Army Scout Pilot’s Worst Day in Vietnam & Other Stories
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- Опубліковано 6 лип 2024
- William “Hank” Hankinson served as a pilot in HHT/1/9 and B/1/9, 1st Cavalry Division, flying numerous combat operations in Vietnam between 1969 and 1970. Most notably, Hankinson spent nine months as a scout pilot and survived being shot down five times.
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Chapters:
0:00 - One of the Worst Days
5:33 - Scared Pilots Die
7:17 - Crossing the Line
10:31 - Paranoia
11:40 - Unwelcome Home
14:21 - Psychiatric Mess
18:08 - Recovery
Welcome to the largest UA-cam 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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In a couple months I'll have 33 years sober. I lost my only brother on May 9, 1969. He was a door gunner. I am without a brother in this world. His remaining platoon members came here in 2013 and did a " proper" service for Harold. I cried again that year. We all went out to eat that evening. Thank you for your service.
I'm just 34 n 3 years sober,you have millions of brothers in the sobriety section cheering fir you man ❤ your brother is a brave man ,you'll see him again on other side🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
6-6-88 36yrs keep coming back!!
Is he a machine gunner on a Uh1 helicopter?
thank both of u for your❤ service
Congratulations on 36 years on being sober & to many more!@@chiphargis3703
I'm glad you made it home. You deserve all the honor this country has to offer. Salute
We lost a lot of good guys, I'm glad this man made it. Welcome home.
What a great story teller. We are still suffering after 55 years. You are not alone brother.
The pain is still quite obvious sir 😔. I’m sorry for your loss and the losses everyone else have suffered from that war. I pray you’ll be reunited with your young friends and guaranteed a place in the house of the lord. God bless you 🙏🫡 🇺🇸
Bless ;you guy
That is the most powerful and honest narrative I have ever heard. God be with you Hank.
God be with all of us - as long as we are all manipulated and exploited by people whose job it is to make fortunes in promoting and maintaining wars.
My Dad was a Cobra pilot for the 114th out of Vinn Long 68-69. My greatest respect for those brave men.
It is VINH....... not Vinn!
@@matthoskin3572
Yeah?
I am in awe of the courage and bravery that men like you and your fellow servicemen had. So sorry for the loss of your friend.
I take my hat off to you, sir, thank you for your service,
God Bless the men AND women who served in Vietnam. They had it rough there and coming home. 🇺🇸
My dad was an army scout pilot. 68 69. He flew a loach. His story was very similar. My mom said dad was never the same after nam. He died of cancer a couple of decades ago. Britt hughes. Rest in peace dad!!!
I was married to a man, a good guy, who was in Vietnam in 67-68. He couldn’t stay married, not sure why. He committed suicide in 2008. I have so much respect for him and other Vietnam vets. You all performed with such bravery and brotherhood. I am forever grateful for what you did.
Thank you Hank for your outstanding service. God bless you always my friend. You are not alone. My dad fought in 1967 operation kingfisher and he is still alive at 85 years old. You are a great hero
Welcome home, and thank you for your service.
Thank you to all our brave Vietnam veterans! I was born in 1968 but I feel so much pride in all of you!
Pilot RVN 70-71. 6yrs sobriety. Still flying. God bless you.
I’m thinking of my old friend Mike Rigney, a retired police officer in the same home town where I am now a retired firefighter from. We had some good times going to Patriots football games where he at times would give little glimpses into his time as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. He was a hell of a guy and I miss him terribly. ✌🏼
Welcome home Hank. I was the last Apache 21. I got shot down my first day in Apache Troop at Song Be with Bloody Bart, who was from Whitefish.
Welcome home brother!
Thank you sir for your service God bless you
Sir I flew with the 155th Assault Helicopter Company, like e you I have lost brothers, I believe if they were here today they would tell us to be be at peace because they are resting in peace. Keep the faith brother.
Ltc Ken Donovan
We should never forget what these men went through, or how the Country treated them when they came home.
