Vietnam Voices: 'I guess when you’re 18, 19 years old, you think it’s going to be the other guy'
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- Опубликовано: 23 сен 2015
- Vietnam War veteran Paul Thomae talks about his experiences. Thomae was born in Bozeman, Montana, and grew up south of Livingston. He went to Park County High School.
As a former infantryman, USMC, I can tell you that the Navy Corpsman are highly revered. Many of these guys carried nothing but a pistol for a weapon. Even while under heavy fire, these guys will get up and expose themselves to get you if you got hit. Many get killed doing so. Pretty damn brave men.
I have enjoyed this simple ,humble man.
Great job! Met his future wife by becoming her stalker!!!! Congrats! I served 10 years in the Navy, we gave the corpsmen a hard time, but we always greatly appreciated them, especially the ones who served with the marines!
@@BB-wm4ti Yep. I was a REMF perimeter security at DaNang midnight shift. Regular rocket's and the occasional small arms fire. 19 years old scared sh&tless. Those men who lived in the jungle for months are amazing.
@@timmccaskiol5485 PAp!]
@@falconmoose5435 DaNang now is beautiful, been there 2x. Lots of Americans stayed in Vietnam from what I saw. Hue is also an amazing city. You can still see the bullet holes on some of the pagodas and other structures over there.
This man was my neighbor for years never knew he was a Vietnam Veteran!!!!! Our cows would always end up in his pasture. Miss you man.
Hey Caleb, did he pass away? He seems to be sick in this video!
That’s just how he sounds but. I haven’t live around him for alittle more than 7 years. I’d love to sit down and here these stories first hand.
@@jeffrobdine ....
a smoker i was thinking...
We soon learned that to be accepted it was nessacry to keep being a veteran to our self.
@@calebbair1152 I hope he's doing well. What drew me to this interview was that he favors a a friend and former coworker that was a Vietnam vet. He seems like a really decent forthright man. God bless.
Honorable true interview. He's probably my age and I'm a Vietnam Vet. , he's the real deal.
Interviewer does an excellent job at prompting for more detail when necessary, while not being too intrusive.
Ashpete21, I agree, but I could not think of how to say what you said. Paul says only what's necessary, not a word more. People like Paul make the world better.
He certainly does. Elicits interesting and different observations off the vets. Many that the vets have to reflect on.
Thank you sir. There is absolutely nothing more honorable than risking your life to help another.
Ya I can’t believe people find them interesting
So many of these guys didn’t know what they were getting into, yet did what they had to do to serve our country . So grateful!
What a guy! Seams to think before speaking what a strong trait. Started a business and success that followed. You came so far from childhood. Thanks is not a strong enough word to describe you. This is from a humble 71 year old.
People from the West always that way. Honesty was expected. Respected. Bragging was frowned on. Step over a social standard and the village let you know.
Go to far expect a physical response. Kept the village idiots in check.
Now they (VI) dominate pop culture and politics.
Thinking before speaking a strong trait? I think its quite the norm
Apart from when he said ...Gooks ....very thoughtful indeed
My Dad was a combat medic in Vietnam in '65-'66. He recieved two Purple Hearts and ultimately died of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma due to exposure to Agent Orange. My Dad was and always be my hero. He struggled his entire life after serving his country at 19 y/o with PTSD which affected our entire family but he and my mom, who's also my hero, managed to keep our family together through it all. It wasn't easy for any of us but I can't even imagine what he had to endure.
Vast respect to you, your Father and your Family, eternal gratitude. I know the stress and trauma and deepest pride of having a loved one in Combat, multiple tours, a Corpsman Son. Among the Best of The Best, saving their Brothers lives, at high risk to their own. Honor our Troops, they are Worthy of all the Respect we can give, for all the Service and Sacrifice they themselves give to our Nation and our people.
It's a shame the way our leaders, elite, have misused the honor and goodness of the common soldiers.
Its amazing how few views these Vietnam Voices have had over the last year. Cheers to these Vets from Australia.
Me to, I'm working my way through them as well. From Australia 👍
The aussies did their part is this godforsaken war. The day my uncle died he was flying in gear for the diggers near Nui Dat.
@@jg0943 WHAT WAS HIS NAME? I WAS STATIONED AT NUI DATIN 1966.
