My name is Tony Nadal. I commanded "A" Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry during the battle of LZ Xray. It was my wounded soldiers (among others) that Bruce and Ed Freeman were rescuing. I have the highest regard for Bruce and can assure any readers of this entry that many of the soldiers recovered and flew back to the aid station would have died if not for Bruce's valor and determination to save their lives. X-Ray was not the only instance in which Bruce came to my company's rescue. A few months letter my company was engaged in a nighttime battle on the edge of a village in Bong Son when some of my soldiers were wounded. To rescue them required a night helicopter descent into a small clearing in the village. It was dark and the rice paddy was under enemy fire. I heard Bruce on the radio and asked him to take my wounded out. Although not his assigned mission, Bruce made two flights into that small rice paddy under fire and pulled out six of my wounded soldiers Although the Army did not give him the medal for which I recommended him, the International Space and Flight Writers Association gave him a medal for THE MOST VALOROUS ACT OF THE YEAR INVOLVING HELICOPTER FLIGHT IN 1966. He is a great human being and friend.
Col Nadal Wow! I'm in deep awe and respect of the service and sacrifices that you, and your unit and all the men of 1/7 endured and that I read about in LTG Moore's books. I did not serve in Vietnam, but I joined in '76 and there were certainly several NCOs and officers that served there and they were just the best examples for me as a young soldier. I still think of them often. Best wishes to you and yours.
I was in Nam a couple of years later. We heard the stories but I knew deep inside that pilot deserved the CMOH. Continuously flying fresh in,ammo runs, aiding med Evans right to the end. Unlike other officers that gave themselves medals, he earned that. Of course as an enlisted man, we hated officers. Hell, I still do 55 years later. I often wonder about the door gunners. I knew at one time the losses.There were guys ready and willing to climb on his and other birds going out to help keep the NVA off their backs. Again, were any awards given them because they damned sure deserved something! That whole unit was amazing.
I read Hal Moore's book at least 5,6 times when it came out. Just couldn't put it down. I didn't want to miss a thing. It was then I learned of Bruce Crandell. I'm in awe of his exploits. I'm so glad he received the recognition he deservedly got although years later. So many heroes never got recognized but died in those early battles of the Vietnam War. Thank you Bruce for your fine example! God bless you and yours!
Read Chickenhawk by Robert Mason. Mason was also at Ia Drang as a slick pilot and the book contains many references to "Too Tall" Freeman and major Crandall, and their incredible heroism. You won't want to put it down, I guarantee it.
I enjoyed that book. After I finished reading it, I watched the movie We Were Soldiers to see how it compared to the book. Hollywood did its thing as always but it was still a great movie and Greg Kinnear did a good portrayal of Col Moore, in my opinion.
This man’s courage, calm, and intelligence! God keep him safe and sound as he lives his life from here on. He saved many, many boys in that awful Wartime.
Why assume we don't have Soldiers/Marines/Airmen/Sailors equal in dedication to the mission and abilities given similar circumstances. Heroism is the product of opportunity. Read a few books about the experiences of battles and the troops who fought. Someone said there is nothing more dangerous than a pissed off 19 year old Marine with a weapon.
@@charliekendall4288 I may be wrong but I think he's speaking more on the basis of civilians. Meaning we have too many pussies. Might want to clarify before getting offended.
I was a medic, worked in the operating room, in saigon.... I agree with him, you don't need to kill everyone.....just those that are an immediate threat to you. Listen to his last few minutes of the interview. Great Man... I always admired the chopper pilots, and what they did. I salute you , Sir.
I’m very sorry all of you had to go to war. People always jump on libs for being anti troops. We’re not. We’re anti-war. And it seems to me that if you really loved the troops so much the right be anti war too. Because being pro war is only going to hurt the men and women they claim to love so much. I’m sorry. I may not have had an easy life but at least I was never forced by my government to fight a war for/against people I have nothing against. My father was a part of that generation. The few friends of his that survived the war came back fucked up. I often wonder what America would be like if we never went to that war. Or Korea. What would the men who died have done with their lives? How would the ones who survived have been different? I am honored to live in a country full of good men like you. But ashamed I live in a nation that throws young men to die for the wars of old men.
@@jackroyaltea5034 President Harry Truman did nothing to really help the French resist Communism, so the French were on their own. Then President Eisenhower deploys the Military Advisors to train help train the Republic of Vietnam Army. President Kennedy started sending "TROOPS" in country, then LBJ sent even more "TROOPS". So I am confused by your comment, Jack? Do you prefer Communism? What policies or policy do you like of Biden's? In the last few months, Biden has shown nothing but weakness, which has opened the doors to conflict around the world. What are you ashamed of Jack? Being a coward or not really understanding what really toke place in history, or both? Just imagine if big government starts to babysit your entire existence, similar to what is happening in China by the CCP! Merry CCP Biden Holiday to you, JACK...ars
@@jackroyaltea5034 never known or heard of anyone in or out of the military that is pro war? Nobody likes war, left or right, especially those serving. Sometimes it needs to be done, and done quickly with the least damage.
