Mary, my father participated in this battle. He was part of the second wave of soldiers brought in. I couldn't get him to watch the movie because he said "I was there son, some things you need to leave in the past"

@elizandropedraza1286

Жыл бұрын

One the best war movie of Vietnam ever made ! 👍🇺🇸🇮🇹🇲🇽

@troymash8109

Жыл бұрын

My pops was in Vietnam 68-70. He watched this with me and felt good after seeing it. Said he'd seen so much of Hollywood crapping on Vietnam vets that this flick soothed his heart.

@lw3918

Жыл бұрын

@troymash8109 My father said he never seen the drug use portrayed in "Platoon" but loved parts of "Apocalypse Now".

@lw3918

Жыл бұрын

@@elizandropedraza1286 It was the most accurate depiction.

@georgesykes394

Жыл бұрын

​@@lw3918Platoon is accurate?

General Moore and Sergeant Major Plumley came and spoke to a group of us at Fort Benning in the mid-90s. Plumley was every bit as scary in real life as he is in the movie.

@Britcarjunkie

Жыл бұрын

They actually toned-down his character for the film - just as Audie Murphy toned-down his own exploits in "To Hell And Back": some people are so much larger than life, that their exploits seem unbelievable.

@timhonigs6859

Жыл бұрын

It's about people who go to watch these movies don't *really* want to know the hell that these soldiers went thru, and more importantly, the men that these times created.

@tomabbott5259

10 ай бұрын

Its true some things are just too painfull to recall my Granfather too,he drank to forget to cope and i felt that when hes drunk thats the time hell tell more how it was being there but no those spiritual gates and locks of him remained shut sober or drunk and you just had to respect that,its a whole another world you can only talk about it to those who were there...

@studley2436

5 ай бұрын

It was a great performance I thought. Watch this movie and you want Moore to be leading you and Plumley to be keeping everyone in line.

15:47 That's Thomas Metsker who was fatally shot right after giving his spot on the helicopter to his friend Ray Lefebvre. His daughter, Karen, was only 17 months old when her dad died, and the subject was too painful for her mom to talk about in detail, so she grew up only knowing that her father died because he traded places with another man. She was bitter and angry at her father for leaving his family to fight a someone else's war half a world away and resenting the nameless man whose life her father hand traded his own for. In 1990, she read an article about the battle and found out that Ray Lefebvre was the man Tom gave his place on the helicopter to. She contacted Ray, and they arranged to meet at a reunion of veterans of the Battle of the Ia Drang Valley. From her conversation with Ray and the other vets, her learned how much these men loved and respected her father, and she realized that Ray would have given his life to save her dad if he could have. She was finally able to left go of her bitterness and come to grips with the pain of her loss. Among these vets (whom she had previously feared were warmongering killers), she found a second family that could comfort and support her in a way only the people who had been through the war could, and she realized that her father didn't die fighting someone else's war but instead, as Joe Galloway said near the end of the movie, "they fought not for their country or their flag, they fought for each other."

@ButteredToast32

Жыл бұрын

Damn, that is heavy. That poor young lady. At least she eventually got some closure and support.

@waterbeauty85

Жыл бұрын

​@@ButteredToast32 A rather sweet note about the support she got from the vets: I mentioned that in her way to the reunion Karen was afraid that she was going to meet a bunch of cold blooded killers, but they were so warm and kind to her that afterwards she said that they were like a bunch of teddy bears instead.

@crystalclarity6766

Жыл бұрын

Amazing story. Thank you for sharing that! I spent 26 years in the U.S. military, first in the Army, then finishing up in the Air Force. I can tell you - and I realize that you probably know this - there is a strange and very strong bond that binds soldiers and sailors, marines and airmen together that is ‘otherworldly.’ It’s hard to define but it is nonetheless very real to these brothers and sisters in arms. Metzger gave his seat to Lefebvre and I promise you that they share this rare bond in a way that few will ever understand. Thank you!

@OverandOutChief1

Жыл бұрын

Galloway gave the commencement speech at Texas A&M in Corpus Christi. He mentioned that in his day, people's of hispanic descent were really looked down upon. When he returned from the war, he found himself needing help taking care of his house that was in need of repairs. He mentioned that no one came to help except those hispanic brothers that had survived the war that would come to check on him from time to time. So yes, they fought for each other and that bond continued until the end of their lives.

“Garyowen” is an old Irish song that was a popular marching song especially among the 7th Cavalry of the old America west. Irish immigrants made up a lot of the American Army back then. The fact that LtCol. Moore’s unit was renamed the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry was considered bad luck because that was General Custer’s unit which was wiped out at the battle of Little Big Horn in 1876.

