The First Battle of Vietnam | The Battle of la Drang | Veteran Stories
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 22 май 2024
- In the first major engagement of the war between regular U.S. and North Vietnamese forces, Col. Tony Nadal and his fellow 3rd Brigade, 1st Calvary Division (Airmobile) launched the first heliborne assault of its kind against the North Vietnamese forces. This three day battle resulted in the loss of thousands of lives, and tested the limits of both armies capabilities. It was later depicted in the book and film We Were Solders Once.
For inspiring veterans’ stories and helpful tips, subscribe to AARP’s Veteran Report at aarp.org/vetreport.
Please consider supporting more content like this by becoming an AARP member: www.aarp.org/becomeamember
- - - - - -
Connect with AARP Online:
Visit us: aarp.org
Like us on Facebook: / aarp
Follow us on Twitter: / aarp
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
00:41 Retired Colonel Tony Nadal joins special forces
01:53 President Johnson raises the troop levels
02:10 Vietnam November 1965 and the battle of la Drang
05:33 Leading the team to save split up B company at the battle of la Drang
07:49 The end of la Drang, first battle of Vietnam
Watch our final episode of "Reporting for Duty," and meet the Air Force veterans turning our nation's heroes into music stars: ruclips.net/video/fSZovLyrsvA/видео.html
You can watch the entire 14-part series here: www.aarp.org/reportingforduty
AARP is honored to fight for issues that are important to nearly 4 million AARP members who have served in America’s military and their families. Veterans have given their all for this country, and they deserve supportive services to help them live their best lives.
Lũ chó cướp mỹ muôn kiếp bị nguyền rủa.
Tony and I were classmates at the Marine Corps Command & Staff College, 1970 - 1971. I am glad to know he is well and thriving. He's a fine, fine officer, and I'm proud to call him "friend."
Jock Craig that you for your service
Thank you for your service.
Much love to you man. Thank you for your service!
Awesome.
Bless you and thank you for your service!
Respect to all the Vietnam vets, love from the uk 🇬🇧
Amen
I was a Huey crew chief. My job was whatever the guys on the ground needed. It was an honor for me to serve them. Our company motto was "Nothing Impossible".
f you gangsters
7 Sergeant wisdom I'm trying to get this out sorry wisdom I'm trying to deal with life as it is proud to serve it a different time and age thank God we're all we all came back two Wars Korea hurry up and Desert Shield storm liberation of Kuwait and it was a little nasty thank God you serve this man
Respect.
Thank you for your service sir 🇺🇲
thank sir for your bravery!
My dad was a South Vietnamese soldier he fought in Saigon during the Tet Offensive,after that, The Fall of Saigon his brother took his family in a Huey then the heli was sprayed with North Vietnamese bullets but he landed on the aircraft carrier USS midway.
The sad thing is South Vietnam could have easily held on. But the US withdrew all military support, which included ammunition shipments and helping with gear. While the USSR, China etc kept supplying the North.
@@youtubemodsaresnowflakelef7692 wrong
@@youtubemodsaresnowflakelef7692
True, thank you 93rd Democrat congress for throwing all of the Vietnamese, Nam Vets & those who gave all under the bus.
@@youtubemodsaresnowflakelef7692 that's not true the US pretty much gave away millions of dollars in terms of equipment when they were withdrawing. The problem with south vietnam is the same with Afghanistan. They could not hold on their own
Vậy là bố bạn là ngụy nô rồi 😅😅😅
"I always felt my job was to move towards the sound of the guns"
Respect
Sounds like a violent brainwashed guy
James Wolpert that’s a very ignorant comment
@@unitedchainsofamerica He was a professional career officer who cared for his soldiers. It is the job of a person who chooses to be a soldier and especially an infantry soldier, to move towards the sound of the guns.
No man should want to go to battle.vietnam was a useless war, as is many of America’s wars
@Stevo bevo james wofpussy couldn't lace my boots
I could never finish watching about this war...I would cry all the time..My beloved Husband served from 68..70...It hunted Him all his life..served 30 years...Rip Master Chief Mertel..RIP..till we meet again...Thank you and God Bless Our Troops....Salute..
You will indeed see him again. I can promise you that. Everything is okay.
