VOICES OF HISTORY PRESENTS - PFC William Smith, 2nd BN., 9th Marines, Vietnam, 1965-1966

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ม.ค. 2025

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  • @VoicesofHistory
    @VoicesofHistory  ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Please consider donating to help us bring more stories to this channel. Thank you!! LEST THEY BE FORGOTTEN
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    VOICES OF HISTORY FILM AND VIDEO CATALOG ON TH-cam: th-cam.com/users/VoicesofHistoryvideos Larry Cappetto WEBSITE: larrycappetto.com

  • @frankclark717
    @frankclark717 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Listening to Larry that’s PTSD most of us coming back from Vietnam have PTSD myself included Vietnam never goes away God bless William and all of our Veterans thank you again Larry
    for all of your interviews
    Semper Fi

  • @olivias.3071
    @olivias.3071 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    PFC William Smith - A popular rank and a popular name, yet you carried uncommon valor. Thank you so much.

  • @TheGainfather
    @TheGainfather 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Another incredible story. I believe that the mind suppresses those emotions and memories just as a self protection mechanism. I know there's many veterans with similar stories. Some will think they're embellished stories. But they will never know what these men have seen or sacrificed. Thank you for your service and sacrifices. Freedom is never free.

  • @AllAroundAtlanta
    @AllAroundAtlanta ปีที่แล้ว +3

    God bless you sir. There's a special place in heaven for you. Thank you for your service.

  • @Jonesy1978
    @Jonesy1978 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    30:00 losing all hope is freedom. This is one of the best interviews I've seen on this channel. This man went to a dark place, and didn't come back. I hope he can find some peace in life. Lest we forget

  • @Stax-ht9md
    @Stax-ht9md ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Thank you Brandon for your assistance in bringing these videos to us. Your aid to Larry's work, along with Larry's respect to those that serve, has encouraged me join in.

  • @garyluck8502
    @garyluck8502 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Thanks for your service! I was there all of 67! Everyone please remember the ones that didn’t make it back home! Thanks

  • @murrayhelmer8941
    @murrayhelmer8941 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    This is a wonderful site. Just imagine if this could’ve been done for the revolutionary and civil wars! This is the real true history. 👍👍🙂

  • @luisoquinones4634
    @luisoquinones4634 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I AM PROUD OF THE VIETNAM HEROES TWO OF MY BROTHERS FOUGHT IN VIETNAM ONE IN THE MARINES CORPS AND THE OTHER IN THE U.S ARMY. I ALSO SERVED AS ARTILLERY CANNON CREW MAN FOR 4 YEARS. I WAS A SEARGENT. SGT SMITH I AM PROUD OF YOU AND THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE. BE PROUD OF THAT.

    • @shadowwolf9503
      @shadowwolf9503 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I was 13Bravo. 1982-88. 105mm towed howitzer.

  • @irrigationjoehenggeler2863
    @irrigationjoehenggeler2863 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    A salute from PFC William Smith is a bestowed blessing!

  • @BruceMcnay-ld4rx
    @BruceMcnay-ld4rx ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Thank you sir for service! Can see and feel your pain. I'm former Marine 86-89.

  • @mdeodar
    @mdeodar 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    God bless William Smith. What a great communicator and proud American. ❤🙏

  • @Stax-ht9md
    @Stax-ht9md ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Welcome home PFC Smith - I hope you have healed, and found the happiness that should have been your birthright.

  • @rockhunter6260
    @rockhunter6260 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Great interview Marine👍🏻

  • @ejsocci2630
    @ejsocci2630 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Welcome home, thank you so much for your service.👊🏻🇺🇸

  • @glennlarson9343
    @glennlarson9343 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thanks William.

  • @jafo766
    @jafo766 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Thank you Marine , I have slept well under the blanket of FREEDOM you helped to weave , a blanket $um try to tear from us from within......BOO KOO DA$ DICKE !

  • @winstonmonster
    @winstonmonster ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Great job Larry and will!

  • @briancampbell8667
    @briancampbell8667 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thank you Larry for all you do. God bless these vets and you also

    • @VoicesofHistory
      @VoicesofHistory  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank you Brian. I appreciate your kind words.

  • @annaover60
    @annaover60 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    great interview thank you sir for your service

  • @kennethprice5628
    @kennethprice5628 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Welcome home my brother, you served with honor...71 yo Navy Veteran

  • @davec6724
    @davec6724 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Wow, what a powerful story and experience this gentleman went thru which continues to this day. May God console you.

