Rare Combat Footage From My Tour in Vietnam | Veteran Interview
Ойын-сауық
Gary Yeager served as a Machine Gunner with the 101st Airborne in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. After five months in-country, Yeager was wounded by white phosphorus and evacuated to the United States to undergo treatment.
A film crew accompanied Yeager’s platoon for thirty days, collecting film for a documentary about race relations titled “Same Mude, Same Blood.” It can be viewed here: • Same Mud Same Blood
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Chapters:
0:00 - Into the Bush
1:58 - Combat/Life in the Jungle
4:31 - Casualties
5:19 - NBC Film Crew
6:44 - Racial Issues
7:24 - Wounded
9:52 - Evacuated
10:10 - Burn Ward
10:41 - Ashamed
11:33 - PTSD
12:14 - Reflections
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Welcome to the largest KZread channel exclusively dedicated to the Vietnam War. We strive to build a better future by learning from the past. All participants - and their military citations - have been vetted. For the sake of privacy, we do not share veteran contact information.
Do you know a Vietnam veteran, survivor or witness that should be interviewed? Send us an email at the address below.
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The film crew that accompanied Yeager's platoon was filming for a documentary titled "Same Mud, Same Blood." It can be viewed here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/hJ9tmalvdMu8nbQ.html
@stephenpowstinger733
Жыл бұрын
Thanks, I watched it. The video quality is very fuzzy but you can see a few things. Actually, the theme of the piece in race relations in the war hence the title “same mud same blood”. I was in Nam in 68 so it is familiar. I was with the 4th which was in the same general area as the 101st.
@amir4r803
Жыл бұрын
Blessings
@whelennut
Жыл бұрын
God bless you sir!
@sureshchiatar9641
Жыл бұрын
Hero
@Praise___YaH
Жыл бұрын
Guys, here is our Savior YaH The Heavenly FATHER HIMSELF was Who they Crucified/Pierced for our sins and “HERE IS THE PROOF” From the Ancient Egyptian Semitic: "Yad He Vav He" is what Moshe (Moses) wrote, when Moses asked YaH His Name (Exodus 3) Ancient Egyptian Semitic Direct Translation Yad - "Behold The Hand" He - "Behold the Breath" Vav - "Behold The NAIL"
That’s my brother and I’m totally in awe of him and the men and women who served! I’m thankful he came home! Brings tears to my eyes remembering how he was when he came back home! He lost a comrades and friends! Thank you my brother for your service!
@brendanmorrissey2104
Жыл бұрын
Aren't we lucky to have such honourable, humble and brave men with us.
@edkurtz
Жыл бұрын
SSG Kurtz says, Thank You, God Bless You and your family, and Welcome Home Hero! o7
@Edward.Rippett.
Жыл бұрын
God bless him. I pray he is doing well🙏❤️
@paulymac5513
Жыл бұрын
A combat vet's opinion carries more weight no matter his views on things, he gets my respect.
@karlbotkin2349
Жыл бұрын
I'm glad he made it home. My Friend's brother Mike did not. We love and miss him always.
Gary, it was my platoon you were coming to help on Oct 8, 1967. Glad you made it home. God bless.
@jimoconnor6043
Жыл бұрын
hey Gary! Still taking up space I see. Jimmy O
@porenegee
Жыл бұрын
WOW. How very awesome. Glad you BOTH made it home. Thank you all for your service ❤️
@idecidenotyou
9 ай бұрын
God was a delusional man who.was put on a cross to keep.ppl from acting mental in life.. he didnot infact creat one thing.. not the earth not anything.. he was on earth 2000 years ago.. dinosaurs roamed the earth 65million years ago.. time to.wake up and stop following a lie.. go Google it.. facts don't lie..
@LuisFlores-vl3xz
7 ай бұрын
I was born October 9 1967. Thank you for your service sir.
@Wuhangangg
4 ай бұрын
1996 baby cant imagine what you guys did. thank you for everything
It aways amazes me how veterans like Yeager never over-dramatize or chest-thump when talking about combat. They say unassuming things like, "It wasn't too friendly out there." They describe being wet, exhausted, scared, being 135lbs carrying a 50lb pack all day while having leeches and ants constantly all over them as: "It was kind of uncomfortable." They all have my respect and gratitude.
