The PTSD this Marine suffers from is all over his face. God help him. This broke my heart. I thank each and everyone of our Veterans for your service who is on here. Every time I see a Vet I thank them no matter where we are. God bless .
@@namvet1968 I'm British, but am fascinated by your country's history, particularly postwar. I may be speaking out of turn, but your country seems to have been savagely unkind to you on your return, for no reason other than that they had a problem with the government. That saddens me, hugely, and I hope that despite it, you're doing well.
I was a Marine in Nam 1968 Charlie company got shot through and through by an AK I can relate and confirm that this Marine is not exaggerating, He was brutally honest and he is a true hero.
This man’s face and my uncle’s who suffered with ptsd and esophageal adenocarcinoma (agent orange) have shifted in my mind. The no nonsense and the guttural intensity that is intimidating in modern society. Shifted now as I watch the horrors the us is complicit in. Shifted the lines of where ptsd symptoms start and stop. Where it could perhaps be a catch all term not only for true shell shock, but a bucket where modern psychology has conveniently put the rage of men who learned the truths of war and had a hard time returning to tacitly navigate polite and naive society. Perhaps some of those ‘symptoms’ are in fact words of wisdom from warriors without patience for our docile minds looking the other way as our oligarchs tax our families of the working class at home and abroad for their gain. A tax paid with blood of the people trying to make it by.
My high school football coach was a marine in Vietnam. If you don’t have ability to read people then you didn’t catch it, he was deeply injured in his memories. I always showed him the utmost respect, not because he served but because he was a brave human being. I respect you for being a brave human too
My father was a .30 cal machine gunner with the 84th infantry division in Europe and was in continuous action from Sep 1944 until April 1945. He was up front in the American lines when the Germans broke through on Dec 16th, "battle of the bulge". He and his buddies faced German Panther and Tiger tanks, the best in the world at that time, firing ineffective American bazookas, which bounced off their armor.. He was messed up BAD when he came back. My brother and i were scared to death of him. Always angry, violent, crazy, dangerous temper. Luckily, for me, he took his wrath out on my older, not so bright brother. I deal with the effects to this day. and I'm 68. Not a very good childhood.
@@marktwain5232 Did you know not everyone is of your religion with it's ideas? Try checking to see if someone believes in your religion. I'm sure that's not something you do. Bless?
@Gary Luck thank you and all those who sacrificed their time and life. My husband got out of Marine boot camp in 72 didn’t go to Nam. But served for 8 yrs.
My uncle was in Vietnam , he acted a bit like this. I think it’s a mix of the drugs they did and of course the stuff they seen. Almost like a man that understands what it is to be insane but still function.
@@KyloBedo-I think it’s the right in your face confrontation with the Reality of your imminent death. No 17/18/19 etc. year old kid should ever confront their mortality at such a young age. Yeah, they were truly old men in young men’s bodies. They were this paradox of waaaayyyyy too old, wwwaaayyy too young. If the reality of the Trauma of War as you experienced would be accepted as the normal response to the craziness of War we could acknowledge the *FULL COST OF WAR.* It’s unlike any other human endeavor.
I don't know about all the post service counseling or medication that he has been thru, but Tony does seem to still experience PTSD to this day ... IMHO.
@@zivaradlovacki2666agree. They were cannon fodder. I wonder how many people understand the context? From the French, to Ho Chi Min getting arms off the U.S. and seeing off the Japanese. Then Vietnam still not getting independence. Vietnam now hailed as an economic success story. I keep seeing thank you for serving your country. Those young men weren’t serving anyone, they were dying unnecessarily leaving the effects of agent orange in their wake. Sorry for having a rant 🙈. It would seem by your comment that you would be aware of this. I’m not from the U.S. but when I see those comments it seems to me that the people of the U.S. are as brain washed as the accuse people in communist countries as being. Still sticking their nose in the Middle East and Eastern Europe and meanwhile the Asian economies are still building. They’ll probably bring this world to the point of Armageddon, meanwhile US citizens having cognitive dissonance.
Many blessings to this man. He has a strong belief in God, and maybe that's what gives him strength and purpose. Rest in peace to all the men/heroes, that didn't make it home. I am not a strong believer in how God works. I can never understand the whole concept of religion. I just don't interpret it the same as many others do.
thank you, Mr. Bount. My dad was sent to Vietnam twice as a USMC, and was never ok again. It was a scary childhood as a result. Thank you for being honest and straight-forward to the whole world.
So true, mine also. A scary childhood indeed. I remember my usmc career vet dad made us kids very often on edge wondering what we'd do to set him off next. He had a friend also the same rank in the marines, we'd go to visit their family now and then and i'll never forget us boys were shocked that dad's ex marine friend was worse than him, i saw his boys twitch intensely with fear at times just hearing their dad's loud voice call for them from another part of their house. Imagine back then 6 young boys (3 sons from each dad) and both dad's were vietnam vet Gunnery Sergeants. Just thinking about it i can still feel the tension , also makes me chuckle a bit , - so i don't think about it too much .
My dad didn't have to go because my uncle went twice. My dad went from marines to army and became a drill Sargeant. Sadly he deployed to Korea and cheated on my mom when I was 5 and my mom took me back to Germany. All I got from my dad was a handful of memories and my citizenship. I came back to look for him only to find out he had passed from pancreatic cancer at 51. My cousins were not so fortunate with my uncle. They suffered a lot with his alcoholism and abuse as did their mom. Yay he got a purple heart tho...my cousins said he was a sadistic a hole. He always planned people putting his obituary in the paper on April fools. He died march 31st 1997 and his obituary actually ended up in the paper April 1st.
My dad was a WWII Marine. He survived the Pacific theater including Okinawa. In 2 days it will be a year since he left us at 99 years and 4 months old. I just want you to know that my dad always thought you grunts got fucked over in the worst way by the country you so proudly served. So "Semper Fi" from my deceased father and Thank You for telling your experience!!! Bryan Lee
Same here, my father made 4 landings with the 4th Marine Div. Roi Namur, Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima. My Uncle was an Engineer in the 1st Mar Div from Guadalcanal (he got there a little late) through all of the 1st Mar Divs landings through Okinawa. Both were taking replacements and training to land on Kyushu. After that they were supposed to assault the main island Honshu opposite Tokyo Bay. I only learned of the operational plans years laters. They never knew of them. Anyway the A-Bombs were dropped and the invasions became unnecessary. Those guys woulnd't have understood being thanked for their service as is so common today. To those guys they were just "doing their duty" like everybody else was. I personally have no idea how they survived that slaughter.
@@karlheinzvonkroemann2217 There's a couple really good books about the planned invasion of Japan (Operation Downfall) and also if you haven't already you should read "With The Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa" (written by Corporal Eugene Sledge) and the HBO miniseries "The Pacific" (which is centered around Corporal Sledge). Your Uncle trod the same ground as Corporal Sledge and all those other Devil Dogs. Semper Fi to your Dad and Uncle and to all of them.
My dad was a gunner's mate (Navy) on the USS Enterprise in WWII. Do you know how many on that boat believed that Pearl Harbor was a surprise attack? ZERO
@Slater Novick we went from the "greatest generation" to the worse emasculation in 70 short years. Amerika is an evil empire today. The slaves "think" they are free, because their masters in gov't. told them so...
Ive seen a lot of veterans speak about their time but the intensity in this mans eyes as hes recounting his memories is something else. Hes incredibly sharp and you can tell hes seeing those images as clearly as ever. Literally has the thousand yard stare coming out while talking.
considering how sudden most combat situations happened in the vietnam war, I'd say it's on par with most vietnam war movies, it's pure horror...unimaginable shit you could never dream of.
I hope this was somewhat cathartic for him. Fuuuuck me. I served 3 years Army, mid 80s Cold War West Germany. When people thank me for my service, I smile and say thank you but save your gratitude for real vets, the ones who brought some of it home with them.
Very true. My father had the same micro expressions. You knew when something had affected him when he was talking about something pertaining to his time in Vietnam.
My brother Joe was in Vietnam in 1970. When he came home in 1971 he had these huge bug bites on his face and was very dark on his skin complexion. Joe came back person .In 1977 he committed suicide and his last words to me were VA couldn't make opening to help him. Joe had 3 children and to this day they are still sad there dad committed suicide I told them his mind was broken from Vietnam. Please don't be mad at him
My dad served two tours and served for years beyond. He dealt with nightmares and stress for the rest of his life. When he passed the VA did nothing his country did nothing for him as a veteran. His father served as well and was shit on because he was black. No GI Bill no housing no nothing. I'd never join the military arm of that machine. Whatever enough about me and mine this man is a reluctant hero. Yes an AK will make your skull rattle from 20 yards. It's no joke.
To Martin I am Tony Blount Younger Brother Andrew F. Blount. and I thank You for your kind words, and just seeing that U-are in the U.K. Heads Up some how A larger Co. in the U.K. will be coming to the U.S.A.to even tell more of the story. share and tell your friends. It is time for all are Great Vets to now seen WE-Care Viral
My pediatrician was a combat medic in Vietnam. He was also a close family friend who would always come to our christmas eve parties when i was a kid. He was also the best story teller I've ever heard. He helped me more than anyone I've ever met. He was and is my hero, even though hes been gone 4 years now.
Tony, I am lucky I happened across your video. I went from DaNang to AnHoa, then to Delta 1/5 at the Horshoe on 2/19/69. I immediately heard about “Dying Delta”(and “Cryin ‘ Charlie”). After a patrol where a couple of our Marines were wounded by a booby trap, the enemy followed us back to our base camp, at the horseshoe. After some chow, we began readying the perimeter. Everything seemed normal, like a day at work. Suddenly they opened up on us with AKs, and an RPG exploded off to my left. I was certain I was dying. What heroism looks like to me was a Corpsman reaching me under fire and treating me. My marines rolled me into a poncho and carried me to a medivac Chinook, which took me to triage in DaNang. Then I went to Yokohama, Yakuska, then to the USA, finally to Oakland Naval Hospital. I eventually go a medical discharge. I always wished I could have let you all that I made it and express my thanks. I have carried guilt and shame about leaving my unit behind to this day. Seeing you talk on the video gave me a good feeling. I feel like I know you, but we might not have met since I was was new. Nice to se another survivor back in the world. SemperFi, brother. Bill
No shame sir, you did what so many ducked out on. You are a model of American hero like everyone else served. You vets are respected by many, YOU guys deserved and still deserve more. The Government failed you all and it is a God damn shame. God Bless you all.
I only had 6 months over there as a Marine infantry,and Recon,at marble mountain and cam reasoner.my hart go's out to all our comrades in arms who payed the alternate sacrifice. SEMPER FI MARINES
How times have changed. I was in college from 1965 -1968. Everyone I knew hated the war and didn't want to go. As a college student, if you didn't make your grades or got in trouble and left college, you were drafted within a month or so. I graduated in June 1968 and was called up to the draft in August, 1968. Many of my high school and college friends were drafted and some never came home. That is a level of pressure today's kids can't even imagine.
@@namvet1968 I read a book about a serial killer who served in nam before he came back to the states and became a killer. He claims to have eaten human flesh of dead enemy. What does vietcong meat taste like? Did you get hungry again about a hour after eating it?
I’m a 72 year old Marine Corps veteran in the year 2024. I joined the Marines in 1970 and retired in 2000. I never served in Nam and I sit here and I have tears running down my face listening to this man telling of his time in war. I pray that the Lord blesses him and all other men and women who served and given them peace in their lives. I went to the Persian Gulf for Desert Shield/Desert Storm but we deployed from North Carolina aboard the USS Iwo Jima thinking that we’d get into the desert all in good time once in the Gulf. Not sure if I was blessed but we never got off of the ship for the entire conflict. The homecoming we received was unbelievable compared to what the Viet Nam veterans got. I personally salute all of them and pray that they get the peace in their lives that they deserve.✝️🙏🇺🇸
Any individual that has been in war has also visited hell. By some accounts the Russians have lost close to three times the men over the past year in Ukraine than the US did in the entire Vietnam War. The father of a Vietnamese friend was drafted into the NVA and also fought in this war. To this day he still wakes with troubling nightmares. The story is the same world over, young men getting killed, maimed and traumatised at the behest of the elites.
I work as a nurse in mental health services for veterans (UK). It never ceases to amaze me the strength and courage these people show, despite the trauma. It's also a stain on our nation how they are neglected
@@dragonmartijn but we keep allowing it. Everyone knows war is a barbaric way to settle anything and its only a way for rich people to get richer yet we keep allowing it. Calling it fighting for freedom. Freedom, biggest propaganda helper ever spoken.
Forget the past they are doing it again they make no effort to end the war in Ukraine they only escalate it what can we do to prevent them turning this into a global conflict?
