seeing him on crutches and the horrible wound scars at the church picnic after he had been released from the Navy hospital. That made a huge impression on a 12 year old me.
Hopefully it influenced you to stop supporting endless wars.
My older brother in law was on the USS Robert E Perry and during 1975 and 1976 his ship dealt with the so called boat people of Vietnam. I remember watching the fall of Indo- China on TV reading about in the newspapers, I too was 12 years of age at the time. MY father was stationed at Pearl Harbor at the time attached to NSA.
@@maxpayne2574 What does that even mean? Is American presence in South Korea a 70-year war? Further... what does your faction of "always surrender" have to offer a people who value peace and freedom?
The scars have an effect on most people, kids can be forgiven out of curiosity, but the judgmental adults are what hurt us.
@@cheddar2648
G'day,
Clearly you don't know much about either Military History, International Law, or the Korean War...
Yes, OF COURSE..., the Korean War, which began in 1950, and which has NEVER Bin-Concluded...., and which had merely Bin-Paused - following the 1953 Signing of a CEASE-FIRE, and an Armistice - but NO Peace Treaty....; is in matters of FACT, Unkle Spam's 71 year Asian War, which has Bin-Stuck in a Stalemate, for 68 Years.
Wake up to the Nature Of Reality.
In 1975, during a Fisftfght with Bats & Clubs & and Shovels, the North Koreans beat a US Marine Lieutenant to death, in the DMZ during a dispute concerning Tree Pruning.
Did you NOT Know that the Korean War is still
" a Happening Thing" ?
There there, the infamous ..'MurriKan(!) Edjumication Sistem failed, yet again ; with you, apparently.
Such is Life,
Have a good one...
Stay safe.
;-p
Ciao !
I was stationed at a US Army signals intelligence base in NE Thailand when this incident happened. I spoke with some of the
Cambodian linguists that accompanied the Marines on the attack on Ko-tang Island. They said that it was a complete disaster. This was what happens when politicians are more worried about their polling numbers than they are American lives.
Alot of fun times stationed in thailand? Ladies wise i infer.
@@yellowpete79 Absolutely
@@yellowpete79 Called on port there in Phuket in 2011 and again in 2013 and it's still that way.
were you at NKP or UT (probably NKP). Air America built their own club at Udorn because the Air Force wives did not like getting groped by the AA crews.
@@yellowpete79 Watch out for the"lady boys".They can fool you.😜😜😜
I was an EW2 on the USS Bronstein, FF-1037, part of the destroyer squadron used to rescue the SS Mayaguez. Later in Subic Bay, our crates of stuff bought thru the Navy Exchange was delivered and marked 'SS Mayaguez'. We had rescued our own stereo equipment. A couple of years later, I was a Navy Recruiter in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. Small world :)
To hear that those 3 men were left behind breaks my heart on another level. May God comfort and keep them.....and all the others that gave their last great act of devotion during that time and all other conflicts before and since.
Yup, they were left behind so kissinger could high five ford. Geez! I graduated from MCRD San Diego in Sept '74 and have no respect for ford or kissinger.
There is no proof that any god has ever existed, hence no 'heaven' nor life after. Perhaps if we took time to reflect on that we wouldn't be so god-damned anxious to kill off our young soldiers.
@@fatdaddy-viii-8672 I agree with your comment and I see where you’re coming from and whether it was Ford and Kissinger or now “Joke” Biden and Karmela Harris, these politicians are only worried about their own butts and the worry is that they want to get reelected and this includes the president and every senator and Rep. in the house of representatives and here’s why:
Anyone, repeat: ANYONE voted in to elective office anywhere in the United States
Is assured to attain wealth !
Their actual frenzy once they’ve been elected ...is to get RE-Elected so they $tay in the game and get more grift !
Obama came to the White House worth perhaps $2 million on paper
, he left the White House worth about $80 million. And now he’s worth $180 million and sure: a lot of that comes from that Netflix deal and some book deal that he and his wife navigated themselves into .
But for other all other people elected there’s plenty of under the table money getting into their pockets for the deals they agree to, and lots of that money is deftly hidden in the names of their children. ( just think HUNTER BIDEN) and much of it goes to secret offshore accounts and plenty of that money is plain bribes .
@@landtuna8061 th-cam.com/video/FbxD04LWW10/w-d-xo.html
The specificity of the casualty list is something all should be aware of. Thanks THG for keeping it tragically real.
