Vietnam War veteran Sam Rankin talks about his experiences. Rankin served as a medic in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970. Rankin was born and raised in Billings, Montana, and graduated from Eastern Montana College.
I had a Vietnam vet as a nextdoor neighbor while I was in highschool, I graduated in 2007. He stayed drunk 24/7. One time I was sitting with him on my porch, I was trying to ask him about being in the war. My dad opened our front door to tell me dinner is ready and when he shut the door. The old vet, with a beer in hand hit the floor of the porch extremely fast. He cried out a little, "oh god." All while looking over his shoulder. That's how I figured out why he was drinking all the time and scarred for life. Very sad. But honestly I could tell by his enthusiasm with everything and how he didn't hold back in any situation how that war changed him. Now I'm 32 years old I run my own HVAC business. I've gotten to talk to multiple Vietnam vets 1 who actually told me his story of getting stabbed in the face from a bayonet while going to search out a fox hole. 1 Vietnam vet who was on the helicopter with the guys on the movie, "We Were Soldiers," who actually was one of the first on the battlefield. Also I got to meet one WW2 vet. So being a HVAC guy going into multiple homes really has its advantages. I love these interviews with, "Billings Gazette." Throughout all the interviews, you hear of the different jobs and experience in Vietnam I actually have an understanding of how the war happened from beginning to end. Thank you!👍👍👍
Good to hear other stories. I was in Nam in 67 with the 2/27th Recon Platoon. This was in Cuchi, 25 miles NW of Saigon. Back in 67 we just did our job. The shit burners were normally guys who could not go into the field due to medical reasons. We drank beer in base camp and went on many Med Caps or search and destroy missions. The thing I remember most was we would clear and area and then leave the area. Go back 3-6 months later and clean the area out again. This was repeated. On base camp we had a Vietnamese barber. One night he was killed a perimeter attack. We thought some of the civilians who worked on base were spies as they would walk in straight lines and then turn at right angle. Took some pictures with my Nikon, which was later stolen. Then picked up a 8mm Movie camera. Took many movies. Went to my next duty station and then after awhile, went back to Nam. This time Nam had changed. Kept quiet and just did my business and got out 1 year later. Exciting time with a lot of memories. Don't talk about them. That was another lifetime ago. Back then you could not go out with girls if their parents knew you were a GI.
Sam says he has no horror stories or heroics to tell about..hmmm. He actually does but his take on everything is just a lot more calm and collective. A cool cucumber,.. Very interesting..I mean come on.He was a medic in an infantry platoon. He had leeches on his eyelids and rats crawling across his face. But talks about it like it was nothing. Kudos to you Sam. Thank you for your fine service. And so glad you made it back home. Much respect to you.. wow.....
His answer at 8:10 demonstrates how incredibly intelligent and informed this man is. I would be very reassured knowing I had someone so brave and collected watching my back
Year this was done I was a sophomore in high school. We learned about the veitnam war and the teacher tried making it sound so nasty but I promptly stood up with no grin no smile no expression at all looked him in the eyes. And said I never got to meet my great uncle because of this war, but he went and served and died with pride for this country and I really don't like what your preaching Mr hammbel from that day forth he never looked me in the eyes. But oh well thank you for your service and what a wonderful man you are. Gives me hope that my great uncle went peacefully. Knowing that there's men like you that were medics.Your all amazing men and women and that's why I never ignore veterans no matter the war. I wish I could meet you all hear your stories.
I owe a lot to the 199th LIB. I was drafted and ended up at Long Binh Army base. We were attacked in the latter part of Feb of 1969 and those of us on the Reaction Force had to go out and defend the bunker line. The 199th showed up and helped us in the fight along with gunships and Puff. I have always felt that they saved my life.
I am so interested in what these guys say. a lot of my friends in college were Vietnam Vets and that was in the early 1980s. They were a great bunch of guys. I miss the Mexican dinners we would have every Friday. A lot of great discussion and I was glad to be allowed to be a part of their group.
i hope to come to Montana from Australia one day. All these Vietnam vets seem like good fellows. Unfortunately war will always be with us due to greedy murderous politicians.
