I don't even feel worthy to comment. I only want to say thank you to all our troops past and present. This was a stunning documentary and I thank all involved in bringing these truths to light. Thank you again.
I can recall in about '78 sitting at the counter in a diner near Richmond. The fellow next to me and I somehow began talking about Viet Nam. I told him I was about a year too young and missed the draft. He reached out his hand and said "I went so you didn't have to go". Even now I makes me choke up a little. Thanks to all the Veterans of Viet Nam. God bless you.
In spite of his patting himself on the back for saving your life, HE didn't have to go, either. We'd still be bogged down in that country, killing and dying, and preventing any social or economic progress, if some idiots had their way. Don't say "thanks", say "sorry". When somebody steals from you, that's not serving.
most of the people protesting are simply bored young ones who don't have anything better to do. they listen to some attention seeking biased person and get pulled in. happens all the time . even now.
I was a Crew Chief on a Dust Off helicopter. It was the best job I ever had. Even though I was scared Shitless the whole time I flew, I would do it all over again. Respect for all the Grunts and everything they accomplished in Vietnam.
dustoff pilot 68-69 and 71-72,,thanks crew chief,without you,we never would have been able to take off,,and for all the patients you helped load on board,i thank you
I was well armed whenever my skids were not on the ground, you medi-vac folks had more ballz then us scouts did. My Cav hat is tipped to you brother. God Bless.
My mother married a veteran freshly back from Vietnam in the last year or so of the war. I was thirteen or fourteen and I asked him if he saw any action. he had a fit of temper and wouldn't talk about it, not even for years afterwards, but in his old age, he talks about it all the time and his veteran friends are his best friends. he had problems like a lot of veterans - blinding headaches from exposure to agent orange, and he lost all his teeth because of some black tar that an Army dentist had painted on the teeth of every man in his company. Dentists found the black tar all the way down to the roots of their teeth when they extracted them, and when he got in touch with other guys from his company, he found they all lost their teeth with the same problem. The Army said the records were destroyed in a fire. They never get tired of using that excuse.
@@garycamara9955 Probably. I too am missing some important info from my first tour that would improve my service connection. And yeah, they ALWAYS refer to the fire. Xin Loi.
@@garycamara9955Over my lifetime have encountered two different men who were there at the fire, one an employee, the other one of the firemen. Both said thermite grenades. Later other important archival libraries burned, one of which was a California Library holding most of the history archives of that state just as historians were starting to dig into how close California had come to seceding from the Union in the 1930's.
There is always a fire that destroyed records when they benefit you. Same excuse to my dad, a WW 2 vet. No records of him being in a Marauder crash on takeoff.
I was there all of 67 arriving at my unit in Vietnam on Christmas Day 66 I didn’t have that bad but a lot of are men and women had it very rough over there! Thanks to all of you for your service!!!! Everyone please remember the ones that didn’t make it back home!!! Thanks for your service!
Thank you for speaking up. I'm not a Vietnam War veteran. Alma veteran newer than that. I did not have so bad either. I've known dozens a Vietnam veterans. Most of which are gone. I am grateful for them. I listened when some of them open up and told me their stories. They opened up to a certain point. I'm just trying to keep my comment focus on the Vietnam veteran and not myself or any debate. Thank you for your service.
@@CAROLDDISCOVER-1983 I am 100% disabled from Vietnam. I have had cancer about 12 times, kidney failure 4 times, 4 widow maker heart attacks, and 46 major surgeries so far. Yet i travel the world and get around pretty good for being disabled. My oldest son followed in my footsteps and became an army ranger, he was hurt and is 100% disabled. My daughter enlisted as an MP and went to Iraq, was wounded and is 100% disabled.
@@rondodson5736 thank you sir and your son and your daughter. I'll make sure I enjoy my freedom today with more zeal. Your family has done quite a bit.
Thank y’all for sharing all the info, my Dad passed away 13 years ago but he served in Vietnam and I know for a fact the troubles, nightmares and bumpiness he went thru his whole life because of it! I wish he could have lived a few years more to finally get the respect they were never given back then that they are finally and deservingly so are starting to get now! Thanks to all that serve our great Nation and we are very proud of u all!!!
I'm sorry that you lost your Dad The respect given out today is far too late, and it' doesn't come from the mouths of our elders, which it should have.
I served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army in 1969. On December 14, 1969, I was wounded by mortar fire when our LZ came under attack, one month shy of my 21st birthday. I spent 8 months in army hospitals. I have scars on my right flank, (kidney and liver damage) both arms, both legs, and left foot. A piece of shrapnel tore through my jungle boot, at the base of my toes, almost severing them from my foot. I still consider myself one of the lucky ones to have survived combat in Vietnam. A few years ago I broke a couple of ribs, and a doctor at the hospital asked me what happened, when he saw all the scars. I told him it was from time served in Vietnam. He said it looked like I had been run over by a tank. I didn't realize only 3 in 10 of us still remain. God bless you all, my brothers. Can this be true? If it is, it's pretty shocking to me anyway: "Of the 2,709,918 Americans who served in Vietnam, Less than 850,000 are estimated to be alive today, with the youngest American Vietnam veteran's age approximated to be 60 years old." So, if you're alive and reading this, how does it feel to be among the last 1/3rd of all the U.S. Vets who served in Vietnam?
I didn’t know that myself 3 out of 10. Couple of words that I remember like yesterday “incoming and hit it”. That was our early warning system. Dreaded those words and then the hits. I was very lucky period. Others not. I’m rambling on got to go. Bless those that served and those serving now.
Thank you Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association Foundation for setting the record straight! It is an excellent effort to bust the myths. I didn’t serve in country, but served in the states as the war came to a close. As a DESERT STORM veteran, my hometown wanted me in their parade celebrating the end of that conflict, but I felt saddened looking out at the crowd where Vietnam veterans stood welcoming us back…one was my brother who was in the Tet offensive at Bien Hoa Air Base. They should’ve had a joint parade that included them for the one they never received.