@RLKmedic0315

Жыл бұрын

"Custer was a pussy. You aint" -Gunnery Sergeant Plummly

@McBrannon1000

Жыл бұрын

“If it weren’t for poor Krauts and Micks, there’d be no U.S. Army!” - Grant

@McPh1741

Жыл бұрын

@@RLKmedic0315 I like the deleted scene where the guy is telling the story of Plummly and the guy with 2 medals of honor.

When 2nd platoon was cut off, they got to a defensible position on a slight rise so that gunfire towards them had to be angled upward. This made them relatively safe from bullets (not so much grenades or mortars) as long as they stayed low. However, medic Charles Lose couldn't treat the wounded from a lying down position, so he rose up, making himself vulnerable to enemy gunfire, again and again to provide life saving aid to his follow soldiers. For his courage, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor.

@Thane36425

Жыл бұрын

It is also interesting that the lost platoon was toward the main route for the NVA from the mountain to the LZ. They essentially acted as a blocking force both physically and especially with the artillery. This hindered NVA movement and drew away forces. Otherwise, it is likely the NVA could have overrun the LZ.

@waterbeauty85

Жыл бұрын

@@Thane36425 Great point!

One of my Uncles served in Vietnam...we all really liked him BEFORE he went and we were the last family he visited before deploying and stayed with us about at week. When he got out a few years later he wouldn't talk about anything and only visited for a few hours and was gone. I never saw him nor spoke with him for the rest of his life...he just went away from everything and everyone he knew.

@timcook6566

Жыл бұрын

My dad served two tours over there. I learned at a very young age not to wake him up by touching him.

@ButteredToast32

Жыл бұрын

Damn that’s sad :/

Fun fact, as mentioned, Ft Benning where this movie was filmed, was recently renamed to Ft Moore after General Hal Moore. I served for 7 years on Benning and it’s crazy to see these familiar places on screen 😊

@chaddnewman2699

Жыл бұрын

I drove through through Columbus and the Benning reservation last month. I kept seeing signs referring to Fort Moore. I was very confused! I spent about a year and a half at Benning, back in the ‘90s.

@TK-hw2ph

Жыл бұрын

@@chaddnewman2699 yea they’re slowly changing all the signs. Haha it must confuse a lot of folks

@chaddnewman2699

Жыл бұрын

@@TK-hw2ph I did manage to get a Ranger burger at the old Four Winds restaurant while I was there. It brought back a lot of good memories from my misguided youth.

@jimglenn6972

Жыл бұрын

Sort of off-topic but I think it’s remarkable that have/had army bases named for Confederate officers. They fought to destroy the United States but we still honor them? Travel around the world and see if other countries do the same thing.

@chaddnewman2699

Жыл бұрын

@@jimglenn6972 When the US entered the First World War, it needed to expand the Army very rapidly. The South had better weather for year around training, so a lot of new Army camps were established in what had been the Confederacy. Since this was only 50 years after the Civil War and there were still a lot of bad feelings, the US government thought it would be a diplomatic move to name some of the newly established camps after Confederate generals, such as Benning, Hood and Bragg. Also, the government thought that this would encourage Southerners to enlist and fight in what was at first an unpopular European war. 100 years later, most Americans, to include most Southerners, have no idea of or interest in who these posts are named for, so it makes a certain kind of sense to change the names to honor people more acceptable to modern American policymakers.

Joe Galloway and Hal Moore wrote a book from which this movie was made. It is called "We Were Soldiers Once, and Young."

@ducktape160

Жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/iHVtptJqg5arqpc.html

That grenade that went off and caused something glowing-white to burrow into that soldier’s cheek was called a “white-phosphorus grenade”. When it goes off, instead of shrapnel or a concussive explosion - it sprays chunks of burning phosphorus all around it.

@Rocket1377

Жыл бұрын

It also burns at 800°C, and was eventually banned by the UN. "Really nasty stuff" - Larry Hama (writer of G.I. Joe).

@johndoe9231

Жыл бұрын

Willy Pete.

This is one my Wife's favorite movies as it tells her side of the story. She had to wait and not know what was going on while I was deployed to Desert Storm. Thank you for posting.

My father-in-law was in Vietnam, he was exposed to Agent Orange. He fought more cancers that I can even count throughout his life, he was the strongest person I've ever met. Even when they came home, they still were affected.

@Rashaed

Жыл бұрын

Please tell me he's getting his VA benefits for Agent Orange...

@DT-hp8de

11 ай бұрын

My father was there too and he just lost his battle with Lou Gherig's Disease (aka ALS). The doctor's say is stems from his exposure to agent orange.

