About 8 months ago i ran into a Vietnam vet at the store, i noticed his tattoo. I welcomed him home and thanked him for his service. As we began to talk he broke down in tears, i apologized and asked if i had did something wrong. He replied, " I was a pow there for 8 months, i watched my friends be murdered, when i was released and returned home in 1973 i was spit on and called horrible things. Since my return you are the first person to ever welcome me home and thank me for my service. Thank you so much". At this point im now hugging a complete crying stranger in the store as people are confused. After this i took him to lunch and he was more than happy to tell me so many stories of his life. I am still friends and still keep in weekly contact with him today. So if you come across a veteran, just acknowledge them, sometimes the smallest gesture can make the biggest difference to someone
Yeah you say thank you for being a mindless order follower. Wars are about money not freedom grow up. Sheep think they are doing the right thing but they just carry out the bidding of the powers that be for profit.
It was 40 years until a lady in the Safeway parking lot first thanked me for my service. She was the first of maybe 6. I'm 74 now, and still proud of the job I did in Vietnam fixing Hueys for the 1st Cav.
yes they are. i remember all the veterans in 1995 on the 50th 'anniversary' of world war 2. now the vietnam veterans have the same age as those ww2 soldiers in 1995. and we are losing ww2 veterans rapidly. the last ww1 combat soldier died in 2011. So in 10/11 years most of ww2 are gone, period forever. Thats a weird understanding
I look at pictures of myself and guys I served with, and think MY GOD We were So Young. mean the ncoic was maybe 35(?)we thought he was older than dirt. It is True War is a young mans game.
Unfortunately a lot of them don’t want to talk about Vietnam. My dad wouldn’t tell me anything and I’m still trying to piece the story together after he passed in 2015
My Neighbor. USMC. PFC. Paul Allard, was a Door Gunner. He was Killed in Action. April 1969. 18 years old. South Vietnam.. Enemy Groundfire. RIP.. Buddy. Forever Young..
My Pa served in Vietnam on boats patrolling the rivers and he was greatly impacted by some of things he went through. He was patrolling one day and he and his buddies made contact with a pretty significant enemy force during the firefight my father took two rounds to his leg , one in the knee and one in his thigh and that left him with a limp for the rest of his days during the same exchange a round fired from an RPG slammed into the side of his good friend and killed him instantly and the way Pa used to explain the sight of the pieces of his friend would turn your stomach. Pa was not the same for the rest of his life but he was a smart, hardworking and fair man and he always honored the memory of his Friends. Thank you so much for your service and welcome home sir pa would've loved to meet you.
My dad was a door gunner in Nam with the HAL(3) Navy Seawolves, Detachment 6- 1968-69. He fired the Pig (M60 MG) with an 8 second life expectancy in a heavy firefight and survived being shot down in 2 aircraft. He was extremely lucky, but the war is never really over- I have a great respect for all of them and what they went thru-
"But the war is never really over..." My brother re upped & did a second tour; PTSD, wrestled the demons 'til he passed. Still love & miss you, Griff. R.I.P.
My ex brother-in-law was a Marine, stationed at Khe Sanh as a Huey mechanic. One day, he was making repairs on his ship and he couldn't find a clevis pin that he'd removed. He went to the parts shack to get a replacement, when his bird was hit by a rocket. The percussion threw him approximately 20 ft in the air. The chopper was completely destroyed. Later, he found the missing clevis in his shirt pocket.
My heroes are Vietnam Veterans. My Dad was a Crew Chief/Door Gunner in the 173rd Assault Helicopters, 67-68, and I've never looked up to anyone as much as him and the people he served with. God Bless you all.
My former husband (now deceased) was a door gunner near Pleiku with the Ghostriders. He later went back in the military, went to flight school, and retired. 🚁
The war took 35 of my graduating class. It also took my brother in law, just many years later. He would go to sleep in bed and wake up in the corner on the floor with a blanket....every night until he died at 73 of AO caused issues. Rest easy Bill. I am still on guard.
I'm a Viet Nam era U. S. Army vet, non-combat. I have two close friends who are Purple Heart recipients and Viet Nam combat vets. Yes, they are my heroes!
Deep respect and honor to this veteran. Just dealing with an unjust conflict and a majority of your nation against you, then all the craziness of true horror and mayheim being in combat. He is a true survivor! I served with HMM-261 USMC during the Vietnam Era. Lost a dear friend L/CPL William Franklin 9-16-1971 over there. Miss him to this day! Thanks so much for interviewing this veteran. I too became an RN some years after discharge from the Marine Corps.
My dad was in the army training to be a sergeant during Nam. He was born with one deaf ear so they gave him a choice and he said he didn’t want to go because he couldn’t hear. I’m glad he didn’t go because he probably wouldn’t have made it back. My Uncle Bruce and Uncle Don were both heroes who were in the infantry in Nam. I salute every soldier who served during that time
I was in the Marines and stationed at Chu Lai 68-69 1st MAW MAG 12. Whenever I say a Huey go by, I always waved at the door gunners, to let them know, others on the ground were supporting them. WELCOME HOME Brother.
Pilbrow,, I'm from Chu Lai at that time I'm 15 years old..I like to looked many different Airlines The most Helicopters 🚁 pliers allover on the sky Chu Lai and close on the mountain and the guns fire 🔥 too much I saw that Helicopters gun fire every days..and I like US Army Gave me some good foods and Cigarettes too..
My dad was a doorgunner crewchief on a 1st Air Cav Huey gunship. 2nd of the 20th ARA (Ariel Rocket Artillery) battery B Oct 67-68. He was awared a Puple Heart and a Bronze Star with a V for Valor for attempting to rescue a fallen solider on Mothers Day 12 May 1968. He did most of his work in the opposite end of the theater in I Corps supporting Marine infantry units. I was born after his tour. I believe I have this life I live thanks to the dedication and sacrifices of men like Mr. Jack Moe. Jack if you read this..... thank you for your service......but most importantly Welcome Home!
@@billmckee-d5d I’m fortunate that dad talked to me freely about his tour. Dad passed in 2014 so I inherited everything he held onto from his tour. I have a copy of his orders for his Bronze Star with the V for Valor. It says the reason he was dispatched and the actions he took to try to save the soldier. Moreover dad told me he could still remember the man’s boots kicking him in the back as he ran with his lifeless body over his shoulder. All of his stories weren’t like that…..he had funny ones as well. He loved me, as I asked him about his tour I think he wanted to help me understand the war he fought in…..how it shaped him and eventually me as well as his son. I’m very thankful for this life I have. I’ve been married to the same woman for over thirty years and have two healthy children. I truly believe I owe it all to everyone my dad served with.
My father was also in the 114th Aviation Company. I did 28 years in the military myself, and did 6 deployments in the hopes that my experiences would make him feel comfortable enough to share his. Never happened for me. Apparently he shared his experiences with one of my sisters during one of my deployments, but swore her to secrecy. Thank you for sharing. It made me feel closer to him.
Amazing, thank you for your service! Crazy times, have you ever thought about helping Ukraine? It seems like Russia is about to try to conquer the entire world after he beats Ukraine, we need the best we have like you in order to stop him from his global conquest.
