My Dad arrived in Vietnam in March of '68 and was assigned to B Co 3rd Bn 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. Base camp was "Bearcat." Division HQ was Dong Tam. The 9th was a part of the MFR, Mobile Riverine Force which was a joint operation consitsted of 3 brigades from the US ARMY, the US NAVY had 3 task forces. There was also a small contingent of the USCG units that assisted the NAVY, etc. Naval Task forces 115, 116 were the swift boats, and the PBR boats. And finally, task force 117 which were the Armored troop carrier boats. Their duty was to transport ARMY Infantry troops throughout the Mekong Delta, looking for a fight with the VC. The Mekong Delta region of South Vietnam which consitsted of a maze of rivers, streams, and canals. According to the late LTC David Hackworth, known as "Hack," said: "the delta was the worst place to be assigned combat duty." My Dad SURVIVED a 12-month combat tour of duty wading through the leech invested rice paddies, the thick mud, being eating alive by the misquotes, the wasps, and them damn red ants. While out on patrol, you were constantly soak n' wet and muddy from crossing one rice paddy after another, or the monsoon, a downpour of rain! There were other US Allies serving in Vietnam, Australia, Thailand, Philippines and troops from the ROK!!... South 🇰🇷 Korea. According to my Dad, these troopers were "BADASS."...They were KNOWN to be fearless fighters, they had a reputation of fighting to the bitterend and taking NO prisoners. And they had NO PROBLEMS leveling an entire village, including the livestock. Once they were finished, they would set the village on fire and continue on patrolling. My Dad's unit came upon situations like this a couple of times, etc. Because of this, he was NEVER able to rid himself of the STENCH of burning human flesh. He said it had a "SICK SWEET SMELL" that remained in his nostrils. My Dad came away from Vietnam 🇻🇳 having EARNED a host of medals, the Bronze, Purple Heart, Air Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the highly respected C.I.B...The Combat Infantrymens Badge. He retired with the rank of E-7, Sergeant First Class. In November of '83, he passed from this life into the Bosme of Abraham at the young age of 44. The cause of death: colon cancer. His lovely wife, my stepmother would join him in January of 2020.....R.I.P....Thanks for your service Dad.
I was in Dong Ram in 68 and I know the 9th infantry had it rough and we had motor attacks almost every night and snipers every day and the heat was unreal but I can't find any humor in it even now!
@@raymondpaterson5719 I was there all of 68 also ! You are exactly right about mortar attacks almost every night etc. Bless you my fellow 9th infantry brother!
Thank you for your contribution. I was signed up for the draft in 73', I moved out of my parent's house in 74' at age 18. My neighbor was a vet serving in 1968/69 in the army. He would come over and drink beer with us. The more beer the more stories.
16:52 . Yes , it is too bad not all Americans felt like Chuck . Those that fled , should never have been allowed back into our country . Glad you made it brother and are still kicking . Stay strong brother , there are less of us by the day !! doc 25th lll Corp .
@@jamespriddy8275 Bullshit !! Those same turn coats would have done exactly the same for Korea or WW ll . My best friend was a C.O. who was drafted and went to Nam and did his DUTY . He served in the BRO as a RTO , got a heart and never carried a weapon . I was a medic and knew some C.O's medic's in Vietnam , they wouldn't carry a weapon but did their duty . Moral grounds ass . Immoral was running away and letting others die in your place because you are gutless .Take your BS elsewhere and sell it to the leftist , those traitors have become and are a big part of what is destroying America today . Zero respect pussies that didn't serve and let others die because they were too scared . Fuck them , one and all !! doc 68-71
GOD BLESS YOU SIR! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. MAY THE LORD JESUS CHRIST SHINE HIS EVERLASTING LOVE UPON YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
@@sergioparisi9527including my Uncle Allen he was in the 101st ABN in 1971. He was in Quang Tri Province he went through heavy heavy combat. I never got a chance to really know him because unfortunately he lulled himself in the year 2000 from his PTSD from being over there. I lost two cousins who were in the Marines over there too.
I thought the same thing at 17 when Desert Storm broke out. My mom kept telling me she was taking me to Canada if it was still going on when I turned 18. I always thought to myself, "but I need to do this" (go to war) if it comes to it.
