'We Were Soldiers' Company Commander on Being Surrounded | The Battle of Ia Drang | Robert Edwards
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- Опубліковано 3 кві 2023
- Colonel Robert Edwards was a U.S. Army veteran who fought in the Vietnam War as a company commander of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). He graduated from Lafayette College in 1960 and joined the infantry. He trained with the 11th Air Assault Division at Fort Benning before deploying to Vietnam in 1965.
One of his most notable engagements was the Battle of Ia Drang, which took place from November 14 to 18, 1965. He led C Company in a fierce fight against a much larger force of North Vietnamese Army regulars at Landing Zone X-Ray. On the second day of the battle, he was wounded by a bullet that broke his shoulder blade and was evacuated from the battlefield. He later returned to Vietnam for a second tour and retired from the Army in 1983.
Interview recorded on November 4th, 2022
Video Credits:
Interviewer - Greg Corombos
Director of Photography - Jon Hambacker
Editor - TJ Cooney
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@@emmanuelawosusi2365 We are working on it!
Iv come across this now im listening to this my father was in this battle iv had to watch stuff like this and move bcuz he never say much abt it.
@@americanveteranscenter nice
All Wars are Fake. This is all Lies.
My brother-in-law, Eddy Peters, was in that cut off platoon, he was depicted in the movie "We Were Soldiers" by the soldier in Sgt. Savage's cut-off platoon, as digging out a piece of phosphorus that had been embedded into the cheek of one of the soldiers, with his combat knife, that was my brother-in-law doing that "field surgery" on his buddy.
Thanku for your service semper fi
@@chadvaughan8211 I served on a pig boat WWII sub from 68-69, nothing like my brother-in-law, Eddie Peters, he deserves the cuddos
@@petebenson7003I fully understand what you mean but as far as I’m concerned anyone and everyone who has lifted even a single finger to do their part to help ensure our freedoms continue to stay our freedoms are more than deserving of Praise, especially considering the pitiful attitude that so many of our citizens demonstrate in todays time.
Thank god for brave men I am ready to fight to the death for the U.S.A.
@@chadvaughan8211he didn't serve it was his brother in law
To all the Vietnam Vets. Thank you for your service and welcome home!!
I understand "welcome home".
But why "thank you"?
@@ThisHandleFeatureIsStupid thank you for serving, so the hippies could smoke dope! I am just guessing
@@ThisHandleFeatureIsStupid because they killed people, dummy!
@@ThisHandleFeatureIsStupid I'm not at all surprised you're confused.
It's 2023 they've been home a while now.
You could take Bob from the time of this interview, and insert him into a company today, and he would be an asset. There’s a term I’ve heard over the years called “command presence”. He has it in spades. Thanks for your service Bob!
Oh damn I remember him! He's portrayed in we were soldiers by Dylan Walsh!
In the movie he gets shot as he's talking to hal Moore (mel gibson) and it's implied that he passes because you don't see him for the rest of the movie. Cool to see he's still alive!
Absolute hell of a movie. First war movie I saw and was just like. Damn.
@ben miller Read Hal Moores book.
"We were soldiers once and young,"
Absolute best battle book I've ever read
@@benmiller9754 It took me ages to finally watch, "Saving Private Ryan", because I heard about how brutal the beginning was.
I have watched all kinds of brutal movies, docs about war, the Holocaust, but I am glad I waited to see "Saving Private Ryan".
A very good war movie from the perspective of Refugee children is, "Turtles Can Fly". (Kurdish). Very well done, and heart breaking.
He is seen playing dead as nva pass him on the deleted scene
@@JoseRamirez-pl8iq do remember the name of the deleted scene?
My grandpa Oscar Colon, who I live with and care for to this day was the radio man for C company. He landed on X ray and was at Ia Drang since day one. I cannot be prouder of this man he is now 83 years old and going strong but just starting to feel welcomed home. Thank you to all the Vietnam vets for their service.