My father served in Korea with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team from 25 September 1950 through 28 May 1951 when he was SWA at Inje. In August 1965 he deployed by ship with the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) to An Khe. From July 1968 through July 1969 he served as 1st Sergeant of Charlie Battery, 1/40 Field Artillery Battalion located at Charlie One. In early summer 1971, he received orders for Germany. Then volunteered for Vietnam. The DOA denied his request. So he hand wrote a letter to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Westmoreland requesting that he pull strings and get his request approved. In August 1971, he was serving as Intelligence NCO with the 101st Airborne Division Artillery at Camp Eagle. In December 1971, he transferred to Bien Hoa where his last assignment was as 1st Sergeant of the Cavs H Company Rangers. Finally, he left Vietnam for the last time on 7 April 1972. After achieving the rank of Command Sergeant Major in December 1973, he retired in August 1975. I am his only child and he NEVER spoke of Vietnam. But after Desert Storm, I overheard him talking to some fellow Vietnam vets at breakfast one morning. They were belly aching about how Desert Storm had been a cake walk...blah...blah. Dad was quick to tell them that because we weren't allowed to win in Vietnam was no reason to steal thunder from Desert Storm veterans. And when he talked, people had a way of listening. They changed the subject.
In San Francisco, the post-Desert Storm parade included any and all veterans! It was interesting how starting at the Presidio, a closed military base with military families and employees cheering ALL on. At the gate, however, on one side of the road, behind barricades, were the usual protesters, and in a surprisingly large number. The march just drove on.
Thank you for setting the record straight. More of U.S. citizens are grateful for the service of all our vets including those who fought in Vietnam. We need these facts so we can learn the lessons of how our own politicians, the educational establishment and deceptive media make a mess of things causing the unimaginable loss of life. Again thank you.
Wow what a video. I'm 81 and well remember the horrors of this conflict. Thank you for this video and thank you to the Vets who took part.. they should never be forgotten.
@@r.B829I just looked it up. According to Google, he got into a National Guard Unit. Has since said that he spent the past 60 years feeling guilty that he did not serve "in country".
I was the gunner on a 50ft gunboat on coastal patrol in the Vietnam War. The stupidest restriction we had to operate under was if we were fired on we had to radio in for permission to return fire. Luckily my boat officer had some common sense. He said I was to return fire immediately and we would get permission later.
Our standard orders were: 1. No weapons or ammo unless on Guard Duty or going outside the wire. 2. No round in the chamber unless ordered by a commissioned officer, even when on guard duty, at night, where the officer is not present, but is supposedly available at the end of a field telephone.
@@mnawrath Our orders on the defensive perimeter since we were no defense we had to fire a warning shot. So everybody understood if you had to shoot, you shot twice.
I was there in 68/69 with the First infantry division/and advisor with the Vietnamese Regional Forces/Popular Forces. We abandoned those people who trusted us to a hell on earth while the anti-war generation here in the US played the role of the useful idiot. When the communists started to murder people in the hundreds of thousands, the draft dodger generation here in the US never so much as said a word in protest. The Vietnam Veteran who returned home was treated terribly for years by them. The Vietnam Vet fought two wars, the one in Vietnam and the other when he returned home. We are still reaping the benefits of that today in America . The Co Van
As a Nam vet 1969-70, thank you for sharing. We had our homecoming on November 11, 1982 when we dedicated the Vietnam Memorial Wall. I was proud to serve in Nam, to not wear my uniform while home on leave truly devastated me, I was a lost soul. We are the 1% ! I was 19 years old in Nam, I have had 4 bladder cancer surgeries with chemo. I had lung cancer in 2001 with a right lung lobectomy. All due to Agent Orange spraying defoliant chemicals. Through the grace of God I will turn 75 years old this year. NO I did NOT smoke cigarettes. I can go on and on but I will stop now 😊
My conflict about the Vietnam War is we were told it was to support our country and democracy but that's not the whole story. We didn't want SE Asia to fall to communism which is true but it also had to do with the economic benefit of the land and the ports for commercial shipping. It's too bad that this information isn't part of the dialogue. We tend to polarize the war and politics when there is more to it... the bottom line. I'm sorry for all that you went through and the poor health issues you've had to deal with. Bless you and make it to 75 years!
I am 60 now. I and I suppose my older brothers of only a few to five years my senior were ultimately shielded from the news of Viet Nam. A lot has happened since then.i do remember though all the air traffic in the era here by Moffat field in California. Kind of memorizing ..kind of may I say religious , I suppose I sound ridiculous. Needless to say I am mixed but above all though the homecoming of the troops in general I have always found appalling.. it couldn't have been easy. There are military lineage in the family but not Viet Nam. Really lately I have only begun to really look into it...forgive me and as Spock would have said "Live Long and Prosper"
The Hueys I worked on in VN in '69-70 used to come in from the jungles dripping with agent orange residuals during and after rainstorms. The rashes on my hands from working on them still happen today, Both my kids have birth defects from agent orange exposure. But...I'm still alive at 75 years old.
God bless you brother. I was 18 on my first tour. Had two birthdays and xmasses over there. I was only 20 when I got out. 39 1/2 months active duty. My avatar is me and my ship after being shot down in Laos late '71.
May the Lord Bless, Keep, and Protect those who are put in the way of harm in order to protect our USA. I have tears and a broken heart at what our protectors have had to endure, both in battle abroad and disrespect here in their homeland.
In 1969, my mom and I were on our way to Hawaii to see my dad (an F-100 pilot) on R&R. We were waiting for our connecting flight to Hawaii at San Francisco International, and I was 10 and old enough to go to the restroom by myself, so my mom let me go. While I was in there, two long-haired guys, one in a fatigue jacket, were just getting ready to leave. The other one asked me in a friendly way, "Where are you flying to, little boy?" Full of pride, I answered, "I'm going to see my daddy on leave in Hawaii. He's a pilot in Vietnam." Their smiles vanished immediately and the one in the fatigue jacket leaned down with a look of pure hatred on his face and said, "Your daddy is an imperialist oppressor and I hope he gets killed! He's a damned criminal!" With that, they both left and I could hear them laughing as they left. I was totally confused and frightened and waited a good while in a locked stall in case they came back. When I told my mom about it, she just hugged me with tears in her eyes and said not to worry. I've often wondered what kind of vile, troubled person could say something like that to a kid...and I think that day was the day I decided I was going to go into the military as well, which I ultimately did. Those two probably wound up as faculty in some university.