  • @jeanf8998
    @jeanf8998 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Oh my dear, I am your age. Faith is disposable in war. But not forever. I have had to suffer. The war. I am afraid of everything. But little by little….hope. Dang I love this man.

  • @chrisjanzen6082
    @chrisjanzen6082 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Wow. William is real as it gets. Thank you, Larry for sharing his story.

    • @VoicesofHistory
      @VoicesofHistory  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      It was an honor to meet him this week here in my home.

  • @johnpenn1672
    @johnpenn1672 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Another great interview Larry.

  • @jeanf8998
    @jeanf8998 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Live on! I’m the same!

  • @AlvinUselton
    @AlvinUselton 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    That was a very serious salute 🫡 thank you 🙏 sir.

  • @jonhenson5450
    @jonhenson5450 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    This Marine is a great example of perseverance, Super effort. Every Day. I know what I see and hear in his interview.

    • @jonhenson5450
      @jonhenson5450 ปีที่แล้ว

      Sir,I can see your hurting, but I also see you going right at it, like breaking an ambush, attack straight into the sonovabitch. USMC, we will never die.

  • @littlepils4187
    @littlepils4187 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    You're a very sharp fellow. 110 !! 🍻.

  • @chrishensley6745
    @chrishensley6745 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    This Marine is soo in Depth on the stories and glad you was able to find him/interview...ALOT of these young people need to hear this nowandays.

  • @elmercoffmans4223
    @elmercoffmans4223 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you sir for your service my god bless you 👍💪🇺🇸

  • @helmuthoess3737
    @helmuthoess3737 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    God bless America. My heart goes out to William Smith.

  • @rudytagala7076
    @rudytagala7076 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Great work Larry - especially if there's not much money involved!
    There's a hotel in Clark Air Base (Maharajah) where 'em Vietnam US Veterans from that base held their annual reunions way back in the late 1990's - some of them thought that I too was with them during that period; they were on the average seven (7) years my seniors though but I felt very comfortable with the majority of 'em 😊 !

  • @pekolucky
    @pekolucky 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    God bless you Bill for sharing your experience with us. I was fortunate. I got discharged from the Marine Corps in 63. Semper Fi.

  • @david25876
    @david25876 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Thank you William for fighting for freedom!! Thx Larry! My brother Steve did comms work as an electrical engineer in Germany from about ‘67-‘70. I was just 6-7 years old and worried about my brothers everyday. My other brother Doug served a tour from about ‘68-‘69. He went to nam but due to a paperwork error ended up in Okanawa a month or two after arriving in Vietnam. He was a marine and always will be. He’s very proud of that but doesn’t talk about much unless you dig it out of him.

  • @williamfreeh1198
    @williamfreeh1198 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    God bless you William. i hope you make 110.

  • @MartinLopez-ys5dm
    @MartinLopez-ys5dm ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Semper Fi DD. I hope you hit 110 brother.

  • @chrishensley6745
    @chrishensley6745 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Best interview!

  • @crispytaco9634
    @crispytaco9634 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Incredible story. Thank you William. I never served but listening to these types of stories makes me sick to my stomach how our veterans were treated by the government and by our own citizens. I know he said we dont need to thank Vietnam vets but if I see a guy wearing a Vietnam hat or patch I always thank them for their sacrifice and service. If the hippies only knew of the millions of lives that were killed by communists like Pol Pot after we left SE Asia they may have a different opinion of the war.

  • @chrisfrench8511
    @chrisfrench8511 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Larry you are a hero also. Thank you again.

    • @VoicesofHistory
      @VoicesofHistory  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank you Chris for your kind words. I really appreciate it. Good to have you here on this channel during these difficult times.

  • @zacklundberg2774
    @zacklundberg2774 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    PFC Willian Smith, I salute you out of pure respect! I can't imagine the hell you went through! Deepest regards sir. You will jit 110! Much love and respect sir! I salute you.....

  • @GVega-fp9wf
    @GVega-fp9wf ปีที่แล้ว +4

    That was an intense interview.

  • @riverbender9898
    @riverbender9898 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I salute you.