I was at Lost in the Woods..1st Sergeant came out with a Front page of the Mayagues being captured...He said "we're going back to Vietnam!"...By the time I got to Fort Devens and put on my Lighting Fast Chicken F**ker patch we had been kicked out of Thailand...my duty assignment of choice...
@@markah4177 I was out by then I am happy for you that you didn’t have to go
A very moving piece. As a retired service member my heart bleeds for the 41 and the survivors who are still haunted by the absurdity of the operation and the senseless loss of life. RIP guys.
Why do you think it was absurd? Bad intelligence is common. With all the benefit of 46 years of hind sight what else would you do?
Thank you for your service
@@Mike_Rotch537 Thank you. It truly was a pleasure.
Hopefully more good stories like this
@@stevek8829 because those marines got sent there to prove a point, the vessel and its crew were released without any need for marines. And they got used like playing cards in a needless political stunt. RIP
Thanks for reviewing this incident of "The Forgotten War". I went to high school with PFC Gary Hall, one of those left behind. He was a honorable and kind person, so proud to protect his country as a Marine. He was in the corps for less than a year. I saw him on his last leave back home. So full of life and happy about what he was doing. A shame. Typical cluster f$%^.
Thanks for the share. Life long peacenik here and horrified Gary and two others were left for dead. Thank you for illuminating your pal for us, in that he lives on🙂
Never leave a man behind...hollow words in light of this episode. Vietnam continues to haunt us so many years later. So sad...so maddening.
My ears perked up at the crash of the helicopters. The same thing happened in the Iranian desert a few years later in a failed attempt to rescue the hostages from the U.S. embassy.
If you mean in general a giant shit show yes, otherwise it was completely different.
@@chrisbrodhagen3658 There are several parallels. In fact, having not heard of this raid, I almost wonder why a Joint Ops concept did not come out of this '75 debacle but instead had to wait for Desert One.
@@cheddar2648 How minus poor leadership, and planning, and also CH-53s? One included overwhelming firepower and the other, sandstorm so... giant shit show.
Yes they're completely different if you leave out the parts that are the same. Dur.
Yeah, I remember that as well. By then I was a father and was stationed at Mather AFB in California.
Thank you for this story. I graduated with Gary Hall at Covington Holmes High School in 1974. I was there when the Marine recruiter came on career day and like Gary was impressed to see him in the uniform with all the decorations and service stripes down his arm. We talked about it as we left and both decided to join the Marines. Gary immediately after school and I after leaving college. I wondered what happened to him as I never heard from him after high school. I flunked the physical and never entered the Corps. I didn’t find out he died until years later and not about how until about ten years ago. He was a great kid and I still see his face as we left the room that day so excited about what we had seen. We lost one of the best that day in Cambodia.
I was there. RIP PFC Hall.
😭😭😭
I knew the senior Marine officer on the ground, Capt Jim Davis, USMC, who made the fateful decision to leave, not knowing until later, that three Marines were left behind. I knew that haunted him until the day he died.
Didn't they have a protocol to count the men out and count them back, after all they were not many...?
Rocky, Mobile Marine Capt, I joined in 1977 in his Reserve. GODSPEED !!!!!!!
@@tedthesailor172 As troops are landed and evacuated, and radio comms are confusingly garbled, it’s difficult to count heads. This is especially true if the person that performed the original count was KIA or evacuated wounded. Not to mention the generally confused state of green troops coupled with the possibility of someone stating “they bought it” incorrectly.
All the best laid plans are just that, plans, until the bullets start flying.
I was stationed on oki. When we were pulled out of Vietnam. We had an executive officer named that he also chronicled our operations we went on including Dewey Canyon. I was with Golf Co. 2/9 68/69 which is the Co. That landed on that island six years later.
I was thinking…if they heard these 3 guys’ radio call, wouldn’t they treat them same as if they were 3 downed air crew? Have aircraft lay down heavy suppressing fire and smoke until a helicopter could get in and get them out? But I suppose the air assets needed just weren’t immediately available. And by the time they could be, they were probably already captured.
I think such a situation is pretty well represented in the 1957 movie, Bridges at Toko-Ri. I know it’s Hollywood, but back when Hollywood knew how to do good things. That movie always gets me. Three good men lost. Just couldn’t get necessary forces to them in time to save them. Because I know it’s representative of so many real stories.