Read on to maybe get a little understanding of why he didn't want to share. I'm 74. Served in Vietnam in 1969-70 turning wrenches and test flying Hueys with great pilots. I wrote a poem when my experiences 'got' to me...some call it PTSD. It helped to write the poem. Check it out at: 'Company A 227th Assault Helicopter Battalion 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)' website under 'stories'. It's called 'My Package'. I'm proud of the job I did in VN. Not my choice to be there, but it was my duty and my job.
@@Negan-lo7yrPutins probably the best leader in the world right now quite frankly. Russian people are much more in unison than the rest of the world comparatively. And though Putin is a “dictator” it’s not what America has taught you it is…
@@Negan-lo7yrPutin gives more freedom to Russians than America does its citizens… that’s why snowdens been hiding out there for 10 years, and even criticizes Putin publicly. If Putin was such a dictator how come he lets Snowden hang around and talk shit about him?
@@Negan-lo7yr Different field requires different knowledge and experience to win. Middle East and Europe are different fields. It also requires different kinds of weapons and ammunition
@@numbersix8919I'm Canadian and could make a long list which is what I personally believe. - pop culture, sports, and the arts. There is literally so much entertainment that can be seen in america whether it's festivals, concerts, theatre, movies and shows that are produced there. - beautiful landmarks and scenery. Whether it's beaches, mountains, forests, or amazing cities. America is really what you want it to be in that regard. - opportunity, cost of living, low taxes, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. - FREEDOM whether it be free speech, the right to own firearms, conceal carry and protect yourself. America is one of the last bastions of hope in this regard.
@bluejaysfan965 That's a good list for the average healthy white male who's left to live in peace and has enough money to buy what he needs. But even that is getting harder to swing with each passing generation. Not just the US, either. It's the entire Western world. Wherever you go it's the same. The number of billionaires increases constantly, but the number of newly poor is much much greater.
My high school friend, he died in 68’ or 69’ can’t remember anymore, he was a crew chief as well, I believe they were going to pick up wounded, their chopper was ambushed while landing and pilot, copilot and my buddy Joe Manuel de LaTorre passed. Good bless all. I was in Nam as well. Thanks for your story.
My stepmoms former husband was a door gunner in Nam. She told me that he watched his best friend who was also a DG be blown out of the air right next to him, hit by an RPG. He dealt with a lot of trauma and PTSD. He committed suicide. RIP soldier. 🇺🇸
Fantastic to see a fellow Crew chief's story, 99% all you see is pilots stories. When the Crew Chief's and Gunners Spent more time and work and work in the job. I flew with my helicopter all the time and the pilots would switch out because of hours. and when day ended I had to work hours on the helicopter to get it ready for next day 7 days a week. The Pilots were real aces at flying the Brick with blades. they were the best of the best but so were the crews! Thank you for the video brother
My brother just passed away from agent orange.He did three tours in Vietnam.He retired after 23 1/2 years as a senior master sergeant.He was also 100% disable from agent orange.Breathing problems and real bad heart problems from it.god bless you sir and thank you for your service.
I'm so sorry about your brother Randall. My brother served two tours (Army Infantry). He is now dying from an Agent Orange cancer, so I know what you're going through. My sincere condolences to you and your family.
Shallow to just say thank you for your service. My childhood best friend became a door gunner. I think the most dangerous job in Vietnam. He did make it home. His ptsd took him over. He passed away with a rope. God bless you and yours to get you through it 🙏 Welcome home, and thank you for your service and for sharing your story. May God bless!
My friend was door gunner from 68 to 69 and never talked about it. One day he finally wrote a book, One February Morning, in which he tells his story. Well worth reading.
My Uncle Chris Stark was a medic in the Nam. He was an awesome knitter, he got injured by enemy sniper hit him while he was tending to someone then got hit in his left shoulder, got his wits about him, reached for his standard issue. 45, terminated the threat.
I'm glad this man got the help he so desperately needed. I also appreciate his complicity with the fact that he wasn't okay and needed some help. Too many of these men and women get brushed under the rug.
I was with the 2/502 Inf 101st Airborne "Strike Force" team... all our missions were in the North on the DMZ, mostly in the A Shau Valley AO ... I was told that the 101st needed some guys for door gunner slots... the enticement was a place in the rear area to sleep, cot and even a shower??? How insane was that? We had no base camp for operations as my team spent all our time in the jungle, with the odd 2 day "Stand Down" at Camp Eagle.... I was on a "Bird" next to the door gunner on a mission and the gunner shouted to me it was HOT(!)... he was referring to our LZ, as we were coming in to help an observation post that had been over run and this gunner just opened up on the tree line and as we jumped off the skid... then a couple rounds hit the bird above my head just as we flared up to stop... It was all insanity back then, now I'm stuck with Dioxin related Cancer and other related health issues... over 50 years later... I hope Jack is still alive, as everyone I knew has died...
My late husband was a corpsman in Vietnam & he would periodically have flashbacks. It was terrifying to see it & I couldn't always get him snapped back to reality. One time he jumped out of bed at 3am, saying to me "they're outside, I heard them" and proceeded to grab his gun & go outside looking behind trees and bushes convinced they were out there and gonna kill him. He died of an overdose in 2000.
@@NotOnDrugs He'd been on a 3 day binge and the coroner told me he died of acute intoxication of crack cocaine/alcohol/methadone which caused a heart attack.
The vets don't even need to be asleep to go into a full blown flashback, when I was only 9 or 10 years old it was a real hot day and us kids were having water fights when some older kids told me to go throw water over Bob, and that's all I really remember about that day, I was told that when I ran up to Bob and was about to throw the water he apparently looked like he was a cornered animal and he punched me out cold! This was in 1983, so the war wasn't over that long. Poor Bob had stepped on a mine and lost the lower half of his leg!! Luckily my parents knew before this happened that Bob was a Vietnam veteran and they understood why he reacted that way and explained it to me and didn't let anyone else give Bob a hard time for knocking out a kid. Ever since then I wanted to know as much as possible about the war and it's short and long-term effects of both sides of the conflict. Thanks for sharing, and I'm so sorry you lost your husband, I'm sure it's not easy on you at all.
@brightfart2380 Thank you. Yes it was and we had many fights about it. In truth I hid that damn thing many times or hid the bullets. I appreciate your question, I don't think I've ever thought about how a non American person would view it. It really does sound like insanity, doesn't it? And I hate guns.
What a man. A true American and a hero. Our youth so easily overlook the sacrifices of men like this whom provide them with the freedoms they so abhor today.
Young people overlook? Is that what you take away from this ?? Oh boy.. Young people are more aware now of the devastation/generational damage of these needless wars because of people like this humble man, who spoke of the horrors of Agent Orange and trauma of an ambush that killed a little girl. At no point did the people of Vietnam EVER threaten anyone in America's " Freedom" None of these proxy wars are to protect the "freedom" of Americans. That's absurd. The people responsible for these wars use threats to America's Freedom just to make the deadly costs of these conflicts palatable to your average Joe . Ramp up the jingoism a bit.
First I’d like to say, thank you for your service and also thank you for sharing this story that sheds light on how PTSD can be managed with the proper support groups and trained specialist. Also thank you “The Vietnam Experience” for creating this outlet for others to hear this Veterans selfless acts but especially for younger Americans, like myself. “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.”
