Vietnam Voices: 'We never laughed in Vietnam, but that was one day pretty close'
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- Опубліковано 24 січ 2025
- Vietnam War veteran Clint Whitmer talks about his experiences. Whitmer served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1969. He was born in Glendive, Montana and went on to teach high school in Frazer.
So great. This man's relatives are so fortunate to have his blood running through them.
ive probably listened to 70 of these at least, this is the first guy who understood why we were actually there.
All these men are some of the best examples of how a difficult situation can bring out the best in people.
Thank you Mr. Whitmer. I am humbled by your sacrifice as a medic in Vietnam. Be well.
Welcome home sir. Thank you for your service
It's a great education to listen to these vets--thank you for your story and the sacrifices you made. War is a horror and we need to work harder for peace.
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Peace isn't always possible with some countries. Just look at China, how they want to strong arm everyone and they way they treat their own citizens?
This man's story and the trauma he has suffered brings tears to my own eyes. May you find peace in yourself, Clint.
@@braininavatnow9197 I've done my share of that.
Vietnam vet 68-69 who was lucky to have a relatively safe job. This man did his job and I am proud for him. Rather sad to hear his story though. One of the other vets on another site said something very true, "Nobody wins a war".
I know this is an old comment but, welcome home
Clint Whitmer what an insightful intelligent man you are. Your story (interview) was so profound and educational concerning Vietnam and life in general. As an teacher I'm certain you are exceptional and all your students are fortunate to have you standing before them.
Thank you for your service and peace on your journey.
Glad you made it home Clint, hope you are well. I was with A company 1st 46th Infantry 198th Light Infantry Brigade. We laughed all the time.
What a horrible thing these men had to endure...I am a 68 yo N3 Veteran who salutes every Vietnam Veteran I encounter...Thank you Sir for your service...God bless you Sir
If only the respect for the warriors were replaced by a movement to end americas stupid wars
What is N3?
Thanks for sharing your story. Thanks for your service. You’re loved. Thank you for your life and contributions to others outside of your military service.
Tremendous interview Doc. Thanks for serving our country.
The medics are always the most interesting to me and have the worst PTSD. Amazing guy.
Thank you for your service
A great interview soft spoken great individual
Very informative article and well done.
Thank you Sir for your service. This whole docuseries has been great, but this gentleman is so full of humility. Such a great interview.
what a wonderful interview with a very compassionate a very tender-hearted man the rez is very fortunate to have a wonderful teacher like him
I’ve been listening to the stories and paying attention to the men ...thank you for all Participants Involved in making these life stories available for viewing... outstanding. 🇦🇺
Great interview. Thanks for your service
Sir, there are no words that are adequate, and you may never see this but I feel I am a better person for listening to you. Thank you. Gerald.
All the interviews are good, I like his attitude toward his mos. Taking care of everybody, and it was it is.
Thank you Mr.Whitmer
Thank You Sir and Welcome Home !!
The more interviews I watch I more I realize that peace is the only option.. no wars.... The cost to these people is just too great..these guys paid the price for these wars..Also the local Vietnamese obviously..
I am coming to that same conclusion. I've seen how the war has affected my own Dad. Huge injustice that the wealthy and powerful send mostly the young, often poor, into danger.
This has been a very valuable talk for me. I had a 3A draft card but was not called. I feel honored being able to share experiences you guys had. There were several guys in our small No CA town that we lost in Viet Nam. Also after the war and for many years, I worked in a trade with lots of Vets that were troubled in various ways.
Mr. Clint is a wonderful human being a caring spirit with compassion for other people thank you so much for your service and telling your story you I was very moved by your compassion for different cultures💕☺️ God bless you
What a soft spoken hero who seems to be sad and lonely but has completed a great deal in his life.
Also a Vietnam Vet 1968- 1970
Great interview,well done Clint. Salute. Steve Erlick does a great interview. Always handles his guests well. Appropriate,intelligent,informed questions.
A “deuce and a half” is slang for a (2 and a half ton) military cargo truck, for those the are curious. Clint used the term in one of his jokes near the end.
Super insightful! Thank you, sir.
