Thanks for sharing some of your expériences. Too many young people have no idea what war can be like or what the heroes went through. Thank you for all you have done the courage of the m'en on the ground and the pilots and their créw are ledgendary. Did you guys know Mad Dog Shriver?
Considering the anger and frustration we civilians are feeling in regards to our nation's current state of affairs, I can't begin to imagine what you heroes, who have put your lives on the line to preserve our way of life, must be experiencing. God Bless all of you, and please know that your sacrifice is deeply appreciated.
I think I can speak for many or most of us. Those of us who fought to defeat Communism feel deeply betrayed by those who today are voting for Communists.
Did you ever work with a Special Forces medic, Paul King? He was our PA when I was working on the slope. He told some spell binding stories of his time there. He worked some with the Montagnard. Great PA and good guy.
Chronographs, bore scopes and pattern boards have broke a lot of hearts.
I think I can speak for many or most of us. Those of us who fought to defeat Communism feel deeply betrayed by those who today are voting for Communists.
I think I can speak for many or most of us. Those of us who fought to defeat Communism feel deeply betrayed by those who today are voting for Communists.
You do speak for many of us, unfortunately this is the campfire where some freedom fighters will title us covtard boomers and communists if we fail to sing in tune w/ the chorus. It is fun to tickle their soft underbellies though.
#browneyeandcohortsmayreact
mike r
Don't wish it were easier Wish you were better
Stab them in the taint, you can't put a tourniquet on that. Craig Douglas ECQC
I think I can speak for many or most of us. Those of us who fought to defeat Communism feel deeply betrayed by those who today are voting for Communists.
I had a very good friend who served in Vietnam. Although I was in the Army many years ago, there was the Cold War in full progress, but no "hot" war at that time so no combat for me. My friend and I were both very disturbed about what was going on in our country. I do not ask combat vets what they did in combat but once, however, I asked my friend, "When you were fighting the communists in Vietnam, did it ever cross your mind you might have to fight them here someday?"
He said, "No, but it has crossed my mind lately."
That day will not come. He died this past February, from cancer. He thought it was Agent Orange related. I did ask him if he'd ever been sprayed with Agent Orange? He said, "No, but I've crawled through a helluva lot of it."
No kids, just his wife. After his death, I was talking with his wife and she was asking my advice on a couple of things. She said, "Would you like to see a picture of his medals?"
I said, "Of course." I knew he was in the Navy, and was badly wounded, therefore knew he'd have received the Purple Heart. I also knew he'd been a Navy SEAL with SEAL Team One, out of Coronado. I never asked about medals or rank as I did not think it my business. This is what she sent me. I'm sure you Navy and Marine members will recognize that medal just beside his Purple Heart. Another fine, brave, patriotic, warrior and my friend, gone.
FWIW.
L.W.
"Always go straight forward, and if you meet the devil, cut him in two and go between the pieces." (William Sturgis, clipper ship captain, 1830s.)
I think I can speak for many or most of us. Those of us who fought to defeat Communism feel deeply betrayed by those who today are voting for Communists.
.......... Some of those commies of today are the same A-holes that were calling guys in uniform "Baby Killers" circa 1970. Remember that ?
I do. And I also note that the same azzwipes who called me a baby killer are today the most strident supporters of abortion. The irony seems to escape them.
Worked with a guy who worked the brown water navy and had extensive knowledge of the rivers in northern Vietnam. Did a few things where we didn't go according to the gubmint. When he came back he and a navy buddy were sent to a Redline Brig. Eventually they learned to say what the psychologists wanted to hear and got out. Later Jimmy Carter sent a letter apologizing for what they did to my bud. He had already burned his uniforms and all other stuff related. He burned the Jimmy Carter letter. Years later when he wanted some credit so he could get certain benefits he found out his records had "burned in a tragic fire" in a St. Louis warehouse. I consider him my brother and we spent many an hour watching and transporting crooks for the state of Misery. I hope Rocky, DD, and all you vets know that some of us honor you vets more than most others. The U. S. military of today scares me..... Be Well, RZ.
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy. Its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. Winston Churchill.
Rocky, I read both your books and e-mailed you my thoughts. I read Dan's early writings on this forum and told him the same thing. I covered Scouts, so I knew Dan's mission well. I had no knowledge except rumors about FOB's and SOG missions, so your books opened up my eyes a little. In our unit, a down bird scrambled every available ship, and nobody got left, although not always alive. When I read about the single ship FOB FAC scouting missions in your outfit, it gave me a little chill. I guess you can get used to anything, but that was a lonely way to fight a war. Thanks again to you and Dan for doing it and putting it all to paper. MLP
My first boss in corporate was the VP of sales and had the only original Shelby Cobra 427 I've ever laid eyes on. He was MACV-SOG. Had a tattoo on the inside of his forearm. Skull with a beret and a lightning bolt IIRC. Great guy. Gave up a collegiate career as a running back for USC and joined up. He said he spent most of his time over the fence. Also said, they weren't worried as much about bad guys as they were the tigers. Slept in a wheel spoke configuration one night and a couple came through. Scared the schitt outta them. Couldn't shoot them because of noise discipline. He said he did a few Bright Lights, but those still couldn't be talked about. Lotta respect for those dudes.
RIP Doug. Fuggin' tigers and gooks couldn't get ya, but the Orange did.
Thanks, MLP. It was best to not dwell on being out there alone, 100 miles into Indian country and out of radio contact. But at least I wasn't on the ground with the mosquitoes, leeches, tigers, mines, booby traps, and all those bad guys. When we weren't actually dodging tracers, missions were more like lovely afternoon sightseeing trips.
We were very grateful to the smart people at Cessna and Continental, though. And doubly so to our maintenance guys. They're the ones who got us home.
Fascinating history of SOG operator 1-0 William Phillips out of Lowell, MA. For those interested, watch this. He references Walton near the end. Good thing one cannot strangle an interviewer through a laptop display. The part about the NVA officer's head expanding like a balloon upon being penetrated by a tear gas round out of a M-79 at close range is something of a jaw-dropping,head-shaking then grinning moment.
Rock, your two books and the personalized words inscribed under the cover are in a place of honor in my little library.
Hey Wiley, no comment? Tried emailing recently but the Nutwood contact seemed dead. You have my contact. Love to catch up.