My father started with the screaming eagles his first combat tour of Vietnam. We lived on Fort Benning. He ended up doing 2 more combat tours. He was with the 82nd and was a Green Beret. I lived on Fort Bragg during most of the war. He wouldn't talk about the war until he was more than half way through a bottle of Jim Beam, which was often. Those were the toughest years of my life. Thank God he finally got past that. The things he did and saw, no human should have to do. I didn't understand that back then but as I got older I did. I still remember being in class and hearing a knock on the door window with an officer and a chaplain standing in front and praying my mother wasn't behind them. That happened a lot. The cost of war goes much further than the kia's and wounded on the battlefield. There are families that are crushed or torn apart by war. As my father told me once, "we didn't fight that war for 10 years, we fought that war for one year 10 times". My father passed away 5 years ago and I never got the chance to tell him I understand but I think he knew. We just didn't talk about it anymore. Sorry for the length of this post. My father served our Country with distinction and took care of his soldiers. He did what he was trained to do.
Im only minute into this and to see a battle hardened American Soldier break down in tears while remembering his father is so heart warming. It is proof what a good man his father was and what his son became. God Bless America and its Patriots.
My dad was in WWII on an aircraft Carrier that got kamikazed. I'm here so of course he made it. I also miss him and his stories of growing up and his 4 years on that ship! He was a Hero and he was my hero!! I would have no problem serving under this officer. Some officers were on power trips you can tell this guy wasn't he cared about his troops!
I was an Artillery Forward Observer with another unit in the 4th Division at Dak To at the same time as Mr. Crosby. I was with C Company, 3/12th Infantry, so we were both in the 1st Brigade. Watching this brought me back, and I could feel vividly the same things as he describes. This is a fascinating interview, due especially to the fact that he talks of his experiences eloquently and without embellishment. Every young person should try imagine how they would have felt and reacted in these circumstances. Thank you Mr. Crosby for your service and for sharing your experiences so vividly.
This is somewhat absurd sounding to say out loud, yet we own a little cabin on some acreage of woods in MI. It’s a shitshow, so much more work than I thought, yet I love it overall. Anyways, I’ve been watching a lot of Vietnam Veteran interviews. I was out working on the property in 85 degree heat with 75% humidity. It got dark so I stopped. I got inside the cool AC and soon realized I had borderline heat stroke. I b-lined for the cold shower and just took a minute to think about the guys in the Vietnam jungle with no AC, no cold shower and then to top that off with knowing you could die at any moment is just unbelievable. Not to mention sitting there with the imagery and sadness/horror of your buddy’s deaths. Thank you for your service, honestly.
Len Crosby’s philosophy of Vietnam is such a clear window inside his experience. What a humble warrior who told his personal story so we could all learn what it was like over there. Multi-tasking after being shot in the neck says it all. The moral is that comradeship is the most important aspect of war. Thank you for sharing your story
@@gryper1690 plenty of solid young men in the new generation. Older generations have been saying this forever about the generations to follow. Not all snowflakes like it’s portrayed. Still got folks with morals just like then. We still have solid young men who join the military and fight for our country. Give them the respect they deserve.
Extremely brave man. Not just for his actions in Vietnam but also for enduring this interview and telling his story which is an invaluable resource for people like me also suffering PTSD and also to inform the new generation of the reality of war. I think this will be an interview that will be just as valued in 100 years as it is today. Thank you Leonard, You're story helped me find perspective.
Thank you for your honorable service Mr. Crosby. As a former Army officer that never served in combat, I can truly appreciate the constant and immense stress you were under trying to keep your men alive. Your men’s lives were on the line with every tactical decision you made. Much RESPECT sir!!
I`ve heard hundreds of these Vietnam vet interviews and this one`s one of the best I`ve ever listened to...I was born exactly one year after Kent State happened and these vets were our fathers,including my own who served in the sub service(USS Casimir Pulaski),and reasons why I would spend my chore money on SGT.Rock comics,played "war",watched all the movies,etc.....Just wanted to say that I(we) have always been honored to call you our dads and have respected you,defended you,sat on the edges of our seats,listening to what you guys went through,like we did with our grandfathers during WWII...........We`re proud of you for everything that you went through and how you did it and it`s an absolute honor and privelege to have you as our fathers--you are the best that`s ever been and we`ll always be behind you.....Thank you.....I miss you Dad.........
Leonard, Thanks much for taking the time and effort to participate in this interview. I know it isn't easy to recall your experiences. I've listened to quite a few of these interviews, and your's is among some of the best. Again, thanks.
This gentleman was a damn good leader . The men in his company in my opinion were very lucky to have not only his very brave leadership capabilities but have a little compassion for the ones that needed it.
I served in South Korea 75-76.I was a 12bravo up on the Z for my full 13 month tour.All my NCOs had multiple tours in the Nam.All i can say is God bless you for keeping me alive most of all welcome home to the homecoming you never received.I will never forget you.
My Father flew B24s in WWII. He continued as a commercial pilot. “I enlisted on delayed entry in 1969 to get it over with.” I served in combat in Quang Tri and later Rakkason in support of Ripcord. Upon my return, I went to college on the GI Bill and joined the Army National Guard being commissioned at 30 years of age. I commanded a 155 Battery of the 29th ID during Desert Storm but didn’t get beyond Bragg until the War ended. I retired as a DIVARTY S2, C&GS Graduate. Thank you for your service Sir!