As a former-active-duty Marine, thank for talking about this nearly-fogotten action that cost so many young lives.
I was in Vietnam in 1969-70.
I was a member of the 56th Security Police Squadron at NKP when this happened. I knew all 18 Security Policemen that died. One of them was my roommate SSgt Jerry Coyle. About three years ago I started thinking about what happened. I started feeling guilty because Jerry died and I didn’t because I didn’t take part in the mission. He had a wife and young daughter back in the states. These feelings started to intensify when COVID hit last year. I finally decided to ask for help which has helped me immensely. God bless Jerry Coyle and all the other service members who perished during this incident.
@@Newsguy2024 I don’t recall that name. I looked online and there wasn’t anyone with that name that died. You might want to google the list of casualties to see if any of the names look familiar.
@@LDPD1 Gerald coyle died along with 22 others on a CH53 “knife 13”leaving NKP like the others headed to Utapap. History has always stated it went down due to mechanical failure but it was shot down. their “last photo” is always shown when this incident. I could go on and on. My uncle was also killed with Coyle
@@jenniferstelling2954what was your uncle’s name?
@@LDPD1 Jimmy Paul black
@@jenniferstelling2954 I remember him. Correct me if I’m wrong but I believe he was from somewhere in the south? Maybe Alabama?
As usual, The History Guy opens the door on an incident I was unaware of and needs to remember. Thank for the memorial to those we lost, including the three.
What a sad and tragic story. I can't imagine how people felt when they learned that they left three people behind to die on that island. And all for nothing. My heart goes out to the men who were lost, and to their families and fellow servicemen.
It wasn't for nothing. The hostages might have been there. They answered the call to defend their countrymen. That's never for nothing.
@@stevek8829 it was for nothing. Americans died because the US refused to trust a communist country. Refused to trust on ideological lines.
It's kind of mirrors Afghanistan. The US hasn't learned the neccessary lessons in more than 50 years and our children will be the one's paying for our mistakes.
@@shawntucker7674 Communists are 100% of the time objectively untrustworthy, soooooo. lol
By this one comment, I can tell literally thousands of lies you think are truths, and how garbage your overall worldview is. lol
@@shawntucker7674 do you know about the USS Pueblo? Do you know anything about the Pol Pot regime? I really don't imagine you could and say what you did.
@@stevek8829 Amen
As you say: "History that deserves to be remembered."
A respectfully and well done short documentary in military history.
Thank you for sharing the names of those killed during this operation. They certainly deserve to be remembered.
The way you honor our nation's military here on THG channel has touched my heart so many times. When you include the names of those that have made the "ultimate sacrifice " I take the time to read out loud , each and everyone. It's the very least that I feel I can do to remember those that have given their lives for our nation. May God bless them and their families, and may God bless THG for not only history, but Americans who deserve to be remembered ❤
I was fortunate to have served with 2 USMC veterans of the Mayaguez incident during my Army career. I thought of the action as a great success at the time. The message they shared was that it was an f***ed up operation. I assumed they meant the usual military clusterf**k. Thanks for helping to set the record straight.
Thank you for this. This was very appropriate at this moment; as a veteran, this really hits home as a friend, Spc. David E. Hickman was the last soldier to be killed in the 2011 withdrawal from Iraq. Next time I visit the memorial wall, I will be sure to take a closer look at the last 41.
Vaya con Dios, may our fallen brothers in arms never be forgotten along with their sacrifices.
I like that you placed the names of the fallen heroes at the end. Thank you for remembering this lesser known piece of history.
History Guy, I was the Mission Commander on the P-3 (VP-17, Crew 9, flying ZE-6, Buno. 152168) that located the Mayaguez at Poula Wai Islands on May 13, 1975. We took.50 cal. fire through our vertical stabilizer. However, we remained in the air on station and tracked the ship to Koh Tang Island. The gun boats continued to fire at us throughout the transit. I will attempt to contact you off line to give you the full story. Thank you for keeping this story alive.
BTW…We took that famous photo of the gunboats tied amidships of the Mayaguez. It was subsequently published in Time and Newsweek. The photo was taken about 30 seconds before the firing began.
I was VP-4 aircrew AW E-5...we flew too. I heard about the .50 cal....I though our planes got shot at too...my memory is not so clear anymore. Thank you sir.