@@tac6044 it's funny..becaused sometimes I would dream about My beloved Hubby...and Im sure in Heaven.." everyone is young...He's no longer in pain and was Happy..I always documents all my dreams about Hiwhere m as soon as I wake up and then call my Son and told Him about His Dad.....such a beautiful place where he's at..."smoking his cigar " which was his fav" God Bless Our Troops...we would have been married 55 years ....I was His only Love...( He often tell me)
I read the book "We were soldiers once" and now I'm asking myself: How could anyone possibly be more courageous than the young soldiers like Tony Nadal and his men?
They had no choice.
@@expertizer Exactly they got drafted to fight and die in a pointless war
My dad was there with them. 1st Cav. Wo2 Best scout ever
@expertizer clown comment..many of these men were veterans of previous wars and or volunteers..
@QuadrupleJMontage don't be a clown..numerous veterans of previous wars and volunteers
God bless you. As an Air Force veteran that served from 1986-1990. My years were during peacetime. Thank you for your bravery and ultimate sacrifice to our country.
I have been living in Vietnam for 6 months now. Learning about the war from the Vietnamese perspective has really has been fascinating. It amazes me how forgiving and kind their culture is towards Americans even after this war
Cảm ơn bạn
@@NguyenThien-gr9mv I've been here for two years now. I love it here and never want to leave
Had same thought when I was there 14 years ago. While talking to one young woman in a small town, I notice an older man sitting on a stool behind her. He was sitting on a stool in front of their small house.
I asked here (my buddy and both being Cdns) why we weren’t getting more grief from people because it would be easy to assume we were Americans.
She basically said the war was a king time ago.
And just them the old man - who was her grandfather- stood up, and turned towards us. Only then do I see his right side…and that he was missing his right arm.
Other big cultural wale-up was going to the War Museum in Hanoi.
Right after entering there is a big 3d model of a famous battle. And we got confused reading the info plaque beside it, because the year of the battle was far earlier than the 1960s.
Then we caught on… where we think if the Bietnam War being the US Vs Vietnam?
For the Vietnamese it was just one of the many wars they’d fought, including major ones with France and with China. (The 3d display was from a famous battle with the French).
Big lesson in perspective!
make sure you visit the war museum.
Seeing all those M16's jamming gives me anxiety
They jammed a lot back then. Since they didn't issue cleaning kits for the 16, a lot of us (Echo Co. 1st Recon) managed to get relatives to send us .22 cal. cleaning kits. A guy named Kakas, somehow got his mom to send him 20 Winchester .22 cal. cleaning kits, with extra bottles of Hoppe's #9. Those kits saved more lives then she can ever know. God bless you Mrs. Kakas. Too this day, other than small game hunting and shooting at a range for cheap grins and giggles, the 16 and M-4 remain pretty fair doorstops. Neither of those weapons compare in any way shape or form to my LR-308 or M-14. I saw way too many young men die, trying to unfuck a 16. Stoner is probably still pissed about what Colt and the Army did to his design. You can disagree but I'm a Marine and it will just go easier, on you, if you just remember that I'm right. As always YMMV.;-)
Hot dirty weapons do that
@@kirkjones9639 - They M16 had problems jamming because the gunpowder used was cheap and jammed up the gun. The problem was rectified when a better grade of gunpowder was used.
@@kirkjones9639 Thank you for your service and welcome home 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
@das wright The same can be said for the SKS, perhaps even more so.
Glad to see that the men that fought in Vietnam are finally starting to get the recognition they deserve. The war they fought in may not have been popular, but they served their country just the same as those who did in Korea, WWII, and the wars before. Their bravery is no less amazing either. They deserved so much better from the US than what they received.
Well said, as a Canadian that believes the US soldiers did their duties bravely as it was a totally different war. If you havent seen it their is a doc somewhere here on youtube about US soldiers building gun trucks.
EDIT: there instead of their , sorry guys
Yeah, they were lied to and sent off to die for a country that doesn't care about them.
Some important points such as Truong Son Road suffered 4,000,000 tons of bombs; Although Khe Sanh is an area only 8 km² wide between the two sides, in just 77 days the battle of Khe Sanh suffered 110,000 tons of bombs and bullets, making this the place where bombs and bullets suffered the most in history; Demilitarized Zone 17th Parallel (Vietnam Demilitarized Zone - DMZ); Fork copper fortune; Operation Rolling Thunder dropped 864,000 tons of bombs, killing and injuring 72,000 Vietnamese civilians, Quang Tri and especially in the ancient citadel and town in 1972 suffered 328 bombs, 9552 rounds of bullets. 105mm, 55 rounds of 155mm artillery shells, 8164 rounds of 175mm artillery shells, more than 615 shells, the destructive power of 7 atomic bombs on Hiroshima, etc., and many more places in Vietnam where the ground still contains bombs.
