229th Assault Helicopter Battalion Vietnam The Way It Was Part 2

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  • Опубліковано 6 бер 2011
  • Personal 8mm Footage taken by UH1 and Cobra pilot Major Alfred Demailo, serving in Vietnam during 1967/68 and 1970/71

КОМЕНТАРІ • 296

  • @Gohot229
    @Gohot229 11 років тому +4

    To hear stories can only give an idea. Being there, the early mornings, the smell of diesel, the sound of birds warming and lifting off, the dew in the air, the green of the jungle you flew over, the circular rainbow your shadow cast on the fog or clouds while flying out early in the morning. The landing the relief every time you landed back in Ben Hoa. These things you just had to live, to feel, to smell. Always looking for a familiar face, someone you knew in Basic or AIT.

  • @BrianJohnsonUSC
    @BrianJohnsonUSC 5 років тому +7

    Thanks for the video, my Dad was in this video at 17:46 minute mark, skipping rocks across this body of water. Slick pilot Charlie 229 1967-1968. Very proud of my Dad. Thank you for posting this and thank you for your service.

  • @frankjohnson4046
    @frankjohnson4046 8 років тому +57

    Thanks for the arial views - brought back a lot of memories. I was a young platoon leader (call sign: Coffee Pot 26) with Co C, 2 Bn/5th Cav, (2nd Brigade), 1st Cav Div from Jun 66 to Jul 67. We conducted many air assaults in II Corp area from Ia drang Valley (LZ xray and LZ Albany) to the Bong Son Plains (LZ English and LZ two-bits). You probably provided us with fire support many times. Thank you very much. Being on the ground, we needed all the help we could get. My second tour, I was in III Corp area as a Captain, Infantry Advisor, near the Iron Triangle area. Wounded once the first tour and twice the second tour in 1969. Did not want a third tour. I was glad when it ended.

    • @charms71
      @charms71 8 років тому

      Ia Drang, LZ X ray & Albany? I read "We were Soldiers...once and young" by Ltd. Col. Hal Moore and George Galloway. the book details the carnage that took place in IA Drang valley in Nov. 1968. I wonder if you were part of any of those ops. just curious as I was nowhere born even after Vietnam War ended lol. anyways, thanks for your service

    • @americansasquatch_the_original
      @americansasquatch_the_original 7 років тому +6

      The battle of Ia Drang was in November of 65'

    • @charms71
      @charms71 7 років тому

      American Sasquatch yup. I stand corrected.

    • @americansasquatch_the_original
      @americansasquatch_the_original 7 років тому +1

      P. Charmin No, no you certainly don't. You said in your comment that you posted twice that it was in Nov 1968. Every Vietnam vet knows when the battle of Ia Drang was. It started Nov. 14th, 1965. Look it up.

    • @charms71
      @charms71 7 років тому +2

      Reread my last comment again. I was agreeing with u lol

  • @niftytwo
    @niftytwo 10 років тому +34

    this is an excellent example of exactly what happened in Vietnam, it's great to see the way it was and your knowledge and memory make it special. Thank you for doing your job, that's all any of us did, it all looks beautiful and green from the air, I only remember how it was dirty brown, hot and lot's of other things, but this video makes me feel better because of the way you narrate it and I have a much better, mature attitude today. I haven't been back but I still want to, maybe one day, most of my mates have been back and tell me how good it is... It's too bad some people who never went there get on here and tell us how we lost the war, and heaps of other crap.We just did our job. Most of us didn't know any better, and we didn't want to be there either But I'm glad I went..Nifty...

    • @wilcoxjames2
      @wilcoxjames2 9 років тому +6

      Thank you for your service

  • @hankchinaski_
    @hankchinaski_ 5 років тому +2

    The visuals and commentary are incomparable. Thank you Alfred for the effort of recording this and thank you to everyone involved in sharing this footage. Living history.
    Respect and gratitude that America produces men of your fine caliber.

  • @Russellsagecline
    @Russellsagecline 10 років тому +13

    I fully appreciate these old 8mm films shot by individuals in Vietnam. Makes me wonder how many more films exist, but have been forgotten about.

