PBS Frontline: The Bloods of 'Nam (1986)
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- Опубліковано 9 кві 2021
- A high percentage of men on the frontlines in Vietnam were young, poor, undereducated, and black. By most accounts, they had the highest casualties. But these young men say they were fighting two wars-against the enemy and against discrimination. Correspondent Wallace Terry, the author of ‘Bloods,’ the national bestseller on which this film is based, talks with black veterans who fought discrimination in Vietnam and who later confronted disillusionment when they came home.
Original recording provided by groovieloo2 | UA-cam.com
There's NOT much that I can say about the power of this documentary. My father did 3 tours in Vietnam. He spent 32 years in the USMC. He never talked about the war. He never watched or appreciated war movies.
My father was a black veteran and patriot who believed in the promise and hope of American democracy.
However, he never sugar-coated anything, so he raised me to live in reality of what my life would be. Don't lose hope that my dream can become a reality.
My father infused me with resolve and respect for what my life is and what it could be if I cared about what a black man's life should and could be especially if I displayed Strength, Dignity and Pride as a black American man. No less than an Irish American, Italian American, etc.
However, he made it clear that I must never lose sight of the fact that America was built upon the land of Native Americans and that the Blood and Bones of my African Descendants are embedded as the bedrock and foundation of this great nation.
*This wasn't a "woke" statement that narrow minds like to rebut or forget. He wanted to make sure that I never forgot or ignored how this nation was built and my responsibility to preserve these facts*
My father expressed the importance for me to possess and protect humanity, equality, and personal dignity.
Without core principles, a faithful moral compass, the courage to fail, and the will to win... a progressive education will be useless and will ensure a life less lived.
Be less concerned with how someone else lives their life. Hate and fear will always be the enemy because they're the weapons used by villans. Race, religion, etc. shouldn't matter, but it does, be better than dividers. Friendship isn't given... Friendship is cultivated, nurtured, and shared.
My dad told me, "One of the most honorable things you will ever do is to ask for forgiveness and to forgive someone."
My dad was tough. My dad was thoughtful. My dad was loyal. My dad didn't love or like many people, but he treated everyone with respect. My dad empowered me with a strong mind and voice that he told me were as dangerous as a loaded gun pointed in the wrong direction, and I must use them wisely.
My dad didn't live long enough for us to be friends but he lived long enough to be my father and to teach me the value of appreciating and fighting for everything a black American man deserves in life and that America in its truest form was worth fighting and dying for. Most of all, I must live a life without shame, fear, or hate.
Thanks, Percival, aka "Percy" aka "Sarge." Always, dad. I am forever grateful 🙏🏾
**For anyone who may be interested... My father's name was, and in the afterlife, still is Percival.
Meaning: "Pierce the vale." In some circles, he's described as a soldier of truth, courage, and fortune. Percival is a masculine name of French and Welsh origins that is sure to be given to a male baby to indicate noble and valiant inspiration. This name translates to “pierce the vale,” and he (Percival) was mentioned as one of King Arthur's legendary knights.
Respect!
This is hands down the best comment I've ever seen, glad your dad is such a good man.
Wow, great words sir. Huge respect to your old man he clearly did a great job
I'm glad you had a great father and role model, my father was an Air Force veteran, during the Korean War; he taught me similar values and I'm thankful. Kids need a father, need both parents to be a whole, decent person...
Powerful! Salute 💪🏾👊🏾
My dad has gotten to the point now that he talks about it. But the things he tells me is devastating and could mess up your mind from stories.. I asked him why is he telling me now. His response, " all of my friends are dead and I have no one else to talk to". He tells me, he still see the ppl he killed and the ones who died along beside him.. They come to visit him every night.. Now that's scary.
A hero, like all those who served in this war. Thanks to him for his service.
Is your dad getting treatment/support of any kind?
@@manweller1 He gets treatment. But since his last buddy died he's been acting out alot.
@@HeavilyCensoredKittyWhat a horrible thing to say!
@@HeavilyCensoredKitty He likes to drink Paul.. But the drinking makes it worse than before bc he gets to shooting up his shed he built in his backyard . Fighting demons fr
I graduated from Edison High in 1980. There were plaques throughout the entire school for all the brave young men who gave all in this war. Rest in peace.
This is one of the best docs about soldier's experiences in Vietnam during the conflict that I've ever watched.
The guy that will never forget his friend joe broke my heart man.
Same here. I immediately thought of his wife and child. Sad US story.
Does anyone know Joe's last name?
More info about joe please
@@chrisderidder4087 I could be wrong but after some research I'm confident to say he was "Joe T. Johnson"
@@Unseen_Morality ill check it out
My older brother was a African American Captain with two tours in Vietnam. I am a Army veteran myself. But salute all of brothers and sisters who gave their lives for a country that demeaned them even in combat! My love goes out to them and their families. RIP big brother! Hoorah!!💪🏾💪🏾
Respect.
Country’s don’t demean people. People demean people. Those that did that are the truly small men. There is nothing braver than putting you life on the line.
Lest we forget
@@australianmade2659 Of course yes but it's not like we can dismiss them..
i didnt know that black people could acces such high ranking ! at the time i mean
@@returrnfire9634 Why don't you have a good look imto it and find out for yourself, it's at your fingertips, best wishes 🙏
My dad served in Vietnam as a marine...after watching this, I truly have a new found respect for him....
I'm a Marine veteran. My Dad served in Vietnam with the Army. I thank your father for his service.
Mine to and talking about what he saw and went through is the only time I saw my father cry
it's beautiful to realize that when he's still around. he's a living treasure box of stories, I don't think I properly appreciated the service of mine until after it was too late
@@DavidJ222 You stay safe soilder, God bless you and your father and I thank you both for also fighting for our freedom as well...
@@LethalBubbles man I called him today, just to tell him how greatful I am for all he has ever done...we have had our differences in the past, but he is still my dad and I show him the upmost respect....he sent me a few pictures today when he first got back, and just watching this doc as a 33 year old man now makes me truly realize why he was so tuff and didn't take any shit....
