Helicopter Pilot’s Unforgettable War Stories From Vietnam
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- čas přidán 25. 06. 2024
- After being drafted into the Army in 1969, Stephen Franich Jr. completed training as a helicopter pilot and deployed to Vietnam in 1971. Franich would spend the ensuing twelve months flying combat operations with both the 134th and 129th Assault Helicopter Company.
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Chapters:
0:00 - Saying Goodbye
1:43 - Shot Down
5:25 - Witnessing Death
11:08 - Homecoming
14:50 - Worked Like a Charm
18:30 - Reflections
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Sir, you earned the right to be as emotional as you want anytime, anywhere.
Huey pilot, 68th AHC, Bien Hoa, 68-69.. My story is very similar to his story.. My mother draped the Miraculous Medal around my neck.. I too never turned down a mission.. It helped too that our church was right across the street from our home.. My mother never mentioned it but I am sure she spent a lot of time over there.. I needed all the help I could get..
@barsoom43 - Thank You for your Service there.🇺🇸 Question : did you or others on your ship crew drip fuel into the sand filled cookie tin, place an empty tin on top to boil water for coffee per: Robert Mason ?
@@mrwest5552 Huey's had several fuel cell drains on the belly... What we did sometimes was fill a can with sand and wet it with fuel.. take an old style beer can opener and puncture across the top of the can to make little spikes sticking up.. Then light the JP-4 and set a can of food on top of the impromptu heater and warm the contents.. Had to be careful with that because we could get a scramble notice at any moment and have to pull pitch.. so there you'd be with a hot can and half warmed food.. Mostly, I ate my C's cold but I do have a picture of one of those little heaters.
@@barsoom43 - thank you for your reply Sir - Mason's was largely the same recollection. cookie tins and army instant coffee, no sleep, engine shut down on the top of a knoll having flown all night, ate their cookies drank their coffee sittin' in the seat. back when i was young dumb and full of cum U.S. Forest Service brought on aux fire crews and i humped. we weren't given much beyond water so when a Forest Service crew gave up their old rats we thought it was payday. 🇺🇸
Glad you made it back for your sake and mom's. Thanks for your sacrifice.
@@raymondfryar1533 Thank you.. Later in life, I turned my flight skills into more productive work as an air ambulance pilot for a major university hospital program.. flew over 5K medical flights in 26 years.
God Bless. I was a CW2 pilot in 4 corps in 69/70. Glad we both made it back.
Thank you, Brother
Love the St. Christopher story. May your Mom Rest In Peace.
To you, good sir, and all those who served with the integrity with which you did, whether they came back alive or not, we thank you.
Chopper Pilots were life savers.
Lima Platoon, A Co., 1/26th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Oct. 1, 1966- Oct. 1,1967. To all my dear pals, who gave all.
Thank you, Brother
As a 11B I was amazed at the bravery, skill and tenaciousness of the ”Chopper” pilots.
Well done, Sir. Family is everything and family isn't always blood connected.
Such a heartfelt interview from a good man. It tugged on my heartstrings
What an incredible story that was! 🙏🇺🇸.
Welcome home Brother. We were there and wearing our St Christopher medals at about the same time. I went over in Feb 72 and came home the end of Jan 73. My grandmother had a medal blessed by the bishop of her church and told me to wear it, that it would protect me . . . We saw a bunch of action that spring with the Easter Invasion, the stand downs and all, troops were going home everywhere but those of us the flew just changed units and flew special forces or ARVN support. Although many around me got shot up, my helicopter never took a hit. I tell the story on occasion but never heard anyone else with the same story. Thanks for sharing . . .
Emotional 🙏 Salute... They called... He hauled..
Thank you for sharing your story..Thank you for serving.
Very emotional story, thank you for sharing. I was a Marine stationed there near the DMZ in 1967-68 during the TET OFFENSIVE. I’ll never forget it.
What division, battalion, company, squad were you in troop?
@@Buce-ku9vx HQ Co. 4th Marines, Communications
Mr, You are a true hero!
My mom gave me a Saint Christopher’s medal to wear when I went to fly in the air force. I served and I am still here and will be 80 in September
Thank you for your sacrifice. It is very much appreciated. Thanks again.
THANK YOU!!!
Do you still wear the saint Christopher
@@johnashep109 Whenever I travel I wear it. As a matter of fact I just came back from. two week trip and wore it all the time
What is a St. Christopher’s medal?
My husband was there in the infantry. He was a lucky one that made it home.
Welcome home and thank you so much for your service.❤️🇺🇸
Thank you for your service and for those who served with you and after you.
God Bless.
I never called anyone a hero But you sire are one, l've hear lot of helicopter pilots stories from Vietnam ,and there's no doubts of your heroic deeds while there. All in all its one of the best and happiest Vietnam stories I've heard. Mom prays are blessing. Thank you sir 🙏
Yes Sir you will see him one day and..He'll thank you for trying to save him!..God Bless You Sir..