@arthurbrumagem3844
Жыл бұрын
Many of those packs were more than 50 pounds
@bigbadbamboo1
Жыл бұрын
When mortars start hitting the ground, all kinds of things start coming up. Some guys would flip out when Centipedes crawling on them. 😕
@invisibletosociety8338
Жыл бұрын
Brave young men who went through terrible things that can't be explained
@stephenpowstinger733
Жыл бұрын
All these things I encountered - all manner of insects that bit you, esp mosquitos. I recall I picked up a leech on my dick after my pants were shredded falling down in the mountainous jungle. The 101st probably served longer than any other division (although they only had a brigade). Edit: It wasn’t terrible all the time, depending on the unit you were with, but when it got bad it got very bad. The thing was, you didn’t know how bad it would get, the worst case being if you were hit. Luckily I was never hit.
@brandenrunyan1821
Жыл бұрын
A different breed of men than today.
I’m a Marine Nam Vet and was lucky to be stationed at Chu Lai 68-69 1st MAW MAG 12. If I hadn’t been, I might not be here today. And I was lucky to go through San Francisco airport in the early hours, when hardly anyone was there and Dallas Love Field around 7-8am. I wasn’t spit on or called names at either place. But I want to tell my Nam Vet Brothers and Sisters…WELCOME HOME. And to those who didn’t make it…SALUTE. Y’all are the true Heroes.
Imagine being in the jungle for 30 days and having to be on point to make sure you and your buddies didn’t die. That’s constant focus. Crazy
The fact that he can have a sense of humor about it is probably the reason he keeps it together as well as he does.
To all the veterans out there that served this country, Welcome Home and thank you. To the brave men and women that were not fortunate to make it home may you rest in peace.
That really pisses me off when you hear these guy's say when they came back they had to hid there uniforms... They did not choose to go there yet they still had the salt to stand up for the guy to the left and right of you! Thank you all that served!
There are NO WORDS...THESE ARE AMERICANS...BEST...OF..THE....BEST...
God bless our Vietnam vets who have never received the love & understanding they deserve. American veterans paid the price for the freedoms we enjoy. Thank you will never be enough. 🇺🇸
The biggest victory of a grunt was the flight back to the world
I was born in 1963 and grew up watching the Vietnam war on the nightly news. I had cousins that were in the military, one went to Vietnam. I had the utmost respect for all of those guys that served in Vietnam and still do. I always wanted to be a Soldier just like them and enlisted in the Army in 1987. I saw combat in my own war in Afghanistan and Iraq after 9/11. I retired after 20 years of service.
@greasyflight6609
Жыл бұрын
You must have been a very Senior Soldier. My respects
@nychris2258
Жыл бұрын
All a bunch of illegal pointless unsuccessful wars.
@mariekatherine5238
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for your service! It’s so good to see someone who had respect for our troops back in the time when most people did not. I never lost respect for our troops, either. Of course, my Dad was in the Navy and two brothers in the Army.
@jayluis189
Жыл бұрын
@@greasyflight6609 Nah, he was 24 YO when he joined, and 44 when he got out. That's not very old at all. When I was in, there was soldiers in their late 40s and 50s. CSMs, LTCs, COLs, MSGs, and so on.
@bwana-ma-coo-bah425
Жыл бұрын
So tell me. I am a real Vietnam Vet. How many people did you kill?
The look on his face in the very beginning tells it all, utter terror. Its nice to see him as an elder now knowing he made it.
This Gulf War era veteran salutes you brother 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
My grandpa worked at that steal factory some place in California, I remember when he had a accident and broke his back and got burned 🔥 really bad 😢. Loyed Everett he was a awesome man and I'm very proud of him. He served in ww2.
10:41 You've nothing to be ashamed of. Thank you for your service Sir. I attended a briefing in 1990 regarding conduct after capture. One of the men giving a talk on it was a Vietnam veteran, a POW. He spoke of his time being held by the North Vietnamese. He too went through guilt and shame when he finally got home. Guilt about his friends who never went home and shame of being caught. I remember we all stood up after his talk, clapped him and afterwards most of my squadron going up to shake his hand and thank him for his service. Best of luck for your future.
