My father was with the 1st Marines in Nam 67 through 68. Finished up as an NSA guard and got out in 1970. He never spoke openly about the war except from us kids hearing them from his nightmares. He passed away in 2010. He was my hero.
My late brother was drafted into the US Army in 1966 he was sent to boot camp at Fort Jackson SC then from there he was shipped out to Viet Nam, he was only a year out of HS, his rank was SP-4, he ended up being a physical fitness trainer and a mechanic fixing jeeps in his divison, he served from 1966-68, he suffered a little shell shock but later on he recovered from it, in 1987 he became ill and passed away, he was my big brother had me by 10 years, i miss him God bless him and all that served in the military.
I was starting my second tour in Viet Nam at Dong Tam, a river boat repair base. Lots of Tango, Monitor, Zippo boats in the Harbor. I was walking the road above the piers when a mortar round exploded on the hello pad. It severally wounded a crewman on the boat. It was a sad time for the Sailors. His body was placed on a YARBM to be transported that day back to the World. I think about that crewman often, God rest his soul. JT Wendel
This entire series is phenomenal. Thanks so much for it! I'm learning much more than in most of the documentaries. One thing I'd very much enjoy is seeing photos of the men at the age of their service.
Good to hear an old boy from Lincoln, Nebraska. I am from UK and 20+ years ago had a work stint in Lincoln. It is kind of an offbeat location. Will never forget a barman asking ‘so what are you guys doing here for work, I mean nobody comes here on vacation’. We were in his bar for a marguerita before watching Black Hawk Down over the road. God Bless the Cornhusker State.
Sir, Mr. John Tomek....I spent 6 years in warzones across iraq and afghanistan. Freaking THANK YOU, for everything you did. Nothing but massive respect for you and your time in Vietnam. America owe's you more than it could ever repay.
My brother served in Vietnam. He never spoke a word about it to us. He passed away at 53. I have watched 10 of these so far and plan on watching all of them. Think there are over 50 interviews. This gives me a picture into what my brother experienced and witnessed. He was Air Force and all I know he loaded weapons on the F4's.
“ You need to go take this hill”. … “ oh now we don’t need this hill anymore”….. “ You need to go take this hill again “! That part REALLY got me. What a waste
Great interview just laying back relaxed listening to some one who has been there and walked the walk so I am listening to him talk the talk no b.s. he's not making himself out to be some war hero but he is
By the time I became a Navy Corpsman in 1971, the auto assignments to field med school with the Marines, ie. Vietnam, were history. Thanks to the Billings Gazette and all those participating for giving me this view into a world of brave soldiers I would luckily never experience directly but feel is important for us all to know about..
Lord.. the reality of shit this guy experienced in that God awful war. Rock solid individual, tough as nails. Seems he’s doing all he can to hold it together during certain parts of this interview. I wish I could shake his hand and thank him for his service and sacrifice. Americans owe him and all of our military personnel a huge debt of gratitude. I hope he has a great life. He certainly has earned that
This is amazing. Charlie Conlin left his hometown Hyannis ma and served in Vietnam...he never recovered. He used to get drunk and tell horrific stories. Rest in peace charlie.
When I went into the service in 1968, my letter from Uncle Sam told me I was going to be drafted by either the U.S. Army or the Marine Corp. That meant basic at Fort Dix, N.J., or Camp Lejeune, N.C. I chose to wait for the draft, (which came exactly one year after high school graduation) because there was no way I wanted to spend four years in the military. I was young and wanted to get on with my life, and if going to Vietnam was a way to do that, then so be it. So I ended up going to 'Nam in summer of 1969 at age 20. I ended up getting wounded by shrapnel from a rocket or mortar attack on December 14, 1969. After several operations, I was finally released from army hospital and the army on September of 1970. So I spent most of my 21st year in the planet in army hospitals. I'm 73 years-old now and still hanging in there. I have to disagree a little bit with what this fellow vet said. Maybe he was only kidding, but during the Vietnam era the Marine Corp was no tougher than the United States Army. We went though same basic training, fired the same weapons and had some pretty damned hard DIs. Most of 'em were veterans of WWII, Vietnam, or Korea. They always told us they were going to train us right because they didn't want our sorry asses snuffed out in Vietnam because we didn't know what we were doing.
Would be nice to know how to access those after-action reports. Reading just a couple of them might not add much to overall understanding of Vietnam War, but bound & organized copies of them are something those of us with more than passing interest would read. Thoughtful, valuable testimony by Mr. Tomek. Thank you!
When I got to Nam the Marines were going through a so called white mans war.What was scary is depending on the Lt. & Sgt. when they were only two who knew how to read a map and knew where we were.It was just great if you liked sleeping on dirt and sometimes water and mud.And at night getting a mouth full of mosquitoes,during a pouring down rain.Semper Fi. RIP My fellow Marines who had fallen for nothing.