My husband the medic says Americans came home to a place that NEVER SHOWED their gratitude....Quite the opposite. He wouldn't talk about it for over 30 years. Many veterans DIED HERE thinking they were WRONG . There was a draft and many had to choose...run,hide OR "fight for your Country. Mine took it as his "patriotic duty".
A Prime example of one of our selfless, young Soldiers. They deserved our deepest respect, admiration, and appreciation. I Salute you Ranger. Semper Fi.
What a brave man! I really appreciate this video my grandfather was a veteran of the Vietnam war and I heard a number of gruesome and downright terrifying stories spaced throughout the years. My grandfather was a rough man and had a hard time showing his love in life but he was always kind and straightforward with me and I hold so much love and respect toward that man , Grandpa passed a couple years back and interviews with veterans always make me think of him . God bless you and this veteran ❤
The fact that it has been so long and his emotions are as if it happened last week is very telling to the level of insanity these fine men experienced. God bless you sir and thank you for your service to this country!
I hold immense respect for veterans like you, who embody humility and reserve. Your modesty in not exaggerating your experiences and your respectful nature resonate deeply with me. You remind me of my father, who served as a LRRP in Vietnam.
I hear you, but it is not pity that I feel. He has clearly lived a rich life, full of accomplishment and meaningful work. When he was expresses sadness I do not see it so much as evidence of him being wounded, but as evidence of his flourishing humanity.
I did 2 tours in Vietnam also. US Army Special Forces medevac duty crew chief. E10, MOS 18d. 57th Medical detachment. Twice combat decorated. Purple Heart and a Silver Star.
@@brokenboltgarage3505 US Army Special Forces medevac combat medic, I was never a soldier. Never any self-defense equipment either. Do you know why? I bet not.
@@sergeantmasson3669 combat or not u still served, which still makes u a soldier to some people, serving in general is all that matters. And no sir I do not
@@brokenboltgarage3505 If you did serve, you'd know the answer. Genever convention states that no ambulatory vehicles are allowed to be armed nor allowed to be fired upon. In Vietnam, the Vietcong ignored such guidelines.
Hmmmm ?! Hey brother , welcome home . Just curious . Though I was not a SF medic , I was plain Jane 91B in lll Corp. You were a SF medic assigned as a " Dust Off " medic/ crew chief ?! doc 25th I.D. Med Det out of Tay Ninh and sometimes worked in a "dust off " capacity , then later recon / Platoon and Blue medic .. 68-71 ( RVN 70-71 ).
The words hero and patriot are so watered down and over used in todays world. You, sir exemplify the true meaning of both. With a great deal of humility you tell your story and it's obvious that you had and still carry a deep concern for the men who served under you. You have my gratitude and respect.
I have watched several of these videos and this is one of my favorites. Mr. Crosby is a stand up guy and his men were lucky to have him. Much respect to him.
This man is a national treasure. Speaking of battle matter of fact. Crying about his friends dying in front of him and keeping going, hole mover lol, understanding the locals, unnecessary wars, consequences of war. Thank you for serving Sir.
His conclusion is so powerful. “There are some wars America shouldn’t get into … but we dont think about that, we beat our chest and send off the military”.
Hard working, fearless, hero of a guy honestly this is one of the only vets I have seen that seems to have some warmth in his soul remaining. A lot of these interviews the guy just doesn’t resonate as well for whatever reason this honestly seems like your grandfather or something. I’m sure a lot of his guys were happy he was there for them.
One of THE VERY BEST interviews of the Viet Nam war experience I’ve EVER had the pleasure of listening to. Leonard Crosby sir, your thorough, detailed explanation of an horrific and brave two terms on the V. Nam battlefield was amazing to listen to. You are a true definition of an American hero! You were so thorough, complete, dedicated and brave - to put it mildly - that you brought tears to my eyes along with many posters here. Man, you’re a true hero. You told of your experiences as well as your obvious bravery in a manner that was so terribly real! I was there in 70-’71 and behind a “60” but saw little of the fighting/danger you experienced in those earlier years. God Bless you man, you are “one of those” guys who anyone would respect immensely! God Bless you - to the max man!!!!!!
Thank you for your service, you can tell he is still suffering from losing his friends and guys to his right and left, also this guy seems like an awesome leader
This gives a great perspective I've never heard as my father was an enlisted man. He rarely spoke of the brass except here and there and not too highly. This channel is great and I hope you keep at it letting these men tell their stories about Vietnam.
This Man and His story/interview is so amazing and I cant say enough how much I appreciate his sacrifice and everything he experience serving our country. His story is amazing, he sounds like someone you'd be lucky as hell to have his shadow grace your presence. How he treated people and looked out for everyone around him and seeing him get emotional just telling an everyday story leaves me speechless. thank you so much for this interview. Id love to hear more
This guy was fantastic. His interview was incredible. Nothing but respect for you sir. I wish my brother had an officer like you while he was in Vietnam and maybe he would still be alive today.
Thank you Leonard ! A very moving account …a man of honour!!! Ive saved this and will watch again every now & then to help keep me grateful and humble 🤝
The hole mover is stored at the same place the board stretchers are kept. Hats off to Mr. Crosby. I have a feeling that there is a lot more material left in the tank with him. Thank you for your service, and importantly being smart enough to outplay the game from command.