@maxsmith695
Жыл бұрын
North Vietnam never attacked America. Brutal unjust attack that slaughtered 3,000,000 innocents. No wonder those guys are all messed up. They all try hard to be relevant. The fly knew what he was.
I have enormous respect for anyone wearing the CIB. I did my Army service in ‘61 - ‘64, so was spared the Vietnam experience. I can’t imagine what it was like to not only suffer the discomfort but also to have people trying to kill me and watching comrades dying. God bless you all.
@louisguidry2401
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for your sevice. I got my CIB off of firebase Pro .Carrying the m-60 pig. Ive had to much to drink and have taken my PTSD meds. I'm 72 yrs old and the war experince have never left me. Its something you can never unsee. Thanks be to God for Dr. Hall at the Katy, Tx. VA.
@stephenpowstinger733
Жыл бұрын
I was very proud when I got my CIB after a couple months in the jungle in 1968. Race relations were mostly good but there were a few instances of strife. I was shocked when I heard talk of fragging by the brothers at one point.
@theophilhist6455
Жыл бұрын
Yeah I with ya brother Vietnam Era vet...I was in the Navy Atlantic fleet while other guys I trained with wound up on PBRs on the nasty river missions...and well...I need not say another thing...
@maxsmith695
Жыл бұрын
Unjust war.
@theophilhist6455
Жыл бұрын
@@maxsmith695 Initially it had the merits of a just war. It began as all wars do, considering, "Aggression unchecked is aggression unleashed" ...so the question each one of us must process in their own heart and mind, is to ask "when is aggression just"? The war devolved into a messed up tragic story for both sides. I know too well those who suffered on both sides.
It’s important to hear from these guys now. “Now” like he would have been a high school buddy, then. I’m thinking about several of mine who died in Vietnam. Rex received the MOH after his death. Mike killed 2 days before Thanksgiving in a battle around Dak To. Every time I watch these videos I’m reminded of what a Vietnam Vet said, “My first day in Country was the last day I believed anything my government told me.” Yet, they still fought and died.
@MikeB128
Жыл бұрын
The same is true for a lot of us younger Iraq/Afghanistan vets. It took me about 3 months in country to realize that we had been massively lied to, and it was all a sham to make certain people VERY wealthy while we did all the nasty bidding. The cycle of this Military Industrial Complex must be stopped at some point, and I hope I see it in my lifetime.
@70stunes71
Жыл бұрын
@@MikeB128 Lebanon for me brother...glad you made it home..couple decades went by and memorial day I was walking in a cemetery in a local small town, when I happened upon a grave of a local guy killed in Lebanon. No matter what conflict or war, it proved to me that we never really escape being influenced by it
@LongLongHoneymoon
Жыл бұрын
@@MikeB128 Thanks for speaking out. You guys who served have the credibility and standing to change the system. I hope you continue to use your voice to influence change.
@maxsmith695
Жыл бұрын
unjust war.
@vermontsmostobesetubaplaye1988
5 ай бұрын
They all are. And this is a vet typing this.
Gary is a beautiful man. It's great to hear something about his life. We are so glad he made it home.
My dad was born in 54 and failed the 6th grade so he got held back a year and graduated in 73 instead of 72. He was going to drop out in 72 and join the army but my grandfather wouldn’t let him so he didn’t. The war ended in 73 and my dad didn’t feel the desire to join anymore since the war was over. I always felt like all of that was fate that kept my dad not only from possibly being scarred for life but actually alive. I’m so grateful he didn’t go because I can’t imagine him possibly being any different than who he is now. And I love who he is and I’m so grateful he didn’t go.
@tundrawomansays694
7 ай бұрын
Luck, be a Lottery and timing, my friend.
@Rhiles44
7 ай бұрын
@@tundrawomansays694 be a lottery? I don’t understand
I salute you and all the VN Vets and thank you all from my heart. 48 years ago I came to the US as a VN refugee. Now I am retired and enjoy traveling around the US. Never return to VN and never will. God Bless America, land of the freedom.
