Al White: The Story of a Marine Grunt in the First Battle of Khe Sanh (April 1967)
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 29 июн 2019
- "A gritty, wrenching account of battle from a first-hand participant describing the chaos and emotions occurring during combat." - Viewer Comment | Al's story is compelling, historic, and even emotionally touching if you watch all the way to the end.
_____________________________________________________________
Al relates his boot camp experience in San Diego, infantry training at Camp Pendleton, travel to Vietnam by troop transport ship, training and R&R in Okinawa and his horrific combat experience in the First Battle of Khe Sanh (often referred to as The Hill Fights).
Copyright: American Prairie Filmworks 2019
Don't miss the new Al video made by his grandson! 👇 Al relates a few more interesting Vietnam recollections: • VETERANS DAY SPECIAL!!!
If you enjoyed this, we have a Tip Jar: paypal.me/americanprairiefilm... Thank you!
Check out more from Al White! He and his grandson are vlogging now. RUclips Channel: Al and Payton Vlogs
This dude is one of the best storytellers I have ever heard. His attention to detail is superior, and he seems so incredibly honest and transparent. Welcome home, Marine.
This guy could write a hell of a book, good memory and articulate.
Welcome home.I watched this.What a great memory and what a story.I had one of my parents;sign the form for me; because I was only 17.I wanted to enlist.Went through boot camp,at Fork Polk La.I thought I was going to Vietnam.I didn't get a chance.It ended July of 1975. My mos was 11B10.Light infantry.Thanks for sharing your story.
I totally agree with you billy mobley
One of the best interviews I've ever seen. Screw a celebrity i would rather meet this guy and take a pic with this legend 🙌
The guy telling his story and the man who let him tell his story uninterrupted.
Yep! Same!
Filthy governments, landing on the moon while our boys and girls are getting killed and killing for their greed
Thank You .
wish i could up vote a million times
Amen brother!
I was trying to comment. I have no sensible words. I can only admire Al White; that he has come back and is such a level headed guy.
This guy was 125lbs and 5' 6... much respect and what a badass marine.
Some of the toughest guys we had were not large men. Size has zero to do with with courage and toughness.
Cause today's war is determined by lead and metal precision. He'll a 100 year old or a 9 year old is now is force to be reckoned with training and a arm just look at Ukraine thrown in 12 yr olds
He was 18. He looked like a child. 😢
“ didn’t drink for the rest of my life, until a week later”
Relatable
He is hilarious, my sides were in orbit when he said that.
We've all said that a million times.. and always mean it lol.
@@joshuatraffanstedt2695 and many have lived it till the end. To each their own.
B1tch talk
Been there done that!
I must say: I deeply appreciate that you let this man talk unfiltered; no dramatic cuts, no music, no narrator voice telling you what is happening.
If you want to show a sliver of what war is, do it this way.
I agree, this documentary format was incredible.
I agree! I am at a loss for words for how great this was!
This is my 2nd time watching this interview, that's how good i thought it was. I hate to interject politics but to this day I hate LBJ with a passion for sending these young men over to Vietnam. He was the worst prez in my life time - i'm 62 years old.
I find myself back to Al Whites experience of war. He presents it in a profoundly colorful way.
I could only hope to come through such a horrific and heroine test of fortitude and duty. For my country and fellow man.
Respect and admiration to you Sir. Thank you for serving our country.
@@JackMyersPhotography 1
I was there at the same time as Al.
I was a Platoon Commander with 2/5 at An Hoa.
We used to go to Pho Loc and My Loc which Al mentions.
The road from Danang went between those hills and the Marines
sort of guarded that road.
When I was there I didn't realize how close to the DMZ we really were.
Maybe only 30 miles or so away.
On my first operation my company (Fox) and Hotel ran into the NVA
and got our ass handed to us.I lost half my platoon in an ambush
on the first day. What a fustercluck!!!
I didn't know how fast I could run in a rice paddy with all that shit
hanging off me while being shot at.
Lies.
@@that1electrician you're the same type of nerd who says "proof?" as if anyone owes you an explanation for a story. Dweeb energy
@@that1electrician : Pos!
I literally have tears in my eyes after watching this. My dad, RIP, was a Marine who served in Vietnam and died at the age of 54 (thanks to Agent Orange). He never really spoke about it and this story lets me get a glimpse of what he went through and survived. Thank you for sharing, and thank you Mr. White for your service. I’d love to thank him personally for his telling of this story. This makes me respect even more the brave marines that went over there and fought. Especially those who volunteered, as my dad did. ♥️
He will always be a Marine.
The guy was lied to , cheated, hook winked, shit on , pissed on. And never gave up . If these guys weren't awesome. Nothing on earth is. You guys are the best of the best. Hands down..q
God bless you, Al White. My dad served in Vietnam (USMC) as a 0311 (Rifleman) from 69’-70’. I was born while he was there. The story my mom tells me is he came home, dropped his stuff and fell asleep on the couch while holding me on his chest and he stayed asleep for over 24 hours. He never talked about Vietnam except to say that he had good times, horrifying times, scary times and made brothers for life. When he passed in 07’, several guys from his company served as pall bearers with me and my brother. I’m sure they’ll do the same for Al White.
The one story my dad did tell me was he was on a patrol when Apollo 11 landed on the moon. When he found out, my dad said he pulled down his pants in front of his buddies and said, “They can land on this fuckin’ moon for all I care”. Lol. RIP Dad.
My Dad was Army Infantry also assigned to I Corps on the DMZ same as Sgt Al White. I was born the same day my Dad returned in 69. He never talked in much detail about what he saw other than "Vietnam was the world's biggest suicide mission." Dad returned with a lot of anger and he still carries that anger around with him to this day.
Your dad is a beast
Lol!! What a guy!!
Your dad sounds like the salt of the earth. I envy your genes!