@@Buster01Actual Damn straight, and a Hero he truly was, one of many from that time, all of whom were never properly appreciated nor respected. May God bless you, your dad and mom.
@@Buster01Actual the wimps went to Canada. The crybabies burnt their draft cards. We won every major skirmish in Vietnam. Prez. LBJ and Kissinger plus all politicians should keep out of our country’s defense. We were fighting the Red Chinese backed North Vietnamese in Nam. Politicians can screw up a roll of toilet paper !
@@mmorrell2007 Sam Elliot served in the California Air National Guards 146th Airlift Wing. While he was enlisted in the reserve branch, he was never actually deployed.
Hey brother . I don't think a lot of people know what PJ's did in VN . Even I as an army medic , didn't know what you guys did until I met one while working on an AFB here in Michigan . John Ley ( 69-70) Da Nang I think . Welcome Home Brother .
when I was leaving for boot camp, I was on a flight to Ohara airport. I was sitting next to an ederly gentleman. When he asked where I was going he offered me a cigarette one after another another. I think he knew where I was going. I wish I could contact that man today. Thank you.
I've always felt 2 things that pertain to vietnam vets 1/ they didn't just go they were sent 2/ they didn;t just attend, they served Hats off to them all
You are correct. Many of us did go on our own, but most of us didn't. It was kinda tough for most of us because Vietnam was after WWII and Korea. It put us and our families between a rock and a hard place. Many of our fathers, uncles, etc. fought in those wars, so many of the older generation expected us to 'carry on the tradition' so to speak. My parents didn't want me sent to Vietnam to be killed, but they thought serving our country (no matter what) was the right thing to do. Hindsight is always 20-20.
@@robinstone1256 You are correct, but it's a little misleading because many of the men and women who joined (not drafted) were sent to Vietnam even if they didn't volunteer to go there.
@felixmadison5736 Yes, I would like to see how many volunteered for the Vietnam 1 year assignment. I spent 20 years in the USAF, and yes, I was a career airman and was sent to many tours and TDYs that I didn't volunteer for. That word volunteer has been misleading. Just like all the reasons we were there, I was told when I was 18 when the draft board came a knocking.
Without a doubt, this is the best documentary I have seen about the Vietnam War! I flew Loaches with C troop, 7/17th Air Cav from January to December of 1971. This reinforces the truths I already knew and points out the traitors whose words and actions cost millions of lives as they played politics and knowingly or unknowingly acted as surrogates of the Communists!
@@dpurser How are ya doing brother. Damn VA put me in a wheelchair 2 years ago. What a long strange trip this has been. Give my best to the gang brother ;}>
Half of the "Greatest Generation " were leftists if not out right communist. It was not rational to blame the troops for the war. Blame the cowardly politicians who sent them. But no, they couldn't do that. That's too much work. It's much easier to gang up on individual servicemen than to petition congress. Lazy, communist bullies.
The Hippies were the ones that did not like that war, and now we have people called woke people that just hate anything American and their is no war we are involved in now.
You speak the truth. Coming back after being in the bush as a grunt for a year, I wasn't expecting the crap any veteran from the war had to put up with. I saw the changes immediately that had taken place in our country while I was in 'Nam. It's very evident & in your face when you lived in the 'bush' for a year, suddenly pulled out, then planted back in the USA almost all in one motion.....within a couple of days it was for me. It was shocking. I went from civilization, to the jungles, back to civilization and in my case it was unreal. The country had really changed 'Big" time while I was in 'Nam. It was a shocking realization that I saw. It was raw & in your face. I wasn't prepared for the negativity, the rejection, the name-calling, the 'spitting' at me, the way people went way around to not be near to me as if I had some kind of contagious disease. I suddenly felt all alone & very distant from my own country. I became totally confused & unsure of what was happening & why ?? It was so shocking to me. This was in LA International Airport. My mind was so torn apart, then hurt took over. Hours later after my plane landed in my home state; everything was sinking into my brain HARD. I avoided everyone in the Airport. I actually couldn't get myself to go to the payphone & call anyone to come pick me up because I was 'home'. No one knew I was coming. I myself didn't know I was coming home when I was pulled out of my platoon in the bush. I could have called from Okinawa, but I didn't because I wanted to surprise everyone. I totally mentally withdrew while I waited for hours in that airport to get the courage ( can you believe I was trying to muster 'courage' ? ) to make that phone call. I waited till long after it was dark...hours & hours later....to finally make the call. All I wanted to do was be home & be happy. Instead, as I learned later, forget about being happy; just get out of my uniform. The uniform I was so proud to be wearing. And that's the way it had to be........get the uniform off and not let anyone know I was in the service & especially that I was a Vietnam veteran. I couldn't wait for my leave ( 20 days ? 30 days? ) to be up so I could report to Camp LeJeune; but instead, returned there before my leave ended. Never again , unless I had to, did I wear my dress uniform off of base. That was only when I was flying ( I think , if I remember , it was to fly 'military standby') I was approached while stationed at Camp LeJeune to join the VFW; and I did. Years after I was discharged, I finally went to a VFW in the home town area. A large metropolitan city, so there were many to choose from. I needed veterans to reach out to. I had hoped to find some comfort, some camaraderie , some new friends.Someone that could relate to me, my experiences, that understood what I was holding inside. When I went inside the VFW, there were quite a few guys there. As they all turned to look at me, it became very quiet.They just looked at me, without saying a word . I was taken aback , and just stood there looking at all of them. It was like one of those old 'E.F.Hutton" commercials on tv. Dead silence. One of these vets suddenly spoke up , and asked me if I was a veteran, and I pulled my wallet out to eagerly show them that I was a member of the VFW. Dead silence again. I looked at all of them, they all had this sorta blank stare in their eyes and faces. Another vet asked me what war I was in? I told them I fought in Vietnam. Big, big mistake. They 'rejected' me. Said a bunch of bull manure to my face. I turned and walked out. I've never set foot into a VFW ever again. It was bad enough being rejected by my fellow American(s), but worse being rejected by WWII & Korean War vets. All of this has stayed 'with me' all the years of my life. I wear my vet hat now. It's my way of throwing into those older folks faces & minds ( my generation ,the generations before , and the subsequent following generations) of who I was, a proud American who served his country, his fellow man, his Flag, and his God. I wasn't drafted like some guys was. I volunteered. An American who wanted to do my part, my share, as all past generations had done. What a mind boggling, life changing event this was. At present, the progression of those beginning changes I faced & saw , coming home from Vietnam, are more prevalent than ever today. Those same people who denounced my fellow veterans & myself, have continued their pursuit to destroy this once great country I grew up in. I do mean what I say. It's devastating, it's despicable, it's disgusting, calculated & callous, it's heart breaking & wrenching , it's so pathetic; to weaken such a formerly great country. The rest of the world (our enemies especially), are witness to this. They are closely monitoring & watching. All great countries , or empires that throughout mankind's existence that ever existed, collapsed. This collapse of the USA will be the greatest ever. It's coming. Not far out on the horizon, you can see the dark clouds sweeping in.