Welcome Home Sir.
Thank you for your Service,I'm a Canadian ,feel bad you got treated so badly when you got home !!!
I wish that your government didn’t accept our cowards
@@geraldcalderone7190
Some of the idiots still call them cowards, I call them smart. They knew an unjust war when they saw it and refused to kill and be killed for a cause that had zero to do with the defense of their country.
@@marcusaetius9309 I can respect that point of view. But they should not have been offered amnesty.
Hi Hank. Thanks for your service and perseverance not to die. As far as I'm concerned, Scout pilots had balls as big as watermelons. lol I was with B troop "Blues" 1/9 mostly in Quon Loi from 69 - 70. I probably rescued you and your aircraft on many occasions and pulled recon missions under your and the Cobra's watchful eyes many times also. I also know a "Scout" pilot near where I live in North Texas, named Earl Bausch, who was in Bravo Troop 1/9 after I left. Thanks for sharing your story.
Hey brother , Happy 4th . Small world on here . My last unit during my TOD ( 70-71 ) was as a Blue ( medic ) with the 25th I.D. We worked the QL A.O. sometimes and it was always hot . Of course the same was true for the Loch Ninh , Bu Dop and Song Be AO's as well . Actually , I don't remember if it was before FSB Pace or after . But the then renamed " SOG " folks were working out of QL using indig's and yards . They were set up off the active and were using those choppers that did the "rolling " take off and belched fire from the exhaust . I " think " they had eyes painted on the nose ?! I actually know a medic who was at QL before he came to us . His last name was Nixon , don't remember his first ? Have a great 4th , and Stay Strong Brother ! There are less of us by the day ! doc 25th ID ...
Because you didn't get this when you came back-welcome home. Thank you for what you did and lived through. Never forget you're a badass hero. An old lion is still a lion.
Thanks for sharing your experience. Glad you made it.
UH1,AH1,OH6,OH58 crews all hero’s. My MOS 67N20 crew chief gunner. Got out used GI bill for college and learned to fly fixed wing became a airline pilot . Retired now but still a lot of memories. Living in the woods small farm. Trying to forget a lot of things.
Thanks for sharing your story. Welcome home.
Welcome home, thank you all for your service,👊🏻🇺🇸
Hey William, great story. I'm a fellow Montanan with forty four years in "Bill W's" group. Served in 'Nam 68-69. Glad you got home ok. I had the same "hippie" experience in San Francisco airport upon my return home. I did not leave them unscathed however! God be with you bud!!
Guy has a lot to be proud of I hope he realizes that before he’s done.
22 YEARS FOR ME YESTERDAY ODAAT. THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME STAY SOBER TODAY.
Wow! That was a good story, thanks! Thank you for your service.
Courage can be shown so many ways. The most courageous thing someone can do is face themselves. This man has. Respect to you, sir.
I had a friend who became a Cobra pilot in the 7th Cav. Killed by a .51 caliber bullet. January. 1970 near Tay Ninh. Great guy. So much potential.
Your attitude that you thought was bad is the one thing that saved you through it all . Thanks for your tour of Duty . Blessings to you , Sir !
I would like to hear more from this soldier. I would like to shake his hand, and tell him he did well. He is another of my generation who has much to say, and for the younger generations to learn - and remember.
His dramatic pauses are something.
As a pastor, I have worked so often with folks from our country's battles I have
almost lost count. Thank you for sharing the raw truth and pain you carry. And
thank you for the sacrifice that you an so many others have made for all of us.
God bless you sir thankful for you.
Thanks for sharing your experience, strength, and hope Hank! Congrats on stringing all those 24-hour days together! You're an inspiration to me and many others (45 years here.)
I know this was hard to share. I want to thank this man for his service and his courage for what he did and the story he's telling here... I missed Vietnam draft by 1 year . A lot of my family served that tour and lost 2 cousins.. God Bless this Man !!
I have no doubt all you guys had to have balls as big as Chicago over there, and here at home with the welcome you [didn't] get. Thank you for your service.