@@w.harrison7277
Thanks man. He was a rare cat. All my sibs joined the military but I didn’t. I wanted to pursue music. He wasn’t disappointed in me and supported it 100% and I went on to have a career as a touring drummer. Peace!
Al I was Second Class Navy Corpsman . In 1967 I was stationed in Japan at US Naval Hospital Yokosuka . This was the period that the fighting at Khe Sahn I never was in country but those days in 1967 I will never forget .We had 2000 patients . The wounded would come by air evac 250 each time I saw a lot of suffering and Brave Marines and Navy Corpsman. Al I had tears remembering those sad times. Semper Fi Hoorah !!
After the hill 881 fight I was transferred to NH Yokosuka in May 67 for surgery. I had a really good Japanese Dr., -Satoshi Saito. He took me to to Tokyo for a weekend once just to get me out of the Hospital environment . I was very grateful for the respite.
Al White reminded me of Jack Nicholson with his speech and mannerisms. A brilliant, honest, no bullshit interview.
My father told me his stories of Khe Sahn, he has been gone for two years now..... I miss him very much.....
Thanks for your Service dad !
R.I.P. 🙏❤️
Rip to your Dear father he was a Hero 🙏
Same here, Dad was with C-1/9 The Walking Dead 66-67. He shot himself at the dinner table in 92 in front of my Mom. Semper Fi
@@1990hondarc30 RIP to your ol man he must have been tormented by the things he witnessed ...Marines are A special breed
@@mmaaphilliates things he did in Combat
Al, I'll never forget you and our buddy John coming to my wedding reception. It was an honor. Thank you for your friendship. It has been a true honor.
THANKYOU!!your my friend and always will be i would of gladly shared my fox hole with you!!
@@alandpaytonvlogs5930 God Bless you Sir
Just meeting this man makes you a celebrity in my book. Cheers, thanks , and condolences to every one of our veterans. Al and everyone who survived are heroes. They refuse to admit it because they saw so many heroes die. Some of them live. I have the utmost love for anyone who was ever dropped into war. I hope you all find peace
This is my second or third time watching this over the last couple years. It pops up in my feed. Al is great to listen to. He paints a picture, has humor, and just seems like a good guy.
This is my second time too!
Watched it 3 times, it’s riveting!
He had me glued from his very first words
I lost count on how many times I watched this really hope AL is still alive and well would love to write letters to him
This guy tells the best stories without a doubt. His happy demeanor is amazing.
That is the joy of serving and living to tell about it :D
Al is still scared shitless I can see it in his face and demeanor, why? I served
@@bushranger900 Lol, no he's not scared at all. It's been over 30 years since he served and he's able to talk about it easily. Those that still have issues don't like to talk about war. Your life moves on, he probably has grandkids, life gets better. I doubt you served.
@@handsomeblackman255 The man has PTSD I know because I have been in combat. Have you?
PS Dipshit I served 23 years in Infantry got to E9 Go F@ck Yourself
This is how an interview is done. Just letting the guy tell his story, no interruptions
Very true! Just letting the guy tell his story, no interruptions works the best. I hate the current interviews of people who dodge the question, answer with a question, circumvent the question, spout off word salads.................. Autobiographical interviews are, in that sense, the easiest to conduct.
I live deep in the woods
I live in the UK, sick to death of overpaid sports stars et al being called hero's.....this man, is what you call a fucking HERO
Dovey Milton you Sir are correct wish some of the others were listening.
They edit the questions out.
Watched it from beginning to end and thought maybe 10-15 minutes had passed...nope, 1 hr and 20 minutes. Guy is riveting.
Yes I stayed glued to it.
This man is everything a man has to be: self reflected, savage, intelligent, funny and very likable
Real life hard situations build character and a good personality. This generation lives their life through an alternative "reality," they live their life on social media missing out on real life struggles. Now we have a bunch of lame sensitive boys trapped in a man's body who gets excited watching tictoc videos where an old lady says "fuck" while she is smoking a joint. Watch some of these videos of men in their 20's - 30's playing childish pranks on other people...when the prank unfolds the guy making the video hoots and hollers like a teen age girl, it's pathetic. It's even hard for motorcycle clubs to find solid members, there are no more men to choose from that have good character and personality like this guy in this video.
Here is some jive ass talk. You have been misinformed about it all^
One of the best veteran interviews I’ve seen. I served ‘61 - ‘64 and was spared this dreadful experience. But I would’ve liked to have been Al White’s friend, then and now.
I'm a Brit from Gloucestershire, England and have always had a deep interest in the Vietnam War. I have read many books from the likes of Philip Caputo's 'A Rumour of War' and Robert Mason's 'Chickenhawk', and watched a lot of brilliant tv series on the War and uploads on RUclips. I have to say this was one of the best I have ever seen and I salute your incredible bravery Mr White. I'm a History teacher and though this event is not on our official list of things to teach I always do a few lessons with the Yr 8/9's (13/14 yr olds) with a particular emphasis on how tough it was for US forces fighting not only the communists but also the conditions in Vietnam. I always stress to the kids just how brave these guys were being 'in country' for 375 days. I shall be using this interview as part of my teaching, for sure.
I watch this interview with Sgt. White for inspiration. American combat veterans inspire me. I'm proud to have several here training us. Like me feckin brothers. Their presence alone has changed a whole lot. No troubles
Have you watched Platoon.
Im also from Gloucester small world
You should read “kill anything that moves”
In Pharos army
………. Extraordinary book about that war
This was also my story. I got hit twice, a month earlier on Hill 861, Khe Sanh Al White and I had the same story. I was in the First Battle of the Hill Fights, the Battle of Khe Sanh. My small unit took Hill 861 March 16th 1967. I was wounded twice, the same day.Everyone in my Platoon was either killed or wounded, but we took the hill. I was shooting NVA and directing artillery and napalm drops. We were 39 men and I believe we killed about 200 as they were found later in a shallow grave. Al came a month after I was there.in the Hills of Khe Sanh. I fought in all the same places and went to Vietnam on a similar crowded APA and, stopping in Okinawa. Our experiences were very similar. I was a 03 Infantry. I ended as the guy that directed mortar, artillery and aircraft drops, as well as shooter. It was the most horrible experience. It changed my life forever. James L Chase 1st Platoon, Echo Co. 2/9 RVN
I was with Hotel 2/9.