My father did "only" 1 tour and in 41 years I've been alive, he has never talked about his time there. I now fully realize why. Vietnam was more terrifying than I had imagined.
It really was... movies can't express what they endured. My father once said that the survivors died several times on behalf of their brothers.
It's a time you wish to forget, not remember. I'm 75 now and have fought it all my life. Coming here on youtube and getting some it off my chest has been a huge help. I'm able to express things that only other combat vets would understand.
Ur a trumpet. I wouldn't tell you anything either. Hes a smart man.
@@felixmadison5736
I am 75, I was 1st Cav (Air) '69 - '70 - Not much chat about the "homecoming" we received on a number of fronts back then ... i.e. the VA.
The Korean Roc soldiers did [mandatory] 3 year tours(!) and the South Korean gov't collected a portion of their pay!!!
10 - 4
@@nameskhar1510Welcome home brother!
These guys kept it real. “It was us, poor whites, and Hispanics that fought that war”
Who's the pitcher in your profile...i remember reading about but its been waaayyy ago
Yep. The real enemy is the upper class
Trump…no show
Biden…no show
Right when the hell is the last time you really have seen someone in public be racist and I mean real racist never i'm 43 and last time i seen a person be racist is in the early 90's when i was a teen...@@DazedAlligator
And I live In florida lmfao you would think i see it on a daily basis but nope just respect for each other in these small southern towns man that shit is over....
I was very fortunate to meet Maj.Gen Petersen in 1986 while stationed in Japan. What an amazing Gentleman and Marine. What an honor it was to shake his hand and spend a few minutes chatting with him. I was a LCpl at the time and had the privilege of launching his F4, which was helping him strap in, starting the jet and doing all final checks before flight. Such an amazing man!!
My Dad served with Many blacks in Vietnam. He always spoke highly of their courage and cool under fire. Said they knew how to fight.
This documentary was wrong, the first integrated war was the Korean War, and my grandpa served in foxholes with blacks, in Korea. I hate so much how that war is truly forgotten.
@@saucejohnson9862THEY MEAN FULLY INTERGRATED. MY BLACK GRANDFATHERS, BOTH WERE IN USMC IN THE PACIFIC IN WW2.
@@saucejohnson9862 179,000 black soldiers served in the Union Arm during the Civil War. 10 %
My grandfather was 15 when he went up Korea
@@terryg995 Fully integrated, meaning if you lived on a military base in the 1940's, blacks/whites swam in the same pool without changing the water, black/white kids went to the same school, black/whites drank at the same fountain, black/whites were in the same foxhole in the Korean War.
29:15 the story about how he lost his friend Joe, then says "Maybe his wife will forget him, maybe his kids will forget him, but I will never forget Joe". Damn..
It’s true. Sometimes friendships are better than family.
I know many families that forget about lived ones
The viet nam war wiped out neighborshoods of teenagers in its first couple of years. Guys u grew up with got drafted or enlisted n were never seen again. It was devastating. They ones who came back were never the same.
Stop exaggerating, it wasn't WWII. I don't think enough troops were in Vietnam for "entire neighborhoods of teenagers" to be wiped out.
And where were you?
@@soldierofmisfortune6284 No it was worst than ww2. No where near the same kind of war. US govmnt was killing their own soldiers. READ A BOOK WATCH A FILM OR SHUT TF UP
IT also lasted ten years u do the math
Imagine the 1st world war..
There was literally towns without men at able body age.
WW2 was essentially the civilians war, since so many civilians died
Thank you to our Black Veterans, you guy’s really put into perspective the ideology of war from our perspective. Thank you & much Respect.
Yeah good thing they were over there in the Jungle keeping us safe here. Why are you thanking the veterans? What exactly did they do? Right now they are contributing to our 30 Trillion dollar deficit, US tax payers are still paying for it, what exactly are you thanking them for, we didn't even win the war? I was named after a cousin that died there, should I be thankful he died? He died because his country sent him a letter in the mail, forced him to join, sent him to the other side of the world and had him murdered. What exactly are you thanking them for? Because you were programmed by the murderers to thank the victims that survived?
Hmmm I think all Vet's see the War from the same perspective ? time and again I've heard these Vet's say , there was no discrimination in a fox hole when Charlie was trying to kill you both , the Band of Brothers knew NO COLOR those day's ! And when it was over the Brother's would say " AIN'T NUFFAN BUT A THANG ! Thank God Bubba & Gump were there !
"black veterans" 🤣
dont worry bro whites are still 99% war dead but you guys did your part 🤣
I remember my neighbor looked so handsome in his uniform I was13 yr old girl with a crush. The song Soldier Boy was playing the day he left. He never came back.
At that moment i understood what war was, and that song stayed with me.
Thank you guys for your service and sacrifice.
Yeah good thing they defended their country against the Americans and it still stands today.
When I was 16 I left for the military and it was a mess at the airport. I asked them to see me off from home they promised me they wasn't going to cry and my girlfriend started it all.
I hope that fine soldier, who's interview opened this documentary found a way to live in peace and found much happiness.
"After returning home, Cherry discovered that his wife, Shirley Brown, had taken all of his life savings after the Air Force declared him missing in action and started dating another man. Cherry started legal proceedings with the Air Force to have back salary and other payments returned to him.
After Vietnam, Cherry attended the National War College and was assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency. He retired from the Air Force with over 30 years of service on 1 September 1981."
(in Rick James voice) Cooooooldbloooooded!
Cooooold bloooooded😂
These men are the salt of the earth. Hero’s every one of them. Surviving a war and living a tough life. Survivors.
They killed farmers and children. These soldiers are sure rotten in deepest hell hole.
Heroes for what? Killing and maimim vietnamese who didn't even what this fight to Begin with?? No heroes here just cowards. Mohamed Ali who refused to be drafted for this war was the hero
A lot of them where drafted
you gotta win inf you wanna be a hero
What did you win 🏆 with one arm tie behind your back you wouldn't know a hero if it was written on them coward
I love speaking with Vietnam veterans . I always take the time to talk with them and thank them for their service and welcome them home.