My father is big on history, and has been since before I was born. It's one of the best things I've inherited from him. I don't follow it as closely as he does, but from what I've read and seen in my days, the Vietnam War put out some of the best soldiers our country has seen. More importantly than that though, is the shame that I feel for how Vietnam vets were treated by the people of our country upon their return home. You hear about it in history books, but to hear from actual veterans is heartbreaking and sickening. These boys loved our country and their brothers in arms, and they deserved and still deserve our gratitude and respect for what they went through. Glad I found this channel and will be tuning in regularly.
I just discovered this channel a couple days ago and I'm really loving it, but man the time constraints are rough. I wish it was more long form, podcast style. I could have listened to this man speak for 3 hours, and it seemed like he would have if he'd been able
@@johntooth9294 I don't beleive he ever wrote a book, but he's written about in a book called We Were Soldiers Once, and Young. Also he's portrayed in the movie We Were Soldiers based on that book.
@@justlucky8254 I had watched a interview with Ed Freeman where he was talking about himself and Bruce about the Medal of Honor they both received ..It was then he talked about Bruce was good at putting Pen to Paper.. So I thought he may have written a Book.. Very interesting man to listen to in interviews.. Joe Gallaway is another I love listening to ..All great men ..
"You kill my kids, I'm gonna be pissed at ya." Such a true statement. Thank you for your service, and heroism. Great Americans like you are few, and really, really, far between.
These tales from our vets are so important, very hard to hear sometimes but so appreciated by those of us who know, and should be required for our kids in school too, never forget! I've heard of course of Mr Crandall, America's best!
This dude is a legend....100% a legend of the highest order, Absolutely love his title of the book he hopefully writes....D.A.D....May his memory last forever.....How the hell can the government take away the financial aid that these guys absolutely deserve....in fact the veterans should NEVER have to go hungry or homeless and should be treated like hero's.......
You contrast guys who have been in it with the stories of exposed stolen valor frauds and the differences in tone and conviction are obvious. What they choose to talk about after their nuts and bolts personal action narrative makes it obvious who the real deals are.
When you take the time to realize that he flew 22 trips into the jaws of death were no other pilot dare venture and kept this up till until darkness and survived. Hal Moore stated that if it wasn't Crandall we would have all died in that place.
@@Lowgold And to think that a chopper pilots life expectancy was between 13 and 30 days or so in Vietnam and he pulled off 900 combat missions makes that stat twice as impressive. Speaking of pilots Dust Off pilots those guys are truly incredible. They pulled off miracles in rescuing wounded. Some of the tales of what they were able to do under fire to get soldiers out of harms way defies logic.
Well, I do hope there's a part 2. This was too good to end like this. I love it when the veteran just talks and tell his story and not a lot of questions asked.
This is a Real American hero! Why? because he doesn't brag about what he did. He just did what he had to do! Many soldiers have this man to thank if they lived through that battle.
you mean like those Seal Team 6 pukes who were part of the OBL capture/kill who went PUBLIC, WROTE BOOKS, TRIED to parlay BIG BUCKS, like any MERCENARY WOULD?????????
Thank you sir for what you have done! As a grunt on the ground you instill confidence that when SHTF somebody is coming after you! Chopper pilots take a hell of a lot more fire than us grunts do yet you keep coming back time after time to the rescue! Four courageous men in a helicopter that will risk their lives for folks they have never heard of! You are the best of the best!
This man continues to serve. He has given us a gift by this interview -- the gift of his wisdom borne by EXPERIENCE. This has been one of the most interesting, insightful, and EYE OPENING interviews I have ever had the pleasure to watch. Thank you Col. Crandall, for your service and for sharing your wisdom with us.
Among the greats but unfortunately lesser known is medal of honor recipient Roy Benavidez .... there are a couple videos you can find on RUclips about his life and time in the jungle... I can't promise you won't get choked up a bit.
I'm a Australian but I send out my humble respects to this HERO and to all others who serve their FLAG I See so many people saying their hero's are these shallow self obsessed people But men like him are real HERO'S So from the Land Down "God Bless America"
Thank you for your heart filled words. Respect for all military. Your country has a bunch of hero's also. To all, a Happy New Year from New Orleans, Louisiana.
I love these stories. Perspectives that are getting more rare as time marches on. A big thank you to American Veterans Center and others for preserving our history.
Col. Crandall shared so much wisdom after telling his story: “Don’t kill ‘em (the ‘enemy’ soldiers) we need to convert ‘em, get ‘em to help us. We don’t need a million more Arabs hating us. Go after Saddam Hussein, OK, that’s who we needed to kill.” He knows as much as anyone, though, that war is hell and too many good lives are lost in one. He’s so right too about “breaking up the units,” to send soldiers out of Nam & back home. So much harm came from that alone. It only created the isolation and the alienation so many Vietnam veterans felt on their return to the States, and increased the trauma so many experienced after returning.Welcome home, sir!