I served in the Navy 1962-1965, got out and enlisted in the Marine Corps 1967-1970. I wanted to experience the war, and I did. Looking back I became aware of our leaders and why so many of our troops were lost due to the intervention of idiots like Westmorland, and the JCS who would not stand up to the government's bad decisions. We had a shitload of rules we had to follow while fighting an enemy who had no rules. We did not loose the war, we kicked their ass and never lost a battle. I recall hearing once that our air strikes had to first get permission from the South, and so the north knew when and where to expect it. So many lives were lost because of our leaders ineptitude. I wish we could bring the McNamaras back and hold them to account. Side note: I recall returning home (San Francisco) and 6 of us Marines walking by the haters, buy nobody spit on us. They must have known we'd have hurt them bad. Semper Fi
@@B126USMC I attended a grad school orientation party where students compared assistanceships. . I said I had what was left of the GI Bill. Someone said "You don't belongb here you fascist We will take care of you. No one knew my hand was on a knife in my pocket. '. ' '
I've treated 1000's of Vietnam Vets at the VA and many wore baseball caps that said they were "Proud Vietnam Veterans". I have never seen anyone with a baseball cap that said "Proud Vietnam War Protestors" That tells you who can stand tall and who can not
I have worn a baseball cap and t-shirts with the words: "Vietnam, Class of '69". I was surprised by the number of fellow Vietnam Vets saw it and said they too served in 'Nam.
I protested and I'm proud of it. That war set historic precedent: the Conscientious Objector won. Next time you post, refrain from insulting us. I have friends who are veterans. You don't speak for them. Don't enable the denial psychosis.
American troops were in Laos in 1968. I flew them in and took them out if they were still alive. MACV-SOG were gathering information by the ton about what was going on. Just as a side note, more than 90% of the Americans who were shot, were shot with a built made in Russia. Helicopter pilot 11-67 to 1-70 in RVN, Laos, Cambonda and North Vietnam. And I was spit on at the Oakland Airport on my way home. Took two Navy guys and a big cop to pull me off of her.
I grew up on Guam during the Vietnam war. We were not well served by our Government. I remember the 100,000 refugees that were housed here during Operation New Life.
Welcome home veterans. Thank you fir your service. I wish I could "say never again!" Proud of your service, ashamed of way you were often treated. God bless you soldiers. Thank you for this respectful message. Ps..the news re American propaganda against our soldiers sickens me. YET...this plan of propaganda still goes on today. It was like leaving our soldiers in those jungles without weapons!
I did not serve. I was around 10 when the last of our forces came home. I didn't know a lot about that war nor those that were there and nothing about the circumstances they came home too. During the time I grew up, we didn't have any conferentations not like we'd had. It took 9/:11 to put what's in my heart and open my eyes. I felt guilty I hadn't served so I decided since I was too old to learn as much as possible about all that have served. I did and continue to look for and learn all I can, it's the least I can do. That's why I'm watching this. It's not easy at times. Nothing , nothing pisses me more than hearing any of our warriors disrespected. Like our flag , if anyone wants to destroy, burn one , why instead not change address to a country who's flag and soldiers you approve of. I'll continue learning all I can meanwhile I'd like thank every veteran we have, all that are or have served for your service. God bless each of you. You made this country and made it safe for those like me. I'll never forget that a day. You all are heros to me especially those that were covered in our flag on that trip home. Welcome home all.
Thank you for telling the truth about the war. We could have won the war. Our government did not support good South Vietnamese leaders that is another point that was not brought up. Our failure to support good Vietnamese leaders and propping up bad leaders hurt war effort. South Vietnamese people did not want their leaders. In San Diego people treated service men very badly. I know because I was in the Navy. Marines were treated worse. It got so bad , the Admiral had us stay on base or ships for 3 days until the mayor said he would do something about it.
I was a Marine in a Raider Battalion in 1972. We were ordered to stand down and not engage the enemy. We were winning, the NVA and Viet Gong were loosing. Washington DC lost the war.. The Swamp lost the war.
When I was in 'Nam in '69, one day we were ordered not fire our weapons no matter what. We were told President Nixon was in 'Paris Peace Talks', and we were in a cease fire. Guess who didn't get the memo?
My dad served in the Canadian army and the ignorence of humanity just totally shames me that I am part of it, because these men and women who served in any conflict who walked the walk without any complaining,who were then insulted by those cowards who weren't willing to do the same. All i can humbly do is to say thank you for your sacrifice and yet it feels insufficient.
