173rd Airborne LRRP Ranger & Attack Helicopter Crews
Vložit
- čas přidán 17. 09. 2016
- Video has many photos of the 173rd Airborne LRRP/Ranger Teams, Casper Aviation Platoon, 61st Attack Helicopter Company & 335th Attack Helicopter Company while serving in Vietnam from 1965 thru 1971.
- Krátké a kreslené filmy
I’m a former Vietnam OH-6 aero scout. The guys in this video were tougher than the back wall of a shooting gallery. Most of us were 19,20 or 21.
Is it true that they shot at villages and at anything that moved, like the crazy guy in Apocalypse Now?
@@rewind9536 Some did, not all.
thanku 4 your service sir!
How about LRRP AMPHIB USMC MAJOR JAMES HARRISON BUCKEYE, Arizona CONUS U.S.
Could you please contact me I'm trying to find anyone who knew my grandpa. At that time he was a private, his brother in law was killed in action along side him, Fred Harold Still, 1965. My grandpa was 1st Sgt Robert dean Edwards of spartanburg, sc.
I spent three tors there in Vietnam two with LRRPS & Rangers and know 4 of those men in this film well put together ! I have a grandson now in the Rangers and he has spent two tours in Afghanistan! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
What balls these guys had. Hats off to LRRP/Ranger/Recondo troops.
Mad respect for all these hero’s! I served as a 11B in C co. 1/75 Ranger in the early 80’s...then became a helicopter pilot for the next 27 years. These men were my instructor’s, teachers and mentors. God Bless them all for their courage and sacrifice.
EDDIE GARRAR TRIED TO HIDE ME SO THAT I WOULD NOT GET KILLED.WE DELTA FORCE WERE GETTING IN TO THE SHAPER AND I WAS PROTECTING THE LT. FROM A SNIPER'S FIRE. I JUMPED OUT OF THE SHAPER TO GET THE SNIPER TO SHOOT AT ME AND THE LT.YELLED GARZA GET IN THE SHAPER. EDDIE GARRAR WAS FIRING AT THE SNIPER WITH THE 60TH. AND YELLED GET IN THE DAM SHAPER BOTH OF YOU AS HOLES AND WE TOOK OF. HE WAS LOOKING AT ME BUT I COULDN'T SEE HIS FACE. BECAUSE HE HAD A BLACK SHIELD ON SO I LOOKED AT HIM AND I SET WHO THE HELL ARE YOU. AND THEN HE TOOK THE SHIELD OF AND IT WAS MY LITTLE BEAR EDDIE GARRAR GREEN EYES RED HAIR MONSTER. HE WAS THE 173TH AIRBORNE RANGER RECON. WITH THE DOOR GUNNERS CALLED THE LITTLE BEARS. CASPER SHAPER PICTURE ON HIS SHAST.
Thanku 4 your service Sir!
Ft Benning Forever!
Geeez, imagine getting war heros as instructors
Brings back memories...not all bad...not all good. Would not trade the experiences for anything, don’t want anyone else to go through that experience at all. Go Airborne!
@Tom Coker - Every word agreed. All the way!
Two ol' ladies layin' in bed,
One rolled over to the other and said,
"Gotta go all the way,
Gotta be Airborne,
All the way!"
De Oppresso Liber
I remember late one night in the summer of 1970 a squad of 173rd airborne rangers came roaring in to our field hospital with a very tall wounded Captain lying on the hood of a jeep. Unfortunately the Captain was dead. His men were absolutely devastated. I felt bad for you guys. It takes big balls to do night ambushes.
4/503 all of 67 with 173d I will forget that river Dak To.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE!!! ESPECIALLY THE ONES WHO DIDNT COME HOME.
WELCOME HOME GUY'S!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO HOLD YOUR HEADS HIGH, and please forgive us for letting yall down. We should never have allowed the disrespect yall received on your return to U.S. soil. My dad was there 2years, 66-68, and while I was not a part of what happened to yall, I am still very ashamed of it. I can promise you this though, while we have teachers and some government that would like to sweep Vietnam under the rug, y'all will not be forgotten, nor will your sacrifice. I was thought better, and my kids have been thought better.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL
@craig cook - Your expressed gratitude is appreciated greatly. Make no mistake, though, the taunting and demeaning lack of respect still flourishes in the country whose bidding we did honorably and well. Fortunately, most of us now know how to make it look like the other guy(s) swung first, and most of them don't know how to take care of business.
De Oppresso Liber
I have had the privilege of getting to work with and meet some Lrrps and other vets. My boss was a grunt during the Vietnam war. He told me some of the stuff he went through.. I have great respect for you Lrrps and rangers. Thank you very much.. R I P Danny Smead..
I missed going to Nam by just a few years. In High School me and my pals would talk about Nam and work out and practice what we could. I felt a little cheated when the war ended and I have always felt I should've been there. Me sharing in the battle, the miseries and the comradeship always comes to mind..God Bless our vets and their families..
Thank you very much for your service. Respect and support from Portugal to all. 🙏🇵🇹✌️
Good & wonderful memory . I used to associated with C75 Ranger , the 5th & 10th SF , LRRP in the highland of Viet Nam . God bless them all for their sacrifice
I became a N.Y.P.D. police officer in 1985. Many of the older guys were Vietnam vets. They were great mentors. No matter how crazy the shit got, they never lost their cool. My sergeant at that time, did three tours as a Navy Seal. I never asked him questions, but he did tell me a few stories. I have nothing but respect for those who served.