They've been doing that for a long time. Rarely are their wars anything but for corporations to make money on. There's no such thing as a good war. My father was a combat Marine in WW2, made 4 landings on Roi Namur, Saipan, Tinian and finally Iwo Jima. Too many good Americans lost their lives for very little. I remember he wasn't happy when the government gave Iwo Jima back to the Japanese in 1968. He said to me that they should've waited until all the Marines from that generation had died off before doing that.
@@karlheinzvonkroemann2217 my grandfather landed on Omaha and kicked ass through the battle of the bulge our grandfathers where some bad asses thats for sure.
All for nothing? Do you have any idea how disrespectful a statement like that is to man like Tony? Did it sound like he was fighting for nothing? He, like everyone who has served in our military, fought for his country and the men next to him in battle. That may be nothing to you but it sure as hell means a lot to them.
My older brother came home missing a bunch of his face from Dak to 67..But mentally intact..some of his buddies on the other hand came back physically intact but whacked out of their minds..He always said those were the real casualties of that war..RIP big brother..A hero then and always my hero.
My stepbrother's story is exactly the opposite. He was a teen gang member in L.A., and he was gut shot right in front our house. In my recollection, he was always a little crazy, a little violent, but he had a sense of humor and always looked out for the little kids. After he recovered my stepmother convinced him to enlist; thinking it could save his life. He joined... became an army ranger. My stepmom said he was highly decorated. He stayed there for 4 tours of duty. When he came back he was always angry and didn't like anyone asking him about the war; he refused to talk about it with me, but there was talk in the family that he enjoyed killing people. He got married and beat his wife and kids. His wife left him when the kids moved out. He alienated everyone one in the family. My stepsister, before she died, went to visit him in Seattle and they got into a big blowout; he threatened to kill her. She was scared of him. Everyone, including his children no longer see him. He's retired and lives alone in a nice suburb. And while he worked hard his entire life, owns his own home, and has done well, it seems like his life, in terms of interpersonal relationships, is a mess. I don't know if Vietnam turned him into the brutal and angry man he became or just made him worse. But I have to wonder if any part of him that was good and decent died in the 60s. I remember as a kid worrying about being drafted, so I have only respect for the young people that gave up so much their lives in that senseless war.
Tony in 1969 I was a freshman in high school. I’m forever grateful to men like you. Because of your service there was no draft in Spring of 1973 when I graduated. Thank you for sharing your experiences in that hell on earth. May we never forget what all of you who served in Vietnam sacrificed for all of us back home.
I graduated in ‘75. I grew up on Air Force bases, as my dad was career USAF. My dad was stationed at Anderson Air Base, on Guam, from 1966-1968, so my family lived there. My school wake up call was B-52’s arriving at 0600 every morning on their way to Vietnam. Since 1970, I was mentally and emotionally preparing, in my own way, to go. I can say I was GLAD it was over before I graduated. I joined the Army later anyway. Thank you sir, for your service and sacrifice. -An Army Veteran and proud Teacher ❤️🇺🇸
The killing of over 1,460,000 children under age 9 the past few decades is a WAR CRIME! Participating in these UNCONSTITUTIONAL undeclared invasions and baby killing makes them oath violating traitors NOT heroes. Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Bosnia, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria were "nation building" misadventures with NO existential national security interest based on LIES. Stealing $13,900,000,000,000 in 2020 USD to pay for these crimes is itself a crime. What Exactly IS this service? ruclips.net/video/N6uVV2Dcqt0/видео.html
He reminds me of my best friend. Herbie was SF during the end of the war. We were friends for about 5 years before he told me what he did. I knew he served, but the night he decided to share some of his experiences....I have never felt so honored. I didn't serve in the military, but I've got quite a few years as a first responder. I've seen plenty that hurt my heart, and I wasn't even getting shot at. To have someone like this share their story is a huge deal. Thank you for your service Sir.
Thank you for being there for others as a first responder! That's not just nothing after all is said and done. What a world this would be if there were no first responders there. Portland Maine says "hello".
I joined the Army in Jan 1973, 4 days after Nixon signed the armistice that no more troops were going to Nam, I was 21. All my drill sergeants were Nam vets. I remember sitting with some of them telling stories about their experiences over there just like this man, most of them were only 22-24, totally changed my perspective about the war and what being a soldier was all about. Viet Nam vets are my heroes!!!
I left in Dec1972, they couldn't win the war without me. For those who don't have what it takes to become a Marine there is always the Army; they'll take anyone.
Was in the Army in Cu Chi in '67 - '68. Can relate to so much of his story. And he's right. You see guys go down all around you and wonder how the hell you're still here. The luck of the draw. Weighs heavily on you. Glad he was able to survive.
Ive been researching Vietnam vet stories because i just seen a video of a cop getting ruthlessly shot to death by a Vietnam vet in a shootout. I pray to God that a vet doesn't fly off the handle and try to gun me or my family down.
@@bobjohnson7441 that's also true I'd just be more intimidated if it was a vet because they move around alot, duck bullets and make themselves very hard to hit with a bullet
This is one of the most compelling stories I've heard a Nam Vet share. Literally thousands of Nam Vets don't talk about what they went through and for good reasons. They carry everything deep within them because they know, for the most part, that if they told you, it would most likely scare the hell out of you at the least. They really don't want you to feel their pain. What I really respect in his story is that he remembered the names of his Brothers and some of those he came into contact with and it is this that gives the deepest meaning to "We Will Not Forget". Tony Blount, I stand and salute you my Brother. Peace
Even fewer are prepared to admit - or talk about - the war crimes and assorted atrocities committed BY Americans. "Scalping the enemy"!! It was the early American settlers who taught the native Americans that little 'nicety'. How moronic and psychologically deranged does a 20th century 'trained and disciplined' military person need to be to do such a thing?! US military - "the best of the best of the best ... with honours ... sir" with sincere apologies to 'Men in Black'.
Most of the guy simply don't know where to start to share that kind of horror. It twists the mind so irreparably, that the words simply can't be found to begin to deal with all of that obsenity.
THANK YOU 4-SAYING-So. There is so much more to the story for I am Tony Blount Brother. I have not seen him and or not spoken in 54 years. He just could not come out of that Dark Place until now. It is so Great in Hearing his Voice now this Interview has put him in the Great State of Mine and Happiness. Thank all for your kind words. I can assure there is more coming stay close and share. The Day of the Vet. Will return. Andrew Blount, The Little Brother...
I don't know if it's that they think their stories will scare people, but I imagine they probably spend most of their time trying not to think about their trauma, let alone talk about it out loud.
I am so grateful to have been able to hear this Marine' s testimony about his combat experiences. So many combat vets have kept these thoughts and feelings tamped down, where they rot and decay the very soul from within. If you are a veteran who is suffering, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE SEEK HELP!! This man was able to adapt, overcome and survive his wartime experiences, and you can too! If you get a bad doctor or therapist at the VA, tell them you want a different provider! This is your RIGHT! There are groups of combat vets who meet together at the VA to support each other. Please NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP!! You survived for a reason! I cannot tell you why you are still here, but you are...STILL...HERE! I would encourage you to make that your new mission in life, to determine why you are still here, and to fulfill that mission to the best of your ability in the time you have left on the earth. May God richly bless you and keep you safe. Semper Fi my brothers and sisters. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP!! ❤🇺🇲🙏💒 ❤️🤍💙
This guy's amazing... been on the ground floor, as they say. He's completely authentic about his struggle in combat, & the aftermath, while full of hope & joy for himself & his fellow man. Semper Fi, Tony. Thank you for your story.
The Marine has to live through the war, then he has to live with it the rest if his life. Thank you Marine for keeping the Communists in Viet Nam when I was three years old.
This man is intense! You can hear the disgust of everything he witnessed and experienced over there in his storytelling. A hard man that lived a hard life
We should not forget about the young Vietnamese men and women that died defending their country ( more than a million ) We ( the U S ) should NEVER have been there The war was initiated by a false flag event of an attack on the USS Pueblo The Vietnamese with Ho Chi Ming fought on OUR side against the Japanese in WWll and the French came back after the war and tried to take their colony ( Vietnam) back BUT this time the Vietnamese were armed and experienced fighters and defeated the French and a peace treaty was established but the U S ignored the treaty and invaded and our good young men were turned into animals seeking revenge for the loss of their fellow soldiers This happens in every war It is happening again in Ukraine good young men sent to be slaughtered on both sides Civilization does no longer exist here or there Political war 😢
@@thuddreau5444 I have a tendency to agree with you for the most part. Don't try to look for any heroes in the NVA or VC they were every bit of an animal as anyone else.
Vietnam was a political war. The men and women who served bravely were Patrots. When their nation called they answered. Nobody should ever downplay the bravery of those people who lived and died under the flag of the United States or America. The politicians well there is a special place in he'll for them. Same for the people who profited from that war.
everytime they talk about it they retraumatize themselves, they relive it again and it digs deeper, talking is not healing unless you can put things to rest and for some that can never be done
@@jimbob465 I can tell you that the majority of guys in my platoon were 18 -20 years old. We did have one or 2 that were 21, 22 , 23 or so. We asked them why they had been sent to Vietnam. We thought they were too old. We even gave them nicknames. "Pops", "old man" ( to a teenager, anyone over 19 was "OLD"), "grandpa", "Gramps"
Who are you to decide who gets a disability pension. People volunteered so they didn’t have to hang around and get drafted. You pog…in fact you’re not even a pog. Look it up then apologize to every name on the wall.
America doesn't care about any of us. I'm not a vet and I still see it. They don't care about you they don't care about me. You can't vote for a single soul that cares.
@@gregtennessee8249 Yup, so many more you can include how,' War is a Racket,'' the US Deep State, etc... PS Just watch, America's Untold Stories,' on who their game is played....
@@gregtennessee8249 Harry Truman (Democrat) - re-established French rule in Vietnam, fighting begins in Vietnam. The US funded most of France's war cost. Dwight D. Eisenhower (Republican) - refused to involve the US in another conflict right after the Korean war. The US continued to send aid to S. Vietnam. By the end of his term, North and South were officially at war. John F. Kennedy (Democrat) - Was initially against supporting the French. Once he was elected, he sent fighters, helicopters, river boats, etc., authorized the use of napalm and agent orange. Lyndon B. Johnson (Democrat) - first president to put ground troops in Vietnam. Military draft skyrocketed - 500,000 US troops were now in Vietnam. Johnson was so unpopular that he decided against running for a 2nd term. Richard Nixon (Republican) - gradually withdrew troops from Vietnam, also escalated bombing raids, including secret bombing of Cambodia. Ended US involvement in Vietnam in 1973, although actual fighting continued until '75.
Thank you for recording this man’s story. So many of them were lost after they came home. I’m very glad Tony is at peace after reflecting on his experiences.
Thanks for telling your story. As a Marine vet, I have a massive amount of respect for the men that came before my time. And to those that never did come home physically and mentally.
RIP Marine Sgt. Otto Gsell. One of my gym teachers in high school and a man of character. As well as a wonderful sense of humor. As I understand, he didn’t lose one single Marine under his command. Thank you for your service Mr. Gsell. And thank you Marines and Servicemen for all you did and continue to do. God Bless
@Rovingdog628 Maybe he was in command for just 1 mission. You were in Vietnam... at all the places? Your health will suffer because of your negative cynicism. A chip on a shoulder can harm more than shrapnel.
A person I knew was in a Marine Recon unit and had joined because he wanted to hunt people; and many others in the unit had a similar psychology for joining; after a couple firefights; they went on patrol; found a safe site; and just reported they couldn't find any enemies to engage with. No more casualties
My dad said very little about what he experienced. He was a patriot and proud of his service. He was buried with military honors, but he didn’t tell me much. What he did tell me was pretty rough. He drank literally until the day he died. He was a quiet man but a good man. Best man I ever met and I miss him every day. Vietnam always reminds me of him. 1st infantry “Big Red One”
My dad was a Big Red One too. He only had a few boxes of things from his life when he died a few years ago but lots of big red one decals were definitely still around. God bless these poor guys.
Thank you. My Dad was infantry was there in 65-66 as an Advisor. Went back in 69 for 14 days and was badly injured by a booby trap. Still has a piece of shrapnel 1/2 inch from his heart. 20’yrs in the Army. I don’t trust our government in any war ( I can’t help it), love the sacrifice and service of all military folks and their families.
As an Air Force Nurse caring for our men in Japan 2 1/2 years & again as Flight Nurse helping them on their last leg home to Dover AFB, I am most certain we should not have been in Viet Nam. I got angry & never set foot in Nam., & don't know how any Nam vets came home in a peaceful state. Sec. Defense McNamara stated before he died ( in 80s), he & Pres. Johnson knew 3 years before we pulled out that all was lost. Then Nixon used it to get re-elected, I'll bring the boys home". He could have done that within 1st year of office. Those evil politicians wasted so many of my generation.
@@carolecarr5210 As a Vietnam vet (drafted), you are spot on. McNamara and Nixon have blood on their hands. Ruthless exploitation to maintain power. "Hey, hey, hey LBJ. How many kids did you kill today". So many died needlessly. I managed to survive but will never escape PTSD. Life was so cheap. Absolutely incredible.