Gary Owen was the name of the song that George Custer's 7th Calvary rode too. Also that grenade that set the soldier on fire is a phosphorus grenade

A very accurate movie. Chief Master Sargeant is WWII veteran. Only movie that covers families. Shows humanity of both sides. One of the "American" soldiers in this battle, was a British mercenary. Eventually he was chief of security for the Twin Towers, on 9/11, and went down saving lives in one of the towers! My older brother served in Vietnam, I worked later with many veterans.

@KarlJeager

Жыл бұрын

I will note that Rick Rescorla wasn't a mercenary since after moving to the U.S he became a commissioned officer in the U.S military. I always found it unfortunate that there wasn't a scene of a Cornish platoon leader singing folk songs to boost the moral of his men.

Great reaction Mary to this underrated & mostly technically accurate Vietnam war film. 👍

The movie is literally half the book. The little narrative at the end about the sister battalion being attacked en route to LZ Albany and nearly wiped out is the second half. This movie is well done and is about 80% accurate. There was no final charge at the end. The YT Chanel “The Operations Room” did a real good overview of the battle and they use a kind of computer aerial view of all the battles they cover on that channel and it really puts things into perspective and gets you orientated to the battle. I highly recommend that Chanel for some of history’s greatest battles.

@georgesykes394

Жыл бұрын

Lieutenant Colonel McDade was the CO of the sister battalion at LZ Albany and by all accounts it was alot more Violent!

I worked with a guy who was a chopper pilot in that outfit. He had tons of stories that he told us. I'm sure more than a few he didn't.

@Thane36425

Жыл бұрын

A cousin of mine was a chopper pilot in Vietnam. Unfortunately he lived a long way away and I only met him a time or two. He did talk a little bit about it, but not much, mainly due to time.

I'll say it every time I see this movie: I love the small moment where Gibson walks around before calling Broken Arrow. He was looking for something, anything else he could do other than call Broken Arrow because he knew it would get some of his men killed. Great small moment showing how hard it can be to be a commanding officer during such a horrific battle.

@waterbeauty85

Жыл бұрын

Hal Moore said "In any situation, there is always one more thing you can do, and once you've done that, you've created a new situation where's there is one more thing you can do." He did not believe in giving up.

@mikearmstrong8483

Жыл бұрын

That happens to be one of the most false parts of the movie. Broken Arrow does NOT and NEVER HAS been the code for a unit being overrun. It refers ONLY to an accident involving nuclear weapons. It does not call for every plane in the region to show up. And what I found quite laughable; one does initiate Broken Arrow by just yelling it into a microphone. There is a very precise reporting procedure to a very specific command for initiating Broken Arrow. I know this well, having served in a nuclear capable unit. Unfortunately, wikipedia accepts entries from any idiot without proper fact checking, and Mel Gibson's movies are all about as historically accurate as Star Wars, so this completely false myth continues to endure, entirely because of this movie.

@manutgop

Жыл бұрын

@@mikearmstrong8483 There are a lot of inaccuracies in this movie, which doesn't take away from what the real soldiers and families went through. But it's amazing how Hollywood can control and shape people's perceptions of historical events and perpetuate mythologies and false narratives. I've met people who think that First Blood was based on a real person instead of a fictional book. LOL

@ButteredToast32

Жыл бұрын

@@mikearmstrong8483of course there will be embellishments for dramatic effect, to save time, or simplify something for the audience. That’s….kind of how movies work….

@vk3139

Жыл бұрын

@@mikearmstrong8483 You know the use of "Broken Arrow" in this context is directly from Hal Moore and Joseph Galloway's account of the Battle of Ia Drang in the book that this is based on, right? For all his faults i don't think this one can be blamed on Mel Gibson.

It is frequently forgotten, the burden that families must carry in war. There is an anecdote of woman, wife of a soldier in WWII, going to her job at a factory making tanks every day crossing to the opposite side of the street where notices of the fallen were posted to avoid all bad news so she could continue to do her part, this has always stuck with me.

With your comments about how everyone is brought home, made me think of a film in that sence that I think you would realy like. "Taking Chance" is based on a true story of a Marine Lt. Colonel who volunteered to escort a fallen soldier back to his family. It is a heavy film, it's emotional film but it goes to show the lengths of respect given to these fallen heros.

If you want to go down the rabbit hole of Vietnam War films, IMHO the “big five” are (in no particular order) Platoon, Full Metal Jacket, The Deer Hunter, Apocalypse Now, and Hamburger Hill (many leave this last one off their list but it captures several themes of the war, in particular futility, very well I think). They all bring very different things to the table about the war, but they are all great films.