Could not have said it better.
@@borninvincible Ego-tripping under the guise of empathy, I see.
We were soldiers once … and young.
Respect! 👍🏻
No one remembers the OTHER battle at Ia Drang the day after Xray was cleared.- LZ ALBANY. We were ambushed on our way back to Albany from Xray. Our losses at Albany were much higher than Xray. We refer to it as "The Forgotten Battle". Maybe they'll make a movie about us someday. 2/7 Cav "Garryowen' !!
the only way for anyone to know is from someone who was there..
Welcome home!
I served HHC, 2Bn 7th US Calvary. Gary Owen!
Thank you for your service..Welcome Home!
I hope they do make a movie about your service. if smart they would consult you for accurate history. paying well to boot. welcome home and thank you for your service.
Did you know Rick Rescorla Sir?
Salute to my uncle Luis Perez Perez.. born and raised in Puerto Rico.. served in Vietnam.. and my brother Juan Lopez Perez. Served in Iraq.. Iraqi freedom.. saludos mi hermano y mi tio.. 🇵🇷👍
Salud
@@yourdad4766 👍
Awesome that is
My uncle, Jerry Bennett, fought in the battle of Ia Drang. He was in the 1st battalion 7th calvary. He is one of the guys in the pic from Time Magazine carrying a fellow soldier to a helicopter. I did not know this till a few years ago. He never talked about it and we were told to never ask him about it growing up. He has always been a good man.
My dad served in Vietnam. He died March 2024. He was my best friend and I miss him everyday. R.I.P. Dad
I've never been in a war zone, unlike my late father, I can't even imagine what it must be like, I have the greatest respect, admiration and thanks to all vets.
❤ 🎯🙏🏿
I'm S.Korean. My granpa was a Marine in Vietnam war. I'm very proud of him..
Những người lính quê nhà các bạn đã thảm sát cả một thị trấn nhỏ của vietnam chúng tôi ,nhưng đã là quá khứ chúng tôi vẫn luôn yêu quý tất cả các quốc gia vì một hoà bình và phát triển
When your Country Calls, You go...Salute Sir...
What a brainwashed way of thinking. They are invaders and literal terrorists
My brother-in-law was in this battle. He just went to a nursing home due to dementia. God bless you Barry
I was a bit to young to go to VN. I joined the Army in 1975. I served with many VN vets. Jeepers the tragic stories of heroism. Just those stories haunt me today. I was in for 4 years as a military policeman.
Thank you for your service, you are better off to not have went to Vietnam. Our corrupt politicians have blood on their hands. I am a Vietnam combat veteran 69-70, I lost my best friend and many other brothers and it haunts me to this day.
And this is what SO pains me about war. The soldier doesn't care about the politics that puts them in battle, they just follow orders because they are soldiers. The politician doesn't care about the soldiers they put into battles because they are soldiers and they follow orders!
Soldiers are idiots. I don't mean they are born idiots but made ones.
Right
War is old men talking and young men dying
Many politicians never fought in a war. Some didn't even serve in the military. John McCain was a proud American and would have made an excellent commander in chief. He fought in Vietnam in the late '60's.
Ralph Sanchico ... To simplified to such a complex equation. But, I disagree with you regarding the politician not caring about the soldiers. I believe most politicians do care, but have to make the tough decision to use force. The soldier has a job. It is to fight wars and protect the country.
Thank you for your service it brings me to tears to think about all the young men were left behind🇺🇸
I was trained by Vietnam Combat Vets upon entering the U.S. Army in the summer of ‘79 and I’m telling you these Men were Outstanding Soldiers. They demanded excellence from trainees and would work with each individual as well as the entire group to ensure we had every advantage they could impart to us through their own personal experience! Thank you!
Benning IOBC myself in the summer of 79. They were outstanding and seeing them dismissed ended my thoughts of making the Army a career.
I just finished the book. I'm afraid this short clip does not portray the absolute horror that befell those troops, it was quite shocking!