This brings back memories of my stepfather who was a door gunner on a huey. When I was in high school, he would get up mornings dripping in sweat. A mix of being back in Nam and living state side (imagine being in a Luckys and suddenly being in a firefight). He too used alcohol as a crutch. I still remember the smell of Pall Malls and Vodka as we talked. I was lucky that he felt comfortable sharing his experiences with me and listening to your story took me back. I'm not sure if this will help you but try to find that young man inside you and embrace him like a son. The two of you can become best of friends and many wounds can be healed.
Welcome home hero!
This former 67Y Cobra crew chief always admired all chopper pilots, but especially ‘Snake’ drivers! 👍
Just remember you’re not alone and welcome home brother! 🇺🇸
We, the military, won in Vietnam, I never let anyone else tell me otherwise….
Blessings and Peace, Hank... 363 Coffin Dodger huey gunner with the 57th Gladiators here, Pleiku, central highlands, (70-72), 1753 air combat hours. Have many of the same feelings. 74 years young now, never been in any aircraft since getting out of the service, will not get near the damn things, too much bad Karma owed. Spend my life flying a Freight truck at night down the highway. Retired at 68. Now, I drink alone, (except for an occasional ghost), now live back in the north michigan woods, that suits me just fine. Thank You for your service.
God bless you, your family, and all Vietnam Vererans.
Grateful for the told experience👍
Sober Veteran here , June 1st 09 ! 0311 Marines, 13fox Army
I just ran across this video out of the blue. I am glad I watched it. The wisdom he developed over time is impressive. Good on you Army Scout.
I just want to reach out and give him a hug! ❤
"Scared Pilots Die." Interesting because I can apply that to life situations too
A good analogy would be skiing steep hills, attack it and go balls out and youre fine, hold back and be timid and you have lots and lots of problems..
I was a weapons repairer on the Cobra (MOS 68J10) 1986 to 1989. The 20mm turret gun, Tow missles and 2.75 rockets were such devastating weapons.
God bless this man. Loved hearing about his life and experiences. Thank you for your service and welcome home.
Thank you for your service.
He should have said, "None. But the day ain't over yet."
These men have real character that was formed through some serious adversity; which is why it's not hard to see why most modern-day Americans can't relate to what vets went through in war, as well as having to assimilate into society afterwards. God bless these men.
Powerful testimony. I’d been a proud man to have known you. Thank you for service and belated welcome home. I’d love to have known the circumstances of your article 15’s but I’m guessing you saved a bunch of good guys because of them. 😢😢😢
Hey Hank , hope you have a great 4th today ! Sounds like we worked the same AO's , but my TOD was 70-71 . I started out at Tay Ninh and ended up as a leg , recon and BLUE with the 25th / 17th /Med Det. Tay Ninh . One of my last duties was with my team and some SF in Tay Ninh province during the FSB Pace deal as a QRF. I can vividly remember sitting around the CC bird at Tay Ninh West before we left for the SF camp , and their was a lively discussion about which was the best way to use the " chicken plate " to sit on . The whole AO around FSB Pace was hot with 51 cals' . I ended up sitting on mine with the front down . During that shit I would fly in the C&C bird wearing my Swiss Seat along with a Ranger ( RTO ) who also wore his SS . Thank God we weren't hit with a 51 , and we were only scrambled twice for downed birds . I don't know if you were at Quan Loi , Loch Ninh , Bu Dop or Song Be , or other . But all those AO's up that way were hot for us . Stay Strong brother , there are less of us by the day .. doc
So powerful. Lest we forget.
What a great man, i salute you
Really amazing story.The guys that went to Vietnam were put through sheer hell.They were fighting against the viet cong who had many years of combat experience like decades.
I remember the hunter killer team, the low bird shot at us, Just crazy, First Air Cav 1/7 69/70.
Damn we have some truly ungrateful and disgusting civilians. I'm sorry you had to endure that homecoming.