@GrahamShepherd-ud8qy
3 ай бұрын
Your war, your creation. Your Trump. Shame America. The land of the lie
@GrahamShepherd-ud8qy
3 ай бұрын
Your war, your creation. Your Trump. Shame America. The land of the lie
@GrahamShepherd-ud8qy
3 ай бұрын
Your war, your creation. Your Trump. Shame America. The land of the lie
@GrahamShepherd-ud8qy
3 ай бұрын
Your war, your creation. Your Trump. Shame America. The land of the lie
@HappyPoppyFlowers-nr4jh
3 ай бұрын
GOD BLESS YOU !! Lost my uncle mid-3/68 , tail end of bloody TET , in NAMs Central Highlands , near Pleiku ! " Andy" was Kia 2wks b-4 my 11th BDAY !!
This was very insightful. I was medically retired back in 2006 (blown up in an ambush and shot a few months afterwards) during my third combat deployment. We were fighting insurgents in Hit, Iraq during the Ramadi surge. When I came home the VA took care of me as well. They covered my college and I ended up with an MBA. I went from an Infantry Squad Leader to working in the financial industry doing risk and assurance. Can always tell the ones who experienced what “it” really is. Thanks for sharing (and reading my rambling).
@goaskmymom1350
Жыл бұрын
It's not rambling Joe Black. We honor you for your service! Glad you made it home Joe! Blessings 🙏
@Thomas-uw3fp
Жыл бұрын
Thank you. Glad you made it back
@Vadanovltch
7 ай бұрын
what years did you serve in ramadi? 06 or before?
@joeblack3878
7 ай бұрын
@@Vadanovltch 06 - 1st AD, 1st BDE, A-Co 1-36
@Drj83744
6 ай бұрын
Not one bit a ramble. I just heard strength.
Thank you for sharing. My father served in Qui Non, Vietnam in 1965- 1966. Very similar stories, he passed away in April 2013 from Parkinson’s from being sprayed with Agent Orange. He was very proud of his service.
@Flussig1
7 ай бұрын
We're proud of him.
What a genuine, gentle, lovely man. Wars don"t discriminate ... nice people get minced up too. So sad that this gentle sole had to go through this.
I just stumbled onto your story, and would just like to say thank you for serving. You were all heroes in my eyes.
@maxsmith695
Жыл бұрын
How was killing 3,000,000 North Vietnamese and others in the region, a good thing, when they did nothing?
@coladeburo
Жыл бұрын
Heros? No way.... Maybe babykiller
@slaughterhouse5585
Жыл бұрын
@@coladeburo Congratulations! You win the prize for the dumbest remark of the week. 🤪
To all the guys, and gals, who served there: thank you for your service. If no one ever said it to you, welcome home. For those who didn't make it back: RIP.
I salute you, and thank you for your service Gary. I'm a therapist of over 30 years, and have had the privilege of working with multiple vets - including "nam vets." I have mad respect.
@randyguadagno5164
Жыл бұрын
👐🏿💯
Thank you for your service. This country owes Vietnam veterans like yourself much more than we can ever repay. You should never had to endure the hate by some at home. Very sad.
@bwana-ma-coo-bah425
Жыл бұрын
Go find a Vietnam Veteran, and buy him or her a cup of coffee, at the very least, a proper meal if you can.
@namvet1968
Жыл бұрын
Drafted '67. 14 months in Vietnam. Most Americans have no idea what war is like. Stress is off the charts.
@bwana-ma-coo-bah425
Жыл бұрын
@@namvet1968 how are you now?
@namvet1968
Жыл бұрын
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 Coping.
@bwana-ma-coo-bah425
Жыл бұрын
@@namvet1968 did 2 years. returned, heroin only solution. got cleaned up, best mate killed himself on a needle was tough for him. don't be afraid to talk about it, if you don't, you will only bleed from the inside.
Thank you , PLEASE do more of these, we are losing the Vietnam Vets more everyday, these stories and insights are needed, my Uncle is now suffering horribly from handling Agent Orange, not sure how much longer we'll have him, they didn't ask for this , they did what their Country asked of them and got s**t on, they deserve this. Semper Fi to my brothers who went before.