Yes, this is a rough watch. Have your cry Mary, some times that's the only thing one can do in times of sorrow..... Another outstanding reaction video Mary. 🏆 ❤ 🎥

The scene that gets me the most is the delivery of the telegrams. The taxi driver "Im just trying to do my job, ma'am."

I served in the US Air Force for 20 years retiring in 2010. I saw my dad's eyes each time someone thanked me for my service. He served in Vietnam and no one ever thank him. He has since passed.

Mary, this is my wife’s favorite war movie because it shows the wives side. It also makes this old man cry every time I watch it. I met a man on a plan that knew Sergeant Major Plumply. He said he tried to model his military career after the Sargent Major and that he was the meanest and fairest man he ever knew.

Fun fact, Moores youngest daughter, Cecile, is played by Taylor Momsen. She also played Cindy Lou Who and Jenny Humphrey. She is currently the lead singer of The Pretty Reckless.

As a man it breaks me seeing a woman cry. As a veteran it gives me a sense of hope seeing that you have a powerful emotional insight to the horrors that not just the men of war see but their familys that they leave behind. Thank you

This is how we finally got out of Vietnam. TV news coverage brought it into our homes in the US. It couldn't be ignored. Proud Air Force brat. My father fought in 3 wars and was only in for 26 yrs. Says something about the last century. It's just like all the others - war. I wish safety and peace to you and your family. To everyone ✌️💜

I did airborne training at Fort Benning, got hurt and spent a lot of time pulling 24 hour duty (24 on 24 off) when I was fighting a medical discharge so I could stay in the service. So, I saw the towers more at night than daylight and seeing the soldiers assembling here for departure always makes me a bit melancholy. Also, the time would be called "O dark thirty" which falls somewhere between half past midnight and sunrise. The movie was based on a book written by the reporter Joe Galloway and Col Hal Moore (played by Mel Gibson)

In those early days, medevac pilots were ordered not to land under heavy fire because of the chance that a helicopter full of wounded would be shot down, killing everyone it was trying to save. However, some ballsy pilots went in anyway, and their results showed that, even with some helicopter being shot down, there was a significantly higher percentage survival rate for the wounded when they were evacuated ASAP. The policy being changed after this.

It is freaking crazy that one of their main bases was under the military landing point for the entire war.

The "Gary Owen " was the marching song of the US Cavalry ,it sounds like it might be of Irish origin. This is a cavalry unit ,but now air cavalry . My uncle Tom was in the cavalry just before WW2

@michaelstach5744

Жыл бұрын

For those not from the US, the 7th Cav is the command that George Armstrong Custer had at the Little Big Horn. There are a lot of movies about Custer’s Last Stand. Each of them reflects the era when it was made.

Joe Gallaway was the reporter portrayed in the movie. He actually has a very interesting history that many may find interesting. He did a great interview years ago that will be emotional but also gives a glimpse into what his life entailed. kzread.info/dash/bejne/dayA2MqFqde_ns4.html

@jonandkristen

Жыл бұрын

The scene where he (Joe Gallaway) tries to pick up the young soldier and his skin peels off to the bone, actually happened just like that. Mr. Gallaway speaks about it in an interview and breaks down crying.

I went to see this in theater with my father. He was in Vietnam with the same unit that is portrayed in this movie. He was just there a year or two after this took place. Its so powerful!

An interesting fact… the real Hal and Julia Moore had a cameo appearance in this movie that, sadly, ended up on the cutting room floor instead of in the final movie. I was also stationed on Fort Benning back in the early ‘90s where a lot of this was filmed. I was going through Airborne school at the time. So many memories.

Most of what happened in the movie is what happened with a few exceptions i read the book we were soldiers was based on and much of it lines up with the movie

That come back at the beginning is my most favorite in any movie, “What are you, a fucking weatherman now?” to a greeting, I love it

As a veteran I am proud to see today’s interest in the military genre of movies. The advances in special effects have presented such an immersive visual effect, those without military experience can get a little idea of the “HARSH REALITY” our military can face. I had the honor to attend a special showing of “Saving Private Ryan” the second week of its theatrical release. The first two rows (floor level and one up) were reserved for WWII veterans & family. Just before the coming attractions showed, approximately 20 people were ushered to their seats. At the end only subdued sniffles and sobs could be herd with NOONE moving to leave. After a brief pause the first of the veterans got up to leave, while the rest of us in attendance gave them ALL a standing ovation as they left. There seems to be a flow-over effect of people watching some older movies; “Full Metal Jacket”, “Platoon”, “M*A*S*H”, “Apocalypse Now” etc. I think these movies are great but need to be viewed with the filter of social commentary for the time they were made. I would like to see reactions to two older movies, based on two of the most decorated war heroes. These movies, though not posing the fantastic special effects of today’s movies, contain just as much interest by the simple act of storytelling. The first is the story of one of the most decorated soldiers of WWI. The main character of the story (Alvin C York) chose actor Gary Cooper to portray him. Released in September 1941, just before America entered WWII, “Sergeant York”. The second story is about the MOST DECORATED soldier of WWII. The movie not only adapted from his autobiography (Audie Murphy) but starred him as well. From October 1955, just over ten years after the end of the war “To Hell and Back”.

love this movie cuz it doesn't just show the hell of war on the battlefield but also what the familes deal with back home.