  • @marknewsom1780
    @marknewsom1780 8 років тому +9

    I went to Nam in 1971, assigned to the 229th, F Troop, 1/9 Cav, Bien Hoa, Vietnam. 1st Cav Div (3rd Bde).

  • @hckyplyr9285
    @hckyplyr9285 10 років тому +13

    Top notch video and commentary. I really appreciate the voiceover, and you could tell the pilot was really hurt by that scene where the door gunner was killed, his blood pasted all back over the door and tail boom.
    Thanks so much to Vietnam vets. You guys did a solid job, your country, especially the political leadership, let you down.

  • @kasjun1
    @kasjun1 6 років тому +1

    I was assigned to D company, 229th Assault Helicopter Bn First Cav(smiling tigers). in January 1970. We had all cobra gunships at that time . I think Col. Mertel was battalion commander at that time. Long time ago. Your video brought back memories.

  • @motorcop505
    @motorcop505 8 років тому +8

    Great video and great comments! Thank you for fighting in Vietnam so gallantly for us and for the RVN. 🇺🇸

  • @paddy.7784
    @paddy.7784 9 місяців тому

    The honesty of this, is just priceless. Thank you so much for the post.

  • @chr1sh1ms3lf
    @chr1sh1ms3lf 10 років тому +6

    Great. Thanks for posting this.

  • @marionlovett7167
    @marionlovett7167 8 років тому +4

    I remember the 229th very well. I was with 11th AVG Group which 229th ,228th and 227th came under while I was there from 1967-1968. Was at Bon Song, and then up to Da Nang to
    Camp Evans. Col Gude, was commander of the 11th AVG Group. Thanks for bringing back memories of times when we were young. Glad you mention'd LZ Two Bits.

    • @stilleysmobiledetailing1696
      @stilleysmobiledetailing1696 8 років тому +1

      my uncle sgt LB Haney 2/12 1st air cav 67' 68' im sure some of this footage covers a time he was there...air cav had the best..he made it home and is well

    • @lindac9229
      @lindac9229 7 років тому

      my Dad, Leon Fletcher, might have served with you.., he was also with HHC11th AVA Gp 1st Cav - maybe you remember him?
      4-20-66 - Co B229th Ava Bn (Aslt Hel) 1st Cav Div RVN
      8-18-66 - HHC11th Ava Gp 1st Cav Div (Am)
      7-23-67 - Co B229th Ava Bn 1st Cav Div RVN
      3-10-68 - HHC214TH CBT Ava Bn
      3-27-68 - 140th TC DET
      4-6-68 - 117th Aslt Hel Co
      7-12-68 - 619th TC DET
      10-16-69 - HHC 214TH CBT AVN B
      3-3-69 - 147th ASLT Spt Hel Co

    • @vernoncephas7849
      @vernoncephas7849 2 місяці тому

      I to was with D co 227th Bong son 67 68

  • @wilcoxjames2
    @wilcoxjames2 9 років тому +10

    Thank you for your service. I loved the video, and thanks for sharing!

  • @ytugtbk
    @ytugtbk 10 років тому +1

    Great stuff. These home movies with your narration are better than all the Hollywood movies combined that attempted to portray the war.
    Thank you for your service.

  • @leesenger3094
    @leesenger3094 7 років тому +2

    Major D, y'all were and are basses doing your job well! Thank you for your service sir!

  • @mantia39
    @mantia39 6 років тому +1

    Thank you for all that you did sir,your service is greatly appreciated. Excellent videos,I really enjoyed this.

  • @to-tt7fc
    @to-tt7fc 8 років тому +4

    I learned a lot about Vietnam watching your video. Thanks.

  • @successnation911
    @successnation911 10 років тому +3

    Outstanding footage. Great voiceover. Your experience and telling of your story influences leaders, like myself, today. My dad was in Vietnam as well. "Hero" s the word that you are sir.

  • @marvelmax03191
    @marvelmax03191 11 років тому

    Well done. Great video, and thank you Major Demailo for such an excellent commentary. This gives me a lot of good info for my story.

  • @morelenmir
    @morelenmir 12 років тому

    Amazing pictures that really capture the atmosphere of that time. MANY thanks for UL. I cannot say how much I enjoy watching these videos and hearing the real stories.

