Vietnam Voices: 'We had our war for a day'
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- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
- Vietnam War veteran Gunnar Hagstrom talks about his experiences. Hagstrom was raised in Billings, Montana, and graduated from Billings Senior High in 1967. He was with the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1971.
As an Infantry grunt in Vietnam and operating in those foothills west of Phu- Bai, I watched as these loch pilots would hover at tree-top level serching for enemy signs and so exposed to being shot out of the air ..... Bravest I've ever seen , Thank You, SIR !!!
Darth Insidius whoa 😲 you got proof to back that statement up? I don’t know the guy, or have a vested interest in him either- but that’s an insanely serious accusation to make about someone if you don’t have proof. Stolen Valor is a BIG DEAL- what if the guys speaking truth?
@Darth Insidius STOP with all that stupid shit. You are no Don Shipley and you don't have a clue who that guy is.
@@toynazi marines call themselves grunts - not army. he's got a point however badly he made it
@@MrKedab I was USAF in Vietnam 1971 TSN base defense and we called ourselves "safe but bored and wet".... (smile) but I do seem to recall that Army infantry called themselves grunts - never met a Marine - they were all up country where it was dangerous.... or working in LBJ as guards, from what I heard
@@YahooMurray thank you for your service. Sincerely. I've thought about this some more and of course, I think you're correct. I think most infantry in-country referred to themselves as grunts, regardless of branch of service. If you served, you served and I thank you all. ✌🏻
I had a chance to fly with Gunnar when he was a civilian, and I have to say he is the real deal. I was fortunate to learn a lot flying with him as a copilot. Im grateful for the lessons I learned from just watching him fly. Thanks Gunnar.
My father was a flight instructor and test pilot. Spent most of his time logging/flying with a longline. Nothing like flying in a huey with an experienced pilot! Specially if there slightly crazy haha!
Youre right....Nobody gives a damn.
@@Dan-qp1el there's always at least one....from Wyoming USA 🇺🇸🤠
**. THE VIETNAM WAR..... WHAT A WASTE OF LIVES AND RESOURCES.. I WISH THEY'D ASK THE TOUGH QUESTIONS... LIKE,,, WHAT THE HELL WERE WE FIGHTING FOR.... AND HOW DID THEY FEEL ABOUT THE MILLION VIETNAMESE PEOPLE THAT WE KILLED !!!!! MOSTLY INNOCENT CIVILIANS!!!!! SORRY GUYS,,,, BUT THAT WAR IS A STAIN ON THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY.....((the proof is that 50000 Vietnam veterans,, committed suicide,,, after they came home))... Such a tragedy!!!**
@@johnedward3404 In the interviews I've seen these men have answered the questions you mention, and they've done so without being asked. These men aren't happy that innocent lives were taken, and you probably don't need to have them tell you to realize that. At the time, they felt like they were doing what was best of their country. Some even knew very little about Vietnam as they were drafted/enlisting, let alone what would happen in the future once they were there.
And once you're there, your only concern is survival, regardless of what your intentions/expectations may have been...
I am so glad he was willing to sit down and leave a record of his service. I was in Vietnam, but I had it easy. I have the utmost respect for this man.
From a former boat people and a proud American now, thank you sir for your noble service in Vietnam.
Well said! God bless you, my fellow AMERICAN! 👍 🇺🇸
My dad was a Marine in the 1st Battle of Khe Sahn. I wish he would have shared his story but he never would talk about it. Unfortunately time ran out 3 months ago and he passed away. His older brother is 97 and still living. He’s a Navy combat veteran from WW2. He was in several Navy battles with the Japanese including the Kamakazi attacks. If I could get him to tell his story it would be a national treasure. Maybe I need to go see him soon
Those LOH choppers were small and often took enemy fire. This guys braver than he gives himself credit for.
just watch another LOH pilot interview. He was shot down 7 times. last chopper was NORA 8.
@@dafrasier1 just saw his too
I thought it was crazy when he was trying to list all the technical reasons why he survived and he just gives up and realizes it was just a miracle. What a great man and tough as hell
I am his age - both born in 1949 - I went into service 1 1/2 years after him - I was in Vietnam one year (his last year there - 1971) after that we have
nothing in common - I was very safe guarding airplanes at TSN (Saigon) and he was always in danger. Glad he made it out.
"I had no college background, only high school, so pilot school was the only option for me."