Fact is: The truth of every war is ugly. On either side. Interviews like this one tell so much more than all the shiny glorious rituals the army celebrates. Thanks for uploading!
@@arthurbrumagem3844 Yep, politicians who support a war that requires their fellow countrymen to fight should be required by law to send at least one of their kids (male, female, whatever gender) into combat. If none of their kids are adults at that time then the requirement should be that their kid gets sent into combat as soon as they turn 18 - especially pertinent for wars like Afghanistan that went on for 20 goddamn years. They need to have skin in the game. They need to be made to directly feel the impact of their decisions.
What a great attitude. I loved his lightness of being but that pain was not far below the surface. It was my privilege to be able to hear his story. Thanks so much
Thank You for your service, I am a Jr ...dad was there in 68, came home met, married mom adopted my 2 yr old sister and I was born in 71..lost my dad to alcohol in 84 ..he was 38...mom says he came home with Vietnam in tow..Always hoped to maybe meet someone that knew my dad over there..To all that served I thank you
@@007ndc Myth: The US military routinely used inhumane tactics on the people, while the VC were benefactors Fact: This is one of the most scurrilous accusations of the war. It is completely and provably false. No one has ever found a single document stating that it was US policy to commit atrocities. Numerous documents exist proving that it was official policy of the North Vietnamese government to commit atrocities. The worst known incident from the Vietnam War of atrocities committed by American troops was the My Lai massacre - 504 were murdered. The worst known incident from the Vietnam War of atrocities committed by the communists was the Tet massacre in Hue - more than 5000 were murdered. Critics point to US bombing as evidence of atrocities, however, the location and impact of those bombs is never discussed. The rules of engagement for Vietnam were so crazy that President Johnson once boasted that the Air Force "couldn't hit an outhouse without [his] permission".
@@007ndc Myth: Ho Chi Minh was a nationalist and a benevolent leader of his people Fact: Ho Chi Minh was a dedicated communist and slaughtered hundreds of thousands of his fellow countrymen. Ho Chi Minh was a founding member of the French Communist Party in 1920 and founded the IndoChinese Communist Party in 1930. He spent four years training in Russia and became a member of the Comintern. He was not just a member of the Comintern. He was the protege of Dmitry Manuilsky, right hand man to both Stalin and Lenin. He was a dedicated Stalinist who never swayed from his desire to forward the cause of international communism. He turned his fellow countrymen over to the French for money and to eliminate his rivals while consolidating his power. He "purged" the North Vietnamese landowner class, killing at least 50,000 (some estimates are as high as 900,000!) of them for the "crime" of being financially independent. He slaughtered and imprisoned hundreds of thousands of his own countrymen in the South in an effort to rid himself of all opposition.
@Rovingdog628 No it isn't. Ho Chi Minh killed hundreds of thousands of people in North Vietnam in the 1950s and million people fled to South Vietnam to escape.
Thank you for sharing that. I know it still isn't easy for you. I am the widow of a Vietnam Vet.He died 20 yrs ago this May 3rd. He definitely suffered from PTSD .Thanking you for your service really isn't enough .Just God Bless You.❤
How exactly did he serve your country? Your country had no business in Vietnam, why don't you make a trip there and see the ongoing results of the war. Severely deformed people from the chemicals dumped on the forests. Go through their war museum and see our photos of the horrors. Face up to what you have done. Absolutely defend your country but leave others alone, they were just defending theirs.
@Bob Meraw. I understand the trauma of war and what America did to decimate South Vietnam and her people. I also have the right to thank veterans that served based upon their beliefs that they were fighting against communism. We didn’t win, of course.
@@KohalaLover The only problem is that the people in Vietnam voted for communism. The U.S. didn't approve, they wanted the extremely wealthy running the country and a peasant class to do the work. The veterans you speak of were cannon fodder, most didn't want to go. The U.S. want's strong leaders so Kennedy in order to be reelected had to beat up on someone, same as Nixon.
@@KohalaLover We were lied too by our press and our government. South Vietnam governments were all corrupt. Saigon was full of rich Vietnamese kids who never worried about being drafted. Kind of like in the U.S. back then.
I was a civilian working in Vietnam in 1965/66 and knew very shortly after living there that the war could not be won. In fact, the war was a total waste of life, as there was no need for it. Vietnam is a wonderful country today. In fact, my son just got back from a bachelor party in Vietnam. We live in Thailand.
President Kennedy agreed with you and was going to pull us out of Vietnam because he said it was a civil war and the U.S. didn't belong there. He signed Executive Order 101 to remove U.S. troops from Vietnam. Unfortunately, LBJ and the military-industrial complex wanted the war and invited JFK on a little trip to Dallas in November 1963. The rest is history.
"...and as I sat there looking at this mangled corpse, of someone that wanted to kill me...and I don't blame him..." Powerful words! The voices of veterans need to be listened to so much more than voices of politicians.
I'm a Brit so no axe to grind over this war but this guy's experiences had me spellbound. I guess it something you can never get out of your head and to pick up and continue with everyday life must take some courage. I admire you greatly!
My husband was drafted into the army at 18, landed in country April 15th of ‘68… he told me comparable stories. Horrific things. Atrocious things. He was an RTO, bounced all over the place. Saw lots of action, lots of death, but I don't think he was as traumatized as this fellow; he knew it was going to be ghastly. He had already lived a violently ghastly life full of trauma for 18 years. I guess it hits some harder than others. I hope this man finds some peace🙁
Yeah it hits harder for some. My brother grew up in the hood of Los Angeles and lived through the LA riots. He served in Operations Iraqi freedom and was in Fallujah too and Kandahar in Afghanistan. He still pretty normal but changed a bit after the deployments, he doesn't feel comfortable around crowds of people and has the sleepless nights but that's it. He has friends that are more f'd up than him. My brother can still function in everyday life.
Robert Anthony “Skip” Bye was killed February 3, 1969. To see his Marine photo, it hits hard especially when you know the cause of his death. He was 20.
I looked him up, and found this. _________________________________________________ My hero, Robert Anthony Bye. I may never have met him, but he will ALWAYS be my HERO!!! That Hero is my dad!!! It has been 40 years since you were taken from us. To this day, the WHOLE family celebrates your life on Memorial Day. You will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!! Love forever!!! Dawn Marie .
@@rdaleyj1 To correct ... Googling "Robert Anthony Bye", a webpage I found had the text I quoted above, written by the DAUGHTER of Robert Anthony Bye. .
@@fredmonahan3627 The Air Force and Navy pilots suffered many casualties during the Vietnam war and this was kept low profile. I knew a woman who's first husband was a Navy pilot and was shot down. He was in the unit that Senator McCain was in and they were running seriously low on pilots. I was going to tell her that, but he probably wrote letters to her reassuring her that he was safe.
My father was a tail gunner on a B-24, in the 8th. He ALSO told me that he served under Jimmy. My dad was in late '44 til the end. I don't think that my dad would have lied about it, but when I researched it, the time lines don't seem to add up. Can you shed any light? (PS-Dallas coach Tom Landry was in the 8th too. I'm not a cowboy fan, but, props!)
Hey Tony, thank you for your service, we might have bumped into each other over there, I also was in Delta 1/5, 3 platoon ( third herd ) arrived in country January 1969 Lieutenant Jim Webb was our platoon leader, I remember Liberty bridge, Quang Nam Province, “ Arizona Valley “ thank God we made it back to the “ The World “ Semper Fi Marine
Hi Mike. I'm a former Marine who served in Iraq. I read Jim Webb's "Fields of Fire," and found it to be one of the most influential books I have ever read. What was it like serving under him?
Explain to the people that 1/5 means First Regiment, 5th Battalion (then "company", such as "A" or "B" company). I had a neighbor who was in the "jarheads" (peace time, early 80s) and when I asked him what unit he was in, he would say, "Lima, 3/8", and I had to ask him what that meant.
@@57highland 1/5 means 1st Battalion, 5th Regiment. There are no 5 Battalions in a Marine Regiment only 3. So it would be 1/5, 2/5, 3/5. Then within the Battalion there are companies, typically 4. So something like F 2/5 is Foxtrot Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Regiment. Further detail would be platoons, which are 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th platoon within a company. Hope that straightens it out.
Same here. Vietnam is the first news event I remember. My neighbor was killed overthere. His mom was inconsolable. I’m 60 & I remember it like it was yesterday.
I was also born I 1963 and I remember seeing the news footage. I knew my uncle was over there and I was hoping to see him on the news. He was killed in 1970.
I have so much respect and admiration for Vietnam vets. They were the men who raised me mostly, not only as a boy growing up in the 80s, but as a young Marine infantryman. I learned more "Indian war tricks" from Vietnam veteran SNCOs than anyone. They taught me things that aren't in any manuals or textbooks. I love them in a way that is hard to describe.
Born in 57 and never served I am truly grateful to you Tony Blount and all your fellow soldiers. May God bless all of you and continue to shine over you.
Thank you for your service Tony, your faith, and sharing. My son is a Marine. One of my best friends saw heavy action in Vietnam, he suffers from agent orange now. Destroyed his heart.
Vietnam was definitely stressful, especially for the grunts. I was there in '69 with the 198th Infantry. Gosh, times do change. I remember if KIA's were less than 300 a week, that was considered good. Hard to believe, isn't it. My Dad served as a heavy machind gunner in the 76 Infantry Division under General George S. Patton. They definitely were the Greatest of the Greatest Generation. He was wounded and captured by the Germans toward the end of the war. Needless to say, he was my HERO.
i was da nang 70-71 and have the highest respect for the Marines and all the grunts in the bush. I think it was MAG 11 and MAG 17 that were billeted around our comm. center. Glad to see you are at peace with the war. Thank you one and all for your service.
The man is wearing a grenade pin on his neck chain. I missed Vietnam, joined in June of 1975 and was young and dumb enough to be angry about it at the time. Having served 23 years and long been retired from the military, I thank God for saving me from that grinder and giving me time to train and prepare.
So tragic,, so pointless... Here I am an Aussie who missed the draft by 1 year... now living in Danang for the last 8 years... such a beautiful vibrant city and people... Tony....utter respect to you... many vets have returned here and found solace
It is still a Communist/Marxist nation. Can't really say if I would be happy there being that many of my friends and families left/escaped from there to get away from that. As we say in Brooklyn "Sauseege his own"!
I can definitely relate to everything he’s talking about I was drafted in 1968 into the us army like most 1968 draftees found myself in a infantry unit in Vietnam was wounded twice was a absolute miracle that I made it back home…welcome home Tony….
There is a story in a song I like.Its a song about this war.zig zagging through ghost land the V C,and if the moon is in a straight line those "ghosts will barbecue your behind.the radiators zig zag gin through ghost land.
This man, as another person said, has been through absolute HELL!! Just by looking at his eyes; it tells more than any words he could ever speak to you!! Gives me chills to the bone.. God Bless this man; the many others who fought in this war!
When he tears up for all the soldiers who suffered - not just the guys he knew, wow. I think about my father, who was given a choice of jail or the Army, after he got into a little scrap in town. He suffered the rest of his life. Just knowing that a King B badass like this man cares, means a ton to me. Gor bless Tony Blount, and Thank you for your service
I've always looked up to Vietnam Veterans, Never understood the awful treatment they got coming Home, Most were drafted and made to go, The ones that deserve the Disrespect are the ones that ran across our borders. Welcome home thank god your alive.
Actually look it up but it's a misconception on the drafted number more than you think voluntarily joined. Not that you are wrong obviously many were drafted as well. I forget the % but alot higher than what we've have been told.
Really? Really lady? That's where you take it? Smh typical Jan 6er comment. The ones that really deserve it are the ones that make comments like that. Go bow to your orange god.
@@williamwatt6334 Most (Very high percentage ; like over 76 % volunteered , and just cause you got drafted , didn't mean you would be sent to Vietnam), Many draftees never saw Vietnam -- except on the news. In my platoon, there wan't ever one draftee ( I was a Marine Grunt, in the "bush" ), and we went through a lot of Marines, for many reasons, so they were always being replaced , individually , or many at one time. I couldn't even give a round about close number ? You learn not to get too close to but maybe a handful of other Marines.
I was friends with a man in 1972 who was in the first Marine division to go to Vietnam. Some of the of the things he told me: He volunteered at 18 y/o because of a disagreement with his parents, and he wanted out of the house. His parent's had a scrapbook titled "Jerry's Trip," because they couldn't accept the reality that their son was there. There were plenty of photos in the papers at the time with the way war was actively reported for the first time in history. Jerry said he had a 50lb backpack worth of stuff and an M1 rifle. As soon as he could, he got rid of that useless backpack and rifle and took a "tommy-gun" from a Vietnamese soldier because the US soldiers came totally unprepared for the close quarters of jungle warfare. One other thing that stood out was that because of his being a different religion, some other soldier would tell him "I hope you die today," every time he had to go out on patrol. Half of his division died in Vietnam. I found Jerry to be a slight very mild man, with a very kind and friendly nature. Hard to believe he had been in that war, but he had the photos to prove it.
