Yes, he does. My mom gave me a St. Michaels before I left intotheArmy. Interesting that anytime, anywhere was my Unit crest motto 9th Infantry Division 9th Combat Support
Not the first time I've heard about the South Korean Soldiers and the opposing forces getting out of Dodge rather than fighting the South Korean army. I was TDY at Osan air base and was treated like a king by the Koreans. They still appreciate the freedom we gave them
11b here. 1969-1970 To this date whenever I hear the familiar wop wop wop of a slick flying overhead I look up and smile and silently thank the warrant officers for their skill and bravery . Beautiful narration of your experience.
Huey pilot, 68th AHC, Bien Hoa, 68-69.. My story is very similar to his story.. My mother draped the Miraculous Medal around my neck.. I too never turned down a mission.. It helped too that our church was right across the street from our home.. My mother never mentioned it but I am sure she spent a lot of time over there.. I needed all the help I could get..
@barsoom43 - Thank You for your Service there.🇺🇸 Question : did you or others on your ship crew drip fuel into the sand filled cookie tin, place an empty tin on top to boil water for coffee per: Robert Mason ?
@@mrwest5552 Huey's had several fuel cell drains on the belly... What we did sometimes was fill a can with sand and wet it with fuel.. take an old style beer can opener and puncture across the top of the can to make little spikes sticking up.. Then light the JP-4 and set a can of food on top of the impromptu heater and warm the contents.. Had to be careful with that because we could get a scramble notice at any moment and have to pull pitch.. so there you'd be with a hot can and half warmed food.. Mostly, I ate my C's cold but I do have a picture of one of those little heaters.
@@barsoom43 - thank you for your reply Sir - Mason's was largely the same recollection. cookie tins and army instant coffee, no sleep, engine shut down on the top of a knoll having flown all night, ate their cookies drank their coffee sittin' in the seat. back when i was young dumb and full of cum U.S. Forest Service brought on aux fire crews and i humped. we weren't given much beyond water so when a Forest Service crew gave up their old rats we thought it was payday. 🇺🇸
@@raymondfryar1533 Thank you.. Later in life, I turned my flight skills into more productive work as an air ambulance pilot for a major university hospital program.. flew over 5K medical flights in 26 years.
As a retired Huey Army pilot who never encountered real fighting, I have no clue what you've been going through. You Stephen and all your comrades are real heroes. God bless you.
I saw posts from other Vietnam vets who called these Huey pilots angels in the sky ! Thank you for your service, your skill , bravery,and your honorable 🌹service to our country 🇺🇸 God Bless you ✝️
Chopper Pilots were life savers. Lima Platoon, A Co., 1/26th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Oct. 1, 1966- Oct. 1,1967. To all my dear pals, who gave all.
@Bruce-js3ci I work with the ROK's for a short time. VC & NVA were afraid of them. They didn't have the rules we had. It was, kick ass & take names, whatever it took. Good guys, serious, but did party.
@bjarman125 I would rather wear a cross necklace, to remind me of my Savior, Jesus Christ, God's son, who became our sacrice to pay for all of our wrong doings and bad thoughts. Just so we can live forever with the triune God and not burn in hell w Satan at the end of the world on Judgement Day. But yiu have to believe that Jesus is God's son and that he died on the cross for us and rose on the 3rd day. He is in heaven, now, interceding for us. You need to ask the Holy Spirit to come into your heart. You need to follow the 10 commandments, which God put on stone slabs to Moses, for us to follow. Those are God's rules for us to folllow.
Welcome home Brother. We were there and wearing our St Christopher medals at about the same time. I went over in Feb 72 and came home the end of Jan 73. My grandmother had a medal blessed by the bishop of her church and told me to wear it, that it would protect me . . . We saw a bunch of action that spring with the Easter Invasion, the stand downs and all, troops were going home everywhere but those of us the flew just changed units and flew special forces or ARVN support. Although many around me got shot up, my helicopter never took a hit. I tell the story on occasion but never heard anyone else with the same story. Thanks for sharing . . .
11B here. These guys always put themselves in harms way just to save our asses on many occasions. Hearing those rotary blades off in the distance was always a relief.