Absolutely incredible. Thank you for your service to America.
Thank you for serving and doing your best. You didn't waver sir! Glad you made it home. Salute!
brilliant record Sir - thank you for sharing it for the future to learn
Thanks for your service please remember you did your best!!! Everyone please remember the ones that didn’t make it back home!! Thanks67 was my year
Beautiful story sir! We all owe your family our gratitude ❤
Thanks for ur service!
Tears flowing!!
I'm always impressed with these helicopter pilots. These guys had nerves of steel and bravery was never questioned. Semper Fi
Welcome home Brother.
Thank you for your service, sir. My son’s father in law was a Cobra pilot in Vietnam. Both of you are heroes!
Thank you for sharing your experience, your service and your passing on the heritage with your grandson!
Thank you for telling us your story. I'm very touched and inspired. I've heard that real heroes never consider themselves heroes, they just do what is needed to be done. How amazing you are still that "hero" willing to go back if needed! Thank you for being you!
@robert, AMEN!!
Right on brother.
You say “inspired”, but have you done anything with that inspiration? Such as something as small as, donations to a veterans centre that helps to fight homelessness when they come home. Or something as big as joining the military yourself to make that change
March 30th 1972 I was 11 years old,it was the year I got saved and Baptized
I know so many Vietnam vets. Most just didn't want to discuss their experiences, but I could feel how it weighed on them. I'm so glad that through these projects, the vets are finally able to express their thoughts. Thank you.
God Bless this amazing soldier and his family. We are very grateful for your service to our nation. ❤
An extremely touching story that catches your voice in throat.
War is not for good people, but unfortunately bad people start wars and good people have to end them.
And Go Your Way In Safety. St Christopher goes with me everywhere. Glad he was with you. God Bless You. 52 years wearing a POW-MIA bracelet
May I ask who the POW-MIA bracelet belonged to or who it was made in remembrance for? I'm just curious because obviously it can't have been made for you, you not being either a prisoner of war or missing in action.
@@jameslong9921 Charles L Hoskins . My first one was Frederick Masterson who was a POW and was released in probably 1973. Sadly he was killed in an automobile accident
Thank you Sir for your courage and your service. And to all our service men and women. Thank you!!! I unfortunately never severed and wished I would have. You all have my respect and admiration.
I saw posts from other Vietnam vets who called these Huey pilots angels in the sky !
Thank you for your service, your skill , bravery,and your honorable 🌹service to our country 🇺🇸 God Bless you ✝️
Thank you for sharing! GB
You are indeed a hero, sir. God bless you.
Sitting here, floored. Wow. What an experience. Guys like this are truly special, indeed. Grateful for his service. ✌🏻
God bless this man.
Beautiful survival story!
My mom didn't know I was coming home either. I miss my mom
All Good SIR.......Thank You......and your Family......FOR EVERYTHING !!!
SIr i could not hold back my tears when you went home and gave your mom back her necklace. Thank you for your service.
I flew my first tour in the Central Highlands, (II Corps), been to lz english a few times, LZ Bong Son, Oasis, Dak To. I can't remember all of those FSB's. I went down in my loach,(OH-6a) near Oasis I think it was. RVN- 7-/71/72. Now I flew a wheelchair. Scouts out.
You did what I had thought seriously about doing. Some guys coming back from being in country talked me out of it. I graduated VFMA in '70.
Amazing story. God bless you, Sir.
Wow very powerful story, god bless you Mr French
I can sleep without a care. How do I thank you for your service. How do I thank all who are in service. WITH ALL MY HEART AND SOUL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
Steven is of Croatian descent
what an incredible story of faith!!! thank you
"Pickle, soon as that door opens we are gonna be FIRST in line!" No wonder he survived with clever moves like that one!!
Thanks for your story. You are a veteran HERO in my book. Thanks for your service. God Bless you.
Welcome home Sir. Thank you for sharing your story.
As a British senior guy I thank you for your service bud
As a retired Chicago Police officer I had St. Michael with me everyday. Saints are awesome and always there to help.
11B here. These guys always put themselves in harms way just to save our asses on many occasions. Hearing those rotary blades off in the distance was always a relief.
Very touching to say
the least
Oh mate, your the best of the best
Happy Memorial Day everyone 🦅
Thankyou for your story Stephen. Thankyou so much.
Brings back old memories.
You ARE a hero!! Dont think otherwise. God bless you and welcome home❤❤❤
Wow! What a great man and great storyteller. Thank you for your service you are an inspiration to myself and I'm sure meant others as well.
Very emotional story for all who heard it. Thank you Sir
Thank you Sir..