@PhinAl I Too am A Marine Veteran 73-79 but what's confusing is he says from the beginning that he was drafted into The Army but The Header Says A Marine.
@ABCDE ABCDE , in the first minute he says he was drafted into the Army, but was given the opportunity to become a Marine, instead. Thank you for your service, Marine!
Tony, God bless you and thank you for your service. I know "thank you for your service" falls short, but, it's the best I can do. I'm a Vietnam era Army vet, no combat, but, had buddies who saw combat and were wounded. When I was separated from active duty (1964-1967), I was treated at the VA for survivor's syndrome. I had guilt because I hadn't been called upon to serve in the war. I can't even imagine what you guys experienced. God bless you all.
I'm a bit younger...53. 25 year Army Infantry. 6 years deployed combat time all in a line Infantry outfit. I've met a few folks like yourself who served but never saw combat. Hell, 3/4ths of those who deployed never seen combat. Anyway, you didn't miss anything. Literally putting body parts in ziplock bags, half bodies into body bags, the burnt smell of flesh and fuel, bodies burning for hours and couldn't put them out. And then the wounded...and the dead enemy Soldiers. Please understand, you didn't miss anything except the most horrific and grotesque ways humans kill other humans. No Sir, be thankful you don't have those memories or the names and faces of kids etched in your mind.
So many of these Vets who served in Vietnam look and act to me like my Grandmother used to describe as... "rode hard and put away wet". My own Dad was a Seabee with 3 tours in Vietnam and passed aged 53. He never spoke to us kids but my Uncle told me Dad said they were soaked head to toe often when they were transporting and pumping tanks full of defoliant. God grant these people rest from their heavy burdens and those who never returned.
The pain that this poor man lives with, it shouldn't be cast on anyone. I hope he and everyone else that experiences the trauma of war can find peace in their minds and hearts. No person in this time should ever be put in situations like this where they are emotionally, physically and mentally scared. Bless them all!
Thank You for your service Sir. Welcome Home. So glad that you made it home. I am sorry for those that you knew and all of the others who did not make it home. Thank You for being willing to share your experiences with us.
My father, a WWII veteran, signed my oldest brother out of school in 1967 at 17 to join the Corps. Three tours, 23yrs, retired 1St Sgt. He is an American hero.
@Rovingdog628 obviously, you have nothing better to do with your time than to nit-pick how someone refers to a country. I guess that me and countless others who have referred to Vietnam as "Nam" are wrong. Thank you so much for pointing that out. The world is safe now. Are there some kids on your lawn at the moment? You'd better go yell at them. Be sure to tell them that it's a "lawn" and not a "yard" when you do. Prick.
Such integrity and honor! I know it’s personally painful for you at a level most of us will never comprehend, but we needed hear it. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with the world.
Airwing Marine assigned to MWHG-1 in Danang, 7/69-7/70. This is probably the best interview of a grunt Marine I've ever heard. No stories of heroic battles; just short snippets of the every-day realities of war that did an excellent job of revealing this man's varied emotions as he lived through all of these different events. We air-wingers knew we had it easy compared to you grunts, which is why I (certainly) always greatly admired you and respected you. Glad you made it home. Thanks for your great service to America.
A very honest Marine draftee, he never exaggerated or embellished his experience about his involvement in the war. He served with distinction and deserved respect.
I could not imagine be 20 years old or younger being thrown in these situations. Absolute terror! God bless these Soldiers! Ill never understand the purpose of war!
The fact that this man is no smooth talking celebrity coupled with the raw emotion pouring off him tells me he 💯% authentic. Amazingly detailed recounting. Thank you sir. Glad you made it home.
Everytime I watch one of these podcast I think about how trump talks about those vets who served in the military. I could list them but it would take all day I have I have all respect for those soldiers.and absolutely know respect for trump after all said and did too those soldiers and his bonespurs, coward
@@liangjiang3122 it was the government and the pilots that did that not the soldiers on the ground most of them didn't want to be in that shit hole country they were drafted and they got that shit spray on them too a lot of them died from that shit your just like the rest of those assholes who blame the grunts for that war when they had to go or go to jail or try to get into canada and it was over 25 years before the gov said they could come back most of them never want back they said canada was their country now so you can kiss my a**
My memory was standing in a line facing a Marine recruiter who asked for "volunteers" (funny, since we'd all be drafted). Several guys raised their hands, but the numbers were nearly high enough. So, we counted down by fives, and every fifth guy left with the Marine recruiter too. Somebody told me later that a couple of them had been sent into the Navy... can't swear that's true. Many years later I saw some Marine Corps recruiting propaganda that stated, "The Marine Corps has always relied on the proud tradition of only accepting volunteers. Well, don't tell me that... I was there and know far better. No, I went on into the Army since I didn't volunteer and wasn't a "five." So much of life is determined by sheer chance and circumstance.
You are 100% right. Some Marines were draftees. I went through an alike lineup SELECTION in 1967 and I was missed by a couple numbers being a Marine. Today, there are so much false b.s. propaganda generated by the Fed govt, military and media it is disgusting. The FIRST BIG LIE is that volunteers make a better fighting troop than draftees. In WW2 most of 16.5 million U.S. troops by far were draftees, and all 16.5 million regardless of whether volunteers or draftees were the best fighting men the world has ever known. Shoots that all volunteer theory all to hell doesn't it. My Commander said in Nam, an Army infantry unit was 50/50 draftee, and U couldn't differianate who was whom. A small survey revealed our draftees were the most decorated, but volunteers were so close it is all insignificant. Bottom line, when an American puts on that uniform, they will give it their all to serve our country. It makes absolutely no difference if a draftees or volunteer army. Of course, top Generals will say the latter, but they have to say that.
Listen to our podcast 🎤: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-vietnam-experience/id1732962685
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4eqfizVsgTbhLgeSepUelV?si=iitSaosmSFObXr7jfCG0Pg
The PTSD this Marine suffers from is all over his face. God help him. This broke my heart. I thank each and everyone of our Veterans for your service who is on here. Every time I see a Vet I thank them no matter where we are. God bless .
Drafted '67, 14 months in Vietnam. Thanks for your kind words.
*ALL US Marines are BabyKiLLers!!!*
@@ronaldtartaglia4459 Spot on 100%!
SATANS SERVICE! ON HIS PAYROL! HYPOCRITE !
@@namvet1968 I'm British, but am fascinated by your country's history, particularly postwar. I may be speaking out of turn, but your country seems to have been savagely unkind to you on your return, for no reason other than that they had a problem with the government. That saddens me, hugely, and I hope that despite it, you're doing well.
I was a Marine in Nam 1968 Charlie company got shot through and through by an AK I can relate and confirm that this Marine is not exaggerating, He was brutally honest and he is a true hero.
You are too sir 🙂
Just Charlie Company, eh? No further unit identification?
I guess there was only one charlie company in the entire Marine Corps. 🤦♂️
I decided that I'd be better off in my father's branch...glad of it.
did you know Lance Crpl Robert Holland ,KIA 6/5/68 .
Welcome home, brother. Peace-time Marine '80-'84 3rd Btln, 5th Div MOS 1812 Semper Fi, OooRahh!!
shock and awe is etched over this man's face. His eyes look hollow and shaken to the core. He does indeed deserve respect. God bless!
What I see in his eyes is anger. I don’t blame him.
Part of this man has been crushed .
How can i really thank this man?
This man’s face and my uncle’s who suffered with ptsd and esophageal adenocarcinoma (agent orange) have shifted in my mind. The no nonsense and the guttural intensity that is intimidating in modern society. Shifted now as I watch the horrors the us is complicit in. Shifted the lines of where ptsd symptoms start and stop. Where it could perhaps be a catch all term not only for true shell shock, but a bucket where modern psychology has conveniently put the rage of men who learned the truths of war and had a hard time returning to tacitly navigate polite and naive society. Perhaps some of those ‘symptoms’ are in fact words of wisdom from warriors without patience for our docile minds looking the other way as our oligarchs tax our families of the working class at home and abroad for their gain. A tax paid with blood of the people trying to make it by.
@brp5497 listen @6:53 😂😂😂😂😂
Respect for what
My high school football coach was a marine in Vietnam. If you don’t have ability to read people then you didn’t catch it, he was deeply injured in his memories. I always showed him the utmost respect, not because he served but because he was a brave human being. I respect you for being a brave human too
My father was a .30 cal machine gunner with the 84th infantry division in Europe and was in continuous action from Sep 1944 until April 1945. He was up front in the American lines when the Germans broke through on Dec 16th, "battle of the bulge". He and his buddies faced German Panther and Tiger tanks, the best in the world at that time, firing ineffective American bazookas, which bounced off their armor.. He was messed up BAD when he came back. My brother and i were scared to death of him. Always angry, violent, crazy, dangerous temper. Luckily, for me, he took his wrath out on my older, not so bright brother. I deal with the effects to this day. and I'm 68. Not a very good childhood.
@@Gallagherfreak100 sincerely sorry for your past
@@Mattnoble80 Thanks for your concern. My brother did not fare well. He went off the rails about 10 years ago. I hold it in the road, mostly.
@@Gallagherfreak100 Bless you Sir. Sending best wishes for you to feel peace.
@@marktwain5232 Did you know not everyone is of your religion with it's ideas? Try checking to see if someone believes in your religion. I'm sure that's not something you do. Bless?
I was there all of 67 . Thanks for your service and to everyone please remember the ones that didn’t come home!!!!
@Gary Luck thank you and all those who sacrificed their time and life. My husband got out of Marine boot camp in 72 didn’t go to Nam. But served for 8 yrs.
@@imeldaaleman1498 My uncle kia , mid 3/68 , tail end of bloody TET, Central Highlands , 10 days b-4 my 11tth bday .
@@imeldaaleman1498 Thank God it was over mid1/73.
Yes, we will remember. But also remember that they are in a much better place now. God took them home.
@@johnceglick8714 so sorry for your loss.
Tony is about as animated as they come. You can tell his experience in Vietnam was extreme and life altering. Thank you for your service Mr. Blount!
My uncle was in Vietnam , he acted a bit like this. I think it’s a mix of the drugs they did and of course the stuff they seen. Almost like a man that understands what it is to be insane but still function.
@@KyloBedo-I think it’s the right in your face confrontation with the Reality of your imminent death. No 17/18/19 etc. year old kid should ever confront their mortality at such a young age. Yeah, they were truly old men in young men’s bodies. They were this paradox of waaaayyyyy too old, wwwaaayyy too young. If the reality of the Trauma of War as you experienced would be accepted as the normal response to the craziness of War we could acknowledge the *FULL COST OF WAR.* It’s unlike any other human endeavor.
I don't know about all the post service counseling or medication that he has been thru, but Tony does seem to still experience PTSD to this day ... IMHO.
Dont thank him for his service. This was not his war and he shouldn't have been there, nor any other American.
@@zivaradlovacki2666agree. They were cannon fodder. I wonder how many people understand the context? From the French, to Ho Chi Min getting arms off the U.S. and seeing off the Japanese. Then Vietnam still not getting independence. Vietnam now hailed as an economic success story. I keep seeing thank you for serving your country. Those young men weren’t serving anyone, they were dying unnecessarily leaving the effects of agent orange in their wake. Sorry for having a rant 🙈. It would seem by your comment that you would be aware of this. I’m not from the U.S. but when I see those comments it seems to me that the people of the U.S. are as brain washed as the accuse people in communist countries as being. Still sticking their nose in the Middle East and Eastern Europe and meanwhile the Asian economies are still building. They’ll probably bring this world to the point of Armageddon, meanwhile US citizens having cognitive dissonance.
The war stole this beautiful man's soul and mind. War is horrible.
His soul is still here.
Many blessings to this man. He has a strong belief in God, and maybe that's what gives him strength and purpose. Rest in peace to all the men/heroes, that didn't make it home. I am not a strong believer in how God works. I can never understand the whole concept of religion. I just don't interpret it the same as many others do.
Well said and I know what you mean
It didn't steal his soul.It stole his youth
thank you, Mr. Bount. My dad was sent to Vietnam twice as a USMC, and was never ok again. It was a scary childhood as a result. Thank you for being honest and straight-forward to the whole world.
So true, mine also. A scary childhood indeed. I remember my usmc career vet dad made us kids very often on edge wondering what we'd do to set him off next.
He had a friend also the same rank in the marines, we'd go to visit their family now and then and i'll never forget us boys were shocked that dad's ex marine friend was worse than him, i saw his boys twitch intensely with fear at times just hearing their dad's loud voice call for them from another part of their house. Imagine back then 6 young boys (3 sons from each dad) and both dad's were vietnam vet Gunnery Sergeants. Just thinking about it i can still feel the tension , also makes me chuckle a bit , - so i don't think about it too much .