My team was shuttled on opts & supported a while by the 240th AHC Bearcat near Bien Hoa. I understand the emotion, combat is always there & raises it head on unexpected times. I remember after returning back to the world, arriving Travis AFB, I spent the night in SF. The next evening I caught a flight to an airport near my grandparents in CA. My dad was a USAF Col., fighter Pilot that just finished survival school on his way to Vietnam. He had a couple of weeks left of leave before departure to Nam. I'll never forget on the way to my grandparents home with them in the car & mom & dad. My dad said, "Your son's home mommy, you can sleep tonight." It's the mother's with sons in harms way that are the heroes. Army 67&68, Tet. Welcome back, brother. Thank you for the support & saving those you were able too. Trust me, they remember you & your crew.
Love those crew chiefs & door gunners too. Please say call sign. Thanks in advance. Ian Robinson Tiger 24/Viking 22 (121st AHC) & Falcon 88 (335th AHC), 69-70, 70-71
I never called anyone a hero But you sire are one, l've hear lot of helicopter pilots stories from Vietnam ,and there's no doubts of your heroic deeds while there. All in all its one of the best and happiest Vietnam stories I've heard. Mom prays are blessing. Thank you sir 🙏
The pain you’re experiencing is love expressing itself in the shape of pain. It’s beautiful and I wish the human race was made of more people like you.
Nam vet. This is slightly off topic and more than a little stupid and juvenile, but you might get a giggle out of it. I am sure that you remember the standard greeting when you met someone over there (at least among enlisted troops) of "SHORT!", followed by announcing how many days left before you rotated. So "short, 93 days" was how it went. I was in a shitter, on base somewhere in the Delta, just reading the graffiti on the walls, when I saw "short, 364 days, and it feels like I just got here yesterday! Stupid, I know, but it cracked me up then, and I still remember it 50+ years later!
Yes sir. In the Navy we used to say, "I'm so short my knuckles are draggin." Or, "Don't start any long conversations, I'm too short." This was a helluva story of bravery and dedication. Also a heartfelt depiction of one mans love of family. Thank you sir.
We might have crossed paths, I too was in Tuy Hoa end of 1971 and early 72. I was with the 981st Sentry Dog Handlers and we were some of the last to leave before the base was torn down. We moved north just outside Qui Nhon to Lane Army Heliport, which also was downsizing. Didn't have enough of our own people so we had Korean tower guards. They were very good to work with, very dedicated.
I know so many Vietnam vets. Most just didn't want to discuss their experiences, but I could feel how it weighed on them. I'm so glad that through these projects, the vets are finally able to express their thoughts. Thank you.
I was flying F-4 in Nam and got shot down while trying to support a Special Forces camp in III Crops - very bad spot - the bad guys weren't taking prisoners - I was hanging in a tree in my chute after having to eject and was getting shot at - busted up pretty bad and really couldn't move - then this Huey comes in and lands in the bomb crater I was hanging near - the crew cut me out of my harness dragged me to the Huey to get me out - then they got shot down - after a few minutes of lead flying back and forth a LOC comes in like he was on a Sunday afternoon flight in the park and gets me out - if it wasn't for Army air I would be here today - God bless those men!
Steve , I've known you for a long time. I appreciate you sharing this story. Thank you for helping all of us have the privilege to live free and speak our minds. I lost my father recently and have been thinking about him and his time in Vietnam. Funny , all the Veterans from that war never seem to talk about it. Same with my Dad. This helps me, especially from someone I know. God bless you
I flew with 173rd airborne brigade aviation Casper I was a door gunner. Flew in same areas as this man did. I disliked the highlands. To me the highlands were spooky. I flew for 6 months until the brigade got orders back to fort Campbell Kentucky. The 6 months flying were the best time for me in Vietnam. I felt like I really was doing something that made a difference. Would do it all again.
I flew my first tour in the Central Highlands, (II Corps), been to lz english a few times, LZ Bong Son, Oasis, Dak To. I can't remember all of those FSB's. I went down in my loach,(OH-6a) near Oasis I think it was. RVN- 7-/71/72. Now I flew a wheelchair. Scouts out.
An extremely touching story that catches your voice in throat. War is not for good people, but unfortunately bad people start wars and good people have to end them.
Thank you for all that you did. We were in Tuy Hoa at the same time before I was sent up to Pleiku. One of you pilots gave me a hell of a ride up through the An Khe pass one day at tree top level due to low clouds. A ride I will never forget.