I am 72 year old retired RN, BSN and my children's father was in USAF. I was a civil servant volunteer Nurse in 1969-1972. I agree with your statements about our ruturn. We left Viet Nam in regular cargo planes, and we stopped over in GUAM before landing in Los Angeles. As we left the the airport, I personally was hit in my face with bottles, trash, virtually anything the protestors could throw. The really sad part was that as a Nurse I was pushing a wounded vet in wheelchair and trying to protect him with my body. I felt totally betralyed. I still have bad hearing and other health problems from my volunteer service. I never watched any of the movies, and I hate the sound of helicopers to this day. Thank you each and everyone of you who shared your stories to let people like me know it really did happen. 😢
I went to a Connie Stevens concert in Las Vegas once, and the nurse who was in charge of the nurses in Vietnam was there. It was an honor to get to meet her. I thanked her for everything her nurses did for all of us who served in Vietnam. They were angels.
Any relation to Steve Ritchie? USAF Fighter pilot and ACE? IF so, I was there. Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, 1971-1973. During Linebacker I and Linebacker II operations. I flew RF-4C in 14th Tac Recon Sq. Steve flew F-4D in either 13th or 555th TFS.
Thank you to all the Vietnam veterans. I’m sorry you didn’t receive the welcome home you deserved. I want you all to know that there are a lot of us who are proud and thankful of your service. I’m glad there are videos like this to set the record straight. Welcome home to all, and thank you all.
I graduated in '73 and was missed by the draft by 1 #. I wanted to join but every vet I talked to said not to. I researched it and realized that all the good mentors were getting out because they wouldn't let them win. That was enough for me to stay away. Later, life got away from me with just making a living. I did work with a lot of vets and always let them know I appreciated their sacrifice.
As an Australian Vietnam Veteran I was spat on in the 747 bar at Wynyard Station Hotel,no longer there I think.I have never told any one since that I served in Vietnam.I was even treated poorly by my local RSL.Apply for a job my 2years I covered up by saying I was backpacking in Europe.What is there to like about my fellow Australians,? Nothing.we fought with one arm behind our backs.
I never experienced ANY of that. I was an HM3 Navy Corpsman with the First Marine Division's First Shore Party Batallion. My base camp was near Freedom Hill Exchange Complex in Danang and I spent my bush time on Hills 63 and 55. I got there in March of 69 and departed in March of 70. I only saw the enemy once in my 12 months and he was being dragged off a helicopter and up the hill by two MP's and he had a hole in his chest I could see light through and I kicked him as he went by. Every time we stopped for the night, I would take the C-rations that nobody wanted and go to the nearest village, pass out the food and then so sick-call on the locals. I was married so at 6 months in-country I got a week's R&R in Hawaii and my wife was flown in from Minnesota to meet me. We went to a luau and those of us in the war were asked to stand and we were applauded. I liked my job so much that I reenlisted after returning home and stayed for 26 years so Vietnam was just one of many duty stations. Nobody ever spit on me and I never had to deal with any air heads from some college. When Woodstock was happening, I was in a war zone and doing a lot more for my country than those diots!
I was in Basic Training in summer 69, half of us from the upper Midwest, the other half Reservists from New York City some of whom actually had siblings and cousins at Woodstock. This while training on the M14 with a wood stock. Trained on M16 in Vietnam in December.
Brian, I wonder if you knew my husband who also arrived at 1st Shore Party in March of 1969. 1st Lt Sam Van Ness. I believe he was the S3a initially. A couple months later he became the CO of H&S Co. Like most if not all Marines, he LOVED you corpsmen. He had come from intensive fighting as platoon commander with B 1/5. He really missed being in the field, so the transition to Shore Party was a challenge. I am still in some contact with a friend he made at 1st Shore Party… Lt Ken Lenz also from Minnesota. Did you know either of them?? Ironically I was just reading his letters yesterday from that time, as our grandson has won an opportunity to visit Vietnam, based on an essay he wrote about his grandfathers time in Vietnam from September ‘68 to September ‘69. I think Sam was with Shore Party for the last 1/2 of that tour. Thank you for writing this positive reflection on your tour of duty there. Cheers to you, Suzanne Van Ness
You said you kicked the prisoner. I think that was wrong. Did it ever occur to you he was fighting for what he believed in and for his country ? I never had hard feelings towards the enemy. I have went back to Vietnam twice after the war and was amazed they held no hard feelings against us for our part in the war.
My Uncle was a Marine, yes he’s gone now. He fought the Vietnam War until he passed in one way or the other. It’s senseless the way he was treated until he passed ! I will never forget the way he felt or the truth he told me about the war. He was always a proud Marine until the end. GOD Bless the soldiers that fought in the Vietnam War !
I had the John Wayne syndrome. Wanted to go fight and be a hero. When i finally went i found out real quick it was nothing like John Wayne showed it in his war movies.We didn't fight for the war or to win medals. We fought for each other hoping we would all make it home.
My late friend Thomas Griffin was a proud Marine who served in Viet Nam. He told me the story of being spat upon at the airport where he landed after returning from the jungle for the last time. He was always bitter. We later both served together in a New Mexico law enforcement agency. The honor guard performed a ceremony for him at the VFW in Las Cruces upon his passing. I am honored and privileged to have known and served with him. Semper Fidelis, Tom.
Just my opinion but but that war was wrong, America was at its worst. playing world police. People had the right to protest but not spit on the soldiers who fought bravely.
@@James-cr5qx America at its worst? Did you even watch that film? Perhaps you could say that it was Democrat politicians, and the war industry that was making them wealthy, at their worst, if you like. But unless you served there, seems to me you have no ground to criticize any American who did.
You guys were all HEROS whether Volunteer or Drafted! You went & did what your Country asked of you, Fought Bravely in a Very Unpopular War! I'll admit I was against the War since Spring 1968, but after watching Platoon & other Vietnam War movies, I saw things from the Soldier's point of view & since then I have the Utmost Respect for what you endured!!