As the son of a Vietnam Vet, people like my father and Mr. Crosby are my heroes. God bless the men and women who have sacrificed so that others can be free. 🇺🇸
Great conversation. The story about the two pilots in Saigon and not being able to sleep ... classic. A true treasure trove of information and really important stories and life lessons to be had. Really objective take on war, people and culture generally, extending all the way to contemporary issues. I have nothing but a deep sense of respect for this man. Thanks also to the producers for getting this down.
Every school a new set of bullies to stand up to.... a new set of kids to watch and learn... my Dad told me to protect my little brother, and to never start the fight but always finish it; I can only imagine your Dad told you similar. I can understand every sentiment you expressed here, I've never met another person who had a similar childhood experience as mine; though i knew there must have been others who had. I don't know what to say really but I feel it necessary to say Thank you, and it does me well to know you are out there in the world somewhere looking after everyone. I hope the last of your days are dignified and peaceful, truly joyful.....
I feel bad for Vietnam vets because the country wasn't outwardly appreciative of their service. The were not treated as the heros they were. God bless you sir thanks for your service.
Im very grateful there are people like you getting these veteran interviews recorded on video. As much as I love to read, being able to hear these experiences in the voices of the soldiers/airmen/marines/seamen really helps bring the stories to life for those of us who are younger or havent had the chance to talk to servicemen and women. Youre doing a great service for all the present and future students of history as well as bringing these veterans legacies a whole new life by doing this work. Thank you. And of course thank you to all the veterans willing to share your perspectives. You folks are worth more than you know and your stories are worth telling.
Great interview, you can tell that he really cared about his men and how it has effected him knowing the ones who were killed. I can't imagine what it would be like having to write letters to the soldier's love ones. He is a true warrior and a friend of the soldiers he commanded.
I was also a soldier in Vietnam for two tours but was lucky to have trained to work on helos so was in the rear(if you call it that) but still managed to come back with PTSD as I think we all did , as with Agent orange. I was in the 101st also as also the !st Cav. 1968-1970.
Lennard, thank you so much for your vision of the war you served in and the honest incounters you led your men through, I've always known that a good officer is the one that takes care of his men even before himself. You sir was an exceptional officer. You cared about your men I think you for that and above all thank you for your service and sacrifice sir. God bless you and your family.
I wonder how many kids this guy saved in his second tour...? His command and control of the supply chain ALONE probably accounts for several dozen or a hundred. A TRUE officer and gentleman! Thanks for your service! 🇺🇲
I am English. My father served in WW2 he was fortunate to survive. I loved him dearly and he passed away 4 years ago. He spared me the details of his nightmare and I am very proud of him This American is truly a great man who was also proud of his father for the same reasons. I wish you good health sir❤
Brave man, indeed! Calling in artillery on your own position, can you imagine? Can you EVEN imagine? You have to be thinking, “I’m going to die either by the VC, or my own artillery”. I really enjoyed his story that ended with him saying, “I’ve got to get back to Vietnam. It’s too dangerous here”! I hope this interview is cathartic for him, because his nerves are still raw and very close to the surface. He obviously lost a lot of friends. Thank you for your service, sir. I wish I could say or do more.
It was very interesting to listen to this gentleman speak about his experiences and his views. His take on our more recent conflicts is very accurate. I do hope he's been able to find peace since all of these events occurred.
The unguarded transparency of Leonard’s testimony speaks volumes of the man’s character. Outstanding interview. Thank you for conducting and sharing. The searing level of earnestness at which Leonard spoke reminded me of Sgt. Gary Beikrich’s story - similarities in the way such men of sacrifice and heroism openheartedly convey the harshness of their experience.
I joined the Army the same year he did, 1962. Turned down OCS in late '64 and got out in Aug '65 to get married and get on with my life. Probably the best decisions of my life. I'm a disabled vet now from injuries I sustained in Korea in '63. Excellent video, enjoyed it.
This interview is profound. I can literally feel the emotion coming from this brave and most honorable man. I thank you for your service and also for sharing your story with us. Bless you ❤️❤️
The emotional disaster that this man is reliving so that we can hear the tale. That's awfully brave of this man,... AGAIN! I know it's hard for him, But the people he's speaking of live on in memory and in story... This right here helps them to live on. Thank you V.F.W..
wow the grenade.imagine looking down seeing and that moment you realize its not going off....omg...i too would have that on my wall.what a reminder how close to death he was
I could say a lot of positive things about the details of his narration, but most importantly I think he’s a very caring person. Anybody would be lucky to have him in charge of your life on the battlefield.
Mr. Crosby... Thank you for your service and I'm sure those who were under your command know that they had a competent and knowledgeable leader. It is a horrible fact, unfortunately, how returning serviceman were treated. Thanks for sharing your story and perspective on your time in Vietnam and upon returning stateside.
Thank you Mr. Crosby for your service, and for sharing some of your story with us. So much of it was funny, but all of it tells of a great American who I am proud of.
If I had to go back I would want to go with someone like this brave honorable man. The teargas grenade story was absolutely hilarious to me, stuff like that really does happen.