And the horror for the Vietnamese at the time????
you see innocent civilians living in their homeland are props for men of glory to stand above in history. So any horror, tragedy and misery suffered by them is meaningless to the jingoists.
Pales in comparison to the horrors Vietnamese civilians faced by said troops.
Imagine what vietnamese civilians went through.
Karolis - After USA leaves Vietnam the good guys from Red Khmer just killed 3 million of innocent civilians....
I'd love to meet this man, shake his hand, and tell him he did a hell of a job helping to protect others. They sure don't make them like this anymore.
We still make these men, they just haven't been tested yet.
I met a man who flew 6-8 trips on a medevac helicopter into LZ Xray out of Pleiku many years ago when I was working at a Weslake Ace Hardware. He had an Oxygen tank with him and he was wearing a 7th Cav Hat. I struck up a conversation and asked if I could shake his hand to meet someone who lived through that was an experience I wont ever forget but it wasnt the first person I met who had defied the odds. My own Grandfather was a D-Day Survivor of Omaha beach. Nothing but respect for these men.
"I'm ready to give my life for my soldiers", not many can say the same in today's generation anymore. Our values and courage have declined a lot.
Not true but ok
Both of my Granddads and some of my great uncles fought in WW2. To all of you who’ve served and fought, thank you. My family and I thank you. 🇺🇸
Drafted in November,1965. I really connect to this and the statement "they were my soldiers". The troops on the ground cared about each other. Lest We Forget.
As a veteran myself. Why is America free. Thank God for our veterans. GOD BLESS the U.S.A.
I have a neighbor that served in Vietnam, Marines. There's one particular story he told me about. His platoon was conducting a patrol down a typical route and were ambushed. His platoon buddy in front him was shot and killed from the initial attack while he himself was wounded pretty good during that initial attack but was able to take cover and fire his weapon. Fortunately he said his platoon managed to push back their enemy after inflicting lots of casulties. But he says he never forgets his buddy that got killed in front of him. So much respect to these Vietnam veterans.
My admiration goes out to those that served, fought and died in the Vietnam war
People don't realize how messed up that war was. Then soldiers were spit on when they made it home.
@@jordanferguson4158 Roger That
They fought for nothing. Shame on Gvt of America..why did you invad Vietnam and then you lost 58.000 your young soldiers. They died for your demands. They got nothing return.
If you didnt invad Vietnam then no one died in both side. 😭😭😭
I am from Vietnam.
@@petersirom492 "Hindsight is 20/20." As an American, I respect all those who answered the call, and I mourn all of those killed and maimed.
But not to the poor farmers who's home was invaded?
To everyone who served in Vietnam thank you for your service, and I'm so sorry for what you guys had to go through! May God Bless You and your family's...
We are very proud of you guys the Vietnam veterans.
My father was there 67-69 lrrp. I remember thinking when I found out that my dad served I was shocked. Such a kind gentle caring man that at 1 time my father was a real badass. Rip Robert G. Simon US Army Vietnam 67-69 LRRP.
My father was also a LRRP 67-68. Sorry you lost your father. Mine is still alive and well. Has always been very humble.
A true American hero. I have undying love, gratitude and respect for all U.S. veterans. God bless these brave men!
God bless all those that served this great country when called to do so.
I love everyone of you veterans with all my heart. You are my heroes.
I love them also. I thank you all veterans that helped Vietnam and now it's a good place to travel and it's a beautiful country. All of you veterans you have my heart and soul for giving us freedom and the vietnamese that we are finally friends. To all soliders. I salute you. I have to stop now because I have a lump in my throat. Love you all
@@edgarteran1894 Its the north Vietnamese whom deserve the real recognition, they saw their families being bombed yet they pushed on.
As a Vietnamese, I sincerely thank you for all Vietnam Vets who have fought for what is right! Even though you have been looked down by your own countrymen. We, Vietnamese, will and always be grateful for all the sacrifices and shed blood that all the Vietnam Vets had made. Lest we forget!!
are you north or south Vietnamese
You're no longer Vietnamese, you're Vietnamese American. So stop saying on behalf of Vietnameses.
Vietnamese American, not the other way around.
Nguyentuanninh Ninh84 dame thing anyway
you're Vietnamese American. So stop saying on behalf of Vietnameses.
thats brave fighting over vietnam to survive those wars until now i salute you sir....