I'm a retired NCO, I have 4 combat deployments and 2 contractor deployments, I've been blown up 5 times and am a Purple Heart Recipient!!...Nothing I went through can be compared to what WW II, Korea, and Viet Nam Vets did, went through, and suffer! My hats off to those bad asses!!! MUCH RESPECT!!!
Thank you for your service 🙏
Thank you brother. 1st Inf Div. LRRPS I co 75 Inf Rangers Vietnam 1068-69
1968-69
@geraldallday7466 : ) much respect to you brother!
Respect for your humility and all CIB holders.
I watch people like this and I realize I am a piece of garbage. Men like this are why this country is still free. Thank you sir for your life and courage.
You are deffo not garbage, no one is. If your country called, I 'm sure you would respond.
That may be a little harsh. We've all acted like that...but we are NOT that. Most of us, anyway. Don't be too hard on yourself. This coming from a recovering drug addict/ homeless dealer.
you sound like the type to buy a station wagon and a fish
Not just a HERO, LEGEND, but what a fantastic story teller. All these years later he is so thorough and concise. I can’t be this concise about a trip to the grocery store twenty minutes earlier. Story telling is a gift. Also being willing to tell the story, one like this, needs to be applauded. I have no words how to properly thank real heroes, and there are many heroes out there that earned my proper thanks. They already have my admiration.
He definitely is a good one! I wish I could remember details from things that happen to me years and years ago
Thank you for your comments 11 Bravo 10 Infantry 1971
Ikr
To you, criminal to me. He is no hero. He is everything that's wrong with the USA
Better than a movie. I love hearing these guys speak from experience. Btw…..buy the book. Details that never made it into the movie. Mayhem that’s hard to imagine.
Sir, you made me proud to be an American. I haven't said that for a long time. Thank you.
I feel that one deep
what a life story and thanks for sharing. you make America proud
Thanks to all our veterans who served.
War criminals.
@@OliverFlinn I will get back to you on your comment.
let me ask you this. Are you saying the soldiers are war criminals, or the government that sent them there war criminals?
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 both, obviously.
"i was just following orders" is nothing more but an excuse to distant yourself from what you did.
@@OliverFlinn so is what you are saying I should have just stood there and be shot, right?
Wonderful to see this distinguished officer sharp and healthy. His memory for dates is amazing, his modesty very becoming,, his attitude old school army. I love it. Fort Benning school for boys was where I trained as well, back in the day, it was superb at every level. The officer training was intense and very tough - Ranger school even more so - I dropped 25 pounds in 60 days... but the training kept me alive through two tours much later in the war. Still makes me emotional to hear this story.
. Welcome home and thanks for preserving this history in a oral presentation.
Thank you Alex, for your service and so glad you're doing well. I loved hearing him talk, and his praise of Julie Moore. I'm thankful to all of and your fellows. My brother was there in January 68 thru late 69. I corps, Con Thien, north east of khe sanh. I have so much respect for all of you!
The memory of the detail is just amazing
Wow I'm blown away by this mans story. My Uncle went to Vietnam 67-69. He was drafted but volunteered for a second tour. He was attached to an American unit. Thank you to All who served 🇭🇲🇺🇲🇳🇿
I could listen to Col. Edwards talk all day, he's astonishing.
My dad's best friend fought in this battle with Bravo Company, 1st battalion, 5th Cavalry. Great interview.
My dad was in A Trp 2/7 Cav in Nov 1965 was ambushed at LZ Albany, not a scratch.. 2 more tours as well
From one combat veteran to another thank you for your service and sacrifice. I've watched the movie based on the events of your battle...and I can't even begin to imagine. I also know from experience movies can only show so much and unless you were there in person you'll never quite understand the intensity. I was in a 3 hr firefight in Sadr City Iraq and thought this is where I'm going to die tonight we aren't going to make it out of this one....but the training and muscle memory kicked in and we all made it with a few wounded. So I can only imagine what you all went through. I salute you and I thank you ALL!! I know you said not to watch the movie but I will definitely get the book. They're always better anyways!!
Welcome home Jason.
On behalf of our country and the men and woman who didn’t serve thank you for your service, sacrifice, and carrying the sword. God bless you sir 🫡💚
What an impressive human being. Thank you for your service, sir!!