My best friend and manager was a door gunner for 2 tours. He died not long ago. His stories were the highlight at the end of the day. John Sweeney, Top for short. RIP buddy, those demons are dead too 😢
When I graduated high school (85) I was so immature. Watching anything on TV about the Vietnam war I try and imagine being over there and living that Hell, trying to survive at such a young age. My respect for your service is so hard for me to convey to you and those that died. God bless you!
My dad had been in the Navy and then the Air force and gotten out in 64. He was stationed in Japan where i was born . In 67 he signed up as a warrant officer for a civilian contractor . Dynaelectric , Tiger company. His contract was for one year he worked on the lazer guided sights on the helicopters , Cobra's and Huey's. Fell off the back of a truck and broke his arm a month before his contract was over. They sent him home then not long after he left, his base was overrun and most everyone was killed .
My father spent 18 years as a fighter pilot. He spent a year in Bien Hoa as a FAC. He was never the same after he came home. One day, he was watching us play football in the street from the living room window. My mom approached him, and as she got to him, he was crying. When she asked what was wrong, he replied, "Lee, you know I had to kill children younger than ours?"
I never knew it because my father didn’t talk about anything. My mom told me that dad would wake up sweating once in a while into the 80s. He had watch one night and a guy popped up right in front of him and shot. Dad said the bullet whizzed tight past him so he shot back and killed the guys. So everyone jumped up and they walked over there and looked and dad said it was a little boy like 10 years old. That stuck with him.
@@dunexapa1016 Not just those in power. The whole civilian population was slowly dragged into the war. Everybody was in favor of it until they weren’t. This wasn’t even 20 years after World War II ended so there was a prevailing mindset out in the country. War is good for an economy.
God Bless You Sir, and thank you for your service! My Dad served as a Corpseman from 67-69, and never but one time, did he talk about what he had seen, and he couldn't even finish that story before he broke down and I told him it was fine, he didn't have to relive it for my curiosity. As You mentioned about your nightmares, my Dad worked swing shifts, and if you was ever to wake him up you had to grab his toes and shake them because you never knew what kind of defensive stance he wake up in. He lost it one night in 1992 and over so many years after his service he woke up one night and armed himself and began shooting in the trees, (thank goodness it was in the country) but he was hospitalized after that, and thank God he found a support group that helped him tremendously! My heart is with every veteran that has served...❤️🇺🇲
Most combat veterans don't talk about their time at war. Some of Vietnam vets have written books because the story needs to be told. My father's only son wrote a book titled 'One February Morning' that you may find interesting as tell you haw it was without the blood and guts. He was a door gunner 68-69.
Welcome home brother and God bless you and thank you for your service. My wife uncle Louis Connie was a crewchief and door gunner 67 68. 2years older than me. He die at 51 from AO. That darn war still killing men. I got home in 71
My highest respects to you sir, dad was at Dak To on hill 875 and had the highest respect for you chopper pilots. He passed a year and a half ago. He was paralyzed from Agent Orange many years after he came home and was the bravest man I know. You guys are my hero’s. I’m sorry for how poorly our country has treated you. It’s an embarrassment.
The only guy I knew who got killed fighting in Viet Nam was a door gunner from Princeton, KY. The VN memorial in Frankfort, KY has a huge sundial, and it’s shadow points to his name on the day of the year he died.
Whether one agrees with what he did in that helicopter scene of getting out unannounced in the heat of battle to finish the job, but rather than terminating that old enemy, he carried that wounded man to the helo for care. That says everything about this soldier's character. God bless this warrior.
@@senior_ranger Negative Sir...I believe that you're BOTH equally good men. Both are brave heroes who just happen to have different perspectives on how to handle a certain situation & both of whom I fully respect for your selfless services to our Country
Give a man a fish and he will eat for one day. Teach a man to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime - or at least until he runs afoul of a game warden - at which point he will be fined and his fishing tackle confiscated.
My brother was a door gunner in the 196th , got his 4,000 hour medal , and never talked about what happened in 67 & 68 , I am just glad he made it back
The name of the road that he was trying to think of was the “Ho Chi Minh Trail”. I got drafted in august of 67. I failed the TB patch test so the sent me for a chest X-ray at Roosevelt hospital in Edison NJ, I failed. They re-classified me 1Y which meant that if Congress declared Vietnam a WAR that I would be eligible for service (they never declared it a WAR). My heart goes out to this gentleman and all the others that served. When I see people like him, Ironically, I thank God that I contracted Tuberculosis.
RJ One thing combat vets see clearly is if the guy they’re talking to could be counted on in the jungle or one you’d want to count out. Just know you would have delivered in time of complete chaos and violence. Thanks for caring. 🇺🇸
i had a friend that was a combat medic and he had horrible nightmares.everyone screaming for him and all the death he seen..hope he has found peace now in heaven...R.I.P DOUG TERRELL...from tulare ca.
As the son of a Vietnam Veteran who suffered PTSD for the rest of his life, I want to thank you for bravely serving our country Mr. Jack Moe, I pray that you have peace in your life and mind. What a thing to survive and carry with you! My father was an Army Combat Engineer whose base was bombed and he saw such terrible things for an 18 year-old. He took refuge under a jeep. He saw his buddies literally blow into bits, and that really messed him up.
I was trying to think of a comment as I read through other comments. All that came to mind was “ God bless you and keep you well”. Thank you for expressing what I could not. There is an exceptional goodness to this man that seems to have survived, in spite of having every rational reason for bitterness or despair. (I am also the son of a veteran)
@@johnbailey3877 I'm sure your father (or mother) had their own experiences that stay/ed with them. I heard interviews with vets who were Green Berets, and some who were supposedly in "safe" roles, yet they still ended up in dicey situations. They all have my complete respect, from 11 Bravo Infantry, to the helicopter maintenance team. My neighbor was a mechanic and drove officers on the royal Tai highway. The man who had the position previously was shot while driving on the same highway, a year prior. They're all my heroes. Thank you for your kind words, and thank your parent who served for me! Peace
@@bipslone8880 I don't understand your question/ comment. Are you trolling? Without elaboration My thought is that you are implying that every draftee should have refused to serve and no one should have volunteered ... It is a free country and I'm happy you can express your beliefs. But if you felt it was an unjust war -- or are against ALL wars -- how do you reconcile your love of peace with the lack of compassion for this soldier and his experiences? (I'm tired and I hope I am misreading your intentions/ meaning. If so, I apologize. Peaceably yours, John)
@@johnbailey3877 Of course they should have refused. Real patriots like Muhammad Ali did. People like him stood for what was right. Vietnam was no threat to America or it's people, they just wanted their own form of government. Who the hell gave America the right to run around the world forcing their beliefs onto others? I call out Iraq war veterans as well. YOU HAVE A DUTY TO SAY NO TO UNJUST AND ILLEGAL WARS. Real Patriots want America to be a great nation and an example to others, Nationalists (You), blindly follow orders (Same as Nazi's). I will never excuse people like him for just following orders. Estimates of 405,000-627,000 civilians were killed in the Vietnam war
A Dear, dear friend of mine named Richard Hollingsworth of Montgomery, Alabama, was a door gunner on a troop helicopter with the First Air Cavalry. He only spoke about his service in Vietnam on two occasions over the forty years I knew and worked with him. I can't imagine how brave you helicopter crews were and I am sure still are! God Bless all the brave men and women who have gone into harms way in service of our Beloved Republic.
