🎤 The podcast version of this interview is now available: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-vietnam-experience/id1732962685?i=1000647871859 Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/5W77Nz33WPpjpmcRKV6VtV?si=TjYl-nvST3uL-798RS_iRw
Hello Bob, I am Christopher A Kotz, 2nd Platoon.( M79) Worked on the .50 and was also pinned down in the creek bed. I remember you then buddy. Boot to Boot. Happy your still kickin' Thank you for all you did for our country. Mike Gregory, also with us, published "Shiney Bayonet" many years ago. Wish we had your input. Thanksgiving day I became RTO for Quigiley and Kline alternately until I left with Kline in July. Over.
That’s my Uncle Bob! Thank you for doing this interview with him. It was very interesting to hear stories that I’ve never heard before. Truly an amazing guy.
Dave' if you have any of your Uncle Bob gene's you'll make it just find in Life.....For a Man to make it through Four punishing Tour's through hellish Vietnam' and still having this sense of Humor is unbelievable and shows Good character and love ❤️ for this Country....and yes I'm the 3rd guy.... That's wants you too shake his hand For me....I have much respect for his Sacrifices Bob made for his military Friends and all of us......
I worked as a nurse with mainly WWII and Korean War soldiers, but a few Vietnam vets were just coming in to long term care. One thing that will never leave me are the stories that they told me and the fact that they *always* go back to war, as their bodies and minds begin leaving. I literally had a patient dying a very slow death from cancer. He looked at me one morning and said, "i can't go on patrol today". I told him "at ease and you're relieved of duty". He was gone within an hour. Men relived specific battles. Women relived having babies. Fascinating and heartbreaking.
Knew a WWll marine that fought japs in the islands. Was telling his men to stay low 2 hrs. before he passed😢 When Mr. Martin talked about being like a snake in the grass in his first-battle was how many survived.😮
It’s interesting to me how most of our first memories as human beings is TRAUMA. my first memory ever was when my tricycle got crushed by my dad backing up in the driveway. many many others report a traumatic memory as their first one. I wonder what it is about humans and going back to relive trauma. Trauma is so deeply imprinted into our psyches
My friend(83yrs old) was an R.N. in the Viet Nam years. She was at a hospital in Anchorage, Alaska where they received the dead & the wounded right from the trenches of Viet Nam. She still has deep feelings of affection & emotion when she speaks of these warriors…. 🫡🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
God bless him. My uncle survived three tours, Special Forces. Watching his Special Forces buddies laying a Green Beret on him at his funeral decades later made a mess of me. I had cousins there too. All those who were there are special to me.
Hello Sgt. Martin, having been a USAF Nurse at Tachikawa, Japan 67-69 so I met hundreds of overflow ( Zama) Army men , Naval & Marine wounded. A lot of men talked & since I've heard stories but your interview was incredibly informative, emotional 4 me & caused me a great eye wash. I was a compassionate rock then but now am a mushy old lady. The greatest honor of my life was being a Flight Nurse bringing our guys home to our world at DOVER AFB 70-71. Thank you for all you gave representing the best of US..
our soldiers were DEFINITELY representing our best over there... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Lai_massacre not at all were our troops heroes, it wasn't their fault they were there but 100% every attrocity committed is on the heads of our troops who committed them, and shit like that was common.
My Dad was a gunner, passed in 2015. Wish he was still here today, though I know he would find the state of this country (he was willing to die for) quite infuriating. Never once verbally shared anything about his experience except with 1 MAYBE 2 fellow combat vets he greatly respected.
YES!! That interviewer was exceptional....Some interviewers want to be part of the Storyline' This interviewer just relaxed and Let the Story be told...And what A Story this Veteran Told...
I totally agree with your comment, this interview was tops, and I’ve listen to a lot of stories on, UA-cam, with different veterans, this is the top, number one, and, like you said the interviewer, kudos to him that he let them talk all the way through.
Check out the Les Dykema interview...it`s an oldie but definitely a goodie and you`ll want to see it over again--don`t know how many times I`ve rewatched it......And also the Al White interview--I`ve seen that one 3 times;amazing storyteller and a very humble guy.....These 2 are tops and I`ve seen hundreds.......check it out....
Thanks for your service. I was in Nam too in 1970 infantry. Saw a lot of combat and have a shirt with 83 names embordered on the back for guys that died in my company. Doing pretty good now and blessed to be married to the mother of Miss USA 1998. Everybody thought they were sisters. Everybody thought I was stupid and ugly and lucky to get Coni.
Update: The book Bob Martin mentioned has unfortunately not been published yet. Once it's available, I will post an update and link with purchase details. Bob's Silver Star citation reads: "For gallantry in action: Private Martin distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 12 October, 1965, while serving as a member of an airborne cavalry point squad in a military operation in Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam. The majority of men in the point squad, which was moving into an attack along a creek bed, were wounded by a substantial volume of fire from a Viet Cong .50 caliber machine gun position and several other automatic weapons. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Private Martin stayed with the wounded and administered first aid. He was constantly within rifle range of the hostile positions and exposed to their fire. When Private Martin became cut off from the rest of the platoon, he provided protective fire for the wounded until he ran out of ammunition. He then covered the injured men with his own body and was able to care for and protect his fellow squad members until help could reach them. The courageous and unselfish actions of Private Martin were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army."
I read something 'auithoritative' stating that XY MALES (lol) do not have an otherwise fearful response to an objective fearful event until about the age of 25. I think it is a lobe? Bathed in super high Test.. He is man's man.
Loved the line: "Dying ain't much of a living either!" This was a fantastic interview. After his first tour I'd have said I've done my bit. But he was right to rejoin as he is a soldier through and through.
"a real soldier" fighting a eat we should never have fought A war that killed 2 million Indochinese, who simply wanted their country to not be occupied by a foreign enemy.
I came upon this Video today by accident. I could not stop watching it. I cant believe all that this man endured. I salute you Sir. Very enlightening. I served 68/69 with the Marine Corps . I was a Machine gunner as well as a squad leader assigned to Charlie Co 1/1. I can attest to your pain having been Shot after 9 months in Country. I was lucky to survive my wounds and spent several months in a variety of Hospitals before being discharged. God Bless you.
You should consider uploading just the audio of these to a podcast platform, they’re amazing interviews and I think a lot of people would listen while they are doing things.I really enjoy listening to these stories while i’m tinkering with things at homes
Perhaps the only guy ever to utter~ “I’ve got some real funny stories from the burn unit’. Bob Martin is an Honest to God Role Model for the modern man. When you think you can’t handle life’s struggles, watch this and note his attitude. He has a great attitude because he’s endured everything and realizes it doesn’t mean shit. He was twisted, torn up, burned up and abandoned. Enduring is the thing and emerging to life again. It’s what it’s all about. Thanks for the video and thanks Bob Martin for your exemplary example.
Well said sir. Clearly “attitude” is the key factor in this life. How we respond to hardships, negativity, or certain situations reveals the character of a man. And I must admit that I fall short a lot. This man should be a role model to society as a whole.
Semper Fi Bob. I was there with you in Southeast Asia from 1965-1969. I am greatful you got home. Never forget what the political monsters did to America.
For real. Most modern men are very soft these days. I catch myslef complaining about nonsense or feeling sry for myself. But then, I remember people like this guy and the hell people like this went thru and how they overcame everything. Sack the fuxk up!
4 tours in Vietnam! That’s absolutely incredible I mean just imagine 1 tour in Vietnam (not taking away from other vets or other wars) but 4 tours in Vietnam is crazy to even try comprehending! Definitely going to watch this whole interview!
Wow. I hadn’t planned on spending the last two hours listening to him, but I couldn’t help myself. It was riveting listening to him. He did such a great job of telling the full story, including action along with the human experience of it all. It’s just amazing that he survived. Not just one tour, but four!
Jesus has sent his chosen. He was with Jesus in the first world age at the war called the catabow and slayed bunches of fallen angels and fought alongside st. Michael who subdued Satan anx containing him into jail under lick and key right now. This man has secured his freedom and citizenship in paradise. Listen to his clues of courage to you all and realize he gas no feR cuz he is God's chosen. Gwbush be damned and put in hell for all his demonic overreach. Lots of souls died cu, of his greed Nd demonic plans that kept the industrial c Military complex ruch.we don't need wars jfk says so they offer hi.. Its Ll spiritual and its the flesh vs: the spirit. God wins!!! JESUS US LORD! REPENT SINNER!