Hi. i very much find value for me, hearing these war experiences. My high school class of 1966 had substantial loss of male graduates from dying in Vietnam. I fought to legally avoid service and was given a 1H deferment finally.
Remarkable !!! Easy to forget and block images we care not to remember!!! Sum of which you admit, which is only humane!!! Thanks doc... For your service and preparation!!! U da man!!!
You mentioned a number of times you were "not in heavy combat" as if minimizing your own experience, but yk, having to be "in that frame of mind" as you said "all the time" so you're mentally prepared 24/7/365 for "heavy combat" brings it's own kind of burden as well. Some vets have told me that anticipatory mindset actually made contact something of a relief, finally an outlet, if that makes sense? One thing that did change was your choice of career, eh?! Every combat vet has something whether it's the red ants, the snakes, the leeches or some other form of ecological torment in addition to the just daily misery inherent in humping in the boonies for days, weeks, months at a time. Perhaps the word "resilience" was the one you were seeking in response to your Dad's early death? You certainly are all that, as well as humble, funny, informative and poignant throughout your interview. Just because someone else may have "had it worse" in your view doesn't diminish you or your experiences in any way. So much of combat comes down to the vagaries of luck as much as skill at times and had you been facing a human wave attack you would have been ready to respond to that as well. Thank you so much Doc. I deeply appreciate your service and willingness to participate in this program. Vets...you all just never stop giving. The primary reason why we know so much more about trauma, it's antecedents and results today is thanks to the willingness of Vietnam vets and Holocaust Survivors to participate in studies. You all "owed" none of us that courage to revisit your experiences-and you did and still do. "Thank you" seems so small somehow but there it is-from the heart.
Very interesting Guy. You were almost there the way he described it all. I do remember the Rage back then with the marches and demonstrations of that Anti War experience. Being drafted and being in-country in the Bush and Rice Paddies was monumentally tough for those guys. Even the guys who were in Iraq and Afghanistan just shake their heads in Awe at what they went through in the 'NAM'.
Sorry to bother you but I have watched a few of these don't want to lose track. But how many of these interviews have been done? I am of the same age, I wish I could go back and do things differently.
sam you seem traumatised as you speak about your time n Nam are there really the words to describe your xperiences ? wonderful we all get to hear frm you sam mahalo thanks aloha frm molokai island hawai'i .. there no place like home ..
The comment about the mamasahn who said 'you will get rocketed tonight' is amazing. Who is cleaning the barracks and who is rocketing the barracks? Wife and husband or neighbors or who? Great interview.
A spotter was seen in Danang once. He was the local barber. They set reflectors in high places where they would send mortar shells. Those people were stuck right in the middle of two masters. Mama San was older so she knew the threats. Many were killed by their own people.
Very interesting interview. I suggest you watch a HBO movie entitled Path to War. The movie focuses on decision making within the Johnson administration. It is on RU-vid.
Vietnam was a different kind of war: It was the only war where the bulk of the WIA and KIA were shot, only 10% of in-country personnel were in actual combat and 85% of the combat veterans were wounded. As Sam said, the prosecution of the war by politicians was a horrendous mistake. One that General Norman Swartzkroff put an end to during Desert Storm. My Brother was a door gunner out of Firebase Kontum (1967 - 1968) and I recall that when the American Embassy was being evacuated in April 1975, he cried. He'd loaded many of body bag onto his chopper and the thought of all those men who gave their lives and in the end, we fled and left the people to the ruthlessness of the North when they took Saigon.
You are obviously giving your own version of history. First of all....there would NOT have been a Vietnam if it also wasn't for guys allowing themselves to be put there by "the politicians". They were sacrificial lambs who allowed themselves to be sacrificial lambs. Every man had a choice. It's the weighing of consequences that separates men. I refused Vietnam and faced the consequences if they came. Each of those guys could have done the same. As far as the North Vietnamese....they didn't end up being as "ruthless" as expected. It was the North Vietnamese who ended up removing Pol Pot of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. Probably the worst evil leader since Hitler. I agree with the prosecution of the war. But that has to be shared by the military in Vietnam as well. Way too much resources available, with naval superiority and air superiority and mobility. Let's not forget war crimes committed against Vietnamese people and their property....OR...against US military personnel. Remember fragging? Over 800 documented incidents. Apparently 87 American officers killed. Can't blame the politicians for that. The military in Vietnam didn't earn stars on their foreheads b/c of their altruistic "John Wayne" actions. Their conduct in war made the politicians and American public very weary. At the end of it all, a united Vietnam has been doing quite well being a capitalistic/communistic country and all of Indo-China appears to be quietly doing well and open to tourism. They will probably be a very wary foe of China in the long term.