@@davebusby5904 Hi Dave, Glad you survived that mess, Vietnam. I was with Hotel April 16, 1966 when we went to an ARVN fort to destroy abandoned mines and such. I got hit and evacuated the next morning.
B LESS you brother it changed my life to
James Chase Amazing! Thank you for your service sir. I very much appreciate it!
@@jameschase8813 Glad you made it home.
When I was a young policeman in the 80s, several of my sergeants were at the battle of Khe Sahn. Man it was intense . Great Patriots were these guys.
You sick fuck, what's patriotic about invading a country, napalming it to hell, and killing women and children? Rot in hell
I also listened to Chester Nez's story in audible about WWII.
My Uncle Leonard LaPort died in khe sahn. Im thankful for these videos and interviews to try and see a glimpse into what he saw.
I'm thankful for your uncle he's a hero to my family
As a Brit, this guy reinforces my respect and admiration for the very best of Americans. Please God, send us more of them.
No, no. They're fine where they are! But there's plenty o room over there, mind.........;)
@@andrewhutchinson9327 Marine here, sailed into Portsmith in 1986; your gals are nice, relax, I was a good boy. Your Royal Marines - class one act - top shelve! Darts, Billiards, Cribbage and all at an open bar. Much respect - Semper Fi Bro's! I'll stay here, but you are welcome back - anytime.
USMC have the closest operating ethos to British Army infantry battalions I have come across. Maximum aggresion, fighting spirit, grim humour. What's not to like?
If by "send us more" you mean send the US more, yes, thanks much. If you mean the UK to be included in that I'd respectfully ask that you grow a crop off your own. You've one hell of a good start in 3 Commando Brigade and the like. Some of the finest military men I've ever served with wore the Commando beret and still do.
Just like my friend charlie from Lynn mass I hope you ,him and the rest of you who survived you’re tour in Vietnam I hope you live a long long prosperous life you deserve it I know he is golfs and just celebrated his 76th birthday good ole Charlie keeps us laughing
Al inhabits a pretty-much a No Bullshit Zone. The world could use a lot more people like him.
I agree.....talk about a guy you would like to have in your corner in a bar brawl lol!
This man is a cunning linguist. A master with words.
Especially masterful when he described how his higher-up "ate his ass out" for speaking out of turn.
I laughed way harder then I should have. This marine is a hero and a legend! He sure has a way with words.
Funniest part was the puke, piss, and shit sloshing around everywhere, and the leaches on his balls and asshole 😂
I hate long interviews,,,,,,, but just couldn’t stop watching this, start to finish
What a guy, I hope he’s still doing well
I know right, this man just gets you locked in with his story telling.
If you're a Vietnam veteran and no one has told you, welcome home brother. I've always had a lot of respect for the boys who served in Nam. It's a damn shame how they were treated..
I saw a Vietnam veteran today at the gas station I said thank you for your service
Soldiers don't get to decide where they fight, who they fight or what they fight for.
All they get to decide is if they fight well and with honour.
Kittensdotheyrule. Don't thank him, tell him you are sorry for what this lying government did to him.
Soldiers went to Vietnam because that is what soldiers do when they are ordered to do so.
The actual reason for the soldiers to go to Vietnam was decided upon by politicians.
While WWI, WWII and Korea were actually wars where the engagement was governed by an aggression that had to be stopped, Vietnam was actually the result of broken promises.
Many people tend to forget that Vietnam had been promised a free election to decide the rule they wanted so Vietnam could be re-united.
This promise was broken, hence the start of hostilities.
All politicians as well as soldiers know that there will be casualties when you go to war and the amount of casualties suffered by the American armed forces are indeed regretful but realistically, this number needs to be compared with the total number of Vietnamese who lost their lives during the Vietnam War.
Unfortunately, soldiers can never decide whether a war is fair and worth fighting. Vietnam turned out to be a war that achieved nothing but misery. Seen in the comforting light of history, it turned out there was not realistic strategy for the war in Vietnam other than "If we kill enough of them, they will negotiate for peace". At the end of the day, the Vietnamese were in fact forced to the negotiating table but only because USA wanted out.
Ironically, Vietnam has a very good relationship with USA today. Vietnam is indeed communist but they have opened the country to foreign business and Vietnam are actually looking for agreements with USA that can provide them with some securities in case of a conflict with China.
Why Vietnam vets were treated the way the were is a complete tragedy. The soldiers did their duty. As a soldier, you rarely have a choice. The manner many Vietnam Vets were shunned is shameful. Any anger should have been directed towards the politicians who sent these young men to Vietnam.
TheChiefEng -very well said, sir. Our family also had members and friends that shed blood on Vietnamese soil.
The premises for our involvement, the tragedy of trying to clean up France’s mess, the attempt to stem the spread of communism by proxy war against China and the Soviet Union; it cost too many men and women everything. However, their shameful treatment for their honorable sacrifices was completely uncalled for.
My youngest sister’s first husband was in the Corps, at 17, and was in ‘nam from 69-71. He was a side door gunner on the Iroquois, Purple Heart, with two clusters. Two birds blown out from under them by 120mm mortars in hot LZ’s, then took an AK round to his left shoulder lifting wounded out.
I never asked him about it, but one day he started to tell me some things. None of it good. He carried a lot of hurt and baggage from it. When the September 11th attacks happened, the PTSD.... he just came apart at the seams. On 14 Sept 2001, John suffered a massive aortic aneurysm and died in three minutes. That war still claims casualties. God Bless those that truly serve us.