Times certainly were different back then.
@1manuscriptman I had a college degree so they wanted me to be a pilot. I refused because of the low survival rate. They stuck me in infantry. My buddy accepted and was shot down & killed.
@@billglass5160 The survival rate of a pilot was lower than a infantryman? Damn, I would have thought it would be the reverse. That's crazy.
@@antthomas7916 we're in the jungle. enemy can't always see us. pilots flying over us and others all day long. enemy can always see them.
It was a terrible period I joined the Navy young naive and didn't have a clue what Vietnam was all about, thank God I did not see any action I have the Highest Respect for Vets.
Thanks for your heroic service 🇺🇸
Great story teller. Nice to mention the Australian advisor working with the south Vietnamese army. We were all in it together. 60,000 Australians served in Vietnam
I have been binge watching Vietnam War stories for three days and I can't stop. I am fascinated and haunted at the same time. Why am I doing this?
You are a reincarnated GI killed there? Or maybe Mama San lmao kidding.
Who cares my nigga
"Wars are started by the big bankers and they fund both sides " wise words from a wise warrior
This is antisemitic
@Jack o Everyone knows the big banks are run by jewish people, blaming wars on big bankers is just blaming jewish people.
Chuck that’s a lie but go on if it makes you happy and fits your version of history
@@x60mmx You are the only one here making broad generalizations that aren't true.
That’s a bunch of bullshit. Sure, bankers benefit from wars, but they’re not stardom. It’s typically some arrogant dictator, Communist or otherwise, that starts them and he’s not a damn banker.
I hung on every word and I retired from the Army with 29 years of service. You sir, are very humble and I suspect there is a lot more to your experience in Vietnam than you are saying!
Riveting listen. Incredible luck or skill or both to survive. I'm honoured to listen to this man.
I have so much respect for these gentlemen. Their service isn’t appreciated like it should be
I wish I had the courage these men had. I've been watching these vietnam war interviews for a couple months and their recollection is a real part of American history we have the opportunity to hear firsthand, Means so much more than a textbook. I am thankful for all Veteran's service and selfless decisions regardless of any opinions on wars or conflicts.
You have the courage because you don't think about it like that at a young age.
My dad went to Korea at age 17 and I joined up at age 19. It is simply something you do as a job, well in my case anyway.
💯
James McLaughlin trust me you have the courage you just don’t know it
It's just a pity that these brave men were taken advantage of by callous politicians at the time. Such a waste.
Jonas Wegelius Especially Henry Kissinger the monster
Great interview! Gunnar was one of the Corporate Air pilots I worked with some years back. He flew Aero Commanders from Billings into Great Falls. He always had a great story to tell about flying Loachs down low in Vietnam. He's a good guy. Nice to see him on here.
Maelstrom AFB 1972-74 after perimeter security at DaNang. My intro to trout fishing ethics.
From a Georgia boy. Go Dogs.
I flew the Shrike 500's from Billings to Great Falls and, Baton Rouge at the same time as Mr. Gunnar. Nice guy and a damned good Pilot. Vietnam '71 to '73, CW-3, UH-1C's, PIC, Squadron Leader.
**when will we ever learn,,, TO STOP THESE STUPID WARS... This veteran refers to himself as a guinea pig,,, AND HE WAS!!!.. OUR MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX,, MAKES TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS,,ON UNJUSTIFIED WARS.......((DESTROYING LIVES,,, ON BOTH SIDES))... I was there in the sixties,,, a lot of kids I knew,, went to Vietnam,, and either got killed,, or came back with mental problems!!! 50000 veterans committed suicide,,, after coming home!!!! That's proof,,, they couldn't justify what they had done!!!!