The Air Force pilot who endured 3 beatings a day for 7 years yet 'never complained" is a hero. Respect.
The grunt that wore 23 VC ears around his neck is my hero. 🇨🇦✊🏻
@@juicyj3819the VC were actually the good guys in that war
@@BarackLesnar 🙄
@@juicyj3819 its true
That would be amazing if they made a cinematic movie about that, what a story, two Vietnam troops one white and one black grown to love each other as pow's then cry when they get separated is real special story..
Vietnam memorial is beyond incredible. I'm not usually lost for words but when I visited that wall and saw alllll the names, I was silenced. Took my breath away. Very moving. All the men who went to Vietnam, black white brown, all heroes to me.
Never been to the wall, but I've seen the blasted and shot up churches and pagodas in the Central Highlands, the cratered paddy fields and the desolate, silent infertile wastelands around Hue in Vietnam. Had a similar effect on me. War is ugly and repellent.
@@johntaylorson7769fucking sucks that we’re all just people still murdering each other. I guess that old shit I used to hear “one man’s freedom fighter is another man’s terrorist” leads us to understating that if we believe in our ideals and principles so strongly we feel we have to slay our opposition to get our point across we’re usually losing another battle.
@@cheezburgrproduction Yea because killing all those Nazis was a real tragedy. 😂
You do understand the Vietcong killed on average 10 to 1 civilians in the war right? You actually think youre in some kind of brotherhood with the guys who fought in the Vietcong or the NVA? You understand they used to murder and kill people without remorse right? What the Vietcong did at Hue was no different than what the Nazis did at any number of killing sites.
Just remember the entire "home grown" opposition was being backed by China and Russia and their leader was an educated commie from France. So much for back wood farmers defending their rice paddies.
I think hero is an exaggeration. The veterans of WW2 were heroic, but there was nothing heroic about this war, it was horrible and shouldn't have taken place anyway.
@@rjayyyy9623No war should have taken place.
Gene Woodley is my daddy and he was a amazing daddy ❣️❣️❣️ I miss him so much and uncle cortlen ❤❤
I read about him in the 80s when I read Bloods. When did he pass away? Sorry for your loss.
Much respect to your father for his service. So calm in his storytelling especially from what he experienced. Tremendous admiration. 🫡
As I'm watching this documentary, he is the man I wanted to meet out of this whole thing. I can't explain why, it was just his...integrity...that stuck out to me. I'm so very sorry we lost a true American hero. I hope along with your sadness, you also feel a great amount of pride.
What a G
Thank you Gene for your service, that man is a real hero. As are the men profiled in the video. The Vets who made it home. Respect.
Much respect,my father was a special forces vet,and couldn't shake it ,he was on drugs,paranoid,didn't like noone to stand near him ,he used his skills to kill on the streets,he was a bonified gangster,and had freinds in Nam, that was truly dangerous.he died suffering, flashbacks ,psd,nightmares,and told my mom he won't find peace till he's dead,the doctor told him not to drink no more before surgery and he had a full glass of vodka,and died the next morning before surgery, bleeding from the inside from sclerosis of the liver,my mom didn't want me around him because how dangerous he was and became,so feel for alot of the families these vets ,aren't treated right and felt left alone,r.i.p to all the families of these vets and vets love yall 😢.
Rip to him and god bless him
Thank you sir
Your father came back just like mines.
I'm so sorry, your story made me so sad and the racism they endured. Shameful!
@rasheed7934 came back physical ,but mentally he was left back in veitnam.
My brother was a Vietnam veteran. He couldn't wait to get into the military and wanted mother to sign for him after he graduated from high school, since he was too young at seventeen. She refused to be responsible for a decision that she might live to regret. An excellent high school athlete in 1967, and a relatively good student, he could have opted to sit out the military, by choosing higher education, but the military was where his heart was. A stint in the military to share that part of the American dream that we saw in films with John Wayne, Audie Murphy, etc... Films that glorified wars and made soldiers hero's. On his eighteenth birthday he enlisted, served two tours in Vietnam. On the second, he and another soldier were at a guard post, and were caught smoking pot, which was common among the American troops there. They were court martialled and he was discharged from the military with a dishonorable discharge. As a black man with a dishonorable discharge, he was left to his own devices. It took many decades to rebound, and to get over the trauma he faced in his two active duties. I, like Muhammad Ali, saw no need to go to war with a people who were not oppressing me or my race, and had chosen their path through a democratic process. I choose an higher education, and continued on that path. We were opposites, but I respected his position. He never did change his mind about his decision, and died a proud man, honored to have serve his country. Living in Europe, my daughter took a vacation on her graduation from high school with two other girls. They went to Vietnam and Cambodia and stayed for two months. They found the experience exhilarating, although they were shocked at what they discovered in Cambodia with the Khmer Rouge. Vietnamese is a reminder of how we failed in upholding the freedom of choice of a country that was seeking the same rights that we sought in 1775. The right of self-government. If you're not in tune with the world around you, you could be used as a pawn to achieve someone else's agenda, whether it's a righteous one or an evil one
"Democratic process" Stalin took over half of Korea after WW2. Japan had colonized Korea prior to WW2, changed the name of the nation to "Cho-sen". Japan also forced Koreans to change their own names!
China suffered a horrible invasion by Japan, with public rapes, and contests by IJA soldiers who could chop off 100 Chinese heads the fastest.
In both cases, the world failed to intercede before matters became so horrible.
Imperial Japan was murderous across Asia, in Philippines, and Oceania.
When Hawaii was attacked, this finally "woke the sleeping giant (USA)"
As a young man, I personally spoke with Pacific Islander Natives who suffered as small children during Japanese Army occupation years.
Japanese tortured POW's and forced Civilian prisoners into harsh labor for war projects.