  • @sean57
    @sean57 10 років тому +3

    thanks for sharing your films, very personal

  • @Batchpig
    @Batchpig 6 років тому

    Amazing footage and narration. Thanks for your service and preserving this history.

  • @braddywarbucks
    @braddywarbucks 6 років тому

    Thank you for sharing this video and narration and for serving our country.

  • @natural-born_pilot
    @natural-born_pilot 5 років тому

    Great video thank you. One of the best I've seen. You did a great job of narrating and easily understood. As with many other vets had related it brought back memories with me as well (Tuy Hoa AB 69-70).

  • @scottyfox6376
    @scottyfox6376 7 років тому +4

    I have Robert Mason's book "Chicken Hawk" & these videos really compliment the reading. Thank you for the upload.

  • @murdoch451
    @murdoch451 6 років тому

    Thank you for telling your part of history and putting it out there for our children to see.

  • @jackharrison6771
    @jackharrison6771 Рік тому

    Great video, and thanks for sharing this.

  • @SuperMegaCyrus
    @SuperMegaCyrus 13 років тому

    This is truly fascinating stuff. Thanks for the upload

  • @forcerecon85
    @forcerecon85 11 років тому

    Great post. So glad there is narration to give life to what I'm seeing.

  • @skysupras4530
    @skysupras4530 6 років тому

    Awesome video, thank you for everything you’ve done

  • @TheMastermccoy
    @TheMastermccoy 11 років тому

    Great footage and narration ..Thanks for sharing and thank you for your service !!

  • @gangoffour6690
    @gangoffour6690 5 років тому

    Thanks for the great video and thank you for you service sir ! I was to young for Vietnam Nam and can’t even imagine being there. Thanks again.

  • @EJKrol1414
    @EJKrol1414 12 років тому

    I actually know this pilot today, he's my grandfathers best friend. Its truly an honor to know a hero that served our country. God Bless and thank you!

  • @jamesfrye4983
    @jamesfrye4983 7 років тому +3

    Assigned with the 228th Avn Bn 1st Avn Det (Guns A Go Go) Jan67-Jan 68. Armed CH-47 unit. 38 rockets, 20MM cannon 1600 rds. M-5 40MM Grenade Launcher 1100 rds and five 50 cal machine gun positions. Every tree looks familiar.

  • @OlavBergman
    @OlavBergman 7 років тому +2

    I love these films. Thanks for sharing.

  • @jonathanmeazza427
    @jonathanmeazza427 5 років тому

    Thanks for sharing this with the world.

  • @fiatabarth
    @fiatabarth 11 років тому

    That was great! It was good to have some audio commentary I could understand.
    I was a crew chief on a slick in 68 and 69 in Phu Bai. I don't know why these are good memories, but they are. Thank you.

  • @saigoneze4465
    @saigoneze4465 5 років тому

    amazing hard to find footage .Thankyou for your service

  • @CrashandTrash596
    @CrashandTrash596 7 років тому +4

    Contact the Pennsylvania Army National Guard Museum.
    This deserves to be archived.

  • @WimGrundy
    @WimGrundy 9 років тому +16

    Three Tours! God blessed you, sir; God kept you!

    • @ftv2376
      @ftv2376 6 років тому +1

      he is my cousin three tours im so happy he lived god bless him

  • @mljantz
    @mljantz 5 років тому +1

    Thank you for the history lesson and thank you to all veterans for their service.

  • @brettb8706
    @brettb8706 8 років тому +3

    thanks for sharing

  • @davidgorjup1000
    @davidgorjup1000 6 років тому

    I was with your neighbor at Phu Loi, the 205th ASH Co Geronimos during the same time frame as you. I was a Hook FE. Your vids brought back a lot of memories, especially flying by the Cao Dai Temple near Tay Ninh. :) Welcome Home!

  • @essertpitay
    @essertpitay 11 років тому +1

    Great video. Very informative.

  • @dannycreech6375
    @dannycreech6375 7 років тому +1

    thanks for the memories.

  • @davidlirwin
    @davidlirwin 10 років тому

    Thanks for posting this. My dad was in Nam 61-62 and 68-69 283rd Signal Battalion attached to 117th AHC in II Corp

  • @pontiacfirebird88
    @pontiacfirebird88 12 років тому +1

    Thank you for your service

  • @litoneup
    @litoneup 7 років тому +6

    great honest video. thanks.