Thanks for your service doc. Welcome home❤️
What's there to thank for. All these Vietnam videos are basically BS. These veterans willingly chose to go to an unwinnable, illegal war. If they say otherwise they are promoting a falsehood. A lot of these people push the image that they could or did win the war, but the "politicians" and the "people back home" lost it. Vietnam was a national American disgrace, tragedy and defeat...and they share in the responsibility of it. The politicians and American people saw that the war was not being won, or was unwinnable. The US never really had the "hearts and minds" of the South Vietnamese people...who they supposedly were fighting for. They don't talk much about the war crimes they committed against the Vietnamese....OR even against their own personnel. Lastly, whether these guys won or lost...the Vietnam war had absolutely NO effect on American freedom, security, safety or way of life. They did NOT sacrifice anything for my...or your freedom. These veterans present themselves as victims and wrongly treated. They are big boys and went to a country to kill or be killed. They shared in the failure. Now they want to be recognized for their "sacrifice" through videos, Honor Flights, endless trips to the Wall in DC or to Vietnam itself. They never grew up and really moved on. They have made themselves an embarrassment to themselves and my generation.
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What a life this man has lived. I love how open-minded he is. God bless
Welcome home, thank you Sir, God bless you all...
you can tell this poor guy is still haunted by his memory's. Thank you for your service Sir.
👍 nothing but respect admiration gratitude! Welcome home my friend!
A lovely, tender soul.
Thanks for interviewing these badass American hero’s
Thank you Sir, God bless you all.
Thank you sir for your brave service to our country
I really love this interview series
Thank you very much for your service!
Thanks for your service. Thanks for the descriptions of the experience. Bullet flying past your head. Glad you made it back. Flat feet was an interesting comment.
Clint Whitmer, U.S. Army medic. Served from 1968 to 1969.
What did he mean at 9:30 when he said he didn’t have landing gear ? And what happened to pilot
Someone from the control tower also noticed he didn't have any landing gear on one side (wheels didnt pop out).
He's not sure how the Pilot eventually made it to the ground. Probably had to make an emergency landing or eject.
Clint is pretty cool. Good hearted guy.
Clint has seen through the MATRIX great man
Thank you 🙏🇺🇸❤️
aloha darrell ! nov 13 2024...
ive look for you how you doing
Glad military honors you!!! these
vets need to tell the facts N nam
He says the phyton slid down a bamboo.
In the central highlands mountains, no
wild life and no water on the mountains .
I fought the nva and they had no head
cover
.They did wear a green uniform,plus
sandals during the monsoon season.
He was a tough soldier and cold really
fight.
Everyone in vietnam thought he was in
a hell hole no matter how easy his job
was,but i must remind you of the gruntl
He fought high up in the mountains,
any one getting wounded could not be extracted,specially the one's on ambush.
I hear many sad stories from this guys,
and i have jet to hear one that fought
in the mountains.You must remember
the jungle was his home,where he got
the dear john letter,plus putting up with
racists sergeants and many of the
soldier's.You learn to hate the enemy
and a lot of the soldier's of your co.
Never trust anyone you were not going
to be taken out if wounded.
A gentle soul. Good luck, I sense you're coping in your own way Clint although I sense a sadness and there appears to be some strangeness/non connectivity in thought patterns but no matter. Maybe you just had a spliff (good on you) !
A man who appreciates the Vietnamese for their culture and for who they are, amazing after experiencing combat up close. All power to you mate. .
It would be interesting to hear from a few women who also served in Vietnam. I'm guessing most were in the hospital/medical field (?)
Thank you sir for your service an protecting our way of life THANK YOU God bless
In the 70s I kept hearing about this village called Mi Lai and I kept thinking I should know where this is. Finally it dawned on me that it was a place we all called the Pink Vill. It was called that because everyone in that village was red. The 1st 14th Artillery had a battery there that looked down on the village and if anyone was out after curfew the battery would remind them of it by sending them a high explosive 105mm round.
Thank you for your service '
I feel the sorrow for Whitiker and his family all these years later.
LZ Bayonet West 70-71, it is pronounced dee-ros not der-os, thank you for the interview.