@@rob-robiThe further you can locate yourself as far away as possible from your abuser, the better.
Same here. PTSD child abuse
Big issue to me is: I didn’t pass it on to my kids, broke the curse.
@@tundrawomansays694 my father died years ago. and i did move away long ago when i was 18
My dad didn't have to go because my uncle went twice. My dad went from marines to army and became a drill Sargeant. Sadly he deployed to Korea and cheated on my mom when I was 5 and my mom took me back to Germany. All I got from my dad was a handful of memories and my citizenship. I came back to look for him only to find out he had passed from pancreatic cancer at 51.
My cousins were not so fortunate with my uncle. They suffered a lot with his alcoholism and abuse as did their mom. Yay he got a purple heart tho...my cousins said he was a sadistic a hole. He always planned people putting his obituary in the paper on April fools.
He died march 31st 1997 and his obituary actually ended up in the paper April 1st.
My dad was a WWII Marine. He survived the Pacific theater including Okinawa. In 2 days it will be a year since he left us at 99 years and 4 months old. I just want you to know that my dad always thought you grunts got fucked over in the worst way by the country you so proudly served. So "Semper Fi" from my deceased father and Thank You for telling your experience!!! Bryan Lee
My pops was a medic with the marines on Guadalcanal. B Blessed
Same here, my father made 4 landings with the 4th Marine Div. Roi Namur, Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima. My Uncle was an Engineer in the 1st Mar Div from Guadalcanal (he got there a little late) through all of the 1st Mar Divs landings through Okinawa. Both were taking replacements and training to land on Kyushu. After that they were supposed to assault the main island Honshu opposite Tokyo Bay. I only learned of the operational plans years laters. They never knew of them. Anyway the A-Bombs were dropped and the invasions became unnecessary. Those guys woulnd't have understood being thanked for their service as is so common today. To those guys they were just "doing their duty" like everybody else was. I personally have no idea how they survived that slaughter.
@@karlheinzvonkroemann2217 There's a couple really good books about the planned invasion of Japan (Operation Downfall) and also if you haven't already you should read "With The Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa" (written by Corporal Eugene Sledge) and the HBO miniseries "The Pacific" (which is centered around Corporal Sledge). Your Uncle trod the same ground as Corporal Sledge and all those other Devil Dogs. Semper Fi to your Dad and Uncle and to all of them.
My dad was a gunner's mate (Navy) on the USS Enterprise in WWII. Do you know how many on that boat believed that Pearl Harbor was a surprise attack? ZERO
@Slater Novick we went from the "greatest generation" to the worse emasculation in 70 short years. Amerika is an evil empire today. The slaves "think" they are free, because their masters in gov't. told them so...
Ive seen a lot of veterans speak about their time but the intensity in this mans eyes as hes recounting his memories is something else. Hes incredibly sharp and you can tell hes seeing those images as clearly as ever. Literally has the thousand yard stare coming out while talking.
Yes i agree
His eyes reflect his mind and memories. So sad. War is so ugly.
Agreed 👍
This man is SUPER intense. I genuinely can't imagine what he's been through.
considering how sudden most combat situations happened in the vietnam war, I'd say it's on par with most vietnam war movies, it's pure horror...unimaginable shit you could never dream of.
I hope this was somewhat cathartic for him. Fuuuuck me. I served 3 years Army, mid 80s Cold War West Germany. When people thank me for my service, I smile and say thank you but save your gratitude for real vets, the ones who brought some of it home with them.
Intense Events mark you deeply..... deeply.
a Marine Gunny to my county our blood of my brothers
our familys oall our bro's
The micro expressions on this guys face as he recalls his experiences are very telling as to how he felt and feels regarding it.
Ok Dr.phil
Just started watching Lie To Me huh?
Very true. My father had the same micro expressions. You knew when something had affected him when he was talking about something pertaining to his time in Vietnam.
My brother Joe was in Vietnam in 1970. When he came home in 1971 he had these huge bug bites on his face and was very dark on his skin complexion. Joe came back person .In 1977 he committed suicide and his last words to me were VA couldn't make opening to help him. Joe had 3 children and to this day they are still sad there dad committed suicide I told them his mind was broken from Vietnam. Please don't be mad at him
My dad served two tours and served for years beyond. He dealt with nightmares and stress for the rest of his life. When he passed the VA did nothing his country did nothing for him as a veteran. His father served as well and was shit on because he was black. No GI Bill no housing no nothing. I'd never join the military arm of that machine. Whatever enough about me and mine this man is a reluctant hero. Yes an AK will make your skull rattle from 20 yards. It's no joke.
I'm sorry you lost your brother. And I'm sorry his kids lost their father
Sorry about your brother. God be with him.
My brother, I am so sorry. I remember.
"Not all who died in Vietnam...died in VN". Unknown Author
God Bless you
✌️❤️
Considering what this man has been through his humanity and bravery shines through like a bright beacon. What a humble man. 100% respect from the UK.
Hear, hear. Drafted '67, 14 months in Vietnam. I survived. Many didn't. Damn shame.
To Martin I am Tony Blount Younger Brother Andrew F. Blount. and I thank You for your kind words, and just seeing that U-are in the U.K. Heads Up some how A larger Co. in the U.K. will be coming to the U.S.A.to even tell more of the story. share and tell your friends. It is time for all are Great Vets to now seen WE-Care Viral
M
Thanks 😮😢
Tony thank you so very much for your service !
Tony is a member of VFW 11326, thank you for allowing our comrade to share his story.
Buy them all beers!!!
@@danodonnell7218 we don't have a bar at this particular VFW but I think I can take care of that 😉
My pediatrician was a combat medic in Vietnam. He was also a close family friend who would always come to our christmas eve parties when i was a kid. He was also the best story teller I've ever heard. He helped me more than anyone I've ever met. He was and is my hero, even though hes been gone 4 years now.
Tony, I am lucky I happened across your video. I went from DaNang to AnHoa, then to Delta 1/5 at the Horshoe on 2/19/69. I immediately heard about “Dying Delta”(and “Cryin ‘
Charlie”). After a patrol where a couple of our Marines were wounded by a booby trap, the enemy followed us back to our base camp, at the horseshoe. After some chow, we began readying the perimeter. Everything seemed normal, like a day at work. Suddenly they opened up on us with AKs, and an
RPG exploded off to my left. I was certain I was dying. What heroism looks like to me was a Corpsman reaching me under fire and treating me. My marines rolled me into a poncho and carried me to a medivac Chinook, which took me to triage in DaNang. Then I went to Yokohama, Yakuska, then to the USA,
finally to Oakland Naval Hospital. I eventually go a medical discharge.
I always wished I could have let you all that I made it and express my thanks. I have carried guilt and shame about leaving my unit behind to this day.
Seeing you talk on the video gave me a good feeling. I feel like I know you, but we might not have met since I was was new. Nice to se another survivor back in the world. SemperFi, brother. Bill
No shame sir, you did what so many ducked out on. You are a model of American hero like everyone else served. You vets are respected by many, YOU guys deserved and still deserve more. The Government failed you all and it is a God damn shame. God Bless you all.
❤@@CRClouse513
I only had 6 months over there as a Marine infantry,and Recon,at marble mountain and cam reasoner.my hart go's out to all our comrades in arms who payed the alternate sacrifice. SEMPER FI MARINES
@@gloydmckay9477 semper fi brother
How times have changed. I was in college from 1965 -1968. Everyone I knew hated the war and didn't want to go. As a college student, if you didn't make your grades or got in trouble and left college, you were drafted within a month or so. I graduated in June 1968 and was called up to the draft in August, 1968. Many of my high school and college friends were drafted and some never came home. That is a level of pressure today's kids can't even imagine.
Yep. Drafted in '67. 14 months in Vietnam. Extremely stressful. Kids today have no idea.
Yeah well, kids today are 28 +years old.......and yeah, they have no idea!
@@namvet1968 I read a book about a serial killer who served in nam before he came back to the states and became a killer. He claims to have eaten human flesh of dead enemy. What does vietcong meat taste like? Did you get hungry again about a hour after eating it?
don, I was in the Republic of Vietnam '68, the meat didn't last long due to the heat. Join the armed service and get sent to Ukraine to find out.
Freedom.FFs
This man deserves to have all the medical attention we can give and a lot more. He needs our respect and to have a very good life now. God bless him.
Amen
But...but...but that would be COMMUNISM!!!
He deserves to live in a country with leaders who respect the Constitution. We don't have that now.
🙏 Amen!!
#WelfareJunkie
I’m a 72 year old Marine Corps veteran in the year 2024.
I joined the Marines in 1970 and retired in 2000. I never served in Nam and I sit here and I have tears running down my face listening to this man telling of his time in war. I pray that the Lord blesses him and all other men and women who served and given them peace in their lives.
I went to the Persian Gulf for Desert Shield/Desert Storm but we deployed from North Carolina aboard the USS Iwo Jima thinking that we’d get into the desert all in good time once in the Gulf. Not sure if I was blessed but we never got off of the ship for the entire conflict.
The homecoming we received was unbelievable compared to what the Viet Nam veterans got.
I personally salute all of them and pray that they get the peace in their lives that they deserve.✝️🙏🇺🇸
This man has the eyes of someone that's seen hell on earth.
God bless our Vietnam Vets they had it rough man.
Lost my uncle mid3/68 , tail end of bloody TET , in Central Highlands of SouthVietnam ,10 days b-4 my 11th bday .
@@johnceglick8714 Your uncle was a real hero may his soul rest in peace 🙏🏾
@@saiyanninjawarriorz Thanx , and GOD BLESS ALL VETS !
Any individual that has been in war has also visited hell. By some accounts the Russians have lost close to three times the men over the past year in Ukraine than the US did in the entire Vietnam War.
The father of a Vietnamese friend was drafted into the NVA and also fought in this war. To this day he still wakes with troubling nightmares.
The story is the same world over, young men getting killed, maimed and traumatised at the behest of the elites.
I bet the Vietnamese saw more he’ll than him.
I work as a nurse in mental health services for veterans (UK). It never ceases to amaze me the strength and courage these people show, despite the trauma. It's also a stain on our nation how they are neglected
Neglecting them is a part of the joke these wars are, done by the clowns who ordered them.
Welcome Home.
@@dragonmartijn but we keep allowing it. Everyone knows war is a barbaric way to settle anything and its only a way for rich people to get richer yet we keep allowing it. Calling it fighting for freedom. Freedom, biggest propaganda helper ever spoken.
No government treats its citizens as dismissively as they do the hero's of war.
@@bgs792 Democrats got us into Vietnam.
All that pain, all that suffering, all for nothing. God damn the politicians who put all of those young men in that hell.
Forget the past they are doing it again they make no effort to end the war in Ukraine they only escalate it what can we do to prevent them turning this into a global conflict?
They've been doing that for a long time. Rarely are their wars anything but for corporations to make money on. There's no such thing as a good war. My father was a combat Marine in WW2, made 4 landings on Roi Namur, Saipan, Tinian and finally Iwo Jima. Too many good Americans lost their lives for very little. I remember he wasn't happy when the government gave Iwo Jima back to the Japanese in 1968. He said to me that they should've waited until all the Marines from that generation had died off before doing that.
@@karlheinzvonkroemann2217 my grandfather landed on Omaha and kicked ass through the battle of the bulge our grandfathers where some bad asses thats for sure.
All for nothing? Do you have any idea how disrespectful a statement like that is to man like Tony? Did it sound like he was fighting for nothing? He, like everyone who has served in our military, fought for his country and the men next to him in battle. That may be nothing to you but it sure as hell means a lot to them.
The politics of the era are the precursor of our current situation. Political correctness dictated that conflict.
You don’t often see intensity like that from a guy that age. That in itself is a testament to what he went through at the other end of his life.
Mr. Tony Blount, a very intense man. Created from an extremely intense situation.
A soldier's story. Thanks for speaking to us Sir.
Marine
A Marine’s story
@@rayforster1 Correct. Beyond heavy.
My older brother came home missing a bunch of his face from Dak to 67..But mentally intact..some of his buddies on the other hand came back physically intact but whacked out of their minds..He always said those were the real casualties of that war..RIP big brother..A hero then and always my hero.
My stepbrother's story is exactly the opposite. He was a teen gang member in L.A., and he was gut shot right in front our house. In my recollection, he was always a little crazy, a little violent, but he had a sense of humor and always looked out for the little kids. After he recovered my stepmother convinced him to enlist; thinking it could save his life. He joined... became an army ranger. My stepmom said he was highly decorated. He stayed there for 4 tours of duty. When he came back he was always angry and didn't like anyone asking him about the war; he refused to talk about it with me, but there was talk in the family that he enjoyed killing people. He got married and beat his wife and kids. His wife left him when the kids moved out. He alienated everyone one in the family. My stepsister, before she died, went to visit him in Seattle and they got into a big blowout; he threatened to kill her. She was scared of him. Everyone, including his children no longer see him. He's retired and lives alone in a nice suburb. And while he worked hard his entire life, owns his own home, and has done well, it seems like his life, in terms of interpersonal relationships, is a mess.