  • @joealston3052
    @joealston3052 11 років тому

    Your narrative made the film come alive. As a combat engineer working QL1 from Bong Song to Mo Duc, I often wondered what the terrain was like on the other side of the hills and valleys directly west of our area of operation. Your footage answered many questions. Your aerials also gave some perspective into the enemy's infiltration routes. And yes, Bong Song was/is one of the prettiest places I've ever seen. Thank you for sharing your experience and thank you for your service. I salute you.

    • @luispereira2150
      @luispereira2150 5 років тому

      Was with the 243 Ashco in Dong Ba Thin, 67 to 69.

  • @tommymagnusson
    @tommymagnusson 6 років тому +1

    Awesome great video. God Bless you and the other Vietnam veterans. Thanks for great service

  • @xBIGHARRYx
    @xBIGHARRYx 12 років тому

    Great movie and great narration too, thanks for posting.

  • @ogrebattle22763
    @ogrebattle22763 6 років тому +1

    Great video I've heard many a grunt sing you guys praises... if it wasn't for you guys in the sky many a grunt would have never seen home again... peace .....

  • @lesmarcydlesmarcyd4976
    @lesmarcydlesmarcyd4976 9 років тому

    Wonderful, wonderful video.

  • @gunny1234
    @gunny1234 6 років тому

    awesome vid and thanks for your service Sir!

  • @dks13827
    @dks13827 9 років тому +4

    Thank you for the great videos and stories. I served in Germany though after the Vietnam war. I was a civilian pilot for fun and got my helicopter rating as well. Helicopters are so much fun to fly that it is unbelievably great ! When I watch the Nam infantry videos it seems to me that the guys fighting earlier in the war had a better Army, better troops and better morale. Much better troops, in fact.

  • @snipereliete
    @snipereliete 6 років тому

    Great Video,thanks for your service.

  • @drsevrin100
    @drsevrin100 10 років тому +3

    Thanks for your heroic service.

  • @rattelwolfa
    @rattelwolfa 10 років тому

    Thank You for Your Sevice👍🇺🇸

  • @georgephilips3528
    @georgephilips3528 11 років тому

    Great video. I was in B/229th in 67-68 and enjoyed seeing MOVIES taken of our ops. Great job ..I flew countless missions in "Yellow 1" and we were generally too busy to be making movies! I remember well some of the Smiling Tigers like Jack Gallagher. .Killer Spade 14

  • @VNOltec
    @VNOltec 5 років тому

    I was in the 498th Dustoff, just across the road from the 229th at Lane. The An Lo was just as bad from 69-71. I do remember that when the wind was blowing from us to you, we would throw Tear Gas grenades into the road. When the wind changed, the 229th returned the favor. To this day I am still immune to Tear Gas
    I was a crew chief. I got blown up once at Uplift, and shot up going through the Bong Son Pass a couple times. Also got shot down near FB 6 NW of Dak To. Left 1 bird trashed in the Ia Drang river down S of Pleiku.

  • @Whitesp44
    @Whitesp44 5 років тому

    Fantastic video thank you for sharing and serving. Imagine if you had Go Pros back then? Wow bad ass. Glad you made it back.

  • @oaklandtobangkok
    @oaklandtobangkok 10 років тому +1

    Thanks for the video. These guys have brass balls.

  • @frentrup
    @frentrup 13 років тому

    This is great.love hearing true behind the scene stories. I love aviation and have the most respect for u guys.My friend"MUDDY"flew A7s over there and he feels the same way.Have a good 4th sir!

  • @robertlangley258
    @robertlangley258 5 років тому

    Thank you very much for your service young man.

  • @mart20031
    @mart20031 10 років тому +5

    was at phu loi and lai khe 66-67 big red one b company 1 st aviation door gunner.... great video. thank you for your service. recognize area around black virgin mountain and iron triangle...best video of guns in action I have seen

    • @relnak9
      @relnak9 9 років тому

      Mart Beltran, thank you for your Service!