Mr. Moe deserves respect from any person he might meet. Flying choppers as a Crew Chief/door gunner is no walk in the park. I served at Bien Hoa AB 69-70 as a weapons specialist in the Air Force working on F-100s and A-37s. Mr. Moe mentioned going on an Honor Flight and how great it was. My daughter signed me up and went as my Sponsor on the Honor Flight. It was unbelievable to be treated with such respect and appreciation after all these years. We were treated like royalty everywhere we went. I can honestly say, I finally got Welcomed Home while there! To you Vietnam Vets, if you get a chance to gto D.C. on an Honor Flight, GO! You will be glad you did. As a side note; my nick name is "Moe" and comes from the first three letters of my last name.
My dad was a WWII vet who retired during Vietnam. He’d had enough and felt bad for the kids going to Vietnam who had leaders who didn’t want to invade the North and end the war.
Thank you for all you have done and what you are still going through. It was not in vain.. I feel terrible knowing your still dealing with side affects
God bless you Jack. My uncle was a door gunner in the 114th AHC. Did a couple of tours from 69-72 I believe. He was the sole survivor when his bird went down, came home but never spoke about his experiences. We miss you Frank Medvitz. RIP.
Door gunner. Man, I was never in combat but that’s what I’d want to be. No question. Thanks man. Whether you know it or not, there’s a whole country that loves you. Thank you.
I met a veteran back in 1970 who was working for a fire suppression contractor in the industrial plant that I was employed at. I had to ask him what was his MO as I had recently been drafted but have not been inducted as of yet. He said I was a door gunner on a Huey. I asked did you suffer any injuries in your time in service. He responded, only some superficial flesh wounds but nothing serious. I asked weren't you scared at that point? He then told me not so scared as when his chopper had to make an emergency landing because the chopper suffered mechanical failure. This was at night time. He then said that was the most frightening time for him. He and the rest of the crew were picked up the next day. He actually felt more safe in the Huey then he did on the ground.
Cambodia is West of Vietnam. I taught ESL (English as a Second Language) in Snoul, Cambodia which is only about 15 miles from "Western" Vietnam headed towards Tai Ninh, Saigon. Snoul was the "ultimate" destination during the US and ARVN incursion of Cambodia in April-June of 1970.
Interesting and informative. Special thanks to the veteran soldier. Sharing personal information/combat experiences making this interview more authentic and possible.
HI Mate from australia . i was close in getting my draft . i listened to your story .u made me cry for u and all the men and women that served THANK YOU ALL WHO SERVED . look after your self ( i am 70 )
He was based out of Can Tho army airfield I think. I was there from May 69 to April 70. The whine of the helicopters 24-hours a day was music to my ears
Damn shame how Vietnam vets we're treated upon thier arrival home makes me sick thank you to all Vietnam vets all badasses RIP to all that didn't make it
@@azure6392 Your position? You think they could not see the helicopter? It was easier for us. We could see their green tracers and since they were on the ground, that helped us see their location.
I worked for a family who’s Dad was a door gunner with the big red 1. I asked him why he volunteered to be a door gunner, he said it was less personal then being a 60 gunner humping the bush.
Listen to our podcast 🎤: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-vietnam-experience/id1732962685
About 8 months ago i ran into a Vietnam vet at the store, i noticed his tattoo. I welcomed him home and thanked him for his service. As we began to talk he broke down in tears, i apologized and asked if i had did something wrong. He replied, " I was a pow there for 8 months, i watched my friends be murdered, when i was released and returned home in 1973 i was spit on and called horrible things. Since my return you are the first person to ever welcome me home and thank me for my service. Thank you so much". At this point im now hugging a complete crying stranger in the store as people are confused. After this i took him to lunch and he was more than happy to tell me so many stories of his life. I am still friends and still keep in weekly contact with him today. So if you come across a veteran, just acknowledge them, sometimes the smallest gesture can make the biggest difference to someone
Pretty awesome story!!! Thanks
Yeah you say thank you for being a mindless order follower. Wars are about money not freedom grow up. Sheep think they are doing the right thing but they just carry out the bidding of the powers that be for profit.
Kind of makes one wonder, how many of these “spitters” are holding government positions or are politicians!
It was 40 years until a lady in the Safeway parking lot first thanked me for my service. She was the first of maybe 6. I'm 74 now, and still proud of the job I did in Vietnam fixing Hueys for the 1st Cav.
God Bless you.
Glad you made it home I was a Tunnel Rat and still cry at night. I LOVE MY FLAG.
respect for going down those hole's. i heard lot off story on youtube about the tunnel rats, scary stories
Thank you sir
My grandfather was a tunnel rat. He’s a marine i think he was there 67-69 I’m not 100% does howie Olsen ring a bell?
May You find peace ,Brave Soldier!❤
Engineers?
I was a Huey pilot in VN and know how important good door gunners and especially crew chiefs were to completing our missions.
My friend, Thurston Jolly, was a door gunner, just a chance...did you know him?
Willis Michael Stanley Big Red 1 door gunner lived in Maine my father I love and miss that great man so much
Welcome Home sir and Thank you for your service. A Canadian Vietnam Veteran.. I served with the1099 Transportation unit .
All these guys are getting older and their stories need to be told. Keep up the good work!
Not a whole lot of WW II vets as well as Korean damn!
yes they are. i remember all the veterans in 1995 on the 50th 'anniversary' of world war 2. now the vietnam veterans have the same age as those ww2 soldiers in 1995. and we are losing ww2 veterans rapidly. the last ww1 combat soldier died in 2011. So in 10/11 years most of ww2 are gone, period forever. Thats a weird understanding
I look at pictures of myself and guys I served with, and think MY GOD We were So Young. mean the ncoic was maybe 35(?)we thought he was older than dirt.
It is True War is a young mans game.
ok. will do.
Unfortunately a lot of them don’t want to talk about Vietnam. My dad wouldn’t tell me anything and I’m still trying to piece the story together after he passed in 2015
My Neighbor. USMC. PFC. Paul Allard, was a Door Gunner. He was Killed in Action. April 1969. 18 years old. South Vietnam.. Enemy Groundfire. RIP.. Buddy. Forever Young..
LORD rest his soul in Jesus name
Bless all of you guys who made it home and Hod bless all the family's of viet nam veterans. RIP
@@wendibernhardt9190
@@juanomarrios1240
Semper Fi, Fair winds and Following Seas PFC. Allard!
My Pa served in Vietnam on boats patrolling the rivers and he was greatly impacted by some of things he went through. He was patrolling one day and he and his buddies made contact with a pretty significant enemy force during the firefight my father took two rounds to his leg , one in the knee and one in his thigh and that left him with a limp for the rest of his days during the same exchange a round fired from an RPG slammed into the side of his good friend and killed him instantly and the way Pa used to explain the sight of the pieces of his friend would turn your stomach. Pa was not the same for the rest of his life but he was a smart, hardworking and fair man and he always honored the memory of his Friends. Thank you so much for your service and welcome home sir pa would've loved to meet you.