This series is great......these well spoken and thoughtful men possess hard-earned wisdom. They elevate one's image of the "Vietnam Vet." Being of draft age in 1970..... put one in the draft pool and lottery, I was relieved. to be exempted....as a "sole surviving son." Father died in uniform on a secret mission in the early 1950s. I was a "patriot" (ie, would love to go to war for my country) in my teens. Then I saw....on TV....... napalm.....frying humans from the sky. I couldn't see doing that....(unless they did it to us first!) I know that my high mindedness would have been modified if I were there...... and was being overrun by the enemy. Our latest 20 years war went as long as it did ......because the media did not display the carnage. During Vietnam....they did. Mr. Tomek's takeaway comments are simple but profound "Maybe other people love their countries as much as we love ours." I would like to see a government where war veterans had the power to veto, or endorse, any future wars. Thank you for your efforts Mr. Ehrlich. Sincerely, John Davis
I experienced a similar experience as, i suppose most of Viet Nam Vets did, that first firefight. I was a 60 gunner on my first trip out. I was 118 pounds soaking wet and the weapon weighed 23 lbs unloaded......Why me....lol
I had no idea of the gravity of this war. I was an infant in the sixties, my dad was stationed in alaska. But i never could imagine it was what these great guys were saying. Holy shit!
How many combat veterans who go on with their lives-as best they can-never talk about it with their families...or anyone else? Their experiences are sometimes so incomparable relative to our normal experience that perhaps many neither find the words nor the audience to elaborate. Many WW2 vets deeply affected by what they saw, heard, smelled, did, felt never spoke more than a few words about their experiences. Once vets speak, it’s hard to get them to elaborate; you feel like they think you really aren’t capable of understanding, which may well be the case.
Navy vet 61 - 65, with riverine combat experience. You are right - I seldom talk about what I experienced - only with my dad who was in Merrills Marauders in WW2 - he and I talked and cried. He also never talked about his ezperiences except that one time with me. I came out and went to nursing school and did that for 46 years, retiring at 70. It was my way of giving back, a way to heal myself. STill do not like fireworks or taps - the nightmares lessened over the decades, now at 80 they are rare. But the memories and the horrors are always there, always there. Tried to drink them away for 10 years, quit for good in '75 - instead of helping, the alcohol made it worse.
Sounds like my story with the exception we walked through the jungle for days. Was on listening post 100 yards outside the perimeter every night. More numb than scared.
we captured a few, I only had close contact with two of them. One was an NVA officer (Captain I think) I was an E3 at the time so did not do anything but transport to the intel guys. The other one was a VC who was severely wounded. I stood guard over him while our medic worked on him. He was then taken to dust off and away he went. Do not know what happened to the guy, lived or died, and at that time I was hoping for his demise......Crazy is as crazy does I guess. Still crazy my wife says.
As many of you have stated, one of the better oral history interviews. This Marine seems very honest and tells it looks ke it was. Like Iwo Jima, "Uncommon valor was a common virtue", especially in I-Corps Marines. The NVA were brave fighters too and also suffered untold hardships. We often forget or discount the courageousness of the enemy combatants from these stinking wars. Wars many Americans, including myself, were duped into supporting. My brother was an enlisted Marine and in Vietnam from December 1966 to Jan 1968, on his way home when the Tet Offensive started. We kept the dried out Christmas tree up until February, until he finally arrived back to our family's home, where we re-celebrated Christmas again. December 1966 to January 1967 was the longest 13 months in our family's experience. My brother was a different person when he came home. He NEVER talks about his tour in Vietnam. He is a good family man and relatively successful. But for a few years after he returned home, he was a wild S.O.B. and feared nobody, and had no fear of 'Johnny-Law'. Over time, like most vets, he settled down and successfully navigated the goal of obtaining the American Dream. Even though I later became an enlisted Marine and at a later time, an Air Force officer and aviator, I did not know how tough it was for Marine Grunts facing combat in Vietnam, especially I-Corps. It was only after reading numerous books and memoirs authored by enlisted Marines that I really heard about the horrible conditions these Marines were subjected to. It was terrible how the guys doing the actual combat were treated by the command structure. If you see stars on the shoulder of a man in uniform, it is a good bet, you are looking at a brown nosing politician who is primarily concerned more about his career than the welfare of their men. Not one flag officer, general or admiral resigned his commission in protest to how their men were being used as cannon fodder. NOT ONE OF THOSE TURDS RESIGNED!!! They all knew that Johnson and McNamara were pushing a certain agenda with no plan to effectively fight to win or get the debacle over with. They knew the bombing targets up north were ludicrous and risked the lives of aircrews on worthless targets of no military value; many of these targets were empty jungle without any enemy or weapons in the area. The rules of engagement set forth by McNamara and Johnson were preposterous and all policies and senseless strategic decisions were being used to prolong this miserable war. They never intended to win the, the scam to ripoff the American taxpayers was too good. They only wanted to feather the nest and fatten the wallets of those folks, themselves and their cronies who were heavily in a invested in the military industrial complex. Oh and the war was GREAT for the 'lifers' and flag officers who would place getting another star on top of their priority list, before their own family and sure as hell before the lives and welfare of their own men.