  • @mariekatherine5238
    @mariekatherine5238 5 років тому +1

    Thank you for your service. Too little, too late for the Vietnam vets. What happened when you returned is without excuse. The suffering continues today in the many Vietnam vets who are homeless, poor, still suffering PTSD and physical disability.

  • @tomtom246
    @tomtom246 13 років тому

    Thanks for the video and for your service are country. God Bless!!

  • @emilewis3326
    @emilewis3326 12 років тому

    Al, just happened to see your video. Thanks so much, enjoyed the video. I'm sure you remember me. We flew together the first day of Tet.

  • @jameslenard4334
    @jameslenard4334 9 років тому +5

    "Beats walking." Yep.

  • @olpoppy7323
    @olpoppy7323 6 років тому

    Such a cool video, like the way the hero who filmed it also narrated it.

  • @handydude6
    @handydude6 13 років тому +1

    Good stuff. That is some wooly looking terrain, compared to where I did the same stuff down south of there.

  • @bocktanbocktan
    @bocktanbocktan 9 років тому +50

    Thank you for fighting communism. German solider here, really appreciate your service. Huey, what a great machine! An example of Yankee-engineering.

    • @stephenpoole5331
      @stephenpoole5331 6 років тому +3

      Lieber Herr Steiner, ich war in Butzbach und Darmstadt (1971-1972) stationiert. In Butzbach auf der Schloss Kazerne und in Darmstadt, bei der Cambrai-Fritsch Kazerne. Diese zwei Jahre in der BRD bleiben noch heute sehr lieb in meinem Gedächtnis.

    • @jmadden50
      @jmadden50 6 років тому +8

      Good Lord, you sound jealous & bitter. I don't blame you. You were born in a shithole.

    • @jimritzheimer7465
      @jimritzheimer7465 6 років тому +1

      What shit hole are you from?

    • @ashdoglsu
      @ashdoglsu 6 років тому +2

      Probably one that condones marrying a 6 year old.

    • @dazdeluxe7533
      @dazdeluxe7533 6 років тому +1

      Most shithole Countries were paradise before Our ancestors arrived there to plunder.

  • @EJKrol1414
    @EJKrol1414 12 років тому

    Went to a memorial Day Mass and breakfast with Mr. Demailo this morning. Its truly an honor to know a real American hero. Thanks to all the troops, past and present for their service!

  • @jlunn900
    @jlunn900 3 роки тому

    Thank you for your video, absolutely love it. Thank you for what you did over there. I especially want to thank the pilots. Im not sure if you've ever thought about it. But the Vietnam wall would have been way bigger if you guys weren't there doing what you guys did to perfection. Outstanding job! Be proud of yourselves!

  • @Gohot229
    @Gohot229 11 років тому +1

    At 19 years old it was scary, but that soon faded. You had a job to do, and you did it, others counted on you with their lives. Exciting? Going into a hot landing zone to rescue downed aircraft or evacuate soldiers in the middle of a fire fight... You didn't have time to be excited or scared, you just did your job and hoped. Hoped you would make it home, they would make it home. and when your tour ended and you got on the freedom bird and it took off, you still had to make it across the Pacific

  • @cam7075
    @cam7075 11 років тому

    Much love and respect for all our service members ..thank you.

  • @twinhd6376
    @twinhd6376 11 років тому

    another great video 'hose the place down' great saying that,it could be put in a movie.

  • @mrtrek64
    @mrtrek64 13 років тому

    Absolutly fantastic!!!

  • @ziizee66
    @ziizee66 9 років тому +25

    USA you fought well, so sorry you lost so many young men "nineeetene (19") and when you came back to your homeland you were NOT treated well, you went and did as your Country asked and as I remember were shunned when you came back, so many suffered trauma, I so feel for you all great men

  • @1950Viper
    @1950Viper 9 років тому +4

    These army guys get all the medals and god helo pilots deserve it. Us Navy people dont get fancy medals unless you get sunk. I was TAD several times and for 6 weeks attached to the Song Rat interdiction zone. The boat i was on was a zippo boats a floating tank 40MM BOFORS gun twin 50s 2 mounts and 81 MM mortar with twin 50 6 guys rovers with m60s. Twin flamethrowers port and starboard these boats never got attacked no VC in his right mind would never fire at us because we had assigned air support and were death if attacked these monitors could take a direct 120 MM rocket hit.