@Phil Jerome - Newly back from The 'Nam, I became a Deputy Sheriff. After classroom training, I was assigned to a Field Training Deputy. As we climbed into our unit, he flatly stated, "Don't touch nothin'. Don't say nothin', piglet," that demeaning term referring to the fact that I was a rookie. After a few hours of silence, he said, "I was Force Recon. 'Nam," to which I casually responded, "What were you, a clerk and jerk in the rear with the beer and the gear?" He slammed on the brakes, gasped at my audacity, then realized that no one who'd been there would have known how well to insult him and asked, "What'd you do?" Touching lightly on my multiple, voluntary tours and out-of-country Special Forces Recon Team experiences, we became fast friends. Never again (though I deserved it as a rookie) did he refer to me as a piglet, nor did he permit other Deputies to do so.
De Oppresso Liber
@@CPTdrawer22 When I started in the NYPD in 1985, I heard similar stories from the older guys. Fortunately, that type of treatment was on the decline. Thank you for your service.
@@philjerome9795 - Your gratitude is appreciated. As for that type of treatment, I've learned to appreciate that, as well, as the outcome was a fast friendship, one which kept me out of trouble. Example: Upon observing a streetfight we rolled up on, my new friend said, "Go get 'em!" I made straight for the combatant closest to me, intending to take him down in a manner one would take out an enemy guard terminally without using a weapon. Suddenly, my target dropped unconscious, not of my doing. After the incident, I received his Field Training Deputy's critique (which he did not formally submit, saving my career): "The object of police work in situations like this is to restrain and arrest, rather than kill." That was a rather novel concept for me, but a lesson which served me well in the following decades. The reason the combatant I had targeted fell suddenly unconscious? Recognizing the move I was in the process of using, my partner gave him a lump on the head with his MagLight! The lesson for my friend: Don't be too quick about taking me off-leash!
De Oppresso Liber
The stories of these LRRPs, the indigenous fighters they worked with, and the helicopter pilots and operators providing the rides and cover is nothing short of legendary. I won' forget those airplane pilots providing cover for the Recon Teams as well. Taking the fight " across the fence". Amazing warriors, Amazing valor
THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE SERVED IN THE U.S. ARMED FORCES
Probably the best men and women since WW 2 to serve
Thank you all
God bless al vets
Paul
Thank you for paving the way. Former LRS NCO.
God bless all of you Vietnam vets! My father in law is in this video. I can’t express how much respect I have for him and all of you!
Thankyou,Thankyou,Thankyou to all our hero's who served!!...peace and GOD bless!!!
From Dublin, Ireland.
You Folk
Are some crazy characters.
God Bless you all.
Keep smiling.
☘️
Can't think crazy till you've seen the aussie in action,that is crazy the ROKs had their moments also
My uncle served in Vietnam. He was from Dublin. Another friend was from County Roscommon.
Tom McDonald 12 Evac Cu Chi Vietnam 68/69 and Tom Garvey Charlie Battery, 1st/40th Vietnam 67/68
Long Range Recon Patrol Rangers. Badest of the badasses. God Bless all of you here and gone. Thank you for the sacrifices you made for a country that had no idea what it was like to cover for or give your life for your buddy's while under fire. I will forever be proud of you all. Thank you again.
CCR and military vets are great together. Tears shed for Freedom Fighters.
I was 13 years old when I saw and heard the mom's & sister and brother crying. Thank you so much ❤️ for your service, and sacrifice. God bless you All!
I had the honor to serve with a handful of those heroes when I was in the 82nd Airborne in the 80's. The best men I have seen.
Thank you to all who served!
I had a former coworker who flew as a Door Gunner / Crew Chief on Slicks and Gunships.
He was in country from 1968-1969.
Unfortunately, I cannot remember what Unit he flew with.
His name was Don G. He said he had a "Peace" symbol painted on his flight helmet.
The man standing on the port side of the Huey at the 8:57 minute mark, bears a striking resemblance to Don.
Don was a pilot for Agrotors Helicopters, in the early 2000's, when I met and worked with him.
Don has passed away and I really miss him!
Snoopy - You're most welcome, but service was and remains a privilege, as our oaths are unrescinded.
De Oppresso Liber
I've got a book written by one of these guys.
John Leppalman spent 3 years in Vietnam.173rd Abrn paratrooper 1967, Army riverboat crewman 1968, 173rd Abrn LRPs, 1969. Got sent home when he came down with 2 different types of malaria.
Badasses, God bless all who SERVED in Vietnam, my brother Dennis g warfield was KIA in Vietnam 4-30-69,delta co, BRO, RIP big brother,he was 20yrs old and I was 10
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Michael Stratton May Your Brother,and ALL those who served,await their brethren at the gates of Paradise,and finally find that peace,that can OBVIOUSLY cannot be obtained upon this world despite their sacrifices,voluntarily or involuntary be it.There's not a day that goes by,that I don't think of my time in service.ESPRIT de CORPS-
My regards, and condolences.
Sir r.i.p for your brother hell my uncle was there too he made it home.but he was shell shocked the guy never went to sleep without his 1911
@@quicksnatch they were so young and so brave
GRATEFULL TO YOUR BROTHER
Crazy respect to the LRRPs and thank u for ur sacrifice in leading the way true ghost in the valley
That was an awesome glimpse into the life of a courageous team of men. Doing their part. 🇺🇸👍
Absolutely superb picture collage and with a great soundtrack. Thank you very much for this Casper Platoon 721. My favorite uncle returned from 'Nam and ended up committing suicide. He was a sniper turned L.R.R.P. and, after serving several tours over there, returned home and never recovered. Ultimately, his worsening alcoholism led him to commit suicide in the mid-1980's. I miss him dearly.
Vindication God Bless
Unfortunately, many of the men who served there suffered from what we now know as PTSD. The problems came from not so much from their service there as from the way were treated like pariahs by many in the country when they came back home. That left them no alternative but to spread their experiences and turn their feelings inward.
I'm sure a lot of WW2 vets had PTSD as well. The difference being that they were (rightly) treated as heroes. My cousin served in Vietnam with the 23rd Infantry Division (Americal) and he fared better because his father was a WW2 vet (101st Airborne) and he had someone who understood what he had been through.