Thank you for for this film. Too many people do not realize what are troops suffered, especially since the DRAFT was present. Young men after high school graduation were drafted. It was a terrible time, but nothing can compare to the horrible welcome home our troops got. It still bothers me today. Thank all how have served and the ones that are now serving
FYI.....not everyone drafted ended up in 'Nam. Only about 1 in 5 or 6 that served in 'nam was a draftee. Then again, not every draftee who ended up in 'nam, served in the infantry . Of all the troops serving in 'nam, ( volunteers , draftees, ), only about 10% did the hard core fighting. The other 90% were exposed to dangers of war, but the risk wasn't the same as those in the infantry....which was every second of every minute , of every hour of the day (&night) ; 24/7......there were guys there who slept on cots ( maybe even real beds ?) ate prepared Hot meals, worked an 8 , maybe 10 hour day, kinda like a regular job; went to clubs, drank booze, dated girls, had clean laundry, wore spit shined boots, starched utilities, crapped on a real ( or close to it), toilet, ( won't say the real word we called it) , clean clothes, undies , socks every day, brushed their teeth , combed their hair, relaxed, played on the beaches, watched movies, went on 'liberty' in the bigger cities, listened to real radios playing music, pretty much slept undisturbed at night...etc., etc. I could go on.....I know this from talking with veterans at the VA. Some of the stuff was mind boggling. I mean I can see why a lot of these guys did more than one tour of duty in Vietnam. Also, I know for a fact when the Army was salvaging a Huey helicopter that was partially bobbing on the edge of the South China Sea close to where we were involved in a Search & destroy Operation; and my squad with 2 M-60 gunners from my platoon were sent to provide security for the rescue. Long story shortened; several Huey's with mid ranking officers landed & spoke with us. They asked us who we were, if we ever got new boots, cammies, and better gear , etc. Along with the questions about real food, beer, down time to enjoy and relax, etc. etc. They said we were a 'sight to see & beholden' ; we hurt their eyes so bad the way we looked & smelled. Once we made it clear that a war was going on in the A.O.,( that we were participants of) and that they might becoming 'targets' with all that brass shining on them; they got onboard those Hueys ASAP, and were gone. The war was different for everyone.
Very good video; wish it had been around twenty years ago so I could have used it in teaching about the war. I will make two observations: (1) strategies make a difference, but the enemy can also change his strategy--so saying if we had done something does not mean that would have worked; and (2) I used Leonard Scruggs book as a text for two years, and found it had a flaw. He is an Air Force vet, and his book gives too much credit to air power as the curative of all ills. There was a good analogy about using B-52s; it was like using a sledge hammer to swat a fly. And my last comment on the reception returning vets received. Probably very different depending on the year one returned, and whether or not it was to Travis AFB (San Francisco). I came back through Travis in 1970, and did see a crowd of "protestors" yelling at us, but none of them could get close enough to spit. I do know men who did experience that, but the SFPD and the Air Police were kept busy keeping the peace with the hippies. In 1997 I started teaching, and found a college willing to let me do a class on the Vietnam War. I was surprised at the accuracy of Reagan's comment about people who were very opinionated about subjects they were ignorant about. And was also surprised by the number of Vietnamese who signed up for my "Vietnam Era" class. They were curious about the war their parents and/or grandparents did not want to talk about.
I came through Travis in March of 71 with a very happy, exhilarated group of guys coming home. The protestors were there but in the distance. I went home through the San Francisco airport and was treated mainly with avoidance and acting as if I didn’t exist. As recently as ten years ago, though, a group of buddies and I were sitting at a table in an iHOP restaurant talking about Vietnam. I noticed a woman seething at a table nearby. She stood up and marched over to me and yelled with complete hate and spite, “YOU ALL SHOULD HAVE DIED OVER THERE!!!” To the best of my knowledge, many of the former protestors are now pushing the “we weren’t against you, we were against the war narrative.” That’s total BS. They were against us, which I learned after I returned home. College courses were often led by professors who ignored the class title and taught an anti-Vietnam veteran diatribe through the entire term. And they did so with impunity. I still become upset thinking about it. One of my vows was to do my best to make sure other troops weren’t treated the same if they were in future actions by the US. I am proud of the little role I played; I love my country and gained a lot of personal growth because of those experiences. But I won’t forget the Kerrys and the Bidens who lead the efforts to ensure that we and the Vietnamese could never win the war.
I served with the Marines in Viet Nam in 1967 and 2968. I never carried a wounded man through a mine field, I never did anything heroic, but I did as I was told. My time there was a mixture of boredom, fear and anger, but I did as all of us did. I was incredibly lucky that I came home with all of my original parts intact, unlike hundreds of thousands of others. None of us were welcomed home, and some people actually demeaned us. I had been home for ten or fifteen years, when the author of DUNESBERRY responded to a comment that I made on his strip, and was the first to welcome me home! The war was a total waste of people and money, there being absolutely no ‘take away’ from all of the years that we were there, and we left in disgrace. Most of us are now dead, many suffering from Agent Orange infirmities, but I am horrified to think how many Vietnamese people we killed in those years, and, how many people have died in that country since we left due to the Agent Orange, and minefields that we left there. It was a horror that should never have happened, but I fear that some of our more recent wars were also totally worthless. It’s a cliche, but I suspect that most old warriors at least think “ NEVER AGAIN “!
Welcome home brother. You did your job the way most of us did,,,,and had just a good a chance to get killed or hurt as anybody else. - I would go back into combat with you any time! (Combat Engineer - Class of '68)
I served March 21 1968 to Dec 18 1971 in the US Navy. I served 2 cruises on the USS Oriskany CVA 34 with VA155. I was an AT2 and am proud to have served. I'd go back if called! We worked endless hours for many months to support our Naval air campaign. We lost 10 of our crew. I recently went on an honor flight and had the opportunity to look up their names on the wall and pay my respects. What an experience! God bless them all! I was spat on a few times and called a few names. When I went back to College I was verbally attacked by a professor who didn't like Vietnam veterans. That time has passed forever! I hope! I now have a Grandson in the Navy and I hope he is treated as he should be. He is a patriot and proud of his service.
