Airborne Ranger’s Terrifying Tour in Vietnam
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 มิ.ย. 2024
- William Fred Aronow served as an officer with D Co. 2/501 Infantry (Delta Raiders) of the 101st Airborne Division from 1967 to 1968. During his tour in Vietnam, Aronow would earn a Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, an Air Medal, and various decorations from the South Vietnamese government. He stayed in the Army after the war and retired at the rank of Colonel.
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Chapters:
0:00 - ROTC to Airborne
0:52 - Welcome to Vietnam
7:39 - Earning a Silver Star
16:33 - Failure in Leadership
20:54 - War is a Waste
24:10 - Adjusting to Home
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Brother served 101st Airborne 1966-1969 Vietnam Combat veteran. Thank you all who served in the Vietnam War. May God hold you and keep you always
Amen
#MaiLaiMassacre
Quite a paradox, to be a professional soldier, highly trained and accomplished, honorable - and yet sum war up in two words "a waste"" It's really something to think a person who invested so much into serving could be so honest with his take on the whole thing. Interesting talk! thank you
I am certainly not on his level, but most of us felt the same way. I thought about reenlisting and making the Army my career.....until Vietnam. I had spent 14 months in Korea, a hardship tour and was supposed to stay Stateside for 18 months and they sent me to a war zone, illegally. I was there during the early years, 65/66 but knew it was political. Many started Veterans Against the War.
it don't take a rocket scientist to figure that out. I guess one must have a few brains cells still working though
@@nld-bl5ct exactly what I thought. This man is a serious baller.
I don’t think it’s that much of a paradox, in my experience most of the people that I know who have been in the military family included aren’t war hounds. It was not really out of a patriotic feeling of service or duty. It was a means to get out of poverty in itself or to fund higher education. I think the era of blind patriotism in the military ended as soon as people started getting shipped over to Korea to fight a proxy war with the Soviets and a hot war with the Chinese
The war in Korea was beneficial to us and gained us a permanent ally in South Korea and prevented a strong adversary of the U.S from being much larger and more powerful. Vietnam was our real mistake
This is the attitude that's needed in Washington DC; no war unless everyone's son goes (politicians kids and grand kids, college kids, rich parents kids, poor kids, everyone)... politicians would think twice before marching others to war..
As a son I disagree. Politicians sons, yes
We should just make politicians go, no one else, then there might be less war, maybe.
@@johndavis452 fantastic idea, that would bring world peace
@@jamesodwyer1631 that would be nice!!!
Only exemptions should be for bone spurs
Its men like this who should be in charge of helping home coming vets as only someone who has been exposed to combat can truly understand their needs.
I bet there are, but most probably just want to live a quiet life
I disagree. He said war is a waste. So you want him to tell veterans their war experience was a waste?
@@Adjust-Fire-jy3dy He's not there to tell them how to view war. He'd be there to help adjust to civilian life again. Objection your honour: relevance.
Sir, you were uniquely/overqualified for the military, you were exactly what the enlisted men needed to help reduce unnecessary casualties, and you said yes because your Political Science education and self directed studies of war told you to get involved in this war effort. Needless to say I thank you and am glad to see you on TH-cam as someone I can salute virtually on this webpage.
Great Interview. Colonel Aronow is your typical Airborne Ranger Officer: Brave, Heroic, Intelligent, Passionate, Philosophical, Incredibly Lucid after all this time. His honest assessment of what he witnessed in Vietnam, and in Warfare is spellbinding. Like I said before, a real Hero, along with many of his comrades. I could listen to you talk all day SIR. Thank You for Your Service.
Great comment.
Do you think the Vietnam war should have involved the USA? Do you think more in the military should have ended their careers by telling us the truth that every country (even those artificially divided into 2) has the right to decide its own future ?
@@John-lv1zqSouth Korea is a good example of what should have happened in South Vietnam. South Korea is a world leading industrial powerhouse whose economy surpassed Britain by 1968. The contrast of the quality of life between North and South Korea is perhaps the most incontrovertible in the world.
@@ross2812 ever been to S Korea?
Vietnam was the 3rd time in the 20th Century that we had to bail out the bellicose, arrogant, French...WW I, WW II, Dien Bien Phu...Frances' best Military days were over after the Franco-Prussian War. Matt NYC
Really grateful to this guy. I was in Hue. I’m here today because of guys like him.
As a Gen X'er who grew up seeing "elderly veterans" from WWII, it's crazy, yet inevitable, to see that Vietnam vets have now reached senior citizen status...
There are hardly any WW2 veterans left, sadly. The youngest ones still living are in their mid 90s.