Something is seriously wrong with your response "John". Is any of it true? Your first sentence recites "one of the better oral history interviews", but I would disagree. John Tomek gave a clear description of his time in service, his service was great, his courage was exceptional, he was directly in combat, he was eventually wounded and airlifted out, & he returned for more combat duty, later he went through university studies and got a job. He is an American hero. However, virtually every other one of these "voices" interviews have similar dutiful and heroic stories. You should place your gripes somewhere more appropriate, but not here.
@@CuHead1 Everything I said is true! You pissant, what I said takes nothing away from this Marines story. What isn't true what I said? I served in both the USMC and the USAF. I flew with men who flew all throughout the air-war in Vietnam. These were all officers who flew combat missions throughout the theater. To a man, they all thought it was a war they intended not to win. Where in the hell did you serve? Did I burst your bubble thinking this war was a 'noble' cause. You obviously know nothing about this debacle that was a crime against humanity. Your response shows you know nothing about the conflict. I will place my 'gripes' where ever I want. You are not the thought police or the speech police.
You would think they’d tell the wounded to contact their family. Because there was a lot going on and those young men were in a different frame of mind. I just want to say thank you for serving our country, my father was a Marine (Devil Dog) in Korea and I have some pictures from out on the field.
I absolutely love listening to these. Anyone have suggestion of any other series to listen to that’s very in-depth from the Soldiers perspective. I’m out of these lol.
I really enjoy these stories. Many lessons to be learned from these experiences. That said there are many guys that served in Nam that don’t have the patriotic warm and fuzzy feeling that guys in this series seem to all have. I think like most things it’s driven by what color state you live in red or blue....
@@mikesampson3467 Sells as a fortune cookie slogan but not reality. When the water boils away religion and politics are always at the bottom of the pot...
@rich it's not a fortune cookie slogan. Sorry but I agree with Mike. It does come down to what type of character a person is. Not in regards to a red or blue state. I live in blue state however I'm very patriotic and proud of my country and our vets. A fortune cookie slogan would be good things come to those who wait, even that has truth when it boils down to it. I think in any situation, you can alter the outcome of it in a positive way or negative. It comes down to the type of person.
Youre trying to sound inquisitive yet, assuming religion is only in red states due to traditional conservative beliefs, is flat out naive at best. People don't join up because of religious beliefs and or political beliefs. A lot join merely based off of either wanting a better life and opportunities for themselves and or regardless of the country's issues, still believe its the best place to live in the world and it is. Regardless of political affiliation. Regardless of religion. I dont believe in any organized religion. I also don't submit to what you see as propaganda. I just believe, in my own life experience living here for 32 years, America is the best place to live. So in actuality, what you think is reality, isn't actually someone elses. You wrote thst comment based off of you're own opinion and reality. Not mine or anyone else's on here as of yet.
This guy really didn't have it bad. Kayson(spelling wrong) they had three mess halls.He says we went outside the wire.The base camps and fire bases had wire around them.Buffalo grass grows in flat land and rise patties. The real fighting was done in the Central High Lands or Dak to area.It consist of all mountain's.The Viet Nam people called it.The home of evil.A day of a Grunt up before light.You gathered your equipment in the dark.You lined up in the dark at an angel going up the mountain in the jungle.You carried your M-16 and a hundred pound's on your back.In the line you stand leaning forward,cause of the weight in the dark. Soldier's shifted their weight and in the dark it sounded like saddles shifting on the horse.At day break the word came down,saddle up,then the word at the first rey's of light move out.You were always moving up the mountain.Water was precious(no water) on top of the mountains)We were resupply with meal's and water.When the copper didn't come,you went hungry and thirsty. Your lip's grew to the size of your thumb with cut's from one end to the other.You couldn't open your mouth.You did not stop humping the mountains,so the sweet hit your lip's you curse God and the colonel.The people in your squad were all angry so no word's were exchange. At the end of the day you stopped and made a perimeter each squad was assign to a particular spot.You dug a fox hole 6 by 6 by 5.You went 30 to 40 feet fron the perimeter and cut four log's and carried them to the fox hole. You dresses the fox hole,by filling 300 hundred sand bag's.YOU put 9 at end of the fox hole.You put the four log's on top of the fox hole and the rest of the sandbags Afterwards you put out trip flares and Claymore mines.Guard duty is given to every soldier and you go to sleep,at this time the night has pushed day light away and you can't write home. The next day the same thing seven day's a week and no day's off. Equipment is another thing.I can tell you from the can opener to the smoked grenades . Must remember Viet Nam was a hell hole,it also had worst hell holes in the hell hole.
He said he was with Fox Co. But didn't mention what Battalion or which Marine group. I was in Golf Co. 2nd Battalion 9th Marines 3rd Marine Division 68-69.