Thank your Colonel Edwards for your service. We owe you and all the other vets so much!
My grandpa was the medic in the cut off platoon.
This is the voice of a professional soldier. I have the greatest respect for the men in that fight. He’s right the command of a company in combat is the greatest challenge and responsibility an Infantry officer can have.
It brings tremendous emotions to listen to this loyal warrior who loved and served his country and the men under his command throughout his distinguished career!
I’ve never served but We Were Soldiers struck me as a movie that actually wanted to tell the events of a battle rather than make a dramatic depiction of it. Just found myself thinking about Rick Riscola the other day for some reason and it reminded me of this battle. If you want a heartbreaking story read up on Lt. Riscola, truly an American hero.
Agreed. And I hate it when Hollywood feels the need to make things bigger and more dramatic than they were. Ia Drang doesn't seem like it needed exaggeration at all.
Read the book the movie is based on. Outstanding. Rick died on 9/11 at WTC.
Rescorla's Company replaced C 1/7 on the ridge and Rescorla set them up several meters back, dug foxholes to accommodate 3 men. Then Rescorla crawled out 50 meters to stare back at his own lines to study for weakness. In the morning the enemy charged the lines several times and B 2/7 wiped them out.
@@allencollins6031 And by all reports, died in an attempt to save other lives. A hero in every sense of the word.
@@bdickinson6751 yes
I was there all of 67 please remember the ones that didn’t make it back home!!
Welcome home from that hell-hole Sir.
I’ve seen a few interviews with Col. Hal Moore but this is the 1st with Col. Edwards. Fascinating thank you so much for this! We need men like this now, today more than ever in this crazy moronic day & age. A real man
“You have to mourn and you have to grieve but more importantly you have to …..function.” God bless you, sir. Thank you.
I have met his wife previously when she worked at a craft store. When the casualty lists came in she assumed her husband had been KIA based on the early negative press reports. His wife involved herself in crafts as a type of stress relief from the horrid memories of the IA DRANG battle news.
Read the book, watched the film, watched many documentaries…many hero’s
Thank you for your service, all involved 🇺🇸
Blessings from 🇬🇧
Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Welcome home you are not forgotten. Great to hear his version of this battle.
Amazing men.. “Thank you for your service” is hardly enough to say. Enjoyed the history lesson not to be forgotten while on this earth.
From one Vietnam combat veteran to another I salute you sir!
These guys were true heroes. What they experienced was horrific.. What an amazing man. Thanks for your service.
I dont know how old this gentleman is, but damn he's sharp. What a memory wow!
when you do shit like that you never forget.
Well he mentions he graduated college in 1960 and then joined the army. Probably about 22 when he was commissioned as a lieutenant. So do the math. 1960 - 22 means he was born probably around 1938. That means he's pushing 80 years old. But yes, he's sharp as a tack.👍
Outstanding! Thank you. My family knew Joe Galloway as journalists. My father was a US Army Active Reservist who served 1 tour in S. Korea and 2 flying tours in S. VN 1964-65 and 1966-68. Thank you for your service!
“A Street without Joy” is a must read to understand Vietnam as is “We Were Soldiers Once and Young” as well as the entire IaDrang campaign two different countries fighting the same war .
The study of history - particularly military history - was critical in my life. I could have easily have gone the wrong direction. I had known about Ia Drang because I was born the week it started and I did several (almost all) school reports on the Vietnam War. So, when "We Were Soldiers....and Young" came out in '92 I was at Barnes & Noble weekly until it arrived. I think I read it in 2 days, couldn't put it down. Simply one of the best accounts of a battle you'll ever read. The movie was good as well although I think it would be appropriate, if that's the term, to tell the horrific story of the march out of LZ X-Ray towards LZ Albany. It must have been gut wrenching. In any event, thank you to all Vietnam Vets.
Read the book and seen the film. Thoroughly enjoy these interviews, especially the Vets personal recollections. Recollections as if they were occuring recently. Being a senior and British, still remember the newsreels of that time. Kudos to All those guys and their families.