Hej I agree with you it was so nice to see this video and he was so good to tell us what he's been through and two hours just flew by but it was well worth spending two hours with this hero.
He caught me to I was gonna just listen for 5 minutes 10 at the most and over 2 hours later and it's just finished damn what a hell of a man thank you for all of the service and sacrifice and God bless you and your family and everyone that was over there 🙏
I really loved hearing your story. My Father was FORCE RECON served three tours. He has passed away now but listening to you took me back to the days of my childhood listing to him and his buddies telling their stories. They would meet at the Alibi bar off hwy 24 between Jacksonville and Swansboro. I would play pinball while these types of stories was being told as the beers came the emotions would get deep. I thank you for your service and your dedcation to your fellow warrior. I cant wait to read your book. STAY PROUD
One of my dad's pals had audio tapes... from their front line position, on day 3 of a lull... so it starts out with the sounds of card games and guitar playing, until the attack begins, replaced by the sounds of VC shelling and GI's yelling. He told .me it was almost a relief, after not getting hit for such uncharacteristically long periods, when they were accustomed to daily attacks... and made specific mention of the moment when the sound of the MINI-GUN... comes into play.
Im so sorry for your loss Kenneth. I hope you were able to build many happy memories together. some People grow old and some fade away. But their memory and their stories can be passed on through generations.
I looked at his picture behind him he is a 1St Sergeant in it with the 1St Cav on his combat sleeve the right arm. What a Warrior!!!. He speaks so accurately about his experiences. The fact he was so open to talk about it openly. He is so jovial. God Bless you & Thank you for you’re service. Welcome Home, you also became a Chicago Police Officer which is another dangerous profession. God Bless you always 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🪖🪖🪖🪖🪖🪖🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🪖🪖🪖
This has got to be one of the most vivid veteran experiences i have heard. Fascinating and really emotional and i laughed plenty of times throughout. This man is a legend
When older vets share their stories, you can tell they're re-immersing themselves in those experiences and they greatly enjoy telling the stories and sharing what they've gone through in a respectful manner that allows it. It's not only retrospective, but I'm sure it's a kind of therapy too.
I haven't ever seen or heard someone who made me laugh and cry hearing his stories of Vietnam he's definitely my hero thank you for sharing your life with all of us.
@@a.nelprober-rl5cfwhat's weak, is being so insignificant, that you have time to troll strangers on UA-cam. If you have time for that, it's pretty pathetic.
Quite simply one of the best vet interviews I have heard. What a sequence of experiences. A true soldier and genuine hero. Quietly spoken but his words thunder across the years. From across the Atlantic, from one Vet to another, I salute you. It is upon your service and the service of many like you that we enjoy the privilege of our freedom and society.
the Vietnam disaster had nothing to do with our freedom or our society....it was a pointless war to enrich and maintain the military complex at the expense of killing, 75000 young men and making far more mental cases
wow - if you going to be in such an awful position as having to go into combat this man is the type of person you want next to you - what a man. Total Respect.
Don't know if you'll see this, but I truly deeply appreciate the Valor you displayed with your story. You are amazing and I can't be more grateful for men like Bob.
This man’s story was incredible. He must have had an guardian angel with him, to survive not just 1 but 4 tours in Vietnam. What a hero! Thank you Sir🙏😇
And not even just 4 tours in mild combat, he was in some of the toughest, fiercest, most brutal fighting of the entire war and chose to go back time and time again. He has seen the fires of hell and smiled with glee.
Bob Martin is a great man. I could listen to him all day, everyday. They should make a movie too. Love the stories and the laughter from him. Made me smile, but I know he is hiding the pain. I was just a kid during Vietnam, but remember the news footage on tv. I admire the Vietnam Vets. Welcome Home.
I listen to this over and over again, and Bob, like many American veterans is a hero. His story in particular is riveting, and the bravery is outstanding. I wish there were more men like this today. I love the fact that he tells his story from an innocent, 18-year-old being thrust into this harsh warfare, and in his first combat how well he did to control the situation and do his best. What a hero.! I share this video a lot because I believe that people need to see these American heroes really exist.. ( and we all know how the Vietnam vets were treated 😞) Bob if you’re still around, you are a hero to me as well. Thank you!
My father (alive and well) was a LRRP in Vietnam 67-68 173rd airborne / 74th infantry detachment. Much respect to all Vietnam veterans, thank you for your sacrifices.
Did he have a K-9? my partner on advanced life support Ambulance for 8 yrs was marine on medivac chinook crew chief…he said they would set a man out with a dog. Some picked up 20 miles away weeks later, some never saw again 🍺🗿🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Many of us 70’s and 80’s kid’s grew up similar in many ways to the general way his generation did. Why? Because our dads were Vietnam vets. Looking back you can also tell whose parents were more the hippie variety, no thank you. I’m truly grateful to my parents and how they raised us. It was truly a great time to grow up and I miss it every day.
My dad did two tours , last one was 68-69 with the 5th SFG .project delta. I lost him in 1972 a motorcycle accident in Panama canal zone . Coming home from Ft. sherman . I still miss him, I was 12yrs old my world was gone. I'm 63 now.
Wow, I bet, what a way to begin life, I'm sorry u had to deal like that. I hope it helps to know that when I read this it sounds like good American drama, professional story like. God bless u and yours. Eric
So interesting to watch him talk about his fondest memories and most horrific memories at almost the same time. One second he’s on the verge of tears, next second enveloped with laughter and love.
This man is my hero. I went through nothing so horrific with my time in Iraq and Afghanistan, but I hope someday to be able to tell my stories with the ease he does. Welcome home.
God bless you holy soldier. I may not believe in a traditional deity but I believe people like you who have fought to give me freedom deserve all the respect in the world
Hello brother. 2 times Afghanistan and 2 times Iraq here. If you watch closely, as I was fully immersed in his story, you can see the pain and tears as he tells his story. You can plainly see the stare as he momentarily pauses. He is definitely back there in those moments. I feel that it is very hard for him to tell but he’s found a way to suppress everything enough to finally open up. I haven’t found that way yet as I assume you haven’t either. I feel that talking about it IS the way. But we need to find the right person to talk about it with. And that’s the hard part.
I agree....I live in a small town and never realized how many local guys went to Nam including my brother in law and a few friends that are all hero's with incredible stories....
Mr Martin is a riveting story teller. He combines the precision of an after action report with a descriptive ability, humanity and authenticity that can not be faked. He brings you right back there with him. Thank you again.
This man is such an incredible human being, i just can't even fathom the courage and bravery thats running through his veins, and after all of it, he has the most wonderful laugh and sense of humor, truly the best of the best of us.
My neighbour about ten years older than myself was in the Mike Force in Vietnam, his nose was disfigured and he had shrapnel still in his forearm, and like Mr Martin would get injured and re enlist multiple times when i asked him why after getting shot and cheating death why would he go back he told me he missed the adreneline rush of the bullets whizzing by his head and cheating death. After his third tour and being injured again they would not allow him to re enlist and sent him home. For years and he drank heavily and did drugs in his words to try and re capture the high of combat and the adreniline rush of being shot at as he described it . He was sober by the time i met him he told me a few things about his time in Vietnam but never really opened up and i didnt press him. I had a good friend i grew up with who was in The Army special forces active duty and he came to visit when i he was on leave, i introduced him to my neighbour, my neighbour then went and got his medals and record of service and those two talked for hours and these are things he never shared with me. Eventually my neighbour moved out to California and he volunteered to undergo deep psychological testing as it applied to PTSD at one of the big universities in California the program lasted 2 months and provided much needed information about PTSD . I lost track of him as the years passed and found out one day he had died. Rest in peace Richard Paland i valued our friendship and thank you for your service
Mike force was some bad ass guys. I have read tons of Vietnam war books written by vets . Mike force was very interesting! They used Montagnard vietnamese to patrol deep in the enemy territory and we most of the time out there on their own beside air support. One story after a brief firefight the NVA lined up to charge them and soon as they go up to charge an A1 dropped napalm down the line of the charging NVA and burnt alive 20-30 men right in front of the Mike force . Brutal!