John, you and I may have crossed paths. Not in Vietnam, but in NE. If you read this John and you played basket ball for University High, we would have played against each other in the finals of the state tournament. Hebron vs Univ high. After graduation in 1965, I also knew boys from Nebr Wesleyan because I attended rival Doane College and participated in track and cross country. I too was very naive (just what the military prefers). Trying to make a long story short, I did my best to avoid the draft after my brother in law who'd been there advised me to do all I could to stay away. In May of 1969, just before graduation I passed my draft physical, despite being deaf in one ear. My saving grace was the head of the draft board who told be they would have to draft me if I went to grad school, but she would arrange a one year deferment if I got a job teaching math in a secondary school. (My degree was in math and there was a shortage of math and science teachers. ) Thank you for your story and for the time of your youth which you gave up for what you felt was right. We all lost something and or someone because of grown men sending kids (too young to vote) to a place MacArthur had advised Kennedy to stay out of. www.mnvietnam.org/story/draft-dodger/
every one had 2 hours guard an night starting 10.00 m60 tank crew of 5 Pleiku --ankhe daytime crush rice pots, and vc base camps, LZ oasis, lz blackhawk, lz action, dak tko 69th armor u.s. 1969
![Gunna - HIM ALL ALONG [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/w7Wf0h1Q8a4/mqdefault.jpg)
My father was with the 1st Marines in Nam 67 through 68. Finished up as an NSA guard and got out in 1970. He never spoke openly about the war except from us kids hearing them from his nightmares. He passed away in 2010. He was my hero.
Sorry for your loss Bred...I know it hurts. You are his hero to carry on bravely...
I am sorry for your terrible loss I was also with 1st Marines in Nam during 68. Sempre Fi young man!
@@virgildoc Thank you, and Welcome home.
@@virgildoc thanks Virgil! What state are you in
@@jamalydude You are very welcome we live in Florida
This man is one level headed Marine. Loved his calmness. Liked the stories he told. Semper Fi!
My late brother was drafted into the US Army in 1966 he was sent to boot camp at Fort Jackson SC then from there he was shipped out to Viet Nam, he was only a year out of HS, his rank was SP-4, he ended up being a physical fitness trainer and a mechanic fixing jeeps in his divison, he served from 1966-68, he suffered a little shell shock but later on he recovered from it, in 1987 he became ill and passed away, he was my big brother had me by 10 years, i miss him God bless him and all that served in the military.
Sorry for your loss. Your brother was a real-life hero
I was starting my second tour in Viet Nam at Dong Tam, a river boat repair base. Lots of Tango, Monitor, Zippo boats in the Harbor. I was walking the road above the piers when a mortar round exploded on the hello pad. It severally wounded a crewman on the boat. It was a sad time for the Sailors. His body was placed on a YARBM to be transported that day back to the World. I think about that crewman often, God rest his soul. JT Wendel
I am very grateful to have discovered this series.... 6 years later... These veteran stories are so compelling. Thank you.
What an extraordinarily EARNEST account by this Marine. Incredible recall and even sense of humor. One of the best - in this amazing series.
Marine friend of mine was one of the first to land in Vietnam... Was from Lincoln Nebraska... Still alive... lucky to have left Vietnam in Nov 65...
This entire series is phenomenal. Thanks so much for it! I'm learning much more than in most of the documentaries. One thing I'd very much enjoy is seeing photos of the men at the age of their service.
You’re not stupid sir, you are a badass. 😄 Thanks for your service
Glad you made it home safely brother !
Good to hear an old boy from Lincoln, Nebraska. I am from UK and 20+ years ago had a work stint in Lincoln. It is kind of an offbeat location. Will never forget a barman asking ‘so what are you guys doing here for work, I mean nobody comes here on vacation’. We were in his bar for a marguerita before watching Black Hawk Down over the road. God Bless the Cornhusker State.
Cigar bar, by chance?
good interview ....
both the Marine & the guy asking the questions are fun guys....good attitudes
Imagine all vets had stories to tell throughout history. Civil war, Revolutionary war, so many young men marched to their deaths.
So many fascinating stories and perspectives
I was at PhuBai the same time. Tet was a butt kicker. Welcome home bro!
If you can't sleep because of lights being on, noise or whatever you aren't that tired. You learn that right quick in the military.
Sir, Mr. John Tomek....I spent 6 years in warzones across iraq and afghanistan. Freaking THANK YOU, for everything you did. Nothing but massive respect for you and your time in Vietnam. America owe's you more than it could ever repay.
As a Vietnam veteran I very much enjoyed this!!
Married with children
My brother served in Vietnam. He never spoke a word about it to us. He passed away at 53. I have watched 10 of these so far and plan on watching all of them. Think there are over 50 interviews. This gives me a picture into what my brother experienced and witnessed. He was Air Force and all I know he loaded weapons on the F4's.
We are thankful for his service.