  • @anthonyemerick8521
    @anthonyemerick8521 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Helicopters were the h34 … father was in 65-66 and 69-70 …. 3/3 India chu li …. Operation star lite

  • @felixthecleaner8843
    @felixthecleaner8843 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    wow - what a compelling account of this man's experience in Vietnam - loved the salute and the picture of you both at the end. Good Work Mr Cappetto.

    • @VoicesofHistory
      @VoicesofHistory  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Our pleasure! Glad you enjoyed the interview.

  • @tevinlong4888
    @tevinlong4888 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    You can see the fire in his eyes I knew this was going to be a good one

  • @stephenmcgraw8871
    @stephenmcgraw8871 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I`m sorry to say that I`ve been flying my flag upside-down for a few years now and every time it rains,I stare at that amazing piece of cloth,still waving, no matter what,but it seems now that each raindrop represents a tear for each of those who fought for that GOD-Given symbol to humanity,and can see how this nation has fallen morally and spiritually;it`s quite a sight and it hits me in the heart...I`m 52 now and I fear that my generation will be the last of the GOD-fearing,traditional family generation this country will ever see,and it`s not just me who feels this way,believe me--I`m just glad my grandparents,and their "Greatest Generation compadres aren`t here to see what is happening to us........Please,Larry,keep doing what you`re doing.......Stephen M. from the Downeast coast of Maine

    • @VoicesofHistory
      @VoicesofHistory  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Stephen, that you for your comment. I would be interested in talking to you about it sometime.

  • @wadedavies3924
    @wadedavies3924 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    He was a superman. He was 19 and writing to 19 different girls. He was a regular grunt during the day and strung comm wire at night. He is 76 and doesn't look a day over 50. He could have called in an air strike but he chose to fix bayonets. I salute you sir.

  • @damon224
    @damon224 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    He doesn’t look 77. My dad went to Vietnam 3 times. He came home and brought he war with him, killed two people that I know of, bought his way out. Killed himself in 2014. GOD BLESS ALL! ❤

    • @1neAdam12
      @1neAdam12 ปีที่แล้ว

      You're right.
      Not a day over 76

    • @katherinecrothers3248
      @katherinecrothers3248 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      May God bless your Dad and your family. I am so sorry for your loss. May his honorable soul finally rest in peace.

    • @damon224
      @damon224 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@katherinecrothers3248 ❤️

    • @wadedavies3924
      @wadedavies3924 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Yeah, I'm starting to question the time lines here. These guys are way too young looking to be vets of that era.

  • @kurtak9452
    @kurtak9452 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    God bless this American combat hero. Any time, any door, any place!

  • @vegaspowerlifting
    @vegaspowerlifting ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Great interview. Question: can you put on the closed caption for those of us that can’t hear well?

    • @VoicesofHistory
      @VoicesofHistory  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yes, you may turn close captioning on for any of my videos. Just look for the button below the video.

    • @Jonesy1978
      @Jonesy1978 ปีที่แล้ว

      It's under settings, hit captions auto generated *

  • @jonness8927
    @jonness8927 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I was a "2512" Field Wireman from Christmas 1976 through September 7th of 1980 with the 1st Marine Regiment.

  • @Brandon-iv5yz
    @Brandon-iv5yz ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Been there , understand - DaNang , Tam Ky, Kham Duc, 1965 --- CUA Viet, Dong Ha, Luan Anh, Gio Linh 1967. I learned to not care. Because I don’t care I only have 50 percent ptsd.

  • @2509498788
    @2509498788 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    War has no good place.
    There are wounds beyond war..

  • @TheMewiya
    @TheMewiya ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Wow! Very familiar! Different, but the same. The good part was that I could call in artillery or air support if things got even warm; plus, I was the map guy in the group. As long as I kept track of exactly where we were at any given time. And choppers NEVER dropping us in the right LZ. 23 months + 29 days.

  • @Edward-qy4dp
    @Edward-qy4dp 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    My cousin was an Lt 9th MEB.

  • @laurenced2916
    @laurenced2916 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    This Marine still has the thousand yard stare

  • @billbarnes8192
    @billbarnes8192 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Looks like we walked through the same mud and many of the same operations, my first one was with weapons platoon G 2/4: Operation Double Eagle one and two. We relieved several companies of the ninth marines around Danang and from the Rock Pile and they did the same for us. Semper Fi brother.

    • @VoicesofHistory
      @VoicesofHistory  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      God bless you Bill. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

  • @richardspillman5627
    @richardspillman5627 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The truth !!!!!!