@@topgeardel good on you mate little harmless Laos was bombed and bombed and bombed by the gallant airmen flying back to lunch and sex with whores People are still dying from that stupid war. None of these old men who were young men seem to have any guilt or regret about what atrocities were committed against poor brown people in the name of what democracy freedom???
@@joefoley1480 I agree with your comment. I've recently done a short study of Laos. Though it is communistic, it seems to quietly have its place in the sun. Seems like a very nice country to visit. I also agree that too many of the old guys don't seem to have guilt or regret about that war. They are too focused on "downgrading" my character, and that of others who resisted the Vietnam war.
@@joefoley1480 as if these hour or two of their life is summed up..many have said in their interviews on 📷 we should never have been there. What they say here is just part of their tales. What wasn't said is even worse and what they won't say is worse than any horror movie you or I could imagine. If all who were in combat there could see everything that would happen even before they went 99% would not go.
@@topgeardel since you didn't go what would you know about how any of them feel. Do you feel or see their nightmares that some still have? Have you seen the friends that got killed? Or friends names on the wall? Like all that they say in an hour or 2 sums up their whole time their and the life they live. Just because someone looks ok does not mean they are ok. Do you know what they see in their mind of a war they should not have been in every day for the rest of their lives? You seem to know it all. Fragging? When one has an ass hole of an XO that is sending them on missions for no reason and treating them like crap what's to be expected? I'm a vet and sure enough we had a chief who was just a pure ass hole and had no idea how to run am artillery gun crew. No one no even our first Sergent liked him. He was clueless, ignorant, not a team player, only thought of himself, and when time for him to go to PLDC school as an E-6 couldn't take someone telling him what to do drove back from the school 2 days later only for our first Sergent to chew him a new asshole and send him back and he was my crew chief. War time he would have been the first to go before 7 days were in he was a hated man. He was a risk to the entire battery. Our first Sergent was a 3 time Vietnam veteran if no one else knew he knew sorry when he seen it. These men are heros your a draft doger what would you know about any of these mens lives.
Sam, Thank you for the fine interview and you seem so well adjusted and of very sharp mind and I think you will make a fine lawyer and if you had chose back when in the 70s a fine Doctor as well. What happened with Vietnam war is the big if what if Pres. Kennedy was still alive at that time- we will never know the course of the USA would have taken.
The Green Berets and force multipliers were amazing. All the trigger pullers, hero Dust Off pilots and Corpsmen. Every American generation responds bravely. Also seems every govt lets the warriors down. Normal young strong poo people are taught to kill, see horror, are forced to make decisions when there are no good choices, see innocents and brothers in arms killed of or suffer terribly. But there is no time to re adjust. It takes months and sometimes more to turn a kid into a warrior. He is learns to survive and kills, is pp it through hell. But the service spends very little time or money comparatively to get their heads back on right. It's necessary. Bless the great young unselfish young people who are willing to do so much, sacrifice all, while much of America is oblivious. Respect to all the Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Spec Ops and Corpsmen. "No greater love hath man than this, that he lays down his life for his brother." - Jesus who laid down his perfect life for all of us. What a hellish environment, disjointed strategy and now we see Afghanistan lasting even longer. Our people's blood should only be shed as a last resort and stop this nation building BS while out country is falling apart. Money, arms dealers, companies, politicians who take deferments but are happy to send their neighbor's son or daughter be sacrificed. It never ends.
Depends on what team it is. Each member has specialized skills. Over lapping. The medic would also know what would create the wanted injuries. Everything is tactical.