Great interview by a GREAT Patriot.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE SIR. Welcome home.
“ You need to go take this hill”. … “ oh now we don’t need this hill anymore”….. “ You need to go take this hill again “! That part REALLY got me. What a waste
Thank you, John Tomek and the production team; that was a great piece of work and really edifying. (David - Bristol, UK).
Ha, I'm also David from Bristol.
Great interview just laying back relaxed listening to some one who has been there and walked the walk so I am listening to him talk the talk no b.s. he's not making himself out to be some war hero but he is
By the time I became a Navy Corpsman in 1971, the auto assignments to field med school with the Marines, ie. Vietnam, were history. Thanks to the Billings Gazette and all those participating for giving me this view into a world of brave soldiers I would luckily never experience directly but feel is important for us all to know about..
1st battalion 6th marines 0311. Love you brother. Thanks for your story. We all appreciate it.
Very good discussion. I remember when you and Eddie Sanchez got there to our platoon and that Christmas eve party we had.
"No grizzly bears ?" Just tigers and deadly snakes and bugs. WOW ! NUFF SAID...JUST another True Humble Ametican Hero. Thank You, Jesus
I was 2nd brigade 4th infantry division, Afghanistan 2011-2012. Some things never change.
1-32, 3rd brigade, 10th mountain. Was there 2013-2014. Glad you made it back 💪
You too bro!
1-32 Cav?
This man seen way more than most it's crazy he was supposed to be a mechanic and then ends up in infantry hard core 👍🇺🇸
Be cool to see a picture of these guys during the interview. To put it in perspective how young these guys were..welcome home
Lord.. the reality of shit this guy experienced in that God awful war. Rock solid individual, tough as nails. Seems he’s doing all he can to hold it together during certain parts of this interview. I wish I could shake his hand and thank him for his service and sacrifice. Americans owe him and all of our military personnel a huge debt of gratitude. I hope he has a great life. He certainly has earned that
I came across a vietnam vet today. Told him thank you for your service sir. He said I did it for people like you. Legendary group of men.
Thanks for your service.
Thank you sir for your service and my freedom.
“Downtown by the railroad station”
I love this guy
I was Air Force 438th MAC Clark AFB I didn’t envy any of those kids.
@@ltlwayh1 Especially the ones who didn't duck.
“Just wanted to see if i could tough it out” man oh man. Did he ever tough it out.
Thank you for sharing your story
Welcome home brother. US Army USARV Special Troops, Long Binh 68/69
Great interview and story.
Only 5 mins in and already like this guy.
I like them all
Totally solid guy, respect from the U.K. (again)
This is amazing. Charlie Conlin left his hometown Hyannis ma and served in Vietnam...he never recovered. He used to get drunk and tell horrific stories. Rest in peace charlie.
When I went into the service in 1968, my letter from Uncle Sam told me I was going to be drafted by either the U.S. Army or the Marine Corp. That meant basic at Fort Dix, N.J., or Camp Lejeune, N.C. I chose to wait for the draft, (which came exactly one year after high school graduation) because there was no way I wanted to spend four years in the military. I was young and wanted to get on with my life, and if going to Vietnam was a way to do that, then so be it. So I ended up going to 'Nam in summer of 1969 at age 20. I ended up getting wounded by shrapnel from a rocket or mortar attack on December 14, 1969. After several operations, I was finally released from army hospital and the army on September of 1970. So I spent most of my 21st year in the planet in army hospitals. I'm 73 years-old now and still hanging in there. I have to disagree a little bit with what this fellow vet said. Maybe he was only kidding, but during the Vietnam era the Marine Corp was no tougher than the United States Army. We went though same basic training, fired the same weapons and had some pretty damned hard DIs. Most of 'em were veterans of WWII, Vietnam, or Korea. They always told us they were going to train us right because they didn't want our sorry asses snuffed out in Vietnam because we didn't know what we were doing.
What a humble warrior god bless him.. Thank you for your service sir!!
Would be nice to know how to access those after-action reports. Reading just a couple of them might not add much to overall understanding of Vietnam War, but bound & organized copies of them are something those of us with more than passing interest would read. Thoughtful, valuable testimony by Mr. Tomek. Thank you!
Thank you John for your service! Semper FI!
Very good interview! Thanks!
“2 warms beers per day- Carling Black Label” That’s a British drink made just down road from me in Staffordshire- Thank you for your service
Carling Black Label made in Baltimore MD
These interviews are Gold. Get as much on video or paper before it's gone.
A very interesting perspective on John's war story and his thoughts on wars since. A very good series.
Welcome home Mr. Tomek, welcome home.
Weird how the day this was filmed is filmed on the date I go to recruit training for the Marine Corps🤣10/5/2020!
I hope you weren’t dumb enough to pick infantry too. That shit definitely sucks
Thank you sir
Get em. Times ticking now. Best of luck
Justin Akers ddddddwawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwdddddwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwdddddzdzzapqwwwwwwwwwwwwdddwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwadsddddddddddweaßßa
How’s it going now man? Surviving?
