It is a coincidence watching this today on December 31st 2024. Robert mentions going back to Vietnam on December 31sr 71 ? after a two week leave in Portland. At this exact moment my two daughters and two grandsons are in Portland. One of my daughters and grandsons live there and my other daughter and grandsons are visiting. I am Canadian and almost ended up flying helicopters for the US Army but got accepted to fly in the RCAF as well so chose to fly fighters. I have had quite a lot of helicopter time as a passenger and love the machine. One of the fellows in the RCAF transitioned to helicopters from fighters and said he loved flying choppers as much or better. I never got a chance to do that but wish I had. I think I am too old at 80 to do that. Robert has quite a story to say the least and thank heavens he survived. It’s hard to believe how many hours these helicopter pilots flew in Vietnam but they did and a lot of the time under fire. God bless all these young men.
Welcome Home Brother, from a Marine Nam Vet, Chu Lai 68-69 1st MAW MAG 12. I didn’t see that many Cobras fly by but I did see a ton of Huey gunships. Still, I’m glad you made it back, after going through all that you did.
I was a MAT team leader with MACV in Kien Hoa Province, which is a coastal province east of Can Tho. I ended up at the airfield at Can Tho in a Chinook loaded with farmers who had been conscripted to build an outpost one day. The door gunner was shot on our approach to the location, so we diverted immediately to Can Tho. I was wondering if you ever made it out that way. I had already returned to the states by the time you arrived, but I would love to visit with you some day. RWPierce 1Lt, Infantry
The pilots in Vietnam were the bravest, craziest creatures on earth. Thank you ALL for ALWAYS being there for us. If not for you, I wouldn’t be watching this. Much love and respect. USMC
Thank you for your service Sir. Happy New Year to you & your family. I was a teen during your service, but the nightly news showed the casualties of KIA every night. I was horrified by what I saw. I can't imagine what you went through, but I so appreciate you & your family's sacrifice.🇺🇸
I was in Vinh Long in 65/66 and worked on the Hueys the that were the name sake of your flying machines. They were the Cobras 114 th Avn company. Welcome home my brother
Thanks for your service. I was station in can tho 69-70. Was with the 52nd sig. Was living in barracks that burnt down in 71. I remember when the first loch flew in and though what a cool looking helo.
I am always curious to see what these guys looked like when they were in country. I wish they would show pictures. Thank you for your service. Welcome home. Well done.🇺🇸
I was a loach doorgunner with HHC 3rd Bgd 9th Inf Div at Tan An airfield 68/69. "Best of times, worst of times" I appreciate hearing your experiences. Welcome home brother!!
TRUE--The Cobra was a kick to fly! great in combat, good rocket platform & fast! The difference in speed compared to the Huey was the reason we were hit much less than the Hueys. Capt. Jackson left in June of 1972 & I arrived in Saigon on June 4, 1972. I was also in a Cav troop but in II Corps at AnSon & Pleiku. I was around the most skilled helicopter pilots in the world & bravery was "just what had to be done". Nobody wanted to be a hero they just were. My Vietnam experience is a thing I wouldn't do again for all of the money in the world but--also wouldn't not give it up either. Everyone working hard to get the job done & make sure everyone came back every day.
Robert I really enjoyed listening to your Cobra stories. I did two tours (69 - 71) in Nam at Can Tho airfield. I was with the 244 Aviation Co (Delta Hawks). It's nice hearing from someone else who was stationed at Can Tho.
Welcome Home!! Spent some flight hours in 4 Corps and one looong night in '68 at Can Tho during 120mm mortar attack where they hit near all 4 sides of the clinic we were staying in.
Welcome home , i served in the 10th armored calvery with the air unit being HHQ. at base camp radcliff. A-B-C co. had 2 pltoons each of 45- to 50 soldiers. 5 m-48 tanks/ 7 M113 APC. 9 Cobra, 10 UH-1 Hueys. 4th div.
I was observer on 149 Sniffer missions while serving with 1st Cav 1969-70. We used 3 birds with the Loch and Cobra on station while we operated the Sniffer below them in a Slick (Huey). Low and Slow. All in III Corps on the Cambodian border. We lost my friend Lt. Bill Michel, AC for General Casey, when they crashed in a fog bank enroute to visit hospital at Cam Rahn Bay in July ‘70. We also operated CS drops using Chinooks where one of the pilots had to wear a gas mask. On one occasion one of my pilots became disoriented while flying in a fog bank around Nui Ba Den (Black Virgin Mountain). Several tense minutes with no visibility and profuse sweat pouring out of the gas mask. I had occasional issues on commercial flights landing in fog at LAX for a few years after remedied by a Bloody Mary.