  • @nimitz1739
    @nimitz1739 6 років тому +1

    Awesome story’s.

  • @wardharris4758
    @wardharris4758 10 років тому

    You must have joined D/229 just as I left. Good pictures, thanks for sharing.

  • @choprjock
    @choprjock 12 років тому

    That certainly brought back some memories, familiar sights. I flew for B/227th, out of LZ Dog/English from Jan. to June 67. The bridge at Bong Son (8:30), I distinctly remember. On 1/11/67 we were forced down, after taking fire, coming out of a landing area next the southern guardpost. We landed in a rice paddy, just north of the village (no injuries) and the RRF (ready reaction force) was there to cover us in less than 10 minutes. I think that bridge was the only functional 1 of 3 at Bong Son.

  • @apocyldoomer
    @apocyldoomer 7 років тому +1

    Outstanding documentary!

  • @datwuzfunsurewas8552
    @datwuzfunsurewas8552 10 років тому

    Great watch, ty. I couldn't imagine being in a warzone, scary stuff.

  • @lbbradley55
    @lbbradley55 5 років тому

    We thank you for your Service Sir. All three Tour's. Hats off to All of You who Served.
    Especially those of you who Volunteered to go back & serve when you didn't even have to be there. Says alot About the type of American all of you are. We lost my Uncle Sgt Coley Leon Andrews 12 19 66 on his Second tour. 173rd Abn. Casper Aviation Platoon. Crew Chief Door G. Hot Extraction

  • @bobbraa230
    @bobbraa230 11 років тому

    Thanks Al,
    We were classmates. I went to B/229th Apr 67-68 --C/228 Aug 69-70.

  • @Gohot229
    @Gohot229 11 років тому

    Thanks Chopper Jock, that means a bunch the info. I'll gather up those books if I can find them....'there it is'

  • @BlankUberEverybody
    @BlankUberEverybody 6 років тому

    Excellent.

  • @Jumpman0509
    @Jumpman0509 9 років тому +3

    My dad got a patch from a colonel that was in the 229th attack helicopter regt... but I don't think he knew who they were, he gave it to me before I went to basic

  • @TTstone616
    @TTstone616 6 років тому

    Very well narrated.

  • @microfarmers
    @microfarmers 5 років тому

    What a fantastic video, Thank God I missed Vietnam by 20 years! Y'all are my heroes! Crazy fuckin' cowboys!

  • @mikeowen657
    @mikeowen657 5 років тому +1

    As a young Marine during that time, the most stress was as helpless cargo in a flying gas tank heading into trouble

    • @larrybond5258
      @larrybond5258 5 років тому

      Yes but the sound of the slicks coming to pick us up and the call to pop smoke was so sweet

  • @0patience4flz
    @0patience4flz 5 років тому

    My next door neighbor was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam....Thomas K. Leach...1970, 71.

  • @ShaneKarma376
    @ShaneKarma376 6 років тому

    Thank you for your service, welcome home.

  • @mcole6213
    @mcole6213 11 років тому

    GREAT Video !! Remember BlueMax was there also ! B/Btry 2nd./20th. ARA 1st. Air Cav. Phouc Vinh, Song Bay, Bo Dop, LZ Buttons I Crewed Cobra Blood Sweat and Tears.
    Welcome Home Brothers

  • @kennebecsmitty
    @kennebecsmitty 10 років тому

    AWESOME!!!

  • @twa2471
    @twa2471 12 років тому

    Thanks for the vidio brother, brought back good and bad memories. You guys worked our southern region and many of your guys ended up with us later in the 2/17 Air Cav Alpha Troop (air assualt) @ Camp Eagle. Do you remember a door gunner/grunt knicknamed "boots" He was with 1st Cav till he was transfered to 2/17th and I think he was with you guys in the 229th but I don't remember for sure. How about Newman, He came up from 1st cav in 71 and you might have flown with him too. Semper Fi Brother

  • @joirjoja1
    @joirjoja1 5 років тому

    Hate to say it but it warms my mind to see this, again....Another time, another place, a whole new world of something really different...Not quite right...JRC