Thank you for telling us your story. I'm very touched and inspired. I've heard that real heroes never consider themselves heroes, they just do what is needed to be done. How amazing you are still that "hero" willing to go back if needed! Thank you for being you!
Like some off the other respondents here, I too was WOPA. Class 69-1, Nam 69-70 Ist Cav. I also had, and still have and carry, a St. Christopher medal. I used to tell guys over there that I wasn't superstitious - but that medal was what kept the main rotor blades on .... (LOL). Welcome home, Brother.
Thank you Sir for your courage and your service. And to all our service men and women. Thank you!!! I unfortunately never severed and wished I would have. You all have my respect and admiration.
Great American. So many like him served this great nation. Thanks to all. We are so blessed to have patriots like you willing to answer the call. Thank you.
PRC-25 was the backpack sized field radio carried by🎉 the grunts. The survival vest radio was a different nomenclature. Thank you for your sevice. 3rd Tanks, 3rd Marines MOS 2531 (field radio operator).
I can sleep without a care. How do I thank you for your service. How do I thank all who are in service. WITH ALL MY HEART AND SOUL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
Sir, I would just like to say a big thank you to every single pilot that flew a helicopter in Vietnam because of you and men like you my father made it home. I will be forever in your debt
Respect. Thank you for your service. My mother gave me a St Christopher medal when i became involved with vol/ part time paid fire, ems, and tech. rescue. Was invited to fly with our first ems medevac crews. Was definitely a rush without being shot at. Had several fire service injuries including a broken back. Travelled extensively for my 'real' job working on industrial equipment in addition to the 300 hrs a month id sometimes run. Ran mutual aid with many of our clients departments. Over 75% of our countrys EMS , rescue, and fire needs were handled by volunteers. (72% i believe currently) My wife joined EMS and fire to spend more time with me. If i wasnt on the road i was on call, often at a station in one of two counties. Brother in law flew for the night stalkers and nephew is getting ready to interview for green platoon. Son served in the CG.
A fellow Groundhog Day birthday here. Perked right up when I heard that. Love the vet stories. Scary, interesting and heartbreaking all at the same time. Mad respect from Canada. This story really hit me.
Thank you Sir, for sharing this incredible story and thank you for your service. You never hesitated to help those around you despite the danger it put you in, and that Does make you a Hero.
Love the story. Here's another one. This was in 1968, south of Da Nang a ways. One of the guys in my unit carried a Lucky Eddy's Rabbit Foot on his dog tag chain. He got chided for it from time to time, but he was respected enough to where the guys knew to back off when need be. The guy's first name was Doug. We came under an ambush and Doug got shot in the chest. The hole needed to be plugged up and one of the guys yanked the Rabbit's foot off Doug's chain and stuffed it into the entry hole. Back at basecamp, doc's said it probably saved his life.
A job well done Mr. Franich! My college roommate flew slicks out of Tuy Hoa in 69-70 in support of the ROK Marines. He said the exact same thing about them. MACV 70-71
Sir, you earned the right to be as emotional as you want anytime, anywhere.
Yes, he does. My mom gave me a St. Michaels before I left intotheArmy. Interesting that anytime, anywhere was my Unit crest motto 9th Infantry Division 9th Combat Support
Not the first time I've heard about the South Korean Soldiers and the opposing forces getting out of Dodge rather than fighting the South Korean army. I was TDY at Osan air base and was treated like a king by the Koreans. They still appreciate the freedom we gave them
Love the St. Christopher story. May your Mom Rest In Peace.
Who is "ST. Christopher"
Bless this man and his family. It's people like him that make this country great and yes, he is a hero!
11b here. 1969-1970 To this date whenever I hear the familiar wop wop wop of a slick flying overhead I look up and smile and silently thank the warrant officers for their skill and bravery . Beautiful narration of your experience.
Thank you both for your service. Proud to be an American.
To you, good sir, and all those who served with the integrity with which you did, whether they came back alive or not, we thank you.
Welcome home
Huey pilot, 68th AHC, Bien Hoa, 68-69.. My story is very similar to his story.. My mother draped the Miraculous Medal around my neck.. I too never turned down a mission.. It helped too that our church was right across the street from our home.. My mother never mentioned it but I am sure she spent a lot of time over there.. I needed all the help I could get..
@barsoom43 - Thank You for your Service there.🇺🇸 Question : did you or others on your ship crew drip fuel into the sand filled cookie tin, place an empty tin on top to boil water for coffee per: Robert Mason ?