Terrific documentary and it certainly showed the truth of what really happened and how our leaders at that time errored in decision making. Let's hope that in the future better decisions are made.
These men answered the call to service of our nation. They were not the ones in the wrong. Politicians, and their leadership failed them. They did fail their nation. Thank you all for your service to our nation.
They were so maligned when they came home. I received my draft notice, but it came to an end in 75, my senior year. From 65 onwards until we left that’s all I remember. My father was a 25 yr veteran of the Air Force, so my respect for these soldiers goes deep. Great documentary! I just hope that the boys who have returned from Iraq and Afghan- istan our given the honor and respect they soooo deserve. Thank you for putting this out.
I enlisted at 17 so never filled out paperwork for the draft. Finished my enlistment and came home and had to register for the draft then. Three weeks later i received my draft notice in the mail. My mother went to the draft board and got it straightened out. Me i was home packing getting ready to leave the country.
I am a Vietnam era veteran but did not serve in country. I witnessed a lot of the atrocities committed against our returning troops by US citizens. I returned with my unit from the Persian gulf in 1991. And I witnessed the yellow ribbons in the banners and the crowd of cheering people for our victorious return. In amongst the crowds of people cheering for us I saw obvious Vietnam vets Standing And proudly saluting Is all of us as we returned. I couldn't believe all of this for us and yet they didn't even get a simple welcome home. And I cried for all of them.
I joined the Marines in 1962 and had 3 tours in Vietnam 🇻🇳. I’m now a retired Marine GYSGT and a double amputee. But I would do it all over again and again.
Im 62 yearss old and my dad served in WW2 in the Phillipines and came home a hero. He did his job over there just like the Vietnam soldiers did but he wasnt spat on or cursed at like the guys in Vietnam got as a reseption for doing their duty. I was too little to be involved in that horrible war but I have a brother-in-law who was over there and I'm so grateful that he came home alive and well.
I know you I worked at flat iron and you were there. Just to see one person. A Green Beret veteran. Here’s one other thing, you said and you said it right. humanitarianism is always going to be our greatest victory in war. I love Vietnam vets. United States Army flight medic retired.
I'm pushing 60 with 3 grown kids but I grew up in a military town and I know how lucky I am to have been between wars.... i seen these guys that came back from there and what that war done to them both being there in the actual war and what coming back here and a lot of the attitudes they encountered upon returning. Where i grew up was a rural area and we treated our veterans differently no matter what war they fought in... I, as a result, learned to treat all veterans respectfully and could never understand why people treated the Vietnam vets differently... For what it's worth all of you have my appreciation and respect for your service and your risks. All of you.
Those were difficult and sad times for those who were involved in a conflict that we didn't ask for, yet served and did our time... came home to a nation disgusted with our service! Lost a dear High School friend and Marine Corps brother; L/Cpl William J. Franklin on 9-16-1970 in the Quasson Valley, Quang Nam Province. He was with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, I Company. Miss him to this day! Welcome Home!! From a Vietnam Era Marine Corps veteran.
Just finished watching this film. Thank you for the facts; details and extensive research that went into providing this documentary. A must watch for all. Thanks to all who were part of this documentary your dedication is inspiring. Do let the media; educational propaganda machine in D.C. suppress this documentary.
I was in sout🎉h Vietnam suporting the navy riverine forces in 68 and 69 and a 4 months 9f 70 . I never saw or herd of american abuse . I saw first hand and heard from many south Vietnamese of the comunist atrocities .i did go on just two missions to help bring supplies and medical treatment to village's to remote places in the mekon delta and helped train south Vietnamese to rebuild engines on PBR . When i got home the reteric
I didn't want to watch it at first. But, I did anyway. Sobering-truth in a documentary, yes. But I was...and still am...proud that someone had the balls to do so. And like my brothers in arms: I, too served. Did what I could do, with what I was given and/or allowed to do with. But dammit, at least I tried.....
Mr. King, I saw his interview in Atlanta area, and one fine Vietnam vet he is! He was one smart troop in the war, and became a ine Lawyer. A Alabama boy, and his voice was one that I listened to the most. His sstory was brave and yet so honest, and he did many night light huey missions, all I can say is thats when men were men. The true last generation that served and did it out of civic duty, not whats in it for me. That's the absolute truth many many see the same way Mr. King. Glad your still turning those blades.
Jane Fonda aka Hanoi Jane, Thank you for sharing this video. Another hatred seen was ''Sailors and Dogs Keep of the Grass''. I served U.S.N. Ret. 1971-1994 Vietnam/Desert Storm.To all Veterans, WELCOME HOME and Thank You for your service.
Just saying...no mention of other allied countries like Australia 1962 to 1973, where more than 60,000 served (521 dead; 3,129 wounded), New Zealand (37 dead.), the Republic of (South) Korea (5,099 dead; 10,962 wounded; 4 missing), Thailand (351 dead), and the Philippines that sent troops to assist the US in Vietnam. We salute and thank them for their service. I know for a fact that Australian and New Zealand troops were treated badly when they returned from Vietnam and it wasn't till 3 October 1987, after a Dawn Service held at the Cenotaph in Sydney, 22,000 Vietnam veterans marched through the streets of Sydney in the Australian Vietnam Forces Welcome Home Parade including large groups of American, South Korean, Vietnamese and New Zealand veterans participated, along with members of Australian civilian medical and surgical teams.
I don't know any vets who do not hate her. She had it all, beauty, fame, intelligence, and could have had a lot more if she had not betrayed her country.
I have always believed when a president declares a war and Congress ratifies it, then the joint Chief's of Staff should be given full control to conduct the war. And we should not be sent into undeclared wars as we are not protected by the Geneva Convention.