A true hero full of respect , honor, and wisdom. May he have the peace he deserves and the happiness joy and respect he has earned. He has great DNA from his father. I salute you with pride sir.
We love our service men and are proud of the work they did in Vietnam. I am so sorry that our country responded to you all the way they did when you came home. It is not ho I feel about what you all did and was the opinion of a bunch and radicals that did not know the truth of what our men did for one another out there. Thank you thank you thank you for all that you did. You men were and still out the best of us.
Love this, thank you for sharing. He nails it at the end. Sad that our politicians keep sending other people’s children to fight in these unnecessary wars. I could listen to this man for hours. He genuinely cared about his men. I would have loved to have served under his command.
He sent the FNG for a "Hole Remover." I love this man. After all my studies on this terrible time in history i can say that this is type of guy that should of had a position within Government. The way he spoke about the drugs issue was so on point. He didn't mind the weed smokes because he knew they could still do job whereas those on alcohol were good for nothing. Also the race issue he covered. Seems that in the rear the ignorance ran riot but out the in bush was a totally different thing. As for those who abused these guy's coming home... I don't know how sleep at night. Big respect to you Leonard Crosby.
Great interview ... sharing the memories of comrades lost never gets easier, but its necessary for the record of their duty ... doesn't matter how much time has passed, they're burned into our memories ... forever young ...
So special listening to this hero, particularly the last few minutes where he succinctly describes the ultimate cost of war. There are at least 58,000 men and women who would agree! What a special leader this man is.
Men and women? 😂 No, just men. Only about a dozen or so American military women died in Vietnam. To say 58,000 men and women is just being disingenuous since almost all of the deaths were of men.
Mr. Crosby, you are a hero. Thank you for your service, welcome home! I was in Vietnam in 1970, I was on an aircraft carrier so I had none of the real war experience!
Rare individuals who are natural leaders. Like this Gentleman. Combination of coco non sense , sense of duty, loyalty and compassion. God Bless America's vets !
Omg, this guy tells light hearted funny stories from his time in Vietnam and he laughs and the interviewer is just going into the next question. No laughing, no comment or anything. He has to be the most dry personality I've ever heard. I felt bad for the veteran because he's telling his story and even gets choked up during the hard parts and then tries to tell some lighter stories and this interviewer hasn't got a clue.
I respect every soldier, miss my brother-in-law who when I was young thought he was so cool, over the years saw the ptsd.they talk about. He had such paranoia and didn't trust no one. Not my sister or me, that's hard for us but harder for him.He passed last year, malaria, orange all that came from this stupid war! Young guys sent, come back to no thanks from us! I personally thank all of you that served
Can relate to everything he said. Glad he survived, glad I did too. Was in Infantry, M60 machine gunner, stationed at Cu Chi '67 - '68. Not a sane reason in the world for us to have been there.
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Well God bless that man and thank you for your service. I'm not somebody that squanders the actions of my forefathers and elders.
My father started with the screaming eagles his first combat tour of Vietnam. We lived on Fort Benning. He ended up doing 2 more combat tours. He was with the 82nd and was a Green Beret. I lived on Fort Bragg during most of the war. He wouldn't talk about the war until he was more than half way through a bottle of Jim Beam, which was often. Those were the toughest years of my life. Thank God he finally got past that. The things he did and saw, no human should have to do. I didn't understand that back then but as I got older I did. I still remember being in class and hearing a knock on the door window with an officer and a chaplain standing in front and praying my mother wasn't behind them. That happened a lot. The cost of war goes much further than the kia's and wounded on the battlefield. There are families that are crushed or torn apart by war. As my father told me once, "we didn't fight that war for 10 years, we fought that war for one year 10 times". My father passed away 5 years ago and I never got the chance to tell him I understand but I think he knew. We just didn't talk about it anymore. Sorry for the length of this post. My father served our Country with distinction and took care of his soldiers. He did what he was trained to do.
Im only minute into this and to see a battle hardened American Soldier break down in tears while remembering his father is so heart warming. It is proof what a good man his father was and what his son became. God Bless America and its Patriots.
That made me cry❤
My dad was the reason I wanted to be in the service this made me cry too
My dad was in WWII on an aircraft Carrier that got kamikazed. I'm here so of course he made it. I also miss him and his stories of growing up and his 4 years on that ship! He was a Hero and he was my hero!! I would have no problem serving under this officer. Some officers were on power trips you can tell this guy wasn't he cared about his troops!
@@wyatterp6480
Which ship
@@mickeydrago9401 USS Bunker Hill CV-17 Aircraft carrier
I was an Artillery Forward Observer with another unit in the 4th Division at Dak To at the same time as Mr. Crosby. I was with C Company, 3/12th Infantry, so we were both in the 1st Brigade. Watching this brought me back, and I could feel vividly the same things as he describes. This is a fascinating interview, due especially to the fact that he talks of his experiences eloquently and without embellishment. Every young person should try imagine how they would have felt and reacted in these circumstances. Thank you Mr. Crosby for your service and for sharing your experiences so vividly.
Upmost respect
No, Thank you ! (USMC 89-93)
Thank you for your service
And thank YOU for serving; welcome home brother.