@@mrwest5552 Huey's had several fuel cell drains on the belly... What we did sometimes was fill a can with sand and wet it with fuel.. take an old style beer can opener and puncture across the top of the can to make little spikes sticking up.. Then light the JP-4 and set a can of food on top of the impromptu heater and warm the contents.. Had to be careful with that because we could get a scramble notice at any moment and have to pull pitch.. so there you'd be with a hot can and half warmed food.. Mostly, I ate my C's cold but I do have a picture of one of those little heaters.
@@barsoom43 - thank you for your reply Sir - Mason's was largely the same recollection. cookie tins and army instant coffee, no sleep, engine shut down on the top of a knoll having flown all night, ate their cookies drank their coffee sittin' in the seat. back when i was young dumb and full of cum U.S. Forest Service brought on aux fire crews and i humped. we weren't given much beyond water so when a Forest Service crew gave up their old rats we thought it was payday. 🇺🇸
Glad you made it back for your sake and mom's. Thanks for your sacrifice.
@@raymondfryar1533 Thank you.. Later in life, I turned my flight skills into more productive work as an air ambulance pilot for a major university hospital program.. flew over 5K medical flights in 26 years.
My mom gave me a Saint Christopher’s medal to wear when I went to fly in the air force. I served and I am still here and will be 80 in September
Thank you for your sacrifice. It is very much appreciated. Thanks again.
THANK YOU!!!
Do you still wear the saint Christopher
@@johnashep109 Whenever I travel I wear it. As a matter of fact I just came back from. two week trip and wore it all the time
What is a St. Christopher’s medal?
As a retired Huey Army pilot who never encountered real fighting, I have no clue what you've been going through. You Stephen and all your comrades are real heroes. God bless you.
And God bless you for your service.
@@warnerchandler9826 Thank you!
I saw posts from other Vietnam vets who called these Huey pilots angels in the sky !
Thank you for your service, your skill , bravery,and your honorable 🌹service to our country 🇺🇸 God Bless you ✝️
Very emotional story, thank you for sharing. I was a Marine stationed there near the DMZ in 1967-68 during the TET OFFENSIVE. I’ll never forget it.
What division, battalion, company, squad were you in troop?
@@Buce-ku9vx HQ Co. 4th Marines, Communications
Me too, Army 67&68, Tet.
tough weeks. Welcome back, brother. Semper Fi!
Welcome home thank you for your service from England
@@jamiejack764 thank you. My ancestors are from the UK. 🇬🇧 😊
Chopper Pilots were life savers.
Lima Platoon, A Co., 1/26th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Oct. 1, 1966- Oct. 1,1967. To all my dear pals, who gave all.
Thank you, Brother
Guy said that the Korean allies to the U.S. were considered really Bad News to the enemy , how did their fighting differ?
@Bruce-js3ci I work with the ROK's for a short time. VC & NVA were afraid of them. They didn't have the rules we had. It was, kick ass & take names, whatever it took. Good guys, serious, but did party.
Thank you for your service!
No mission too difficult, no sacrifice too great - Duty First!
As a retired Chicago Police officer I had St. Michael with me everyday. Saints are awesome and always there to help.
Amen.
I carry a golden calf on a necklace with me
@bjarman125 I would rather wear a cross necklace, to remind me of my Savior, Jesus Christ, God's son, who became our sacrice to pay for all of our wrong doings and bad thoughts. Just so we can live forever with the triune God and not burn in hell w Satan at the end of the world on Judgement Day. But yiu have to believe that Jesus is God's son and that he died on the cross for us and rose on the 3rd day. He is in heaven, now, interceding for us. You need to ask the Holy Spirit to come into your heart. You need to follow the 10 commandments, which God put on stone slabs to Moses, for us to follow. Those are God's rules for us to folllow.
Welcome home Brother. We were there and wearing our St Christopher medals at about the same time. I went over in Feb 72 and came home the end of Jan 73. My grandmother had a medal blessed by the bishop of her church and told me to wear it, that it would protect me . . . We saw a bunch of action that spring with the Easter Invasion, the stand downs and all, troops were going home everywhere but those of us the flew just changed units and flew special forces or ARVN support. Although many around me got shot up, my helicopter never took a hit. I tell the story on occasion but never heard anyone else with the same story. Thanks for sharing . . .