Hello Mary, most of us had teary eyes too...this movie is very powerful because of that, it was real for both of the sides, if you want you can see them in real life in an special abc documentary when you can see Gen Moore and their men returning to vietnam, meet their former enemies and all of them exploring again and remember their camarades and actions in the same valley...it was in 1993, worth the watch

@SLAF999

Жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/qJqHlaermJCvirg.html

Both Snake and To Tall were awarded the Metal of Honor , for what they did flying in and out of the battle . Galloway did manage to write a book about the battle .

@user-nf2th3bn5t

2 ай бұрын

I had the honor of meeting Crandall and 32 other MOH recipients. I was Chief of Outreach Programs for Army Recruiting when we helped host Nashville Salutes to MOH recipients. Bruce was very unassuming, kind and low key.

They actually filmed this at Ft Benning. Ft Benning is a massive Army base

Not sure if already mentioned elsewhere but LT Col Crandall/Snake Shit/lead helo pilot was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his part in this battle

"Gary Owen" is an old Irish quick-step that was adopted as the regimental song of the 7th Cavalry shortly after Custer took command. It was played for Custer's men as they rode off to face the Sioux at Little Bighorn. It was adopted as the official song of the 1st Cavalry Division in 1981. The little girl meant to say "Methodist" . Protestants generally pray more informally than Catholics, so the girl was saying she didn't want to recite a prayer, she wanted to pray like her Methodist mother. The mother was laughing at the dad's attempts to make a good Catholic out of her. The two scenes that impressed me most about Col. Moore were when the trooper said they were going to be overrun, and he replied "Nah, we're gonna win this fight". He had absolute confidence in he and his men to overcome the odds they faced. The other was when he told the RT operator who called in the botched napalm strike that hit the American lines, "You're keeping us alive. You forget about that one and keep 'em coming in. You're doing well, son." That's a true leader.

The song which is heard at the moment you say that the music is always on point (but also earlier in the movie), is called "Sgt. MacKenzie" and is written and sung by Joseph Kilna MacKenzie, dedicated to his great-grandfather who was bayoneted to death in trench warfare in WW1.

I served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War, but I was never near there. My ship was deployed to the Mediterranean for 9 months. General Custer lead the 7th Calvary at the Little Big Horn, where they were wiped out. I am a gruff old fart, but his wife's to reaction when the Telegrams started coming in, brought tears to my eyes. The Officer who ran his squad into an Ambush had a tendence to get Fragged (Shot by his own men). Phosphorus burns when exposed to air. It has to be submerged under water that was why he dug it out of his face. The Coronal and the Reporter wrote the book about this battle. How our military was treated because of this war was terrible, even us who didn't serve in Nam. Some were spit on when they got back to the states.

My Dad was career Army. He was in the 7th Cav about 10 years after this, though as an Armor officer (tanks) instead of Air Cav (helicopters), and when I was born a couple years later. I know he met Hal Moore, and I believe he served with one of his sons. Watching this is hard for me. I see so much of my parents in this portrayal of the Moores. I can see Dad handling his side things just like this, and having seen how Mom had to handle teaching new lieutenants' wives how to be Army wives, I have no doubt she'd have done the same with contacting the families.

Hi Mary! Here's a fact for you; as of May this year, Ft. Benning in Georgia is now known as Ft. Moore. This is in honor for Lt. Gen Hal Moore, the person played by Mel Gibson in the film. In Vietnam, he was still a Lieutenant Colonel, and would rise up the ranks. Ft. Moore hosts several important facilities and units like the Airborne and Ranger Schools, Infantry School, Armor School, and the 75th Ranger Regiment

Before my father passed he had served in Vietnam in the Marine Corps. When we went to Washington DC when I was in college, it took me every bit of a half hour to get *one* name out of him to go and give my respect to a man my father considered a friend and that he'd lost.

If want to try another Vietnam War movie, try Hamburger Hill. Severally underrated and you get to see a young Don Cheadle.

If you are interested in reading more, I would highly recommend the books of Bernard Fall. He was a French-American who traveled through Indochina extensively. "Hell in a very small place" is the story of Dien Bien Phu, which ultimately lead to the demarcation of Vietnam and America's involvement. "La Rue Sans Joie" is about the battle at the beginning of this movie.

