For those viewing this interview, we are saddened to share the news that Mr. James Zwit has passed away. We were honored to have worked with Jim for this series of interviews as well as other projects which documented his experiences in Vietnam. Please remember Jim and all of the other veterans for the sacrifices they made for our country. James R. Zwit February 3, 1951 - March 12, 2021
Mr.Zwit, thank you for your service. I’m a relative of 1LT Paul McKenzie and I wanted to personally thank you for sharing your first hand experience as well as his last moments. It was hard to hear but I am so proud of the kind of leader he was and hope to aspire to be a fraction of what he meant to you for my Soldiers. I would love to meet you and talk to you more about my family. #hooah
Amazing story, James thank you for serving our Country. I'm 52 years old and have taken it upon myself to read about The Vietnam War. James, you are my hero!
I agree with the resentment towards Carter and the amnesty thing,a real slap in the face to us Vets who served. Myself I was a young husband and father at 19 who was drafted in January of 71 because of low lottery number and didn’t want to leave my family and serve but even though living less then one hundred miles from the Canadian border went and served my country like my father before me luckily did not serve in Vietnam but did serve when called. My hat is of to you brother God Bless.
Great story I was in that area from the beginning to the end and I also was in his battalion 2/501st I was in Charlie company I know that hill 805 very well and hill 1000 and hill 902 we suffered a lot of casualties that place was a hell hole for anyone who was involved (Geronimo drive on) 🇺🇸
As wounded as you were flying through those tree's it's a miracle you hanged on to tht cable a true American warrior thx you for your service God bless you
He said the forest penetrator had a small seat surface and he was strapped to it. The cable is attached to a winch. I watched an extraction during which the valve failed and the two wounded must have fallen about 50 feet, but we heard they had recovered.
I was born in ‘67 and patriotism did not skip all of my generation. Most, yes, were just indifferent but to this day I daily appreciate, discuss frequently, and remember what you guys did. Thank you ALL who serve and have served! Jim, such strong work with following through on your promises and friendships. Great example of a true American. Curious, if you read this, if you ever touched base with Phil again and what that dynamic was like?
Thank you so much for this Epic story. A few points if I may, one Im sure you heard this but I bet you would have gotten that water for Bob if the roles were reversed. Another point is you risked your life for a black man in a time when I know for a fact a lot of racism was going on. Lastly I was born in 72 part of Gen X. That war was very important to us we just were treated like mushrooms if you know what I mean about the subject. A lot of lost our fathers to that war some we never got to know and this is the only way we can try and imagine how their lives were over there by listening to stories like this one. So as a warchild thank you sir for sharing :D
Yeah but he's out there still kicking...isn't a drunk and is out there sharing the story if these heros....great great man. ( And working in PD / public service..guy is a national treasure and ought be treated that way.
I was in school in the mid 80's never taught about Vietnam. Revolutionary War and Civil War is what we was taught. God bless all of you heroes. And a special God bless to the Korean heroes. We learned about Korea from watching MASH lol