Such a heartfelt interview from a good man. It tugged on my heartstrings
11B here. These guys always put themselves in harms way just to save our asses on many occasions. Hearing those rotary blades off in the distance was always a relief.
11D,,yes they were and that sound snaps my head up always,,
My team was shuttled on opts & supported a while by the 240th AHC Bearcat near Bien Hoa. I understand the emotion, combat is always there & raises it head on unexpected times. I remember after returning back to the world, arriving Travis AFB, I spent the night in SF. The next evening I caught a flight to an airport near my grandparents in CA. My dad was a USAF Col., fighter Pilot that just finished survival school on his way to Vietnam. He had a couple of weeks left of leave before departure to Nam. I'll never forget on the way to my grandparents home with them in the car & mom & dad. My dad said, "Your son's home mommy, you can sleep tonight." It's the mother's with sons in harms way that are the heroes. Army 67&68, Tet. Welcome back, brother. Thank you for the support & saving those you were able too. Trust me, they remember you & your crew.
Thank you for your service.
As a 11B I was amazed at the bravery, skill and tenaciousness of the ”Chopper” pilots.
Well done, Sir. Family is everything and family isn't always blood connected.
God Bless. I was a CW2 pilot in 4 corps in 69/70. Glad we both made it back.
Thank you, Brother
Love those crew chiefs & door gunners too. Please say call sign. Thanks in advance.
Ian Robinson
Tiger 24/Viking 22 (121st AHC) &
Falcon 88 (335th AHC), 69-70, 70-71
Hero's
What an incredible story that was! 🙏🇺🇸.
The bravery of these men is beyond my comprehension. Just so special ❤❤❤
I never called anyone a hero But you sire are one, l've hear lot of helicopter pilots stories from Vietnam ,and there's no doubts of your heroic deeds while there. All in all its one of the best and happiest Vietnam stories I've heard. Mom prays are blessing. Thank you sir 🙏
The pain you’re experiencing is love expressing itself in the shape of pain. It’s beautiful and I wish the human race was made of more people like you.
Nam vet. This is slightly off topic and more than a little stupid and juvenile, but you might get a giggle out of it. I am sure that you remember the standard greeting when you met someone over there (at least among enlisted troops) of "SHORT!", followed by announcing how many days left before you rotated. So "short, 93 days" was how it went.
I was in a shitter, on base somewhere in the Delta, just reading the graffiti on the walls, when I saw "short, 364 days, and it feels like I just got here yesterday! Stupid, I know, but it cracked me up then, and I still remember it 50+ years later!
Yes sir. In the Navy we used to say, "I'm so short my knuckles are draggin." Or, "Don't start any long conversations, I'm too short." This was a helluva story of bravery and dedication. Also a heartfelt depiction of one mans love of family. Thank you sir.
Mr, You are a true hero!
Thank you for your service, sir. My son’s father in law was a Cobra pilot in Vietnam. Both of you are heroes!
Sitting here, floored. Wow. What an experience. Guys like this are truly special, indeed. Grateful for his service. ✌🏻
Thank you for sharing your story..Thank you for serving.
Thank you for your service and for those who served with you and after you.
God Bless.
I went in 1978. 20 years Army Aviation. Three years after Vietnam. I knew many pilots like this. Great bunch of guys. Fun Warriors.
My Uncle Jimmie was a huey pilot in Nam. His stories of his experiences were terrifying and amazing. You men are definitely heroes in my heart.
Welcome home and thank you so much for your service.❤️🇺🇸
Absolutely incredible. Thank you for your service to America.
I'm always impressed with these helicopter pilots. These guys had nerves of steel and bravery was never questioned. Semper Fi
Thank you for serving and doing your best. You didn't waver sir! Glad you made it home. Salute!
We might have crossed paths, I too was in Tuy Hoa end of 1971 and early 72. I was with the 981st Sentry Dog Handlers and we were some of the last to leave before the base was torn down. We moved north just outside Qui Nhon to Lane Army Heliport, which also was downsizing. Didn't have enough of our own people so we had Korean tower guards. They were very good to work with, very dedicated.
I was in Di An 71 - 72 and we had ass kicking ROK'S so we never got hit with incoming.
March 30th 1972 I was 11 years old,it was the year I got saved and Baptized
Beautiful story sir! We all owe your family our gratitude ❤
My husband was there in the infantry. He was a lucky one that made it home.