It's all a matter of luck. I was a door gunner on a Huey gunship, '68-'69. 281st AHC out of Nha Trang and in nine months of flying, my ship never took a round. Never thought about until a few years ago and finally wrote a book about it. 'One February Morning'. Still not sure where my luck came from.
I like listening to these Vietnam testimonies. It brings back memories of my own Vietnam experiences such as the time my ruck sack strap got stuck on floor of Huey as we're flying into a hot LZ. Was last jump off. As the huey was going up. Luckily I landed in grassy muddy areas. And since I jumped late was in not in the right stop and got strafed by a door gunner. But you know, if we never got the air support in Vietnam a lot more guys would have died. I saw the Cobra gunship up close, it was only 36 inches. What a amazing machine it was. I watched it work out. It as mind blowing
I was a MAT team leader with MACV in Kien Hoa Province, which is a coastal province east of Can Tho. I ended up at the airfield at Can Tho in a Chinook loaded with farmers who had been conscripted to build an outpost one day. The door gunner was shot on our approach to the location, so we diverted immediately to Can Tho. I was wondering if you ever made it out that way. I had already returned to the states by the time you arrived, but I would love to visit with you some day. RWPierce 1Lt, Infantry
This man is the example of what patriotism is about. We owe him at least a debt of recognition and respect for his service
Welcome home brother. I have seen the Cobras work in 1969 and they were awesome.
It is a coincidence watching this today on December 31st 2024. Robert mentions going back to Vietnam on December 31sr 71 ? after a two week leave in Portland. At this exact moment my two daughters and two grandsons are in Portland. One of my daughters and grandsons live there and my other daughter and grandsons are visiting. I am Canadian and almost ended up flying helicopters for the US Army but got accepted to fly in the RCAF as well so chose to fly fighters. I have had quite a lot of helicopter time as a passenger and love the machine. One of the fellows in the RCAF transitioned to helicopters from fighters and said he loved flying choppers as much or better. I never got a chance to do that but wish I had. I think I am too old at 80 to do that. Robert has quite a story to say the least and thank heavens he survived. It’s hard to believe how many hours these helicopter pilots flew in Vietnam but they did and a lot of the time under fire. God bless all these young men.
Great comments also flying like that with a lack of sleep. That is courageous.
You are not too old
May jesus bless you forever.
Welcome Home Brother, from a Marine Nam Vet, Chu Lai 68-69 1st MAW MAG 12. I didn’t see that many Cobras fly by but I did see a ton of Huey gunships. Still, I’m glad you made it back, after going through all that you did.
Thanks for your service !
I was a MAT team leader with MACV in Kien Hoa Province, which is a coastal province east of Can Tho. I ended up at the airfield at Can Tho in a Chinook loaded with farmers who had been conscripted to build an outpost one day. The door gunner was shot on our approach to the location, so we diverted immediately to Can Tho. I was wondering if you ever made it out that way. I had already returned to the states by the time you arrived, but I would love to visit with you some day.
RWPierce
1Lt, Infantry
The pilots in Vietnam were the bravest, craziest creatures on earth. Thank you ALL for ALWAYS being there for us. If not for you, I wouldn’t be watching this. Much love and respect. USMC
Thanks for your service.
Thank you for your service Sir. Happy New Year to you & your family. I was a teen during your service, but the nightly news showed the casualties of KIA every night. I was horrified by what I saw. I can't imagine what you went through, but I so appreciate you & your family's sacrifice.🇺🇸
One of the better interviews. Great content,well stated and 🫡 Respect 🇺🇸!
We did what we were asked to do! Thanks for your service! Proud to be a fellow Vietnam vet.
Real MAN here!!!!!
I was in Vinh Long in 65/66 and worked on the Hueys the that were the name sake of your flying machines. They were the Cobras 114 th Avn company. Welcome home my brother
You're an incredible and amazing man God bless you 💯
Thanks for your service. I was station in can tho 69-70. Was with the 52nd sig. Was living in barracks that burnt down in 71. I remember when the first loch flew in and though what a cool looking helo.
I am always curious to see what these guys looked like when they were in country. I wish they would show pictures. Thank you for your service. Welcome home. Well done.🇺🇸
This man and his faith kept him safe, a heck of a story. G-d bless this man for doing what's right and helping other's when he didn't have to.