As one Nam vet to another I salute you sir. Glad you made it back.
"I was injured but I wasn't about to leave" Mr. White you are a true American hero. Thank you for sharing the account of your service and thank you for your service. God bless you Sir.
kids today could benefit from a guy like this teaching them history, unfiltered.
Kids today aren’t smart enough to learn from this hero.
Drippy dick
@Tycondaroga100 it was debunked that he said that. Also dont believe everything you here from the media
They’d much rather spend time scrolling through Instagram
@Tycondaroga100 What does trump have anything to do with this? Didn't vote for him, but tired of never going a day without hearing his name at least once. It's obnoxious.
This is without a doubt, the most realistic interview of a Vietnam combat veteran that I have ever heard.
I agree.I was just smh and saying to myself,What would I do in a situation like that (ie facing death)?.The answer was,To survive the best and wisest way I can,and not be "gung ho".Else,I'm dead.
Yeah its hard to get them to talk
3rd Bn Ooh Rah. I can relate to his Marine Corps experience. I would like to meet him. If he is still among us
If you haven't done so already I recommend you watch "Witness to War" Interview with Colonel James H. Benson US Marine Corp, ruclips.net/video/CNqFG4VmtrE/видео.html.
@@EddieLeal watched that a while back it was very interesting but I like this one better.
I appreciate you man….3rd generation Marine here
You guys are heroes for getting it done!!!
Thank you!!!
Love hearing this guy talk. You can tell he's a real grunt. Profuse f words. Brutal honesty. A hatred of pog's. Guys like this are a rare breed.
That's what a real man looks like. Not because of what he went through, but because of how he lays out his fears and weaknesses through the whole experience with complete open honesty. Though the Hell he went through in service and then coming home more than qualifies him for that title alone. An amazing man. And the interview was done right. Thank you for sharing.
Well said man.
I actually like him and feel he's a real friendly guy. but got to say, he made too many references to "assholes to bellybuttons" and other subtle comments...
I don't know about the "real man" comment. don't know but i'm picking up a gay vibe.
@@bubblegum1948 Bubblegum = douchebag
@@bubblegum1948
How on earth are you “picking” that up? That’s the stupidest thing I’ve read. I can imagine what your life is, and maybe some “influences” in it. Gay much?
@@toddwilliams5782 ---- Eat shit.
This guy is instantly likable. I can see how his claim that he got along with everyone is 💯 true
I agree. A very down to earth guy.
Yep...called himself "a mingler."
@@LarryFrancona a
Imagine how many young men woulda been “likeable” that didnt get a chance.
54
Thanks for your story. I lost a cousin at Khe San. Marine APC driver. I was army at 93rd evac hospital during that time. Welcome Home.
I'm 10 minutes in and I love this guy, speaking naturally, with gobs of humility and wisdom.
He still has a sense of humility and humour after all that happened to him . Tough man . Respect that . Thanks for your service .
I don't get how he's tough when he let some guy on day one hit him with a rubber band and yell at him without a fist fight.
A true American hero God Bless You and thank you for your service you are in my prayers
@@garymorgan4271 Heroes don't help murder people that never did anything to them or us. You're all worse sociopaths than I am. For real. You all think I'm so bad, but have morals like that. I'd never call someone a hero that helped murder innocent people we invaded. Fuck that bullshit. None of them should be remembered for shit. The same as the Iraq war. I don't care if they were doing what they were told either. They could have put their fucking weapons down and went to jail.
This gentleman is a national treasure. HAPPY 73rd BIRTHDAY to him! 🎂 🎉
One of the best story tellers ever this man. Hard to believe what these brave souls went through. Thankyou
I would love to meet Al White. Hope you are well. Semper fi from another USMC Vietnam vet.
Listen to the stories now because sooner or later they wont be around to tell them. My dad is a Vietnam Vet. and just had his 75th birthday last March. Time flies.🇺🇸
@@RonPaulgirls You are one of the biggest ASSHOLES walking the face of the earth. You should be completely ashamed of yourself. Have you ever heard of a DRAFT, moron? The majority of MEN that went to Vietnam had no choice, got very little support from home, and still did their duty. Then they got shit on when they came back... and most of them knew the war was a mess, that it was wrong, and joined the protests. GROW UP. YOU OWE THIS GUY A MASSIVE APOLOGY... MASSIVE. You also disrespected the man in the video. You're PATHETIC.
Andy, my grandfather was in the FBI and the Pacific Fleet in WWII. He was at Corregidor, Leyte Gulf, and was with the group that picked up what was left of the Bataan death march. I don't support war. But I do support veterans. I am truly sorry for what this idiot, RonPaulgirls, wrote here. I already blasted them on their own channel, and copy and pasted what they wrote here on THEIR channel, so their subscribers can see it. Again... I am so very sorry for this jackass's comments, and for their disrespect to your father.
@@Cool-Edit-5000 unfortunately this world now is full of coward idiots like that looking to get a rise out of someone by posting trash like that. No moral values what so ever. Thanks for the kind words and God bless u and your grandfather. 🇺🇸
@@midsouth2strokes185 Andy, you are so welcome, and thank you very much for yours as well. God bless you and your father.
Happy birthday Pops
July 15, 1968 I hit the yellow footprints MCRD;
My 15 seconds was with a tuba. Then I was giving 0331. On January 1969 I landed in Vietnam. Made it home in January 1972. Semper Fi. 🇺🇸👍
Mr Al White is a true American HERO . THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE SIR .. Does anybody know what happened to his buddy he joined with ?
@@ericbogar9665 yeah cause you will fuck them all up …. Lol
@@ericbogar9665 wow you are so freaking tough behind that keyboard
@@fishordie1992 And you're so tough in a gang. I don't need a gang or claim to be a part of anything.
@@ericbogar9665 Goddamn ! That’s some scary shit ….
One of the best documentary stories I've seen in long time.