I served in the Royal Marines from 1971-1977 and was lucky enough not to go to war. I did do three trips to Belfast which was - we were definitely told by our government - NOT a war. The enemies, because there were several, didn't see it like that. They were most assuredly at war, with us and with each other. I remember thinking I was glad not to be American or Australian or New Zealander, since all of them served in Vietnam. Thank you for your service.
You're an outstanding human being! You have nothing to be ashamed of. This world would be a better place if we had more people like you in it. Thank you for your service!
Thank you sir for your service, I can’t imagine being in your shoes!! Especially at 19! You’re a hero in my eyes!!
Sir, I want to firstly thank you from one serviceman to another for your service, I also have a huge amount of respect for you for sharing your experience, it is always appreciated to hear how it REALLY went down, you and all the rest of OUR heroes will always have a place in my heart, God bless you forever
When i was a kid Vietnam veterans were still relatively young men and WW2 vets were the old guys. It shocked me recently when i realized that these guys are now the old vets. So glad we are able to preserve this history and hear their stories.
Thank u Mr Yeager for your service. I was only a little boy when you were in Vietnam. Always thankful for men like you who served our country in Vietnam. You went when alot of others didn't. I was always in awe of that. God Bless and enjoy the rest of your days. 👍👍🙏
@peterburry2531
Жыл бұрын
Did you even listen to Gary Yeager's words? He didn't see it as serving his country at all, and saw the wrongness and futility of it all. He said that if he'd have had kids of his own of serving age he'd have gladly sent them off to Canada... I like Gary Yeager. Such a gentle, wise and wonderful human being.
What a really nice bloke! You know you're in safe hands when you see fellas like this! Respect!
The video shows the raw anxiety in their faces, it takes a lot of courage to do that, conscripts or not. No wonder these experiences have been life changing.
I was born in 1960, too young to fight, but old enough to remember. I'm glad our Vietnam Veterans are starting to get the love and respect they so richly deserve, but I am sad the way many people in our country treated these young men when they came home.
This is an amazing story, I cannot imagine what he went through and spoke so calmly about it years later. Thank you sir for sharing and for what you went through.
God bless this humble man for telling his story.
I grew up in the 1960s and watched the war on television news. I remember the day public opinion turned against our involvement. Life Magazine ran an issue showing everyone who died there in one week and it was a lot. Glad Gary made it back, my cousin got back too.
By the way just so you guys are completely clear. We respect the hell out of you for what you went through over there. 100% respect. God bless every single one of you.
Great retelling of events. I feel privileged when service members sit down and talk about their experiences. Certainly doesn't seem easy but we thank you for it!
So glad you filmed this interview. My father served in Vietnam and never would talk about it. He passed a year ago. I am still kicking myself for not getting him to do something like this. Well done.
ABSOLUTELY COMPLETE TOTAL RESPECT TO ALL WHO SERVED . ALL THOSE WHO SERVED WENT THROUGH HELL AND BACK . . A QUOTE FROM MY FATHER , WHO WENT THROUGH WW2 . . ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN THERE . KNOW WHAT WAR IS . . MY PERSONAL UTMOST RESPECT TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THESE PEOPLE , MALE AND FEMALE . . AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE STILL THERE . WHO NEVER RETURNED . .
@Rollercoaster555
Жыл бұрын
I can relate to never returned
@bigbadbamboo1
Жыл бұрын
Who feels it knows!
@davidmcquade3508
10 ай бұрын
Well said mate,
@tundrawomansays694
7 ай бұрын
Nonetheless you are here. My utmost respect to all my cohorts who are Vietnam Combat Vets. You aren’t forgotten but are reified by those of us who were a part of your experience at long range. You are NOT FORGOTTEN. WE KNOW, oh honey, we took care of you, we saw you as human beings, we knew your youth that had been spent and you became old men in young men’s bodies-because we were also. You are not alone. You are respected. (And if you can stand this sentiment, we love you.) You are our brothers, our daddys, our “boyfriends” and our partners. The reality was, you were MEN, not college boys. And for us, this Reality is our’s as well. Take care, my friends. We’re here. We get you. We’re here for you, until that time until you feel and know, you’ve been heard but more importantly, understood. .