Literally only 1% of US WW2 veterans are still alive.
It doesn't feel like that long ago since there were a few WW1 vets still alive. The last trenches vet (a British guy called Harry Patch) died in 2009. The last American WW1 vet died in 2011.
Thank God they made it. Every Vietnam vet that makes it to senior citizen status is a blessing. When I think of them they are forever young due to how much they went through at 17, 18, 19...
Gen x is senior too
@@nicholascox6411no theyre not, senior is 65+, the oldest gen x'er (1965-1980) would be 59. Gen x didnt fight in Vietnam. Their dads and older brothers did.
@@MG-wk2eh There are only 25% of all Vietnam Veterans still alive today.
I served with 82nd airborne. A time that will live with me for my entire life. 1971-73
Was there much fighting from 1971 to 73?
I have so much respect for the Nam vet. There are millions of us who are proud of what you did under the circumstances.
@@scottburns2600 Oops, and pride is a sin. "if anyone wishes to boast, they should boast only of what the Lord has done. We all deserve hell and then the Lake of fire on judgment day.
@@JohnSmith-uy7sv take your aluminum foil hat off and go troll somewhere else!
My name is not Ephesians 2:8-9 or Jeremiah 17:5. It's God's Holy Bible. I deserve hell just like you and other veterans. You can't earn your salvation. It's a FREE Gift from God so no one can boast about it. Jesus Christ paid the price over 2,023 years ago. He said it was finished. It was done. All you have to do is accept what he did on the cross for your sins. Simple.
It’s men like this that should be running our country period.
He has my vote for President too ♡
This vet is an extremely well spoken and intelligent being.
You don't get elected you get born into that seat lol, every single USA president is related same with every single royal family member.
"It's one big club, and you're not in it."
Thank you for your service. You are another of my heroes. I love you guys who served in Viet Nam. I was very young when the war was occurring, but I prayed for you guys every night. Love you.
I signed up for the draft on march,1974 my 18th birthday still living as a air force dependant at Barksdale AFB. I ended up serving in the Navy in the eighties. Thank you for your service, Sir!!
I was in Vietnam with the 2/502 Inf,101st Airborne (Strike Force team)... we often worked with 75th Rangers. Often together with them recovering down aircraft and mostly bodies of the pilots...that helicopter was called a "Loach" ....we usually had one of them and two gun ships (cobras) as support and spotters. The Rangers also had Dog Handlers who we also worked with. When I was there Delta Force was our recon teams.I spent my whole tour in the A Shaw Valley...free fire zone, no villages...my platoon Sargent was on his second tour, Ranger and knew his stuff as did our LT.Sadly I lost some of my closest friends over there and all of my team member friends to mostly cancers (Dixon), I have some of the same issues and just finish 3 years of cancer treatment.... I will say this; A Silver Star says it all...every friend I had who got one, also had a Purple Heart... I'm glad you made it.
Thank you for your service, sir. Hope your health is getting better..
Welcome home boss!
DAMM. Your a 'real life' "John RAMBO"! 👏
I was a RAMF, civilian M113 expert, in the Saigon area in May/June 1967. The team was doing battle damage assessments to see what could be done about protecting the M113. Nothing except bring them all home. The track was designed for war with Russia in Germany. Vietnam aint' no Germany.
How can we ever hope current generations appreciate the sacrifice and dedication to the country these guys experienced? These days we have a tough argument that this a country worth giving one's life for. Much respect Colonel Aronow.
What a different and unique perspective . Thank you for your service. Welcome home. So glad you made it.
My uncle Tomas Sandoval was in the 101st Airborne during 68-73 he passed from cancer about 3 years ago. I looked up to him so much and to hear this man story really puts in perspective what my uncle went through…I love you Tommy I miss you everyday 💜
I am a lucky retired officer from Moscow ID. In 1984-1986 I was XO of B Co 3/413 Inf WANG in Spokane WA. I can still remember the day he was introduced to the battalion commanded by LTC Skip Pixley as the new Battalion XO. Maj Aronow was a commanding officer that I looked up to as a leader during my time with the battalion. The fact that he was a practicing attorney certainly added to the respect that the officers of the battalion had for him. David Uberuaga, Maj MI, WANG, Ret
Welcome home, thank you so much for your service.👊🏻🇺🇸
This is amazing. Then Captain Aronow was my company commander in basic training at Ft. Lewis, Wa in 1969. I remember him well and he wore the 101st Airborne patch. Coincidentally, I was assigned to the 101st Airborne in 1970 as a Huey crew chief.
What a great example of a true patriot. Thank you sir!