And the second Iraq war,,, wa's the same scenario,,, we invaded another country,,, that was in a civil war!!!! Sorry,,, for all the guys who got killed or wounded,,and for the million Vietnamese people who died... I told them in 1965,,, I'll join the army,, when the Vietnamese people attack our country!!! And I believe that that's the bravest thing I ever did... And I've never regretted it for 1 minute.... STOP STUPID WARS....**
These Interviews are with the children of the “greatest generation” and served this country with pride, as did their forefathers. Thank a Vietnam vet, you’ll be shaking the hand of an American Badass. 🇺🇸💪🏻
Like the great George Bush jnr. Also biden. Heroes
**I think you're living in a fantasy world!!!!! The Vietnam war,, cost us the lives of 100,000 American men,,, HALF OF THOSE BY SUICIDE!!!!!!..... That's the proof,,, that the Vietnam war and the second Iraq war for that matter,,,, WE'RE STUPID AND WRONG!!!!!.BECAUSE WE'VE GOT NO RIGHT TO INTERFERE IN OTHER COUNTRIES POLITICAL PROBLEMS......((OUR BOMBING COST THE LIVES OF A MILLION INNOCENT VIETNAMESE PEOPLE)). YOU CAN'T JUSTIFY THAT!!!!!AND NEITHER COULD ALL THOSE MEN WHO CAME HOME AND COMMITTED SUICIDE!!!! THE HUMAN SOUL,,, FIND WAR TO BE ABHORRENT,,, AND CRIMINAL!!!!! Sorry to rain on everybody's parade,,, but glorifying war is wrong..... And it only results in more wars.... Just imagine how many trillions of dollars we've spent on war... Enough that every American could be rich,,,, IF ONLY WE DIDN'T INVEST SO MUCH MONEY,,, IN STUPID WARS.....**
I once watched an interview like these of an officer who commanded soldiers in Vietnam. To quote him he said "I don't like that term greatest generation because the 19-year-olds I commanded in Vietnam were the best soldiers in the world. I would tell them what to do and they would do it without question"
Lol this is the "Greatest Generation"'s grandchild. They
generation is called "baby boomers".
Ya know, thanking you just doesn't seem like enough. Yeah, we were on the ground but you can be sure that we were watching you guys and in awe of what you were doing. We called what you all were doing as "hunter killer teams". Then, after yall made contact, some slicks would pick us up and insert us in the area where yall collected the lead. I couldn't have done what you did, but it certainly was necessary. We depended on you chopper pilots for everything from food to ammo to pulling out our dead and wounded. Again, heart felt thanks go to you and all the wonderful guys that gave so much and made our lives a little more bearable. Doc, 3rd Plt, C Co, 1st Bn, 5th Inf, 25th Div … Dau Tiang, Tay Ninh, Nui Ba Dinh, Xuan Loc, Cu Chi, Parrots Beak and Fish Hook In Cambodia. Stay Chilly.
John Miles you’re all brave men no question
Much respect to you Mr. John Miles!
John Miles enormous respect to you also sir! 🙏
Thank you John Miles. You are as impressive as Gunnar. I salute you both!!
@@adbogo ??? Who are you speaking about?
The answer about missing the states is so true. USAF vet post Vietnam my self. A few over seas tours in my day 75-95. So mail and a few phone calls was the only time I thought about the states. You have a job, friends and you lose track of time until you get short. Where am I going? What has changed? Just as you have changed so have the people and the country you left behind. Your values, wants and needs are so differant. Some people can't get over this for a long time. Some never do.
How can you not have anything but the utmost respect for a guy like this; he's modest, respectful & by reading between his words, you can tell there's a lot of things he's not saying, out of homage to his fallen mates & allies. A true gentleman.
Gunnar's story could not be more fascinating. These tales are so important to document. Humble warriors achieving the impossible. Thank you for sharing sir.
Good to see and hear you again. I think I picked you up once after you were shot down. I was flying C&C at the time.
CW2 Mike Nadler
Billings Gazette, thank you for this. An amazing slice of history told in the first hand. I am grateful. I am Canadian and remember seeing the fall of Siagon on the news when I was a small child. I always tried to understand this war.
Wonderful series this is a great way to remember something that made such a difference in my teen years. My older brother was in the USAF in B-52s
Love the clarity and honesty by which some of these ex-Nam vets tell their stories.
Gunnar, thank you for your service sir and for telling your story.
Listening to you vets has helped pull me out of a deep slump of depression. I have been through my own " war" experience here at home. Had to struggle for my life and sanity and learn just how inept and negligent many professionals and authority figures are here in the USA. I took the red pill as a result of what I have learned from experience , is one way to put it. I have been discouraged and down for over a year now but starting to pull out of it, especially hearing how you guys have pulled out of your own difficulties and emotions. Thank you. If you can move forward after that horrible experience AND after knowing what you learned about authorities and privileged members of our society then I surely can do it too.
Thanks again.