Things were a little different when I was serving in Vietnam in 1970. I carried the M-60 (26lbs) as well, it wasn't a light weapon, especially with a 200 (12lbs) round starter belt wrapped around the gun. I was just under 6' at 195lbs. Not only that, but I carried an additional 400 rounds (24lbs), add a backpack, and you could be humping close to 112lbs. Luckily, we only stayed out two weeks, then came in for a rest. Our platoon went out with four squads, each with two gunners. I remember no one wanted to carry the M60, but on my third mission I happened to casually say, I wouldn't mind carrying it. You wouldn't believe how many gunners rushed me. The gunner was the one I was carrying ammo for at the time. He was a big boy from Kentucky, but he did not want to carry that gun any longer. We exchanged weapons right then and there, I gave him my m16, and he dumped his M60 on my lap and said good luck. At that moment, I realized I fucked up, what do tell you in basic training...never volunteer for anything. My hats off to that 135lb gunner.
I recall as a 17 year old kid graduating from High School with so many confused emotions on the Vietnam war. We had so many other older guys in their nineteenth’ and twenty’s coming back from Vietnam in the neighborhood who lost their lives in Vietnam. I volunteered to join the Army four year commitment in a Tank battalion, changed the coarse of my life and I was truly blessed. This war effected so many young men who were pushed into decisions in there lives who were ill prepared to deal with the harsh reality of life at the time.
@tommyriam8320
Жыл бұрын
'..the _course_ of my life.. ' '..in _their_ lives..'
@tundrawomansays694
7 ай бұрын
@@tommyriam8320Yeah because it started out “me” and becomes “we.” We no longer fight for some great alleged “ideal” for the US but for the guy to the left of us and the guy to our life. “Me” becomes “We.” Without these guys, you’d have been dead. It takes about six months to truly accept you’re gonna die-what the military refers to as your “most effective” period as a combat soldier. Once you accept you’re gonna die, you become numb. Exactly what combat/11Bravo training has inculcated in you. Numb is safe-but it takes your humanity. So where does that leave you? Alone. CAN WE PLEASE HONOR AND ACCEPT THAT REALITY? The alternative is death.
Flew F-4s in Nam 68; 70; 72. Flew a lot of mission bombing trees - however - the best missions we flew was in support of the grunts on the ground - the only time we would really hang it out - the reason I got shot down - trying to support a SF camp in III Corps - then it was the grunts turn to help me get out of the situation I bail out to - talk about a band of brothers!
@arthurbrumagem3844
Жыл бұрын
Served with the 173rd in 68, and I absolutely love the F4s as their support was immeasurable imo. Thanks for being there and glad you survived the shoot down
@carlparlatore294
Жыл бұрын
@@arthurbrumagem3844 Welcome back Brother!
@arthurbrumagem3844
Жыл бұрын
@@carlparlatore294 thanks 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👍
@martindavid1949
Жыл бұрын
...I remember seeing the Phantoms dropping napalm...sweet jesus...
Awesome individual and fellow veteran. Speaks his experience of war with the emotions that only few can only see. Thank you for your service and sacrifice brother.
Much of this footage was included in the 1983 HBO Movie "Dear America, Letters Home from Vietnam". An excellent examination of the human toll of the Vietnam War.
@tystick4639
Жыл бұрын
I had that on VHS
“ we were always looking for this guy named Charlie” -Forest Forest Gump.
What a story! Thank you for your service! I was artillery but 15 years after the Vietnam war ended in the early 90’s.
I'm a desert storm veteran and I want to thank you for your service and story and God for both you and I returning relatively safe from the issues we faced. Thank you .
These were real men.thank you sir
Sincere thanks for your service and the pain you and all your comrades endured.
Saw this footage in the Documentary DEAR AMERICA, Letters home from Vietnam. My absolute favorite Documentary. Rented and watched it so many times as a kid the movie store actually gave it to me. I watched it over and over until the VHS tape broke in the VCR.... Welcome home, thank you Sir, God bless you ALL...
