The Deadliest Pig of the Vietnam War

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  • Опубліковано 24 чер 2024
  • As night ushered in a hushed silence over Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, Petty Officer David Larsen sat nervously in a patrol boat as it cautiously made its way through the dense jungle along the perilous upper Saigon River. It was August 2, 1969, and the 21-year-old gunner’s mate was part of a team with a vital yet risky mission: to set up a two-boat waterborne guard post on the murky river and intercept hostile river traffic.
    Also on board was a six-man ambush team charged with protecting the pair of patrol vessels from any land-based threats. As the fiberglass boats reached their position, they cut their engines and quietly glided toward the riverbank, where Larsen watched the six soldiers leap onto the shore and quickly disappear into the darkness of the trees, unsure what lurked among them.
    Waiting with anxious anticipation, Larsen wiped beads of sweat from his brow. The tension was made even more unbearable by the suffocating humidity. Suddenly, the silence was shattered by a staccato volley of machine gun fire, swiftly followed by the thunderous boom of rockets exploding. Larsen had a bad feeling about this one. Moments later, his fears were confirmed when a distorted, panic-stricken voice came blaring over the radio: the ambush team had been seriously outnumbered and desperately needed help. The patrol crews were under strict orders to stay on their boats come what may, but he wasn’t about to let his buddies bite the dust on the jungle floor…
    -
    As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Docs sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect. I do my best to keep it as visually accurate as possible. All content on Dark Docs is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas. -

КОМЕНТАРІ • 90

  • @dennisud
    @dennisud 3 дні тому +74

    I'm glad you and other UA-camrs are describing these Veterans Stories and letting us know of their heroism! From WW-II, Korea and Vietnam its imperative to get those stories before we lose more to old age! Thanks!

    • @im4broke643
      @im4broke643 3 дні тому +8

      These memories need to be recorded. I'm 64 and read so many stories about personal experiences that it is hard to imagine some times. This farm boy knew he needed to try and do all he could to save his..."team".

    • @brianbarquin362
      @brianbarquin362 9 годин тому

      That makes two of us brother 👍

  • @whiplash8277
    @whiplash8277 2 дні тому +20

    Respect to this brave, brave man. How fortunate we are to have such men.

    • @user-sk6wf6su9f
      @user-sk6wf6su9f 2 дні тому

      Как повезло,что маленькие худенькие азиаты уничтожили столько американских оккупантов😂😂😂азия вперед!!!

  • @larryjohnson7591
    @larryjohnson7591 3 дні тому +28

    Now that is a teammate. People in the military understand exactly what he did. You cannot stand the thought of your fellow servicemen dyeing without you doing something about it. Thank You for your sacrifice and service sir. RIP, you earned it.

    • @patrickyoung3503
      @patrickyoung3503 2 дні тому

      Never a truer outspoken .
      Cometh the hour , cometh the man .
      Honour & Respect . Lest we forget . .
      R.I. P.

    • @user-sk6wf6su9f
      @user-sk6wf6su9f 2 дні тому

      Главное,помните,что американских оккупантов фашистов ненавидят во всем мире и уничтожают их везде.янки гоу хоум иначе мы прийдем к вам,за морем не отсидитесь

  • @megbreezy7543
    @megbreezy7543 2 дні тому +6

    God Bless every one of these Heroes … who fought for our country.

  • @davidkubasiak9093
    @davidkubasiak9093 3 дні тому +22

    When you said the biggest pig I thought you were talking about Johnson.

  •  3 дні тому +27

    Many many Hero's served in Vietnam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • @mikepersico6842
    @mikepersico6842 День тому +2

    I served with Dave onboard USS RANGER (CVA-61) in fifth division and also in Vietnam in River Division 593 “IRON BUTTERFLY “. He was a great sailor and an outstanding person. I am proud to have been his friend!

  • @robertmosher7418
    @robertmosher7418 3 дні тому +4

    This guy has a Navy career that my dad mirrored or he mirrored my dads. Went to Vietnam on an Aircraft carrier, my dad on the Kittyhawk, then went to the special operations units we now call SWCC.
    Though my dad has long passed away and I cannot remember which flotilla he was in.
    Though I think was on a different type boat as he manned a double M2 on the front. He did some dismounted patrols searching for deserters in villages near the shore in the delta.

  • @lordofthehouseofstormcrows8615
    @lordofthehouseofstormcrows8615 3 дні тому +21

    Excellent work again. How about a video on Melvin Biddle? Or Richard Bong? Carlos Hathcock? Paul Smith? Any of these stories are amazing. Thank you for honoring courage under fire.

    • @parkerottoackley6325
      @parkerottoackley6325 3 дні тому +3

      👍 Great choices too
      👍👍

    • @reedwilson64GTO
      @reedwilson64GTO 3 дні тому +2

      I vote for WHITE FEATHER

    • @jafo766
      @jafo766 2 дні тому

      Dan Bullock U.S.M.C a story worth hearing.