Your father sounds like a wonderful man. ❤️
@@kasey9067 Thank you so much for the kind words it really means alot to me , Bless you
God bless your dad..memories eternal..
@@pgroove163 Bless you, thank you very much I appreciate you
Thank you for sharing, your father is an incredibly brave man.
My dad was a door gunner in Nam with the HAL(3) Navy Seawolves, Detachment 6- 1968-69. He fired the Pig (M60 MG) with an 8 second life expectancy in a heavy firefight and survived being shot down in 2 aircraft. He was extremely lucky, but the war is never really over- I have a great respect for all of them and what they went thru-
Seawolves showed em how to do it in the dark!
Door gunner HAL(3) Det 8 1970-71
@@bboomermike2126 Dad was Det 4 71-72
Your dad sounds a lot like my second cousin....
"But the war is never really over..." My brother re upped & did a second tour; PTSD, wrestled the demons 'til he passed. Still love & miss you, Griff. R.I.P.
My ex brother-in-law was a Marine, stationed at Khe Sanh as a Huey mechanic. One day, he was making repairs on his ship and he couldn't find a clevis pin that he'd removed. He went to the parts shack to get a replacement, when his bird was hit by a rocket. The percussion threw him approximately 20 ft in the air. The chopper was completely destroyed. Later, he found the missing clevis in his shirt pocket.
He was a lucky man, I hope he found happiness after the war
A God moment
@@djharto4917 , nope. He was diagnosed with PTSD. He still has night terrors.
So he didnt die ?
God
My heroes are Vietnam Veterans. My Dad was a Crew Chief/Door Gunner in the 173rd Assault Helicopters, 67-68, and I've never looked up to anyone as much as him and the people he served with. God Bless you all.
So was mine 67-68 bearcat compound
My former husband (now deceased) was a door gunner near Pleiku with the Ghostriders. He later went back in the military, went to flight school, and retired. 🚁
The war took 35 of my graduating class. It also took my brother in law, just many years later. He would go to sleep in bed and wake up in the corner on the floor with a blanket....every night until he died at 73 of AO caused issues. Rest easy Bill. I am still on guard.
We need as many of these powerful interviews from these hero’s as possible.
Thank you for service. Jack, you and your fellow Viet Nam vets, are my hero's.
I'm a Viet Nam era U. S. Army vet, non-combat. I have two close friends who are Purple Heart recipients and Viet Nam combat vets. Yes, they are my heroes!
My feelings exactly!
@@retro440 They are not hero's, they are all war criminals..... they got spat on for a reason
Deep respect and honor to this veteran. Just dealing with an unjust conflict and a majority of your nation against you, then all the craziness of true horror and mayheim being in combat. He is a true survivor! I served with HMM-261 USMC during the Vietnam Era. Lost a dear friend L/CPL William Franklin 9-16-1971 over there. Miss him to this day! Thanks so much for interviewing this veteran. I too became an RN some years after discharge from the Marine Corps.
Fighting totalitarian communism is never unjust, too bad it's all we elect here and now.
@@PaulLorenzini-ny2yw America lost
'...majority of your nation against you...' That isn't true.
My dad was in the army training to be a sergeant during Nam. He was born with one deaf ear so they gave him a choice and he said he didn’t want to go because he couldn’t hear. I’m glad he didn’t go because he probably wouldn’t have made it back. My Uncle Bruce and Uncle Don were both heroes who were in the infantry in Nam. I salute every soldier who served during that time
I was in the Marines and stationed at Chu Lai 68-69 1st MAW MAG 12. Whenever I say a Huey go by, I always waved at the door gunners, to let them know, others on the ground were supporting them. WELCOME HOME Brother.
Pilbrow,, I'm from Chu Lai at that time
I'm 15 years old..I like to looked many different Airlines
The most Helicopters 🚁 pliers allover on the sky Chu Lai and close on the mountain and the guns fire 🔥 too much
I saw that Helicopters gun fire every days..and I like US Army
Gave me some good foods and Cigarettes too..
L😊 3:58 @@sutannguyen8599
My dad was a doorgunner crewchief on a 1st Air Cav Huey gunship. 2nd of the 20th ARA (Ariel Rocket Artillery) battery B Oct 67-68. He was awared a Puple Heart and a Bronze Star with a V for Valor for attempting to rescue a fallen solider on Mothers Day 12 May 1968. He did most of his work in the opposite end of the theater in I Corps supporting Marine infantry units. I was born after his tour. I believe I have this life I live thanks to the dedication and sacrifices of men like Mr. Jack Moe. Jack if you read this..... thank you for your service......but most importantly Welcome Home!
Thankyou for your dad's service. He was a legit hero.
how do you know so much detail ?
@@billmckee-d5d I’m fortunate that dad talked to me freely about his tour. Dad passed in 2014 so I inherited everything he held onto from his tour. I have a copy of his orders for his Bronze Star with the V for Valor. It says the reason he was dispatched and the actions he took to try to save the soldier. Moreover dad told me he could still remember the man’s boots kicking him in the back as he ran with his lifeless body over his shoulder. All of his stories weren’t like that…..he had funny ones as well. He loved me, as I asked him about his tour I think he wanted to help me understand the war he fought in…..how it shaped him and eventually me as well as his son. I’m very thankful for this life I have. I’ve been married to the same woman for over thirty years and have two healthy children. I truly believe I owe it all to everyone my dad served with.
Thank you for coming home brave soldier.
Im 65, my brother and dad were both in country during the Tet.
Thank you again.
Aloha.
J
My father was also in the 114th Aviation Company. I did 28 years in the military myself, and did 6 deployments in the hopes that my experiences would make him feel comfortable enough to share his. Never happened for me. Apparently he shared his experiences with one of my sisters during one of my deployments, but swore her to secrecy. Thank you for sharing. It made me feel closer to him.
Amazing, thank you for your service! Crazy times, have you ever thought about helping Ukraine? It seems like Russia is about to try to conquer the entire world after he beats Ukraine, we need the best we have like you in order to stop him from his global conquest.
Read on to maybe get a little understanding of why he didn't want to share. I'm 74. Served in Vietnam in 1969-70 turning wrenches and test flying Hueys with great pilots. I wrote a poem when my experiences 'got' to me...some call it PTSD. It helped to write the poem. Check it out at: 'Company A
227th Assault Helicopter Battalion
1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)' website under 'stories'. It's called 'My Package'. I'm proud of the job I did in VN. Not my choice to be there, but it was my duty and my job.
@@Negan-lo7yrPutins probably the best leader in the world right now quite frankly. Russian people are much more in unison than the rest of the world comparatively. And though Putin is a “dictator” it’s not what America has taught you it is…
@@Negan-lo7yrPutin gives more freedom to Russians than America does its citizens… that’s why snowdens been hiding out there for 10 years, and even criticizes Putin publicly. If Putin was such a dictator how come he lets Snowden hang around and talk shit about him?
@@Negan-lo7yr Different field requires different knowledge and experience to win. Middle East and Europe are different fields. It also requires different kinds of weapons and ammunition
I'm so proud of this man.. I grew up with men like him.. If it wasn't for men like him.. America wouldn't be what it is today..❤
What is good about America today in your opinion? Usually one only hears about the negative.