Having been deployed on an LST Carrier (Flat Bottom) the swells of the ocean are relentless as the ship is on the verge of sinking but continues forward. Unreal to experience.
Scariest shit ever
I used to talk to an old English vet from WW2 in the pub called Wally & he told me 1 day he was on patrol & came across a young Italian soldier in his teens , he said he must of got lost from his unit , he had no boots & was starving..I said “ did you kill him Wally“
? he said “ no son I gave him boots & a meal & pointed him the way back to his unit “ ........ he said he was only a child that had a mother just like him and was no danger to anyone....RIP Wally
Gracie senjore
This Marine is my hero. I have watched this interview over 10 times from beginning to end every time. I learn and think about my own life, about war, about sacrifices, and about how good of life I have had. Thank you Mr. White for the interview. I wish every person in America could watch and listen to this historical record. It would make all of us a little wiser and intelligent.
I'm 7 years younger than Al and was an adolescent while he was in country. Years later, through our mutual friend John Shinneman, (another Nam Vet who'd earned the Purple Heart), I learned so much about their war experiences. We'd sit together in the afternoons and knock back a few cold ones. John and Al would reminisce while I sat there in fascinated reverence all the while appreciating the hell these young men knew. John is gone now. Been a few years. But Al is still among us and I pray to God he finishes life out happy and content in knowing we all appreciate what these fellows, brothers in arms, did.
@@randyayers3496 beautifully said.
Ya I've seen it about 8 times myself. I have always liked listening to another person's tail. I liked it when he was talking about the ship ride and he was asking how big was the ocean, and how far away could another country be?!?!
Corporal White
All Marines are my hero! I love this video also!
I just lost a good friend of mine..he was air cav.. 3 purple hearts, He as he badest man I knew , but He was the best man I ever knew. here is to all of you who served. and to my friend who was forever changed by Vietnam. I thank God for men like you !!!
I think I was on the boat with you, Al. We left San Diego, stopped in Hawaii to let someone off who got appendicitis, then sailed out immediately for Okinawa. Staged our sea bags with uniforms and all but one uniform and one set of civilian clothing for R&R (if you lived that long). Went initially to I/3/3 for a few months, then to D/1/9 (The Walking Dead). First duty was on a hill of mud named "Payable." The rain was non-stop, the temps in the 50's, and all 140 lbs of me was freezing my butt off. Here we did mostly night ambushes, working parties, and hole watch. I thought it was supposed to be hot, and here I was freezing. One major operation I remember where we got into a pretty good firefight, but then the '67 Hill Fights really got things rolling. I can't remember if we'd been shipped to 1/9 yet or not.
In 1/9, we got wiped out a number of times, and it is only thru the grace of the Good Lord that I'm' here at all, let alone making it all the way to Dec '67 alive...wounded but alive -- and with wounds that weren't all that bad on top of it, even though one was a gunshot wound (Purple Heart for that one). Al, you and I are brothers for sure. 861/881S&N and surrounding area were BAD PLACES, just like the Marketplace NE of Con Thien. But the Marketplace was MUCH worse! I remember a corporal Renfro, but can't say exactly where from. Too many years. The worst part is not remembering anyone's face, and some of those guys I really liked a lot. Semper Fi, Al.
You should possibly look in to telling your story on camera sir you guys did incredible things over there and should be documented for history thank you
This should be required viewing for all high school seniors.
I could not agree more. Can you imagine Al and others trying to understand the term “safe space”
And potential dropouts
I@@97VobraOwner
You could haven't said it better. Semper FI
The sad part of my experience in Vietnam was the poor health care from the VA. Found out earlier this year I could had been receiving disability from a smoke grenade shot into my back. The VA doesn't you to know all your benefits. They don't want to a hospital system but a surgery hospital system
The hardest thing to get over when I got back was that home was never the same. Friends were never the same any more. I served in the US Army from Feb 1968 to Apr 1976.
Welcome back home
Thank you
You guys are the back bone of USA. I'll never forget you men. You are the best of the best. God bless you and your family always Sr... Chris Glemser
Welcome home!
Thank you American hero. God bless you!
Best Viet Nam interview I've ever heard. totally honest recollections both somber and hilarious. Love to have a beer with Al. What a character.
4th time.Ive watched this, this should be a movie, fantastic story teller👍🇦🇺🍻
you don't need to watch Platoon , Full metal jacket and the rest of those Hollywood movies , when you can watch and listen to Al White , ,,,,,,, welcome home ,,,,
Never watched any of that shit. Thank phuq. Glad I found this.
leroy landcruiser reality is always far better than fiction...... son of a marine
All war movies are crap. A realistic war movie would be too boring for most people.
Apparently Many Marines actually recognize FULL METAL JACKET as a pretty good recreation of the mindlessness of the war.
Try watching Odd Angry Shot about Australians in Vietnam ;-)
Very close to the truth
The worst part of this interview was that it ended.
Maybe cept for him.
I totally agree this guys awesome
Amen! Totally absorbing.
I could listen to him for hours.
Exactly. I probably could have .listened to him for another hr.
This guy is a legend! Thanks for sharing. That story makes my Afghanistan tours sound like a picnic.
This guys is a LEGEND! Damn I laughed my @$$ off, reminded me of when my grandfather used to tell me his war stories. God Bless this Man!
One of the best Vietnam interviews ever from enlisting to going home. The Interesting thing is he was just an average grunt telling it how it was. No censorship and in a soldiers language giving a more accurate account of how it really was.
sub ohm Marine. Not soldier.
This is the last badass generation, everything went downhill after it ....
@@rogerelzenga4465 - We were at that time raised by our fathers, they were World War 2 guys. Different world now.
Thank you.
@@rogerelzenga4465 Subsequent Marines did and do just fine. Falluja and Sangin come to mind, and many modern Marines and Soldiers have MULTIPLE years in combat. Get a clue. The shitbags back on the block were always shitbags back on the block.