Thanks for recording this and thanks to the men for doing the interviews. Posted on social media to help others to see them.
When I got to Nam the Marines were going through a so called white mans war.What was scary is depending on the Lt. & Sgt. when they were only two who knew how to read a map and knew where we were.It was just great if you liked sleeping on dirt and sometimes water and mud.And at night getting a mouth full of mosquitoes,during a pouring down rain.Semper Fi. RIP My fellow Marines who had fallen for nothing.
Job well done John......Thank You for your service and dedication......Welcome Home !!
THANK YOU JOHN !
This series is great......these well spoken and thoughtful men possess hard-earned wisdom.
They elevate one's image of the "Vietnam Vet."
Being of draft age in 1970..... put one in the draft pool and lottery,
I was relieved. to be exempted....as a "sole surviving son." Father died in uniform on a secret mission in the early 1950s. I was a "patriot" (ie, would love to go to war for my country) in my teens.
Then I saw....on TV....... napalm.....frying humans from the sky. I couldn't see doing that....(unless they did it to us first!)
I know that my high mindedness would have been modified if I were there...... and was being overrun by the enemy.
Our latest 20 years war went as long as it did ......because the media did not display the carnage. During Vietnam....they did.
Mr. Tomek's takeaway comments are simple but profound "Maybe other people love their countries as much as we love ours."
I would like to see a government where war veterans had the power to veto, or endorse, any future wars.
Thank you for your efforts Mr. Ehrlich.
Sincerely, John Davis
Glad u made through your tour & college eventually! Good job! God bless.
Very proud and thankful for this man. God bless him. Not surprised though…I am also from Lincoln, NE and Cornhuskers are a tough breed! Go Big Red!
Loved the interview!!!🇱🇷❤️👍🙏
Thank you Mr. Tomek
Thank you for your service sir
John is awesome ; humble and cool.
Thank you for your service God Bless the USA 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Hey I tested "well" on all kinds of stuff too. Greetings from a fellow 0311! LOL 2/7, 74-76.
I experienced a similar experience as, i suppose most of Viet Nam Vets did, that first firefight. I was a 60 gunner on my first trip out. I was 118 pounds soaking wet and the weapon weighed 23 lbs unloaded......Why me....lol
Great story thanks for schare it .👍👍👍👍
I had no idea of the gravity of this war. I was an infant in the sixties, my dad was stationed in alaska.
But i never could imagine it was what these great guys were saying. Holy shit!
Ty for your service! 🇨🇦🇺🇸
How many combat veterans who go on with their lives-as best they can-never talk about it with their families...or anyone else? Their experiences are sometimes so incomparable relative to our normal experience that perhaps many neither find the words nor the audience to elaborate. Many WW2 vets deeply affected by what they saw, heard, smelled, did, felt never spoke more than a few words about their experiences. Once vets speak, it’s hard to get them to elaborate; you feel like they think you really aren’t capable of understanding, which may well be the case.
Navy vet 61 - 65, with riverine combat experience. You are right - I seldom talk about what I experienced - only with my dad who was in Merrills Marauders in WW2 - he and I talked and cried. He also never talked about his ezperiences except that one time with me. I came out and went to nursing school and did that for 46 years, retiring at 70. It was my way of giving back, a way to heal myself. STill do not like fireworks or taps - the nightmares lessened over the decades, now at 80 they are rare. But the memories and the horrors are always there, always there. Tried to drink them away for 10 years, quit for good in '75 - instead of helping, the alcohol made it worse.
Sounds like my story with the exception we walked through the jungle for days. Was on listening post 100 yards outside the perimeter every night. More numb than scared.
Interviewer interrupts too often - too many leading questions - just let him talk...
Just let him tell his story
All these guys are all American heroes
2 seconds - honest man
I'm British but love to hear the stories.. I salute every one who served..brave men.. disgrace the treatment they got coming home..I feel for um❤
I like the wildlife comment. There aren’t any Grizzly Bears
Thank all you brave men for your service and for sharing your stories
we captured a few, I only had close contact with two of them. One was an NVA officer (Captain I think) I was an E3 at the time so did not do anything but transport to the intel guys. The other one was a VC who was severely wounded. I stood guard over him while our medic worked on him. He was then taken to dust off and away he went. Do not know what happened to the guy, lived or died, and at that time I was hoping for his demise......Crazy is as crazy does I guess. Still crazy my wife says.
What a legend. Love this guy
Someone in the background is doing their taxes on a watch calculator.
That beeping ?
Bleed over picked up by their equipment.
Outstanding. Thank you.
Interesting interviews, look forward to seeing more. “ William Calley, tell us about your experiences”
As many of you have stated, one of the better oral history interviews. This Marine seems very honest and tells it looks ke it was.
Like Iwo Jima, "Uncommon valor was a common virtue", especially in I-Corps Marines.