I was 11-B in the Army. Trained at Ft. Benning and saw the Rangers and Airborne (82nd) etc also training. "Follow Me!" I would have readily followed you into combat sir! Salute and thank you for your service!
Very honest, authentic, and insightful interview.
Your service and sacrifice always stay in our hearts and prayers. God bless!
Thank you for your service and telling us how it all went down
Many soldiers went back to Vietnam, 2 sometimes 3 tours. They felt guilty being home in the states. Now that is bond or band of brothers. Plus they couldn’t cope with civilian life.
Thank you for your service. I am no hero, but I served in the 101st Airborne 1/327th Infantry Battalion for 3 years. I joined with an Airborne Ranger contract as a 11Bravo mos. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. I pray that we learn from the past and hope for the best in the future.
Thanks for your service. When I was at basic at ft. Benning (Harmony Church) in 1986, there was a ranger training unit was across the street, and somebody was being med vac out from there every day. A Grunt can take anything.
@@charlesrichardson2655 I just looked at my bootcamp picture. I was in Bravo 1st Platoon 2/54 we graduated in March of 1997 at good old Sand Hill. I am so thankful for a mattress and clean clothes. My pay was aproximately 1,000 a month take home as a E-1 enlisted. Airborne qualification gave me a little jump pay I think.
I hope you have the best year. God Bless.
@@michaelsizemore1398 I was D 2/54 4th Plat when I was in Ft. Benning back in 1990. We where pretty Hardcore and where the only ones walking around with no hair. The shaved us all the time. The other Battalions knew who we where just by us being bald all the time. Damn hair never grew back either, Been bald sense then. Thank For Your Service ..As Well As Everyone Else On Here!
@@jtkckracing3016 We graduated from the Benning school for wayward boys! Queen of Battle Follow Me!!! Happy New Year and Blessings to you.
I was with Aco.1/327th 1976 -1978 Thank you for your service.
I think it was a loach helicopter he was referring to, also the ammo was 7.62 for the the M-60. The 5.66 mm would have been for the
M-16. This man got a rude awakening on his arrival in the Nam. A true hero, glad he made it back okay. Probably saved a lot of lives that day.
Predecessor to the Loach. Korean War vintage
5.56
You're right about the loach. Kind of used like a observation taxicab by the Majors and above in Vietnam. Also correct about the 7.62. I think M16 ammo was 5.56. But then again I was artillery and carried an M79 most of the time.
@@havenhemmings3574 👍
Love these guys, may their memory not be forgotten!
wonderful interview.....thank you for sharing this with us, Paul in Florida
Thank you both for your service and your statements.
Sir, i would just like to say Thank you for your service! Thank you for your sacrifices, for your valor, for the things you carry, for protecting us, and for defending our rights and freedom to live as we do today. May God be with you all!
Much respect,sir. Good to have you home! My baptism of fire came years later in the desolate mountains of Afghanistan. Thank you for your service. May the road rise to meet you! 👍🇺🇸
Why was the US in Afghanistan?
Thank you and your brothers for your service and sacrafice....tomk fdny
@@Compromised-yk9mc Because the Taliban hosted Al qaida and refused to give them over after they murdered over 3000 Americans on September 11th, 2001.
Are you serious that you don't know this? Jesus the new generation are so stupid. You don't even know recent American history. Ignorant.
@@brandonwright7080, I am a Vietnam war veteran. I have seen this dog and pony show before. So the Taliban hosted Al Qaida, we go in and stay there 20 years and then we wind up giving them 85 billion dollars worth of military equipment when we pull out. Do you see anything wrong with that picture Brandon? Now the US government wants to do the same thing in Ukraine with the new "woke" US military. It is a recipe for disaster. I say we cut off the US government's access to their canon fodder. In other words, withhold our sons and daughters from them.
@@Compromised-yk9mc you can't be serious
A clear and sensible well spoken interviewee
my bro and i in vietnam,my sons in iraq,afghan war---all four of us say a 100 percent total waste,a crime to kill people for no reason other than to kill people--never brag on it,would never wear a tee shirt or ball cap showing me as vet,no way--the neocons war mongers used us to make money on war equipment,sickening
Thank you for your service!
This guy is a fantastic story teller
I love the history. I was 1\508 82nd airborne from 1980-1983 . I went to air assault school in 1982 at fort Campbell. Air assault school was tougher than jump school, except for the jumping out of planes part
I hope you are doing well when I served in a infantry Brigade back in 1980 majority of the senior ncos E6 and above they were all Vietnam Vets I learned a lot from men like you thank you for telling your story I'm going to Archive it
Absolutely fascinating. Thanks for the upload.
Thanks for sharing your videos and keep them coming please.