It's too bad these brave Americans didn't start getting the credit they deserved until the new 80s. Long overdue....Welcome home, boys!
HighPower762 makes you think about the value of a father's role, even for returning soldiers. Like Jesus Christ said, "the son can do only what he sees the father do".
@ Vindication brother, I had 4 uncles in that fuckin war. My uncle Danny, the youngest, held on by the skin of his teeth,white knuckled it until the booze finally stopped numbing the painfull close quarters combat he was involved in when V.C. sappers would break thru the barbed wire at 0300hrs in the pitch black, that haunted him. He took his life in 2004, all those years later. He was my Godfather,and I think of him often . R.I.P. Staff Sgt. Danny MacDonnell. I hope our uncles have finally found some peace.
My brother and I both served in Viet Nam. We had about a three month overlap in our tours. He was with the 101st. I was with the 173rd -- later sent to the 101st, some time after the Herd went home.
It is my belief that those who wasted themselves, whether suicide by cop, ramming their cars into a bridge pillar, or by substance abuse -- they should have all been counted as combat deaths. They died, as most of us did, in-country. I know I did.
Then there are those who died physically of wounds from combat, whose lives were prolonged a few weeks or months after they returned.
All these guys are just as heroic and their names should be on that wall in DC.
My hardest thought is: If I had been with my friends at the time they contemplated suicide, could I have talked them down.
The only thing I had going for me was my family. I have 9 kids, and I kept asking myself, if I wasted myself, what kind of legacy would that leave my kids.
Done two tours in Vietnam with the Marines in a rifle company (3rd Btn. 1st Marines.) The only problem I had adjusting when I got home was not having my M16 with me all the time.
I was born in 69.Two uncle's served in Vietnam.One Marine,the other Army.My dad served back during Korea,Air Force.I thought it was my place to serve ALSO.Yes I drink.And I pray to God for a nights sleep without any crazy ass dreams.I can wake up sweating,kick the covers off,then I'm cold.I can't tell you how many times I've woke up,hitting my girlfriends,yes,GIRLFRIENDS!!!--And I've apologised SO much.Theyve comforted me,but it still wasn't enough for my conscience.Telling me,it's alright...No it ain'--t.NO-- IT AIN'T ALRIGHT!!!-If it was alright,I'd at least have one of --them.Well.At-- least I still have my son.So.Thank you God-
At l have my son.I don't know why my last comment was scratched out below-
Marc jacob= they trained you, used you and didn't know how to acclimate you back. Now they do it with drugs. Thanks for your service brother. My brother served in the later part of the war and came back a junkie. I went to Nicaragua and El Salvador and adjusted fine. I guess I didn't experience what he did.
Wake up reaching for you helmet and rifle and realize oh yeah I'm not in the army anymore
I know the feeling exactly. That and wondering what they were putting into my hand, after being used to MPC's.
My head has been bowed for these magnificent worries who were fighting for each other’s safety. Immense respect for all vets that protected our great country!
Thank you for sharing your experience in veitnam!! Extremely extraordinary men HONORABLE HEROES!! WELCOME HOME 🏡!! No words can describe what these men went through on a daily basis!! I APPRECIATE ALL VEITNAM VET'S!! THE real STAR'S !!!!
my father was a LRRP in vietnam with the 173rd 68-70. i remember him saying that the helicopter teams that would carry them where Casper and Lucky 7. his friends knew him by the Carolinakid being that he was from SouthCarolina. Thankyou for this video.
redmule02
My father was also a LRRP In Nam. We now live in SC also. We live in the orangeburg area. Where are you from?
they live in columbia
redmule02 My Dad was also a LRRP with the 173rd. Sgt. Dannie C. Stewart Co. A 2nd Bat. 503 Inf. Out of Starke Fl. He and his Brothers will forever be my only heroes. Thank you for this video! Love Ya Daddy. See Ya Shortly........
columbia
Badasses, God bless all who SERVED in Vietnam, my brother Dennis g warfield was KIA in Vietnam 4-30-69,delta co, BRO, RIP big brother
My father was a soldier in the S.Korean Tiger Division. I believe he was in Da Nang from 68-69. Said he rode in UH-1s all the time. He met plenty of American soldiers. My hat's off to the 173rd LRRPs and helo crews.
I served time with the 26th/Tiger Division as an Army Photographer. I was there 69-70. I worked with Major Pak...I have a picture of him...if your dad may know him, I'd be happy to send a copy
@@papagcortellino5283 Thank you for sharing that! That is awesome to hear you served with the Tiger Division. I will ask my father if he knew a Major Pak. Thanks!
My father doesn't talk much about Vietnam. He just doesn't want to, even though that war was 50 years ago for him. But its funny, he does mention to me that if I brought home a Viet girl for him and my mom to meet, that would make him happy.
Looking at the responses to your comment, it seems I owe a Tiger Division M-151A1 to quite a few people. Being from Command and Control Detachment, North (CCN), headquartered immediately East of Marble Mountain (which is South of Danang), I took advantage of an opportunity and appropriated a ROK "jeep" which was locked up out front of a PX. In short order, it was stripped of its data plate and all other identification, and I accompanied it to Quang Tri on a C-130 Hercules "Blackbird." Once delivered to our FOB there, I picked up an M-151A1 that our guys had appropriated from the US Navy's Marines at Quang Tri and drove it South, back to Danang. Them's was the days!😄
De Oppresso Liber
Excellent!! Amazing MEN! (And of course GREAT music!!) God Bless 🇺🇸! Thank you for your service!🍀
My son did three tours in Afghanistan as a combat medic as a sky soldier with the 173rd Airborne division.
Your son is a hero!🇺🇸
Thank you Brian! He passed away in July 2019 of a heart murmur. I am so proud of him.the son, father, husband and man that he was.