I'm an old man in my 70's. In my youth I was a Regular Army Captain followed by a Reserve career until I retired. Each officer, Regular or Reserve has a career advisor at Army. Growing older I keep seeing interviews like this were officers negotiate with the advisor making their wishes be known and coming up with assignments that satisfy both the Army and the officer. Some parts of your career were not open to discussion... you had to attend the career courses that became available to your year group at the time you were scheduled, but where you went in the Army was more often based on what you wanted. I've never heard former officers criticize their advisors. But that wasn't my experience. Both my Regular and Reserve advisors were complete assholes who wanted nothing more than to get off the phone. They were rude and often wouldn't even let you finish a sentence. I eventually stopped calling them because of it. I actually despised them.
Amazing. As Colonel Edwards retired in August, 1983. A youngman of 18 years old from the 50th State of our Union Hawaii enlisted as a boiler technician in our United States Navy. An older generation retires and a younger generation takes up the mantel of service to our United States of America in the branches of our armed forces. Hope you are of good health Colonel Sir.
I was a sailor who enlisted in Australia in 1998, an engineering sailor. I served on the old DDGs, that served in Vietnam. Dude I was lucky to get off DDGs, and onto FFGs. Steam was hard work, I'm grateful for the experience but there is zero chances I would ever do that again. Gas Turbines and a ship with 1950s technology was luxury compared to the old steamships.
My uncle served with 7th fleet on a cruiser and they did artillery fire near the shore in Nam, he worked in the boiler room and later became a HVAC contractor.
It thought he was dead ! What a nice book they wrote ! What a remarkable man !
You’re probably thinking of Colonel Hal Moore who died in 2017, aged 94.
@@callumfarquhar2082 94! Freaking outstanding! Got his money's worth out of this $#!T show!
I'm a UA-cam commenter, and I commented on this video. I've commented on videos from home star runner to the Harlem shake to the Kendrick/Drake beef. No one says they have family or had a part in more of the videos than the people who comment on war stories.
I thank you for your service. Semper pie, eat or die, ooo ahh ooo ahh
Agree, the book is excellent, read it well before the movie. I thank you with my heart for sharing your story. 11th Armored Cav 1968-1969.
Thanks Colonel. It is a great book and the movie did inspire me to read it. I had seen the abc? Special on the guys who fought the 2nd battle on the march out and the book allowed me to connect the two. Glad you came home.
When I was attending the Infantry Officer Basic Course (IOBC) at Ft. Benning, one of the Lieutenants had his father killed in this battle and his mother was left as a young widowed single mother. I could only imagine what mixed emotions his mother must have when he was commissioned into the infantry.
What an amazing man. Thanks for your service
Can't express enough gratitude first and foremost for our military members and secondly for all of these first hand accounts. Again another exemplary leader in Col Bob Edwards. What these men did and how they fought in the Ia Drang Valley is nothing short of awe inspiring. Thank you all for your service.
Very well spoken man also. He talks and walks what a leader should be.
When I was about 14 my cousin had just returned from war, so I asked him about how it was, hoping for some cool stories. He said he was in Pleiku, then got quiet, kinda like I took him back there for an instant with my question. All he said was ... you don't want to know. I never ever brought it up again, but now realize the PTSD & how it affected the rest of his life
Hal Moore's book "We Are Soldiers Still" is probably the most important history book I've read. The audio version is read by Joe Galloway, a war correspondent who also fought at the Battle of the Ia Drang. His excellent retelling of the story with his slow southern drawl makes it a classic not to be missed. Moore's analysis of the politics of war is spot-on.
Unless you are a combat vet, you will need to first read "We Were Soldiers Once, and Young" about the battle.
Thank you for your service and sharing your story, and the story of your men. You are all my hero's
One of the greatest generation of men and young men to ever exist. Thank you for your service to all who served in the Vietnam war and most of all… Welcome home boys 🫡🇺🇸💚
What a tremendous story and personal recall of a combat veteran's career. Thank you, Sir.