This is somewhat absurd sounding to say out loud, yet we own a little cabin on some acreage of woods in MI. It’s a shitshow, so much more work than I thought, yet I love it overall. Anyways, I’ve been watching a lot of Vietnam Veteran interviews. I was out working on the property in 85 degree heat with 75% humidity. It got dark so I stopped. I got inside the cool AC and soon realized I had borderline heat stroke. I b-lined for the cold shower and just took a minute to think about the guys in the Vietnam jungle with no AC, no cold shower and then to top that off with knowing you could die at any moment is just unbelievable. Not to mention sitting there with the imagery and sadness/horror of your buddy’s deaths. Thank you for your service, honestly.
What a decent and honorable man.
These fellas gave it all
Couldnt have said it better.
He smashed those hippies. Lol . Just what they needed.
@@michaelzallar9524]p]ppppp]p]]
Yep it’s their right to protest. And his right to kick their asses!!!!
Legitimately one of the only interviews I've seen with a vet that brought me to tears. What a terrific man Leonard Crosby is.
#ChildMurderer Nine eleven ; reap what you sow .
“He was my hero….” Damn he got me there man
Len Crosby’s philosophy of Vietnam is such a clear window inside his experience. What a humble warrior who told his personal story so we could all learn what it was like over there. Multi-tasking after being shot in the neck says it all. The moral is that comradeship is the most important aspect of war. Thank you for sharing your story
That is something we are not going to see anymore from this generation.
@@gryper1690 plenty of solid young men in the new generation. Older generations have been saying this forever about the generations to follow. Not all snowflakes like it’s portrayed. Still got folks with morals just like then. We still have solid young men who join the military and fight for our country. Give them the respect they deserve.
Extremely brave man. Not just for his actions in Vietnam but also for enduring this interview and telling his story which is an invaluable resource for people like me also suffering PTSD and also to inform the new generation of the reality of war. I think this will be an interview that will be just as valued in 100 years as it is today. Thank you Leonard, You're story helped me find perspective.
Fuck all the vets. Let's give goods and services to people that illegally enter our country..... it's more better.
Great soldiers, great fights, always so little about more than one million Vietnamese lives lost in that war.
We are so fortunate in this country to have Men like this, Thank you for your story but especially your service!!
It makes me so sad that this great generation is now dying off…. Just when we need them so badly.
this is a man.
#BrainlessBurgerFlipper
Thank you for your honorable service Mr. Crosby. As a former Army officer that never served in combat, I can truly appreciate the constant and immense stress you were under trying to keep your men alive. Your men’s lives were on the line with every tactical decision you made. Much RESPECT sir!!
I`ve heard hundreds of these Vietnam vet interviews and this one`s one of the best I`ve ever listened to...I was born exactly one year after Kent State happened and these vets were our fathers,including my own who served in the sub service(USS Casimir Pulaski),and reasons why I would spend my chore money on SGT.Rock comics,played "war",watched all the movies,etc.....Just wanted to say that I(we) have always been honored to call you our dads and have respected you,defended you,sat on the edges of our seats,listening to what you guys went through,like we did with our grandfathers during WWII...........We`re proud of you for everything that you went through and how you did it and it`s an absolute honor and privelege to have you as our fathers--you are the best that`s ever been and we`ll always be behind you.....Thank you.....I miss you Dad.........
Thank YOU… have deep respect for everything’ you addressed, & feel the exactly same.
❤@@Fmasterss73
Another great soldier. Can't thank him enough for his service.
I agree brave brave men in that war
Leonard, Thanks much for taking the time and effort to participate in this interview. I know it isn't easy to recall your experiences. I've listened to quite a few of these interviews, and your's is among some of the best. Again, thanks.
Brave men of usa
His final thought is the absolute, profound truth !
Another American hero, salute soldier 🇺🇸
Thank you for your service and your dad🇺🇸
If I was in Vietnam I would hope to have a man like this in charge. Glad he made it back .
This gentleman was a damn good leader . The men in his company in my opinion were very lucky to have not only his very brave leadership capabilities but have a little compassion for the ones that needed it.
Rare and nice to here a officer to tell the truth
Yes agreed
He ended up on the losing side #JackAss
He took care of his guys. A good leader. Interesting with humorous anecdotal!
I served in South Korea 75-76.I was a 12bravo up on the Z for my full 13 month tour.All my NCOs had multiple tours in the Nam.All i can say is God bless you for keeping me alive most of all welcome home to the homecoming you never received.I will never forget you.
My Father flew B24s in WWII. He continued as a commercial pilot. “I enlisted on delayed entry in 1969 to get it over with.” I served in combat in Quang Tri and later Rakkason in support of Ripcord. Upon my return, I went to college on the GI Bill and joined the Army National Guard being commissioned at 30 years of age. I commanded a 155 Battery of the 29th ID during Desert Storm but didn’t get beyond Bragg until the War ended. I retired as a DIVARTY S2, C&GS Graduate. Thank you for your service Sir!
Enlisted in 1969
29th DIVARTY?
Let’s go!
Thank you Leonard for your service 👍🏻🇺🇸 Your service for our country will never be forgotten
I would’ve loved to have served with him.
My husband the medic says Americans came home to a place that NEVER SHOWED their gratitude....Quite the opposite. He wouldn't talk about it for over 30 years. Many veterans DIED HERE thinking they were WRONG . There was a draft and many had to choose...run,hide OR "fight for your Country. Mine took it as his "patriotic duty".