. 6 RAR OUT OF ENOGGERA BRISBANE QUEEENSLAND
Thanks mate.
@@jimbob1427 Thanks mate.
It’s 2020 sir , you’re 100% correct. My generation is in peril . Thank you for your service sir . 🇺🇸
⁰
My Uncle Dan Toomey, RIP, of Superior, Montana was also a Navy Corpsman, in on the first waves of all four invasions, North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and Normandy earning 5 Bronze Stars. He was also state president of the VFW. I salute you both. [SALUTE]
I keep watching these. They make me fulfilled somehow and it stays with me
I do too. I'm transfixed by these guys.
Listening to what they went through fills me with both guilt that I was born during said war and...relief that I was born during said war
As a young man I have been overwhelmed by the little job I do ,then to think that this guy has the lives of a bunch of assume wild kids. So his job is actually putting his hands in open wounds. Trying to save the dead and dying. Without going nuts,having to try to hold back emotional pain. Outstanding
That about covers it....
truth !
Thank you Sir, you’re a very humble man. You re a very Honorable and great American.Our country has been built by people just like yourself.You make me proud to be here just by hearing your story. Semper Fi
well said
These men are the greats of my generation. God bless you.
Excellent interview..My nephew was a Navy corpsman in Iraq..I’ve never met one to be loud or boastful.. incredible men! Thanks to all Veterans!
Paul thank you for your service and insights on Vietnam. As a former Marine all I can say is Semper Fi!
Been watching a lot of these excellent interviews....The common thread Ive seen is these are all good decent men...not only great Americans...but great human beings. Says a lot about Montana way of life.
Ya... we knew that as well 50 years ago when they first went over. Good decent young men.
He was very humble and spoken well for his service. I spoke before I. PTSD class in Florida and it did help me of things that happened to me being a sgt in Nam. God Bless All!! Sgt Dan
We worked with the vc against the Japanese and there was never a south Vietnam and the only Vietnamese to ask us for help was Ho chi min and when USAF stood down south Vietnam crumbled like a house of cards and not 1 American should have set 1 foot in that place as a tak paying American citizen i am sick and tired of these lies for war
God bless you Paul. All of you guys are my heroes. I've worked with many vietnam vets, and my cousin David Weir is a survivor of the siege of firebase Ripcord in 1969. He still carries shrapnel today, from that battle.
Thank you
Thank you Paul, i'm glad you made it back.
This vet is pillar of his community
Thank you for your service Paul.
I would like to thank Paul Thomae for his service. He is a brave man. Just listening to him I just can't help but really liking this man. I would love to know him. He is a good honest man. You can tell he has a big soft heart. His family is lucky to have him. God Bless this man and his family.
Mr. Paul Thomae, ladies and gentlemen, is perhaps the best example of a Man I have ever seen on RUclips. A very very very good Man. Thank you sir for your service. Thank you Billings Gazette for this wonderful interview.
YO GIVE THIS HERO A BOTTLE OF WATER. GOD BLESS YOU BROTHER
God bless you gentleman and thank you for your service
Thankyou Paul for your service.... I enjoyed your whole conversation!!
Thanks old friend, your amazing!
Thank you from Australia.
Frank Philpott Thank you Australians for being great friends. OZ Rules
Thank you for your service Paul. Welcome home Sir. Salute.
I really enjoyed this interview. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Welcome home? It's 40 years ago. Jesus.
YES welcome home! @badtripp you asshole, you welcome home vietnam vets now cause 40 years ago no one told them that. They were spit on and called baby killers.
Welcome home soldier you and your fellow medics saved lots of lives GOD BLESS
Thank you sir , I appreciate all you did .
First let me say Thank You, Paul, for your service, THANK YOU! This was an excellent interview, one of the best I have viewed. Too bad we do not have a whole country of men like you Paul. I am very aware of the condition this once GREAT COUNTRY is in and it is extremely sad and criminal what our so-called leaders have done over the years and are still continuing to do to this very day. Many patriots think it is all over. I think our only hope is DEVINE INTERVENTION.
GOD BLESS AMERICA
I think we've been misled for over a century, not all our fault. When foreigners took over the Federal Reserve, we no longer controlled our country or influenced our world with grass roots impact. Who controls the money controls the big decisions, even if they are against the founding people. sites.google.com/site/hesedken/protocols_of_zion/protocol_no_1.26_equality_democracy.html
They was lucky to have you there!