Colonel Edwards. Thank you for stepping forward on our behalf
That book is one of the most amazing recounting of a battle that Ive ever read. Just thrilling and fascinating. It makes you so appreciative and proud of our countries fighting forces.
My uncle, Colonel Benjamin S. Silver, was stationed over there and his men were shuttling out the wounded from this battle. He knew Colonel Moore and said that he was a “damn good soldier.”
Love you all thank you all i stand in awe and freedom not free you gave to me. WE the people hold these truths...
Thank you so much for your life’s work Sir! A true American hero!
Much respect sir!
Was with the 8th Infantry Div. From 71 to 74 Artillery.
Thank you heros for all you did.
A truly special interview. Colonel Edwards needs his own show, such eloquent descriptions of his training, the battle and career.
Thank you for your service to a FREE and grateful nation m,sir!
Amazing story!!!! Thank you!!
It’s crazy how similar our units were even though I’m a Marine. 1st Battalion 8th Marines 2nd Marine Division Charlie Co. Mortar section. Good work making the grass grow brother! Welcome home.
You are correct, Colonel, the book is terrific!
These guys were true heroes. What they experienced was horrific.
True pawns.
thank you for your service! you are correct, the book is very well written.
An Aussie here. What a great interview. I’ve read the book and seen the movie. The movie is good but the book is much better👍👍👍
Thank you for your 🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸courage,sacrifice and service to answer the call to serve ❤
My Dad was a three war Veteran. WW2, Korea and Vietnam. He didn’t talk about any of it. My late Father in Law would talk to me about part of it but only when it was just Him and I. We were out in the row boat fishing. I think what bothered Him most was being assigned to close up caves with explosives in WW2. Any person that served in any form of service whether it was a cook or a front line troop, They were and are Hero’s in my estimations. Thank You very much for Your service Sir!
Jeff Stephens from Carthage Texas?
NOT MANY DID THIS WAS HE A COMBAT VET IN ALL THREE?
@jamiecreed2979 Again, He wouldn’t talk about it. I know He was in the Japan Sea at the end of WW2 and He related one story about Korea. He said that “They were humping on either side of a road” my words not His as I don’t remember. I know They were on a patrol. As They were walking on either side of the road, They were strafed by a Korean plane. Of course, everyone hit the ditches on the sides of the road. One guy He mentioned by name (He must have been a smaller guy) had so much gear on that all He could do is fall back in to a canal. When They formed back up, there was a terrible smell coming from one of them. It was the unnamed man. He had fallen into a canal used to fertilize their fields and of course contained human and animal excrement. From then on, He was known as “Stinky-Whatever His name was.”
By the time He hit Vietnam, He had bought Himself and my Mother a tape recorder. I remember hearing explosions and pauses as planes flew by in His tapes. I don’t know if it was outgoing or incoming. When He returned, We moved back to Twentynine Palms. He did a few more years, then retired. I know He worked in “Building 2000” and We could see the building from a rare dune from Ocotillo Heights. My Brother went on to serve in the Marine Corps while I chose to marry and go the Law Enforcement route. In hindsight, I wish I had joined.
Thank You for asking! My Dad and I butted heads a lot when I was young but in His last years We found Our equilibrium.
@stevecallaway8457 Jeff Stevens from Mesquite, Texas. I hope You find Your friend.
Seriously, thank you for collecting these stories before they’re gone. Never forget.
I first read about action in the Ia Drang Valley in a book titled Chickenhawk by Robert Mason, a helicopter pilot. But became more significant when they featured the story in a US News and World Report magazine in the 1990s. I eventually rented the book " We Were Soldiers Once and Young" by Hal Moore (unit commander of the battalion, interestingly the same regiment as George Armstrong Custer's) and Joe Galloway, the US News and World Report reporter who was with the unit throughout the fighting. I love military history.
...my retired Marine buddy. A Mustang major. Actually met Bernard Fall...he was part of Operation Shufly in 1962 assigned to escort duty for a number of journalists...among those was Richard Tegaskis
R.T.- Guadalcanal Diary?