Big Papa Sky Soldiers! OEF VI 2005-2006, RC East Afghanistan 🇦🇫. 1/508th PIR BN MTR PL (Battle Space owner)
The Herd!
@@bigpapa2730 so sorry for your loss...ty for your son and your family's service to our amazing country.
another great generation of men who sacrificed it all for each other! I am just so sorry that you were not received as the heroes you are when you came back. God Bless you all
amen to that!!!!~
@Sam Armstrong your anger is misguided.
You deserved a heroes welcome whenever you came home ,welcome home soldier and thank you with all my ❤️.!!!
Deroga Tree something needs to be done to these communist news stations CNN or MSBET to stop there anti -American BS.!!!
I'm the wendover general reincarnated!!!
„Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, weak men create hard times.“
To all who fought, bleed and died during the war in Vietnam, thank you very much for your service and your sacrifices, we will not forget you.
So true rice paddy daddy!!
Honors to you Rangers, my non-com father was part of 11th Air Assault (Test) before deploying to Pleiku City. A 3-war veteran of the 1st Cav Div, I now care for him, love him, for he (and you) went in my place. From a Veteran's Son from the OD Corral, the former Ft Ord...
You are so right having PTSD is no fun at all 8 can trigger you instead of having the Goosebumps thank you for your service sir
Wow freaking goosebumps looking at the pics. Too many mixed emotions. 21stTASS and 1st SOS Squadron 1970-71 Thanks for posting.
DaNang? I was security there 71-72.
las
CU-CHI 66"67
@@falconmoose1589 R D ZZZ DZDZDZDZDZDZDZgDZD Z DDD Z DDZDDZDZDZDZD Z DDDZDZDZDDZDZDZDZDZDZDZDZDDZDZDDZDZDDZSZDZDZDZ D ZZZ DDZDZDZDZDDDZD ZZZ DDD
It was great talking with you guys all sounds thanks for your time 🙏
I can verify that the pictures at 2:42 and 2:58 minutes into the video are N Co. 75th Rangers, 173rd Abn because I took them while flying with the 61st AHC in the spring of 1971. The first at 2:42 was on an extraction in the An Lao Valley west of LZ English and the second at 2:58 on an insertion on the mountain top just east of the An Lao, done on the same day.
I was there in '71. (Based out of LZ English -- Special Troops Btn.) Do you remember which months this happened? I'm still looking for friends I lost track of. Even then, I remember so few names -- except those who came with me from Bragg.
I don't know if the following incidents help your memory, or not (I was used in ojt infantry then, not my primary mos):
Huge Mo-gas bladder explosion, like a small atomic mushroom fireball, exploded at LZ English. Some say it was by one of our men who hated the Vietnamese so much, that he didn't want them to have the fuel supply. I got thrown by the force of the explosion about 30 feet, and dislocated both shoulders.
Sapper dug a tunnel into our compound, shooting at us from inside. We summarily executed him.
On mission to scout NVA troop movements -- intel then used by ARVN. Btn of ARVN's got their rears kicked, crossing rice paddies in the early dawn. Very surreal. (We were enraged because we wanted to be the ones who attacked Charlie -- to reek revenge.)
Nothing worse than pent up rage, during times we were told not to fight back. We were paratroopers taught to bring the fight to them -- not sit there and take their attacks.
Sapper replaced our shower water with battery acid from motorpool. One guy, first in showerline, medivacked out. Flesh boiling. He had pushed his way in front of me. Mixed emotions about that.
Constantly moving night after night to different hooches, to avoid being mortared. That last month it seemed to rain mortars night and day. This was, by far, the most intense month in combat.
One time I was so exhausted, from not having slept for 3 days, that I slept through an attack. It blew up my hooch, all except the corner where my room was. One guy, seeing me stumbling out in the morning was shocked to see me. Said I was reported MIA. I told him I had been in my hooch. He said I couldn't have been. Then he showed me almost my entire "building" -- if you can call it that -- was destroyed.
Three Rangers wasted, that June, I believe. I won't go into that.
Not being given permission to fire back when being mortared, because the VC were doing it from a graveyard -- considered a sanctuary. Had to ask permission from joint II Corps Command -- got it, only 3 days after they left.
A group of us were watching the movie "Catch-22" using a bedsheet as a screen, when we came under fire. (At English.) Tracer rounds coming ever closer to the roof we were on. Pinging off the corrugated steel.
A "fake firefight" was started one night on the berm. One guy thought his rifle was on safety, but it was set to full automatic. He squeezed off 3 rounds before he knew what happened. His friend next to him kept yelling: I'm hit! I'm hit! All he got was 3 hot shell casing down his shirt. Anyway the whole line opened up. There was no one out there. One dufus scrambled up a tower with his rifle and night scope. He claimed he got someone, several times, before the LT found out who fired the first shot. Embarrassing and funny at the same time.
In broad daylight, I was crossing the tarmac when I felt to dive for cover. While in flight, diving behind sandbags, mortar landed where I was fractions of a second before. I took shapnel in my mouth. Walked around with gause in my mouth a few days.
Many people used drugs. Some were juicers. Only a handfull of us seemed to be sober. I used to charge people to take their berm line, or bunker duty at night. Other times, I charged them to take their patrols outside the wire. A few times I charged them to go on missions. (Some things way too intense for me to talk about.)
As a sort of demented bravado, I'd have people pay me $20 to eat a cockroach, or $50 to bite the head off a rat.
I met several men from line companies who had lost their minds. I called them "collectors". From what they told me: In running firefights, Charlie circled back around them and "grossly mistreated" the wounded. (I won't go into details -- except that it was no wonder they went insane.) For revenge, our guys collected teeth, fingers, eyeballs, and "little leathers" (ears). They had been driven insane and you could see it in their eyes.