I was an 11bravo with the 9th div 4th of 39th infantry in 68 and 69. Spent time on the troop ships and mobile riverine force until the 9th's div Dong Tam base was completed. I can relate to everything he said, especially the comments about the grunts being used as bait to initiate contact with the VC and NVA units. There were hard core NVA units operating in the Mecong Delta. Tuff ass enemy soldiers that we had the misfortune of encountering several times. Lost some damned good men who will live in my memory until the day I die.
I have seen dozens of videos made by Voices of History and this one is by far the most honest I have seen… Listen Y’all… Not everyone in Vietnam is Homeless, Wounded or Mentally Ill…. The Majority of actual ‘Grunts’… never fired their weapons at an actual target in the Bush… However,There were viscous heroic battles in an enclosed jungle environment for 7 years by select units of the Army and Marine Corps… These were the ‘let’s bang the ‘bushes’ and see what crawls out… and that my friends is ‘Combat’ in Vietnam… Most men on these Videos have a ‘glory story’ or such… Not this guy… he was a little older than my brothers in Lima Co 3rd Bn 7th Marines… But he had a PLAN….. and stuck to it. In College when he went in and right back to College when he got out. I was also a combat MOS 0311 … and still here to talk about it… Love this series Y’all LIMA-2-BRAVO 3/7 OUT Semper Fi. 🙏❤️🇺🇸
God bless you Charles thank you for your service and sacrifice. Thank Larry,great interview. I don't know how many I've seen now,quite a few,I'll watch them all at some point.😊
I have to imagine when Sgt Coffman put on that uniform the first time it must have been a daunting experience knowing all that came with wearing it. Thank you to all those who choose to wear the uniform and for carrying out the responsibilities that come with it, and thank you Sgt Coffman in remaining with this country and carrying out your duty. God bless you all.
Chuck, we appreciate what you did over there. The greatest tragedy of war is when men have to trade the innocense of youth for the agendas of politicians.
Thank you for sharing these very iconic stories. One night in a movie theatre I had a bad flashback during the movie of The Deer Hunter. And had to get up and go to the bar. But now I seem better. And I don’t know why it was so difficult, I wasn’t in extremely bad situations during my tours that I knew of or thought so anyway.
I was a helicopter door gunner . Out of Dong Tam with the 9th aviation division of the 9th infantry division.67-68. Jayhawks on the nose of our choppers. May God bless you my 9th infantry brother.!
@@VoicesofHistory You may interview me if you would like sometime . I have a LOT of pictures of Dong Tam , surrounding area. us landing on boats etc. I should get them preserved on a disc or thumb drive. I live in Casa Grande, AZ. I am getting prostate cancer treatments until well into July (agent orange suspected) .
Another excellent interview Larry.. Thankyou. Chuck, you pass on your thoughts & experiences very well. I am at risk of sounding like a cracked record but, the emotion & patriotism that these men show & the pride in their eyes, particularly when asked to salute, is beautiful to see. I wonder if the 'general public' still share this emotion today; I certainly hope that is the case. If it is, then America, you are one lucky people. A lot of people that I talk to (Australian) remark; 'why do you bother, it is so long ago'. My answer is along the lines of: if you ignore/forget the past you are more likely to repeat the same mistakes. One hell of a waste that the politics of the time interfered with the operations of the war; it should have been a different & quicker outcome; not to mention a lot less casualties on all sides!!!!!
I was there just after. Iron triangle, parrot’s beak, angel’s wing, QL-4, My Tho, Tay Nihn, Tan An, and Cambodia too -- 571st Engr, 3rd Bge, 9th Inf 69-70..
Chuck.......awesome interview. I was 9th infantry , dong tam 1967-a little of 68. I was commo for 1st of 84th artillery . I was assigned to 9th div my third day in army at ft dix and sent to ft riley for all training, went over by ship with 3rd brigade, landed at Vung Tau and went to Bearcat for awhile and then to Dong Tam, I have agent orange leukemia but hanging in there. I also went back to college and did well. If interested you can read my book "Draftee" (Amazon)telling the whole experience. Your tone and feelings about the whole Nam deal is very similar to mine. Peace my brother and be safe..... John Wilson , Cicero, NY (Syracuse)
6th 31st infantry 9th division out of Dong Tam . Went there April 1 68 left April 2 68 to get use to the heat. Never seen the camp again but my foot locker showed up in Quin Nahn empty. I remember (1) hot meal while I was in the Delta from April 1 through December 31 1968.
