Listen to our podcast 🎤: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-vietnam-experience/id1732962685

Something tells me his grandchildren stuck that googly eye on there without him realising...he had no idea, the man survived the VC only to be fooled by tricksy toddlers. In all seriousness, he's earned the right to wear googly eyes. Absolute living legend and hard as nails.

@nathanielovaughn2145

4 ай бұрын

I picked up that he has a very wry sense of humor, dry humor, and smiled to myself and immediately thought what a cool and truly bad-ass he must be.

@battlecatsgo

4 ай бұрын

@@nathanielovaughn2145 I could see a grandkid adding it, and him giggling along with them and saying "leave it on there, it's funny". They don't make 'em like that anymore.

@andylikesyourkite

4 ай бұрын

I think men who have endured hellfire are far too mature to be offended by a googly eye on their eyepatch, much less suffer someone being offended on their behalf.

@bobdixon4998

Ай бұрын

Probably his wife sews and is a hobbiest of sorts and probably saw the googly eyes at a fabric store, or hobby lobby. Or a buddy at the VFW came up with it.

@truecrimejungle

23 күн бұрын

10/10 patch, googly eye is top tier.

I arrived in the States as a fresh immigrant in 1989. My first 6 years were in DC. I used to ride my bicycle down to the Vietnam Memorial and thanked all the dead soldiers for their sacrifice. Those soldiers gave everything so people like me could taste freedom and experience a new and better life. Thank you.

@Skorzeny14996

Ай бұрын

Amazing. I remember going to the memorial in 8th grade middle school. I was shocked it was so long….

@MarcDemmon

Ай бұрын

So did the enemy too

@pricelessmakoa4482

Күн бұрын

I’m glad you got to enjoy America my friend. Enjoy, and I hope you find your own American dream✊🏽🇺🇸

I so appreciate these men sharing their stories. He is so articulate and compelling.

I lost my left eye in Combat with L/3/7 in 1969 while on patrol in I-Corps…. But no prosthetic I’ve ever had… has the Character of this one…. SEMPER FI

@lisagrignon5365

4 ай бұрын

Thank you for your service and sacrifice! I’m Seabee veteran and I respect all of you soldiers who sacrificed for our country!🤟🏼❤️😉🫡🇺🇸

@boldmarines

4 ай бұрын

@@lisagrignon5365. I worked with CB’s several times, providing security for them repairing a bridge….when these dudes showed up they were ARMED TO THE TEETH… 3 M60 ‘Pigs’. Mortar tubes (2)… and various other Sexy Firearms… a BAR, Grease Gun… one dude had a Luger from WWII…. They were Builders, well, that may be, but they were READY to defend themselves and their Brothers….. Always looking for Souvenirs…. Semper Fi

@user-uw8bm1jv8k

3 ай бұрын

My cousin, a 2nd. Lt., was KIA in '66, serving as a FO for the 11th M.A.R., in Quang Ngai province. They were supporting the 7th, during Operation Fresno.

@jarhead1814

2 ай бұрын

I was with L3/7 in 66 for a short time

@fivedotfivesix59

Күн бұрын

My pops was near hawk Hill/chu-lai(I Corp), in 69-70 196th lib americal div.

Fantastic pictures and story. So much happened in that war most Americans will never know. So important to document these experiences. Thank you

My Uncle George served in 5th Group with Mr. James. I’ve had the honor of meeting the man a few times. His & my Uncle’s stories have always fascinated me as I was growing up. Clear up until the time I enlisted in early 2004 on a 18x contract. I still enjoy hearing the stories the older guys of Army SOF went through in Vietnam. The only difference now is that they don’t have to do all the talking as I now have stories of my own from tGWOT & my own deployments. Now it’s us telling the stories to the younger generation and hope they somehow find inspiration in our stories and go enlist themselves and hopefully keep our 4 generations of Army SOF “family tradition” going!

@christopherhazell420

3 ай бұрын

Are you still serving?

I want to thank. You very much. I am thankful to all Vietnam veterans. My brother was one and im proud of you his brothers in arms. Much love and respect to you sir!

I’m learning so much from these guys. Thank you for putting your experiences out there for us to understand exactly what you went through. God bless you all.

My dad was there……God bless each and every one of you!!!

@Original-Juice

3 күн бұрын

same here. '68- '69. Radio Teletype MOS on a base in the Mekong Delta. Chinook Helicopter co. He and his unit got mortared a lot at night, crazy to think he was one of the lucky ones. You said it, God Bless them. If you can still speak to him about it and he'll allow it with some comfort, do it. My Dad's stage 6 ALZ and he doesn't remember anything now.