Praise to you for listing the names of those forgotten by the majority of the public.
I remember this incident. I also remember it being a great success. What I don't remember is it being an ill timed ill prepared disaster. Thanks for telling getting the real story, those men deserve it!
My brother Robert Dochniak was one of the Marines that was a part of the Mayaguez Incident. I met Fred Morris and others who were also involved in that incident and those men still to this day honor their fallen brothers and the three left behind. My brother never really spoke about what they all endured during that time they spent on that island in Cambodia. Sad, sad event. Thank you to ALL the men who served during that time. 🥺🙏🇺🇸🙏🇺🇸🙏🇺🇸💞💞💞
I enlisted in the Marines in August of 1974, a 17 year old high school dropout, and took my oath in Nov and left for boot camp. I never considered myself a Vietnam Vet because I never served in country or was in a combat situation. Many Marine Veterans of Vietnam tell me when I say that, that I am wrong. That I could have still been sent to fight. I had heard of this incident but never knew the details. Now I know why my Veteran Marine friends insist I am a Veteran also. Still don't feel like one, but this brought it in to perspective for me. Thank you for putting this old Jarhead's mind at ease after all these years.
Even when the content is dark or disturbing, THG uploads are some of the best on YT...top marks for polish and professionalism of the content. It's second to none.
Thank you to THG. I have been a history buff all my life, I vaguely remember as a young teenager hearing about the “Mayaguez incident “ in the news and I even joined the US Marine Corps in 1980 right after high school. Until I saw your video I never heard of Koh Tang Island nor did I know that marines fought and died there. Semper Fi brothers, and thank you for sharing this chapter of history that some how has eluded me for all these years.
You’re doing amazing work Sir. I never heard of this operation and yes these men do deserve to be remembered. It was a beautiful touch to add their names at the end of the video.
I’m sure I can speak for the veteran community in this instance when I say,
thank you Sir for what you do.
I remember one of our cadences when we’d go running was talking about Kotang and I never knew what it was. Thank you
If knowledge is power, I am becoming more powerful with each episode of The History Guy.
This is indeed "History that Deserves to be Remembered". THG always treats events like this with dignity and honor - two words that are unfortunately falling out of the vernacular.
I was in High School when this happened and used this incident for a report in school. I remember tracking down every newspaper and magazine article I could find for all of the information I needed. It started my lifelong addiction to studying history. I really enjoy your videos and am grateful for your dedication to preserving history. Something many high school and college graduates in recent years have no clue about.
Thank you THG. My wife's family fled Vietnam after the fall of Saigon and recent World events have really hit home in a similar way.
Thank you so very much for dedicating this issue to the men who were killed and for listing their names. Don't forget the wounded.
My father, John M. Rodgers, was the Captain of the USS Henry B. Wilson during the Mayaguez Incident. I was only ten years old when this happened and much of what you describe resonates well with the stories he shared. The reverence and keeping of the memory you provide for those who did not return that is the focus here is so much appreciated. A VERY SHORT WAR by John F. Guilmarten is another reference for the events, and as it describes on page 98 what my father told my brother and I, that this situation was severely disorganized. And while my dad was not aware of machinations and weighing of the optics in the White House, he stated that he first learned of the seizure via a BBC(?) shortwave radio report and on his own initiative ordered a change of course for the DDG 7 towards the incident. While much of the press celebrated that the crew had been "rescued", my father always praised first and foremost the dedication, bravery, and skill his crew exhibited, especially those who volunteered to man the gig and head into the battle to rescue the marines who pilots of the downed helicopters.
This operation was not a Fiasco, It was FUBAR from the start. Another heartbreaking story HG. Sometimes history is a bitter pill to swallow.
You're correct. Sometimes bitter, yes but a pill we all must learn to accept. History can be (and has been) mythologized to distraction; miles away from the truth, is perhaps why we forget what needs to be truly remembered!
Thank you so much for sharing. I have never served but this left tears in my eyes. God Bless those who gave their lives, the men who served with them, and their families.
Great episode.
Confirms my low opinion of Henry Kissinger...
@Michael Johnson yup. That together with his involvement of bringing that fascist Pinochet into power...yurgh.
The only thing that (as Nixon called him) “Jew boy” cared about was himself, his battleship size ego and his public image.