It shouldn’t be like what is portrayed. Homeless,ptsd,doing badly. It was a part of life. Some grew up and had to serve in a war zone,some never had to serve in a war zone. Majority did their job,served,got out,got jobs,got married ,had families,retired,grew old. Life. Serving Vietnam,a short time in life that you past through. Maybe not the best part,but done,and the significant thing you did do in life that sets you aside..it is a very small percentage that served and had that experience.
When I turned 18 in 1994, it was still mandatory to sign up for the draft. Never would I dodge a draft, if I were to be called. People that dodged the draft need to be kickedout of this great country. And never let back in.
Sounds like his experience was ideal for Vietnam not as traumatizing, boring, less dangerous, more organized compared to other Vietnam veteran stories that can come across as disastrous & depressing.
I was in the 6th 31st Infantry 9th Division 4/1/68 to 1/1/69 Mekong Delta before being transferred to Long Mia Depot. I never had but 1 (yes one) hot meal as we were a reaction force during that period and never a bed to sleep in. We slept where we stopped no matter what. Set up security at night. We slept 2 hours, guarded 2 hours, slept 2 hours, and guarded 2 hours ate C’s and moved out. Same 24/7 for 9 months except when a doctor came out to check out physical condition. Our 36 man platoon was down to 5 one time and switched to setting up night ambushes. Idiots wanted us ambush other people with 5 people with us not knowing if it was 2 or 200 force. We found a place to hide with no intention of firing 1 shot unless forced too. Stupidity orders caused the death of 2 of 9 people (kIA’s) out of our 36 men platoon and several being hit. We were gassed and bombed 1 time each by our own forces. I left the Delta after 9 months without a scratch but I’ve paid for it stating in 1975 . I’m at 90 percent now but I’ve had to fight the system all the way and I’m not through yet. I’ve denied PTSD all the way because the war was caused by warmongering demonacrat politicians. It’s still happening today just like the previous past.
I always wondered why the mission in the Mekong Delta was not assigned to the Marine Corps. Seems like a natural fit for the Marines given the waterborne aspect. I guess Westmoreland was partial to the Army.
Peter thanks for reaching out. Yes, I have several ways you can donate. Please contact me and I will send you information. God bless you!! Larry Cappetto, EMAIL: lcappetto@icloud.com
@ No, the Iron triangle is not the same as the Golden triangle. While both areas are in Southeast Asia, the Iron triangle is a specific area near Saigon,Vietnam. Whereas the Golden triangle is a larger region covering parts of Laos & Thailand. The Iron triangle was a Viet Gong controlled region of South Vietnam. They used the area to launch attacks on Saigon & other targets. The Iron triangle was an important strategic location that the U.S.Military needed to observe & defend.
@MichaelSSmith-hs5pw I remember the movie The Iron Triangle with Jeff Bridges, and in that movie the Iron Triangle was a stronghold out in the jungle, but you say it was near Saigon? Well there's another Hollywood inaccuracy. But what was the Golden Triangle then?
@ Well first off, that movie was filmed in Sri Lanka. That movie was far from realistic & thoroughly scripted, watch it if you’re desperate for a war flick. The only movie that depicts the Vietnam War 85% of the way it really was is the movie ‘Platoon”. The Golden Triangle has been one of the largest opium producing areas in the world since the 1950s & and crucial source of narcotics for the world.
@MichaelSSmith-hs5pw I've heard the same thing about the movie Platoon being the most accurate. Oliver Stone himself being a veteran along with Cpt. Dale Dye wrote a good script and had a full all star cast. A coworker i worked with back in the early 2000's told me the same thing. And again, was the Golden Triangle in Vietnam or China?