My grandpa did two tours in Vietnam and one tour in Korea. I remember him always making the joke, “walked in three times and got carried out twice”. Really wish I could here his story as an adult. Miss ya gramps!
3 tours ?
@@mickryan2450 is that uncommon? He was fluent in Vietnamese and over there very early as an instructor.
@@AlchZdot I thought 2 Tours
@@carloscrawford2454 so I would like to apologize because I was wrong. He did one tour in Korea and two in Vietnam. Sorry about that.
Semper Fidelis Al! I was an 0352 (T.O.W. anti-tank guided missile gunner) from 1985-1993. Loved the OH-THREE life, the friends I made, countries I was privileged to deploy to. Thanks for your service my friend.
What an incredible man....one of many who served over there, whether you were serving SOS in a tent, behind the lines, tuning up a jeep, or storming up that hill... they ALL were heros!!
I just watched this and let me say, thank you to Al White and all of the people that served in Vietnam. I was also in the Marine corps and in Vietnam almost the same time as Al. I left to return home from Khe Sanh in late March of 1967. We had also noticed that the NVA were becoming more active in that area. I laughed at the early parts of Al’s story regarding boot camp and training and I cried as Al described the battle. I too was just 18 when I was plunked in Vietnam and there is no amount of training that prepares you for what we encountered. What Al left out about his return home is the demonstrators that called the troops baby killers and a lot of other choice names. I flew to El Torro Marine Air Base and encountered this and I drove off the base with my parents that picked me up. Like Al, this pissed me off and I just stopped talking about my experiences until 3 years ago when I joined a Marine Corps League Unit and became part of an honor guard for funerals. I finally had a place where I could share my experience with other Marines that had similar experiences. I was finally welcomed home with the honor flight and a trip to D.C. This was one experience that healed a lot of old wounds. So again, thank you to all veterans that served our country especially in combat.
I took a greyhoundto l.a. cab driver took me to sear and roabuck and bought civies so got around all thatshit
Thx for your service.
Thank you sir ! God bless you !!!!
Thank you for your service and for putting everything on the line over there for our great country. I’m sickened, truly sickened by the way you young men were treated when LBJ and his advisers and friends were the ones who should have received the anger from angry Americans. Unfortunately they were far too stupid and took it out on the hero’s of the situation.
My dad was in the Army 4th of the 8th infantry division in 1968 and never really talked about things over there. Sometimes we will get a story or two out of him but I wish he would have tried to connect with other men who served over there.
He does really seem to enjoy watching videos and stories like Mr. Whites here. I think it’s therapeutic in a way.
For a few decades, my throat would tighten when I talked about it, I just couldn't talk. Now it is ok . And, I love this guy for talking about it. I can talk about it to my son and wife. His story is remarkable, I was 23 when I was drafted in '67 into green machine. 2531 radioman. Mike V
Much respect to you sir!
Thanks. Thanks for wearing dog tags instead of love beads. HUGE respect to you. My father was in Vietnam in the same years. He was 173rd airborne. B 503rd. All of you are heros in this house. One grateful American here.
Thanks Gentlemen, Isn't Al White remarkable? I tried to search Mr. White on Google but nothing showed up. Sure would like to thank him. I had no ware near his experince in the DMZ at Khe Sanh. I was at Gio Linh just north of Dong Ha for 2 months with 12 Marines artillary then was sent south to just south of Hue for Tet 68. Here is a picture of our fire team. www.ic2it.net/Mike/Marines/Tex/DorseyTeam-Test%202-a.jpg
Thank you Mr. Al . just god dam thank you, wherever you are. Mike V
@@mikevallee3916 you sir are a hero as well. I was thanking you sir in my comments. Mr White was a remarkable soldier indeed but every last one of you that had to be in that country to go through all you did deserve the same high respect.
Mike THANK YOU your service is so dear to so many Americans. Please KNOW THIS!!!! May God bless you and your. All my love
DEB
Mr. White's eyes tell the story. As a combat veteran, our eyes and how we look/see and how we are looked at are changed for the rest of our lives. As a combat medic paratrooper I will drink from the Al White "Time in Hell" mug with respect and remembrance. There's nothing about what Mr. White describes that is not as human as it gets when faced with war.
My god. The guy just wanted to be in the band. Insane story of his journey. Much respect and I can never thank you and our veterans enough for your sacrifices.
As a 59yr male. I easily transported into this average kid who's journey took me directly to "fuck me! ". Kids like him were gonna be in the MC band. His incredible story of war is insane.
Nothing but respect for his action.
I'm sure his life has not been easy after the trauma of war.
His smile while sharing is hope that I can walk through hell and find joy in life no matter how shitty the cards dealt 🃏😵💫✌️
Still, fucking insanity.
"I never drank again in my life...til a week later!'
Said that last week lol
... and a good reason to continue the habit!
16:32 had me rollin!!! Navy guy would kill me if I called it a boat :X
@@ajcook7777 I also caught the "boat" remark from Al which was funny. I think the thing that made this interview so special was the innocence of a teen-ager as he came of age in the most challenging way. I also enjoyed the part where he sends the "call girl" a letter professing his love for her and he did not hear back...surprise.
@@networth8754 I also liked the part about his Gunny recognizing him during that 'Junk on the Bunk' inspection and him not getting fucked with anymore after that!
This video needs no "WARNING"!!! If you wish to learn, see, experience a fraction of historical truth, you must accept this personal portrayal as the truest form of narration. We live in a time of true weakness around people who are soft, and those folks know nothing of hardship. Al White laid it out and painted a picture of the good, the brotherhood and the hell on Earth none of us should hopefully experience. It's men like him and those that died around him that paid the price for all the goodness we now reap. If more knew their history, men like Al White would be always honored and never forgotten. Thanks Al!
Well said....thank you.