  • @drjprice
    @drjprice 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I am 77 went to Vietnam in 65 with 1/7

  • @James-p5e8n
    @James-p5e8n ปีที่แล้ว +3

    The only reason you hear people most people say "thank you for your service" now is because of the recent wars and don't want the Iraqi veteran to go through what the vietnam vets went through after getting out.Whenever you talk to someone in government now on the phone or in person they say it because the bosses up top tell them to say it

    • @VoicesofHistory
      @VoicesofHistory  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yes, I agree. Thank you for your comment.

  • @BinhLe-bz2eu
    @BinhLe-bz2eu ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I think many American need read about what US President Franklin D. Roosevelt think about the French colonial rule over Vietnam and Vietnam Independent. And when did President Franklin D. Roosevelt sent US military personnel to Vietnam one year after the Japanese army attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

  • @jeanf8998
    @jeanf8998 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Yes I would do it again . I know the feeling. It’s called war. God’s will? His time? The awful abyss. Soldiers want a just war - nobody is ever immune. Let us tell our stories.

  • @wellitsherenow
    @wellitsherenow 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    nobody will ever know what these me went through. they'll never truly tell us about it. but there are a couple whp let us know a little and this man is 1 of them. you can feel it in him

  • @BinhLe-bz2eu
    @BinhLe-bz2eu ปีที่แล้ว +4

    To all US Vietnam Vet. You should blame that on your parents and grandparents and all those fellow Americans of yours who voted for Democrats President Truman, JF Kennedy, and LB Johnson as United States commander in Chief. Because they were one who brought communist to Vietnam and started the Vietnam War. US Democracts President Truman was the 1st US President who got Americans involve in Vietnam when he sent the 1st US MAAG to assist the French to recolonize Vietnam in 1950. Then US Democrats President JF Kennedy stage a military coup on South Vietnam President, Ngo Dinh Diem giving America power to start a War and to do what ever they wish to Vietnam and its Vietnamese peoples. And appoint an ex-Vietminh soldiers, Nguyen Van Thieu as their puppet President of South Vietnam to replace Ngo Dinh Diem after the military coup assination on Nov. 2, 1963. The following year on August 4, 1964. US Democrats President LB Johnson announce to the American peoples about the Gulf of Tonkin incident. Where a US Destroyer Maddox was patroiling at sea past the 17th parallel DMZ near the capital of communist North Vietnam, Hanoi and bring attack by North Vietnamese PT Boats. That even today that it didn't happen according to John White a nuclear weapon officier on the US Destroyer Maddox. Without the South Vietnamese President declare military action or War on North Vietnam. US Democrats President LB Johnson push for military action against North Vietnam which lead to the start of the Vietnam War. American peoples did this to Vietnam and all the 58,000 US killed during the Vietnam by electing Truman, JF Kennedy and LB Johnson as their US Commaner in Chief. America brought War, death, and pain to the Vietnamese peoples of Vietnam. 3,000,000 innocents Vietnamese civilian had to die in their own country. While 10s of thousands Vietnamese die at sea of hunger, thirst, and illness as refugee. All those US President were all US War Vets.

    • @boondocker7964
      @boondocker7964 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yup, that is pretty much it. Did RVN '66-'67. Well, we were lied to.

    • @BinhLe-bz2eu
      @BinhLe-bz2eu ปีที่แล้ว

      @@boondocker7964 What will you do if a foriegn country sent arms troops to your country and claim they were here to protect your country from Communist Russia? When their troops do their Search and Destroyed mission. They burn, bombed, and destroyed your home because they saw you a gun in your home. Then their soldiers accuse as communist sympathizer. They shot and kill your mom and dad. And had you watch your sisters being rape by a bunch of their soldiers. What will you do?