Sir, you and Nam Vets like you, have my deepest respect. YOU are a hero. Me…I served at Chu Lai 68-69 1st MAW and was never in any danger, except for incoming but that was maybe just a few times a month. But if I had to do what you did, I might not be here today. I was just lucky to be where I was. And Welcome Home Brother.

@HWG-wm8ld

4 ай бұрын

Thank you for your honesty. The amount of guys telling sea stories these days is staggering. I don’t advertise anything with tattoos, Tshirts or stickers. Guys at the gym are the opposite and all of them are or were special operations or at least a sniper. I ask one question that gets me the truth, come out to my property, I have a great range. In 20 years, one has shown up with a lever gun and a revolver. This guy was a ranger….my ass. Tea cupped the revolver and couldn’t hit an a zone target from 20 yards.

@philbrown9764

4 ай бұрын

@@HWG-wm8ld Since you brought up “honesty”, here’s something I rarely post. Before I was in Nam, I was made a 3371…cook. It was probably the least “glamorous” MOS’s and we always joked about not telling anyone what we did when we rotated back. I guess I was made one because I didn’t know how. HA!

Thanks for going and welcome home!

What Barry Sadler sang about back in 64'---men like him. Thanks for your Service Sgt.

@sinepari9160

Ай бұрын

They were the tip of the spear!

I graduated high school in 78 and entered the workforce with these guys coming back from Vietnam Crazy pictures and crazy stories some were really screwed up mentally beyond repair and some were just tough as a boot The quite ones scared the crap out me at 17 years old But a couple of them shaped me into the man iam today RIP Eddie John Danny Turk 😢

love the eye patch,good job

@giovannicarosa8819

4 ай бұрын

Immediately upon seeing his eye patch, I knew he was my kind of person! Love the dark humor….😂

Met you once in Murphys. Great photography. Served at B-32 Tay Ninh III Corp. great work. People like you let others know we were real. Thank you.

I agree the eye patch is great I can't stop laughing every time they come Back to him 😂

@jasontipton8430

4 ай бұрын

lol yeah that's quite the eye patch

@philbrown9764

4 ай бұрын

The eye patch was pretty unique. I imagine he gets a lot of comments on it.

@trumpdonald6911

4 ай бұрын

I didn’t notice till you mentioned it.

@911mickk

3 ай бұрын

You shouldn't make fun of a Hero. Real Deal.. !

@unnamedchannel1237

3 ай бұрын

@@philbrown9764people too polite to mention it . Elephant in the room

Thankful these men are willing to share their experiences with us. I never dared ask my relatives to speak of their time there unless it came up, which it never has to this day. I knew when I saw him still wearing his timepiece to the inside I better listen up! Nothing but respect for you sir, you are appreciated more than you know.

Dick James is not only as tough and brave as they come, but also as thoughtful and genuine. It seems too many today mistake bluster and bravado for strength and courage. Dick James is living proof that those who walk the walk don’t need to talk the talk.

@felixmadison5736

3 ай бұрын

Exactly! A perfect example is Traitor Trump.

I served in the Navy at a Green Beret camp in the 7 Sisters Mountain region called B-43 (Chi Lang) in 1970. Mr. James’ recollections bring back fond memories of those long ago days. The topography of the area was just as pictured in his video. It was an awful war but a beautiful land.

Great man and even greater eye patch👍🏻

Sir, thank you for your service. You are an American hero!

The moment he says "special eyes" instead of specialized told me this mans going to be gold😂

@bhief473

4 ай бұрын

🤌

@nicklucero24

4 ай бұрын

You can clearly hear the "ed" at the end of specialized. I'm pretty positive he said "specialized, and not eyes"

@devilsadvocate1685

3 ай бұрын

@@nicklucero24 okay, thank you for you opinion. 72 other people seem to agree with me

@somebb

3 ай бұрын

😂😂😂😂​@@devilsadvocate1685

@Mark-sx3rf

3 ай бұрын

You joking? The moment i seen the Googly eye i knew i knew i was in for the duration! 😂 what a man though. Serious operator!

This is one of the best SF stories I have watched. This guy is solid

Amazing, thank you for your service. I’m glad you made it home.

Thanks for these interviews

Great interview Brother. As a Recon guy with Project Delta (67-68). I spent my operational time primarily in I Corps, with some forays into II Corps running missions on the Laotian border. You would have been a great asset to Delta. Welcome home. Storm

Gotta love his sense of humor with the eye.