A lot of us “early seniors” grew up watching the war in Vietnam on tv, and have been trying to make sense of US involvement ever since. I am very thankful for folks like this guy Gunnar (!) who have chosen to come forward and share their experience, and I really, really want to see this trend continue. Thank you, guys. This stuff is truly invaluable.
ToddtheExploder Indeed. These interviews clear up the question of the integrity of the soldiers that went and fought. They are not to blame and deserve our thanks and praise. The politicians however, deserve the blame for anything that might have been wrong with us being there. Polititians sitting in their comfy seats and sending people off to fight is a disgrace.
I was too young to go also. Some years after the war a vet told me he was glad I did not have to go. I could see the pain in his eyes. Really affected me.
There is another great interview on RUclips les dykemas you should watch it
@@rorytennes8576 I was army infantry in 2 units in vn '72.
Maybe 15 pct of lower enlisted infantry seriously lacked integrity.
Much dereliction, drug use, serious abuse of locals, fraggings, etc.
But I have no complaints about the aviation officers I knew.
Incredible tour in Vietnam. I was a grunt in 1971. We always tried to hide from Charlie not draw fire.
Because you were sane.... I was Security Police at TSN 1971, base defense. I spent my time trying to stay dry. Glad you made it back.
I'm glad you both made it back and thanks for your service time God Bless
I think his job was more dangerous than that of a grunt. I was a grunt in '69, 1st inf. div.
@@YahooMurray I've read about bloodthirsty captains who wanted to make a name for themselves. They pushed their troops aggressively and this caused casualties, all to pad their resume for promotions later
Amazing story. What a humble gentleman. Thank you.
I operated sniffer missions in III Corps in 1st Cavalry. I was the observer. Loch waited for us to get a hit and pop smoke. We were at treetop level, low and slow. Loch came in to observe. Cobra waited at 1500 for directions.
Tough man who had a tough job and had some good luck. Much respect.
One of the most fascinating interviews I have ever seen. I could visualize his story it is so well told. Amazing dude.
Impressive, breathtaking and interesting interview with a very sympathetic and courageous veteran. Respect. That's what heroes are made off!
**my heroes,,, defend innocent life... In Vietnam,, we were propping up a corrupt government.. that's why the Vietnamese people,, were not willing to fight and die,,, after we left!! What a waste,, of lives.... The only people who won,, with those who profited,, billions of dollars,, from weapons,, and equipment... Everyone else including our soldiers ((50000 of whom committed suicide,,, when they got home)) we're all victims!!!**
I've watched an hour and a half of your amazing past in Vietnam. Can't leave without saying Thank you so much for your sacrifice. I'm sure you saved lives of many.. Wow you are an amazing person and we are all blessed because of Real Men like you. Thank you....
the most common description by a veteran of Vietnam, "The Smell."
Visited Cambodia in 94. Still smelled same.
It's been 50 years and I can still smell it.
@@bprathe3205 why would the smell change
@@3865ron ofcourse.
love listening to these viatnam interviews
Welcome home sir. Thank you for your service. Respect. From one flight crew member to another
These interviews are fascinating.
Thank you for this series… my father was in the Army in Vietnam for a few years but got blown up by a mine…I was very young and when he came back miraculously he never spoke about his experiences. He’s 80 years old now and talks just about general information to this day. God Bless all the Veterans…Mary
I was an observer in the USBP on OH-6s for many years in the late 80s. Most of our USBP pilots flew in 'nam, and all the little birds were Vietnam era surplus. Most had bullet hole patches in their skin.... It was a blast. And yes, the pilots tried to teach us how to "fly" them, though I was never tested thank-god. Gunnar, you are an American hero
I been watching this documentary series for close to a week now. The interviewer here from the Billings Gazette did an amazing job not coming off as a total douche bag. That's the kindest remark I've made bout a journalist since 1996. This chopper pilot is an inspiration to young kids and old farts too. He's right about the war profiteers selling to both sides.
I agree that the interviewer did a fantastic job. His questions were spot on when they needed to be asked. He also had a confidence to his questioning which I think is the result of just being good at his job and also having spoken to many other vets about their experiences over there. I did 3 years in the Army back then and it almost seemed like the interviewer had served himself. Gunnar Hagstrom was amazing to listen to, it was like not being able to put down a book, I hung on his every word.
99 jersey the 6hg
Haha the interviewer is good but it’s also the format. These long form interviews make for a completely different vibe. This is one of the reasons why podcasts are so successful right now.