I know from first hand our Puerto Rican vets (Dominicans and Cubans too) are second to none. 100% loyal and fierce warriors. Thank them all, they earned it thoroughly.
.... I've never met a "Cuban" vet ..... But I have heard a whole lot of anti-communism blah blah (in Miami).
To the men of America Australia New Zealand that were involved in this God bless you guys!!!!
I served in Nam...Chu Lai 68-69 1st MAW MAG 12...and I'll always say that being on an air base saved my life.
"when your country calls, you go." but if you need your country/gouvernment it doesent GIVE AF....
Speak the truth brother!!!
"Think not what this country can do for you, but think what you can do for your country"- JFK
@@woods2353 Yeah, and that means you're a fool. Plain and simple. 😁
magicae 37 yeah why fund a country that commit genocide killing innocent Palestinians
@@woods2353 honestly doesn't sound very good way to think.
I am a 2/5 Cav veteran, peace time thankfully, I served under men like this, they were our First Sargents and Command Sargent Majors and my Colonel . They all had CIB’s from Vietnam. I knew if we ever had to go we were in good hands.
My thanks, love and devotion are to men like this who I would sacrifice all for.
Hoooaahhhhh!
True courage and honor. Much respect too all of you who gave everything and asked for nothing
Thank you for your service SIR! and thanks to all the men and women who have served and are serving today! Proud Vietnam Era veteran! 👍👏
The Army always gets more media, but before la Drang was the battle of Star Light in August of 65. It was 1/7 advance party 1st Marine division in Chu Lai. We conducted the biggest land operation since WWII. We encountered several thousand enemy. But little is said about it.
Thank you for fighting for it God bless you
No matter the cause this man and his brothers are True Heroes!!
I have so much respect for the movie “We Were Soldiers” because of the historical accuracy…it’s why it’s my favorite movie.
Hi, Tony Nadal. My name is Corey, and I just saw your video, and I would like to say that I'm sorry that you lost some of your fellow Americans and friends in Vietnam. At the same time , I want to say welcome home from Vietnam and thank you for your service. Corey Hansen.
"We Were Soldiers" starring Mel Gibson is my favourite Vietnam movie ever and this proves that it is probably the most accurate version version of events ever to make the big screen.
Gibson was born in the U.S. His father moved the family to Australia to dodge the draft.
Fabian I highly recommend reading the book it’s damn good
Except the ending.
As a 1st Generation Vietnamese American, I thank all of the veterans for your service and sacrifice.
lol what a clown 😂😂😂😂
@@tommythheb4067?
@@tommythheb4067 man just let the man vibe
@@tommythheb4067
A clown laughs and does nothing more.
@@tommythheb4067 how
All I can say is thank you for your service. Salute.
My hats off to you boys who made the grade and paved the way for us younger soldiers. I wasn’t old enough to enlist until 1979 but I have seen my share of the ugly we’ve sworn to protect our country from since. I just retired sept 2019 having 27 years of service over those 40. RIP my brothers and sisters until we meet again. Thanks to all vets who raised their hand but especially those who’ve given the ultimate sacrifice. It could have been any one of us at any time. Welcome home Vietnam vets!
My father was there with the 1st of the 9th which was attached to Hal Moore’s group, 1st of the 7th. He is the one who reconned the area and reported back that they were there in ChuPong mountain but did not know the group strength. During this time my father contracted malaria and was evacuated out of the country for several months. We lost my father to cancer in 2007 but we were fortunate enough to attend some of the reunions from 2000 to 2006 of his squadron and he was able to reconnect with many of his fellow soldiers. It was difficult however that after meeting these guys again my father did not want to bring many of those memories back to the surface. I am fortunate that my dad spoke to me about some of the times in Vietnam and since I too have been in the Army Infantry it seemed to help him by having someone to talk to about it.
@ duaneredman . Band of brothers .
My dad was there too 7th Cavalry and then it went to the first of the night. His chief weren't officer too I bet your dad knew my dad. I just lost my dad this last March. He was a hero and hell of a scout pilot
1st of the 9th I mean
It’s just amazing to me to see these men in combat with no armor pads or anything literally just a work shirt and some dungarees
Yea, today's military are taken care of. Maybe the government learned from us Viet Nam guys what they needed to GET THE JOB DONE.