China had become communist in 1949 and communists were in control of North Vietnam. The USA was afraid that communism would spread to South Vietnam and then the rest of Asia. It decided to send money, supplies and military advisers to help the South Vietnamese Government.
USA tried to get South Vietnamese to repel the Viet Cong, but Soviet Russian & Chinese strategists created a nightmare against traditional warfare.
USA was wrong to let itself get into the quicksand.
Rich kids, college kids did not go to Vietnam, except for Al Gore as an Army photographer.
Poor Johnny Reb Dixie boys went, and inner-city teens, Puertoricans, and I met Mexicans that got green cards for fighting in Nam.
I was born overseas, we are Celtics. We had to learn about US Civil War, and the very obvious radiation effect of Southern Racism.
We found out that US Armies had been segregated since the Civil War, until 1948 when Harry S Truman ordered integration.
And I also talked with a Black American "Stanley" who told me they had huge card games in Nam, and some soldiers were shot in the back over debts during fighting against V.C.
I was on Island of Guam where 50,000 Vietnamese Refugees were housed after Saigon fell.
There was a new secret psych ward where some military members were "housed", detoxed of drugs, until it was safe for the long flight to Stateside US.
We were never told about "race riots" on the USS Kitty Hawk, and USS Sumter, the riots spurred violence on other Navy ships, notably the carrier Constellation and the fleet oiler Hassayampa, among others. The unrest in the Navy caught the attention of Congress, and by the end of 1972 it held hearings looking into the incidents.
US Congress blamed US Navy of "permissiveness". The violence, which all began with a drunken brawl one night in a Subic Bay, Philippines bar, had left feelings of mistrust.
I saw examples, on the Navy base, where the Dixie sailors often planted Confederate battle flags in front of their base housing.
In the big Rec Hall / Snack Grill in Barracks #20, the "country boys" would bump into the jukebox to reject a Soul Music song from playing.
But I never saw a fist fight in public.
In the 90's the US Navy had Bloods & Crips getting into confrontations. Gang members were seen flashing hand signs at each other.
Amen, brother. Knowledge is power.
May your brother Rest In Peace.
May I ask how old and when he passed?
@@BCMoney1995 He passed away in July 2021, at the age of 71. He was a good man and a true American patriot who believed in his country, despite his hardships. We were complete opposites, yet I respect his convictions
@@iwant2usethis Thank you for sharing, may he Rest In Peace and we appreciate his service and sacrifice.
This is one of the best things I’ve seen on UA-cam. These brothers were the real deal and Mr.Cherry who was a POW reminds me of how real men of that era, tough as leather. Salute to these men, amazing upload
Thank you for your service to all Vietnam veterans. I hate hearing what these young black men went through, on top of being conscripted into an unpopular war. The gentleman with the glasses at 29.55 into the film, speaking about his white best friend, Joe, is enough to make one know what true brotherly love is, and it's so much more powerful than hate and its inbred cousin racism. RIP Joe and all of the those who didn't make it back.
Why are you thanking them for their service? Thank you for going to Vietnam and killing people in a civil war that had nothing to do with them? Thank you for being lied to and conned by your lying treacherous government? Thank you for your friends dying for nothing? How did the Vietnam War defend America and freedom?
I live in south east Asia, your government lied and sent boys to die, poison the land, kill the people and turn our daughters into prostitutes creating a sex industrythat flourish to this day.
I feel real sorry for Vietnam vets because they were lied to then betrayed when they hot home. Thanking them for their service is betraying them again, it's like saying thank you for being a good slave and going to fight in another country you know nothing about on behalf of rich white men who got a whole lot richer from the war.
What are you talking about blacks are the most racist people in America, they absolutely hate Mexicans and Asians straight up and are very tribal. I dont feel any affinity toward any white man simply because he is white, I live in a civilized nation and we are taught that race really isnt a defining characteristic but blacks do see it as that. They see stock in being black and will naturally have an affinity towards blacks simply for being black. It really is a very tribalized culture in the movie "dont be a menace to society" Lawrence Fishburnes character in the beginning is upset about shooting at a black man entering his house, he doesnt want to kill just "another brotha" Imagine being so brainwashed that you think the guy breaking into your house and trying to endanger your son's life is a "brotha"
These people are brainwashed a fukk
Well said James!!
I saw this program when it first aired and I remember that man, speaking of his white friend, Joe. "I will not forget Joe" he said with real conviction.
@@57highland I really don1t have a clue how I would react to being drafted as a black man. I know this though; if my parents had to sit at the back of the bus and use "colored only" facilities, I would be an extremely angry young man.
RIP to my big cousin Clifford Earl Tyson, died April 1968 in Vietnam, he was only 20, my family always tell stories of him, wish I could have met you cousin
R.I.P. M.S.G. Charlie L. Baker HQ/HQ 25th I.D. He fought in the Korean War and 'Nam [three tours] and was a 23-year Combat Veteran. A good soldier, a decent man, a faithful husband, a kind father...my hero.
My avatar picture is his last DA photo before he retired.
@@user-ks7lb8xj9e don't be 'sorry.' My father, maternal grandfather, and two older brothers fought and served in nearly every major military conflict in the twentieth century, so you can openly state your opinion without the threat of censorship, retaliation, or death.
My maternal grandmother and maternal grand-aunt built the planes that brought the willful participants of global Euro-Pasific Fasicm [Nazis/Imperiialism] to their 'effin knees (I always love typing that). While simultaneously paving the way for women of color and women, in general, to receive equal opportunities in the modern workforce and equal rights in society. Both ladies were among the first African-Americans in their rural community to openly support the fledgling Civil Rights movement that picked up momentum at the end of WW2. This fostered the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Culminating in the Equal Rights Amendment and other laws that guaranteed their right to be recognized as human beings and take their lives into their own hands. Something their parents and grandparents could only dream of. They did this at a time when the threat of sexual assault (if not lynching) was always a concern not just for being women, but when you add 'colored' and or 'Ingun' to the mix-well one would have to be crazy to put one's self in that kind of danger.