That's been going on almost since the beginning of war, the Rothschild family built large part of their initial fortune on was from the Napoleonic wars right through to WWI and WWII.
@@rbaz556 I doubt you know much about journalism. The vast majority of people who complain about the media/newspapers/journalists have no idea what they're talking about.
OH-6’s we called wasps by some of our battalion (3rd / 21st Gimlets) because of their speed and quick turns. They often kept us apprised of large concentrations move our direction.
Loved those guys. Thanks, sir for your being there above us.
Loved listening to Gunnar. He's certainly got a tale to tell about life in the fast lane.
Quality journalism. The whole story, not edited to fit an agenda.
And a real American hero. Thanks for your service.
How can anyone give a thumbs down to this hero. Thanks Gunnar...perfect name for a very difficult job.
Bill Barrett I’m thinking they’re the ancestors of dead VC
we have more commies than ever inside the wire, and government I might add
I am a 68yo Navy Veteran who salutes every Vietnam Veteran I see
I've had the great honor of flying with this gentleman for most of this most recent summer (2024) fighting forest fires with the US Forest Service. Amazing pilot, and amazing fire fighter!
What an incredibly humble hero
I enjoyed lots of these interviews....enjoying because it's always a first hand (you can't get closer) experience and people know (!) a 100% what they're talking about...and this man is in my top 3. He has done incredible brave things combined with such a clear mind....simply impressing.
Fantastic stories to hear from Mr Hagstrom. Thank you for sharing!! Your service is appreciated!!
One day, not too far from now, all these guys will be gone. It is so great that you are recording their stories for all to hear and to be available for generations to come.
I was with an artillery unit now and then we would deliver mail to the different gun batteries, I flew with a 20 year old kid in a loach abasaluteily insane !! # much respect !!
Thanks for your Service Gunnar It was well done! I worked communications behind the scenes that you experienced.
I am humbled and grateful for your intense service. Respect.
Gunnar n Darrel,
Absolutely brilliant, many many thx
Cheers
Glenn
Great interview Gunnar. Lived in Billings in the 80’s and grew up with the love of flying with rotary and fixed wing pilots in the family. Always a pleasure to hear a great interview as the one you offered up.
A real gentleman. Wars dont solve problems. Communication is the key to nation building. We are one race. The human race. Peace. If possible.
A very humble and great American!
This guy is a super hero he keeps saying he doesn't remember much
I think he does but is a loveable humble human being God bless him
My husband died doing That April 69. But he loved his job
Sorry for your loss. I was one of the lucky ones as was this man doing the interview. May your husband RIP
What a great story! Thank you sir, for your service and for sharing your story with us!
Much respect
Mr. Gunner is the Real top gun thank you for your service💕☺️
Flew loaches about the same time and this is exactly how it was. No BS in his story.
Not a fan of the war in Vietnam, yet I respect all you guys. I am only 38, and am finding immense wisdom in the words of people that have lived way more than me. I am currently listening to all these interviews, just to get a glimpse of what you guys went through. My grandfather was in WW2, as a kid I obviously wasn't interested in hearing any such stories, but if he was alive now, I could listen to him for hours. My beef is with war, but not particularly the individuals, I respect the journey of all people.
@@makemarker War isn't human. You can't have beef with it because it cannot hear or reason with you. If you want to direct beef (anger/hate/etc.) at anything, direct it at the politicians whose decisions send these men to war.
Thanks for your comments...I'll have to go back to catch the meaning of the ackronym. "Porsche in the Air" would seem to be a requirement.
@@Jasonhb07 yes, exactly - the ones who manipulate decent people (actually meant that). Cannot blame kids, they were drafted and just wanted to survive.
Get the red circle off the NFL logo, biggest sport in America! They fixed the kneel issue! all is good now.
I enjoyed that interview as much as any I have watched from the Billings Gazette. Good job and welcome home Gunnar.
Welcome home sir. I would have considered it a great honor to fly with you.
Thank you for risking yourself to serve our country Gunnar.
Fun fact about smells in the jungle. 9/10 times a LRRP unit came across an enemy force unawares, it's because they could smell them. When your sense of sight is diminished, all your other senses get cranked up to 11, just as with the blind or deaf. Not to toot my own horn, but as a deaf person myself, I've often been told that my "control touch" is top-knotch. By "control-touch", I mean how I operate the controls of machinery. Having good "control-touch" means that you're a smooth operator. Since I lost my hearing (I wasn't born deaf) my sense of touch became quite keen, as well as my sense of smell. I can smell a smoker from a mile away lol. Having said all that, a jungle is like a giant sensory-deprivation tank. All you're really left with is what you can hear and what you can smell, and that's during the day. At night, you can't see your hand 1 inch in front of your face in a Triple-Canopy.