One time we were under orders to summarily execute a dink, and the major got mad at us because it wasn't "cost effective". We used a C-4 enema, instead of a 45 slug.
Anyway, one guy, whom we called "Scout Dog" got wasted only a few days before he was to go home. The report was, he was used for clearing a minefield -- at a beach, I believe -- when a cherry stepped on a landmine. He got wiped out, but the cherry only lost his foot. (I don't know his name -- only known as Scout Dog.)
Another guy, I knew as Trustee. He had "adopted" a local kid whose whole family had been killed. For some odd reason, I remember Trustee showing us how to take a chicken's head off by snapping its neck like a whip.
TJ Good, who went through Basic, AIT, Jump School, and the 82nd at Bragg with me, transferred from our unit -- 534th Signal Company -- to November Rangers, in '71. Four of us from signal volunteered. Only 2 were assigned. I had been accepted but the CO couldn't find me in time.
534th was commanded by CPT Amatulli, at the time. I thought he was on drugs, because he wore sunglasses all the time -- even at night while indoors. It wasn't until later, I figured he was preserving his night vision.
Duncan Hunter (the future California Congressman) was a Ltn with N Rangers at the time.
I don't remember the Ranger CO's name. I believe he had dark hair.
One time, while out in the bush, a group of us were taking a rest, alternately back-to-back and front-to-front, when I joked: "If Charlie would just take the time to know me, he wouldn't be shooting at me". Five of these guys immediately turn to me at once, and said: "Gossett, if they knew you, they'd shoot you first". Thing is, 2 of them really meant it.
A few of the guys I knew: Robert Babski -- known as Hippie; Daniel McDaniel, from Franklin, IL; McDonald, from Michigan; Campos from Connecticut; and a few guys from Bayou country in Louisiana. (TJ was one of these.)
My memory is getting more geriatric each year. I'm certain I knew more people and more incidents.
Perhaps these might refresh your memory. Perhaps not.
I have been looking for combat forged friends for decades. In all these years, I've only found one, but that was 2 decades too late. He wasted himself in 1999. All I found was his headstone and one short paragraph write up. He deserved more.
I so want to find others. I used to spend time at Vet Centers, throughout the country. I wandered from coast to coast for decades. (Foolishly looking for a place I'd feel accepted.)
Now I remember making contact on the phone, with one guy I knew. He was still in the Army back then. After talking with him about combat, he checked into a mental ward and I never heard from him again.
I came home to the World, into the San Francisco Bay area. Let's just say I was treated like crap -- to say the least. Went from Lewis, to Oakland Airport, wearing khakis. Boy was I hated.
I lost my first family to a horrific divorce. Living with her was like living with an overgrown Chihuahua. She went into hiding and wouldn't let me see the kids. The oldest 2 kids are in their 40's now. They won't even have anything to do with me, because their minds were poisoned. So, I know what that's like. I haven't known them since they were all preschoolers.
Fortunately, during my 11 years of homelessness, I was single.
I remarried later, to a wonderful woman. She and I have 5 great kids. All of them still at home. 1st grade to Junior in HS.
When I was in-country my health records were lost. I came home without them. I believe a hoochmaid stole them just before I left. Got a strange letter, months later, from some woman in Viet Nam, asking me if I still loved her. Had no idea who she was.
After the Herd went home, I was transferred to the 101st. At a Firebase, operating a Radio Relay site, I overheard a conversation between a major and some staff sgt. It was one of my jobs to listen in, to remind people that that was not a secure line. Anyway, that sgt was begging for fire support. The major kept insisting he couldn't give it to him, that he only had enough shells for base support. Or to protect the firebase. This intense conversation went back and forth for minutes. I could hear small arms fire over the radio, grow ever louder, as the sgt said he and his men were being overrun. The major, exasperated with him, started pulling rank on him, and in the middle of it there was an explosion and the line went dead.
With that fresh on my mind, I soon got a call from my company clerk back at Eagle. He told me I was being put in for "all kinds of medals". After the radio conversation I had just overheard, I bulked at it. He could tell and tried to assure me it was okay. He said he was being put in for some of these same medals. I blew a fuse, and told him off and where he could shove those medals. Anyway, he got mad and purged my 201 file. Lost my rank -- through the lost paperwork -- and medals I received from the Herd.
I was a nervous wreck at that firebase. I had PTSD from being in the 173rd, and having been mortared for a solid month. The firebase I was on, FB Bastogne, had constant outgoing, and this noise preyed on my nerves. I was supposed to have a 3 man crew, but I had to man the site solo.
After the 101st, and 1st Aviation at Viking, I limped back to Ft Lewis, where I was discharged. I only had record of the 2 Viet Nam service medals and national defense. Nothing else. I came home as a lowly Spec4, even though I had been promoted to Staff.
(cont'd)
After arriving in Oakland, and experiencing their hate for me, I took a bus home to San Jose. Got even more hate than any 19 year old should experience, after coming home from combat. I dug a deep hole under my mother's house, and holed up there for 6 months.
Back at Eagle, we got slammed by Typhoon Hector. Tore all the roofs off our buildings. I had just come in from inspecting commo sites at nearby firebases. Anyway, it was raining on me, because the roof was gone. I got angry, rolled off my plywood board, then rolled under the bed and went back to sleep. Afterall, what was a typhoon, compared to being in combat.
I lived in the bush, in Hawaii, my last years of homelessness. Strung a hammock high up in Banyon Trees, and slept there. Also, went to Northshore on Oahu, and slept between palm trees. It was not easy, but it was better than the blizzards I went through in the Dakota's, or the torrential rains in Ontario, or Arizona desert heat. Or my time in the Rockies.
Somehow, after having felt I "died in Viet Nam", I made it back. But I'm still not all here. Miss my older kids fiercely, and my grandkids. Losing my relationship with my kids was worse than combat.