Bob is my kind of guy. Respect from another Bob here in the PNW. I can relate to the times we boys enjoyed growing up in Atlanta. Thankful I missed the VN mess. I was 6 when Shiny Bayonet kicked off. Thank you, Bob. Your bravery and the way you have maintained your ability to laugh is heroic. You lead a charmed existence. And you still have your good looks. Finally, thank you @Thevietnamexperience for a great interview. I came to sample a few minutes, but I can't stop watching this.
I laughed and teared up throughout the interview. I spent 22 years in Navy. I was never in country but made several tours off shore bombardment in support of mostly US Marine and ROC units. His connection with buddies brought back my own memories….thank you!
@D/R Not any of the soldiers fault but it was all for nothing. One, It started under false pretense. Two, the goal was to stop the spread of communism. Vietnam is and has been communist since we left. Three, Ask yourself how has that fact effected any of our lives here in the US other than beloved family members lost and wounded both mentally and physically. The protestors were wrong in their treatment of soldiers but not in the fact we shouldn't have been there. Such massive and needless loss of life on both sides.
You are one is the realest man I ever had the privilege of listening to, My uncle was in Vietnam he was a tunnel rat and told me some insane stories. I have nothing but love and respect for you. God bless our military personnel. And the men who fought in Vietnam need to know they’re not forgotten
I just wanted this interview to go on forever. I could not turn away even for one moment, i was hooked from the get go. Here am i sitting comfortably watching and listening and at the very end of the interview i just fall apart. It got to me, this guy is real life, a real hero to me now and a better man than i will ever be.
This was definitely an awesome interview! There’s so many Vietnam veterans interviews but only a few are THIS DAMN GOOD! Thank you for your service & welcome home! 🇺🇸 glad you made it home! My grandpa was in 173rd @18.
This Vietnam veteran is an amazing storyteller, one of the best Vietnam vet storytellers that I've ever heard...and daily I listen to one or more Vietnam (Korean, WWII) vet stories on UA-cam (as I recover from an amputation). I am so awe struck with Martin's laugh, smile, the gleam in his eye, his humor, and his acutely detailed memory of so many high points (and low points) in his service of 20 years. This man is a true American hero and incredible human being!
Thank you for sharing these stories. I'm a homeschooling mother, and I enjoy learning history straight from our war heroes. I can see in this man's eyes that he has seen more than we could imagine.
I’m absolutely speechless. Hearing these war stories…man it’s really hard to comprehend what these men went through and what they gave. Endless gratitude. God bless you!
The Armed Service Nurse who have to work on The wounded see a lot too. They have to mend or help make the dying last Days/Months and Hours Deserve a lot of Credit TOO I heard someone say You are in good hands If you have a Combat Nurse working on you , because Combat Nurses are used to Working on Soldiers that Civilians Doctors would give up on. BUT I Think Everyone Who Served and continue to Served . I know words like that ARE SAID TO VETS , BUT I Broke my Back my Senior year and have had over 20 Surgeries before turned 20 yrs old I Don't like Pity I try to be as productive as IF I were a Wounded soldier Because I died Many, Many times. Mr. Bob Matin is a Hero and at some points in his stories I guess it's true what I have heard people say "Sometimes you have to Laugh to keep from Crying". Salute To all Vets BOTH Active and Discharged. Neal
Easily one of the best interviews I have ever seen. I was absolutely hanging on every word. I am grateful that you took the time to record this. What a man.
Best Vietnam interview I've ever watched. Amazing story teller and a very genuine real person. I enjoyed listening to the whole interview from beginning to end.
May the rest of his life be filled with and enriched with healing laughter . You endured and sacrificed for us . No more pain is my wish for you Robert .
Wow, I wasn’t in any military service, but I did grow up during the Vietnam war. I had friends that were drafted and served there. Wrote a lot of letters at that time. THANK YOU for your bravery and dedication to our Country. You are a Veteran that I will always remember, your story was amazing and I’m real grateful and thankful you made it home to share your experiences in a war, I think we still to this day understand. God Bless you Bob.
Bob, I too became a cop after I was finally released from the hospital from my wounds. After 28 years as a Cop in NY, I found out that a lot of the guys whom I worked with for all these years, were also Vietnam Vets, all those years with all of us keeping this secret to ourselves, a secret,it was just something that we never talked about. By then we were joining the Vietnam Veterans of America and after a few meetings I was surprised to see so many guys I worked with all those years that were brother vets that I never knew about. What a damn waste!!!
Cops nowadays are just low IQ criminal punks they hire for that reason, so they will follow orders and enjoy brutalizing people (not criminals, rather they target honest people now).
@@pharmerdavid1432 you know little in what you’re speaking of Mr. Police now days are still dedicated personnel who are asked to do an impossible job in unbearable times. They are just like everyone else, some take that job to far and others not far enough! Don’t judge all police officers by the bad ones you used to know. It takes a lot of courage to go out and to an unwanted job everyday. Where people are out to get you. Wear the uniform before you decide who’s bad and who isn’t. Nick.
Check my message again, you can clearly see that I WAS a Police Sergeant, Investigator, Lieutenant, and Chief of Police with two departments, so I think this give me the intelligence to speak of anything law enforcement related! Almost 30 years I’ve meant all kinds of cops I truly don’t remember any “BAD” cops. Some were not perfect cops, but none that anyone would call a bad cop! I’m speaking of Education, and knowledge of both topic and situation that gives me the right to address an educated and very informed answer not just an opinion. So please don’t demean me again sir especially not even knowing me. Try googling my name and see if I know what I’m talking about. See if you agree with a NY State Senator and what he says in a presentation on TV and what he says about me. No hard feelings, just not properly informed making an opinion!
@@diangelo6686 I wouldn’t know, I wasn’t a cop in the City. I was in the Syracuse, NY area. I never met a dirty or shit cop in my career. If I did, I would have done something about it!!!
Nobody who served there is intact. We all have scars, seen and unseen, which will never dissapear. I managed fourteen months and three days and came back wihout physical scars, but the unseen ones have been with me for over fifty five years. BTW, read "One February Morning" to get an idea what it was like to be a helicopter gunner in the midst of that insanity.
Very admirable man. Four tours and still laughing about things just taught me a lesson about my own anxiety. Thanks for sharing your story. You are a hero!!
The burn center at Ft. Sam Houston is still on the cutting edge and quite well-known worldwide for its treatment of burns for military and civilians. This was the best Viet Nam era interview I have ever heard. The memories, pain, and emotion were evident in his voice and eyes. I will be looking for his book. Thank you for sharing this warrior's story.
When you watch these videos you'll see these old guys pause and take a breath because their minds have just taken them back 50 or 60 years in the blink of an eye. This is really important history.
This gentleman is a True American Hero in every sense of the word. This interview an his upcoming book should be a requirement for all serious students of American History. Mr. Martin, thank you Sir, for sharing your wartime experiences. Your swift intellect an uncanny sense of humor makes a compelling story. Look forward to purchasing your upcoming book. God Bless..
A true hero. As a teenager in the early 70s we constantly heard horror stories of the war. It seemed the people at the top didn't care much about the combat soldiers. Perhaps even being incompetent. Many brave men were sent on meaningless suicide missions. We were the first graduating class after the end of the war. This man fought so we didn't have to. He has my respect and gratitude.
I’m one one of those 70s kids. We saw what the war was .. like hearing of my mom’s best friend lost her son , or when a classmates older brother came back totally paralyzed or when my girlfriend was in church when a neighbor of theirs was notified her son was killed. She still remembers his mother screaming when she was notified. The draft ended the day I turned 18 ..June 1st 1973. When I started as an apprentice carpenter I had the good fortune of working with many Vets. All were great guys. All treated me great to me even if I didn’t serve. They were thankful I didn’t have to go over there. One who’s name was T Martin who survived on the gun boats told me that I really missed a hell of a time. I new what he meant.
@@gantz4u NO. The troops didnt lose that war. That was your politicians. I graduated H,S, in 1976. In '73, being poor and from a small town, we all knew....we were going to Vietnam. No one burned a draft card. It was pre-ordained. Not a stretch at all to thank Bob for his service. He fought and his efforts and those like him...allowed us time. No more drafts in '75. We barely missed what Bob had to endure. I salute all those who sacrificed so much, so you could have the right to be...a wiseass.