I understand this very well. I was drafted but I showed up. I carried a radio on my back around the Mekong Delta serving with the 9th Infantry Division during 1968-69. Gary Yeager's outfit stayed in the field for a month or so at a time. I suppose I had it easier in the swampy river delta. If we stayed out more than 3 days or so we started losing soldiers temporarily to immersion foot, trench foot, etc. The Army was forced to let us return to the base camp in Dong Tam or the barracks ship where we lived. When I arrived at the beginning of May, 1968 there was the May Offensive. It followed the earlier Tet Offensive which was more intense but there were more US casualties during May 1968. There were only 12 soldiers left in my platoon at the end of that month (there were usually 25 to 30). We got replacements in June and July before the Phase III Offensive hit us. I was on an ATC (like the D-Day landing craft) with 26 heavily armed teenagers that day. Only 4 of us walked away from that. I was wounded but patched up in the field and finished that operation. My platoon leader was more seriously wounded and when he returned to the unit they gave him a desk job. His clerk was going home and he asked if I could type. I took typing in high school because I was the only boy in the class. It literally saved my life. I spent the last 6 months of my time in hell as a "Remington Raider," a funny title derived from the brand of typewriter we used. I had NO problem with that and came home in one piece. Too many of the brave young men I served in combat with came home in a box. I agree with Gary Yeager that we had no business being there and it was a huge waste of lives, treasure and so much more.
Sir thank you so much for your service..I do understand your feelings about the war but you did serve you did with true heart and yes you are a hero..god bless you and do not think for a minute that your service and the service of the rest of those soldiers has gone un noticed...
A genuine PATRIOT and a humble human being! Thank you for your service Sir!
Thank you for your service. It was a tough time for all of you and to many failed to support the task you were called to perform. Just THANK YOU. My husband served there too.
@billlynn8256
10 ай бұрын
what task??? killing kids and water buffalo? what service???
What an excellent interview! I very much appreciate Gary's truthfulness on his feelings on the Vietnam War. A dear friend of mine who served in the 1st Cav from 65' to 66' in country. He spoke about many things about his Vietnam experience, but never about combat. I respected his privacy on the matter. He left Vietnam early as well, but not because he was wounded. My friend contracted malaria, which occasionally would flare up at periods in his life. I lost my dear friend last October after he lived a full and beautiful life. Gary Yeager, God bless you and your fellow Vietnam Veterans.
God bless the Vietnam Veterans! They were and and still are a great generation of men. My brother was one. He volunteered. He is 77yrs old now.
Thank You Sir for your service. I enlisted in the USMC in 74 and did not go to Vietnam. Much respect for you and those that did.
@REDMAN298
Жыл бұрын
Semper Fi `71-`75 USMC last duty was at KMCAS Honolulu VMFA 235 F-4`s
To any and all vets!!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service and sacrifices!! I know you have dealt with hell face to face ! And you habe kept war from my front door ! And im enternally grateful for that! Thank you so so much !!! I love you !!
Huge respect too all you guys , thank you for your service , I was an AFS student from England 🏴 in 1977 , starting talking too a plumber in my host family’s house , he told me a story from Nam , he was a veteran from the war , never forgot how proud I was for him too share his experience of the war too a young 16 year old from the UK who knew nothing of life , huge respect always for you 🙏I just wanted too add that I knew for him it took a lot of courage to relive that story too me and it was probably very painful for him too relive it .
Love this. Thank you for your service. Another one of my hero's and their story. Viet Nam war vets are all hero's to me.
I was drafted, November 22, 1965, lived in Chester, PA. Did Basic at Ft. Gordon, then Signal School. After AIT, orders for Ft. Benning. The Sargent comes over and starts calling out names and told us to stand over to the side. He then told us that we lucked out, we were going to Germany. Got out November 1, 1967. Gary, thank you for your service.
I have two uncles that were in Vietnam. Both were in the Marines. The oldest one was a welder over there. The younger one was in the first Marine division infantry in 69. He is now in Arlington national cemetery. Thank you to ALL our veterans. May your sacrifice, deeds and gallantry be forgotten!
Absolutely awesome. As a kid growing up in the 70's and 80's, My friends and I considered y'all heros and tried to mimic your valor! Thank you! Nothing brings guys together more than combat. It doesn't matter your race, you are all brothers and it doesn't matter what you look like. Respect to y'all.
Thank you Gary. Great story and glad you made it home.