@@sartainja...coming from Nixon, that's ironic
I Am a Marine who was there at Okinawa when 2nd battalion left to retrieve the Mayaguez. After they left my battalion was put on barracks lockdown and we went to the armory to "suit up". We sat on a football field for 3 hours that afternoon waiting for choppers to pick us up that never came. After 2nd Battalion returned I talked to one of the Marines that was there. Sitting in a local bar he quietly told me what a fubar operation it had been. I remember being shocked since I had not heard a word of this in the press. Thank you for covering this little known operation.
I am a survivor of this battle. We were shot down on the East beach. Never forget.
Semper Fi, brother Marine ...
Thank you for your excellent service! God brought you back home. Almost forgotten today, is the fact that he US Army 82nd Airborne was preparing a small amphibious-trained platoon (trained at Norfolk just days before) to deploy to the Mayaguez. I was a part of this platoon. We were issued live ammo and boarded a C-130, already running. After we all boarded the mission was aborted. We were told that the White House, President Ford, had changed his mind and sent in the US Marines, instead. Maybe somebody needed to know this for closure.
I’m at Air Force tech school watching this. Graduated basic two weeks ago. Both my parents are Khmer Rouge survivors. Never heard of this incident before. Thanks for sharing this history.
Thank You as always “That History Guy”. You have once again brought light and truth to a relatively unknown topic.
May those who were lost Rest In Peace & those who survived come to their own peace.
Thanks and Blessings to you.
As a Veteran of this period THESE are the lessons never learned of the cost paid by FOOL politicians in power. Tears flow once again for my brothers may they rest in peace through your telling their story.
Seems like the matter could be similar to what is happening again in Afghanistan. It’s almost like if we ignore history, it repeats.
The more recent history of the Soviets in Afghanistan should have been warning enough.
Don't blame your people, blame your leader.
@@criticalevent correction: ccp... taliban took kabul with ccp blessing... Biden knew for sure, he is allowing it.
When someone says we have to do a thing or we will lose influence, it's already lost. Our once proud nation is a weak shadow of its former self.
@@realryder2626 which leader?
Excellent preparation and presentation.
Disliking a video for telling the truth doesn't alter the fact more than enough men have fought and died to give that privilege of freedom. Thank you for doing this.
Thank you for listing the brave men who died; it is the least they deserve!
If they all died for Freedom I would be All In ... that is just not a fact ! Henery Kissenger called poor people Useless Eaters . Not much has changed . BTW I gave thumbs up .
@@danoneill2846 Yeah, I'm convinced Vietnam in no way was fought for freedom. I still will not refuse to respect those who fought and died. The fact Congress never declared war doesn't change the fact our men, and women fought an all out war. And, if they came home, they still battled PTSD, and some, as my stepfather, and all his men joined the ranks of those KIA by cancer, caused by Agent Orange dumped on their heads. The horror of war doesn't end on the battlefield.
I went through Army National Guard OCS in 1984 with a former Marine named Ed Hill who had been present at both the evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Saigon and the Maya Guez landing. He told me how they went ashore and all hell broke loose. He said that it was something he could never forget!
Sometimes intelligence is not intelligent.
Military intelligence is to intelligence as military music is to music...
There was intelligence that was reasonably accurate, but intelligence without communication is useless.
Oxymoron to the fullest extent.
Very timely episode, during a week when we see history repeat itself.
Thanks for this sir! It’s channels like yours that allow us to remember the sacrifices of theses men forgotten with time and politics. I honor their memory…in a time when history seems to be repeating.
I was a 19 year old sailor on the USS Coral Sea assigned to VA-95 intruder squadron through out this incident and the prior fall of Saigon, South Vietnam. I rememberer this well of the AF jolly green giants landing on our flight deck. We were scheduled for a liberty visit to Australia at the time but abruptly reversed course and steamed approximately 48 hours back into flight operations range. That old ship was cutting a pretty swift wake behind us. A SEAL team was brought on broad in route. The Marines shared hot racks with the squadron until we offloaded them in the Philippines. The Washington stuff we knew nothing about. Just our liberty visit being canceled until it was all over.
I was onboard with VF 111, I remember the seals coming off the helicopter. Scary times
@@robertswick7654 yes it was! This video filled in the D.C. put I never knew. I knew something bad was happening but never knew about 3 Marines left behind or the AF security crash. God Bless them. Thanks for posting your thoughts shipmate!