So true. He felt being with his buddys was where he belonged, NOT back in the states where he was fearful to tell people he was a soldier. Sad thing our American soldiers had to endure when they returned from tha Nam. America IS ashamed of the suffering our soldiers had to deal with in the late 1960's and early 1970's. The mainstream, liberal media,,, they and they alone caused that.
...to go back and try to defeat a 19th century small country in an illegal immoral war.. They still couldn't do it. None of them ever understood how invading a small country is the worst human group or individual endeavor. Courage? Real courage is not going to invade vulnerable third world countries. US military is still doing it and losing still.
@@higgsmerino3925 I have to agree. We were all lied to about every aspect of The Vietnam War. Then came Daniel Ellsburg. The truth of this war will always remain "classified". We have no honorable wars.
The Vietnam veterans are my superheroes and I can't believe the way they were treated ! Those brave warrior's carved out what is special operations today
What and amazing story teller! I’m so grateful and glad I found this UA-cam channel. Thank you so much for the work you do. It would have to be a labor of love. These are tough stories for a lot of these veterans to tell. So a warrior like Bob Martin is such a special kind of human being. I grew up looking at these men as heroes. I always wanted to be a BOB MARTIN but it wasn’t to be in this lifetime. I’m so grateful that he fought so bravely so that stupid kids like me, we’re protected and didn’t have to go get killed to see that there’s no glory in war. Thank you Mr. Martin Sir! Your grateful countryman. Francis White 1970 - still living.
I have so much respect and love of our Vietnam vets and any everyone that has served and sacrificed with honor to keep this country free. I can’t salute them enough.
Thanks for getting these Vietnam Vets combat stories.. my dad was a Marine in Vietnam.. every time I see a vet I thank them for their service and see if it's all right to ask a few questions. These were some brave men who fought for their country and not only that they fought for each other.. every time I see a Vietnam vet I always thank them for their service and ask if it's all right if I ask a couple questions.
I just want to let let you know I thank you for your service Sgt I was in Afghanistan and I was injured after a few tours I can relate to your injuries and I respect everything u have went through .. such a great story but I know your pain same with my wife she left me and I went back too .. maybe more people in the world need to hear what you and I went through to understand what we do for ourselves or for them still not sure if was to protect our country or if it was because of our ego .. but thank you again I loved your story bit that you for your service
I was USAF from 2001-2021. I was never injured severely. I refueled aircraft my entire career, and was deployed overseas for a total of 66 months. My first and only wife divorced me in 2007 because I reenlisted. We were stationed in Guam at the time. I was destroyed and became a "high functioning" alcoholic. Somehow I made it through all those years and I had my last drink in 2017. In 2019 my Dad died of cancer. He had stage 4 liver, lung, and brain cancer and died 43 days after the diagnosis. I was with him 24/7 and it was the hardest thing I've ever been through. I didn't relapse because of his death and for that I am grateful. Since I got out, I've had alot of time to decompress, and time to think. I have a hard time justifying why I even served most days. The country and the world seems significantly worse off today than they were when I enlisted. The world feels more upside down as time goes by. I do my best to remain positive, but I have my days where the negativity wins. If you feel comfortable telling your story, and exactly how you feel without sugar coating anything, it would definitely open alot of peoples eyes. Freedom isn't free. Alot of people born in the USA don't have a clue how lucky they are. I do know that for is for sure. I wish you nothing but the best man, and thank you.
Your story isn't as uncommon as you might think bro. Take care of yourself FIRST because sometimes you find out it's all you have, and only the RIGHT people will gravitate towards that. theres light at the end of every tunnel dude. 💪👍
They don't make men like Martin anymore,..... he's a well appreciated dinosaur with more moxie than anybody's got a right to have. Nothing but respect for you Sarge.
What a soldier! I was riveted to every word. Humor, tragedy and bravery in equal measure. Thank Mr. Martin for all you've done. You, Sir, are a truly inspirational American. Bless you!
🎤 The podcast version of this interview is now available: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-vietnam-experience/id1732962685?i=1000647871859
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/5W77Nz33WPpjpmcRKV6VtV?si=TjYl-nvST3uL-798RS_iRw
What the name of his book
❤l😮😅😅😮😊😅😊
This guy is a man who towers over other men.
You shoun😅e6😮
Oh bob’s your uncle!
Hello Bob, I am Christopher A Kotz, 2nd Platoon.( M79) Worked on the .50 and was also pinned down in the creek bed. I remember you then buddy. Boot to Boot. Happy your still kickin' Thank you for all you did for our country. Mike Gregory, also with us, published "Shiney Bayonet" many years ago. Wish we had your input. Thanksgiving day I became RTO for Quigiley and Kline alternately until I left with Kline in July. Over.
Respect
Respect 🫡 👊🏼
He wasn’t my Uncle…..but he is my Brother!!!
Thank you for your service
Hi, Mr. Kotz. If you'd like to connect with Bob, send me an email at thevnexperience@gmail.com
That’s my Uncle Bob! Thank you for doing this interview with him. It was very interesting to hear stories that I’ve never heard before. Truly an amazing guy.
Please shake his hand for me and say thankyou to your uncle as he is a true hero along with every combat vet that served over there
he has my undying respect. please shake his hand from myself also.
You must be very proud, this is the most incredible testimony by far!
Dave' if you have any of your Uncle Bob gene's you'll make it just find in
Life.....For a Man to make it through
Four punishing Tour's through hellish Vietnam' and still having this sense of Humor is unbelievable and shows
Good character and love ❤️ for this
Country....and yes I'm the 3rd guy....
That's wants you too shake his hand
For me....I have much respect for his
Sacrifices Bob made for his military
Friends and all of us......
give that man a great big hug for me, a fellow Screaming Eagle!
As someone who served in the Marines in the late 2000s and early 2010s , I can’t imagine serving in Vietnam . This dude is hardcore . What a story !
They were a different bread. The real deal.
As a Marine 03-07 I asked a Vietnam vet the same thing. He said he couldn't imagine iraq and the urban fighting everyday. I was almost shook by that
I worked as a nurse with mainly WWII and Korean War soldiers, but a few Vietnam vets were just coming in to long term care. One thing that will never leave me are the stories that they told me and the fact that they *always* go back to war, as their bodies and minds begin leaving.
I literally had a patient dying a very slow death from cancer. He looked at me one morning and said, "i can't go on patrol today". I told him "at ease and you're relieved of duty". He was gone within an hour.
Men relived specific battles. Women relived having babies. Fascinating and heartbreaking.
Knew a WWll marine that fought japs in the islands. Was telling his men to stay low 2 hrs. before he passed😢 When Mr. Martin talked about being like a snake in the grass in his first-battle was how many survived.😮
It’s interesting to me how most of our first memories as human beings is TRAUMA.
my first memory ever was when my tricycle got crushed by my dad backing up in the driveway. many many others report a traumatic memory as their first one.
I wonder what it is about humans and going back to relive trauma.
Trauma is so deeply imprinted into our psyches
Never had the "pleasure" of meeting nurses in Vietnam but just to let the world know, "You folks are The Best"
Pain in a stronger impressioner than pleasure supposedly to protect us. @@steviechampagne
My friend(83yrs old) was an R.N. in the Viet Nam years. She was at a hospital in Anchorage, Alaska where they received the dead & the wounded right from the trenches of Viet Nam. She still has deep feelings of affection & emotion when she speaks of these warriors….
🫡🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
God bless him. My uncle survived three tours, Special Forces. Watching his Special Forces buddies laying a Green Beret on him at his funeral decades later made a mess of me. I had cousins there too. All those who were there are special to me.
Hello Sgt. Martin, having been a USAF Nurse at Tachikawa, Japan 67-69 so I met hundreds of overflow ( Zama) Army men , Naval & Marine wounded. A lot of men talked & since I've heard stories but your interview was incredibly informative, emotional 4 me & caused me a great eye wash. I was a compassionate rock then but now am a mushy old lady. The greatest honor of my life was being a Flight Nurse bringing our guys home to our world at DOVER AFB 70-71. Thank you for all you gave representing the best of US..
Thank you for your service. Your kids must be so proud!
our soldiers were DEFINITELY representing our best over there... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Lai_massacre
not at all were our troops heroes, it wasn't their fault they were there but 100% every attrocity committed is on the heads of our troops who committed them, and shit like that was common.
Thank you for helping these men.
@@fkboyStalin When the enemy is in every hooch and behind every bush, you have to kill or be killed.