Are you ok sir ? This is a war. It’s incredibly Tragic.its not normal for people to Be dying side by side what ever the reason
I was on OIF in 03-04, 06-07.
I was in Nam in 69-71, 1st Marines, In my opinion, would not been able to home the bush and especially the mountains and engage the NVA & Viet Cong The way we did with the gear we had to wear in Iraq.
@@myjeepwjarebuildpaulsteven7986 Thanks for your service!! If you don't mind me asking, how did you go to vietnam and OIF? comtract work?
Thank you for service fellow Puerto Rican. 🇵🇷
I stand beside all my brothers and sisters thanking all generations of veterans of past and present
Thanks to all who served in the military and in Vietnam.
Huge huge respect... God bless your brave hearts forever
I will never forget that sound I hear one every once an a while..
Thank you all for your service. Brave men. The last of our greatest generation!
This man and all those like him deserve not only our respect, they deserve the assurance that we will not betray them by sending them into unnecessary battles. That we will hold their lives sacred.
Was a truck driver 67-68 with the 543rd , 48 3rd I . We did our best .Thanks to the infantry that always gave us protection.
I admire you colonel Tony Nadal, you're a brave man, as a matter of fact I admire everyone from the Vietnam war, I think that was a very bad war and all you guys deserve praise and thank you , God bless you and all those who serves in that war.
Thank you. All my soldiers were heroes. Tony Nadal
I'm reading "We were soldiers once...and young" right now.It's an extraordinary historical telling of these great soldiers by Hal Moore.I certainly recommend it.Thanks to Tony Nadal for telling his story.
Read 'Matterhorn' by Karl Marlantes. Probably the best war novel I have read, on par or better than 'With The Old Breed' for me.
ive read it many times. amazing book.
btw im oz not usa
BRAVE MEN, NO HESITATION, GOT THE JOB DONE! REAL HEROES!
Worst nightmare of a soldier during the Vietnam war….was a jammed M-16 in a gun fight.
M14: nervous sweating
I had an m16. I didn't like it but it never jammed on me.
Colt has a lot to answer for.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice. God bless you all. My family has fought in just about every war except Korea. I wished I could follow my family, but I was born with disabilities. I’m the first in my family since 1776 that can’t be a soldier.
God bless all these very courageous men. I did not serve with them, but later as a Combat Engineer in the 70s. I'm proud that I served and wore the U.S.Army Uniform. But these men were made a special steed. God Bless them.
I led a shift at a manufacturing company. One of my guys died in a drunk driving accident. I was devastated. I cannot imagine losing 15 in combat. I know, doesn't come close, right? What I really want to say is thank you for your service. It feels hollow sometimes but truly thank you!
This was ten times better than We Were Soldiers and it only took a tenth of the time to tell. Thank you for the real story.
God blessed this man a true soldier.
I was a civilian in Vietnam in 1965/66 and taught English at the British School in Saigon. After being in Vietnam for less than six weeks it suddenly dawned on me that the war was unwinnable. In fact, I was certain that Uncle Sam would eventually throw in the towel and go home. However, I did not expect the war to end as soon as it did, I thought it would go on a little longer, maybe until 1980. I also knew if I had ever received a notice from my draft board to report for induction that I would have ignored it and headed for Sweden. After all, I knew that the Vietnamese never planned to invade the United States and that risking my life in Vietnam would be for nothing.
I understand
We did not loose the war, the politicians did that. The North was willing to sign a peace treaty but the politico's did not carry out their part of the bargain. Plus on Sept 18, 1965 members of the 2/502-101st ABN got into a major engagement with the 535th North Vietnamese Reg. Out of 27 choppers flying on the first lift, there were nine left flying after the 3rd lift. We lost all our company commanders and Maj Dexter the Battalion XO. How do I know this ?? Because I was there...
My MOS was 67N20 and 67V20. I worked in the Republic of Vietnam using my 67V20 MOS in 1968. I was issued wrong size shoes because the dolts didn't have my size. I used that piece by of schitt M-16 that jamed. We couldn't get parts for the 67V20 because of that SOB named LBJ. We killed a few Cong. I was drafted and made E-5 in 5 months. I spent a fortnight in a field hospital. Guys left and right of me got blown up. The funny thing is, for me, I'd see rockets and motars land around me. I'd see dirt kicking up but hear no sound. Rockets could land while you were in a bunker and sound like the loudest thunder you'd ever hear. My old boss, Major Alford, died from old age and is buried South of Fort Rucker. Teagards...