My father was the CO of the USAF Security Policemen (now Security Forces) who were lost in the helicopter crash. It affected him for the rest of his life. He was in one of the other helicopters on the way to re-take the Mayaguez. I was there to see his reaction to seeing the names of his men on the Vietnam Memorial... devastated.
Your father wasn’t Charles Heabausch or Bill Hock was he?
@@jenniferstelling2954 Charles Heubusch
@@avgj0378 I know his name well. I’ve been working with Jerry Nelson at VSPA on the planned Luke AB memorial. Jerry said he and your dad were good friends and that your mom donated boxes of records he kept About knife 13’s crew, planning and crash. I plan to visit Luke in the near future again and view the records with Jerry.
A very good channel.... I learn something (or two) from every one of them.... great job on this Veterans Day weekend
Thank you for the recognition of these men!! "More than a name on the wall"
Great video. Very timely. Thank you.
Thank you for bringing back the videos. I don't do well with audio only while staring at a still pic for 15-30 minutes.
We have continued to produce the videos on our Monday/Wednesday/Friday schedule, (although I occasionally take a day off.) The podcasts are released every-other Tuesday in addition to the regular video schedule.,
@@TheHistoryGuyChannel Thanks for the reply. You are great.
It still hurts to hear after all these years.
Tough video to watch. 1Lt Froehlich was a childhood friend of mine. RIP my brothers.
I had no idea about this incident. I served 24 years in the USAF and this huge loss of Airmen was never talked about. How tragic, terrible and wasteful.
Another amazing video, thank you. It may be of interest to those who don’t know that the USS Harold E Holt mentioned in this video was named after an Australian Prime Minister who drowned while in office. In Australia, we ironically named a swimming pool after him.
I myself learnt to drown, I mean swim, there as a child
The pool at the Australian Military base in Vung Tau in South Vietnam during the war was also called the Harold Holt Memorial Pool.
Good telling of this story. Thanks for your narration. Sad to hear of the three men left behind.
Powerful. Well done Lance & Team
Thank you, THG. It was quite moving that you included the names, a moment of silence and remembrance for the 41.
Thank you for posting This needs to be remembered and we members and veterans of the armed services greatly appreciate your work. Thank you
I knew many of the names on the Wall. My high school year books always had a few of the lost. Maya Lin grew up in my home town. She's enough younger that I don't remember her. Very proud she designed such a thoughtful memorial I have touched so many times. Heard Fords speech at Arlington that year. This one brought so many memories.
Thanks for remembering those who bravely served, died, and evidently forgotten. May they rest in peace.
Yet another great video both you and mark Felton produced some of my most favorite TH-cam documentaries.
Keep up the good work
Hello again history guy. It’s
Popeye and Janie’s son again.
thank you for your work and efforts. You are a great storyteller and I thank you for the content that you create.
Thank you for listing their names so we can see their names out loud. Say their names so they will be let in and remembered.
Be peaceful, Big Mountain Hodge
This is a painful story to tell today but thank you for telling it. These are people who deserve to be remembered. 😢
Semper Fi? This incident is heartbreaking. We must remember these historic lessons & take heed. Deeply pained that we left our Marines behind.
Thank you for honoring the memory of these brave servicemen!
BOY DO I REMENBER THIS. I was A 29 year old Ranger temp stationed in Thailand out of the 2nd & 75th Ranger Bn. Fort Lewis Washington. My sniper team was giving the job of over watch for the marines, which was strange because everyone knew that the marines had the very best snipers? After I question the logic with my superior's I was told we were one of the few that had seen combat. The mission was a cluster F from the start! What the hell we couldn't even tell who were the bad guys and who were Friendly's. After they captured the ship and were getting the hell out of Dodge. I started yelling you have friendly's down over the radio several times I was told to shut up. They left though marines behind I feel like shit every time I think about it. Then the chopper crashed on the way back. Later leaning 43 had died. When I got back to base at the debriefing I told everyone there that that was the biggest piece of crap mission I was ever on. I was told by some douchebag in a suit that if I ever open my pie hole about this mission I would be court court martialed. Well F you come and get me! I was busted from Sgt first class to SSG and kicked out of the unit. I end up finishing my 20 with the 2nd & 60th Mech Unit based out of Fort Lewis. The irony was I could look across the air field and see the Ranger Barracks I use to love being a Ranger.