The NVA were brave fighters too and also suffered untold hardships. We often forget or discount the courageousness of the enemy combatants from these stinking wars. Wars many Americans, including myself, were duped into supporting.
My brother was an enlisted Marine and in Vietnam from December 1966 to Jan 1968, on his way home when the Tet Offensive started. We kept the dried out Christmas tree up until February, until he finally arrived back to our family's home, where we re-celebrated Christmas again. December 1966 to January 1967 was the longest 13 months in our family's experience. My brother was a different person when he came home. He NEVER talks about his tour in Vietnam. He is a good family man and relatively successful. But for a few years after he returned home, he was a wild S.O.B. and feared nobody, and had no fear of 'Johnny-Law'. Over time, like most vets, he settled down and successfully navigated the goal of obtaining the American Dream.
Even though I later became an enlisted Marine and at a later time, an Air Force officer and aviator, I did not know how tough it was for Marine Grunts facing combat in Vietnam, especially I-Corps. It was only after reading numerous books and memoirs authored by enlisted Marines that I really heard about the horrible conditions these Marines were subjected to. It was terrible how the guys doing the actual combat were treated by the command structure.
If you see stars on the shoulder of a man in uniform, it is a good bet, you are looking at a brown nosing politician who is primarily concerned more about his career than the welfare of their men. Not one flag officer, general or admiral resigned his commission in protest to how their men were being used as cannon fodder. NOT ONE OF THOSE TURDS RESIGNED!!! They all knew that Johnson and McNamara were pushing a certain agenda with no plan to effectively fight to win or get the debacle over with. They knew the bombing targets up north were ludicrous and risked the lives of aircrews on worthless targets of no military value; many of these targets were empty jungle without any enemy or weapons in the area. The rules of engagement set forth by McNamara and Johnson were preposterous and all policies and senseless strategic decisions were being used to prolong this miserable war. They never intended to win the, the scam to ripoff the American taxpayers was too good. They only wanted to feather the nest and fatten the wallets of those folks, themselves and their cronies who were heavily in a invested in the military industrial complex. Oh and the war was GREAT for the 'lifers' and flag officers who would place getting another star on top of their priority list, before their own family and sure as hell before the lives and welfare of their own men.
Something is seriously wrong with your response "John". Is any of it true? Your first sentence recites "one of the better oral history interviews", but I would disagree. John Tomek gave a clear description of his time in service, his service was great, his courage was exceptional, he was directly in combat, he was eventually wounded and airlifted out, & he returned for more combat duty, later he went through university studies and got a job. He is an American hero. However, virtually every other one of these "voices" interviews have similar dutiful and heroic stories. You should place your gripes somewhere more appropriate, but not here.
Money, power, control..the high up politicians. And enough is NEVER enough for them..THE DEMON GREED.
@@janepatterson6779 Exactly
@@CuHead1 Everything I said is true! You pissant, what I said takes nothing away from this Marines story.
What isn't true what I said? I served in both the USMC and the USAF. I flew with men who flew all throughout the air-war in Vietnam. These were all officers who flew combat missions throughout the theater. To a man, they all thought it was a war they intended not to win.
Where in the hell did you serve? Did I burst your bubble thinking this war was a 'noble' cause. You obviously know nothing about this debacle that was a crime against humanity. Your response shows you know nothing about the conflict.
I will place my 'gripes' where ever I want. You are not the thought police or the speech police.
If Americans would read George Washington's farewell address then they would not get duped. That's all on you you Wilsonian democrat.
You would think they’d tell the wounded to contact their family. Because there was a lot going on and those young men were in a different frame of mind. I just want to say thank you for serving our country, my father was a Marine (Devil Dog) in Korea and I have some pictures from out on the field.
Thanks John.
What’s that high frequency in the background? Got my tinnitus all riled up.
In the 60’s partying on college could put you in the nam.
Tell me about it
There's a special place in Hell for lying recruiters.
OPUS BUDDLY..... There's a NO VACANCY SIGN OUT FRONT NOW.
and lying draft boards
Wish there was a hell place sometimes!!! Fiction!
I absolutely love listening to these. Anyone have suggestion of any other series to listen to that’s very in-depth from the Soldiers perspective. I’m out of these lol.
Memoirs of ww2. Search for it, the guy does a fantastic job with his editing. All 10-15 minute videos.
Dan carlin hardcore history, if you haven't gotten into him het
I really enjoy these stories. Many lessons to be learned from these experiences. That said there are many guys that served in Nam that don’t have the patriotic warm and fuzzy feeling that guys in this series seem to all have. I think like most things it’s driven by what color state you live in red or blue....
I dont think it has a damn thing to do with the state you are from but the character of the man.
@@mikesampson3467 Sells as a fortune cookie slogan but not reality. When the water boils away religion and politics are always at the bottom of the pot...
@@richstafford1245 you're in the wrong kitchen.