Huey Pilot, 87-96, medevac most of the time. My heart goes out to you Steve and your St Christopher.
brilliant record Sir - thank you for sharing it for the future to learn
I know so many Vietnam vets. Most just didn't want to discuss their experiences, but I could feel how it weighed on them. I'm so glad that through these projects, the vets are finally able to express their thoughts. Thank you.
Thanks for ur service!
Tears flowing!!
I was flying F-4 in Nam and got shot down while trying to support a Special Forces camp in III Crops - very bad spot - the bad guys weren't taking prisoners - I was hanging in a tree in my chute after having to eject and was getting shot at - busted up pretty bad and really couldn't move - then this Huey comes in and lands in the bomb crater I was hanging near - the crew cut me out of my harness dragged me to the Huey to get me out - then they got shot down - after a few minutes of lead flying back and forth a LOC comes in like he was on a Sunday afternoon flight in the park and gets me out - if it wasn't for Army air I would be here today - God bless those men!
And then Mom woke you up and told you to stop pulling yourself
It is really kind of disrespectful to make up silly stories like this.
@@niklasnystrom1415why do you think its made up
@@niklasnystrom1415 th-cam.com/video/I1FiS5LhFjM/w-d-xo.html
@@niklasnystrom1415 you must be young
Emotional 🙏 Salute... They called... He hauled..
Thank you for sharing your experience, your service and your passing on the heritage with your grandson!
I had not heard as much about the Koreans being there during Vietnamization efforts. Very interesting.
Thanks for sharing your story. You served your country with bravery and dedication. Thank you for your service. I salute you
Steve ,
I've known you for a long time. I appreciate you sharing this story.
Thank you for helping all of us have the privilege to live free and speak our minds.
I lost my father recently and have been thinking about him and his time in Vietnam.
Funny , all the Veterans from that war never seem to talk about it. Same with my Dad.
This helps me, especially from someone I know.
God bless you
Incredible, Thank you Mr Franich
9/17/70...the happiest day in my life. The day I returned from Vietnam. 1/506 101st Airborne. Infantry.
Yes Sir you will see him one day and..He'll thank you for trying to save him!..God Bless You Sir..
Thanks for your service please remember you did your best!!! Everyone please remember the ones that didn’t make it back home!! Thanks67 was my year
I flew with 173rd airborne brigade aviation Casper I was a door gunner. Flew in same areas as this man did. I disliked the highlands. To me the highlands were spooky. I flew for 6 months until the brigade got orders back to fort Campbell Kentucky. The 6 months flying were the best time for me in Vietnam. I felt like I really was doing something that made a difference. Would do it all again.
You are indeed a hero, sir. God bless you.
I flew my first tour in the Central Highlands, (II Corps), been to lz english a few times, LZ Bong Son, Oasis, Dak To. I can't remember all of those FSB's. I went down in my loach,(OH-6a) near Oasis I think it was. RVN- 7-/71/72. Now I flew a wheelchair. Scouts out.
You are and all of you Vets are the biggest men period. So much respect and thanks for your service.
God Bless this amazing soldier and his family. We are very grateful for your service to our nation. ❤
An extremely touching story that catches your voice in throat.
War is not for good people, but unfortunately bad people start wars and good people have to end them.
Thank you for all that you did. We were in Tuy Hoa at the same time before I was sent up to Pleiku. One of you pilots gave me a hell of a ride up through the An Khe pass one day at tree top level due to low clouds. A ride I will never forget.
Thank you for telling us your story. I'm very touched and inspired. I've heard that real heroes never consider themselves heroes, they just do what is needed to be done. How amazing you are still that "hero" willing to go back if needed! Thank you for being you!
@robert, AMEN!!
Right on brother.
Wow! What a great man and great storyteller. Thank you for your service you are an inspiration to myself and I'm sure meant others as well.
Thank you Sir for your Service & your Grandson's Service. And your story of Faith is one of those stories that bolsters my own.
Thank you brother, I was a tunnel rat and the copters saved my ass a few times .I LOVE MY FLAG
Like some off the other respondents here, I too was WOPA. Class 69-1, Nam 69-70 Ist Cav. I also had, and still have and carry, a St. Christopher medal. I used to tell guys over there that I wasn't superstitious - but that medal was what kept the main rotor blades on .... (LOL). Welcome home, Brother.