This is one of my favorite interviews
That's a man, with a big heart, Thank you Sir 😊
Thank you Paul.
Thank you got your service, Paul. Interviewer asked all the same questions I had. Great vid!
Thank you Paul. Hope you're well!
THANK YOU PAUL!
Brilliant interview Paul from the uk
Thank you for your service Paul!
Probably one of better interviews, especially the last 5-10mins. His opinion as to where our nation is headed is similar upon many of the other interviewee's. Politicians are now blatant liars, criminals, or being blackmailed or extorted. There is no other way to describe how we as a country has ended up in such a mess. But when Congressmen & Senators can claim Dual - Citizenship, well WTF. Remember, it only takes 60% to pass legislature. Sure, there are a few decent folks in congress but they get brushed under the rug. Best to you.
Unfortunately you are so correct.
I see what you did there with the unmentionable terrorist state.
Let's not pretend like politicians were any better back then, or ever.
I’ve been watching these interviews and it’s intended purposes is spot on I have a better understanding of the Vietnam War. Paul more than likely grew up with my father in-law and his brother from Livingston/Pine Creek. Their father owned a men’s clothing store in Livingston. My in-laws owned the Owl Lounge for 25yrs. I lived in Bozeman from 2006-2011. I’m fascinated hearing first hand experiences from Montana folk. That part of the US raises tough hard working people, I assume that was beneficial in the application of war. I am so happy that these individuals made it back. Thanks, doesn’t begin to express that gratitude we owe to all the service men and women.
Thankyou for sharing Sir !!
I’m 51 was in good shape after high school graduation but the mental part. Getting off that airplane in Vietnam 18 years old. That would have scrambled my eggs Jack
At 1:07:30 is very true. In the grunt units especially, the Marines love their corpsman.
In every combat unit, they know who’s got their backs.
In the military the old saying was never pissoff a cook but it should be a corpsman.
Good interview as usual Daryl good job, and thank you sir for your service to our country
Thank you for your service . All of you guys deserve all of our gratitude and best wishes
What a great interview, thank you.
Yet another one of a kind wisdom packed interview, this time from Paul Thomae. He sees the difference between the VN era and now, and says we are in trouble, and body willing he would serve again. There is the kind of patriot who got this country this far. Thank You!
Can we get this guy a glass of water!
Hello Paul,
Again Thank You for your service! You are absolutely correct about what you stated in your email. I t has been a year since I posted this message, who could have thought what our once great county has turned into. VERY VERY SAD. I believe there is diabolical evil at work here and who knows where we are headed. Bad times ahead. GOD SAVE AMERICA
This should be a miniseries
Glenville church
Thanks Mr.Paul. Your a great American
Great interview. We love and respect all our brave veterans up here in the hills of Northern New Hampshire.
Thank you!
It gets me how humble all these Vietnam survivors come across for interviews.....
How often I've found that listening is waaaay better than jumping to conclusions prematurely.....
As this decent man represents so many brothers of the TEAM effort..... it brings silent tears awash of what-all each of them sacrificed for the Love & Respect of our Constitution, providing for assertion and defense Against the ongoing encroachment of Tyranny.
Yes, it is good & decent to give Thanks..... Almighty Creator loves a grateful heart.❤
Thank you sir
Paul Thomae, thank you. You're a good man. I was in Vietnam, on the USS America CVA-66 in 1970. I share your sentiments about what is happening in our country. God bless you.
Excellent interviewer, good sound. Thanks to the Billing Gazette.
Well said sir!! . You are the real deal!! Thank you!!
Thank you Mr. Thomae
Thank you
Wise eyes. This man chooses to watch and observe and then act. If allowed to.
Such a great series of interviews. I wish I had this with my brothers, my dad and my uncles from Vietnam and World War II.
Thank you for your service sir
Thank you for your service!
Good man, but one point, a lot of the people who want a free ride in the US aren't necessarily coming from outside
Thank you Sir.!!
A true hero. Thank you for your great service to our fellow soldiers.
What a wonderful human being... His incredible insight about making all people serve (the younger lost kids) works!!! In Greece everyone male has to serve at least 2 years. What a beautiful country they have with almost no crime. Think about it.