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My Dad arrived in Vietnam in March of '68 and was assigned to B Co 3rd Bn 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. Base camp was "Bearcat." Division HQ was Dong Tam. The 9th was a part of the MFR, Mobile Riverine Force which was a joint operation consitsted of 3 brigades from the US ARMY, the US NAVY had 3 task forces. There was also a small contingent of the USCG units that assisted the NAVY, etc. Naval Task forces 115, 116 were the swift boats, and the PBR boats. And finally, task force 117 which were the Armored troop carrier boats. Their duty was to transport ARMY Infantry troops throughout the Mekong Delta, looking for a fight with the VC. The Mekong Delta region of South Vietnam which consitsted of a maze of rivers, streams, and canals. According to the late LTC David Hackworth, known as "Hack," said: "the delta was the worst place to be assigned combat duty." My Dad SURVIVED a 12-month combat tour of duty wading through the leech invested rice paddies, the thick mud, being eating alive by the misquotes, the wasps, and them damn red ants. While out on patrol, you were constantly soak n' wet and muddy from crossing one rice paddy after another, or the monsoon, a downpour of rain! There were other US Allies serving in Vietnam, Australia, Thailand, Philippines and troops from the ROK!!... South 🇰🇷 Korea. According to my Dad, these troopers were "BADASS."...They were KNOWN to be fearless fighters, they had a reputation of fighting to the bitterend and taking NO prisoners. And they had NO PROBLEMS leveling an entire village, including the livestock. Once they were finished, they would set the village on fire and continue on patrolling. My Dad's unit came upon situations like this a couple of times, etc. Because of this, he was NEVER able to rid himself of the STENCH of burning human flesh. He said it had a "SICK SWEET SMELL" that remained in his nostrils. My Dad came away from Vietnam 🇻🇳 having EARNED a host of medals, the Bronze, Purple Heart, Air Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the highly respected C.I.B...The Combat Infantrymens Badge. He retired with the rank of E-7, Sergeant First Class. In November of '83, he passed from this life into the Bosme of Abraham at the young age of 44. The cause of death: colon cancer. His lovely wife, my stepmother would join him in January of 2020.....R.I.P....Thanks for your service Dad.
What a powerful and moving tribute to your father, a true American hero. Thank you for sharing his story.
The 9 th Division took heavy loses in the delta. Excellent interview Chuck. Thanks Larry 👍
Thank you sir. I have quite a few 9th Infantry Division stories. Chuck has been sitting idle for too long. Glad to be able to share tonight.
I was in Dong Ram in 68 and I know the 9th infantry had it rough and we had motor attacks almost every night and snipers every day and the heat was unreal but I can't find any humor in it even now!
@@raymondpaterson5719 I was there all of 68 also ! You are exactly right about mortar attacks almost every night etc. Bless you my fellow 9th infantry brother!
You are a national treasure Larry. Keep up the great work you are doing for GOD;and Americans
Always a pleasure hearing from you Alvin. Thank you for your very kind words. It's a fight, but it's worth the effort!!
👍👍
Thank you Chuck for your service.
Thank you Larry for your service.
Thank you for your contribution. I was signed up for the draft in 73', I moved out of my parent's house in 74' at age 18. My neighbor was a vet serving in 1968/69 in the army. He would come over and drink beer with us. The more beer the more stories.
16:52 . Yes , it is too bad not all Americans felt like Chuck . Those that fled , should never have been allowed back into our country . Glad you made it brother and are still kicking . Stay strong brother , there are less of us by the day !! doc 25th lll Corp .
@@jamespriddy8275 Bullshit !! Those same turn coats would have done exactly the same for Korea or WW ll . My best friend was a C.O. who was drafted and went to Nam and did his DUTY . He served in the BRO as a RTO , got a heart and never carried a weapon . I was a medic and knew some C.O's medic's in Vietnam , they wouldn't carry a weapon but did their duty . Moral grounds ass . Immoral was running away and letting others die in your place because you are gutless .Take your BS elsewhere and sell it to the leftist , those traitors have become and are a big part of what is destroying America today . Zero respect pussies that didn't serve and let others die because they were too scared . Fuck them , one and all !! doc 68-71
Don't understand how I missed this as I watch them all, at least once, sometimes more.
Thank you, Chuck, for sharing part of history.