Whatever about the morals, strategies and politics of the US war in Viet Nam, the treatment of many of the US veterans of that conflict upon their return is inexcuseable. These soldiers, sailors, airmen served their country in good faith in accordance to their oath. If it was indeed a 'bad cause', this was not the fault of the serving soldier in the field. Do not get me wrong. Atrocities happen in all wars and indeed on all sides. But though most students of the US war in Viet Nam will be familiar with the 'My Lai' massacre, (and that was disgusting) most are less familiar with the mass executions that took place in Hue City during the 'Tet Offensive'. (There were other lesser atrocities inflicted by both sides too, of course...) To suggest, as elements of the 'Anti War' movement did, that ALL US service personnel were 'baby killers' or the like is ridiculous. (Particularly since many US servicemen did not support the war in the way that they were required to fight it...) A true story. I'm a military historian and a student of the US war in Viet Nam. I live in Dublin, Ireland. Some years ago I met a guy, a black guy, in Dublin and he was obviously a tourist. He was wearing a Viet Nam Veteran baseball cap. (I think he was a sailor, actually, though I can't remember the name of the ship that was embroidered on his cap...) I asked was he a veteran and he said he was. I thanked him for he service and asked if I might shake his hand. His eyes filled with tears. (This disturbed me as it wasn't my intention to upset him...) We did shake hands and had a brief talk, NOT ABOUT THE WAR but about how he was enjoying his holiday in my country of Ireland. As I turned to walk away, his wife turned to me and said, 'Thank you'.... xx SF
Mighty nice of you. Aside from that.....I want to comment on 'My Lai'.....now as a 'nam veteran, I can understand why this most likely occurred. I'm not saying it was right......or wrong. When a unit is constantly , over time, suffering casualties in, around , near a village; you get tired ion it, mad about it, then you become more angry. It gets old .Ypu question the villagers, you try to get good solid info from them. They stab you in the back. You, over time, still suffer casualties from this village & area. You find weapons, food caches , medical supplies, etc, that are used by the enemy.You know the village people have been lying to you over & over, again. There is obviously no young men in that village. Only women , children, & old folks. That's a red flag. You know those young men are aiding and probably part of the enemy forces. A day finally comes that you have had enough . You have reached a 'breaking' point.The end result(s) become 'history'
The treatment of America's black servicemen and women returning home after WW II was far more shameful. It probably took years for the producers of this film to find that one white vet who wasn't served in an airport restaurant. Thousands of our valorous black vets couldn't get served in a restaurant 25 years after returning from Europe or the Pacific, weren't permitted to vote, go to school, or buy a home.
Great documentary on the Vietnam War from a different perspective. I was born in 1968, served for 20 years in the Army, went to Operations Desert Shield and Storm, and three deployments to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. This perspective should be expanded into a multiple episode documentary to counter the Ten Thousand Day War documentary and Ken Burn's the Vietnam War documentary. I would caution that the arguments presented here do not fully answer the lingering questions about the origins of the war, the conduct of the military operations, the decisions of the U.S. Congress and President. For example, why did the reporters change from supporting the war to being against it? There has to be more to the story than they were simply influenced by Communist operatives. Why didn't the FBI detain the college professors who were known Communist operatives and influencing the Antiwar movement? If our law enforcement agencies knew that money was being laundered by the Soviets and Chinese through various humanitarian groups and passed on the money to the Antiwar movement, then why didn't they take aggressive measures to disrupt the money by shutting down these agencies or getting the President to seize their assets? Just a sample of the questions that come to mind as I was watching. Loved the documentary. Keep up the great work!
"why did the reporters change from supporting the war to being against it? " In the film, note the historian Mark Moyar. He describes this phenomenon in his book "Triumph Forsaken" and discusses it in various interviews he's given over the years, most of which are available right here on youtube.
It is a bit amusing to me that this video says the US was not allowed to attack the Ho Chi Min trail in Cambodia or Laos. The trail wasn’t just one trail. It was several, parts of which went through Cambodia and Laos. We most certainly did bomb the tar out of that trail in Cambodia and Laos, and everywhere else - we just didn’t tell anybody. My entire military service, from my enlistment to my trip home, was devoted solely to a mission called “Igloo White”. The enemy couldn’t hide from us; night, fog, rain, camouflage, deep jungle - it made no difference. We could “see” them plain as day.
Yes! This war as was Korea was an action that was a military if not, a political failure. I remember how celebrated military members of WWII were such as my father and many more within my community. It was one of the reasons I joined the U.S. Army in 1959 and stayed for a very satisfying life.
Sir, I respectfully disagree with you about the USA/UN involvement in the Korean war being a failure. I admit that it failed to achieve it's ultimate outcome, which was to rid the entire peninsula of the Kim iL Sung communist regime and re-unite the two Koreas. But looking at how South Korea has become such a successful economic and prosperous nation in such a short amount of time (only 70 years) can hardly be called a failure, especially when you compare it to North Korea. I was stationed there back in 1979-80 north of the Imjin River and Freedom Bridge, (and just a short march away from "The Fence") and it's amazing how much the villages that I used to go to and un-wind have progressed and changed for the better. (places like Munsan, Sonju-Ri, Yonju-Gol) And my Korean friends are just as grateful and appreciative today as they were back then for everyone that helped them. Troy Bullard Former 81mm Mortarman And forever a Manchu "KEEP UP THE FIRE !"
What I learned about the Vietnam war was, that it always on tv, and when I turned 18, just how LBJ and Tricky Dick needed the war so they could get it up at night. In sort, we learned that our Govt was plain old lying to us.
! was in the USAF's Medical Service Corps, and attached to the MACV HQ Surgeon Office. between July 1969 through July 1970. My main responsibilities were to provide transportation for our medical professionals by any means available. That included medical research officials of CINC PAC from Hawaii sent to Vietnam to study the effects of Agent Orange on our combat and support personnel.
My Uncle was in Da Nang for 3 1/2 years. I couldnt wait until he got back because we always fished alot. I worked for 4 years in his paint and body shop