‼️‼️‼️ These soldiers were the same kind of guality , humble , and selfless individuals. I was also in the United States Army , stationed in what was at the time West Germany. We were in the middle of the cold war with the USSR. I was in West Germany from December of 1977 to September of 1980 in a Military Police Battalion. My Company was the 194th MP Company out of Schwaebisch Gmuend , and the 556th MP Company out of Siegelsbach. Missed Vietnam by about 2 or 3 years , yet recall watching year after year of combat on network television every single night. These Patriots all deserve medals as far as I'm concerned. They literally went through hell. Not going to go into the horrid details , just remember I wouldn't wish Vietnam on my worst enemy. God Bless all our troops , from all conflicts , both living and deceased. You guys are all # 1. 💯👎‼️✝️🇺🇸🇩🇪.
Documentation of these heroes experiences is so important. I appreciate The Vietnam Experience for doing this.!!! Thank you. I am a Canadian, but have Canadian Friends who served in Vietnam with the Marines. Their stories were crazy. I had the chance to visit Cambodia in the 90s and saw the devastation of that war. These are truly heroes for that cause. S!
Brave man to tell his story. Thank you.
Welcome home, and thank you for your service.
That's the real history, thank you sir,the pain in your eyes is heartbreaking
THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCE IN VEITNAM!! ALL OF YOU COMBAT VET'S ARE HEROES!!!
Honest, intelligent man
God bless you sir and all those who served,God bless each and everyone 🙏✌️☝️❤
great interview, I was originally from the Lehigh Valley too so hearing the story of a local man makes it all the more important
That was a good watch. Gary seems like a very nice and humble guy. Respect.
Thank you ! Such an honorable man !
Salute all of you men /Women my God still don’t understand how all of you went through this madness ❤God bless all of you here and passed ❤
@Mikee22ification
Жыл бұрын
Of course my sympathy for all these young men sent to a useless war. But also expect Americans to apologise to all the people that they killed in Vietnam, all the defenceless women and children How would Americans like it if another country much more powerful attacked them and killed their families?
@dustinpitt6204
Жыл бұрын
@Mikee22ification a lot of the women and children in Vietnam during the war were trying to kill American soldiers as well. This is where the kill or be killed mentality comes in. I'm not saying all the women and children were that way. But there was some.
@Rollercoaster555
Жыл бұрын
Yeah most of them out in the Vills were
Much love and respect to all who served . I remember watch the news in the 60s on the nam war. God bless every one and the medics.
my father went to Vietnam , he dont talk much about it. His platoon split up and half went to Germany and the other half stayed , he was a part of the half that went to Germany. He will talk about his service in Germany a little , but not much comes out about his service in Nam.
This was so good. Thank you for your service.
The guy at 2:15-2:18 who ducked down to avoid being shot is Sgt. Albert Alan Dobbs. He is the inspiration for the song 19 by Paul Hardcastle official music video. And the documentary Vietnam Requiem which inspired the song 19. Please watch Vietnam Requiem and 19 by Paul Hardcastle.
Thank you so very much for your service. My brother was in the 101st on the DMZ from 69-70. You sound very much like him.
Thank you for serving!
Welcome home and thankyou for your service!
Welcome home! Thank you for your sacrifice and service...💯💖
Thank you to all who served and are currently serving our nation.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the story, your service and god bless to your and your family. I live near Red Deer, Alberta and I really appreciate the US military veterans being able to tell their story, and again, thank you for your service. Larry
What a lovely gent. Could listen to him all day.
I was born in 67, I'm wondering if I'll ever live a year without war. These soldiers were basically children, there has got to be another way 🙏
Sir. Thank you for your story. I speak for many. We're listening.
Mr. Yaeger, you have major respect from me. The draft stopped the year I turned 19. I later became a therapist and met many soldiers and nurses of that era. God bless you.
@garyteague9555
11 ай бұрын
Same here when I came to age the draft stopped
Thank you for your service to our country!
Thank you for your service Gary. I'm so glad you made it through.
Great interview, very humbling. I too could not afford college and served in Navy 81-85. Was in Grenada 83 and Beirut in 84 and had tour in Persian Gulf 81-82. I respect all who wore and wears a uniform.