Welcome home! Thank you for your service!
Good to know if our country ever comes under attack, from outside or from within, that we still have directors like this soldier all over the country. Thank you brothers, we can never thank you men enough. God bless and Happy New Year.
They cant do anything and very likely would not. The guy doesnt like war.
Jeremiah 17:5 New Living Translation
5 This is what the Lord says:
“Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans,
who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord.
We have been under attack from within for some time now.
@@JohnSmith-uy7sv Amen!
@@Compromised-yk9mc The former usa has been conquered and is being looted for everytthing we have by crooked politicians for many years
My father did his basic at Fort Campbell, KY and did his tour in 1967 and 1968 and was there during Tet at Phu Loi in the Iron Triangle.
1st Aviation Brigade
11th Combat Aviation Battallion
128th Assault Helicopter Company
(Tomahawks & Gunslingers)
God bless all the veterans who sacrificed so much and served. 🇺🇸
Wonderful talk, thank you sir!
Excellent interview with this gentleman with some deep insights. Appreciated his story of fellow LT who acquiesced to his complaining troops and paid the ultimate price in not following his orders and setting up an effective defensive position with his platoon. Also, he reaffirmed what I have heard over the years from other Vietnam infantry vets about the realities of war and the great cost of lives (it better be worth it, before we commit troops to ground war)
My unit was the first unit to be at LZ Sally. C batt 2/321 FA 2/101 Abn. It was a cinder airstrip outside of an old French compound manned by ARVN. No wire. No infantry. We were on our own for a few days. Later Sally became a huge base camp. But for some long days it was as the French had left it. A fact not lost on NVA mortar crews.
Later Sally became the jumping off point which resulted in thousands ( Last I heard was 5000+) of NVA KIA.
Thank you for this video !
Welcome Home Brother, from another Nam Vet…Chu Lai 68-69 1st MAW. I was lucky to have been based where I was and not being a grunt. I knew that where I was, I’d be going home, as opposed to being out in the bush, I might not be here today.
Thank you and all Veterans for their service and sacrifices God bless all you American Patriots 🙏
@Andrew Emery wow. People like you wanted the troops to be pulled out of Vietnam; then you spit on them and call them baby killer's when they got home. You are a disgusting human being
Jeremiah 17:5 New Living Translation
5 This is what the Lord says:
“Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans,
who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord.
Thank you for your service
Thank you for your sacrifice and your dedicated service to our country and your story that was so interesting!🇺🇸👍
I sure didn’t like the comment of the dictator who decided we don’t need our automatic rifles!!! They are not assault rifles!!!! Assault rifles are m-16’s. Ak-47’s that are fully automatic that are illegal!!!!👎🏻😡. Do you think killer are going to stop killing????? Countries that band theses the killers are making bombs!!!! The last one there was 400 wounded and 40 killed in one second with no warning our any way to survive!!!! They will kill !
Thank you for this interview. This is so interesting. It all happened like two years before I got to 'Nam. I was drafted but this guy went airborne ranger and wanted the 101st. Sounds like a really god man and somebody a soldier could follow. He is a credit to the history of the 101st Airborne!
Thank you for your service Sir !!!
Thank You for Your Service
An incredibly observant and courageous U.S. hero. Thanks for sharing this interview! Inspirational and important.
You are a hero. Thank you sir.
My brother was in Hue and Hambuger hill with 101 Air Born. He made it home with the silver star. I was number 1 in the last draft lottery and received orders to go to Knoxville, Tn. for a physical which I passsed and told to go and see an recruter and pick what I wanted to do in the Army. I chose truck driving and while I was in basic training they called the last draft off!
Sir thank you for your service
Powerful video and please don't stop your mission. 🇺🇲
Just found your channel ..... awesome 👍🏻
Thank you sir!
Thank you for your service and Thank you for this channel! My Dad was in the 1st 502nd infantry C company 101st airborne and was at LZ Sally in 1968. He also arrived in Vietnam the same month as Mr. Aronow. I wonder if they ever ran into each other
Thanks for your service
Thank you Sir!
Thank you sir
Thanks for your service, your a great American.
I have represented Vietnam veterans pro bono in service connected disability for 30 years, and you have described the majority of problems and issues that all Vietnam veterans have faced in this short video. God bless you for putting your life on the line. More importantly, for explaining it to others, who can get a better idea of what it was really like in Vietnam.
it was brutal and there wasn’t a lot of support especially when they got home. It was very difficult getting claims approved for agent orange and PTSD back then in the 80s and early 90s. It is certainly changed now.
Wow. Thank you from vet to vet.
Thank You Sir.