I don't know if Vietnam turned him into the brutal and angry man he became or just made him worse. But I have to wonder if any part of him that was good and decent died in the 60s. I remember as a kid worrying about being drafted, so I have only respect for the young people that gave up so much their lives in that senseless war.
God bless him he's with God now
@@commodoor6549yea cause n Vietnam were communist bastard killers. AMERICA TRUED TO SAVE A COUNTRY and would of if the shit govt would of let them
@@maximustrump Sounds like you're working through a lot of trauma in your past. Godspeed on that personal journey!
@@commodoor6549 30 yrs in ghetto as a cop I'm trying it haunts Mr til this day baby's getting raped women attacked left and right go on forever
Tony in 1969 I was a freshman in high school. I’m forever grateful to men like you. Because of your service there was no draft in Spring of 1973 when I graduated. Thank you for sharing your experiences in that hell on earth. May we never forget what all of you who served in Vietnam sacrificed for all of us back home.
Same -- 1973 graduate.
I graduated in ‘75. I grew up on Air Force bases, as my dad was career USAF. My dad was stationed at Anderson Air Base, on Guam, from 1966-1968, so my family lived there. My school wake up call was B-52’s arriving at 0600 every morning on their way to Vietnam.
Since 1970, I was mentally and emotionally preparing, in my own way, to go. I can say I was GLAD it was over before I graduated.
I joined the Army later anyway.
Thank you sir, for your service and sacrifice.
-An Army Veteran and proud Teacher ❤️🇺🇸
I was in the 6th grade in 73. But I understand what you are saying. Best wishes to you.
Had my PIP in early '73, just weeks before the draft ended! I had no idea then just how fortunate I was!
The killing of over 1,460,000 children under age 9 the past few decades is a WAR CRIME! Participating in these UNCONSTITUTIONAL undeclared invasions and baby killing makes them oath violating traitors NOT heroes. Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Bosnia, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria were "nation building" misadventures with NO existential national security interest based on LIES. Stealing $13,900,000,000,000 in 2020 USD to pay for these crimes is itself a crime. What Exactly IS this service? ruclips.net/video/N6uVV2Dcqt0/видео.html
He reminds me of my best friend. Herbie was SF during the end of the war. We were friends for about 5 years before he told me what he did. I knew he served, but the night he decided to share some of his experiences....I have never felt so honored. I didn't serve in the military, but I've got quite a few years as a first responder. I've seen plenty that hurt my heart, and I wasn't even getting shot at. To have someone like this share their story is a huge deal. Thank you for your service Sir.
Thank you for being there for others as a first responder! That's not just nothing after all is said and done. What a world this would be if there were no first responders there. Portland Maine says "hello".
I joined the Army in Jan 1973, 4 days after Nixon signed the armistice that no more troops were going to Nam, I was 21. All my drill sergeants were Nam vets. I remember sitting with some of them telling stories about their experiences over there just like this man, most of them were only 22-24, totally changed my perspective about the war and what being a soldier was all about. Viet Nam vets are my heroes!!!
I am the same age as you. We had the lottery in 1970. I had a high number. Did you have a low number, or did you enlist?
I left in Dec1972, they couldn't win the war without me. For those who don't have what it takes to become a Marine there is always the Army; they'll take anyone.
@@shimshonbendan8730 my number was 328, but when he signed the Armistice I enlisted.
@@hml3672 sure thing , jarhead😡
@@hml3672don't belittle people just because you're a Marine
Was in the Army in Cu Chi in '67 - '68. Can relate to so much of his story. And he's right. You see guys go down all around you and wonder how the hell you're still here. The luck of the draw. Weighs heavily on you. Glad he was able to survive.
My brother was in Bien Hoa and Long Bien 67-68
Drafted in '67, in Cu Chi in '68-'69. I survived by "the luck of the draw". Had no idea about the tunnels of Cu Chi.
Ive been researching Vietnam vet stories because i just seen a video of a cop getting ruthlessly shot to death by a Vietnam vet in a shootout. I pray to God that a vet doesn't fly off the handle and try to gun me or my family down.
@@SurtierWood I'd say the odds are better that you or your family would be gunned down by someone who never came anywhere near the armed forces.
@@bobjohnson7441 that's also true I'd just be more intimidated if it was a vet because they move around alot, duck bullets and make themselves very hard to hit with a bullet
This is one of the most compelling stories I've heard a Nam Vet share. Literally thousands of Nam Vets don't talk about what they went through and for good reasons. They carry everything deep within them because they know, for the most part, that if they told you, it would most likely scare the hell out of you at the least. They really don't want you to feel their pain. What I really respect in his story is that he remembered the names of his Brothers and some of those he came into contact with and it is this that gives the deepest meaning to "We Will Not Forget". Tony Blount, I stand and salute you my Brother. Peace
Even fewer are prepared to admit - or talk about - the war crimes and assorted atrocities committed BY Americans.
"Scalping the enemy"!!
It was the early American settlers who taught the native Americans that little 'nicety'.
How moronic and psychologically deranged does a 20th century 'trained and disciplined' military person need to be to do such a thing?!
US military - "the best of the best of the best ... with honours ... sir" with sincere apologies to 'Men in Black'.
*ALL US Marines are Baby KiLLers!!!*
Most of the guy simply don't know where to start to share that kind of horror. It twists the mind so irreparably, that the words simply can't be found to begin to deal with all of that obsenity.
THANK YOU 4-SAYING-So. There is so much more to the story for I am Tony Blount Brother. I have not seen him and or not spoken in 54 years. He just could not come out of that Dark Place until now. It is so Great in Hearing his Voice now this Interview has put him in the Great State of Mine and Happiness. Thank all for your kind words. I can assure there is more coming stay close and share. The Day of the Vet. Will return. Andrew Blount, The Little Brother...
I don't know if it's that they think their stories will scare people, but I imagine they probably spend most of their time trying not to think about their trauma, let alone talk about it out loud.
I am so grateful to have been able to hear this Marine' s testimony about his combat experiences. So many combat vets have kept these thoughts and feelings tamped down, where they rot and decay the very soul from within.
If you are a veteran who is suffering, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE SEEK HELP!! This man was able to adapt, overcome and survive his wartime experiences, and you can too! If you get a bad doctor or therapist at the VA, tell them you want a different provider! This is your RIGHT! There are groups of combat vets who meet together at the VA to support each other. Please NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP!! You survived for a reason! I cannot tell you why you are still here, but you are...STILL...HERE!
I would encourage you to make that your new mission in life, to determine why you are still here, and to fulfill that mission to the best of your ability in the time you have left on the earth.
May God richly bless you and keep you safe. Semper Fi my brothers and sisters. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP!!
❤🇺🇲🙏💒 ❤️🤍💙
This guy's amazing... been on the ground floor, as they say. He's completely authentic about his struggle in combat, & the aftermath, while full of hope & joy for himself & his fellow man. Semper Fi, Tony. Thank you for your story.
@Hello there, how are you doing this blessed day?
The trauma, the pain this man has been carrying his whole life.. Good Lord…😢
thank u for ur service,,,, ur a very very brave warrior.
The Marine has to live through the war, then he has to live with it the rest if his life. Thank you Marine for keeping the Communists in Viet Nam when I was three years old.
and he can't kill the communist that live down the street from him today? so sad
All too common
@@mikegleason3754 Say Mike. Did you know that General Electric makes bombs? How come they were eager to send jobs to China? Aren't THEY Communst?
This man is intense! You can hear the disgust of everything he witnessed and experienced over there in his storytelling. A hard man that lived a hard life
Yes I can't imagine what he went through over there, I have so much respect for all those guys who sacrificed everything. 🙏🇺🇸
We should not forget about the young Vietnamese
men and women that died defending their country ( more than a million )
We ( the U S ) should NEVER have been there
The war was initiated by a false flag event of an attack on the USS Pueblo The Vietnamese with Ho Chi Ming fought on OUR side against the Japanese in WWll
and the French came back after the war and tried to take their colony ( Vietnam)
back BUT this time the Vietnamese were armed and experienced fighters and defeated the French and a peace treaty was established but the U S ignored the treaty and invaded and our good young men were turned into animals seeking revenge for the loss of their fellow soldiers This happens in every war It is happening again in Ukraine good young men sent to be slaughtered on both sides Civilization does no longer exist here or there Political war 😢
@@thuddreau5444 I have a tendency to agree with you for the most part. Don't try to look for any heroes in the NVA or VC they were every bit of an animal as anyone else.
Vietnam was a political war.
The men and women who served bravely were Patrots. When their nation called they answered. Nobody should ever downplay the bravery of those people who lived and died under the flag of the United States or America. The politicians well there is a special place in he'll for them. Same for the people who profited from that war.
@@thuddreau5444Did you serve in Viet Nam or just read about it?
It's an honor to be able to hear this man's story... Much respect.
This man is a fantastic story-teller. The National Archives should interview him for several hours and keep it as part of our national history.
I agree! This man is a treasure.
everytime they talk about it they retraumatize themselves, they relive it again and it digs deeper, talking is not healing unless you can put things to rest and for some that can never be done
Most people don’t know most of us we’re only 19 when we got to Vietnam!!!!
That's an old myth based on a song.
The average us soldier was 23 years old.
Most casualties were 20 or older.
Served a year in 1965 in country 20 years old. Came home wasn't old enough to buy a beer legally.
@@jimbob465 I can tell you that the majority of guys in my platoon were 18 -20 years old. We did have one or 2 that were 21, 22 , 23 or so. We asked them why they had been sent to Vietnam. We thought they were too old. We even gave them nicknames. "Pops", "old man" ( to a teenager, anyone over 19 was "OLD"), "grandpa", "Gramps"
@@jimbob465 I was 18!!!!!
@@richarddegen6184 So was I for 4 months, till Nov. '66.
Welcome home sir. Few truly know your story but those who have lived it. You are not alone ,
Semper Fi.
Every single conscript who comes home from a war should have a pension for life from the government who sent them there.
Agree. Along with basic health insurance at least.
However, if you are a volunteer, voluntarily fighting for the country you are born and living in...,.
You should not get a pention
Who are you to decide who gets a disability pension. People volunteered so they didn’t have to hang around and get drafted. You pog…in fact you’re not even a pog. Look it up then apologize to every name on the wall.
@@donandjanejohnson218 Apparently it took two people to write that little screed. Nice work! Look up conscript and then apologize.
America doesn't care about any of us. I'm not a vet and I still see it. They don't care about you they don't care about me. You can't vote for a single soul that cares.
The currupt greedy political Hierarchy completely failed the vets serving in Vietnam . Thank you for your service to those who served
Right. Republicans at work...
@@gregtennessee8249 Yup, so many more you can include how,' War is a Racket,'' the US Deep State, etc... PS Just watch, America's Untold Stories,' on who their game is played....
@@gregtennessee8249 What?
@@gregtennessee8249 Harry Truman (Democrat) - re-established French rule in Vietnam, fighting begins in Vietnam. The US funded most of France's war cost.
Dwight D. Eisenhower (Republican) - refused to involve the US in another conflict right after the Korean war. The US continued to send aid to S. Vietnam. By the end of his term, North and South were officially at war.
John F. Kennedy (Democrat) - Was initially against supporting the French. Once he was elected, he sent fighters, helicopters, river boats, etc., authorized the use of napalm and agent orange.
Lyndon B. Johnson (Democrat) - first president to put ground troops in Vietnam. Military draft skyrocketed - 500,000 US troops were now in Vietnam. Johnson was so unpopular that he decided against running for a 2nd term.
Richard Nixon (Republican) - gradually withdrew troops from Vietnam, also escalated bombing raids, including secret bombing of Cambodia. Ended US involvement in Vietnam in 1973, although actual fighting continued until '75.
@@gregtennessee8249
You are showing your character, lying like that.
Thank you for recording this man’s story. So many of them were lost after they came home. I’m very glad Tony is at peace after reflecting on his experiences.
Thanks for telling your story. As a Marine vet, I have a massive amount of respect for the men that came before my time. And to those that never did come home physically and mentally.
RIP Marine Sgt. Otto Gsell. One of my gym teachers in high school and a man of character. As well as a wonderful sense of humor. As I understand, he didn’t lose one single Marine under his command. Thank you for your service Mr. Gsell. And thank you Marines and Servicemen for all you did and continue to do. God Bless
@Rovingdog628 Maybe he was in command for just 1 mission. You were in Vietnam... at all the places? Your health will suffer because of your negative cynicism. A chip on a shoulder can harm more than shrapnel.
A person I knew was in a Marine Recon unit and had joined because he wanted to hunt people; and many others in the unit had a similar psychology for joining; after a couple firefights; they went on patrol; found a safe site; and just reported they couldn't find any enemies to engage with.