A Prime example of one of our selfless, young Soldiers. They deserved our deepest respect, admiration, and appreciation. I Salute you Ranger. Semper Fi.
What a brave man! I really appreciate this video my grandfather was a veteran of the Vietnam war and I heard a number of gruesome and downright terrifying stories spaced throughout the years. My grandfather was a rough man and had a hard time showing his love in life but he was always kind and straightforward with me and I hold so much love and respect toward that man , Grandpa passed a couple years back and interviews with veterans always make me think of him . God bless you and this veteran ❤
I could listen to these stories all day. Amazing men. A different generation. A breed apart.
The fact that it has been so long and his emotions are as if it happened last week is very telling to the level of insanity these fine men experienced. God bless you sir and thank you for your service to this country!
So soon after a generation , people forget what war does to people . I'm afraid we will back at it again, over what? Political !
This man has my utmost respect.
Speachless… a man of honour for sure… we salute you sir
I hold immense respect for veterans like you, who embody humility and reserve. Your modesty in not exaggerating your experiences and your respectful nature resonate deeply with me. You remind me of my father, who served as a LRRP in Vietnam.
He saved many lives by going back for a second tour. This man is a great American.
My heart breaks for this man. Even when he laughs you can tell these memories are so painful😢
I hear you, but it is not pity that I feel. He has clearly lived a rich life, full of accomplishment and meaningful work. When he was expresses sadness I do not see it so much as evidence of him being wounded, but as evidence of his flourishing humanity.
I did 2 tours in Vietnam also. US Army Special Forces medevac duty crew chief. E10, MOS 18d. 57th Medical detachment. Twice combat decorated. Purple Heart and a Silver Star.
Thanks for your service soldier
@@brokenboltgarage3505 US Army Special Forces medevac combat medic, I was never a soldier. Never any self-defense equipment either. Do you know why? I bet not.
@@sergeantmasson3669 combat or not u still served, which still makes u a soldier to some people, serving in general is all that matters. And no sir I do not
@@brokenboltgarage3505 If you did serve, you'd know the answer. Genever convention states that no ambulatory vehicles are allowed to be armed nor allowed to be fired upon. In Vietnam, the Vietcong ignored such guidelines.
Hmmmm ?! Hey brother , welcome home . Just curious . Though I was not a SF medic , I was plain Jane 91B in lll Corp. You were a SF medic assigned as a " Dust Off " medic/ crew chief ?! doc 25th I.D. Med Det out of Tay Ninh and sometimes worked in a "dust off " capacity , then later recon / Platoon and Blue medic .. 68-71 ( RVN 70-71 ).
The words hero and patriot are so watered down and over used in todays world. You, sir exemplify the true meaning of both. With a great deal of humility you tell your story and it's obvious that you had and still carry a deep concern for the men who served under you. You have my gratitude and respect.
I have watched several of these videos and this is one of my favorites.
Mr. Crosby is a stand up guy and his men were lucky to have him.
Much respect to him.
This man is a national treasure. Speaking of battle matter of fact. Crying about his friends dying in front of him and keeping going, hole mover lol, understanding the locals, unnecessary wars, consequences of war. Thank you for serving Sir.
His conclusion is so powerful. “There are some wars America shouldn’t get into … but we dont think about that, we beat our chest and send off the military”.
Hard working, fearless, hero of a guy honestly this is one of the only vets I have seen that seems to have some warmth in his soul remaining. A lot of these interviews the guy just doesn’t resonate as well for whatever reason this honestly seems like your grandfather or something. I’m sure a lot of his guys were happy he was there for them.
Glad these interviews are being done. We could lose all these stories in time. Good job
One of THE VERY BEST interviews of the Viet Nam war experience I’ve EVER had the pleasure of listening to.
Leonard Crosby sir, your thorough, detailed explanation of an horrific and brave two terms on the V. Nam battlefield was amazing to listen to. You are a true definition of an American hero! You were so thorough, complete, dedicated and brave - to put it mildly - that you brought tears to my eyes along with many posters here. Man, you’re a true hero. You told of your experiences as well as your obvious bravery in a manner that was so terribly real!
I was there in 70-’71 and behind a “60” but saw little of the fighting/danger you experienced in those earlier years. God Bless you man, you are “one of those” guys who anyone would respect immensely!
God Bless you - to the max man!!!!!!
Thank you Mr. Crosby for your very hard work and sacrifices, you are a true gentleman and human.
Only a man who’s been to hell and back can show you all of his pain in a smile. Thank you sir, you are the absolute best in all of us.
Thank you for your service, you can tell he is still suffering from losing his friends and guys to his right and left, also this guy seems like an awesome leader
What a class act through and through. Heart of a lion. Glad he made it back.
This gives a great perspective I've never heard as my father was an enlisted man. He rarely spoke of the brass except here and there and not too highly. This channel is great and I hope you keep at it letting these men tell their stories about Vietnam.
Despair is hard to describe.
A platoon leader or company commander isn’t brass.
This Man and His story/interview is so amazing and I cant say enough how much I appreciate his sacrifice and everything he experience serving our country. His story is amazing, he sounds like someone you'd be lucky as hell to have his shadow grace your presence. How he treated people and looked out for everyone around him and seeing him get emotional just telling an everyday story leaves me speechless. thank you so much for this interview. Id love to hear more
This guy was fantastic. His interview was incredible. Nothing but respect for you sir. I wish my brother had an officer like you while he was in Vietnam and maybe he would still be alive today.