    • @Gunners_Mate_Guns
      @Gunners_Mate_Guns 2 дні тому +1

      Dark Docs has done a video on "White Feather" Carlos Hathcock some time ago.

  • @1milesnpr
    @1milesnpr 3 дні тому +11

    The M60 was nicknamed 'The Pig' not because of 'It's insatiable appetite for ammunition' but for it's weight to carry slung or handheld and for its cumbersome and quirky breakdown of the weapons components making it both a "pig of thing to carry" and a "pig of a thing to quickly and easily field strip, clean and get back into action".
    Facts are what make a good mini doco. Not just made up or misread/misinterpreted nicknames of weapons systems and so forth.

    • @Kneon_Knight
      @Kneon_Knight 3 дні тому

      Nobody is forcing you to watch.

    • @jafo766
      @jafo766 2 дні тому +1

      @@Kneon_Knight The man is right , but no one is forcing you to listen......

    • @alanbrooke3237
      @alanbrooke3237 День тому +2

      I carried the " pig" as a Marine, a love hate relationship. The weight with heat and humidity was a killer.

    • @Patriot46426
      @Patriot46426 День тому

      ​@Kneon_Knight no one's forcing you to be an ahole... yet here you are

  • @kensommers5096
    @kensommers5096 2 дні тому +3

    All these stories have one central theme, one man Can make a difference. 🤠👍🇭🇲

  • @user-tq7bh1zp2z
    @user-tq7bh1zp2z 3 дні тому +8

    Uh the m60 was called the pig because of weight of it and its components.

  • @John_Carder
    @John_Carder 2 дні тому +4

    14,600 pound boat, NOT 14,600 ton boat!😂

  • @TM-yn4iu
    @TM-yn4iu 2 дні тому +1

    This appears to be another exceptional series which I hope to share with my father who served in that war. I have to figure how to make it simple on a weekly basis for him to watch. He's 93 and I'm a 1000 miles away....working on it

  • @sog6841
    @sog6841 3 дні тому +26

    Talking about the M-60 while showing the M-2. SMH

    • @Kneon_Knight
      @Kneon_Knight 3 дні тому

      Did you come here just to bitch?

    • @1339LARS
      @1339LARS День тому +1

      There you go !!!!! //Lars

    • @bigczech7
      @bigczech7 День тому

      Yeah he’s showing the hippo not the pig 😂

  • @TM-yn4iu
    @TM-yn4iu 3 дні тому +11

    Why didn't he receive the Medal of Honor?

    • @Necron990
      @Necron990 2 дні тому +3

      Not that I agree, but he did disobey orders, so they found a middle ground

  • @jafo766
    @jafo766 2 дні тому +3

    That boy got busier than a one legged man at an ass kicking contest , R.I.P WARRIOR !

  • @murrayscott9546
    @murrayscott9546 3 дні тому +5

    Bless Kansas.

  • @reYouMad
    @reYouMad 3 дні тому +6

    Amazing story
    Where there any medals this brave man did not receive ?

  • @paaron603
    @paaron603 3 дні тому +9

    Never underestimate us Kansas boys

  • @jimcox4728
    @jimcox4728 2 дні тому +2

    In the Army we had a Quaid 50 4 50 Cals mounted on the back end of a 5 ton wrecker.

  • @butchbinion1560
    @butchbinion1560 2 дні тому +1

    Thanks. 👊🏼✌🏻

  • @albertstahl3474
    @albertstahl3474 2 дні тому +1

    Can think of only one word, Respect !

  • @kenb.8596
    @kenb.8596 2 дні тому +1

    Salute!!!

  • @tachyon8317
    @tachyon8317 3 дні тому +1

    I read a book about the Sea Wolves (Huey's that were for SEAL support), and the author mentioned that the chopper crew would put in a second spring to increase the fire rate of the mounted M-60s. Been about 25 years since I read it, so I forgot the exact method. Recoil/buffer spring, or something like that.

  • @Gunners_Mate_Guns
    @Gunners_Mate_Guns 2 дні тому +1

    RIP, you warrior poet.

  • @zworm2
    @zworm2 2 дні тому +1

    God Bless Our Vets!

  • @edmonddupris8422
    @edmonddupris8422 2 дні тому +1

    20mm Oerlikons on the LCUs were formidable as well.

  • @mmcss1155
    @mmcss1155 2 дні тому +1

    14600 "TON" small boat? BULLSHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How about 16.000 + "pounds" fully loaded.

  • @mantia39
    @mantia39 23 години тому

    He was one gungy sailor! Respect!