@rich it's not a fortune cookie slogan. Sorry but I agree with Mike. It does come down to what type of character a person is. Not in regards to a red or blue state. I live in blue state however I'm very patriotic and proud of my country and our vets. A fortune cookie slogan would be good things come to those who wait, even that has truth when it boils down to it. I think in any situation, you can alter the outcome of it in a positive way or negative. It comes down to the type of person.
Youre trying to sound inquisitive yet, assuming religion is only in red states due to traditional conservative beliefs, is flat out naive at best. People don't join up because of religious beliefs and or political beliefs. A lot join merely based off of either wanting a better life and opportunities for themselves and or regardless of the country's issues, still believe its the best place to live in the world and it is. Regardless of political affiliation. Regardless of religion. I dont believe in any organized religion. I also don't submit to what you see as propaganda. I just believe, in my own life experience living here for 32 years, America is the best place to live. So in actuality, what you think is reality, isn't actually someone elses. You wrote thst comment based off of you're own opinion and reality. Not mine or anyone else's on here as of yet.
This guy really didn't have it bad.
Kayson(spelling wrong) they had three
mess halls.He says we went outside the
wire.The base camps and fire bases
had wire around them.Buffalo grass
grows in flat land and rise patties.
The real fighting was done in the Central
High Lands or Dak to area.It consist of
all mountain's.The Viet Nam people
called it.The home of evil.A day of a
Grunt up before light.You gathered your
equipment in the dark.You lined up in
the dark at an angel going up the
mountain in the jungle.You carried your
M-16 and a hundred pound's on your
back.In the line you stand leaning forward,cause of the weight in the dark.
Soldier's shifted their weight and in the dark it sounded like saddles shifting on
the horse.At day break the word came
down,saddle up,then the word at the first
rey's of light move out.You were always
moving up the mountain.Water was
precious(no water) on top of the mountains)We were resupply with
meal's and water.When the copper
didn't come,you went hungry and thirsty.
Your lip's grew to the size of your thumb
with cut's from one end to the other.You
couldn't open your mouth.You did not
stop humping the mountains,so the
sweet hit your lip's you curse God and
the colonel.The people in your squad
were all angry so no word's were exchange.
At the end of the day you stopped and
made a perimeter each squad was assign to a particular spot.You dug a
fox hole 6 by 6 by 5.You went 30 to 40 feet fron the perimeter and cut four
log's and carried them to the fox hole.
You dresses the fox hole,by filling 300
hundred sand bag's.YOU put 9 at end
of the fox hole.You put the four log's on
top of the fox hole and the rest of the sandbags Afterwards you put out trip
flares and Claymore mines.Guard duty
is given to every soldier and you go to
sleep,at this time the night has pushed
day light away and you can't write home.
The next day the same thing seven day's a week and no day's off.
Equipment is another thing.I can tell you
from the can opener to the smoked
grenades .
Must remember Viet Nam was a hell hole,it also had worst hell holes in the
hell hole.
No hate but I would have liked to hear about his life after returning - wife, family, job etc. Other than that it was a good interview.
He said he was with Fox Co. But didn't mention what Battalion or which Marine group. I was in Golf Co. 2nd Battalion 9th Marines 3rd Marine Division 68-69.
He was with Fox 2/26 3rd Mar Div.
Too bad we didn't have these kind of personal recounts like these from the WWII guys
It’s not too late. There’s a lot of WW2 vets at my local VA.
If it wasn't for these brave men we wouldn't be all comfy watching these on our phones..support homeless vets.they shouldn't be homeless
John, you and I may have crossed paths. Not in Vietnam, but in NE. If you read this John and you played basket ball for University High, we would have played against each other in the finals of the state tournament. Hebron vs Univ high. After graduation in 1965, I also knew boys from Nebr Wesleyan because I attended rival Doane College and participated in track and cross country. I too was very naive (just what the military prefers). Trying to make a long story short, I did my best to avoid the draft after my brother in law who'd been there advised me to do all I could to stay away. In May of 1969, just before graduation I passed my draft physical, despite being deaf in one ear. My saving grace was the head of the draft board who told be they would have to draft me if I went to grad school, but she would arrange a one year deferment if I got a job teaching math in a secondary school. (My degree was in math and there was a shortage of math and science teachers. ) Thank you for your story and for the time of your youth which you gave up for what you felt was right. We all lost something and or someone because of grown men sending kids (too young to vote) to a place MacArthur had advised Kennedy to stay out of. www.mnvietnam.org/story/draft-dodger/
Kennedy didn't put us there, Eisenhower did. Kennedy wanted to take the US out, and was assassinated before he could do so.
Thank you.
every one had 2 hours guard an night starting 10.00 m60 tank crew of 5 Pleiku --ankhe daytime crush rice pots, and vc base camps, LZ oasis, lz blackhawk, lz action, dak tko 69th armor u.s. 1969
This guys comments are spot on
Another great guy,
What a great guy.
it would be great if you could make these pod casts
THANK YOU SIR 🇺🇸🗽