Anyway, if you even read this, sorry it is so long and personal. Maybe soneone else will read it and remember me. I so want to connect with friends from back then.
I don't hang with guys at Veterans' posts -- such as the VFW. I don't drink anyway. I tried checking in with veterans groups online, but I got flak from morons, and inundated with junk mail. So I quit that garbage.
Went to Philippines. That didn't work out at all. Ended up marrying a woman 25 years younger than me, from Ukraine. Lived there awhile. We've been married since 2002.
Almost killed myself one time. (I don't mean the suicide attempts from when I was young.) I was working as an armed guard in a highrise building, in downtown Boston. Up on the 35th floor, I encountered the meanest looking guy up there. No one was supposed to be up there but me. He drew his gun on me, and he was fast! Just as fast as me. And he looked so intense. I was about to shoot him, before I discovered, that short hallway had a huge floor to ceiling mirror on it.
@@markgossett3709 I was there in the An Lao Valley at that time I vaguely remember this extraction but it has been sometime ago that these things happened but you pilots were our angels that came to the rescue and am much obliged.
Proud to have a son in law who was 173rd 75th Ranger Regiment Desert Storm, 3 tours, you guys were and are true BADASS, huh Ahh.
One of my best friends in the world was an RTO in the 173rd 70-71. Thanks for sharing this, gives me a look at folks I know shared his unit. Cool to think he might have known or met some folks I am seeing here.
This is history, I am so proud of serving on under the 173Rd flag
Nice Job, Ned, thanks for adding to our legacy through your videos and photos. Looking forward to seeing you at our reunion next year.
I had nine jumps before I even turned 18. G company 143rd long range reconnaissance Patrol. Love them guys them guys. Y'all be good be safe
Finger on the Trigger, Thumb on the Safety
Say goodbye uncle, mom can’t see me off
Watch the sky when I take off
And wonder where I land
When the doors open
The blast furnace turns on
And the beads of sweat start rolling clinging to my neck like a noose
I walk on the tarmac
See the diapered enemy
Looking like rebel babies
See our soldiers in the green bags
Jesus Christ who in the Hell is worse off
Them or me?
My first meal is tasteless shaking fear
Of an enemy that keeps on coming
Take a deep breath
Get your weapon
Now I have a chance to defend myself
My life
My fellow soldiers
The battle is near
Bouncing on a dirt road
The kids greet us with the middle finger
First duty, burning sh*t
Everyone stays away from that black smoke
My buddies walk by going just over the wire to check out a sighting
I can hear the swirling blades
So cool to rise above the ground and see forever
Goodbye guys,… forever
I move to a new unit
Men with Painted Faces
My life dead is worth 10,000 Dong
I think that’s meaningful somehow
I’m best in the jungle
I don’t speak but silent gestures of death
Sometimes I don’t move
but I’m always aware of
Snakes
Lizards
Birds
Insects
Mountains
Leaves
Twigs
Rain
Wind
Clouds
Light
Rocks
Trees
Vines
Dirt
And the moon
No sounds
No trails
No footprints
No defoliated areas
Nothing shiny
Only cover, a must
I sleep with my M16 left side, radio phone right ear
And my 45 on my chest
Finger on the Trigger, thumb on the safety
Eight months and I touch my legs and belly
I’m still alive with a scar in my ear
The sound of that bullet that zoomed by my head
My brain is sharp but knocked out a few times
I think I lost brain cells
No problem, I hear they start dying by age 25 anyway
Just 20 and now I feel like a man given a second chance at life
paroled from the hand of death
Full uniform to get a flight discount
I walk down a lonely terminal LAX
but it could be anywhere X
The tall guy with the long dirty brown hair stares intensely at me
He walks towards me
I can see him making spit
Hard to believe this *ss hole would actually think he could do that
And live to tell about it
I feel my eyes burn a stare
And speak not a word
But saying… you do that and you won’t walk out of here
He hears my eyes
He feels the weight of my stare on his every bone
As he passes
....he swallows it.
God I love my country
Evocative and Powerful Thank you Ed
Far Out Man It wasn’t about him it was written from the perspective of a soldier in a LRRP unit during Vietnam
@Anton Chigurh thanks!
David Gaines No reason whatsoever? The south Vietnamese people needed our help and communism is the biggest threat to American democracy. The VC were terrible people they’re the OG ISIS they killed and tortured innocent people just to further their political cause. You don’t know shit about history that’s pretty obvious.
David Gaines the US stopped the spread of communism in South East Asia.
GOD BLESS ALL AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
Shoulda got a warm welcome back then.
Sorry it's late for this.
But thank You for your services,even the ones who never made it home.
You are not forgotten,
In our hearts,
In our mind,
In our souls,
EVER!!!
Door gunner Casper 1970.
Spent a lot of time with November kilo. Rangers. I know they were glad to see us
Thank you all for your service and for doing the job and task required to do. I dont beleieve in respect for no man other than the man who straps his boots on in the morning and does his job. Welcome home ya'll. Thank you for your service.
God bless you all.
I love the sound of the blades. Thank you for your service. Ct/tx
I thoroughly enjoyed this! I'm 40, so I never saw the war, but one of my Dad's best friends died there flying Cobras in support of the 101st ABN at Camp Eagle in Phu Bai 1970. Because of him, and hearing about him at such a young age, for some reason it really had an impact on me and I became obsessed with the military and later, specifically the Vietnam war and Special Operations. I also became obsessed with the music of the era. All three of your song selections are three of my favorites. Thanks again for your hard work putting this together. I really appreciate it and enjoyed it!
hrdknox2000 My brother in law was also 101st airborne camp eagle / PUI BAI (Hawks)he was a pilot of a Ah-1G killed May -11- 1969 his name was John Rucker
Thanks to all who served in the military and in Vietnam.