@@fkboyStalin
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Thompson_Jr.
Our best.
To get these men to speak of their experiences is truly amazing. Men like Bob should mentor young men today.
My Dad was a gunner, passed in 2015. Wish he was still here today, though I know he would find the state of this country (he was willing to die for) quite infuriating. Never once verbally shared anything about his experience except with 1 MAYBE 2 fellow combat vets he greatly respected.
Absolutely it's a rare honor to hear these stories
The best Vietnam interview I have ever seen. Give this interviewer medal for not cutting him off.
And such a genuine sense of humor about everything. Reminds me of the line from Platoon, "It's all gravy."
YES!! That interviewer was exceptional....Some interviewers want to be part of the Storyline'
This interviewer just relaxed and
Let the Story be told...And what
A Story this Veteran Told...
I totally agree with your comment, this interview was tops, and I’ve listen to a lot of stories on, UA-cam, with different veterans, this is the top, number one, and, like you said the interviewer, kudos to him that he let them talk all the way through.
Check out the Les Dykema interview...it`s an oldie but definitely a goodie and you`ll want to see it over again--don`t know how many times I`ve rewatched it......And also the Al White interview--I`ve seen that one 3 times;amazing storyteller and a very humble guy.....These 2 are tops and I`ve seen hundreds.......check it out....
@@stephenmcgraw8871 thanks man I'll definitely check it out if you know of any more good ones drop the name. Cheers!
Thanks for your service. I was in Nam too in 1970 infantry. Saw a lot of combat and have a shirt with 83 names embordered on the back for guys that died in my company. Doing pretty good now and blessed to be married to the mother of Miss USA 1998. Everybody thought they were sisters. Everybody thought I was stupid and ugly and lucky to get Coni.
Thank you for your service!! How wonderful to have such beauty in your family. 😊 God bless!
Welcome home soldier 😊
Thank you for your service and hell yea!! Semper Fi!
@@josephvega3763 Thanks Marine
@user-jz4sx9xj6v thank you sir!
Update: The book Bob Martin mentioned has unfortunately not been published yet. Once it's available, I will post an update and link with purchase details. Bob's Silver Star citation reads: "For gallantry in action: Private Martin distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 12 October, 1965, while serving as a member of an airborne cavalry point squad in a military operation in Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam. The majority of men in the point squad, which was moving into an attack along a creek bed, were wounded by a substantial volume of fire from a Viet Cong .50 caliber machine gun position and several other automatic weapons. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Private Martin stayed with the wounded and administered first aid. He was constantly within rifle range of the hostile positions and exposed to their fire. When Private Martin became cut off from the rest of the platoon, he provided protective fire for the wounded until he ran out of ammunition. He then covered the injured men with his own body and was able to care for and protect his fellow squad members until help could reach them. The courageous and unselfish actions of Private Martin were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army."
Solid solder and a true American!
He's a miracle, 4 tours. Can't wait to read the book.
❤️ 🙏
I read something 'auithoritative' stating that XY MALES (lol) do not have an otherwise fearful response to an objective fearful event until about the age of 25. I think it is a lobe? Bathed in super high Test.. He is man's man.
@@duffgordon9005 The two or three times a man became a man , 7 ,25, 40.
What an articulate, intelligent and brave man. These stories need to be heard and remembered.
❤
Loved the line: "Dying ain't much of a living either!" This was a fantastic interview. After his first tour I'd have said I've done my bit. But he was right to rejoin as he is a soldier through and through.
That's not his line, he borrowed it from Clint Eastwood in the movie "The Outlaw Josey Wales."
All of his laughter during this interview is definitely covering up a lot of emotions. Wow, what a soldier! 1st Team!
after a while the laughter sounded like tears
@@wisconsinfarmer4742.
💜💚🇺🇸🙏
"a real soldier" fighting a eat we should never have fought
A war that killed 2 million Indochinese, who simply wanted their country to not be occupied by a foreign enemy.
yeh,thats what i figured.God Bless.
I came upon this Video today by accident. I could not stop watching it. I cant believe all that this man endured. I salute you Sir. Very enlightening. I served 68/69 with the Marine Corps . I was a Machine gunner as well as a squad leader assigned to Charlie Co 1/1. I can attest to your pain having been Shot after 9 months in Country. I was lucky to survive my wounds and spent several months in a variety of Hospitals before being discharged. God Bless you.
🫡💜🇺🇸 thank you for your service on Veteran's Day observed 2023
Welcome home soldier 😊
Semoer Fi
You should consider uploading just the audio of these to a podcast platform, they’re amazing interviews and I think a lot of people would listen while they are doing things.I really enjoy listening to these stories while i’m tinkering with things at homes
You can see him reliving it all through his eyes and mannerisms. One of the most engaging interviews that I've watched.
You are exactly right! I remember when he would come home on leave the horrific injuries and nightmares that he experienced. He is definitely my hero!
@@TheHawkinelli
Count me in.....also!!!
Hero big time.
Perhaps the only guy ever to utter~ “I’ve got some real funny stories from the burn unit’. Bob Martin is an Honest to God Role Model for the modern man. When you think you can’t handle life’s struggles, watch this and note his attitude. He has a great attitude because he’s endured everything and realizes it doesn’t mean shit.
He was twisted, torn up, burned up and abandoned. Enduring is the thing and emerging to life again. It’s what it’s all about. Thanks for the video and thanks Bob Martin for your exemplary example.
Well said sir. Clearly “attitude” is the key factor in this life. How we respond to hardships, negativity, or certain situations reveals the character of a man. And I must admit that I fall short a lot. This man should be a role model to society as a whole.
Semper Fi Bob. I was there with you in Southeast Asia from 1965-1969. I am
greatful you got home. Never forget what the political monsters did to America.
@@larrysmith3558 They doing it again it would seem.. both parties by the way before anyone else starts the usuall red vs blue nonsense.
For real. Most modern men are very soft these days. I catch myslef complaining about nonsense or feeling sry for myself. But then, I remember people like this guy and the hell people like this went thru and how they overcame everything. Sack the fuxk up!
True grit.
4 tours in Vietnam! That’s absolutely incredible I mean just imagine 1 tour in Vietnam (not taking away from other vets or other wars) but 4 tours in Vietnam is crazy to even try comprehending! Definitely going to watch this whole interview!
Wow. I hadn’t planned on spending the last two hours listening to him, but I couldn’t help myself. It was riveting listening to him. He did such a great job of telling the full story, including action along with the human experience of it all. It’s just amazing that he survived. Not just one tour, but four!
Jesus has sent his chosen. He was with Jesus in the first world age at the war called the catabow and slayed bunches of fallen angels and fought alongside st. Michael who subdued Satan anx containing him into jail under lick and key right now.
This man has secured his freedom and citizenship in paradise. Listen to his clues of courage to you all and realize he gas no feR cuz he is God's chosen. Gwbush be damned and put in hell for all his demonic overreach. Lots of souls died cu, of his greed Nd demonic plans that kept the industrial c
Military complex ruch.we don't need wars jfk says so they offer hi..
Its Ll spiritual and its the flesh vs: the spirit. God wins!!!
JESUS US LORD! REPENT SINNER!
I know, right?! I was thinking the exact same thing…
Hej I agree with you it was so nice to see this video and he was so good to tell us what he's been through and two hours just flew by but it was well worth spending two hours with this hero.
He caught me to I was gonna just listen for 5 minutes 10 at the most and over 2 hours later and it's just finished damn what a hell of a man thank you for all of the service and sacrifice and God bless you and your family and everyone that was over there 🙏
Just amazing that he survived. Amazing!
I was born decades after this conflict and this made me cry. Thank you for your service and for being a warrior when the country needed you.
I hope and pray future generations find this video and cherish this hero for the man he is and for his great acts. Thank you sir for your service
I really loved hearing your story. My Father was FORCE RECON served three tours. He has passed away now but listening to you took me back to the days of my childhood listing to him and his buddies telling their stories. They would meet at the Alibi bar off hwy 24 between Jacksonville and Swansboro. I would play pinball while these types of stories was being told as the beers came the emotions would get deep. I thank you for your service and your dedcation to your fellow warrior. I cant wait to read your book. STAY PROUD
The emotions were so strong with this one. Emotional and evocative. Powerful stuff. What a great listen 👂 👁 👃 👁
👄.