It was the garlic in the nuc mam.
@@simontills7090 I very strongly doubt that garlic was the only smell they encountered. Remember, we're talking about military/paramilitary personnel who have probably been in the field for weeks on end, wearing the same clothes the entire time. The only clothing they would have been changing out was socks, and there aren't any showers around. That makes for a rather stinky bunch of dudes. Just imagine what a locker-room smells like after a football game on a hot day and multiply it by 100. If you had an entire platoon of unwashed VC near you that have been in the field a while, the primary smells would be balls and BO.
Thank you for your service to our country sir.
Love the helicopter interviews. My Uncle was a copter pilot flying out of Chu Chi in 1968
Great guy, so reserved. National hero
who is this interviewer???/
No he's not he's a survivor.
One of my dad's friends fought in Vietnam. He transitioned from the infantry into helicopter crews, where he was shot down at least twice (it might have been three times). He was always a gunner or crew chief (not sure which). He said that there were two kinds of "Charlie:" the PJs (pajamas) and the VC (Viet Cong). The former were lame shots and did stupid shit like run out into the open. The latter... Well, he said that if you saw a VC, you only survived if you shot first.
He told me that helicopter crashes felt like "breaking your back." But he didn't make it clear if he was in bad crashes, or autorotation landings. He did say that one time he saw a VC on a hill, right as the VC saw him, and the helicopter was flying fast. In a split second they aimed and drew a lead on each other. But the VC shot first, and shot the M60's ammo. It blew that M60 up in my dad's friend's face. He said it sucked, but he was glad he lived.
What a amazing interview. Gunnar you are brave man, to fly in to just draw fire to locate the enemy takes guts. I thank you for your service and god bless you sir.
Definitely. I have much respect and appreciation for all veterans but especially enjoy listening to the pilots stories. Was hanging on every word from Mr.Hagstrom. Very serious and to the point.
The guy that got shot down on his last day in country sure got a story to tell.
Nobody remembers every detail and every emotion at the drop of a hat. I credit him for being honest enough to say “I don’t remember.”
My uncle.MY inspiration for joining the Army.He TOO was based at PhuBai.101st,Lima Company Rangers.He often spoke of the bravery of the chopper pilots.
His comments at 1:24:00 are so spot on. Bankers love war. $$$
ruclips.net/video/vQZJSCDu-4o/видео.html
another incredible man gunner ..
so young .. even tho i am younger than you and never heard of vietnam
til college, your xperience is so human .. you and other vets xperience
puts hollywood to shame ..
yet all you vets endured the misconception of the image of a vet
on big screen .. whoa ..
society ppl are fairly weak .. guess so
wonderful to hear your facts your truths Love It Thankyou gunner
you and all vietnam vets are hearts
&souls of society plenty aloha
by way, sense of why these boys was
fighting, great deal for survival, but also they gave all .. really did ..
am sort of embaress way society
ignored them ..
The definition of a warrior.
what a total badass! thank you sir for your Service.. and thank you billings gazette for capturing these amazing stories>
These men are SO MODEST,POLITE,and HUMBLE ..IT makes me cry .
He uses "you" and "we" when talking about fear. But, at 43:30 when asked about being shot down he definitely shows significant trauma in being unable to speak. Literally, he's like a worm on a hook that survived
Greetings from Sweden Gunnar Hagström nice interview and storys
Strong stuff. Thanks to everyone involved for making these.
it is so interesting to learn of the very many different military tactics , I've had absolutely any idea of these sky warriors flying the little choppers , thanks Mr. Hagstrom for the great thrilling story
GOOD MAN !!! HAT'S OFF, I SALUTE YOU CHIEF. USAF/USARMY RET
firstly, i would like to give a heartfelt thanks to Gunnar Hagstrom for his contribution to this project.
secondly, i would like to do the same for everybody involved in the production of this project.
i think this project is something that needs/needed to be done and should be done. there are 10,000 books that have been written about the vietnam war, but they usually only address the historical, political, and or the strategic/tactical aspects of the war and the failures of each.
i think that what the books have lacked is the voice of the people who were tasked with fighting the war. this is something that has been missing from the historical context of the war. the stories and experiences of the peoples who participated in the war provides a much needed human face to the war.
when it comes down to the nitty gritty, blood, sweat and tears of this time period, war is ultimately a human experience, which needs to be told to really understand it.
thank you and the people that participate in this project. it is long overdue, no fault of yours, just a long wait for technology to evolve to the point where this could be possible.
a big thanks to youtube for providing a venue for these types of endeavors to be possible.
thanks again or doing this. it needs to be done.