@jeffreybaker4399

Жыл бұрын

"Street Without Joy" for those who don't read French. Good recommendations.

@georgesykes394

Жыл бұрын

Ironically Bernard Fall was killed at The Siege of Khe Sanh embedded with the USMC. Ho Chi Minh wanted to make it another Dien Bien Phu but the plan didn't go as well as to be expected.

The actor playing reporter Joe Galloway is Barry Pepper. You previously saw him as Jackson the sniper in "Saving Private Ryan". He is in another true events movie, part of a matched set: "Flags of Our Fathers" (2006) and "Letters From Iwo Jima" (2006), both directed by Clint Eastwood. They are about the WW2 Pacific Battle of Iwo Jima, one from the American perspective, and the other from the Japanese perspective. Ken Watanabe, who played the daimyo Katsumoto in "The Last Samurai", stars as the Japanese commander in "Letters from Iwo Jima" Barry Pepper also did a good performance in the 2010 remake of the western "True Grit".

When the girl said "Nethodist" she was referring to the Methodist. Methodist/Methodism is one of the main religious branches of Protestantism. The Protestantism is one of the many religious groups that broke away from the Catholicism. Lutheran, Pentecostal, Methodist, Baptist, Nondenominational, and Presbyterian are just some of the branches of Protestantism. I myself am Pentecostal. Even though we're different from each other we do share a few similarities in beliefs.

My grandfather was a WWII, Korea, and Vietnam veteran. My dad said my grandfather never really talked about his time serving much. My dad said my grandfather never took them hunting nor brough a gun to the house because he saw enough of guns and killing to last more than a lifetime. My dad said due to my grandfather being in the army they moved around a few times from base to base. My dad remember living in those type of base housing growing up. He said back in those days he used to mow lawns for some of the families for .25¢ a yard (.50¢ for big yards) using one of those old reel push mowers. My dad was about 14 years old when the Vietnam war broke out and because it was still going when he turned 18 he was almost drafted to go. They had a lotty system for the draft. He said they barely missed him by 1 number to be drafted.

I was just too young to have to serve in Vietnam.a guy named Tom L. lived a couple of houses from us.he was a few years older than me and was drafted.went to Vietnam in the infantry.after his time was up in the army he came home.i was 16 or 17 then.was old enough to know Tom was drunk or high most of the times.after being home a couple years one snowy night he took his old hunting rifle off the wall and pulled a trigger one last time.i'm -68 Yrs old and still hate what that war did to the men of my generation.thank you Mary for a another wonderful job

Unbelievable film. Great reaction too. I was a driver of 44-ton tankers and rode a high performance Supersport motorbike. The scenes of the telegrams being given to those wives who just became widows brought me to floods of tears the 1st time I watched it, and every time since. Colonel Hal Moore and his sergeant major were legends. I'd follow them into the gates of hell itself.

Awesome reaction video, as usual. TY so much for letting us experience it with you. This is one of my all time favorite movies. It is very accurately represented by it's name, "We Were Soldiers". It showed the horrible nature of war (for both sides) -- a true soldiers perspective of war. Rips your heart out multiple times, as it should. A movie everyone should watch. So underrated.

The Reporter was a soldier in Black Hawk Down

The part in the movie where they go to pick up the soldier that’s burned and when the reporter grabs his ankles and the skin comes off is a true story

There used to be two Japanese-American newspapers in my community, and I remember reading about Jimmy Nakayama's death in Vietnam.

Mary, I cry every time I see this movie. I'm a war vet, Desert Storm & Shield. Thank you for your reactions.

ive watched thsi movie 15 times and cryied 15 times, now ive cried at the reaction too

@michaelriddick7116

Жыл бұрын

Same. Every time I watch it, or a reactor watching it ... Jimmy's legs get me everytime 💔😭😭😭😭😭

Helmets during the Vietnam War were not bullet proof yet. They were only meant for stopping shrapnel, fragmentations from blasts, other debris & bumps to the head. It wasn’t until 1979 that soldiers have had helmets that can be able to stop handgun rounds to the head using Kevlar. Those helmets were replaced in 2003 for another upgrade. Helmets can now even stop rifle rounds, but are fairly new in the US military.

Fort Benning, Georgia is now named Fort Moore. In Honor of Lieutenant General Harold G. Moore it's well deserved. CSM Plumley is in the rare minority of Men who have 2 Stars above their CIB denoting 3rd Award he fought in WW2, Korea, and Vietnam. The names of the Men who have earned their 3rd award of. The CIB are listed on plaques at the National Infantry Museum on post.