One of my dad's pals had audio tapes... from their front line position, on day 3 of a lull... so it starts out with the sounds of card games and guitar playing, until the attack begins, replaced by the sounds of VC shelling and GI's yelling. He told .me it was almost a relief, after not getting hit for such uncharacteristically long periods, when they were accustomed to daily attacks... and made specific mention of the moment when the sound of the MINI-GUN... comes into play.
Im so sorry for your loss Kenneth.
I hope you were able to build many happy memories together. some People grow old and some fade away. But their memory and their stories can be passed on through generations.
Heard too many dragon stories in my day. Get over it people.
@@billfarley9167what's wrong little boy . Feeling inadequate?
I looked at his picture behind him he is a 1St Sergeant in it with the 1St Cav on his combat sleeve the right arm. What a Warrior!!!. He speaks so accurately about his experiences. The fact he was so open to talk about it openly. He is so jovial. God Bless you & Thank you for you’re service. Welcome Home, you also became a Chicago Police Officer which is another dangerous profession. God Bless you always 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🪖🪖🪖🪖🪖🪖🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🪖🪖🪖
X2 indeed.
Hell, after working for the CPD, 'Nam was a cakewalk...
Chi- Rak Police Department, Oh Dang 😳 💀☠️🗡🪖🪂💣 Respect 🙏
This has got to be one of the most vivid veteran experiences i have heard.
Fascinating and really emotional and i laughed plenty of times throughout.
This man is a legend
When older vets share their stories, you can tell they're re-immersing themselves in those experiences and they greatly enjoy telling the stories and sharing what they've gone through in a respectful manner that allows it. It's not only retrospective, but I'm sure it's a kind of therapy too.
I haven't ever seen or heard someone who made me laugh and cry hearing his stories of Vietnam he's definitely my hero thank you for sharing your life with all of us.
Real HERO !
Wow your weak
@@a.nelprober-rl5cfwhat's weak, is being so insignificant, that you have time to troll strangers on UA-cam. If you have time for that, it's pretty pathetic.
This is the greatest war story I've ever heard! what an honor to hear
I could listen to this man all day. Mega balls.
Quite simply one of the best vet interviews I have heard. What a sequence of experiences. A true soldier and genuine hero. Quietly spoken but his words thunder across the years. From across the Atlantic, from one Vet to another, I salute you. It is upon your service and the service of many like you that we enjoy the privilege of our freedom and society.
What are you talking about
I have a really good one if you want it?
the Vietnam disaster had nothing to do with our freedom or our society....it was a pointless war to enrich and maintain the military complex at the expense of killing, 75000 young men and making far more mental cases
@@christophertiredofbs8514 It's like jazz. If you have to ask, you're never going to get it.
@@christophertiredofbs8514are you serious
This is probably the best vet interview I’ve ever seen. His recollection detail is amazing.
I listened this over a few days, amazing story and to be fair, 4 tours, You have my respect.
You earned it!!!!!
I hope your doing well Bob.
wow - if you going to be in such an awful position as having to go into combat this man is the type of person you want next to you - what a man. Total Respect.
Don't know if you'll see this, but I truly deeply appreciate the Valor you displayed with your story. You are amazing and I can't be more grateful for men like Bob.
I appreciate this so much. I can see in the cuts he was crying. God speed.
This man’s story was incredible. He must have had an guardian angel with him, to survive not just 1 but 4 tours in Vietnam. What a hero! Thank you Sir🙏😇
This guy is built different
Look at any persons life and a lot of our existence is based on luck.
And not even just 4 tours in mild combat, he was in some of the toughest, fiercest, most brutal fighting of the entire war and chose to go back time and time again. He has seen the fires of hell and smiled with glee.
Bob Martin is a great man. I could listen to him all day, everyday. They should make a movie too. Love the stories and the laughter from him. Made me smile, but I know he is hiding the pain. I was just a kid during Vietnam, but remember the news footage on tv. I admire the Vietnam Vets. Welcome Home.
I listen to this over and over again, and Bob, like many American veterans is a hero. His story in particular is riveting, and the bravery is outstanding. I wish there were more men like this today. I love the fact that he tells his story from an innocent, 18-year-old being thrust into this harsh warfare, and in his first combat how well he did to control the situation and do his best. What a hero.! I share this video a lot because I believe that people need to see these American heroes really exist.. ( and we all know how the Vietnam vets were treated 😞) Bob if you’re still around, you are a hero to me as well. Thank you!
This man is one of the best story tellers I’ve ever heard, what an amazing interview. Thank you for your service
My father (alive and well) was a LRRP in Vietnam 67-68 173rd airborne / 74th infantry detachment. Much respect to all Vietnam veterans, thank you for your sacrifices.
Rangers Lead the Way (Sua Sponte) and Sky Soldiers!
@@malcolmsoh5648
All The Way!
Much respect, the VN LRRPs and Rangers were my mentors in 1975
The herd
Did he have a K-9? my partner on advanced life support Ambulance for 8 yrs was marine on medivac chinook crew chief…he said they would set a man out with a dog. Some picked up 20 miles away weeks later, some never saw again 🍺🗿🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
God bless you Bob! Thank you for serving our country. It’s men like you who made this country great.
What an amazing guy ... Best soldier interview I have seen in a long time... Captivating ... Thank you for bringing this story to us.
I agree. Chris Brittain I presume..?
10-4
Best is an understatement!
I've watched less than half of this so far, and this is the most compelling interview about the Vietnam war I've ever heard.
Every sentence is riveting
Many of us 70’s and 80’s kid’s grew up similar in many ways to the general way his generation did. Why? Because our dads were Vietnam vets.
Looking back you can also tell whose parents were more the hippie variety, no thank you. I’m truly grateful to my parents and how they raised us. It was truly a great time to grow up and I miss it every day.
My dad did two tours , last one was 68-69 with the 5th SFG .project delta.
I lost him in 1972 a motorcycle accident in Panama canal zone . Coming home from Ft. sherman . I still miss him, I was 12yrs old my world was gone. I'm 63 now.
Sorry for your loss.
@@billbirchman362 thank you Bill.
I bet you're proud of him
@@davidboyle1193 thank you David.
Wow, I bet, what a way to begin life, I'm sorry u had to deal like that. I hope it helps to know that when I read this it sounds like good American drama, professional story like.
God bless u and yours.
Eric
So interesting to watch him talk about his fondest memories and most horrific memories at almost the same time. One second he’s on the verge of tears, next second enveloped with laughter and love.
This man is my hero. I went through nothing so horrific with my time in Iraq and Afghanistan, but I hope someday to be able to tell my stories with the ease he does. Welcome home.
I’m no veteran, but youtube could be a good way to start. I’d listen with the utmost respect, as I’m sure many would.
God bless you holy soldier. I may not believe in a traditional deity but I believe people like you who have fought to give me freedom deserve all the respect in the world
All utterly futile wars started on phoney premises.
Hello brother. 2 times Afghanistan and 2 times Iraq here. If you watch closely, as I was fully immersed in his story, you can see the pain and tears as he tells his story. You can plainly see the stare as he momentarily pauses. He is definitely back there in those moments. I feel that it is very hard for him to tell but he’s found a way to suppress everything enough to finally open up. I haven’t found that way yet as I assume you haven’t either. I feel that talking about it IS the way. But we need to find the right person to talk about it with. And that’s the hard part.
you can see the look in his eyes is far from "ease" Far far from that
These guys deserve all the respect in the world.
I agree....I live in a small town and never realized how many local guys went to Nam including my brother in law and a few friends that are all hero's with incredible stories....
This is one of the best Vietnam stories I have ever heard
Loved the comment about boys growing up. Street lights came on too soon and you arrived home ragged and exhausted. Great time to grow up
Great story. 4 tours im sure you saved countless lives with your knowledge and courage. Thank you for your service.
Mr Martin is a riveting story teller. He combines the precision of an after action report with a descriptive ability, humanity and authenticity that can not be faked. He brings you right back there with him. Thank you again.
This man is such an incredible human being, i just can't even fathom the courage and bravery thats running through his veins, and after all of it, he has the most wonderful laugh and sense of humor, truly the best of the best of us.
I thank this man for reliving the horrors of war so that I may never forget what they gave.