A true unsung American badass. Love his story and salute his service!
Imagine the stress and horror - playing the bait every single day - this guy must have been through during his stint. Getting shot down four times. Over enemy territory. I can not imagine what his dreams must have been like.
"Enemy territory" was everywhere. There was no friendly territory.
Considering I work Construction and have dreams about falling off the roof or something nasty like that. This is impossible to imagine. Thank you for being brave and fighting for our country. My dad's a vet too. He's 75 and just joined a therapy group for ptsd for the first time.
Thank you for your service.
Well done on interviewing and documenting these heroes testimony. I salute you sir.
Well done Warrant. Thanks so much for your service. CWO4, USN, Ret, 73-95
Thank you Gunnar ! You are my age and I was in the navy. By luck I wasn't near nam.
Thank you for your service!!
Excellent story ! Thank you for your service , sir .
Good interview.. My experience was similar to his.. I joined at age 18, arrived in country at 19 and flew UH-1's with the 68th AHC out of Bien Hoa. When I returned home, it was hard to relate to my high school classmates and other friends. To them, I guess I was very "old".
You should get somebody to interview you, friends family etc and post it just for history.
Thanks but I was just one of thousands.. I was very young- 19 for 2 1/2 months- but like most army aviators, I was enthusiastic..
Thank you for your service sir.
I was too young to go. Some years later a vet told me he was glad I did not have to go. He was serious and looked right at me when he said it. It made me feel lucky and thankful because up till then I felt like I had missed out on something. I did not join the military because we had all been told that the war was bad, military was bad and that we didn't want to get involved. But I felt like I would have liked the military and probably done well and it probably would have been good for me. In some ways maybe. Maybe not, I will never know.
But thank you for your service to us.
Rory Tennes.. Thank you for your kind comment.. That vet told you right- you didn't miss much.. There were too many rules of engagement and the war was basically run by politicians from Washington.. Hitler tried to run the Eastern Front while living in Berlin.. Failure on both accounts..
It has come to light recently that President LBJ was giving the next day bombing targets to the North Viets by way of the Swill embassy.. Two reasons: 1) To try to reduce civilian casualties in the North- he was tired of getting beat up by US and world press and 2) In-your-face arrogance.. We are the mighty US and we can go and do and bomb where and when we want and you cannot stop us..
The downed airmen in the Hanoi Hilton probably did not appreciate that..
I have successfully discouraged my grandson from entering the US armed forces.. Nothing that has gone on in the War on Terror has convinced my that our politicians learned anything about conducting endless wars..
barsoom43 I agree, nothing tells me they have learned a thing.
Your welcome sir. Thank you.
Whether you agreed with the war or not, the ability for an 18 or 19 year old kid to get thrown into a situation like Vietnam and be able to survive both mentally and physically is mind numbing. I cant imagine not freezing in fear on occasion before coming to my senses and fighting for my life..
@sneksnekitsasnek absolutely...
This is man is super humble and decent American, I especially found him expressing his admiration for the young black soldier he served with hopeful, especially since he came from a part of the country that had no African Americans.
A modest humble HERO! One of the best, thank you brother!
At 38:08 he mentions hearing Cream on the radio. Music was huge. Refreshing to hear his detailed recollections. And the helicopter transmissions that could run without oil, staying in the air after hits from the jungle canopy below.
This is the first time i listen to an interview to entirity a real man of charather . I wiped tears thur this interview several times but he did nkt break down a bit ' thank u , even leaveing vietnam and seing that 707 and i know that that is a feeling that none of us can explain when we look back down on the ground . I know what he mean when he say " i don't think about it " and i will share what he said about preparing to go down where the chopper is going down , because u aren't bgoing to be able to find the ideal place to set the chopper down . A WELL ROUNDED AND HUMBLE GENTLEMAN .