What a RAD dude. Loved seeing his emotion and I hope he’s doing well!
God bless you sir, you're an inspiration and a hero
Your family is a charm for America. Thank you!
Thanks for all your service. And especially those that never came home. Salute and respect…
You did what I had thought seriously about doing. Some guys coming back from being in country talked me out of it. I graduated VFMA in '70.
Thank you Sir for your courage and your service. And to all our service men and women. Thank you!!! I unfortunately never severed and wished I would have. You all have my respect and admiration.
Thank you for sharing! GB
Thank you for your stories and service Mr. Franich. St. Christopher came full circle.
SIr i could not hold back my tears when you went home and gave your mom back her necklace. Thank you for your service.
Welcome home Sir. Thank you for sharing your story.
Welcome Home. St. Christopher always protects us. Thank you for your service. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸⚓️⚓️⚓️⚓️
Amazing story. God bless you, Sir.
what an incredible story of faith!!! thank you
Great American. So many like him served this great nation. Thanks to all. We are so blessed to have patriots like you willing to answer the call. Thank you.
Very emotional story for all who heard it. Thank you Sir
This was an amazing story. Thank you for sharing and your service.
Thankyou for your story Stephen. Thankyou so much.
Thank you for serving and thank you for an emotional story.
Wow very powerful story, god bless you Mr French
Thanks for your story. You are a veteran HERO in my book. Thanks for your service. God Bless you.
Thank You for Your Service Sir. Your Story is ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE
PRC-25 was the backpack sized field radio carried by🎉 the grunts. The survival vest radio was a different nomenclature. Thank you for your sevice. 3rd Tanks, 3rd Marines MOS 2531 (field radio operator).
I can sleep without a care. How do I thank you for your service. How do I thank all who are in service. WITH ALL MY HEART AND SOUL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
Thank you sir for your and yours service .... This should be a movie....
Sir, I would just like to say a big thank you to every single pilot that flew a helicopter in Vietnam because of you and men like you my father made it home. I will be forever in your debt
I read this as he was talking about the Saint Christopher medal…you guys made a snot bubble and tears come out of a grown man’s face.
Excellent, thanks for posting this, War is Hell, Thank You for your service, All gave Some, Some gave All
Respect. Thank you for your service.
My mother gave me a St Christopher medal when i became involved with vol/ part time paid fire, ems, and tech. rescue. Was invited to fly with our first ems medevac crews. Was definitely a rush without being shot at. Had several fire service injuries including a broken back. Travelled extensively for my 'real' job working on industrial equipment in addition to the 300 hrs a month id sometimes run. Ran mutual aid with many of our clients departments. Over 75% of our countrys EMS , rescue, and fire needs were handled by volunteers. (72% i believe currently)
My wife joined EMS and fire to spend more time with me. If i wasnt on the road i was on call, often at a station in one of two counties.
Brother in law flew for the night stalkers and nephew is getting ready to interview for green platoon.
Son served in the CG.
A fellow Groundhog Day birthday here. Perked right up when I heard that. Love the vet stories. Scary, interesting and heartbreaking all at the same time. Mad respect from Canada. This story really hit me.
Thank you Sir, for sharing this incredible story and thank you for your service. You never hesitated to help those around you despite the danger it put you in, and that Does make you a Hero.
Thank you for everything you did and thank you for sharing your story
What a great story. God bless you and your family, and thanks for your service.
Love the story. Here's another one. This was in 1968, south of Da Nang a ways. One of the guys in my unit carried a Lucky Eddy's Rabbit Foot on his dog tag chain. He got chided for it from time to time, but he was respected enough to where the guys knew to back off when need be. The guy's first name was Doug. We came under an ambush and Doug got shot in the chest. The hole needed to be plugged up and one of the guys yanked the Rabbit's foot off Doug's chain and stuffed it into the entry hole. Back at basecamp, doc's said it probably saved his life.
Good job, sir. You have my utmost respect. My cousin was a chopper pilot at about the same time. He has my utmost respect, too.
A job well done Mr. Franich! My college roommate flew slicks out of Tuy Hoa in 69-70 in support of the ROK Marines. He said the exact same thing about them.
MACV 70-71
Beautiful story, Sir! You are indeed a hero and I’m sorry the way your country treated you! Thank you!