Thanks guys you are American pride and walking bad ass. LRRP love you and all Vets. (1990-94) US NAVY vet.
tengo 70 años y lo sigo escuchando como el primer dia en los años 60 lo mejor que me paso en la vida ,,,nunca mas habrá como esta música,,con toda la basura que se escucha hoy por siempre y para siempre una belleza de melodías que te llevan a un lugar que nunca conoces a todos los muchachos de los 60 les deseo larga vida en todo el planeta tierra ,,,solo una vez se vive ,y no despreciarlos yo soy un muchacho de los 60 y soy BOLIVIANO,,SALUDOS INFINITOS A TODOS LOS MUCHACHOS DE LOS 60
Thank you for your service! I served in operation Iraqi freedom. 2 tours 03-04 08-09.81 heavy brigade combat team HHB 2-146th FA.
My father just passed away April 18th 2020, he was 82nd Airborne Ranger he was drafted in Aug. Of 1966, and did all his basic training and jump school ect, and off to Vietnam, He was in the
173rd Ranger Battalion and was in a LRRP unit he was shot in the left side of his chest and carried that bullet over 50yrs. As it was close to his heart from what I understand that is why they didnt remove it, he did get the
Bronze Star and the
Purple Heart he did one tour 1966-67, he has brothers who were 2 in the Navy 1 Marine 1 Army a few of them did 3-4 tours, I come from a family of Gladiators
Thanks to the Men that fought that bloody nightmare. God bless you all .
Great Video!!!!! We don't give enough credit, to the men and women who served in the military, during the Vietnam War!!!!! My father survived a one year tour, in the Army during 1967, some of his comrads did not.
Thank You for this nice time to document an excellent precious piece of history.Thank You for this nice time document. Thank you for recording and sharing this. I really appreciate it and I am thankful. Thank you for protecting our freedom by serving our country. May God bless you and your family. - Semper Fi . !
1970 - 1971, LZ English, 173rd Airborne Brigade, 75th Rangers.....Nobody did it better than Casper Platoon.
Pulled me out of the bush and deep shit, more than once. Some of the Bravest Human Being ever.
stevescasa Vietnam must have been a real struggle. My dad and uncle never want to talk a lot about it. I don't know what else to say, i thought i would know. Thank you for being out there with all my family members who were there. I like to think all of you guys worked together to get home.
Thanks for your service
I was on LZ English in 1968 with the 1st Cav, 7th Bn, Co. "C".
@@raulgonzales1374 Thanks for building LZ English.
LOL...What a mud hole...Shit...
Fake Valor, you peeled potatoes behind the lines Stateside
thanks 4 your sacrifice all made, Casper platoon/ Lrrps. Never quit my brothers! sec Usn vn. dv. Hooyah SEAL TM 6, all Sforces. Men of Steel! I salute your service! and ur reunion, God bless You.
Wow the most awesome vid I seen yet on Vietnam. It just stirred up so many emotions to my core pride, hate, remorse, joy, love. Oh nab what an roller coaster ride.
My uncle fought in Europe WW2. My father in Korea, another uncle and several cousins in Vietnam. Myself in Desert Shield/Storm.
I empathize with all our nation's warriors. As I look back now and even today I can understand my family better. Their outbursts of rage, the drinking, the drug abuse that dogged them to untimely deaths or inability to live a stable life.
Tried to be strong and stand by myself finally went to VA, got some help. To any vets out that the VA has changed a lot in the way they now deal with PTSD. If you have problems do yourself a favour and give them a try.
Again awesome vid man, keep it up.
Rip lloyd mcmagee
Anyone outther e who was in8th division 509th mechanized airborne unit 68-70?
Hello Richard Bailey 173th Airborne LRRP if your alive, Richard was from Jacksonville, Fla as I was also. We served in Pleiku in the central Highlands at the same time. I Robert Thornton returned home remaining good friends with Richard for decades, unfortunately I lost contact with Richard around 1995-97. My friend and comrade
My Dad, SSG Larry Snair, 173rd "COWBOYS" 67-68. Door gunner, Never wanted to fly again after retirement in 1974. Died 2006
What an awesome video! My father's name is Robert "Bob or Bobby" Joseph Rutherford from Altoona, PA. He enlisted in the Army after high school in June of 1968 and fought in Vietnam until the end of 1971. He originally served with the 82nd airborne before joining the 173rd airborne 75th infantry N company LRRP Rangers. I was just wondering if the person who made this video or anyone that commented served with him. Sadly he was killed in 2002 at the age of 51 but I have all of his photos from Vietnam that I would gladly share with anyone that was in his squad.
Good luck man my grandfather was a Green Beret that served 4 tours in Vietnam and it's been next to impossible to find anyone that served with him
I missed the draft by 2 years ,my uncle did 3 tours ,2 Purple Hearts,came home killed himself,God bless you all ,and thank you for your service.
Sorry for your uncle brother my heartfelt thanks to that both of my parents did the same thing as far as I know he was service connection I was adopted. But thank you all for your service and especially your uncle and his fallen brothers and sisters. Outstanding work thank you all military and civilian that support for making this a better place to live.
AWSOME! Now that I’m approaching my late 60s I got to get my butt in gear and start attending reunions!
Semper Fi and welcome home my brothers! 👍🏽🇺🇸
RIP John Leppelman. Thank you for your service, and for your words.
I served with a guy who had been in November Co. 75th Inf. Rangers in Vietnam, he was one squared away soldier in the field.
" We us U.S. " Ghost Soldiers " Made
Attempts to Rescue P.O.W.'s in Hanoi,
Viet Nam.
" God Help P.O.W.'s Around Your World "
amen.
These Soldiers had balls of Steel. The toughest of the tough. I was in the Army 1982-84 a decade after Vietnam and their exploits were always talked about.. A SALUTE to all of you as Veterans Day is almost here. These are what real AMERICAN HEROES Look like.