The hell my mama went through went through with the PTSD and the mental state of my daddy was unreal

So good to tell these experiences! It shows the futility and harm of warfare..glad he survived although with a reminder of his service..those who gave the full measure are the heroes 🙏🏻🕊

Thank you brother for your time and welcome home.

Thanks for your help and service bud

Thank you to all vets...THANK YOU

Fascinating, thanks for sharing, really enjoyed the photos and interview together, great format!

Thank you for your service.

Thank you for your service and for the story.

Thank you for sharing this story!!

Excellent! Thank you!

My dad was in northern Thailand on an air base supporting reconnaissance and SAR squadrons. My brother was a five VN tour green beanie. Both are now gone. I've had the opportunity to visit both Thailand and VN in recent years. Not sure, but I like to think I walked in their footfalls.

@johnr8820

4 ай бұрын

My grandfather flew Douglas A1e Skyraiders out of Thailand into Loas and Cambodia it’s wild the whole time I thought he fought in Vietnam but he said he only flew over Vietnam sky’s a handful of times in an interview I found of him.

@realpropertymangement7640

4 ай бұрын

@@johnr8820 Your grandfather and my dad may have been on the same base in Thailand. My dad was at Udorn (Udon) in northeast Thailand near the border with Laos. Pretty sure Skyraiders flew from there as well. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Udorn_Royal_Thai_Air_Force_Base#:~:text=Udorn%20RTAFB%20was%20the%20Asian,war%20in%20Laos%20and%20elsewhere.

My Father was 101st. Airborne,he promised my Mother(unfairly)that he would never talk about his experience in "Nam" with me.I had enough sense to know enough to research on my own.I CAN'T SAY IT ENOUGH,God bless these Veterans for sharing their stories! I met and became friends with R.Lee Ermey(R.I.P),now,after that?...I would be amazed if I could find ANYONE who served with my dad.

Thank you for sharing your story and your bravery, sir.

Thank you for your story and your service

Thanks for your service

What a legend of a Man. God bless you sir may you live in peace and happiness forever.

Mr James thank you for your military service, Mr James I was in Vietnam since November just came to Thailand will return to Vietnam tell March in 2 weeks so many veterans living here with their Vietnamese wife's have you been back to visit Vietnam since the war

What an absolute legend to have the sheer amount of humor to do this with a googly eye, pull it off and make it seem badass all at the same time time lol

As a Vietnam Veteran myself, I want to say thanks to those brave men who were in actual combat. When I mention to people that I was in Vietnam, I make sure to say that I was never in combat. I'm no hero for sure.

@gladdersdon

Ай бұрын

Yes you are!

@johnnymclaneutah

Ай бұрын

you are still important part of military operations. how would combat operations work without logistics, signal corps, medical corps, the people who make food for the soldiers etc. every branch in the military has their role and without all the soldiers in the background the whole system wouldnt be very efficient and eventually it would collapse.

@michaelwills1926

Ай бұрын

Hey brother you did your duty with fidelity and honor. Head up, And welcome home.

@shawnmendrek3544

10 күн бұрын

Just because you did not see combat does not mean you did not save lives. Most elements of the military are not combat as you know.

I lost it seeing the googly eye on the patch lol great sense of humor! That aside, thank you for service, you have an incredible story. Thanks for sharing

Thank You Sergeant! You’re a TRUE Patriot Sir!

Excellent video

Thank you for your bravery and service!

Thank you for your service

Thank you for your service, sir.

Thank You for Your Service,my Uncle was also a Green Beret in Vietnam. My Families Military History is the reason I went into the Military myself.🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Thank you for your service sir.

I served with the army in Vietnam in 1969, and the Green Berets I met were just awesome. They got into Vietnam on the ground floor. More than 50 years later and I've never met better people. I noticed a scoped M-14 rifle. They were phased out by the M-16 when I was half way through basic in 1968.

Thank you for your service. ❤

I can not thank him more for his service. So many of the Vets can not or will not share their storys. As hard is it is for them to forget, we as beneficiarys of their sacrifices should never forget. For those who share their stories, you help us keep their memories of the fallen alive. Thank you to them all. May we never forget.

Excellent work recording this mans experience in Vietnam. Thanks for sharing with us. Thank you for your service Dick. Semper Paratus.

Thank you sir and welcome home!

amazing stories and photos

Thank you, sir.

Epic story mate. Nothing but respect 🫡

Calm, cool and collected. An American hero who did the job in spite of the awful conditions and threat of death daily. Thank you sir!