@@numbersix8919I'm Canadian and could make a long list which is what I personally believe.
- pop culture, sports, and the arts. There is literally so much entertainment that can be seen in america whether it's festivals, concerts, theatre, movies and shows that are produced there.
- beautiful landmarks and scenery. Whether it's beaches, mountains, forests, or amazing cities. America is really what you want it to be in that regard.
- opportunity, cost of living, low taxes, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
- FREEDOM whether it be free speech, the right to own firearms, conceal carry and protect yourself. America is one of the last bastions of hope in this regard.
@bluejaysfan965 That's a good list for the average healthy white male who's left to live in peace and has enough money to buy what he needs. But even that is getting harder to swing with each passing generation. Not just the US, either. It's the entire Western world. Wherever you go it's the same. The number of billionaires increases constantly, but the number of newly poor is much much greater.
What it is, they still fight unwinnable wars based on lies. What do you mean?
@@bluejaysfan965 vietnam vets had absolutely nothing to do with any of the things you listed
For a man holding such horrific memories in his head to be able to say “life is good” is truly a remarkable thing. Thank you for sharing.
All those boys each with a story to tell and a nightmare to live with. Thousands died on both sides and most didnt even know why.
My high school friend, he died in 68’ or 69’ can’t remember anymore, he was a crew chief as well, I believe they were going to pick up wounded, their chopper was ambushed while landing and pilot, copilot and my buddy Joe Manuel de LaTorre passed. Good bless all. I was in Nam as well. Thanks for your story.
My stepmoms former husband was a door gunner in Nam. She told me that he watched his best friend who was also a DG be blown out of the air right next to him, hit by an RPG. He dealt with a lot of trauma and PTSD. He committed suicide. RIP soldier. 🇺🇸
Fantastic to see a fellow Crew chief's story, 99% all you see is pilots stories. When the Crew Chief's and Gunners Spent more time and work and work in the job. I flew with my helicopter all the time and the pilots would switch out because of hours. and when day ended I had to work hours on the helicopter to get it ready for next day 7 days a week. The Pilots were real aces at flying the Brick with blades. they were the best of the best but so were the crews! Thank you for the video brother
Thank you for your service sir to your community and country. Respect from a fellow vet . God bless you
Threeof my people served in Nam. Tow of my uncle's made home. Thank you and every one who served . Men and women.
Welcome home Mr. Moe. Thank you for your service back, then and now with our veterans.
My brother just passed away from agent orange.He did three tours in Vietnam.He retired after 23 1/2 years as a senior master sergeant.He was also 100% disable from agent orange.Breathing problems and real bad heart problems from it.god bless you sir and thank you for your service.
I’m sorry you lost your brother Randall
God bless your brother 🙏🏻
Wow 3 tours! My hats off to your brother. Thanks for writing the story.
I'm so sorry about your brother Randall. My brother served two tours (Army Infantry). He is now dying from an Agent Orange cancer, so I know what you're going through.
My sincere condolences to you and your family.
MY UNCLE HAS IT STILL HANGING ON HE IS 78
Thank you for your service Jack ! We're wishing you all of the best !
What service did he provide?
It never goes away but gets better . I'm grateful you maid it back .
Shallow to just say thank you for your service.
My childhood best friend became a door gunner. I think the most dangerous job in Vietnam. He did make it home. His ptsd took him over. He passed away with a rope. God bless you and yours to get you through it 🙏
Welcome home, and thank you for your service and for sharing your story. May God bless!
Our Crew Chiefs and Door Gunners were great! They always had our backs. I flew Hueys in Vietnam and I can't thank these guys enough.
My friend was door gunner from 68 to 69 and never talked about it. One day he finally wrote a book, One February Morning, in which he tells his story. Well worth reading.
My Uncle Chris Stark was a medic in the Nam. He was an awesome knitter, he got injured by enemy sniper hit him while he was tending to someone then got hit in his left shoulder, got his wits about him, reached for his standard issue. 45, terminated the threat.
I'm glad this man got the help he so desperately needed. I also appreciate his complicity with the fact that he wasn't okay and needed some help. Too many of these men and women get brushed under the rug.
Very sobering. Respect from a UH-60 crew chief in Iraq.
I was with the 2/502 Inf 101st Airborne "Strike Force" team... all our missions were in the North on the DMZ, mostly in the A Shau Valley AO ... I was told that the 101st needed some guys for door gunner slots... the enticement was a place in the rear area to sleep, cot and even a shower??? How insane was that?
We had no base camp for operations as my team spent all our time in the jungle, with the odd 2 day "Stand Down" at Camp Eagle.... I was on a "Bird" next to the door gunner on a mission and the gunner shouted to me it was HOT(!)... he was referring to our LZ, as we were coming in to help an observation post that had been over run and this gunner just opened up on the tree line and as we jumped off the skid... then a couple rounds hit the bird above my head just as we flared up to stop... It was all insanity back then, now I'm stuck with Dioxin related Cancer and other related health issues... over 50 years later... I hope Jack is still alive, as everyone I knew has died...
My late husband was a corpsman in Vietnam & he would periodically have flashbacks. It was terrifying to see it & I couldn't always get him snapped back to reality. One time he jumped out of bed at 3am, saying to me "they're outside, I heard them" and proceeded to grab his gun & go outside looking behind trees and bushes convinced they were out there and gonna kill him. He died of an overdose in 2000.
might I ask you what he overdosed on?
@@NotOnDrugs He'd been on a 3 day binge and the coroner told me he died of acute intoxication of crack cocaine/alcohol/methadone which caused a heart attack.
The vets don't even need to be asleep to go into a full blown flashback, when I was only 9 or 10 years old it was a real hot day and us kids were having water fights when some older kids told me to go throw water over Bob, and that's all I really remember about that day, I was told that when I ran up to Bob and was about to throw the water he apparently looked like he was a cornered animal and he punched me out cold! This was in 1983, so the war wasn't over that long. Poor Bob had stepped on a mine and lost the lower half of his leg!! Luckily my parents knew before this happened that Bob was a Vietnam veteran and they understood why he reacted that way and explained it to me and didn't let anyone else give Bob a hard time for knocking out a kid. Ever since then I wanted to know as much as possible about the war and it's short and long-term effects of both sides of the conflict. Thanks for sharing, and I'm so sorry you lost your husband, I'm sure it's not easy on you at all.
@brightfart2380 Thank you. Yes it was and we had many fights about it. In truth I hid that damn thing many times or hid the bullets. I appreciate your question, I don't think I've ever thought about how a non American person would view it. It really does sound like insanity, doesn't it? And I hate guns.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
Red Knight crew chief here. Knight 1-7 I'm guessing that little combat base with green berets was called Cai Cai, still there in 1970, nasty place.
Thank you, sir! My Dad was Robinhood, 173rd Assault Helicopters. We wouldn't be here without men like you.
What a man. A true American and a hero. Our youth so easily overlook the sacrifices of men like this whom provide them with the freedoms they so abhor today.
Young people overlook? Is that what you take away from this ?? Oh boy.. Young people are more aware now of the devastation/generational damage of these needless wars because of people like this humble man, who spoke of the horrors of Agent Orange and trauma of an ambush that killed a little girl. At no point did the people of Vietnam EVER threaten anyone in America's " Freedom"
None of these proxy wars are to protect the "freedom" of Americans. That's absurd. The people responsible for these wars use threats to America's Freedom just to make the deadly costs of these conflicts palatable to your average Joe . Ramp up the jingoism a bit.