There are several countries that require that. I think it's a great idea.
I am absolutely enthralled hearing the veterans speak and then guy doing the interview just turns my stomach for some reason.
1:24... I was a Paramedic in the public sector for five years. I was also a Safety Supervisor in the oil industry for 25 years. Personally I never believed in ratting out my fellow workers or those who worked over or beneath me unless the situation was guaranteed to cause someone harm or injury. You may need to have a conversation with those individuals , but, No matter who you are or where you are or why you are there, the trust your fellow troops have for you and vise versa is with out any question the most important thing. No matter what you are taught or told or trained to believe common sense and your ability to think your way through things and make reasonable , sensible discussions is number one. Losing your coworkers or friends trust is a disaster for everyone. Its called loyalty...... On an different note I'd like to thank Paul for his service. He is a hero in every sense.
War is insane and we probably don't want to know how bad friendly fire casualties actually are. This is a brave guy we listened to. A real stand up guy. 1/70- 3/71.
His story telling has a quality of “remembered trauma trance” which is fascinating and sad at the same time. “The Body Keeps the Score”(Bessel van der Kolk) helps to explain this.
Always pack water!!! Blessings sir.
Thank you for your service semper Fi Doc
Before the interview starts go thru the checklist...#1 water bottles for the interviewee, #2 water bottles for the interviewee......................
How the heck can anyone do that..he is worth his weight in gold...
At 1:23:15 Mr Thomae talked about reporting fellow soldiers for falling asleep on guard duty (sleeping on guard is one of the worst things you can do in uniform) & how he was warned they were talking about 'fragging' him for doing that - 'fragging' is murdering a fellow soldier. That's horrific, really scary, but having served 6mths in Afghanistan myself in 2012 & having seen the same (soldiers watching movies on laptops instead of watching the wire) it unfortunately doesn't surprise me. We (NATO) should never have been in Afghanistan and I think the same about the US in Vietnam but having listened to Mr Thomae's interview he has my great respect for what he did as a corpsman & what he has done since as a citizen.
Thank you for your service.you should provide these men some water when they are talking their throats get dry and they cough..
It's mid 2022 and we are even worse off! Thank you as well for your service.
Welcome Home. Thank you for your service. My honor and privilege to hear your story. From one Navy Veteran to another. Go Navy🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲⚓️⚓️⚓️⚓️
Welcome home Sir.
USS Tripoli LPH-10 -- Sister ship to the one I was stationed on . USS Okinawa LPH-3
Good man
Been watching some of these Vietnam interviews, God bless them , they seem to all have memory problems and they were all so gung ho about going to Vietnam.
He is 20-21 and calling 18 year olds kids. I guess that is how fast you get old in war.
He went in at 20.
He was 18 listen up@@susanbengston3208
From a greatful American, Thank you! Your humility and spiritual attitude are inspiring sir. Everyone should see this video over and over again, then maybe, just maybe people would begin to understand just how important it is to serve in some way, maybe not military, but in some way serve your country and fellow man.......God Bless!
my pap was an infantryman in Vietnam, he would tell me crazy stories, one that stuck with me is, one time they were getting shot at and one of the guys up front goes down and my pap went to go help the guy, and the medic grabs him and says hey what do you think youre doing, thats my job, and the medic runs up to help and gets shot right in the head and goes down, my pap tells me he wouldnt be alive today if that guy didnt stop him. my pap did end up getting shot in the head at one point, caught a bullet somewhere in his head and it knocked his eye out of its socket and was just dangling there, his eye ended up being okay, and is still alive to this day, and hes got plenty of stories to tell.
Bless you Paul.
That US Navy recruiter saved his life.
Drafted and spent time as an infantryman. Vietnam 68/69 but in a much safer job than you. Welcome home!
Whew, year is 2020 and this gentleman was correct, our country is a mess right now
We used to call our medic DOC. If someone got hit they’d yell MEDIC! We loved our Doc. He was the most loved and protected man in the platoon. I look back and wonder how they did it? It was hell enough and these guys were running from man to man, no weapon. God bless all of them. ‘68-70
Great interview. What he said in the end is how most Americans feel. 2021.08.27 Look at where we're at now.
Cool man