Or maybe they were just tired, fed-up, and frustrated.
I call them brave.
My mother, who was inspired by her parent's examples of courage in the face of Jim Crow (anti-African American codes) and anti-Indigenous bias (forced segregation of Native American reservations), became one of the first persons of color to host her own local TV program on a major network affiliate in the late 1960s Tulsa, OK. Yeah, home of the Tulsa Massacre. Wanna guess how many death threats she and her Caucasian colleagues received day end and day out for nearly five years, nearly forty years after the massacre? I got news for you, some of the murderers who destroyed my community were still alive then. It gives me a warm fuzzy knowing she smiled in their face every time they turned on their TVs. By the way, she was pregnant with me at the time. If that wasn't enough, she was constantly praying my father wouldn't die in 'Nam, be captured by the enemy, be 'fragged' by some disgruntled soldier, or be beaten by a group of so-called 'non-violent' hippies when he wore his uniform. Lucky for them they never tried it, no matter what color they were.
In no way have I ever had their kind of courage, but I will honor those who paved the way before me. Every man, women and child, who were kidnapped, tortured, violated, maimed, and lynched. They fought for my freedom in the only way they could. Right or wrong, they struggled, so I didn't have to.
So don't apologize for being sorry; it is self-evident
I watched this and it was so full of personal irony for me. I've watched many Frontline documentaries over the years but somehow had not seen this one. My own father was a Black Vietnam War veteran. I was aware of some stories because my Father expressed similar experiences he had. I had heard them when I was growing up. I saw the suffering too. He was a proud Vet. RIP Father and thank you to All the men and women who serve and your sacrifice!
I am a white English man and I would have been proud to share a hut and to have fought by their side..These are the true heroes..
Sorry your father had to endure that.
Amen to that, family!
Perfectly said. May he rest in paradise, and thank you for sharing that !
Thank you for your fathers sacrifice to our country! He’s a hero.
This is the best Vietnam War documentary I've ever seen. 😢
To all the Vietnam Veterans! Thank you guys for all that you went thru!!!
Still going through😢
For ALL That They Gave -
They deserved all they went through and more. Invading an innocent country. Killing innocent people.
you're thanking them like they did anything for the rest of us. they never should have been through that shit in the first place.
Being forced to fight in a war for those who have abused and disrespected you and your people. That deserves mad respect.
WTF ....."your people." Get a life. News people and people like you are the problem with this country today.
If you ever see a “Vietnam veteran” hat on a black guy you make sure you tell him welcome home. All veterans deserve the basic respects but those jungle warriors deserve a fucking hug.
😂😂😂😂😂 cry cry cry. Fuck don't u people get tired if being professional victims
They weren’t forced dumbass they enlisted
The MAGA-tards will tell you this is fake.
My father was a Sargent in Vietnam, for 3 years we didn't see him, praise the Lord. He came came home in one piece!!!❤
I think this should be listened to by everyone.... What a powerful documentary if I may say.
Thank you…this is one on those nights I won’t be getting much sleep
The black man has fought in every single American war since its inception. A remarkable set of people giving their history.
Facts. The black men in my family fought in every single American war for this country.
@ lucabaki You’re missing the point completely. They were an enslaved people in that country who have gone on the to freedom then protect that same country that they helped build. That is a remarkable history indeed.
@@HdHd-hp6qzAgreed, I respect black Americans for volunteering to fight in a war while representing a country that once discriminated them.
Modern *AND* past.
notice when it is something positive about Black they don't want to see skin @lucabaki
Glorify them as a single group, were there no black murderers or pedophiles during all this time?
As the son of a Vietnam Veteran; I have the utmost respect and admiration for those Black Men who fought and died in that war. Kudos to THE BLOODS!!! Much love and respect to every Brother who served and serves...
My father told me that there was no racism in his foxhole. He didn’t care what color you were or where you were from. He only cared about all of them going home alive and hopefully in one piece.
Where was your dad raised?
The number of topics covered by this program is amazing. The interviewees paint pictures that only soldiers can do with few words. Brilliant by all concerned.
In-depth document at it’s finest. Letting the interviewer respond. Questions that dive into introspection of their experiences. Letting them respond freely without rebuttal
What a beautiful story of friendship, loyalty, integrity, and love that is Mr Fred and Mr Haley! Touched me so that I just don't have the words. What a picture they paint of what the world could be if the rest of us were like them! Unbelievable Men !
Thank you , my uncles from Detroit went to Nam and man they had stories when they came back home. As a child I could feel their stress and PTSD, without even knowing what that meant at the time.
@@worldwide7657 I bet...Ive known a lot of Nam vets through the years and it seems like most all of them had problems, addiction or otherwise. Damn shame...all solid men but most separated from their families...
I have seen a TON of Vietnam War Footage...This was INCREDIBLE Live action coverage...Very impressive. GOD BLESS Vietnam Veterans of America 🇺🇸
To this day when I see a Vietnam vet, I always tell them thank you for your service. And when I see a black man I really get choked up for all the hell they had endured during that conflict. I thank all my black brothers for there sacrifice to a country that not always have loved you like you loved this country.
Tell them “Welcome Home”
It’s such an honor to see their response when I tell them this.
Thank you for what service?? I dont remember vietnam attacking California... not to mention they went there to protect these people not kill milions of unarmed civilians
@@1DEADBEEF1war is never pretty evil on both sides
@Walter-white891 how many millions of american civilians did vietnam or japan killed??
Do you see american children being born today choribly deformed from millions of tonnes of chemical agents dropped on United States by vietnamese airforce??
They had it easy compared to the black WW2 GIs
16yrs,UNITED STATES AIR FORCE. YES--the "Racism" still continues ...Tnks for Your Service, my Brothers...
what service? seems like you guys just lose wars these days
@@joeyjoejoe314 brother we haven't won a war since Korea
@@johnnydeagal4400 well even that, korea was kinda a draw. I won't argue about korea further. The main point is, we don't know how to win a guerilla war, and we need to stop getting in those wars.