Thank you for your service 🙏🏼
I was a loach doorgunner with HHC 3rd Bgd 9th Inf Div at Tan An airfield 68/69. "Best of times, worst of times" I appreciate hearing your experiences. Welcome home brother!!
My step brother Steve Jewett was a navy seal during Vietnam bless all of you thank you
I'm glad you came home. Thanks for sharing these stories.
TRUE--The Cobra was a kick to fly! great in combat, good rocket platform & fast! The difference in speed compared to the Huey was the reason we were hit much less than the Hueys. Capt. Jackson left in June of 1972 & I arrived in Saigon on June 4, 1972. I was also in a Cav troop but in II Corps at AnSon & Pleiku. I was around the most skilled helicopter pilots in the world & bravery was "just what had to be done". Nobody wanted to be a hero they just were. My Vietnam experience is a thing I wouldn't do again for all of the money in the world but--also wouldn't not give it up either. Everyone working hard to get the job done & make sure everyone came back every day.
This man's humility is inspiring.
Robert I really enjoyed listening to your Cobra stories. I did two tours (69 - 71) in Nam at Can Tho airfield. I was with the 244 Aviation Co (Delta Hawks). It's nice hearing from someone else who was stationed at Can Tho.
Glad you made it home, hope you are well.
Welcome Home!! Spent some flight hours in 4 Corps and one looong night in '68 at Can Tho during 120mm mortar attack where they hit near all 4 sides of the clinic we were staying in.
Hero! Thank you for your service!
Dang, national Guard and college students took some strays there at the end 😮, thanks for your service
Welcome home , i served in the 10th armored calvery with the air unit being HHQ. at base camp radcliff. A-B-C co. had 2 pltoons each of 45- to 50 soldiers. 5 m-48 tanks/ 7 M113 APC. 9 Cobra, 10 UH-1 Hueys. 4th div.
Thank you very much for your service.
Don’t make a mistake like crossing the street when not hearing the car coming. Thanks for all your service.
B co, 5th Bn, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cav Div, Airmobile - Garry Owen !
I was observer on 149 Sniffer missions while serving with 1st Cav 1969-70. We used 3 birds with the Loch and Cobra on station while we operated the Sniffer below them in a Slick (Huey). Low and Slow. All in III Corps on the Cambodian border. We lost my friend Lt. Bill Michel, AC for General Casey, when they crashed in a fog bank enroute to visit hospital at Cam Rahn Bay in July ‘70. We also operated CS drops using Chinooks where one of the pilots had to wear a gas mask. On one occasion one of my pilots became disoriented while flying in a fog bank around Nui Ba Den (Black Virgin Mountain). Several tense minutes with no visibility and profuse sweat pouring out of the gas mask. I had occasional issues on commercial flights landing in fog at LAX for a few years after remedied by a Bloody Mary.
Great Story! True Patriot!
It's all a matter of luck. I was a door gunner on a Huey gunship, '68-'69. 281st AHC out of Nha Trang and in nine months of flying, my ship never took a round. Never thought about until a few years ago and finally wrote a book about it. 'One February Morning'. Still not sure where my luck came from.
Well come home nam vet are my heros until the day I die
Wow
What a brave humble man….
You need to interview
"Dan Daniel" mc cleary Washington
I like listening to these Vietnam testimonies. It brings back memories of my own Vietnam experiences such as the time my ruck sack strap got stuck on floor of Huey as we're flying into a hot LZ. Was last jump off. As the huey was going up. Luckily I landed in grassy muddy areas. And since I jumped late was in not in the right stop and got strafed by a door gunner. But you know, if we never got the air support in Vietnam a lot more guys would have died. I saw the Cobra gunship up close, it was only 36 inches. What a amazing machine it was.
I watched it work out. It as mind blowing
36 YEARS on National Guard, Army and Vietnam Service Medals.. Tough guy..
Welcome home. Charlie Model pilot here, 67-68. I can relate to triangulated 51 fights. Not fun.
2/17 Cav 1969-70.
One don't talk about national guard as draft dodgers. I was with AD time. I'm offended calling me a piece of crap.
lumping national guard with draft dodgers is rather harsh.
I was a MAT team leader with MACV in Kien Hoa Province, which is a coastal province east of Can Tho. I ended up at the airfield at Can Tho in a Chinook loaded with farmers who had been conscripted to build an outpost one day. The door gunner was shot on our approach to the location, so we diverted immediately to Can Tho. I was wondering if you ever made it out that way. I had already returned to the states by the time you arrived, but I would love to visit with you some day.
RWPierce
1Lt, Infantry