We need to record my stories like this for our future. With out these first hand accounts of horrible actions we will lose history on how it really was. Thank you sir for your service from a Marine. Semper Fidelis
22:23 wow this is where it really sinks in what happened and at what cost! Respect to you Col Edwards!
God bless you , I read the book long ago and felt the movis,tho done well,fell short as movies often do . Joe Gallaways assessment was spot on .
What a great dude, I love hearing these guys talk about such hairy situations. Great men and true heroes.
All though I never fought in the war, I was surrounded by young men who were. All brave. Col. Edward's, thank you for your service and for telling your story. I have a deep respect for all military people. I hope you are doing well and enjoying life. Much respect Sir. Thank you 💛 again. Be safe and well.
This is how I like these historic interviews edited. OUTSTANDING.!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ia Drang is a big deal in the Army. The lessons learned are timeless. I know there are those who think the movie glorifies it as an operational victory, but the real successes were at the tactical level - logistics, maneuver, fires, air, etc. You can train a PL on it today and he’ll come out a better leader.
This is fantastic insight and it also provides future Army officers with the typical career glidepath (you WILL end up on Brigade staff one way or another lol)
I did basic infantry training first Battalion 38th infantry delta company fourth platoon assistant, platoon, guide, at ft benning graduated May 23, 2002. It was the best four months of my life. Thank you Colonel for your service. It’s an honor to have trained on the same grounds as you and ate the same dirt. It would have been an ultimate honor to have served under you.
As an American citizen I've never felt safer after seeing that were surrounded by heroes God bless you and all of our military thank you for your service 🙏
Bless you, Colonel, and thank you!
to think man's man , like this amazing Soldier , gave everything, just so we can see the insanity that's going on today, i was an 11Bravo SAW Gunner in Afghanistan .and makes me sad, how this gent gave the majority of his youth ,to protect what's our, just so the ones in DC fail all of them and now the citizens ,R.I.P to all who didn't made it home, and GOD BLESS our Airman,MARINES,SOLDIERS ,SAILORS and COAST GUARDS !
Once had a heartwrenching discussion with a WWII B-17 pilot. He described to me, with tears in his eyes, all of the good men he saw go down in flames and questioned what the hell it all was for. That was more than 20 years ago and I pray he's not around to experience what's going on today.
I’m a peacetime vet, but thank you very much for your service.
me too, peace always casey
Thank You sir!
To all vets.. past. present and future.. Thank you .
Love hearing bout this battle .. 🇺🇸 thank you sir! Welcome home
Good one, the officer's perspective isn't seen very often in the way he told it.
Thank you for your service Sir
As a Brit we have forgotted about Rick Riscola. I haven't. A very brave man who never got the recognition in the UK he deserves
Read the book, saw the movie. Loved both.
I have read Galloway and Moore’s book several times. Cried when I saw the movie realizing that Rick Rescorla was left out.
Thank you sir for all that you've done you are a true hero God bless you for your service
Thank you for sharing COL Edwards’ interview! ... Reading "We Were Soldiers Once And Young" was required reading in our OPD program in the early 1990s. Our S3 was able to connect with one of the junior officers at Ia Drang (I don’t remember his name) who spoke to us about his experiences there. He was at least 50s and older than almost everyone in our Brigade. When our Brigade Commander came, who was probably 45, and the room was called to attention, the 50s civilian stood at attention, too! ... LOL! I'll never forget the startled look on the Brigade Commander's face when he saw him! But true to form, like most vets, the old muscle memories and habits took hold and for that moment in time he was a young soldier again, obeying commands and rendering honors to a COL. ... The Colonel was startled because, like ALL of us, he had come to render HIM honors as our elder brother in arms and to hear his story. It was a good book and a good day for all of us, and a sobering reminder about preparation, training, and keeping your wits under fire as COL Edwards so eloquently reminded us.
The book We Were Soldiers Once And Young in which the movie was based is awesome reading. You could almost smell the cordite. These soldiers were tested and passed with flying colors.
Read the book and watched the movie. You men were heroic and a real testament to the brotherhood of warriors! Thank you for your service.