@@johnnydeagal4400 Desert Storm and Earnest Will (the larger Navy operation that includes operation Praying Mantis)
I’m a Vietnam vet…I remember my first kill..I remember thinking I just killed someone’s son..maybe a kids father..a brother, a uncle..and how that one act would effect maybe a dozen people..that they would never be able to talk to that person ever again…that what I did was forever…and that realization will be with me for the rest of my life.
I'm sorry to hear that, sir. But we still appreciate your service. Welcome home....
Remember he would've killed you and your squad mates given the chance. That's what I hang on to.
Welcome home sir
Thanks for your service
Terrible way to think, Id be perfect for the service.
The eloquence of these men.
An interesting fact is that those students they were telling stories to, some died in the Gulf war, others came back to tell stories to students that would be killed in Afghanistan. The ones who survived Afghanistan and Iraq are now telling stories to some students somewhere.
Do you see any patterns here?
It's the money interests and wealth acquisition that keeps on driving the war machine.
OH man you are so smart, God that is genius observation you must read a lot about war and religion and important books
Clown.
@Person0fColor Probably smart enough to debate a topic without the need to resort to insults. Something which you, demonstrably, are having difficulty in achieving.
You should work on it. Insulting complete strangers, even online, is rarely a good idea.
Yeah, I do.
Fighting someone else's war is unambiguously fucking dumb.
Break the cycle! Reject this *hideously flawed* concept of patriotism, and tell the government to go fight their own wars.
@@leoarc1061 you don’t know shite about anything you’re the kind of guy who reads “art of war” and thinks you’re deep. You read “all quiet on the western front” and think you’re well read
This is one of the best programs I have seen on the Vietnam War. The interviews were very touching and gives a really amazing perspective from a black american soldier.
My dad was 1 one the 1st black sniper and he's still kicking thank GOD
God Bless
An old warrior 💯
Amen🙏🏾
Very powerful doc, so many conflicts both internal and external for these men. This film is nearly 40 years old itself now. It would be great to see updated interviews today of these servicemen from this piece that are still alive.
Facts
@@slowpoke96Z28 This is America and every is entitled to their opinion but I can guarantee you dont know jack shite "facts" what facts? that blacks are under represented in the war dead? You do understand that 99% of all American war dead are white men right?
Its like not even close who gave more. 🤣
This was a wonderful documentary, to the men featured, thanks for your services.
Those animals were all on drugs and killed American Officers.
Salute to these MEN ! Awful big ask to tell these men to go to war while facing their own type of war in their homeland! Thank you for your service and sacrifice! Semper Fi
This is fascinating! I had two uncles in Vietnam. One of them was never the same after. Thank you for your service Gentlemen!
More like im sorry you were forced to serve then tossed aside when you survived with multiple baggages including but not limited to ptsd
Yup great country america and great great noble wars you wage and fantastic veterans services you have for survivors thanks for your service gentleman my southeast asian ass
@@g_y.rtz420ya and then Americans calls the Russians "evil" bunch of hypocrites
@@g_y.rtz420Get a job bozo
The Korean war was the first integrated war with black and white fighting together. These men are true heroes. Thank you for your service and sacrifice!
What about the civil war back in the 1800’s?
Unfortunately all military units were segregated until 1948. President Truman changed that when he signed a law stopping the practice. African Americans fought in every war we have had.
Absolutely one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. Brought me to tears and also gave me hope and promise. Love has no boundaries and we should never forget the sacrifice our soldiers had to endure on and off the battle field.
Wow thanks for whoever recorded and uploaded this.
Thank you for this informative video! Couldn't imagine the terrors these vets experienced
Or the heinous acts they committed on kids and civilians.
@@PROPHETS-BAIN very true both sides to it ..I read about My Lai that was horrible prayers to all
@@boywonda3 have you read about the CIA Phoenix project in Vietnam or the cointel pro operations
I truly hope for all of your continued peace in life. God bless you all. Thank you for all you've sacrificed for us.
This is courage at its finest. I have nothing but love and respect for every single one of these men. Former army scout myself. All love here.
I couldn't imagine it being like that when I was in. I went to Korea in 06 and my best friend was black. I never had many close friends, but me and him hit it off. I really looked upto him because he was a more experienced soldier when we met. We fell out of touch a few years ago and its left a void.
Get back in touch. You'll both be glad you did. Never too late, never.
This is heartbreaking! These children were forced to fight a senseless war and then spit on them when these heroes returned with zero support to deal with the horrific madness experienced in Vietnam. I would like to see an update with some of these men to see how they are doing today. RIP to the heroes that didn't come home!
Brought to us courtesy of the murdering DNC
They were spit on for a reason. They committed numerous atrocities in an unjustified war. Somehow back then Americans were more informed about the politics of war than we are now.
I visit my friend who is nine years older than me. I met him when I was sixteen years old and in a group home where he worked. Back then he didn’t tell me about his Vietnam experiences. That happened late after I was an adult. He now has severe Alzheimer’s disease and has to be in a special unit in the VA hospital. The veteran that was sharing his experiences where he enjoyed killing reminded me of my friend telling me similar stories.
To all The Blood Brothers, and Black GIs and Leathernecks, before me, SPC Bond 1/116th, I salute you and commend you for your selfless sacrifice and resiliency ✊🏿
Forgot that a young Judy Woodruff did Frontline for a period of time. I have loved both for over 40 years! These Vietnam vets were really treated poorly before, during, and after their service. It says much about their character that most came home and despite that bad treatment, took jobs that served others and made us a better country by their presence. Everyone of these men are truly heroes to me. I am hopeful that they all found some peace in their lives before their time on earth ended.
My Uncle is a Vietnam Veteran(and a Marine) and I have so much more respect for him and the he'll he went through fighting in Vietnam.