If you are a person who is easily offended by cuss words dont watch this video. These brave men along with the rest of the country were lied too. These men have every right to exercise their 1st amendment right any way they feel like, they earned it.
@@tonychaing3051 maybe you should reread the post. I believe he says "they are speaking of war and war is graphic, graphic language is needed to get the message across" ✌
The warning is there for a reason. Veterans and other combat personnel could be triggered flashbacks with certain phrases or descriptions in the video. It’s necessary to contain it I. The documentary regardless, that’s why a warning. Stop being a boomer, you’re not tough
All for what? All for effing what? That is the greatest tragedy of this war.
I'm at 35:00 left and I'm already upset that there is an end. A riveting story straight from the teller himself. Thank you for this! What a great,barely produced, production.
I could listen to this man all day
I stumbled upon this and I didn’t know how much I needed to see this. It’s a great reminder of what hell these men went through over there. Much respect to him and all the veterans.
Lead in the air love it
There are many stories from people like this. It's very important that we listen to their stories, it shows our appreciation for what they've had to do. My father in law was in Vietnam, he never could talk about it much with us. I assume he didn't want to dredge up old memories. He was a medic there, and a POW. He was a great man in my eyes for many reasons.
There's one by a soldier named Ed Masterson. It's very powerful, his words and his stories. That one will really make you cry.
This bloke Al is superb, what a fckn legend. Bless you Al, brilliant memories, I have the utmost respect for you & your brothers in arms. Massive respect from a Scot. 🏴🇺🇸
Much respect to you, some of our greatest Americans came from your lands. Thank you and as an American, we love you guys
Man you are so cool. What a effd up but amazing life .
Love to both our countries and fuck trump.
@@LuisMartinez-en8pf Thank you Luis for your kind comment, we Scots have had some bonnie fechters (fighters). My local Highland Perthshire regiment The Black Watch are a most excellent fighting soldier with exceptional discipline. The most honour & respect & love to you & your loved ones too sir. I have always loved my times in the US, always been made so welcome. May the Lord shine his light of love on you, your loved ones, & all our dear friends in the States. 🏴🇺🇸
@@nocturnalrecluse1216 jesus fuck off. Not the place for politics shit head.
God bless you my brother Al. I was there in 68' and 69' 2nd Batt. 1st Marines, 1st MarDiv. Uuuunraaah!
1965 for me, same unit in Country. He tells it like it was
You all seem so happy to be a part of a terrorist group that went in and murdered people that did nothing to us.
Couldn’t stop listening once I started. The lingo and the detail to his stories made me really remember my fellow marines. Semper Fi.
Me too. Semper fi brother.
2 Marines DS Feb ‘91
This Marine really knows how to tell a story -- the odd little details that stick out in his memory are fascinating and really make his stories come alive. You can see that the entire experience is still vividly present in his mind when he relates to us the horrors of war.
Perhaps he had read Joseph Conrad.
This dude is off the hook, never heard more honesty it’s like he’s reading his diary at gunpoint.
just about okinawa lol
Example of exemplary Marine!
Took the hill and the left it right after back to the enemy?
@@sblack48 That was the "Standard Operating Procedure" in the Vietnam War. It was not about real estate it was about
body count".
cardo718 yes I know, that was my point. Can you imagine taking a hill after 3 days of fight8bg, losing several buddies, then you pack up and leave? Like you storm Omaha beach, then you get back into the landing craft and leave. What a mind fuck.
I know it is a bad mistake to have watched this right before I go to bed. I will have flashback nightmares. But this man in my Brother in Arms. Uurah! 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Mar Div.
Thanks man, I can only imagine the horrors that spin in that head of yours on a rainy night. The closest I've ever been to war was watching Saving Private Ryan every night when I was a kid. It was almost romantic, the brotherhood that movie represented. Watching it now that I have some perspective in the world, it has a different tone. Men like you and Al will never be forgotten. You guys did what most men these days couldn't even fathom. Thanks for your service, and I truly mean that. A lot of people say that just because it's what "you're supposed to say", not me. It comes from the heart.
Oorah?
@@snbforever thats what they say
@@scumbaag Wow thanks from the heart. God's blessings be upon you!
@Gavin Newsom No. I moved around a lot as INTEL. My home bases were first Nui Kim Suan and Phone Loc, part of the perimeter around Da Nang.
I could listen to Al for hours. I wish there was more.
I was in the U.S.A.F. during this time, and I would watch Marines come out of the " bush " with their clothes all most torn off and dehydrated . I thought then, and I still do , that they were some of the toughest men in America .I would like to say that because of men like you the world was not taken over by the Communist. Thank you for your service Allen !
I'm not being mean here at all. But communism is here and taking over thus country. The colleges, media, and "cool" culture is stronger than any military today. Our weaknesses is allowing them to be what they are. Who knew that trying at all cost not trying to hurt these "groups" feelings was more powerful than a bomb
Sorry for the Marines who took pop shots at your tractor trailers that had all the luxuries really sorry for that
My buddy and I had R&R and we checked in at Danang before going to Taipei. We went to the Air Force enlisted club for a few drinks and a meal. We still wore our utilities straight from the bush and we were muddy and dirty and everywhere we went the Air Force guys made a hole for us to walk through and kept saying “Those guys are hard.” They bought us drinks and we never had to spend any scripts.
As a former marine myself, this is the best thing I've ever seen on RUclips
By order of the Commandant !
Your still a U. S. Marine
Rah!
I'm a Marine veteran too (Iraq) and this was awesome. Not gonna lie - this choked me up towards the end. S/F
Semper Fi brother, no such thing as a former Marine, unless dishonorable discharged. I served 6 year's from 84 to 90
@@rodneyjones2707 Once a Marine always a Marine, whether they were honorably or dishonorably discharged. I was Honorably discharged, but I don't feel morally superior to those that said "Eat the Apple, fuck the Corps. We were all in the same Corps but we didn't all have the same experiences.