My Grandfather served with E Co 75th Rangers 9th Infantry Division 1969-1970
It is wonderful getting to know Mr. Coffman through this interview. Great personality and perspective on life.
GOD BLESS YOU SIR! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. MAY THE LORD JESUS CHRIST SHINE HIS EVERLASTING LOVE UPON YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
Thank you for your prayer. God bless you!!
Larry it really hit me when he said “I can’t go to Canada and come back here again it’s my country so I’m going” I really felt him on that one.
Approximately 25% of Vietnam veterans were drafted. Thanks to all the men and women who served.
@@sergioparisi9527including my Uncle Allen he was in the 101st ABN in 1971. He was in Quang Tri Province he went through heavy heavy combat. I never got a chance to really know him because unfortunately he lulled himself in the year 2000 from his PTSD from being over there. I lost two cousins who were in the Marines over there too.
I thought the same thing at 17 when Desert Storm broke out. My mom kept telling me she was taking me to Canada if it was still going on when I turned 18. I always thought to myself, "but I need to do this" (go to war) if it comes to it.
No one likes a draft dodger@@asdf9890
@sergioparisi9527 you even from America? Your name seems European, Russian
nice man glad you interviewed him, positive person
Thank you Chuck & Larry...thank you both for sharing this important testimony with us Americans.
God bless America 🇺🇸
Another great story and piece of history. Thank you for your service and sacrifices SGT Coffman.
Pure Americana! Thank you for your service! 🇺🇸
Thank you
I was an 11bravo with the 9th div 4th of 39th infantry in 68 and 69. Spent time on the troop ships and mobile riverine force until the 9th's div Dong Tam base was completed. I can relate to everything he said, especially the comments about the grunts being used as bait to initiate contact with the VC and NVA units. There were hard core NVA units operating in the Mecong Delta. Tuff ass enemy soldiers that we had the misfortune of encountering several times. Lost some damned good men who will live in my memory until the day I die.
John thanks for watching Chuck's story. Would enjoy hearing your story someday.
I have seen dozens of videos made by Voices of History and this one is by far the most honest I have seen… Listen Y’all… Not everyone in Vietnam is Homeless, Wounded or Mentally Ill…. The Majority of actual ‘Grunts’… never fired their weapons at an actual target in the Bush… However,There were viscous heroic battles in an enclosed jungle environment for 7 years by select units of the Army and Marine Corps… These were the ‘let’s bang the ‘bushes’ and see what crawls out… and that my friends is ‘Combat’ in Vietnam… Most men on these Videos have a ‘glory story’ or such… Not this guy… he was a little older than my brothers in Lima Co 3rd Bn 7th Marines… But he had a PLAN….. and stuck to it. In College when he went in and right back to College when he got out. I was also a combat MOS 0311 … and still here to talk about it… Love this series Y’all
LIMA-2-BRAVO 3/7 OUT
Semper Fi. 🙏❤️🇺🇸
Thank you for your service, God has Blessed You.
Thank you kindly
Thank you, sirs. We appreciate your sacrifice.
Thank you for your service & sacrifice. Welcome home :
God bless you Charles thank you for your service and sacrifice. Thank Larry,great interview. I don't know how many I've seen now,quite a few,I'll watch them all at some point.😊
👍 much respect and gratitude!
Great video! Thank you.
Yes, Marshall. Thank you.
Thank you for your service and thank you for not going to Canada 🙏🇺🇸
Great interview!
Welcome home, thank you all so much for your service.👊🏻🇺🇸
I have to imagine when Sgt Coffman put on that uniform the first time it must have been a daunting experience knowing all that came with wearing it. Thank you to all those who choose to wear the uniform and for carrying out the responsibilities that come with it, and thank you Sgt Coffman in remaining with this country and carrying out your duty. God bless you all.
This gentleman now is 78 Years Old..Excellent Veteran Representative.
Great interview as usual!
We share same last name sir thank you for everything God bless you 👍🇺🇸
Chuck, we appreciate what you did over there. The greatest tragedy of war is when men have to trade the innocense of youth for the agendas of politicians.