Much respect for you sir! God bless you

My uncle Jimmy and Sam Steele both served with SOC MAG. RIP my heros and mentors

Thank you Sir

Great interview with pictures to go along that actually make sense and are from the actual scenes not jsut random pics of vietnam

Salute to this man. One of the most dangerous places and times on Earth and made it home.

Thank you for your service, Sir🫡

Thank you.

Another hero that fought a bad war,an lived 🎖🎖

@etholus1000

2 ай бұрын

Yeah people can say what they want about the war, but these men are total hero’s and warriors that deserve the upmost respect along with many who never got back home

What a story, thank you for your service sir.

I also was in the 5th SFGA, but in II Corps, from August of 1896 to January of 1970. I asked to be assigned there so I could work with the Montagnard people. I wound up spending almost 17 months up there, first as a A Team CO, then to the II Corps Mike Force. A very interesting tour!

Thank you for your service. Blessings

My Uncle was a Sniper in the Vietnam War for the Army Green Beret's. I didn't know what that meant when I was 7 years old. I just knew that he was my Dad's Brother, and he was a kindhearted, funny Uncle, who took me with him to Night Church sometimes. My Dad was a Marine who also served in Vietnam, and it was only later when I was older that he told me how Green Berets were ELITE Soldiers; the Army's version of The Navy Seals.... and he told me that my Uncle was put into situations that most Men wouldn't survive, and he was put in those situations more than a few times. My Dad will ALWAYS be my personal Hero, who fought for his Country with Honor and Valor, and my Uncle will always be a legend who went above and beyond the call to save the lives of untold numbers of American Soldiers. I'll never be half the Man those two were, but I can try, every day, to be worthy of the blood that runs through my veins. May they both Rest In Eternal Peace and Paradise 🕯✝️🕯 GOD Bless America 🇺🇸

Respect for their bravery.

Thank you for your service Sir. Glad you made it Back Home.

Thank You Sir for your great service ---

Love ❤️ our Veterans 💯 Thank you 🙏

All I can think about is the age. We barely had wrinkles on our faces back then, now we are gray and showing our time.

Thank you sir for your service to your country you men are truly amazing God bless

Damn fine job telling your story Mr. Thank you for sharing. Oohrah

Welcome home and thank you for your service Mr James .

Thank you for your service sir God bless you❤

Thank you

Very cool and brave story !

Thank you sir.

The guys that went over the border with the Montanyards were real rock stars.

Thank you Sir for your service. I have a lot of photos from Vietnam.and also have some audio of gun fights.

Great stuff 💪

Thank u SR.

We don't know them all but we owe them all

I'm in love with all the types of Vietnam war Tiger Stripe camouflage patterns. This video is a great treat. Thank you.

@HWG-wm8ld

4 ай бұрын

If they replace the black in the pattern, it would be an effective set of cammies.

@ID-8491

4 ай бұрын

@@HWG-wm8ld Suitable for which kind of terrain? The modern desert tiger pattern made by Tru-Spec was used by some CIA outfit in Afghanistan.

@Skipjack7814

4 ай бұрын

I agree, especially when you see some slim guy with all that stuff on, they just look fierce!

@Skipjack7814

4 ай бұрын

Oh: and the black in the pattern replicates the negative space in jungles, especially at night, under the light of flares, etc. Ill bet it was highly effective.

@majorronaldmandell7835

4 ай бұрын

As Marines in ‘Nam, we in my unit started receiving camos in March of 1968. Other services were never issued these, but some units wore what the could scrounge up here and there from Korean Marines, and South Viet sources, etc. We Marines were wearing three field uniforms all mixed up at that time, at least in my unit, 1. Plain green Stateside unitilities. 2. Plain green Non camo Jungle utilities, and camo Jungle untilities.

I love the "eye" on the eyepatch!

I love that eye. I was trained in fighting by a Green Beret for 2 yrs when I was in my early 20's. Still at 64 yrs old I'm still in good shape and practice. I'm not as fast or strong but will never forget what I learned.

Remembering my hometown hero Project Delta US Army E7 Cecil Joe Hodgson MIA 29, January 1966 An Lao Valley. Never forgotten. The book The Ether Zone written by R.C. Morris covers some of Project Delta’s missions.

It may not have been a popular war but it was a war these men were in and I am so proud of them and always want to hear their story. They sacrificed so much so we could have the world we live in. This man has humor beyond belief with that eyepatch.

@Nautilus1972

4 ай бұрын

They what? WTF did Vietnamese ever do to you? They hated the Chinese! America is the one that invades everywhere!

Thank you for your service 👍🤘👍👍👍👍

Our nation owes these men all the respect in the world. I have never met a Vietnam veteran that was not humble and down to earth.