Thank you Sir, thank you all, God bless you.
These helicopter pilots had to have big balls to go into such a small LZ.
Great pictures! I was a 1st Cav LRRP/ Ranger 68-69
God bless and thanks for your service🇺🇸🙏🇺🇸
incredible photos of an incredible time.. thank you steve in Australia
1:05 Manuel Mannie Moya
died in a car accident 41 years ago near Chama, New Mexico.
Forgot, Mannie Moya was a real bad ass.
He was smart as hell.
R.I.P
Was he from New Mexico im from Santa Fe?
The guy on the left. He is in several SEAL-pics - Co Rentmeester did a series on them, for TimeLife.
Found this - could be him: www.legacy.com/obituaries/santafenewmexican/obituary.aspx?n=manuel-r-moya&pid=160946125&fhid=7148 (but, not died 41 years ago).
The guy with the glasses is: facebook.com/reed.cundiff - coincidentally (?) both from N.M.
My brother John 173 Airborne Casper it was his helicopter. He just passed away last year 2021 of agent orange. I miss him so much
There is a HUGE difference in these Men and regular Army soldiers and you can see it especially in their eyes.
Class 663 to all "bush babies"! 50 years+ has passed but never a brother
has given so much or ever a brother has given their all, will I ever forget!
God bless and see y'all again on the other side!
Thanks to all of my Airborne Brothers for a job well done! LRRPS Lead The Way!
Great collection of photos....gave me the shivers.
My god,,,I lived through these songs and never understood what the lyrics were saying. Shit I am so dense.. I had friends in the service and they all loved these songs, straight to their souls. THANK YOU
My pops was in the 173rd from 68-71, James Thompson. Thank you for these. Would love to connect with others who’s parents’ served in the same platoon.
Some of the best images I've seen from the vietnam war. You all are a bunch of badass looking dudes. If I was vc I would be shaking in my flops when yall hit the landing. Thank u for your service and welcome home.
Thank you ! That was a great slide show. My dad was 129th AHC 67-69
Usta fly with these guys on radio repair runs to remote firebases way out off hyway 9 in 67-68. You just wouldn't even be able to believe what they can make those slicks do when they get an emergency extraction call. We were on a repair mission and I thought for sure we were all about to die when suddenly we pitched into a strieghtdown dive for maybe 4,000' but then the pilot feathered at the last second, the skid touched a fallen tree trunk blasted out of the triple canopy jungle and two LRRPs dove in the cabin. Then the pilot yanked the transom and I never knew a helicopter could fly up that fast either. I almost fell out when one of the LRRPs grabbed my arm and pulled me back in as I was floundering for purchase. Dude saved my life. Way thanks guys. Proud to have served with ya.
MY BEST FRIEND EDWARD GUARA.SLIVER WAS WITH YOU BROTHER'S. I JUST NOW SAW A PICTURE OF HIM. WITH YOU BROTHER'S. YOUR THE BEST OF THE BEST. I WAS IN CU CHI WHEN YOU WERE THERE IN THE 70TH BLESS YOU GUYS. YOUR THE FIRST ONE'S TO JUMP IN VIETNAM. IN 1970 WAS THE LAST TIME I SAW MY BROTHER. AND HE CAME HOME AND SOME ONE KILLED HIM RAN OVER HIM. AND I CRIED SO MUCH FOR HIM.
Love at 7:46 the Remington 870 12 Ga. Shotgun. Street Howitzer. You guy's did it, Thanks.
yes I served with the 173rd Nov company 75th Lrps 69 till the unit came home Air borne brothers all the way long live the heard :)
Nick Ergas You knew Chase Riley and the guys in team India found a picture of em
I worked with a guy in that unit. Pulled a bad guy off of me as he was trying to throw me over a railing. Took the fight right out of the fucker.
George Taylor 173rd Nam' God Bless y'all boys. Love to see them still kickin
@@guykessler2756 check thar local DAV, son maybe can help point yer right direction. God blesd
@@guykessler2756 your welcome and when you find em tell em George Taylor says hello. We drafted back on then.
That's awesome! These military action heroes were really look like real-life LVN Action Heroes!
My respect to all the VIETNAM VETS THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
Thanks for these great pictures, thanks to everyone that served , and everyone that thanks us means a lot, was there 1970 lz english n co rangers
my cousin was with 173rd 68-70.........sooooo proud of him and all his LRRP brothers...........i was a marine not army. i don't that against him. lol......rick you are my hereo!! always will be.....love ya cousin.
My thanks to all that served. My father was chopper pilot 1st Aviation Brigade 12th CAG 11th CAB 173rd AHC Robinhoods & Crossbows at An Khe.. and at some point flew with the 335th Cowboys & 173rd Airborne. I wish he was around to ask but I found 335th cowboys plaque. 2 tours 65-66 & 69-70. Majority of his medals (Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Stars, Legion of Merit, etc...) are from May & June 1970. Didn't know about the medals until after he died...Just trying to get more info of sorties or missions in that time frame.
Lai Khe
Proud to call LRRP Reed Cundiff a friend. The LRRP from the Time Magazine article. The young soldier wearing the glasses about 4 or 5 pics into this montage
Jim Nelson; my old buddy from OKC; Salesman, repo guy, Dutch beer consumer, this vid is for you.
Some baddest dudes that ever walk the planet. SSG Raleigh May my buddy forever .
Grandpa Bill Vietnamese farmers say otherwise
@@erminecii1391 ever do something with YOUR life.....or you just a typist?
Enjoy your freedom. Oh, don't get up! Someone already earned it for you.
Derek S shut the fuck up my father is a veteran in the Canadian army, two tours in Afghanistan so I know what I’m talking about, take a fucking joke, imagine all the kids they killed where’s there respect????????? Huh
Those farmers sent u white boys packing real quick
Y’all lost to farmers in Vietnam