Wonderful interview! Chuk might have knew my dad ..... ❤god bless you
Thank you for sharing these very iconic stories. One night in a movie theatre I had a bad flashback during the movie of The Deer Hunter. And had to get up and go to the bar. But now I seem better. And I don’t know why it was so difficult, I wasn’t in extremely bad situations during my tours that I knew of or thought so anyway.
Ronnie, I will be in Orlando Florida the first of July. If you're near there please let me know. I would be interested in interviewing you. Thank you.
God Bless these forgotten heroes who served honorably!
Thank you JOSEPH.
I was a helicopter door gunner . Out of Dong Tam with the 9th aviation division of the 9th infantry division.67-68. Jayhawks on the nose of our choppers. May God bless you my 9th infantry brother.!
meant to say 9th aviation battalion
Mike, I will be in Orlando Florida the first of July. If you're near there please let me know. I would be interested in interviewing you. Thank you.
@@VoicesofHistory You may interview me if you would like sometime . I have a LOT of pictures of Dong Tam , surrounding area. us landing on boats etc. I should get them preserved on a disc or thumb drive. I live in Casa Grande, AZ. I am getting prostate cancer treatments until well into July (agent orange suspected) .
for a vet he has a pretty good attitude about life in general
Very well adjusted man, thank you for your service!
This man has a very healthy mind ,strong constitution.
Manly P. Hall-the secret destiny of America is a great audiobook here on youtube. I think vets can gain great understanding from this.
Manly p hall was luciferian(aka satanist)
Another excellent interview Larry.. Thankyou. Chuck, you pass on your thoughts & experiences very well. I am at risk of sounding like a cracked record but, the emotion & patriotism that these men show & the pride in their eyes, particularly when asked to salute, is beautiful to see. I wonder if the 'general public' still share this emotion today; I certainly hope that is the case. If it is, then America, you are one lucky people. A lot of people that I talk to (Australian) remark; 'why do you bother, it is so long ago'. My answer is along the lines of: if you ignore/forget the past you are more likely to repeat the same mistakes. One hell of a waste that the politics of the time interfered with the operations of the war; it should have been a different & quicker outcome; not to mention a lot less casualties on all sides!!!!!
He is a matter of fact kinda man great commentary and video.
What an awesome guy
I served with the 2nd/47th mech. Inf. 9th Inf. Div. Base camp Bien Phouc 68-69.
I was there just after. Iron triangle, parrot’s beak, angel’s wing, QL-4, My Tho, Tay Nihn, Tan An, and Cambodia too -- 571st Engr, 3rd Bge, 9th Inf 69-70..
Hey...Southwest Louisiana says . .Thanks alot for Comparing Us with the Commies in da Mekong Delta 😮😮😮😮😮😮
Chuck.......awesome interview. I was 9th infantry , dong tam 1967-a little of 68. I was commo for 1st of 84th artillery . I was assigned to 9th div my third day in army at ft dix and sent to ft riley for all training, went over by ship with 3rd brigade, landed at Vung Tau and went to Bearcat for awhile and then to Dong Tam, I have agent orange leukemia but hanging in there. I also went back to college and did well. If interested you can read my book "Draftee" (Amazon)telling the whole experience. Your tone and feelings about the whole Nam deal is very similar to mine. Peace my brother and be safe..... John Wilson , Cicero, NY (Syracuse)
God Bless you John!!
Cool man
I was in the Mekong Delta September 66 - September 67.
With the 52nd Signal B, at Mytho.
Unit was called Voice of the Delta.
I will be in Orlando Florida the first of July. If you're near there please let me know. I would be interested in interviewing you. Thank you.
6th 31st infantry 9th division out of Dong Tam . Went there April 1 68 left April 2 68 to get use to the heat. Never seen the camp again but my foot locker showed up in Quin Nahn empty. I remember (1) hot meal while I was in the Delta from April 1 through December 31 1968.
Thank you Gary. God bless you!!
What company were you with@@VoicesofHistory
It shouldn’t be like what is portrayed. Homeless,ptsd,doing badly. It was a part of life. Some grew up and had to serve in a war zone,some never had to serve in a war zone. Majority did their job,served,got out,got jobs,got married ,had families,retired,grew old. Life. Serving Vietnam,a short time in life that you past through. Maybe not the best part,but done,and the significant thing you did do in life that sets you aside..it is a very small percentage that served and had that experience.