@@TAXCOLLECTOR-mx3mg Roger that. I was in a 105 howitzer Battery in the 80's. Our medic carried a 45- but never did guard duty or served on any of our gun crews. We all actually took good care of him. We wanted him to be ready to help us if we needed it. He was a hell of a good guy and a damn good Doc! I've got nothing but respect for Sgt Sweeney- and all the medics. I'll never forget the night I got too drunk and ended up braking and cutting my hand. Sgt Sweeney patched me up and called in a medivac chopper for me- and it landed right in the parking lot of the base bar. Lmao! I had a GREAT Captian too. He gave me a good talking too but didn't give me an article 15. You don't make friends like that out here.
@@jacobsladder6715 I never seen any Grease guns in use when I was in. But I know some units were still using them then, and even longer. I did get to hold and check out one at a gunshow several years back. I liked how it felt. I've heard the grease gun was well liked by most who used it. What year were you at Sill? I did my basic and AIT there in the summer of 82.
Interesting to listen to guys talking about their perspective who never needed to fight against troops / agressors attacking their homeland. Never forced to live, fight and die as tunnel rats. Instead of spreading their lifestyle uninvitedly all over the world. Never faced napalm, agent orange, b52 niagara fall bombing destroying e.g mississippi delta, hudson river, lake michigan, appalachian forrests aso. The land of the free? Bringing democracy and welfare and coke and donuts to +1000 year lasting cultures? Depends on which side you contribute.
The US fought in a few wars on its own soil which resulted in many casualties. The US Capitol was even burned at one point. However, people tend to forget the horror and wage war once again. Wars will exist as long as man is alive to wage them. If it's not the US, it will be another nation or a group of people imposing their will on another. There's nothing we can do. Having said that, I don't blame the soldiers and I do what I can to support them. They're ultimately just a little part lost in a huge mess made by someone else.
He knows damn well they shot that guy behind the building on the Phoenix Mission, he just doesn't want to have to testify to it. ;-) And who can blame him?
The Phoenix missions were to find VC&NV tax collectors, enforcers/ terrorist cells &Chinese & Russian observers/ advisers. Some were kill the enemy, some were collect interrogate. All legal combat operations/ Intel gathering. If you do not see, you do not know. If your not there you do not know.
The warning at the end, that war is truly awful, is somehow, as usual, unbelievable. It’s like reformed addicts warning others about drugs or alcohol. You know they are being sincere, but you sense an affectation, it’s like you can imagine kids getting excited by it, by the ‘darkness’ of it. Do we all have this predilection? I think the hard core military people or hard core civil activists are different, but for the much bigger periphery, the masses that make things which are plausible, actually become probable by weight of numbers, they are curiously drawn to a ‘darkness’, a sense of it being ‘wrong’ and this gave them momentum. Is this why Bush, Cheney, Wolfowitz, and co. got millions of people behind them to believe the WMD bull and invade Iraq? And CNN trailing behind with their cameras and ‘imbedded’ journoos....even the journalists also attracted to the hype. This guy is a blessing. Wonderful. Awful war. And one for all the monkeys, elephants and tigers that were shot, napalmed, B52’d , agent oranged out of existence. Then we can say sorry to the Montagnards, the Vietnamese people and the recruits and draftees..(remember that many enlisted only because they knew drafted might be worse) . I usually distrust realtors. But this one seems decent.
I’m just saying the way it looks. It looks like he cld be lying about something. They had quick clot back in ww2 so I know they had it. U don’t want to use qc (quick clot) unless u have to have to bc they have to cut out all the muscle and meat it’s on.
i recall hearing a story of some US forces were outnumbered by vietcong and what saved them was the presence of a tiger. the VC wanted no part of it and fled.
The best thing about the Vietnam war ...was the fact that it NEARLY ..Levelled the playing field ....Americas ...wealth ...America's MASSIVE armed forces .... America's superior technology ... was pretty much cancelled out in the Jungles of Vietnam .... so Americans learnt they were not superior men to people living in the 3rd world ... Vietnanese men fought and killed just as many Americans as u did ... Vietnam stood up to America ...and survived ...