My dad was a gunner in the same area during this time. Maybe you knew him. ❤Thank you for your service.
First I’d like to say, thank you for your service and also thank you for sharing this story that sheds light on how PTSD can be managed with the proper support groups and trained specialist. Also thank you “The Vietnam Experience” for creating this outlet for others to hear this Veterans selfless acts but especially for younger Americans, like myself. “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.”
What service did he provide?
My best friend and manager was a door gunner for 2 tours. He died not long ago. His stories were the highlight at the end of the day.
John Sweeney, Top for short.
RIP buddy, those demons are dead too 😢
@@bigbadbamboo1 my last name is Sweeney also. Lai Khe, S. Vietnam, 1st Cav Airmobile.
When I graduated high school (85) I was so immature. Watching anything on TV about the Vietnam war I try and imagine being over there and living that Hell, trying to survive at such a young age. My respect for your service is so hard for me to convey to you and those that died. God bless you!
My dad had been in the Navy and then the Air force and gotten out in 64.
He was stationed in Japan where i was born .
In 67 he signed up as a warrant officer for a civilian contractor . Dynaelectric , Tiger company.
His contract was for one year he worked on the lazer guided sights on the helicopters , Cobra's and Huey's.
Fell off the back of a truck and broke his arm a month before his contract was over.
They sent him home then not long after he left, his base was overrun and most everyone was killed .
Wow! Thanks for sharing. As many stories as I hear about loss during that war, I also hear about survival miracles!
Great job of showing the events. Terrific man. Very brave
My father spent 18 years as a fighter pilot. He spent a year in Bien Hoa as a FAC. He was never the same after he came home. One day, he was watching us play football in the street from the living room window. My mom approached him, and as she got to him, he was crying. When she asked what was wrong, he replied, "Lee, you know I had to kill children younger than ours?"
I never knew it because my father didn’t talk about anything. My mom told me that dad would wake up sweating once in a while into the 80s. He had watch one night and a guy popped up right in front of him and shot. Dad said the bullet whizzed tight past him so he shot back and killed the guys. So everyone jumped up and they walked over there and looked and dad said it was a little boy like 10 years old. That stuck with him.
@@johndeere8594 Oh good lord, I can't imagine what that must have been like for your Dad... having no choice.
Your Father was deceived by those in power at the time.
Sadly, that was who the Gooks recruited but they would kill you...
@@dunexapa1016 Not just those in power. The whole civilian population was slowly dragged into the war. Everybody was in favor of it until they weren’t. This wasn’t even 20 years after World War II ended so there was a prevailing mindset out in the country. War is good for an economy.
God bless. I am glad you are finally able to come to terms with your PTSD. Good man.
God Bless You Sir, and thank you for your service! My Dad served as a Corpseman from 67-69, and never but one time, did he talk about what he had seen, and he couldn't even finish that story before he broke down and I told him it was fine, he didn't have to relive it for my curiosity. As You mentioned about your nightmares, my Dad worked swing shifts, and if you was ever to wake him up you had to grab his toes and shake them because you never knew what kind of defensive stance he wake up in. He lost it one night in 1992 and over so many years after his service he woke up one night and armed himself and began shooting in the trees, (thank goodness it was in the country) but he was hospitalized after that, and thank God he found a support group that helped him tremendously! My heart is with every veteran that has served...❤️🇺🇲
Most combat veterans don't talk about their time at war. Some of Vietnam vets have written books because the story needs to be told. My father's only son wrote a book titled 'One February Morning' that you may find interesting as tell you haw it was without the blood and guts. He was a door gunner 68-69.
Thank you sir and all your fellow brothers and sisters who gave so much!
You are loved... welcome home! ❤🙏
WE TRULY LOVE YOU BROTHER, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO EVERY TRUE AMERICAN, WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU.
Welcome home brother and God bless you and thank you for your service. My wife uncle Louis Connie was a crewchief and door gunner 67 68. 2years older than me. He die at 51 from AO. That darn war still killing men. I got home in 71
My highest respects to you sir, dad was at Dak To on hill 875 and had the highest respect for you chopper pilots. He passed a year and a half ago. He was paralyzed from Agent Orange many years after he came home and was the bravest man I know. You guys are my hero’s. I’m sorry for how poorly our country has treated you. It’s an embarrassment.
You're a good, sane, and now tough, person. May the force continue to be with you.
Bless you sir, I appreciate your service for this country.
The only guy I knew who got killed fighting in Viet Nam was a door gunner from Princeton, KY. The VN memorial in Frankfort, KY has a huge sundial, and it’s shadow points to his name on the day of the year he died.
Good we have such responsible people performing these important roles
Whether one agrees with what he did in that helicopter scene of getting out unannounced in the heat of battle to finish the job, but rather than terminating that old enemy, he carried that wounded man to the helo for care. That says everything about this soldier's character. God bless this warrior.
You're so right. I would have shot him --- and I was there '67 - '68, also for Tet. He's a better man than I.
@@senior_ranger Negative Sir...I believe that you're BOTH equally good men. Both are brave heroes who just happen to have different perspectives on how to handle a certain situation & both of whom I fully respect for your selfless services to our Country
Amen
Makes me sick to think what this country these brave soldiers sacrificed for has become 50 yrs later.
If the enemy attacks us they'll be men in dresses with automatic weapons greeting them
Give a man a fish and he will eat for one day. Teach a man to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime - or at least until he runs afoul of a game warden - at which point he will be fined and his fishing tackle confiscated.
Why? (genuine question)
@@Katman718 nope there's alot of us that want the war and we won't be greeting anything kindly with dresses I promise
Back then their country spit on and shunned when they came back from the war
My brother was a door gunner in the 196th , got his 4,000 hour medal , and never talked about what happened in 67 & 68 , I am just glad he made it back
thank you vets and god bless ive never forgot you or the vietnam era ever
The name of the road that he was trying to think of was the “Ho Chi Minh Trail”. I got drafted in august of 67. I failed the TB patch test so the sent me for a chest X-ray at Roosevelt hospital in Edison NJ, I failed. They re-classified me 1Y which meant that if Congress declared Vietnam a WAR that I would be eligible for service (they never declared it a WAR). My heart goes out to this gentleman and all the others that served. When I see people like him, Ironically, I thank God that I contracted Tuberculosis.
RJ
One thing combat vets see clearly is if the guy they’re talking to could be counted on in the jungle or one you’d want to count out.
Just know you would have delivered in time of complete chaos and violence.
Thanks for caring. 🇺🇸
i had a friend that was a combat medic and he had horrible nightmares.everyone screaming for him and all the death he seen..hope he has found peace now in heaven...R.I.P DOUG TERRELL...from tulare ca.
As the son of a Vietnam Veteran who suffered PTSD for the rest of his life, I want to thank you for bravely serving our country Mr. Jack Moe, I pray that you have peace in your life and mind. What a thing to survive and carry with you! My father was an Army Combat Engineer whose base was bombed and he saw such terrible things for an 18 year-old. He took refuge under a jeep. He saw his buddies literally blow into bits, and that really messed him up.