No more casualties
My dad said very little about what he experienced. He was a patriot and proud of his service. He was buried with military honors, but he didn’t tell me much. What he did tell me was pretty rough. He drank literally until the day he died. He was a quiet man but a good man. Best man I ever met and I miss him every day. Vietnam always reminds me of him. 1st infantry “Big Red One”
Bless your Pops.
My dad was a Big Red One too. He only had a few boxes of things from his life when he died a few years ago but lots of big red one decals were definitely still around. God bless these poor guys.
Thank you. My Dad was infantry was there in 65-66 as an Advisor. Went back in 69 for 14 days and was badly injured by a booby trap. Still has a piece of shrapnel 1/2 inch from his heart. 20’yrs in the Army. I don’t trust our government in any war ( I can’t help it), love the sacrifice and service of all military folks and their families.
I agrre
Cant trust any government
Drafted '67, 14 months in Vietnam. The MIC is alive and well. Pentagon is a business.
As an Air Force Nurse caring for our men in Japan 2 1/2 years & again as Flight Nurse helping them on their last leg home to Dover AFB, I am most certain we should not have been in Viet Nam. I got angry & never set foot in Nam., & don't know how any Nam vets came home in a peaceful state. Sec. Defense McNamara stated before he died ( in 80s), he & Pres. Johnson knew 3 years before we pulled out that all was lost. Then Nixon used it to get re-elected, I'll bring the boys home". He could have done that within 1st year of office. Those evil politicians wasted so many of my generation.
@@carolecarr5210 As a Vietnam vet (drafted), you are spot on. McNamara and Nixon have blood on their hands. Ruthless exploitation to maintain power. "Hey, hey, hey LBJ. How many kids did you kill today". So many died needlessly. I managed to survive but will never escape PTSD. Life was so cheap. Absolutely incredible.
Thank you to all who served in Vietnam. You will have my respect as long as I am able.
Fact is: The truth of every war is ugly. On either side. Interviews like this one tell so much more than all the shiny glorious rituals the army celebrates. Thanks for uploading!
One of the most compelling war experience interviews I've ever heard. Before any politicians start a war they need to watch this man's story.
Politicians should be the first to serve or NO ONE goes.
It's what they get off on.
@@goatface6602 been saying politicians should have to send their kids first.
@@arthurbrumagem3844
Yep, politicians who support a war that requires their fellow countrymen to fight should be required by law to send at least one of their kids (male, female, whatever gender) into combat. If none of their kids are adults at that time then the requirement should be that their kid gets sent into combat as soon as they turn 18 - especially pertinent for wars like Afghanistan that went on for 20 goddamn years.
They need to have skin in the game. They need to be made to directly feel the impact of their decisions.
@@argh2945 👍🇺🇸
What a great attitude. I loved his lightness of being but that pain was not far below the surface. It was my privilege to be able to hear his story. Thanks so much
Thank You for your service, I am a Jr ...dad was there in 68, came home met, married mom adopted my 2 yr old sister and I was born in 71..lost my dad to alcohol in 84 ..he was 38...mom says he came home with Vietnam in tow..Always hoped to maybe meet someone that knew my dad over there..To all that served I thank you
yeah, it is like your shadow, always with you.......forever
The horror these poor young men endured is so heartbreaking 😢
True and about a million dead Vietnamese
@@007ndcbut they were communists devil's from hell
@@007ndc
Myth: The US military routinely used inhumane tactics on the people, while the VC were benefactors
Fact: This is one of the most scurrilous accusations of the war. It is completely and provably false.
No one has ever found a single document stating that it was US policy to commit atrocities.
Numerous documents exist proving that it was official policy of the North Vietnamese government to commit atrocities.
The worst known incident from the Vietnam War of atrocities committed by American troops was the My Lai massacre - 504 were murdered.
The worst known incident from the Vietnam War of atrocities committed by the communists was the Tet massacre in Hue - more than 5000 were murdered.
Critics point to US bombing as evidence of atrocities, however, the location and impact of those bombs is never discussed.
The rules of engagement for Vietnam were so crazy that President Johnson once boasted that the Air Force "couldn't hit an outhouse without [his] permission".
@@007ndc
Myth: Ho Chi Minh was a nationalist and a benevolent leader of his people
Fact: Ho Chi Minh was a dedicated communist and slaughtered hundreds of thousands of his fellow countrymen.
Ho Chi Minh was a founding member of the French Communist Party in 1920 and founded the IndoChinese Communist Party in 1930.
He spent four years training in Russia and became a member of the Comintern.
He was not just a member of the Comintern. He was the protege of Dmitry Manuilsky, right hand man to both Stalin and Lenin.
He was a dedicated Stalinist who never swayed from his desire to forward the cause of international communism.
He turned his fellow countrymen over to the French for money and to eliminate his rivals while consolidating his power.
He "purged" the North Vietnamese landowner class, killing at least 50,000 (some estimates are as high as 900,000!) of them for the "crime" of being financially independent.
He slaughtered and imprisoned hundreds of thousands of his own countrymen in the South in an effort to rid himself of all opposition.
@Rovingdog628 No it isn't.
Ho Chi Minh killed hundreds of thousands of people in North Vietnam in the 1950s and million people fled to South Vietnam to escape.
Thank you for sharing that. I know it still isn't easy for you. I am the widow of a Vietnam Vet.He died 20 yrs ago this May 3rd. He definitely suffered from PTSD .Thanking you for your service really isn't enough .Just God Bless You.❤
Tony is quite a storyteller. He carries immense pain, of course. Thank you to Tony and all veterans that served our country. 🇺🇸
How exactly did he serve your country? Your country had no business in Vietnam, why don't you make a trip there and see the ongoing results of the war. Severely deformed people from the chemicals dumped on the forests. Go through their war museum and see our photos of the horrors. Face up to what you have done. Absolutely defend your country but leave others alone, they were just defending theirs.
@@bobm3477 You should realize how lucky you are that you may never have to be forced to serve in your nation's military against your will.
@Bob Meraw. I understand the trauma of war and what America did to decimate South Vietnam and her people. I also have the right to thank veterans that served based upon their beliefs that they were fighting against communism. We didn’t win, of course.
@@KohalaLover The only problem is that the people in Vietnam voted for communism. The U.S. didn't approve, they wanted the extremely wealthy running the country and a peasant class to do the work. The veterans you speak of were cannon fodder, most didn't want to go. The U.S. want's strong leaders so Kennedy in order to be reelected had to beat up on someone, same as Nixon.
@@KohalaLover We were lied too by our press and our government. South Vietnam governments were all corrupt. Saigon was full of rich Vietnamese kids who never worried about being drafted. Kind of like in the U.S. back then.
I was a civilian working in Vietnam in 1965/66 and knew very shortly after living there that the war could not be won. In fact, the war was a total waste of life, as there was no need for it. Vietnam is a wonderful country today. In fact, my son just got back from a bachelor party in Vietnam. We live in Thailand.
Did he have strippers?
President Kennedy agreed with you and was going to pull us out of Vietnam because he said it was a civil war and the U.S. didn't belong there. He signed Executive Order 101 to remove U.S. troops from Vietnam. Unfortunately, LBJ and the military-industrial complex wanted the war and invited JFK on a little trip to Dallas in November 1963. The rest is history.
I agree from a grunt of 68 and now living there for the past seven years.
From the bottom of my Heart, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, MARINE! ❤
"...and as I sat there looking at this mangled corpse, of someone that wanted to kill me...and I don't blame him..." Powerful words! The voices of veterans need to be listened to so much more than voices of politicians.
Your can still see the pain and terror in his eyes.
This veteran's story is so poingnant and jarring. Thank you sir for your service to this country.
I'm a Brit so no axe to grind over this war but this guy's experiences had me spellbound. I guess it something you can never get out of your head and to pick up and continue with everyday life must take some courage. I admire you greatly!
My husband was drafted into the army at 18, landed in country April 15th of ‘68… he told me comparable stories. Horrific things. Atrocious things. He was an RTO, bounced all over the place. Saw lots of action, lots of death, but I don't think he was as traumatized as this fellow; he knew it was going to be ghastly. He had already lived a violently ghastly life full of trauma for 18 years. I guess it hits some harder than others. I hope this man finds some peace🙁
Yeah it hits harder for some. My brother grew up in the hood of Los Angeles and lived through the LA riots. He served in Operations Iraqi freedom and was in Fallujah too and Kandahar in Afghanistan. He still pretty normal but changed a bit after the deployments, he doesn't feel comfortable around crowds of people and has the sleepless nights but that's it. He has friends that are more f'd up than him. My brother can still function in everyday life.
Robert Anthony “Skip” Bye was killed February 3, 1969. To see his Marine photo, it hits hard especially when you know the cause of his death. He was 20.
Thank you for your service 🙏
I looked him up, and found this.
_________________________________________________
My hero, Robert Anthony Bye.
I may never have met him,
but he will ALWAYS be my HERO!!!
That Hero is my dad!!!
It has been 40 years since you were taken from us.
To this day,
the WHOLE family celebrates your life on Memorial Day.
You will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!!
Love forever!!! Dawn Marie
.
I got there to my unit, Alpha 1/26 on Mar. 3rd 69’ and a lot of my Plt. had been at Liberty Bridge, and 1 guy always said he had to play Dead there.
@@zen4men 😭 sorry for the loss of your dad.
@@rdaleyj1 To correct ...
Googling
"Robert Anthony Bye",
a webpage I found
had the text I quoted above,
written
by the DAUGHTER
of
Robert Anthony Bye.
.
Thank you for your service. My dad served with Jimmy Stewart in the 8th AF during WW2....in a B-24 bomb group. Had a lot of praise for him.
He probably avoided the black grunts that were lying on hospital beds with their gut hanging out. Jimmy was a notorious racist.
@@cornpopper4921 He was a highly rated pilot.
Jimmy Stewart's step son, a 2nd Lt. was KIA in Viet Nam. His last name was McClean and was the son of Jimmy's wife from her first marriage.
@@fredmonahan3627 The Air Force and Navy pilots suffered many casualties during the Vietnam war and this was kept low profile. I knew a woman who's first husband was a Navy pilot and was shot down. He was in the unit that Senator McCain was in and they were running seriously low on pilots. I was going to tell her that, but he probably wrote letters to her reassuring her that he was safe.
My father was a tail gunner on a B-24, in the 8th. He ALSO told me that he served under Jimmy. My dad was in late '44 til the end. I don't think that my dad would have lied about it, but when I researched it, the time lines don't seem to add up. Can you shed any light? (PS-Dallas coach Tom Landry was in the 8th too. I'm not a cowboy fan, but, props!)
"Today I am truly blessed with inner joy and inner peace, regardless of the many tragedies that have come to me."
Hey Tony, thank you for your service, we might have bumped into each other over there, I also was in Delta 1/5, 3 platoon ( third herd ) arrived in country January 1969 Lieutenant Jim Webb was our platoon leader, I remember Liberty bridge, Quang Nam Province, “ Arizona Valley “ thank God we made it back to the “ The World “ Semper Fi Marine
Hotel 2/5 did my time on Liberty bridge, and the road from An Hoa... Semper Fi back at ya
Hi Mike. I'm a former Marine who served in Iraq. I read Jim Webb's "Fields of Fire," and found it to be one of the most influential books I have ever read. What was it like serving under him?
RVN, '66-'67, E/2/1, Every day is a holiday, and every meal is a banquet, back in the "World".
Explain to the people that 1/5 means First Regiment, 5th Battalion (then "company", such as "A" or "B" company). I had a neighbor who was in the "jarheads" (peace time, early 80s) and when I asked him what unit he was in, he would say, "Lima, 3/8", and I had to ask him what that meant.
@@57highland 1/5 means 1st Battalion, 5th Regiment. There are no 5 Battalions in a Marine Regiment only 3. So it would be 1/5, 2/5, 3/5. Then within the Battalion there are companies, typically 4. So something like F 2/5 is Foxtrot Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Regiment. Further detail would be platoons, which are 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th platoon within a company. Hope that straightens it out.
Born in 1963. Watching t.v. and Seeing the silver caskets being unloaded from the planes are some early memories for me. Thanks to all that served!!
Same here. Vietnam is the first news event I remember. My neighbor was killed overthere. His mom was inconsolable. I’m 60 & I remember it like it was yesterday.
My gran father who was a green beret in Vietnam said he seen them load up bricks of heroin in those caskets.
@@SurtierWood I've read some of those same stories. It's really disgusting when we think about people profiting from war....
@@rob924egan2 all wars in history have been profited on. The us profits off of all wars.
I was also born I 1963 and I remember seeing the news footage. I knew my uncle was over there and I was hoping to see him on the news. He was killed in 1970.
I have so much respect and admiration for Vietnam vets. They were the men who raised me mostly, not only as a boy growing up in the 80s, but as a young Marine infantryman. I learned more "Indian war tricks" from Vietnam veteran SNCOs than anyone. They taught me things that aren't in any manuals or textbooks. I love them in a way that is hard to describe.