I read about this in the book BLOODS - i never forgot about this account every time i hear stories from veterans in the viet war. The book was intense. To hear these gentlemen speak brings those memories of hiw i felt reading the book. Its hearing the accounts with faces attached to them.
I have it in my collection
My uncle was a Nam vet and full blood Native. He battled alcoholism after he came back and succumb to his addiction. He told me stories of the things he seen while he was there and I could not image going through the things he witnessed. My heart breaks for these young men who left a part of their being there at Vietnam.
Dionysus
Thank You for paving the way for us today 💪🏾✊🏾
One of the most powerful Vietnam War docs I've seen.
One of the most important documentaries I've ever seen.
I've read Bloods, by Wallace Terry. In fact, I've read it twice. Great book 👍
Being from Baltimore, I still remember Gene Woodley’s story. His nicknames were “Cyclops” and “Montagnard Man.” He said that when he came home, even his mother was afraid of him.
This was (is) a great book! I don’t know where my copy went…
@tonyjones1560 Yes, I remember too. If you loaned the book out, you probably didn't get it back. Same happened to me twice with the Gran Torino DVD. After repurchasing it twice, I no longer loan out DVDs, or books.
@@barto4678 I was in college, so I might have been straight up ripped off during a keg party, LOL. That’s how my copies of classic albums “Second Winter” by Johnny Winter (RIP🙏🏾) and “Blow By Blow” by Jeff Beck (RIP🙏🏾) got away from me…
@@tonyjones1560 Yes, that is possible. I didn't make it to college, but I had the keg parties, lol
@@barto4678 I went to small, majority white school that didn’t have any fraternities or sororities. We did, however, have a rugby team that threw some absolutely AWESOME parties. We’re talking some “Weekend At Bernie’s” 1980s teen movie stuff and it really was the 1980s. Crazy stuff…!
I'm a black 71 year old Vietnam Vet , caught the end 71-72 with ANGLICO during Lam Son 719 and The Easter Offensive , there were far less ground troops and mostly advisors and special units like mine but I've seen some terrible shit over there , former Marine SSGT David Baker.
As a veteran myself, I can feel the struggles that these guys will live with the rest of their lives.
God bless you for your service sir.
Thanks for your service
Blech.
Utterly self-serving comment.
Jesus Christ loves you and cares.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3v16-18
This page really has helped me tremendously in getting closer to the Lord Jesus Christ and walk upright before Him.
youtube.com/@LivingWaters?si=pRoBPXMcTNhQht_Q
My brother did three tours. I was not aware of this until his funeral. 😢 the friendships he made were lifelong.
so sorry that you did not know. many bad things did happen in all wars regarding race etc. many mexican americans got evil thrust upon them in Korea.we are all humannnnnnn
I met of the men who served with my father at his funeral. They were more than brothers... they were the sentry of his soul. They shed tears of blood and iron. I went to several of their funerals to share my love and respect for men who loved my father. Semper Fi 🙏🏾
Absolutely enjoyed this documentary. Hearing the background of these men, having morals, family tradition and self reflection. They described their thoughts and emotions so well.
My father was in Vietnam I respect the hell out of these guys.
Wow these men are absolutely incredible!! So proud of them
Agreed. What a generation. Stand up guys. I love the forthrightness and lack of political correctness.
I feel sorry for them that they had to go threw this mess of a war
Hell yea, be proud of their ability to massacre children women and framers.
so horrible what our country did to them. Not only to send them off to die in the jungle but the way they were treated when they came home.
Thank you for posting🍻 and more thank you for the men who served and related their thoughts on their experience. Learned alot and gives me hope that our great country will survive 🇺🇸
I was in the First Infantry Div '67-'68 out in the field. For me there really wasn't black & white. There were buddies you fought for. That's it. We all wanted to get out of there.
My time in the military made me realize how much culture can vary between units. Sounds like we were both fortunate with our units and brothers. Vietnam was before my time, but I have always had the upmost respect for Nam vets... I cannot imagine what that was like. The US military is the best at winning battles... it's too bad our politicians are just as good at losing wars.
These men are exceptional. I cannot even imagine some of the things they had to endure. As a veteran myself in the Vietnam era, I remember how I felt at the time and how I was ready if called on to go to Nam. I ended up in Germany but about half of my platoon went to Nam. I've always felt that we all would do what we have to do in times of war. Honor to all of these hero's.
Lucky U
This was very good. I'm glad I stumbled on it. This should have many more views.
Who else clicked this to see what it was and ended up watching the whole thing?
Had no idea what it was about, but ended up watching twice as not to miss anything. I have it saved and will keep watching it as a reminder
Very enjoyable presentation, a different perspective, a different point of view. Thank You for presenting this video and I Thank all of those brave men for their service, they are heroes.
These American Patriots are solid men of character . Men who were built on morals and manners as the Marine mentioned . That other marine who spoke about discrimination and not committing it on another becsuse he knew what it felt like made it clear the strength of his heart snd mind. Quality men that any man can learn a great deal from if sat and listen to.
Dead 2 self. That's a believer's screen name if I ever saw one.
@@SquadJuiced Christ is Lord .
Built on morals! You can make me laugh with that one again.
As a marine combat veteran, I think that how Arthur "Gene" Woodley Jr.' articulates his experiences in combat, what it does to you, and how it affects your life forever is the best I've ever heard because it is genuine and the truth as I know it to be from my experiences years later in the War on Terrorism. Just as real and true as the last 10 minutes of "Rambo". (All the other guy's do too, his just stood out to me the most that instantly triggered some deep self-reflection for me.) Semper Fidelis brothers.
So much RESPECT for these men. I will always Bless our Vietnam Veterans.
My uncle (my aunt on my mom's side's husband. He's black) was born and raised in a shitty rough neighborhood in Chicago. Lied about his age to join the military (he was 16) served 2 tours in Vietnam. Told me "hung with some bad cats. either end up in prison, dead or join the military...."
True heroes. Surviving in a Vietnam pow camp in solitary confinement, 2 years straight. God bless and give these men peace.