I served Army infantry in 80's.This man should be a General but he's not PC and and knows the truth.God bless him.
Thank you for your service.
What a recollection of combat.. in Vietnam.. Appreciate Your Service. Warrior
Colonel William Aronow thank you for your service with US 101 st Airborne Division.Most importantly thank you for makin it back home to USA.I did not serve in our military, but my grandfathers , unkles and brother n lws all have. Thank you again GOD Bless and GOD BLESS AMERICA !!!!!
Thank You for your service SIR! 💕
Excellent video.
After I completed my Master’s degree in international relations, I felt that war is the ultimate expression of politics, or politics in the extreme. There always seems to be some national or ideological structure behind what is happening in the field where the actual conflict exists. I would be interested in your opinion of my premise based on your education and life experience. I was 9 years old when you were over there and the casualty reports on the AM radio terrified me. Thank you for your devotion.
Follow the jooo trail
Thank you for your service, Sir.
Thanks!
Total respect for these soldiers.
Thank you SIR!
welcome home sir thank you for your service
Thank you sir.
God bless all u.s. vets!! I'm a 80' vet !!!
Thanks for your service! Everyone please remember the ones that didn’t make it back home!, thanks 67 was my year
My dad was at FSB Mary Ann (March 1971), his name is Ted Rose. The base was overrun. He saw some serious shit and received a Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions on this day. He flew in from Chu Lai after they received calls over the radio. FSB Mary Ann was about 45 mins away from their location. There was a lead helicopter and a chase helicopter. Pops was the Crew Chief on the chase helicopter. According to the pilot, they loaded 30-40 dead or wounded out of there that day in the course of 4 trips. He killed some dudes that day with willie petes. At least some of the dead, if not all, were not in body bags. At the end of the day, after they landed for the final time, the helicopter had bullet holes all over it. And my dad remembers blood leaking out of the bottom. This day has haunted my dad his entire life. He didn't tell me what really happened until I was 40 years old. Thank you all for your service and I hope you have found peace.
Thank You
Listening and picking up the Gonzaga vibe throughout. I hang out with and spend time with a retired priest who suffers from MS. His family has a tremendous US Navy heritage. He and I I often discuss politics. Once he remarked that that I seem utterly disappointed and dissatisfied with our Government's political leaders and asked me who would I want to see lead our country instead. Mr. Aronow is now heading of the list.
His education, training, initial observations, second and first-hand combat engagements, and thoughtful final assessment seems to me far beyond what I have seen in the ethics, morality, philosophy, and honesty of our last ten out of eleven presidents (excepting Ford, beginning with LBJ), vice presidents, and most of both houses throughout the same period.
Why can't we have better choices on election day? Must our combat veterans continue to pay for our elected leader's woeful ways?
The way this story was told reveals the brutal stark reality of what the 11B grunts faced in Vietnam. The honesty and humanity of this soldier is telling. Even after over 52 yrs since my time In Nam, as a 11Bravo combat veteran in Icorp with the Americal Div. Despite the training, informed doctrine and education he was equipped with, his real education started when he visited that makeshift graves registration tent, and realized he wasn't in Kansas . You can never quite go home anymore. The corruption waste, and vanity of war never changes.
Hats off to this man. Brains & heart.
a Vietnam vet I used to work with relayed the same sort of scenario of him leading his patrol, which was designed to find and elicit a response from the enemy, to a completely different location so as not to make any contact with the enemy. It didn't end in disaster for him and his guys, and I didn't question whether or not he dis-obeyed his orders., but his story gave me pause...
Great history lesson. Thank you for your service. Sir. I have been watching a fellow outside a motel. Passed out. Talking to himself. Pounding rocks. Meth psychosis.
I learned the hard way NEVER to ask these guys about their experiences - there is a darkness and horror that's indescribable for a lot of them.
Be thankful you didn't go. Respect.
RIP master chief Henry Pasternak USN
Vietnam combat veteran and my Dad
I would loved to have served with this Great American! I salute him!
Waste. This is the best analysis I've heard from any of these interviews.
Well said.
Excellent
Insubordination Will Not Be Tolerated!!!!! Col, thank you for telling us when troops start to complain.... mistakes in combat cost lives!!!! General Patton is a great example of how to fight and destroy the enemy. This is just one sad story in Vietnam, I wonder how many more soldiers got themselves killed because of bieng tired and sore?? Insubordination is a deadly formula to the entire operation, just one soldier can get a lot of people killed. Great story of what not to do Col, thank you for your service, Sir....
God Bless you Sir, I appreciate your service :)
Thank you for your service...best wishes. Tomk fdny✌