I regard you as an Entirely Courageous Unselfish Hero and Professional Soldier! I respectfully disagree about your compliments to Ho Chi Minh and statements that we were destined to lose South Vietnam. Communism is an International NOT Nationalist Ideology! MANY Vietnam Veteran Interviews testify that the Communist Troops acted like Cruel Murderous Savages towards Vietnamese Civilians. President Nixon bombed the Hell out of Northern Communist Cities during Operation Linebacker Two, those Atheistic Criminals we’re ready to surrender, then Watergate and Impeachment interrupted Nixon’s plans. We protected South Korea, we owed the same commitment to South Vietnam!
I expect to receive numerous haters for this opinion. God Bless everyone who fights Communist Slavery.
It’s certainly that. Just an opinion lmao.
South Korea another joke of a Democracy. Where the fist dictator Syngman Rhee celebrated his election by murdering his non communist opponent and declaring himself President of all Korea. Nixon was a criminal who along with Johnson should have been tried for 50,000 dead GI's whose lives were wasted.
I loved his story.
Worked on a rig near Glendive
That was my position in April,1967.
You did not spend enough free time in the EM Club on Base. After a few beers we did laugh. But normally needed a few Beers. Only 10 MPC per beer. Not a bad price. Had to walk a few of the guys back to Hootches and usually had a pit stop a few times to either throw up or take a piss. Too few days in Base camp for most.
Very good!
Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you're always afraid
Step out of line, the men come and take you away
We better stop
Hey, what's that sound?
Everybody look, what's going down?
It’s 12-31-2023… we haven’t learned our lesson
There’s so much going on 2024 does our vote our voice really count? I’m going to keep trying thank you for your service and welcome home.❤
There’s a ghost from the Trilateral Commission somewhere that’s laughing his ass off because this production was sponsored by Masterlube.
During his time in the Army Reserve, John Fogerty attended training at Fort Bragg, Fort Knox, and Fort Lee.
This guy is great! Especially when he imitates some one else.
Hugs to all my VETERANS today. Love you all. JARHEADS rule. My dear old dad. RIP. SOLOMON'S.
need headphones audio too low.
It always is unfortunately.
@@nicholaswoolfenden5254 ml l l
We worked with the vc against the Japanese and the only Vietnamese to ask us for help was Ho Chi Min there was never a south Vietnam and when the usaf stood down south Vietnam crumbled like a house of cards not 1 American soldier should have set 1 foot in that place
I am sorry for your pain.
500,000 went to Woodstock . . . 2.7 million served in Vietnam
Why was he in for only a year?
The standard tour was 13 months.
30 min? in ,worst fucking camping trip ever! (bugs) I can thank you soldiers enough! ❤️🙏🙏❤️
This bloke is awright ....
To think people still trust what our leaders tell them...
If the Lord tarrys and we survive our own government today , think of what history will say about the evil that befalls us today.
Great interview. Too bad the interviewer wasn't a gun guy and asked him about the difference between the M14 and M16 and what one he liked.
He liked neither.. his job was a medic he was responsible for the lives of soldiers on the battle field.
@@jacobsladder6715 I never heard those words come out of his mouth.. at what minute mark does he say he didn't like either weapon?
Any who volunteered for or submitted themselves to this must be insane. Anyone drafted.. You got shafted
Quiet spirit!
THANK YOU CLINT !
I went down the same road with the draft. I was in DaNang. Terrible thing. God bless.
A Grizz at MSU will be alone.
The worst job in the Army. Who can survive the meat grinder un- affected?
1:31:11 Interesting Vietnam jokes.
07🇺🇸💪🏻
Battle
Could you increase your audio recording levels. I have the volume maxed out and cannot make out what some say. He is very soft spoken at times! Thank you.
I can't understand what he's saying?? I can believe he's a teacher.....probably a raging Democrat!! How does he teach a class.....can't hear him!!!! It's like he's having a hard time breathing!!!?
gary bulwinkle I don’t think he’s a raging anything, but probably a decent teacher.
Yall just got shitty ears tbh. I understand him just fine.