Such a great and powerful documentary, and I really miss seeing Judy's face everyday after work
My brother bought the book and I read it in about one day. Amazing narratives about men forced to fight multiple wars.
As a small gesture I want to personally thank these individuals for their sacrifice....wishing peace and stability
What peace and what stability are you talking about? Vietnam had never bombed your hometown, killed or rape your omen and children. Those individuals you are referring to are on the path to hell, have they not been dead already. That’s just my small gesture too.
Amazing how young they all were here. Nam veterans in the mid 1980s...some were not even yet 40
The Vietnam War finished in April 1975.
And some were almost 50 by the end of the decade ( the 80's ).
@@jovicatrpcevski209 Yes. Those were the guys that went to Nam really before it became front page news
@@timburr4453 Yep.
Frontline pbs.. the very best of PBS. (Judy looks great.) 1986. My jr year in high school.
This is among the very best of Frontline documentaries-- and Judy W-- is a lovely young woman-- it's great to see that in 2021-- she's still a news journalist on PBS- imagine that! 🌈
Fantastic documentary, all these brave men fighting for there lives and what they went through ,so much trauma, to watch the ending was very heart warming seeing all of them finally finding piece some how . Truly amazing is the human spirit
702 days in solitary, respect. Thank you for this documentary there are many wise words and men contained in this video. As they say the first casualty of war is the Truth, but the Truth is still alive thanks to this video. Hopefully one day there will be no more wars.
That brother talking about finding the skinned alive G.I. throughout this film, I send my prayers to him. It's not easy sending souls away from their misery, but there was no other choice.
Gene Woodley was ahead of his day.
These men would be devastated to see how much worse off their communities became in the years after.
Much respect for these men that were fighting 2 different wars. Your sacrifices will never be forgotten by me. Best of the best
I was just thinking the same thing. If the community can get back to having a mother and father in the house and be raised to be polite, eradicate the gangs and that garbage rap music, you would see huge changes in the community
@@mineonlyhoovesWe reside in various communities that aren't all the same. Violence and ignorance has been around way before there was any genre of rap music to begin with.
Old white people talkin bout shit they don’t have the first clue about
@@rgw1380rw I believe that a lot of it comes from a broken home, or in lack of a better terms a home without a father, mother or both and not just in black communities. I will say it doesn’t help when you have a culture of music that preaches to kill, steal, and do drugs. Especially now days when everything is custom to instant gratification and the idea of doing whatever it takes to get “rich” instead of things like learning honest trades that do in fact pay great money. It’s very sad because these are the types of things that “target” our youth. Just like how the military recruits young because these kids simply don’t know any better.
@@mineonlyhoovesit's funny to me how you people work
The soldiers who helped me most throughout my career were all black NCOs. Especially SFC Rayfield Delesly. God bless you Sgt D. You inspired me to excel.
Rayfield is such a cool name, lol.
Mad respect , those dudes that came back during those times were rugged and hard asl
"Because that's how I was brought up, polite." 😊love it! Need more of it in this world
My husband is a Vietnam veteran he was in the mortar Platoon 1st Cav 5th Battalion 7th Cav he signed up for the military at the age of 17 by forging his mother signature but the stories that he has told me it's easy to see why he has PTSD among so many other health problems also disheartening to know that this country discriminated against these veterans even on the homefront when it came to their VA benefits we are currently still battling them for the remainder of his benefits and it seems like everything with them the VA that is is a battle we had to battle them a year for him to get another motorized wheelchair after he had one for five years prior now we're battling them for the caregivers program as he's losing mobility in his left leg after already losing mobility in his right because of nerve damage from injury from the war and it's Stories and facts like these that always bring questions of Suspicion when it comes to the Department of Justice and also the VA on how they handle their funds they are good for bragging and grandstanding but they always try to hide the class-action lawsuits that are raging on against them when it comes to Black veteran even to the point where you have private practices in the medical field that say they have to lower their standards just to work at a VA facilities it really is sickening the way that they handle our veterans especially our black veterans for example I have a friend who was a caregiver for a Vietnam veteran who never left stateside because he had to have medical attention so he never saw War he was able to enroll in the caregivers program with ease because he was white now my husband on the other hand black disabled Vietnam War veteran our household has been denied entry to the caregivers program twice this in fact is our third time going at them for this benefit that he is well entitled to ! But nevertheless my husband is my Titan my hero in my immediate reality and I'm thankful for his service and veteran who served like him we have a Family full of military veterans and 4 that are still alive from the Vietnam era!
Everyone has a problem with the VA they just suck. And thank him for his service
The same shit happens to white vets girl. The VA is horrible to all vets its not about color.
how is his health? did 2 years
To all the African American men that fought in the Vietnam war, alive or passed on. You are the true hero’s of this war being in such a horrible situation with all odds staked against you. I highly highly highly salute you brave warriors. I wasn’t even born yet while this was going on but because of men like you I was able to be born into a free country. In today’s society for most people skin color means nothing we are all equals and all brothers and sisters. Do not let the government fool you into keeping racism alive the democrats feed off of it and need that division. We are stronger sticking together. United we stand divided we fall. Respect and love all of your fellow civilians people no need to hate your teammates.
Any African American who went TO VIETNAM WAS A FOOL..
WHY?
DO YOUR RESEARCH
HITS: GENOCIDE
SLAVERY
LYNCHING
SEGREGATION
RED LINING
WHITE SUPREMACY
KKK
ALL WHITE LAWS
I respect the people who don't involve themself in the colonizer's problems and wars. That should have ended with obama.
@@lawrencemorris2261every race played roles in colonization
Same here. Upmost respect to all Vietnam veterans
Express your viewpoint to ALL Republicans especially those voted for draft-dodger Trump and wear MAGA paraphernalia, and you will get a rude awakening as to which political party that the majority population affiliates themselves with is due to its agenda policy and practices of "EXCLUSION." AND IT A'INT DEMOCRATS!
thank you this was very nice