Thank You Sir for Service and Sacrifice , Those Soldiers were very blessed to have such knowledgeable leader like you .
You are our hero and every man and woman who serves and have served this country.
Thank you Leonard ! A very moving account …a man of honour!!! Ive saved this and will watch again every now & then to help keep me grateful and humble 🤝
The hole mover is stored at the same place the board stretchers are kept. Hats off to Mr. Crosby. I have a feeling that there is a lot more material left in the tank with him. Thank you for your service, and importantly being smart enough to outplay the game from command.
They are right next to the brass magnets.
…. The left-handed hammers are right on the same shelf..
Being a Vietnam medic with the Marines 69-7, I salute and respect this man as a true officer and gentleman.
As the son of a Vietnam Vet, people like my father and Mr. Crosby are my heroes. God bless the men and women who have sacrificed so that others can be free. 🇺🇸
Great conversation. The story about the two pilots in Saigon and not being able to sleep ... classic. A true treasure trove of information and really important stories and life lessons to be had. Really objective take on war, people and culture generally, extending all the way to contemporary issues. I have nothing but a deep sense of respect for this man. Thanks also to the producers for getting this down.
From another Nam Vet…Thank You for everything you did and a heartfelt WELCOME HOME Brother.
Every school a new set of bullies to stand up to.... a new set of kids to watch and learn... my Dad told me to protect my little brother, and to never start the fight but always finish it; I can only imagine your Dad told you similar. I can understand every sentiment you expressed here, I've never met another person who had a similar childhood experience as mine; though i knew there must have been others who had. I don't know what to say really but I feel it necessary to say Thank you, and it does me well to know you are out there in the world somewhere looking after everyone.
I hope the last of your days are dignified and peaceful, truly joyful.....
I feel bad for Vietnam vets because the country wasn't outwardly appreciative of their service. The were not treated as the heros they were. God bless you sir thanks for your service.
They were treated like cannon fodder by the politicians and Pentagon brass. The war was a huge unwinnable mistake.
#MaiLai #WillCalley
@@JohnMurphy-mx7pd
Approximately 25% Vietnam veterans were drafted. Thanks to all the men and women who served.
Im very grateful there are people like you getting these veteran interviews recorded on video. As much as I love to read, being able to hear these experiences in the voices of the soldiers/airmen/marines/seamen really helps bring the stories to life for those of us who are younger or havent had the chance to talk to servicemen and women. Youre doing a great service for all the present and future students of history as well as bringing these veterans legacies a whole new life by doing this work. Thank you.
And of course thank you to all the veterans willing to share your perspectives. You folks are worth more than you know and your stories are worth telling.
Great interview, you can tell that he really cared about his men and how it has effected him knowing the ones who were killed. I can't imagine what it would be like having to write letters to the soldier's love ones. He is a true warrior and a friend of the soldiers he commanded.
I was also a soldier in Vietnam for two tours but was lucky to have trained to work on helos so was in the rear(if you call it that) but still managed to come back with PTSD as I think we all did , as with Agent orange. I was in the 101st also as also the !st Cav. 1968-1970.
Bless you sir.
What an honor. This man is a true hero and and what it means to be a patriot. Thank you.
Lennard, thank you so much for your vision of the war you served in and the honest incounters you led your men through, I've always known that a good officer is the one that takes care of his men even before himself. You sir was an exceptional officer. You cared about your men I think you for that and above all thank you for your service and sacrifice sir. God bless you and your family.
I wonder how many kids this guy saved in his second tour...?
His command and control of the supply chain ALONE probably accounts for several dozen or a hundred.
A TRUE officer and gentleman!
Thanks for your service!
🇺🇲
I am English. My father served in WW2 he was fortunate to survive. I loved him dearly and he passed away 4 years ago. He spared me the details of his nightmare and I am very proud of him This American is truly a great man who was also proud of his father for the same reasons. I wish you good health sir❤
Brave man, indeed! Calling in artillery on your own position, can you imagine? Can you EVEN imagine? You have to be thinking, “I’m going to die either by the VC, or my own artillery”. I really enjoyed his story that ended with him saying, “I’ve got to get back to Vietnam. It’s too dangerous here”!
I hope this interview is cathartic for him, because his nerves are still raw and very close to the surface. He obviously lost a lot of friends. Thank you for your service, sir. I wish I could say or do more.
It was very interesting to listen to this gentleman speak about his experiences and his views. His take on our more recent conflicts is very accurate. I do hope he's been able to find peace since all of these events occurred.
The unguarded transparency of Leonard’s testimony speaks volumes of the man’s character.
Outstanding interview. Thank you for conducting and sharing.
The searing level of earnestness at which Leonard spoke reminded me of Sgt. Gary Beikrich’s story - similarities in the way such men of sacrifice and heroism openheartedly convey the harshness of their experience.
This interview drips with Humility and Authenticity!
What an incredible man. I am so glad I have never had to endure what he has.
I joined the Army the same year he did, 1962. Turned down OCS in late '64 and got out in Aug '65 to get married and get on with my life. Probably the best decisions of my life. I'm a disabled vet now from injuries I sustained in Korea in '63. Excellent video, enjoyed it.