Gary Owen is 7th Cav battle anthem. One of my "favorite" war movies. I grew up next to MacDill Airforce Base, Tampa Fl. It was an F'4 Base during the Vietnam War. Many of my friends dads where in the Airforce and my Step-dad was a WW2 fighter pilot, my mom German. It's a well done movie. Read the book.

2 of my cousins and 1 uncle fought there. My uncle was a combat photographer. You can't imagine the pics he took...

I've had several experiences in life. When it comes to physical violence towards you or those close to you... And the unexplainable feeling of overwhelming emotions.. Can cause denial and confusion for everyone involved. Also guilt, even though it wasn't "your fault". Can get in the way of so many things in life. Even way later. Sometimes you get desensitized.. Can take a toll on everyone.

The casualty figures for LZ X-Ray (the subject of this movie) were 79 KIA and 121 WIA for the US and for the PAVN - 634 confirmed KIA by body count - with estimates of 'up to 1215' not supported by good evidence. During the withdrawal of the supporting/relieving mechanised battalion another column was ambushed at LZ Albany and there were 155 KIA, 124 WIA and 4 captured US personnel plus additional casualties in the allied ARVN forces, against North Vietnamese 403 confirmed KIA (with estimates of up to 503). With a further small clash at a third LZ resulting in a few additional casualties. Total AVRN casualties were reported as 132 KIA, 248 WIA and 48 MIA. PAVN total casualties were acknowledged as 554 KIA and 669 WIA - which accounts for almost half of the frontline infantry of the 2500 strong 'divisional elements' encountered in these battles - the estimate of 4000 was also somewhat exaggerated - but intel gathered in the moment is often a bit fuzzy and imprecise. Overall Ia Drang was a very Pyrrhic victory for both sides - both claimed victory, but saw their enemies emboldened by the restriction on their opponents freedom of action - "We won, but they will think that they did". The US probably saw the worst of it, compared to their tolerance for losses - with their exaggerated claims of success at X-Ray being promoted over the consequent ambush and defeat at Albany. They 'held' both fields, with the PAVN forces disengaging and withdrawing in good order - but the ability to win was confirmed to the PAVN and they continued to fight until the US resolve broke following TET in 1968 and the subsequent unwillingness of the US population to support a bloody war against a political concept in SE Asia.

Gary Owen was the name of the regimental song of the 7th cavalry back under General Custer.

Thank you for watching this! I appreciate your reaction and the impact this movie had on you. I had an ancestor who served with Col. then General Custer in the 1st Michigan Cavalry during the American Civil War.

Ken Burns did a 10 episodes series on the Vietnam war. I don't recall ever seeing a reaction to a doc. Maybe you should be the first. It was very well done.

the guy who plays the reporter is the sniper in Saving Private Ryan

My Father served during the Vietnam war. Fortunately for him he signed up with the Navy in 1964 while a junior in High school. So after his senior year he went into the Navy. Had of waited he most likely would have been drafted into the Army. My cousin served two tours and lost his leg and came back to the States with a Heroin addiction. My friend was born while his father in the war. His father was killed in battle a month later.

Fort Benning in Georgia was just renamed Fort Moore

If you're at all interested in another movie set in Vietnam, I can wholeheartedly recommend Danger Close: The battle of Long Tan. It follows the perspective Australian soldiers and went hard enough for authenticity that they used transcripts of radio messages from the battle as their own script.

I am quite pleased with Gibson's portrayal of the American Midwest accent in the Character of Hal Moore. Col. George Armstrong Custer was a Civil War hero who led his entire regiment into a massacre against the combined Dakota, Lakota and other tribes in Wyoming.

The bugler at the beginning was played by on of Mel’s sons. At 16:17 when you said WTF , that was a white phosphorus grenade. Water will not stop the burning. That’s why his buddy cut it out of his cheek with his bayonet

If one were to vist the 1st Cavalry Division Museum at Fort Cavazos, formerly known as Fort Hood, there is an entire on display all about the Battle Ia Drang. Several items from the French Bugle to the captured North Vietnam Flag to Col Moore's uniforms are displayed.

General Moore and Sergeant Major Plumley are legends.

Another good Vietnam War movie was BAT*21 with Gene Hackman.

My uncle fought with Col. Moore in the Ia Drang. He never would talk about it.

Mel Gibson war movies are very emotional and graphic. This movie is based on an eponymous book by General Hal Moore and Joe Galloway. It was a hard book to read with many more tragedies. Although it was difficult to watch, I appreciated that this movie showed how the fighting and deaths affected families. Speaking of the wives and families, Julia C Moore was just given a very unusual honor. Fort Benning, one of the main army training bases, which was originally named for a Confederate general, has been renamed Fort Moore after both General Moore and Julia Moore.