Thank you for your service Tony Blount! You're one incredible man!
Born in 57 and never served I am truly grateful to you Tony Blount and all your fellow soldiers. May God bless all of you and continue to shine over you.
Thank you for your service Tony, your faith, and sharing. My son is a Marine. One of my best friends saw heavy action in Vietnam, he suffers from agent orange now. Destroyed his heart.
Agent orange? Water at Camp Lejeune? Our government is INCOMPETENT and should not be leading.
I am following Jesus. To hell with this government
Vietnam was definitely stressful, especially for the grunts. I was there in '69 with the 198th Infantry. Gosh, times do change. I remember if KIA's were less than 300 a week, that was considered good. Hard to believe, isn't it. My Dad served as a heavy machind gunner in the 76 Infantry Division under General George S. Patton. They definitely were the Greatest of the Greatest Generation. He was wounded and captured by the Germans toward the end of the war. Needless to say, he was my HERO.
Was für ein Mann, was für ein Leben, was für ein Krieg! 🙄
Ich hoffe er hat noch ein langes und glücklicheres Leben vor sich! 🙏
Greetings from Germany
i was da nang 70-71 and have the highest respect for the Marines and all the grunts in the bush. I think it was MAG 11 and MAG 17 that were billeted around our comm. center. Glad to see you are at peace with the war. Thank you one and all for your service.
he is more than likely not at peace with the war
My Dad was there at the same time. He passed 2.5 years ago. Miss him every day
The man is wearing a grenade pin on his neck chain. I missed Vietnam, joined in June of 1975 and was young and dumb enough to be angry about it at the time. Having served 23 years and long been retired from the military, I thank God for saving me from that grinder and giving me time to train and prepare.
Grenade pin?! WTF! He should be wearing a crucifix, cuz, someone up there likes him.
@@boondocker7964God hates the cross
@@PippiLongstockings-ps8jd How do you know? Just asking for a friend.
God bless you, sir. Thank you for your service and sacrifice war is ugly.
So tragic,, so pointless... Here I am an Aussie who missed the draft by 1 year... now living in Danang for the last 8 years... such a beautiful vibrant city and people... Tony....utter respect to you... many vets have returned here and found solace
Well said Gary.
It is still a Communist/Marxist nation. Can't really say if I would be happy there being that many of my friends and families left/escaped from there to get away from that. As we say in Brooklyn "Sauseege his own"!
I can definitely relate to everything he’s talking about I was drafted in 1968 into the us army like most 1968 draftees found myself in a infantry unit in Vietnam was wounded twice was a absolute miracle that I made it back home…welcome home Tony….
There is a story in a song I like.Its a song about this war.zig zagging through ghost land the V C,and if the moon is in a straight line those "ghosts will barbecue your behind.the radiators zig zag gin through ghost land.
This man, as another person said, has been through absolute HELL!! Just by looking at his eyes; it tells more than any words he could ever speak to you!! Gives me chills to the bone.. God Bless this man; the many others who fought in this war!
When he tears up for all the soldiers who suffered - not just the guys he knew, wow. I think about my father, who was given a choice of jail or the Army, after he got into a little scrap in town. He suffered the rest of his life. Just knowing that a King B badass like this man cares, means a ton to me. Gor bless Tony Blount, and Thank you for your service
God bless you sir! My Dad served in Vietnam and I always was proud of him for that!
I've always looked up to Vietnam Veterans, Never understood the awful treatment they got coming Home, Most were drafted and made to go, The ones that deserve the Disrespect are the ones that ran across our borders. Welcome home thank god your alive.
Actually look it up but it's a misconception on the drafted number more than you think voluntarily joined. Not that you are wrong obviously many were drafted as well. I forget the % but alot higher than what we've have been told.
Blame Jane fonda and John effn Kerry. Saul Alinski.
Really? Really lady? That's where you take it? Smh typical Jan 6er comment. The ones that really deserve it are the ones that make comments like that. Go bow to your orange god.
@@williamwatt6334 Most (Very high percentage ; like over 76 % volunteered , and just cause you got drafted , didn't mean you would be sent to Vietnam), Many draftees never saw Vietnam -- except on the news. In my platoon, there wan't ever one draftee ( I was a Marine Grunt, in the "bush" ), and we went through a lot of Marines, for many reasons, so they were always being replaced , individually , or many at one time. I couldn't even give a round about close number ? You learn not to get too close to but maybe a handful of other Marines.
@@greybone777 Ignorant comment
Jesus Christ, my man. Thank you for your service. That kind of comment is a long time coming for somebody like you. Thank you, thank you thank you!!!
I was friends with a man in 1972 who was in the first Marine division to go to Vietnam. Some of the of the things he told me: He volunteered at 18 y/o because of a disagreement with his parents, and he wanted out of the house. His parent's had a scrapbook titled "Jerry's Trip," because they couldn't accept the reality that their son was there. There were plenty of photos in the papers at the time with the way war was actively reported for the first time in history. Jerry said he had a 50lb backpack worth of stuff and an M1 rifle. As soon as he could, he got rid of that useless backpack and rifle and took a "tommy-gun" from a Vietnamese soldier because the US soldiers came totally unprepared for the close quarters of jungle warfare. One other thing that stood out was that because of his being a different religion, some other soldier would tell him "I hope you die today," every time he had to go out on patrol. Half of his division died in Vietnam. I found Jerry to be a slight very mild man, with a very kind and friendly nature. Hard to believe he had been in that war, but he had the photos to prove it.
Half the 1st division died no. I was there
Nobody had an M1 in Vietnam.
@@bbmtgeM-14 ,fixed it for ya.
M-14 was an excellent rifle
Hope all those who say " vets didn't see race/religion, we were all brothers" read this...
It's never too late to sincerely say, "Thank you for your service, Marine!"
@PhinAl
I Too am A Marine Veteran 73-79 but what's confusing is he says from the beginning that he was drafted into The Army but The Header Says A Marine.
@ABCDE ABCDE , in the first minute he says he was drafted into the Army, but was given the opportunity to become a Marine, instead.
Thank you for your service, Marine!
@@PhinAI
Yeah I was distracted when he was talking about that & went back & re watched the video.
Thank you for your support for Veteran's.
Tony, God bless you and thank you for your service. I know "thank you for your service" falls short, but, it's the best I can do. I'm a Vietnam era Army vet, no combat, but, had buddies who saw combat and were wounded. When I was separated from active duty (1964-1967), I was treated at the VA for survivor's syndrome. I had guilt because I hadn't been called upon to serve in the war. I can't even imagine what you guys experienced. God bless you all.
Drafted '67, 14 months in Vietnam. Don't feel guilty. Luck of the draw.
@@namvet1968 Thank you for your service and much respect.
I'm a bit younger...53. 25 year Army Infantry. 6 years deployed combat time all in a line Infantry outfit.
I've met a few folks like yourself who served but never saw combat. Hell, 3/4ths of those who deployed never seen combat.
Anyway, you didn't miss anything. Literally putting body parts in ziplock bags, half bodies into body bags, the burnt smell of flesh and fuel, bodies burning for hours and couldn't put them out.
And then the wounded...and the dead enemy Soldiers.
Please understand, you didn't miss anything except the most horrific and grotesque ways humans kill other humans. No Sir, be thankful you don't have those memories or the names and faces of kids etched in your mind.
@@keithwilliams3935 Bravo.
I call BS. They always accepted volunteers.
The best interview with a Vietnam vet I have ever heard. God bless this great man. I learned more from him than anyone I have ever listened to.
So many of these Vets who served in Vietnam look and act to me like my Grandmother used to describe as... "rode hard and put away wet". My own Dad was a Seabee with 3 tours in Vietnam and passed aged 53. He never spoke to us kids but my Uncle told me Dad said they were soaked head to toe often when they were transporting and pumping tanks full of defoliant. God grant these people rest from their heavy burdens and those who never returned.
Agent Orange is so safe you can drink it! I love my country but fear my government!
@@danodonnell7218 You scored 33%........ figure it out
@@B126USMC that's what they told my brother when he was in Nam in 68-69! Screaming eagles 😻
The pain that this poor man lives with, it shouldn't be cast on anyone. I hope he and everyone else that experiences the trauma of war can find peace in their minds and hearts. No person in this time should ever be put in situations like this where they are emotionally, physically and mentally scared. Bless them all!
many man y people suffer from PTSD...and not just from going to Vietnam
Thank You for your service Sir. Welcome Home. So glad that you made it home. I am sorry for those that you knew and all of the others who did not make it home. Thank You for being willing to share your experiences with us.
My father, a WWII veteran, signed my oldest brother out of school in 1967 at 17 to join the Corps. Three tours, 23yrs, retired 1St Sgt. He is an American hero.
Please thank them both (for me) for their service. My father served aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise during Nam.
@Rovingdog628 obviously, you have nothing better to do with your time than to nit-pick how someone refers to a country. I guess that me and countless others who have referred to Vietnam as "Nam" are wrong. Thank you so much for pointing that out. The world is safe now. Are there some kids on your lawn at the moment? You'd better go yell at them. Be sure to tell them that it's a "lawn" and not a "yard" when you do. Prick.
Such integrity and honor! I know it’s personally painful for you at a level most of us will never comprehend, but we needed hear it. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with the world.
God Bless you Sir. I’m sorry for what our Worthless ‘government’ needlessly put you through❤
don't forget, Korea, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Airwing Marine assigned to MWHG-1 in Danang, 7/69-7/70. This is probably the best interview of a grunt Marine I've ever heard. No stories of heroic battles; just short snippets of the every-day realities of war that did an excellent job of revealing this man's varied emotions as he lived through all of these different events. We air-wingers knew we had it easy compared to you grunts, which is why I (certainly) always greatly admired you and respected you. Glad you made it home. Thanks for your great service to America.
A very honest Marine draftee, he never exaggerated or embellished his experience about his involvement in the war. He served with distinction and deserved respect.
I could not imagine be 20 years old or younger being thrown in these situations. Absolute terror! God bless these Soldiers! Ill never understand the purpose of war!
Greed and power, simple as that.
The average age in Nam was 19!
Marines........aren't soldiers. They're M A R I N E S
I was born in AUGUST OF 1968 MUCH RESPECT TO THIS MARINE ALL 5 OF MY UNCLES SERVED IN NAM ,IM A VET ASWELL.
The fact that this man is no smooth talking celebrity coupled with the raw emotion pouring off him tells me he 💯% authentic. Amazingly detailed recounting. Thank you sir. Glad you made it home.
Best wishes to you Tony . Thank you for stepping up and serving your country
He didn’t serve us, he was enslaved by our draft to fight a stupid war and kill millions.
It's a shame a lot of these vet's are still fighting for their benefits
Everytime I watch one of these podcast I think about how trump talks about those vets who served in the military. I could list them but it would take all day I have I have all respect for those soldiers.and absolutely know respect for trump after all said and did too those soldiers and his bonespurs, coward
@@liangjiang3122 it was the government and the pilots that did that not the soldiers on the ground most of them didn't want to be in that shit hole country they were drafted and they got that shit spray on them too a lot of them died from that shit your just like the rest of those assholes who blame the grunts for that war when they had to go or go to jail or try to get into canada and it was over 25 years before the gov said they could come back most of them never want back they said canada was their country now so you can kiss my a**
My memory was standing in a line facing a Marine recruiter who asked for "volunteers" (funny, since we'd all be drafted). Several guys raised their hands, but the numbers were nearly high enough. So, we counted down by fives, and every fifth guy left with the Marine recruiter too. Somebody told me later that a couple of them had been sent into the Navy... can't swear that's true. Many years later I saw some Marine Corps recruiting propaganda that stated, "The Marine Corps has always relied on the proud tradition of only accepting volunteers. Well, don't tell me that... I was there and know far better. No, I went on into the Army since I didn't volunteer and wasn't a "five." So much of life is determined by sheer chance and circumstance.
You are 100% right. Some Marines were draftees. I went through an alike lineup SELECTION in 1967 and I was missed by a couple numbers being a Marine. Today, there are so much false b.s. propaganda generated by the Fed govt, military and media it is disgusting. The FIRST BIG LIE is that volunteers make a better fighting troop than draftees. In WW2 most of 16.5 million U.S. troops by far were draftees, and all 16.5 million regardless of whether volunteers or draftees were the best fighting men the world has ever known. Shoots that all volunteer theory all to hell doesn't it. My Commander said in Nam, an Army infantry unit was 50/50 draftee, and U couldn't differianate who was whom. A small survey revealed our draftees were the most decorated, but volunteers were so close it is all insignificant. Bottom line, when an American puts on that uniform, they will give it their all to serve our country. It makes absolutely no difference if a draftees or volunteer army. Of course, top Generals will say the latter, but they have to say that.
I was drafted in January 66 and every 4th went to the Marines. I was the 4th.