I was trying to think of a comment as I read through other comments. All that came to mind was “ God bless you and keep you well”.
Thank you for expressing what I could not. There is an exceptional goodness to this man that seems to have survived, in spite of having every rational reason for bitterness or despair.
(I am also the son of a veteran)
@@johnbailey3877 I'm sure your father (or mother) had their own experiences that stay/ed with them. I heard interviews with vets who were Green Berets, and some who were supposedly in "safe" roles, yet they still ended up in dicey situations. They all have my complete respect, from 11 Bravo Infantry, to the helicopter maintenance team. My neighbor was a mechanic and drove officers on the royal Tai highway. The man who had the position previously was shot while driving on the same highway, a year prior. They're all my heroes. Thank you for your kind words, and thank your parent who served for me! Peace
What service did he provide?
@@bipslone8880 I don't understand your question/ comment. Are you trolling? Without elaboration My thought is that you are implying that every draftee should have refused to serve and no one should have volunteered ... It is a free country and I'm happy you can express your beliefs. But if you felt it was an unjust war -- or are against ALL wars -- how do you reconcile your love of peace with the lack of compassion for this soldier and his experiences? (I'm tired and I hope I am misreading your intentions/ meaning. If so, I apologize. Peaceably yours, John)
@@johnbailey3877 Of course they should have refused. Real patriots like Muhammad Ali did. People like him stood for what was right. Vietnam was no threat to America or it's people, they just wanted their own form of government. Who the hell gave America the right to run around the world forcing their beliefs onto others? I call out Iraq war veterans as well. YOU HAVE A DUTY TO SAY NO TO UNJUST AND ILLEGAL WARS. Real Patriots want America to be a great nation and an example to others, Nationalists (You), blindly follow orders (Same as Nazi's). I will never excuse people like him for just following orders. Estimates of 405,000-627,000 civilians were killed in the Vietnam war
These guys are special, to see what they’ve seen and still smile, must be tough. 🙏
A Dear, dear friend of mine named Richard Hollingsworth of Montgomery, Alabama, was a door gunner on a troop helicopter with the First Air Cavalry. He only spoke about his service in Vietnam on two occasions over the forty years I knew and worked with him. I can't imagine how brave you helicopter crews were and I am sure still are! God Bless all the brave men and women who have gone into harms way in service of our Beloved Republic.
How were they serving your country?
What threat was Vietnam to you ?
Mr. Moe deserves respect from any person he might meet. Flying choppers as a Crew Chief/door gunner is no walk in the park. I served at Bien Hoa AB 69-70 as a weapons specialist in the Air Force working on F-100s and A-37s. Mr. Moe mentioned going on an Honor Flight and how great it was. My daughter signed me up and went as my Sponsor on the Honor Flight. It was unbelievable to be treated with such respect and appreciation after all these years. We were treated like royalty everywhere we went. I can honestly say, I finally got Welcomed Home while there! To you Vietnam Vets, if you get a chance to gto D.C. on an Honor Flight, GO! You will be glad you did. As a side note; my nick name is "Moe" and comes from the first three letters of my last name.
My dad was a WWII vet who retired during Vietnam. He’d had enough and felt bad for the kids going to Vietnam who had leaders who didn’t want to invade the North and end the war.
SIMPLY the truth.
Thank you for all you have done and what you are still going through. It was not in vain.. I feel terrible knowing your still dealing with side affects
Thank you sir for your service not only in VN but your continued service since then.
God bless him, it takes a lot for these guys to tell their stories, thank you for the interview.
Respect from Scotland Brother.
First and foremost thank you for your service to this great country, may you continue to find peace beyond understanding
God bless our Vietnam Vets.
I thank you VERY MUCH for your service to our Country, Sir.
Thanks for your service! Everyone please remember the ones that didn’t make it back home women and men 67 was my year thanks again!!!!!!!
God Bless you and thank you. The memorial for V. In Dc brings tears immediately!! A generation ignored
God bless you sir and thank you for your service!
I love listening to the testimony of these guys.
All veterans deserve our respect and compassion !!!
God bless you Jack. My uncle was a door gunner in the 114th AHC. Did a couple of tours from 69-72 I believe. He was the sole survivor when his bird went down, came home but never spoke about his experiences. We miss you Frank Medvitz. RIP.
This really got to me... a lot of respect to this guy, for being so honest.
Thank you for sharing your stories with us. Be well.
Please continue telling your stories; we all need to hear them. Thank you and welcome home.
Thank You For Sharing Your Experience. You Are A True American Hero !
Door gunner. Man, I was never in combat but that’s what I’d want to be. No question. Thanks man. Whether you know it or not, there’s a whole country that loves you. Thank you.
I met a veteran back in 1970 who was working for a fire suppression contractor in the industrial plant that I was employed at. I had to ask him what was his MO as I had recently been drafted but have not been inducted as of yet. He said I was a door gunner on a Huey. I asked did you suffer any injuries in your time in service. He responded, only some superficial flesh wounds but nothing serious. I asked weren't you scared at that point? He then told me not so scared as when his chopper had to make an emergency landing because the chopper suffered mechanical failure. This was at night time. He then said that was the most frightening time for him. He and the rest of the crew were picked up the next day. He actually felt more safe in the Huey then he did on the ground.
His mos would be 67N20 Huey mechanic crew chief doorgunner
I absolutely salute you Sir !!! Thank you for your service and my deepest condolences for your brothers in arms !!!
Cambodia is West of Vietnam. I taught ESL (English as a Second Language) in Snoul, Cambodia which is only about 15 miles from "Western" Vietnam headed towards Tai Ninh, Saigon. Snoul was the "ultimate" destination during the US and ARVN incursion of Cambodia in April-June of 1970.
Interesting and informative. Special thanks to the veteran soldier. Sharing personal information/combat experiences making this interview more authentic and possible.
Thank you for your service. Blessings to you and all who served. 🇺🇸
HI Mate from australia . i was close in getting my draft . i listened to your story .u made me cry for u and all the men and women that served THANK YOU ALL WHO SERVED . look after your self ( i am 70 )
He was based out of Can Tho army airfield I think. I was there from May 69 to April 70. The whine of the helicopters 24-hours a day was music to my ears
My dad was with the 155th AHC in the central highlands as a door gunner..i never got to speak to him much about this.. thank u.
Damn shame how Vietnam vets we're treated upon thier arrival home makes me sick thank you to all Vietnam vets all badasses RIP to all that didn't make it
Thank you for your story. Thank you for your service and the honorable man you are.
Know a guy who was a mechanic for Huey’s in Vietnam.He said door gunners lasted for about three weeks before getting hit.
USAF security police were invited to be door gunners. No thx. I trained on the M-60. Every 5th Rd is a tracer. Points right back to your position.
@@azure6392 Your position? You think they could not see the helicopter?
It was easier for us. We could see their green tracers and since they were on the ground, that helped us see their location.
Thank you for your service. Hard to fathom what you guys went threw. God bless
I worked for a family who’s Dad was a door gunner with the big red 1. I asked him why he volunteered to be a door gunner, he said it was less personal then being a 60 gunner humping the bush.
You can't help but love these soldiers 👍