That is one tough dude! He could have been great doing audiobooks or podcasts, the way he tells his story.
Respect sent. 🇺🇸 We can bend but still be strong.
Thank you for sharing your story brother. Be in peace.
I'm sorry you got screwed by your own country, but HOOAH, brother. I wish you all the good there is.
"none, it was a slow day"
man that's rough.
I respect no one more than combat vets from any war. God be with you always.
You and me brother, welcome home!
❤ Bless you sir. Let's all the bit on veterans that made the ultimate sacrifice.Or or was wounded or just served in a combat unit. Brave brave man.
Hero.
God look after our Heroes and may the USA 🇺🇸 Help all of our brave Veterans 🙏
Wake up America 🇺🇸 and PLEASE quit forgetting about all of our Veterans 🇺🇸🙏.
Thank you Sir for your service 🙏. I will forever be grateful for everything you young men and women have done for us.
Blessings from Paso Robles, California, Carlos
What did going to Vietnam do for any American?
Thank you
Thanks for your service
Thanks for telling your story God was with then an now
My uncle who taught me to fly was a scout pilot in Vietnam and flew caribous for special forces air drops was an insane pilot lol
I’m from Montana dude, and lived in Missoula for a few years
Thank you for sharing. I remember what we were treated like. One of my buddies went home, to a small town in Wyoming. They bought him drinks and treated him well. Metropolitan Areas not good.
Always wanted to be a bush pilot. Congradulations on 50 years sober. Me ive only got 35😂
Fear attracts bullets, frags and shrapnel... those who soldier on in the face of fears quite often make it home... unfortunately, you were not the only GI to be $hit on ... welcome home Brother...
I'm glad your sober! God is good!
God is obviously selective.
There are thousands of PSTD victims that he seems to have overlooked.
@@rodrogers6895 Politicians start wars and people die and are damaged! And you want to blame GOD for that?
Thank you Sir
31 for me
We were sitting outside the hootch in Chu Lai and talked about how we were not going back to the USA but going to go to Australia. After getting the cake with the ground glass in it, flying to the “world” no longer interested us. Memories from the Americal…
Welcome home sir.
Sadly you can't interview Ace Cozzalio. Lept out of his OH and captured a VC armed with his cavalry saber.
Well done Hank. I also had a wife that said clean up or get out , so I cleaned up , Danang 63, did they call you Teflon Hank after hitting the dirt 5 times , : ) Cheers
hard as nails
What kind of people could treat a returning combat veteran so bad?
liberals
Marxists acting as part of the Soviet demoralization program. Read the defector literature.
Got 11 years, dam it’s good
Where is photo in thumbnail?
HAD A COUPLE OF BUDDY'S IN THE 9TH OF THE 1ST CAV IN 70-71 DAN CROSS, PHIL GUADETTE BOTH GONE TO THE ORANGE NOW CROSS WAS A DOOR GUNNER,
GUADETTE WAS WITH THE BLUES CROSS'S NICK NAME BACK HOME WAS THOR DAN DID TWO TOURS THE FIRST WITH THE 101ST
The damage done to families in Nam was evil
I can't take listening to this. Too painful.
Did you know Arthur Murray KIA 5/69 ?
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference 🙏
Helicopter Warfare Tactics of the U.S. Air Force in the Vietnam War
Good story (period) ô¿ô
I haven't smoked marijuana for 38 years now. (I needed to do the math to figure out how long it has been). I am 60 now. This guy does remind me of myself. I am from a larger city. Aside from the bad habits though. Yeah kind of rogue, pretty human. It is sometimes hard to clique with people though. Perhaps not so much with this guy.
You would thought America would have learnt they lesson after they got well and truly beaten.
Well done, Sir. Maybe she wasn't the "wrong" wife?
🫡 sir!
‘… how many babies have you killed today…’
I hope she’s recanted and apologised. Such ignorance.
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”
― Frank Herbert, Dune
🇦🇺👍🦘