  • @SpaceyMonkey75
    @SpaceyMonkey75 3 дні тому +9

    That's a "ma-deuce", not an m60. (just sayin')

    • @JADEK111
      @JADEK111 3 дні тому +3

      He changed the thumbnail and the title, for some reason...

    • @kevinmartin4137
      @kevinmartin4137 3 дні тому +1

      the ma duece is a50 cal i think. the m60 a 308 cal

    • @boblouden6663
      @boblouden6663 3 дні тому

      ​@@kevinmartin41377.62

  • @vrm86gt
    @vrm86gt 3 дні тому +3

    true heroe!

  • @stonerguitarist4690
    @stonerguitarist4690 3 дні тому +2

    My tio a green Beret that serve over there he kewl I had no idea

  • @ricklee5802official_TSO_No2FAN

    Never leave your fellow brothers behind.

  • @butterfinger1171
    @butterfinger1171 16 годин тому

    Rip Kenny Rankin.
    Riv div 521. ..boat 617
    Nov 16, 1969

  • @randywise5241
    @randywise5241 3 дні тому +5

    Why are so many nave members from Kansas?

    • @inlandindieP35
      @inlandindieP35 3 дні тому +4

      They want to see the ocean!

    • @fjb4932
      @fjb4932 3 дні тому +3

      If you've Ever been to Kansas, you'd know !
      Kansas has two types of weather.
      My Father ( RIP ) grew up in Kansas City Missouri And Kansas, once he joined the ARMY and saw how good other places could be, i think he went back for a quick visit maybe 4 times over the next 60 years. They think it's the center of the Earth. I've met more guys from Kansas and Misery in my 20 years with the SeaBees than from anywhere else ( other than California ). As Dorthy said " There ain't no place like home". The best times she had was when she was gone from there... ☆

    • @contractkiller6863
      @contractkiller6863 3 дні тому +3

      Why can’t you spell navy?

  • @dougwalker4944
    @dougwalker4944 3 дні тому +1

    ..the narration...reminds me of Geophrey Lewis. ... Lets rock and roll...

  • @gregsteele806
    @gregsteele806 День тому

    Never get off the boat, man!

  • @rocketruss3405
    @rocketruss3405 2 дні тому

    When I watch these war stories and tales of incredible selflessness and bravery of these soldiers, I like to think that I too, would have the fortitude and strength of character to do the same. But I am not so sure that I would have the courage to not just follow orders and remain safe, while being able to justify my actions by saying “I followed my orders.

  • @soundslikesight7876
    @soundslikesight7876 17 годин тому

    Called the pig because it was a pig to carry I thought? It’s got a pretty low rate of fire.
    Cool video regardless!

  • @ericbeattie761
    @ericbeattie761 9 годин тому

    PBR River Patrol boats were plastic not fiberglass

  • @johndowe7003
    @johndowe7003 6 годин тому

    Pig, professionally instructed gunman. Usmc term . Also the nickname of the m60e4 and its deritives

  • @joshrawlings2621
    @joshrawlings2621 День тому

    A Man Among Men…!
    ✨🫡✨

  • @1339LARS
    @1339LARS День тому +1

    LJ!!!!!!

  • @Electrical-face
    @Electrical-face 2 години тому

    What , no mention of Agent 🍊

  • @wagonwheel9426
    @wagonwheel9426 11 годин тому

    Johnson - what a jerk!!!

  • @dennythomas8887
    @dennythomas8887 2 дні тому

    F.Y.I USS Ranger is not a "Super" carrier.

    • @scottkrater2131
      @scottkrater2131 День тому

      For the time period it was. The Forrestal class were the first super carriers. The Ranger was in the class.

  • @davidbenson6873
    @davidbenson6873 3 години тому

    Navy has a medal for being born in Kansas?

  • @auro1986
    @auro1986 3 дні тому +8

    and today your soldiers demand lasers, drones, and whatnot gizmos

    • @leighz1962
      @leighz1962 3 дні тому

      The ones I see just demand more welfare benefits as they sit on their hands..

    • @rg20322
      @rg20322 3 дні тому +1

      Huh? So, they should not use the most advanced weapons today?
      Are you alright in the head??? Why do you have to make it negative against today's service members?
      What a stupid comment.

    • @stomper5432
      @stomper5432 3 дні тому +1

      stop hating on america your just jealus were the best country in the world

    • @gthomas302
      @gthomas302 3 дні тому

      ...Jealous...
      And please define "best country in the world".

    • @stomper5432
      @stomper5432 День тому

      @@gthomas302 we created the internet your on right now including yourube that should be enough

  • @phucdims1984
    @phucdims1984 2 дні тому

    Did you say 14,600 ton boats?

  • @flickingbollocks5542
    @flickingbollocks5542 3 дні тому +3

    1st 😁👍

  • @jeerasakyoawarat5667
    @jeerasakyoawarat5667 3 дні тому +2

    Vietnam ✌️