Thank you brother, I was a tunnel rat and the copters saved my ass a few times .I LOVE MY FLAG
Nam vet. This is slightly off topic and more than a little stupid and juvenile, but you might get a giggle out of it. I am sure that you remember the standard greeting when you met someone over there (at least among enlisted troops) of "SHORT!", followed by announcing how many days left before you rotated. So "short, 93 days" was how it went.
I was in a shitter, on base somewhere in the Delta, just reading the graffiti on the walls, when I saw "short, 364 days, and it feels like I just got here yesterday! Stupid, I know, but it cracked me up then, and I still remember it 50+ years later!
Love the story. Here's another one. This was in 1968, south of Da Nang a ways. One of the guys in my unit carried a Lucky Eddy's Rabbit Foot on his dog tag chain. He got chided for it from time to time, but he was respected enough to where the guys knew to back off when need be. The guy's first name was Doug. We came under an ambush and Doug got shot in the chest. The hole needed to be plugged up and one of the guys yanked the Rabbit's foot off Doug's chain and stuffed it into the entry hole. Back at basecamp, doc's said it probably saved his life.
Wow. That brought tears to my eyes. I was Infantry in the 80’s, never deployed. Much respect.
You would have if ordered to, so you deserve a big thank you!
@@stevet8121 I was begging to go, but there was nothing going on and nowhere to go. I was also very young and naive.
@@lowandslow3939 Every good combat soldier is young and naive. It's what makes them good combat soldiers. I'm 75 and was young and naive during the Vietnam era but missed seeing action.
@@stevet8121 Well, we both wrote the check, but Uncle Sam didn’t cash it.
@@lowandslow3939 Amen, brother!
Huey Pilot, 87-96, medevac most of the time. My heart goes out to you Steve and your St Christopher.
Like some off the other respondents here, I too was WOPA. Class 69-1, Nam 69-70 Ist Cav. I also had, and still have and carry, a St. Christopher medal. I used to tell guys over there that I wasn't superstitious - but that medal was what kept the main rotor blades on .... (LOL). Welcome home, Brother.
I wore my st. Christopher since 1970 and still have it on had replaced the chain a few times it also brought me back home ! Dang it just brought tears to my eyes! It’s the enamel Irish green! Semper fi!
Thank You, Sir, For Your Beautiful Story & Your Service! How Could It Not Be Emotional! I'm Glad You & Your Friend Came Home, & Your Grandson! A Dear Friend Of Mine Was A Dustoff Pilot & Instructor Who Also Served In Vietnam In Those Last Years... When The Gulf War Was To Begin, Rick Was Still Serving & He Was One Of The 600+ Americans Who Died During That Very Brief War....He Was Killed In Training With His Night Vision.... I Never Got Over It, It Felt Like I Had Lost My Brother, Who Also Served In Vietnam! It Is So Very Important That Veterans, From Whatever Era, Share Your Stories, Your Experience & Your Wisdom For Future Generations & To Know The Sacrifices That You Have Made! God🙏Bless You!🇺🇸
Amazing video
Very moving video; thank you Stephen Franich for your service and your valor.
i done 30 days as a door gunner on a UH-1 HUEY, around pleiku, pla-Durang, ankhe, ba Mettuit, tew a wah. 4th div.
Thank you for your service, sir. God bless you.
Thank you for everything you did and thank you for sharing your story
What a great story. God bless you and your family, and thanks for your service.
Thanks for all your service. And especially those that never came home. Salute and respect…
God Bless you, glad to call you a brother.
Thanks for your service in vietnam. Mom's are great, they love you no matter what, an can embarrase you. I could never get over on my mom.
Very awesome. Thanks for your service!
Many thanks for your service and sharing the story!
Thank you for the story and welcome home, Sir.
Thank you for your stories and service Mr. Franich. St. Christopher came full circle.
THis is Gold. Thank you!
thank you sir for telling this story and your mum thanking her for sending chris with you,, cheers from oz
Thank you for your Service.
11:00 THISISSO !!!
13:50 - 18:27 There is no biblical word for coincidence.
''They''
They served and defended those lives They did not live.
For Those in Their day were They.
''For none are closer to the author of pain & sacrifice Himself.
Than those who choose to perform it for the sake & safety of others.''
~U.S. Paratrooper Sgt. William 'Rock' Gilpin 82nd Abn. Div.1/504 ...
a half a century ago back in '74.
Currently:
Just another one of those many one's of... ''We His Believer's''
Who's patiently waiting & watching for '.' His✝Just⚖Return🪃'.'
Thank you for your service and thank you for the story..... God bless
Thanks for your story.
Awesome story. Thank you for sharing.
Good man. Thanks for sharing.
This was an amazing story. Thank you for sharing and your service.
This mans story has me in tears.