My neighbour about ten years older than myself was in the Mike Force in Vietnam, his nose was disfigured and he had shrapnel still in his forearm, and like Mr Martin would get injured and re enlist multiple times when i asked him why after getting shot and cheating death why would he go back he told me he missed the adreneline rush of the bullets whizzing by his head and cheating death. After his third tour and being injured again they would not allow him to re enlist and sent him home. For years and he drank heavily and did drugs in his words to try and re capture the high of combat and the adreniline rush of being shot at as he described it . He was sober by the time i met him he told me a few things about his time in Vietnam but never really opened up and i didnt press him. I had a good friend i grew up with who was in The Army special forces active duty and he came to visit when i he was on leave, i introduced him to my neighbour, my neighbour then went and got his medals and record of service and those two talked for hours and these are things he never shared with me. Eventually my neighbour moved out to California and he volunteered to undergo deep psychological testing as it applied to PTSD at one of the big universities in California the program lasted 2 months and provided much needed information about PTSD . I lost track of him as the years passed and found out one day he had died. Rest in peace Richard Paland i valued our friendship and thank you for your service
Mike force was some bad ass guys. I have read tons of Vietnam war books written by vets . Mike force was very interesting! They used Montagnard vietnamese to patrol deep in the enemy territory and we most of the time out there on their own beside air support. One story after a brief firefight the NVA lined up to charge them and soon as they go up to charge an A1 dropped napalm down the line of the charging NVA and burnt alive 20-30 men right in front of the Mike force . Brutal!
He is full of shit!!
Good yarn.
Bob is my kind of guy. Respect from another Bob here in the PNW. I can relate to the times we boys enjoyed growing up in Atlanta. Thankful I missed the VN mess. I was 6 when Shiny Bayonet kicked off. Thank you, Bob. Your bravery and the way you have maintained your ability to laugh is heroic. You lead a charmed existence. And you still have your good looks. Finally, thank you @Thevietnamexperience for a great interview. I came to sample a few minutes, but I can't stop watching this.
I laughed and teared up throughout the interview. I spent 22 years in Navy. I was never in country but made several tours off shore bombardment in support of mostly US Marine and ROC units. His connection with buddies brought back my own memories….thank you!
Never in harms way
@@119jlestill served his country during a time of war and earned the twenty years. Say what you will but he did his job.
Priceless. I couldn’t stop watching this good man talk about his experiences. A real hero.
@D/R Not any of the soldiers fault but it was all for nothing. One, It started under false pretense. Two, the goal was to stop the spread of communism. Vietnam is and has been communist since we left. Three, Ask yourself how has that fact effected any of our lives here in the US other than beloved family members lost and wounded both mentally and physically. The protestors were wrong in their treatment of soldiers but not in the fact we shouldn't have been there. Such massive and needless loss of life on both sides.
@D/R Give the snowflakes time. The video hasn't been up too long.
Could listen to him Talk for days. My 4th time listening to his interview. Thank you for all you've done for us.
This is an amazing historical record. Kudos to Bob Martin for telling his story so well, and for those who recorded it for posterity.
You are one is the realest man I ever had the privilege of listening to, My uncle was in Vietnam he was a tunnel rat and told me some insane stories. I have nothing but love and respect for you. God bless our military personnel. And the men who fought in Vietnam need to know they’re not forgotten
Thank you for your service Sir! I was born Veterans day 68 you were on your 4th tour.
I just wanted this interview to go on forever. I could not turn away even for one moment, i was hooked from the get go. Here am i sitting comfortably watching and listening and at the very end of the interview i just fall apart. It got to me, this guy is real life, a real hero to me now and a better man than i will ever be.
This was definitely an awesome interview! There’s so many Vietnam veterans interviews but only a few are THIS DAMN GOOD! Thank you for your service & welcome home! 🇺🇸 glad you made it home! My grandpa was in 173rd @18.
This Vietnam veteran is an amazing storyteller, one of the best Vietnam vet storytellers that I've ever heard...and daily I listen to one or more Vietnam (Korean, WWII) vet stories on UA-cam (as I recover from an amputation). I am so awe struck with Martin's laugh, smile, the gleam in his eye, his humor, and his acutely detailed memory of so many high points (and low points) in his service of 20 years. This man is a true American hero and incredible human being!
Watch any other good one recently ?
The story telling is phenomenal, this man is hardcore.
I also served in the scout platoon 2/327, 101st Airborne, 1991 to 94'. My hat is off to you sir! Thank you for your service!
I did 2 tours in nam 69 - 71 brown water Navy. Thanks for your service,brother 2:20
My deepest respect to him and all Vietnam vets
Thank you for sharing these stories. I'm a homeschooling mother, and I enjoy learning history straight from our war heroes. I can see in this man's eyes that he has seen more than we could imagine.
I’m absolutely speechless. Hearing these war stories…man it’s really hard to comprehend what these men went through and what they gave. Endless gratitude. God bless you!
Momma passed out again hee hee yep sold her to my friends
NOTHING but respect for this man and ALL veterans, especially ones who saw combat. Thank you ALL.
The Armed Service Nurse who have to work on The wounded see a lot too.
They have to mend or help make the dying last Days/Months and Hours Deserve a lot of Credit TOO
I heard someone say You are in good hands If you have a Combat Nurse working on you , because Combat Nurses are used to Working on Soldiers that Civilians Doctors would give up on. BUT I Think Everyone Who Served and continue to Served . I know words like that ARE SAID TO VETS , BUT I Broke my Back my Senior year and have had over 20 Surgeries before turned 20 yrs old I Don't like Pity I try to be as productive as IF I were a Wounded soldier Because I died Many, Many times. Mr. Bob Matin is a Hero and at some points in his stories
I guess it's true what I have heard people say "Sometimes you have to Laugh to keep from Crying". Salute To all Vets BOTH Active and Discharged.
Neal
Easily one of the best interviews I have ever seen. I was absolutely hanging on every word. I am grateful that you took the time to record this. What a man.
Best Vietnam interview I've ever watched. Amazing story teller and a very genuine real person. I enjoyed listening to the whole interview from beginning to end.
May the rest of his life be filled with and enriched with healing laughter . You endured and sacrificed for us . No more pain is my wish for you Robert .
One hell of a special soldier, Sgt.Bob Martin. Forged from steel and grit. Much respect.
I have nothing but respect for this man
Wow, I wasn’t in any military service, but I did grow up during the Vietnam war. I had friends that were drafted and served there. Wrote a lot of letters at that time. THANK YOU for your bravery and dedication to our Country. You are a Veteran that I will always remember, your story was amazing and I’m real grateful and thankful you made it home to share your experiences in a war, I think we still to this day understand. God Bless you Bob.
Girls have it so easy..... and still want equal pay ! lol
Bob, I too became a cop after I was finally released from the hospital from my wounds. After 28 years as a Cop in NY, I found out that a lot of the guys whom I worked with for all these years, were also Vietnam Vets, all those years with all of us keeping this secret to ourselves, a secret,it was just something that we never talked about. By then we were joining the Vietnam Veterans of America and after a few meetings I was surprised to see so many guys I worked with all those years that were brother vets that I never knew about. What a damn waste!!!
Cops nowadays are just low IQ criminal punks they hire for that reason, so they will follow orders and enjoy brutalizing people (not criminals, rather they target honest people now).
@@pharmerdavid1432 you know little in what you’re speaking of Mr. Police now days are still dedicated personnel who are asked to do an impossible job in unbearable times. They are just like everyone else, some take that job to far and others not far enough! Don’t judge all police officers by the bad ones you used to know. It takes a lot of courage to go out and to an unwanted job everyday. Where people are out to get you. Wear the uniform before you decide who’s bad and who isn’t. Nick.
Check my message again, you can clearly see that I WAS a Police Sergeant, Investigator, Lieutenant, and Chief of Police with two departments, so I think this give me the intelligence to speak of anything law enforcement related! Almost 30 years I’ve meant all kinds of cops I truly don’t remember any “BAD” cops. Some were not perfect cops, but none that anyone would call a bad cop! I’m speaking of Education, and knowledge of both topic and situation that gives me the right to address an educated and very informed answer not just an opinion. So please don’t demean me again sir especially not even knowing me. Try googling my name and see if I know what I’m talking about. See if you agree with a NY State Senator and what he says in a presentation on TV and what he says about me. No hard feelings, just not properly informed making an opinion!