  • @BinhLe-bz2eu
    @BinhLe-bz2eu ปีที่แล้ว +2

    All those 1st North Vietnamese leaders and Vietminh was once US allies after Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. One year after the Japenese attack on Pearl Harbor. US President Franklin D. Roosevelt sent US military personel to Vietnam. They help train the 1st Vietminh booby trap and warfare against the Japanese of WWII. Those 1st Vietminh help save several US pilots who plane was shot down by the Japanese army. President Franklin D Roosevelt recognize Vietnam independence from France. But his Vice President Truman didn't. US Democrats President Truman reject Vietnam letter for support of Independence from France and support France to re-colonize Vietnam as their colony. This cause Ho Chi Minh to ask the communist Soviet Union for support and why Vietnam became a communist today. US Democrats President Truman, JF Kennedy, and LB Johnson made sure Vietnam is America business. Why they had South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother killed and appointed their puppet ex-Vietminh soldiers, Nguyễn Văn Thiệu as President of South Vietnam. From US President Truman, JF Kennedy, and LB Johnson were all WWI and WWII veteran. Their wamonger caused 58,000 US dead in Vietnam War. Then Jimmy Carter in the Middle east and George Bush Jr in the invasion of Iraq. They too were both US military veteran, who sent the next young Americans to kill and die in another foriegn country.

  • @BinhLe-bz2eu
    @BinhLe-bz2eu ปีที่แล้ว +1

    America created the Vietnam War. Because all those North Vietnamese leader were called Vietminh train by US military personnel sent by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt against the Japanese army of WWII. And US Democrats Truman sent US MAAG military personnel in 1950 which train the 1st South Vietnamese army.

  • @Edward-qy4dp
    @Edward-qy4dp 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    March 65

  • @มดแดง-ฃ3ข
    @มดแดง-ฃ3ข ปีที่แล้ว +1

    เขาก็ไม่ใช่ว่าจะไม่เล่นนะเขาก็ต้องน่าดูว่ามันจะจบยังไง

  • @chrishensley6745
    @chrishensley6745 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    So TRUE on the Bidens....this guy knows!

  • @jackryan9634
    @jackryan9634 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    To bad he lost his faith..God help him

  • @BinhLe-bz2eu
    @BinhLe-bz2eu ปีที่แล้ว +1

    To all US Vietnam Vet. You should blame that on your parents and grandparents and all those fellow Americans of yours for voting for Democrats President Truman, JF Kennedy, and LB Johnson as United States commander in Chief. Because they were one who brought communist to Vietnam and started the Vietnam War. US Democracts President Truman was the 1st US President who got Americans involve in Vietnam when he sent the 1st US MAAG to assist the French to recolonize Vietnam in 1950 after he reject Ho Chi Minh letter of support for Vietnam independence from France. Then US Democrats President JF Kennedy stage a military coup on South Vietnam President, Ngo Dinh Diem giving America power to start a War and to do what ever they wish to Vietnam and its Vietnamese peoples. And appoint an ex-Vietminh soldiers, Nguyen Van Thieu as their puppet President of South Vietnam to replace Ngo Dinh Diem after the military coup assination on Nov. 2, 1963. The following year on August 4, 1964. US Democrats President LB Johnson announce to the American peoples about the Gulf of Tonkin incident. Where a US Destroyer Maddox was patroiling at sea past the 17th parallel DMZ near the capital of communist North Vietnam, Hanoi. That even today that it didn't happen according to John White a nuclear weapon officier on the US Destroyer Maddox. Without the South Vietnamese President declare military action or War on North Vietnam. US Democrats President LB Johnson push for military action against North Vietnam which lead to the start of the Vietnam War. American peoples did this to Vietnam and all the 58,000 US troops killed during the Vietnam by electing these Truman, JF Kennedy and LB Johnson as their US Commaner in Chief. America brought War, death, and pain to the Vietnamese peoples of Vietnam. 3,000,000 innocents Vietnamese civilian had to die in their own country. While 10s of thousands Vietnamese die at sea of hunger, thirst, illness, and Thai pirates fleeing out of Vietnam as refugee. All those US President were all US War Veteran.

  • @gordonhaire9206
    @gordonhaire9206 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    We need stories from the Vietnamese point of view. They were the freedom fighters. We were the invaders, occupiers, torturers . This is not a war any American should take pride in. It was a dark moment in our history. We need to confess our wrong-doing.

  • @HarleyDavidsonVince
    @HarleyDavidsonVince ปีที่แล้ว

    You need to move on Will.

  • @pvttj8572
    @pvttj8572 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I. Was. At. Camp. Carroll. 67. Army. Artillery. Marines. All. Around. We. We’re. A. 175. Unit. We. Coul. Fire. To. China. Sea. Laos. North. Viet. Nam. Also. Support. Khe. Sahn. And. Rock. Pile. And. Con tein V. Dong ha. Love. Y’all. Pvt. Tj. 66-69. 😎✌🏼