1st Calvary rules! Much respect for Col. Nadal, it is officers like him and Hal Moore who lead from the front which I admire and honor, huuah!
I love the sheer patriotism it takes to answer our country’s call to service. Nothing makes me prouder than that. All those men are enshrined forever for their service and sacrifice to such an ungrateful nation back home. Honor in its finest form. God bless America 🇺🇸
God bless you Sir. We need real folks like you now. Keep telling your stories of life. The young folks need to know these things. My uncle was in the G. B's. The Army is the best if the best. Give all. Garry Owes !!!!!
USMC; Operation Starlite at Chu Lai, RVN Aug. 17 - Aug 23, 1965; the first major engagement of the Viet Nam War; Three months before the Ia Drang !!! I was there !!!
D J no u
VMA225 correct
I think where AARP errored in the description of this video is the engagement at the Ia Drang Valley, if I am not mistaken, is historically the first time during which the Army 1st Air Cavalry unit used helicopters in theater, making it the first ever Cavalry air assault, carried out by members of A Co. 1st Bn. 7th Cavalry (Airmobile). I cannot say how accurate I am, but clearly Operation Starlite aka Battle of Van Tuong was the first major U.S. offensive during the Vietnam War.
If you're going to get picky, Dien Ben Phu was pretty big, and the US-Vietnam conflict was a direct extension of the France-Vietnam conflict.
One reason that Vietnam War happened was the US' push to disassemble the pre-WWII colonial empires, without understanding the power vacuums that would create and the regional conflicts that would re-ignite once the external controls were off - Suez -> Middle East conflict : Israel and British Palestine -> Middle East conflict : French Indo-China -> Vietnam War : etc. And then other govts joined in, and you got the Iranian regime change, for example.
Gungy!
Fantastic story of brave lads who never wanted to be there in the first place, in my opinion they are all heroes. I am not American i am English i visited Washington DC my first place was the Vietnam war memorial, it broke my heart RIP lads some had never kissed a girl.
Well said Ian thats why US and Great Britain Will allways fight for each other.
Yes mine too I saw a the replica of the "wall" I started crying
To put it in perspective, the British took over 57,000 casualties on the first day of The Battle of the Somme in 1916, with almost half that number KIA.
Ian, lots of Brits (Limeys) come to the states, you folks are pretty much as we are, but, you talk a wee bit with an accent, of course we sound a tad different to your ears, but, I guess it is 6 of one or a half dozen of an other, but, if you bring young kids or marry and start a family here, aha, your kids will not sound like you.
Boondocker yes true my aunt is Texan and she married a "yankee" now she sounds like him🤔 my granddaughter was born n England while son was stationed there but.... 🙄
My dad and brother were there. I went somewhere else. ....wish i i was there.🇦🇺👍
Wow...after watching this interview it makes me want to watch We Were Soldiers again.
Thank you Tony and to all who have served this Great Country!!!
Awesome video. Thank you Col. Nadal for your service.
When your country calls, you go. Respect.
November 14th, two days before my birthday. I was born in 89' tho, I love that We Were Soldiers movie.
My deepest respect, Colonel Nadal...you and your men were truly brave soldiers ! Your country won't forget your sacrifice.
wow, what a memory that must have been. Can't imagine having fellow soldiers drop dead either side of me and hand grenade close by.
This kind of patriotism is sadly becoming rare in this day and age. God Bless that generation who fought for our country so bravely and selflessly.
That was amazing. Well produced, AARP, dang. And Tony Nadal's story blew my mind!
Thank you for your services! And to the many Soldiers, our honorable US Miltary, in this film and comment section.
Thank you for your service and for remembering those who sacrificed themselves
Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
These stories always leave in awe. How would I have behaved? I’ll never know.
This was painful and heartbreaking to watch, after 25 years of AD my thoughts and affections now a days are for all the good men I served with, God bless you.
what does AD mean?
@@rosanorman8475 Active Duty
@@usnchief1339 ok thanks
You and your men served with such dedication and honor. We, your countrymen, all owe you our deepest and most sincere gratitude. 🇺🇸
That was an intense story! These MUST be preserved and archived. Imagine all the Civil war stories lost to time....Youth is so precious we don't want to corrupt but ... cruel thing Time is to let US forget!