@@nicholasdonvito1703 ya ok cops in nyc are some of the dirtiest around
@@diangelo6686 I wouldn’t know, I wasn’t a cop in the City. I was in the Syracuse, NY area. I never met a dirty or shit cop in my career. If I did, I would have done something about it!!!
4 tours and he’s still intact. Wow. This man is something else. A very special warrior indeed.
Nobody who served there is intact. We all have scars, seen and unseen, which will never dissapear. I managed fourteen months and three days and came back wihout physical scars, but the unseen ones have been with me for over fifty five years. BTW, read "One February Morning" to get an idea what it was like to be a helicopter gunner in the midst of that insanity.
Very admirable man. Four tours and still laughing about things just taught me a lesson about my own anxiety. Thanks for sharing your story. You are a hero!!
The burn center at Ft. Sam Houston is still on the cutting edge and quite well-known worldwide for its treatment of burns for military and civilians. This was the best Viet Nam era interview I have ever heard. The memories, pain, and emotion were evident in his voice and eyes. I will be looking for his book. Thank you for sharing this warrior's story.
Did you know 18D school use to be stationed at Ft Sam?
It comprised of both US Army SF, 18Delta instructors and US Navy SEALS.
Brooke Army Medical - burn unit had an awesome reputation even in Air Force.
When you watch these videos you'll see these old guys pause and take a breath because their minds have just taken them back 50 or 60 years in the blink of an eye. This is really important history.
This gentleman is a True American Hero in every sense of the word. This interview an his upcoming book should be a requirement for all serious students of American History. Mr. Martin, thank you Sir, for sharing your wartime experiences. Your swift intellect an uncanny sense of humor makes a compelling story. Look forward to purchasing your upcoming book. God Bless..
Absolutely incredible to listen to him describe his combat experiences as if it were yesterday.
What an amazing human being you are. Thank you so much Mr Martin for all your sacrifices and thank you for your service.
A true hero. As a teenager in the early 70s we constantly heard horror stories of the war. It seemed the people at the top didn't care much about the combat soldiers. Perhaps even being incompetent. Many brave men were sent on meaningless suicide missions. We were the first graduating class after the end of the war. This man fought so we didn't have to. He has my respect and gratitude.
you know we lost vietnam right? Its just a stretch to say he fought so you didnt have to.
@@gantz4uThose Soldiers Didn’t Lose Shit ! Politics ,
I’m one one of those 70s kids. We saw what the war was .. like hearing of my mom’s best friend lost her son , or when a classmates older brother came back totally paralyzed or when my girlfriend was in church when a neighbor of theirs was notified her son was killed. She still remembers his mother screaming when she was notified.
The draft ended the day I turned 18 ..June 1st 1973. When I started as an apprentice carpenter I had the good fortune of working with many Vets. All were great guys. All treated me great to me even if I didn’t serve. They were thankful I didn’t have to go over there. One who’s name was T Martin who survived on the gun boats told me that I really missed a hell of a time. I new what he meant.
@@Thataintnothing Some of them lost their legs big dog.
@@gantz4u NO. The troops didnt lose that war. That was your politicians. I graduated H,S, in 1976. In '73, being poor and from a small town, we all knew....we were going to Vietnam. No one burned a draft card. It was pre-ordained. Not a stretch at all to thank Bob for his service. He fought and his efforts and those like him...allowed us time. No more drafts in '75. We barely missed what Bob had to endure. I salute all those who sacrificed so much, so you could have the right to be...a wiseass.
This is hands down the best interview on Vietnam. This will be the 2nd time me watching. Thanks for sharing.
Great interview. 4 tours. Now that’s freaking hardcore.
After the nightmares and the PTSD following his second tour, Mr Martin returned to Vietnam. There is a type of courage few of us will ever understand.
So true. He felt being with his buddys was where he belonged, NOT back in the states where he was fearful to tell people he was a soldier. Sad thing our American soldiers had to endure when they returned from tha Nam. America IS ashamed of the suffering our soldiers had to deal with in the late 1960's and early 1970's. The mainstream, liberal media,,, they and they alone caused that.
...to go back and try to defeat a 19th century small country in an illegal immoral war.. They still couldn't do it. None of them ever understood how invading a small country is the worst human group or individual endeavor. Courage? Real courage is not going to invade vulnerable third world countries. US military is still doing it and losing still.
@@higgsmerino3925 I guess we should have just let the communists take over
@@higgsmerino3925
I have to agree. We were all lied to about every aspect of The Vietnam War. Then came Daniel Ellsburg. The truth of this war will always remain "classified". We have no honorable wars.
WW 2 was honorable 🎖
Firm Handshakes all around!
Definition of a Real Life HERO
The Vietnam veterans are my superheroes and I can't believe the way they were treated ! Those brave warrior's carved out what is special operations today
yes
.just like all nazi soldiers
Treated like shit, this what we were.
What and amazing story teller! I’m so grateful and glad I found this UA-cam channel.
Thank you so much for the work you do. It would have to be a labor of love.
These are tough stories for a lot of these veterans to tell. So a warrior like Bob Martin is such a special kind of human being. I grew up looking at these men as heroes. I always wanted to be a BOB MARTIN but it wasn’t to be in this lifetime. I’m so grateful that he fought so bravely so that stupid kids like me, we’re protected and didn’t have to go get killed to see that there’s no glory in war.
Thank you Mr. Martin Sir!
Your grateful countryman.
Francis White 1970 - still living.
This is incredible. His story needs to be put on the big screen. Thank you for your service, Bob!
I have so much respect and love of our Vietnam vets and any everyone that has served and sacrificed with honor to keep this country free. I can’t salute them enough.
Much respect to the vets from the usa but what where they keeping free? Since Vietnam never attacked usa and we lose
Thanks for getting these Vietnam Vets combat stories.. my dad was a Marine in Vietnam.. every time I see a vet I thank them for their service and see if it's all right to ask a few questions. These were some brave men who fought for their country and not only that they fought for each other.. every time I see a Vietnam vet I always thank them for their service and ask if it's all right if I ask a couple questions.
To have lived through a nightmare, he's a pretty positive fella. Amazing story teller and incredible story.
I just want to let let you know I thank you for your service Sgt I was in Afghanistan and I was injured after a few tours I can relate to your injuries and I respect everything u have went through .. such a great story but I know your pain same with my wife she left me and I went back too .. maybe more people in the world need to hear what you and I went through to understand what we do for ourselves or for them still not sure if was to protect our country or if it was because of our ego .. but thank you again I loved your story bit that you for your service
I was USAF from 2001-2021. I was never injured severely. I refueled aircraft my entire career, and was deployed overseas for a total of 66 months. My first and only wife divorced me in 2007 because I reenlisted. We were stationed in Guam at the time. I was destroyed and became a "high functioning" alcoholic. Somehow I made it through all those years and I had my last drink in 2017. In 2019 my Dad died of cancer. He had stage 4 liver, lung, and brain cancer and died 43 days after the diagnosis. I was with him 24/7 and it was the hardest thing I've ever been through. I didn't relapse because of his death and for that I am grateful.
Since I got out, I've had alot of time to decompress, and time to think. I have a hard time justifying why I even served most days. The country and the world seems significantly worse off today than they were when I enlisted. The world feels more upside down as time goes by. I do my best to remain positive, but I have my days where the negativity wins.
If you feel comfortable telling your story, and exactly how you feel without sugar coating anything, it would definitely open alot of peoples eyes.
Freedom isn't free. Alot of people born in the USA don't have a clue how lucky they are. I do know that for is for sure. I wish you nothing but the best man, and thank you.
Your story isn't as uncommon as you might think bro. Take care of yourself FIRST because sometimes you find out it's all you have, and only the RIGHT people will gravitate towards that. theres light at the end of every tunnel dude. 💪👍
this country owes you a debt of gratitude. welcome home sir and may God bless you.
Fantastic interview. Thanks for just letting him talk and not peppering him with a lot of questions. This man is truly an American Hero!
They don't make men like Martin anymore,..... he's a well appreciated dinosaur with more moxie than anybody's got a right to have. Nothing but respect for you Sarge.
What a soldier! I was riveted to every word. Humor, tragedy and bravery in equal measure. Thank Mr. Martin for all you've done. You, Sir, are a truly inspirational American. Bless you!