They should do more interviews like this. We need to know the history. This guy is a fucking legend! Thanks for your service sir!
Agree.For the past two days that's pretty much what I've been watching (Vietnam War interviews),because men like Al have been in the hottest battles,and they've lived to tell about it.His story was just mind-blowing,and Amazing.
Yes I like hearing all the shit because some of the stuff we all did we could of gotten in trouble for. Like stealing cases of beer during incoming & not getting caught.
This story from Mr. White and the comments from Mr. Millican is absolutely some of the most bravest yet scariest stories I have ever heard. All I can say is Thank You for your sacrifice, heroism and your service. I will always appreciate what you gentlemen have done for my freedom and for our country. God bless all of you who were apart of that war. Love and respect. ✌️
That is as honest and unfiltered as it gets. A true account of man going to war and all his experiences.
What a humble fucking man, jesus Christ Al White, thank you so much for everything you have gone through on behalf of this countries freedom.
The sad thing is it had nothing to do with securing our freedom.
@@why-even-try-brotendo But that's what was in his head at the time, and we still owe him a huge debt of gratitude for going thru that shit for "home"
*country's is how you spell it and tbh the Vietnam war had nothing to do with your country's freedom.
@@puyearprod.929is a douche
Amen
I watch this about once a year. All I can really say. Best interview ever
same, captivating story tellin. This is also another favorite if ya havent seen it. ruclips.net/video/KCoaVvPm_H4/видео.html
Sky soldiers 173rd
Same here. He is like an old friend now. Hi Al!!
This ones good. Gotta check out jockos podcast with the guys from MACV-SOG John “stryker” myer, the Frenchman, cowboy, and dick Thompson... Legends in Vietnam
The guy’s a raconteur, a great storyteller. His truthfulness is apparent and makes his story captivating.
Watch First Kill.
I love that man what a man what a hero every single American soldier who fought for there amazing country god bless you all my heroes. Love Michael Carroll from wales uk
You will be remembered, your service, your stories, your reasons.
A lot of pain being covered up when he looks down and talks. Thank you for your service
The closer he gets to losing it, the more he cusses. Breaks my heart.
Innocent Vietnamese women and children suffered a lot more pain.
Who’s to say the American or south Vietnamese troops weren’t innocent? They were all funneled into a war they didn’t start. The naïveté of soldiers who are pushed into fighting any war has always, in my opinion, absolved them of a lot of guilt. Except those who committed war crimes.
@@4968ace Uh yeah piece! Lol
@@4968ace The sheer scale of war crimes committed by not only the American Government with their use of chemical weapons and the indiscriminate bombing of neutral Cambodia to the troops on the ground with their summary executions, of civilians, massacres and rape of Vietnamese women was huge compared to any other war a western country has been involved in. It was a shameful episode in American history.
I am a retired Marine and I have never heard of a more truthful personal experience and account of how it really was like in war. Thanks for creating the path that the rest of us traveled on. The path was easy to follow because it was paved in blood. Semper Fi my brothers and sisters!
Well, like one Spec Ops guy said to the American Citizen,, " Be someone worth dying for."
As a former Marine combat vet - welcome home brother Semper fi.
This is a fuckin man. Capital M.
Like American men used to be.
It's very easy for me to visualize what he describes in his compelling narrative.
Agree!
Had a couple cousins that went and some friends from school and I used to listen to them and it just destroyed their life the hell they had to go through it was awful I hurts for them for so many years but you were right they don’t make men Like that anymore that’s when men were men.
Coming up on Memorial Day 2024 and I'm listening to this for the 4th time having some beers alone and I still say..Thank you for your service.
. . . . these very, VERY 'personal' recollections of those who were actually there, are Historical 'gold' . . . . . .
So much to be learned !
No offensive language here. This is how men talk. Men who have earned the right!
Ass in the grass , Combat. US. Marine............talking.......No Offense.........
@paperchasin23what?
shut up
You can see him regressing as he talks; the man at the beginning is not the man at the end.
Okay boomer
these men deserve more respect than we could ever give. thank you all for your service. you will never be forgotten, no matter what!
I've watched this twice now. This guy can tell his story so well. No egos just telling it from a young boys perspective. Awesome!
I felt like I got PTSD listening to his stories I can only imagine how he felt actually going through that . Thank you sir for your service , all of you brave men will never be forgotten !
Jesus what a crazy story. They should make a movie out of this story. RIP all men passed away in this story. This man is an American Hero
@Rita Medina-molina
God bless you! If you’re a praying lady, please pray. I know other nations are doing so. If America falls, then other nations fall and probably they fall first. Other wars are looming and this election nightmare is leading there unless the serpent and the Kamal Hair are properly and by law ousted from all they and their evil liberal democrats have done. God bless!
I know this guy, he was friends with my mom. He showed me his scar from a bayonet once right across his abdomen. He also had his own body shop after the war. He was good at it. He’s now living in Florida.
Great account of his time in Nam. Semper Fi 2/12 3rd Mar Div, VN 67-68
He should of been a comedian!
No sarcasm. Awesome.
where is this guy living in florida. i would like to look him up. we stomped some of the same ground. i was an officer and i want to shake his hand.
@@nathanielcohen9890 -Al White still lives in Illinois. I see him at our reunions, and he should have been a comedian. He is hilarious to listen to. Love him to death. His video is very accurate of the 881Khe Sahn 881 Hill Fights. Three weeks of hell, and May3rd. was the worst experience in our young Marine lives. We that lived, were lucky to walk off those hills. . Semper Fi
@@dickbackus2004 thanks Dick, I appreciate your feedback. I have close friends that were on hill 881 and the ghost patrol. thank you for your service my brother and welcome home. if it wasn't for guys like you I never would have made it home.
Best Vietnam veteran story ever told 👌👏
173 airborne ia a good one as well
It's amazing he still remembers the names of colleagues. I guess you could never forget the horror and fear, life changing.