The photographer played the sniper in Saving Private Ryan

My feelings echo those of other commenters. I, too, am a combat vet and almost didn't watch this reaction. Not because of my reaction to the movie. But, yours. You are an intelligent and sensitive person. Watching you experience this movie was difficult. But, like many war movies or serious dramas, we should watch them to learn and grow. Thank you for sharing.

War scared the shit out of me when I first experienced it. Scary doesn't even begin to explain it.

Standing in front of the Vietnam Memorial is a different feeling than all the others in DC for me. I was alive during this war, just 2 years from going myself. As I look at all the names, I am torn between sadness and guilt. I always visit, and I always feel the same way when I leave. We should always be reminded of the sacrifices by those before us. I think we should go back to having the men who make the decisions to send men like this into harm's way, should be fighting along side them.

"In war, what if the first one dies, the most important one?" I assume "most important one" mean highest ranking officer. Well, first, there is a chain of command. A -> B -> C -> D. If B dies, C takes over but A is still in charge. These guys know that chain of command and they instantly know who is in charge if their officers die. Second, these guys are supposed to be well trained. That means that they don't need an officer to tell them everything. They get off the helicopter, find cover, stay alive, shoot enemies, etc., all without any orders from their officers. Officers mostly tell them when it's time to move, time to attack, time to retreat, or basically time to stop doing what they're doing and start doing something else. The rest of the time they just do their jobs. So yes, your point is valid. Officers dying can lead to some confusion and some inability to make ALL the men act together and do the right things at the right time. But otherwise, they'll still fight and survive and kill just as well with or without officers.

The greatest ww2 war movie ever made is Come And See, Idi I Smotri. You should give it a watch.

Platooon has a good shout at being best war movie ever made. Never seen anyone react to it though.

@becausethemailneverstops9350

Жыл бұрын

There's several reactions to Platoon.

The sergeant major in this is so awesome 😂.

Mary - "I have no idea if this is going to be gruesome or not..." Me - 😬

I'm sure someone else has commented recommending the book already. I would also recommend watching the deleted scenes. I think there are about 10 that are included on the DVD.

Hey Mari, I have an interesting React suggestion for you. There are videos on KZread where they get together several Veterans (and other peoples) and ask them to discuss their time as soldiers. Some are groups, some are pairs. One of my favourites is a British WWII Vet talking with a recent British Afghanistan [?] Vet.

Hal Moore did not suffer fools lightly. He despised men that had never been in battle or worn the uniform giving orders that negatively affected his men. He was the best kind of leader. As to your comment on not knowing how you would behave in battle, the military branches do an EXCELLENT job of preparing our young men and women for battle using real battle scenarios with all of the shooting and explosions. The training our soldiers undergo is intensive. The young man from the press that climbed into that helicopter became one of Hal Moore's best friends. The photos he took during this battle and many others after changed the way the world saw war.

This battle was the official beginning of 10 more years of involvement. The biggest problem with Vietnam, was the politicians & generals that weren't even in-country, deciding how the war would be fought That, and as was the case with Afghanistan, we won - and then we left, leaving both countries wide open, and unable/unwilling to defend themselves. This leaves many veterans with the feeling that it was all for nothing. Thank you for watching this one, Mary - and congratulations if you're officially a mommy now!

Hal Moore was an exceptional combat leader. He kept his promise. Not a single man under his command, dead or alive, was left behind.

I had to explain what war is when my daughter was 7 ... because of the statue of a WWI soldier outside of our town library.

@thedrizzle06925

Жыл бұрын

Uncomfortable but necessary, I think we are getting away from those things that are uncomfortable.

@williambranch4283

Жыл бұрын

@@thedrizzle06925 We must resist the temptation that happiness is the only value. All men in my family have accepted duty on some level, or I would never have been born or raised in the first place.

Bless you and your newborn… lovelovelove ❤️✌🏻🌸🌈 I think you will be a fabulous mamma..

About 70 percent of the combat soldiers who fought in Vietnam were volunteers. The US Army was mostly volunteers even then.

Col Moore’s wife forced military to change how they notified families: Julia Compton Moore, wife of retired Lt. Gen. Hal Moore, was depicted in the movie by actress Madeleine Stowe. Her efforts in the aftermath of the Battle of Ia Drang Valley prompted the Army to establish survivor support networks and casualty notification teams.

The movie had the wives getting telegrams as soon as the soldiers were killed, which did not happen that quickly. The death of a Soldier took a few days to report, as the body had to be collected from the battlefield and processed via the casualty/mortuary affairs personnel. Once those personnel had a body, they would initiate the process of notifying the family then.