This Vietnam vet salutes you.
I was a crew chief on F-4s and I know we did give most of the support to the infantry.
When I turned 18 in 1994, it was still mandatory to sign up for the draft. Never would I dodge a draft, if I were to be called. People that dodged the draft need to be kickedout of this great country. And never let back in.
Sounds like his experience was ideal for Vietnam not as traumatizing, boring, less dangerous, more organized compared to other Vietnam veteran stories that can come across as disastrous & depressing.
I was in the 6th 31st Infantry 9th Division 4/1/68 to 1/1/69 Mekong Delta before being transferred to Long Mia Depot. I never had but 1 (yes one) hot meal as we were a reaction force during that period and never a bed to sleep in. We slept where we stopped no matter what. Set up security at night. We slept 2 hours, guarded 2 hours, slept 2 hours, and guarded 2 hours ate C’s and moved out. Same 24/7 for 9 months except when a doctor came out to check out physical condition. Our 36 man platoon was down to 5 one time and switched to setting up night ambushes. Idiots wanted us ambush other people with 5 people with us not knowing if it was 2 or 200 force. We found a place to hide with no intention of firing 1 shot unless forced too. Stupidity orders caused the death of 2 of 9 people (kIA’s) out of our 36 men platoon and several being hit. We were gassed and bombed 1 time each by our own forces. I left the Delta after 9 months without a scratch but I’ve paid for it stating in 1975 . I’m at 90 percent now but I’ve had to fight the system all the way and I’m not through yet. I’ve denied PTSD all the way because the war was caused by warmongering demonacrat politicians. It’s still happening today just like the previous past.
I always wondered why the mission in the Mekong Delta was not assigned to the Marine Corps. Seems like a natural fit for the Marines given the waterborne aspect. I guess Westmoreland was partial to the Army.
Very good comment, I have pondered that as well as they were assigned landing crafts!!
I’ve had the same question for the last 50 years. The new Marine Littoral Regiment is perfect for such operations.
Can we donate not using paypal
Peter thanks for reaching out. Yes, I have several ways you can donate. Please contact me and I will send you information. God bless you!! Larry Cappetto, EMAIL: lcappetto@icloud.com
Did anyone ever know an Edward Allan Augustine from Chicago, recently died?! Musician too, by the name of Billy Strum.
When was this vdo recorded
2007
2007, Spartanburg, SC.
I'm a Vietnam veteran
Like your videos
Your countdown could be shorter 😂
Being born in 61 isn't he young to be in Vietnam ? I was born in 63 so I was to young to be in the war .
I was a Vietnam veteran before it became popular.
Iron Triangle, 1969
🎖💜♠️🪖🇺🇸
What exactly was the "Iron Triangle", and was it the same thing as the "Golden Triangle"?
@ No, the Iron triangle is not the same as the Golden triangle. While both areas are in Southeast Asia, the Iron triangle is a specific area near Saigon,Vietnam. Whereas the Golden triangle is a larger region covering parts of Laos & Thailand. The Iron triangle was a Viet Gong controlled region of South Vietnam. They used the area to launch attacks on Saigon & other targets. The Iron triangle was an important strategic location that the U.S.Military needed to observe & defend.
@MichaelSSmith-hs5pw
I remember the movie The Iron Triangle with Jeff Bridges, and in that movie the Iron Triangle was a stronghold out in the jungle, but you say it was near Saigon?
Well there's another Hollywood inaccuracy.
But what was the Golden Triangle then?
@ Well first off, that movie was filmed in Sri Lanka. That movie was far from realistic & thoroughly scripted, watch it if you’re desperate for a war flick. The only movie that depicts the Vietnam War 85% of the way it really was is the movie ‘Platoon”. The Golden Triangle has been one of the largest opium producing areas in the world since the 1950s & and crucial source of narcotics for the world.
@MichaelSSmith-hs5pw
I've heard the same thing about the movie Platoon being the most accurate.
Oliver Stone himself being a veteran along with Cpt. Dale Dye wrote a good script and had a full all star cast. A coworker i worked with back in the early 2000's told me the same thing.
And again, was the Golden Triangle in Vietnam or China?