Mr. Crosby, thank you sir for my family's freedom. You are a national treasure sir. Thanks John
This interview is profound. I can literally feel the emotion coming from this brave and most honorable man. I thank you for your service and also for sharing your story with us. Bless you ❤️❤️
What an incredibly powerful interview. They all are, but this mans wounds are still fresh…
A remarkable man. An American hero. A real human being.
The emotional disaster that this man is reliving so that we can hear the tale.
That's awfully brave of this man,... AGAIN! I know it's hard for him, But the people he's speaking of live on in memory and in story... This right here helps them to live on. Thank you V.F.W..
wow the grenade.imagine looking down seeing and that moment you realize its not going off....omg...i too would have that on my wall.what a reminder how close to death he was
I could say a lot of positive things about the details of his narration, but most importantly I think he’s a very caring person. Anybody would be lucky to have him in charge of your life on the battlefield.
What a honor to hear his story.
Mr. Crosby... Thank you for your service and I'm sure those who were under your command know that they had a competent and knowledgeable leader. It is a horrible fact, unfortunately, how returning serviceman were treated. Thanks for sharing your story and perspective on your time in Vietnam and upon returning stateside.
My brother volunteered for the Army back in the 60s, during the Vietnam War. Hes 77 years old now. Hes been married to the same woman for 54 years.
Thank you Mr. Crosby for your service, and for sharing some of your story with us. So much of it was funny, but all of it tells of a great American who I am proud of.
If I had to go back I would want to go with someone like this brave honorable man. The teargas grenade story was absolutely hilarious to me, stuff like that really does happen.
Just listening to his story this man must have been one hell of a Company commander.
Honest interview.
AATW👍🏾
A true hero full of respect , honor, and wisdom. May he have the peace he deserves and the happiness joy and respect he has earned. He has great DNA from his father. I salute you with pride sir.
Watching this was very moving. Glad to see history archived in these videos.
Thank you for you service Captain Crosby and for sharing your experience. Good job and Welcome Home!
I really enjoyed this mans interview. You can just tell that he is genuine...
This brave man has obvious PTSD. BUT WHAT HUMAN BEING LIVING THROUGHSUCH CONDITIONS, DID NOT.
We love our service men and are proud of the work they did in Vietnam. I am so sorry that our country responded to you all the way they did when you came home. It is not ho I feel about what you all did and was the opinion of a bunch and radicals that did not know the truth of what our men did for one another out there. Thank you thank you thank you for all that you did. You men were and still out the best of us.
Love this, thank you for sharing. He nails it at the end. Sad that our politicians keep sending other people’s children to fight in these unnecessary wars. I could listen to this man for hours. He genuinely cared about his men. I would have loved to have served under his command.
He sent the FNG for a "Hole Remover." I love this man. After all my studies on this terrible time in history i can say that this is type of guy that should of had a position within Government. The way he spoke about the drugs issue was so on point. He didn't mind the weed smokes because he knew they could still do job whereas those on alcohol were good for nothing. Also the race issue he covered. Seems that in the rear the ignorance ran riot but out the in bush was a totally different thing. As for those who abused these guy's coming home... I don't know how sleep at night. Big respect to you Leonard Crosby.
Great interview ... sharing the memories of comrades lost never gets easier, but its necessary for the record of their duty ... doesn't matter how much time has passed, they're burned into our memories ... forever young ...
It’s impressive that there is so much to learn as a commander in so little time.
So special listening to this hero, particularly the last few minutes where he succinctly describes the ultimate cost of war. There are at least 58,000 men and women who would agree! What a special leader this man is.
Men and women? 😂 No, just men. Only about a dozen or so American military women died in Vietnam. To say 58,000 men and women is just being disingenuous since almost all of the deaths were of men.
Mr. Crosby, you are a hero. Thank you for your service, welcome home! I was in Vietnam in 1970, I was on an aircraft carrier so I had none of the real war experience!
My uncle did 2 years in Nam. Recon and carried the m60. He had demons but a wonderful man.
Rare individuals who are natural leaders. Like this Gentleman. Combination of coco non sense , sense of duty, loyalty and compassion. God Bless America's vets !
Omg, this guy tells light hearted funny stories from his time in Vietnam and he laughs and the interviewer is just going into the next question. No laughing, no comment or anything. He has to be the most dry personality I've ever heard. I felt bad for the veteran because he's telling his story and even gets choked up during the hard parts and then tries to tell some lighter stories and this interviewer hasn't got a clue.
What a great man and soldier, thank you Leonard for your service !
I respect every soldier, miss my brother-in-law who when I was young thought he was so cool, over the years saw the ptsd.they talk about. He had such paranoia and didn't trust no one. Not my sister or me, that's hard for us but harder for him.He passed last year, malaria, orange all that came from this stupid war! Young guys sent, come back to no thanks from us! I personally thank all of you that served
Nothing but respect and admiration for this decent man.
Can relate to everything he said. Glad he survived, glad I did too. Was in Infantry, M60 machine gunner, stationed at Cu Chi '67 - '68. Not a sane reason in the world for us to have been there.
You could feel the love for his Father. I had a Great Father that did all he could do and teaching me all he could. Always there for me.