NUTS
Excellent, as always, History Guy. Thank you.
I was on the Coral Sea. This has always brought back sad memories. I remember the brave Marines. I was but a boiler tech, but the whole ship knew this was a bad time. Not nearly enough has been done to honor these men who gave their all.
thank you for listing those killed.
Thank you for covering this fiasco. The American public needs to hear again of this. I was an HM3 Navy Hospital Corpsman at that time with 3/9 on Okinawa.
Kudos for this Informative video of the lesser known chapter during the Vietnam War. Leaders of that time made bad decisions with deadly consequences.
Looking forward to ur next one.
I joined the US Army in May of 1975. I served four years in the infantry and every day we thought we were going to be sucked back into that meat grinder. Those guys lived and died that nightmare. A little piece of all of us is still there.
Excellent video. You tell the story so accurately, and you make it suspenseful. Recommended!!!
I believe there is more to the battle than you’ve mentioned. I heard there was an AC130 called in and it devastated a few of those bunkers and the KR had actually sunk a gunboat of theirs in a shallow part near the beach, which looked like it was abandoned, but it was actually a trap and the AAA gun on it was fully functioning and it brought down the two helicopters. Quite a lot about the battle was very heroic from the point of view of the Marines. Tragic they left three behind.
Great video. Thank you for this. Never knew of this battle.
Thank you for sharing this Lance. I can't believe I've never heard of this, and I am a retired Marine. This op truly was a fiasco, and Ford should've flattened that damn island so the Cambodians would never use it for piracy again. And with the recent utter failure in Afghanistan, the loss of so many- some my friends- I now know how my Vietnam brethren feel. SEMPER FI MARINES.
Why would anyone give a thumb down? To the History Guy
The navy patrol squadron I was in VP-17 was on deployment in that area during the incident. One of our aircraft located the ship and got a little shot up by anti aircraft fire while making a positive ID. They were able to return to base safely.
I was in VP-4. We flew on this as well. Be at peace brother, thank you for your service.
@@triggerfish6619 Wow! Nice to hear from you. Thank you also sir! Take care!
Outstanding report. Thankyou . I shared and saved it.
I feel old, I remember this well. I also remember the fall of Saigon.
This took place a little less than three years before I was born but I've certainly read about both events, seen the images and in the case of the fall of Saigon the videos as well.
I certainly didn't see any of that in the US public school system through the 80s and 90s. Rather instead it came about through self-education. Still I feel very old as well.
When I learned my son had a head for history I made sure to share with him whatever I possibly could and gave him access to my ever growing array of references. When mention of the fall of Saigon came up in the media cycle over the past weekend my son knew exactly what they were talking about. Sadly I can guarantee that for most of his peers it was the first they'd ever heard of it.
Damn, that's old ;)
Biden was a congressmen at the time of the fall of saigon.
Several years after this, I was working for a trucking company in Jacksonville, Fl. that had a yard alongside some docks on the St. Johns river. One day a ship was tied up at the dock just outside our yard, which wasn't unusual, and then I noticed that it was The Mayaguez.
I remember when this happened. At the Gerald Ford Museum in Grand Rapids Michigan, you can actually pick this incident tosee how you would have handled it. I went in with marines and had 1 casualty, a marine who sprained his ankle.
I read the book a long time ago. This is a great example of why this channel is so good. I bet if you surveyed 100 people 99 would never had heard of this incident. Yet, there's so much to learn. I pray that this mistake (these mistakes) are not repeated right now. BTW, have you ever done a video on Operation Eagle Claw? That would be a really good topic.
Lost alot of friends in 9/11 in the tower and in Afghanistan. Spent 3 years in Iraq. With all the stuff going on I feel really depressed. I'm just glad I came back whole but I know there are others worse off than me. Killed at the WTC SPC Roshan Singh and his sister Khamladai Singh and Mr Dominick Berardi, Killed in Afghanistan SFC Joesphy McKay, SGT Deon Taylor and 1LT Daniel Farkas, Paratus Et Fidelis. Lastly to my kin LCPL Greg Buckley Semper Fidelis.
That has made me very sad I know something had to be done but the 41 brave men that died is why we need to always remember and not forget very brave men there should never have been any loss of life thank you always history guy!!