AS I learned in Viet Nam....Can't hit shit on full auto.
Thank you for your service sir
WELCOME HOME
Good news
I did my time
I've seen about 12 ..13 of these .... how come no Black veterans have been interviewed ?
Probably no black veterans living near Billings, Montana
I think life’s luck
Sad thing so many good men was hurt and killed for that lie of a war
I'm a Vietnam/Draft resistor. The more and more I understand about that war the more I realize what a 'no-brainer' it was to avoid it. HUGE American mistake. The only thing that 10 year war did was absorb tremendous amounts of money, and most importantly, take almost 60000 lives. Then what cost to so many veterans who survived or the public that was left behind. It also put the US in a five year inferiority complex after 1975. Then add Carter's total military debacle in the Iranian hostage situation. Like it or not....all these veterans were chumps and pawns. Nevertheless...they still should have seen Vietnam for what it was when they allowed themselves to enter into it. They blame politicians and the American public...but they enabled the Government to carry out its dysfunctional and erroneous foreign policy. They're not victims.
Therefore...I've never trashed any of these veterans...and I'm sure as hell not going to say like a zombie, "thank you for your service" That war had absolutely NO effect on American security, safety or freedom....win or lose
Thankyou for your service is a sign of respect.. not a zombie reaction.. these videos are about the interviewed..not you
@@tonyhussey3610 I disagree with you. I know veterans that view such random responses with reserved laughter and sarcasm. Do you thank everyone who contributes positively to your life and the people you care about?
And Btw....everything I said in my comment is true. In that context, he is NOT a hero...he's a survivor. This guy wasn't a lone ranger regarding the war in Vietnam, it effected a lot of different people. His story and video deserve a response like mine. And I don't give a damn if you disagree with that.
@@topgeardel their are people for love of country or family who would consider it shameful to desert served. It was a shitty war but I’m sure you can think up any reason that any war or conflict is not worth it. Because of people like them sponge 🧽 cowards like you can enjoy all the benefits of a country like ours. You wouldn’t fight for anything, you would watch people close to you get victimized and run 🏃 zero
@@MOONRAKER1922 A typical veteran (or type) that talks BS and ignorance. You don't know shit so why do you comment? You can stick your "sponge coward" stuff where the sun doesn't shine. You know where it is...it's where your head is also.
I find your comment mostly ignorant of the socioeconomic reasons many - perhaps most - young men who were drafted or under threat of draft could not resist the war. Your perspective is privileged and selfish. I think you should do some reading about who served. Also, in your efforts to resist the draft, I hope you spoke out for more than just yourself.
It seems that Clint has been rubbing folks up the wrong way all through his life, most likely the reason he could not find a suitable woman.
He seems very quick to judge those people who were fearful in the war as well. I feel sorry for him, because whilst most people would have labellled him a difficult person, I see him more as a person with difficulties. He could have had a better life with the benefit of some counselling.
ashley kramer what utter shit you are talking
Watch it again and listen to the man,you might learn something about yourself, me thinks,Ashley
Ashley makes a lot a sense
Fuck you Ashley
He's a common man. Summer of Love & he was getting his butt shot off in Vietnam. After Nam, he worked, had a small drilling rig. Good job for a self starter. Great story Clint! Thanks.
The magenta yogurt pathologically bury because girdle quantitatively kneel of a bewildered grade. easy, boundless temper
One reason is because he's a smoker.
Hey Billings Gazette: You would do well to edit out the names of the GIs whose courage and sobriety the speaker impugns in three separate instances during this interview. The accusations and negativity include people he encounters upon his return to the states, which is extraneous to your purpose and likely to create bad feelings for a long time. On the other hand, this goes a long way to expose the ethnic fissures that lie at the foundations of American polity and the foolishness of civic nationalist Americans who think they can send aggrieved minorities to fight their far flung wars of empire. Not smart.
Hey Joel go fuck yourself
Grow up. Look at the sky or something FFS.
Aggrieved minorities? Like who??
@@lukewarme9121 California public schools are promoting genocide against whites, teaching children to chant to an Aztec god and pray for strength to be “warriors for social justice.”