I wish we could get the name of the Camp Holloway Officers Club bartender who refused to serve Crandall, Mills and Hal Moore based on Hal Moore being "Too Dirty after 3 days at LZ X-Ray
@@knarftrakiul3881 True. However we messed up by disbanding the infrastructure of the party. Those people needed better governance not democracy. If we had left that governing infrastructure in place we would have avoided sectarian and later religious infighting.
Colonel Bruce Crandall, you are a bad-ass MF. That is what my dad used to tell me in the rare moments when he talked about Ia Drang. You saved his life, among so many others. He was Alpha Company, 1st Battalion 7th Cavalry. His name is Ron Prozoris and he lived to come home, meet my mom and have my sister and I. He ended up with 4 holes in him and Malaria at Clark before eventually getting back to the States. You are the reason I had him as my dad. Thank you for everything you have done. “Thank you” doesn’t begin to sound remotely near what I want to say. But I thank you for being a serious bad-ass!
I think I saw my Dad in Vietnam in HD during the aftermath of the Ia Drang battle. It's very grainy so I'm not positive it's him. Lost Dad in 1988 from damn bone marrow cancer. He was 39 in Vietnam but I see pictures from then and he looks 60. Served 1945 to 1969. CWO3. Thanks Col Crandall for your brave,honorable service. We need more men like you. God Bless our vets and "Pops" memory. Garry Owen.
Another CWO ! Mine was in from 1940-1967, retired as CWO 3, as a radar and guidance specialist. Served on the USS CHICAGO, The USS PROMETHEUS, USS ROCHESTER, And USS THETIS BAY. Was at the Battle for the Solomons, and New Guinea, the support for the Inchon invasion, Occupation Forces of Japan, the Queimoi Incident, and the blockade of the Formosa straits in 1956. We then were stationed at China Lake NWTC, in California.
My dad was in the army 1949 to 1971. Two tours in Korea during the war and we were at ft Bennington 1962 to 1965 and he got orders for Vietnam in the summer of 65. He was with that Cav unit. We got a letter sometime in December of that year from him saying he got hit during that battle and was in some hospital in Vietnam. He was also wounded in both tours in Korea. He didn't come home and returned to duty sometime in January of 66 and came home finally later that summer. His third tour in Korea was in 68 to 69 and finally retired in 71. He went to school and started teaching air conditioning and refrigeration in trade school and came down with cancer in 1983 and passed away shortly after being diagnosed with it that year. I sure did miss him and wish I could have spent more time with him when I was getting older.
@@oldfarmer4700 I have the utmost respect for your father and for his service to America. America today is in dire need of men such as your father. May the good LORD BLESS him with the rest he richly deserves.
Frank Serra thank you sir. He always avoided cameras and said many times while he was in Vietnam he could have been in front of them. Quite man and was military until his last breath. Wish I could find out more of what and when and where he was and did.
One common thing I've found about combat veterans like Crandall is they're always so understated. They'll tell you all about their experience, the horrors of war, and never try to embellish. - A video I watch earlier about LZ Ray and one vet talked about losing many friends in terrible ways on the first day and the last thing he said was, "It was a difficult situation." -
"I'm putting you in for OCS because you are so screwed up you might make corporal eventually and I can't have that on my conscience." I spit my coffee when he said that. One of the most ... original reasons I ever heard. hahahaha
As Col. Crandall says here about his lovely wife, "She knew I loved to fly!" Thank God for wives who support us as we military aviators feed our habit.
One day a few years ago I was at work on MacDill AFB. Our command is just down the road from the family camping area on the beach. I was just sitting there working when this older gentleman came in the front door and asked if we had a copier he could use to make a couple copies on, said he was an Army vet and hoped we wouldn’t mind. I looked at him and said “you’re Bruce Crandall aren’t you?” He said “ yessir”. And that’s how I met Bruce Crandall. He got his copies.
*"We should have used chainsaws instead of machetes." Common sense is not common. Everytime Col. Randall smiled I felt like he knew things could have been different than they turned out to be. Vietnam was a winnable cause if the powers that be wanted it to be. Respect to all who served there.*
@@oldbatwit5102 History only proves that politicians still get young and old men killed at astounding rates. Did you ever read up on some of the Rules of Engagement these men had to fight under during Vietnam? The bullshit rules those politicians made these soldiers fight under? Don’t shoot unless shot at. No don’t bomb that depot- with missiles that kill your brothers. Don’t bomb over there- the enemy is there. Again, history only proves that politicians don’t belong in warfare.
@@chloehennessey6813 You are full of crap and, plainly, have no idea what happened over there. There are loads of really good accounts written by men who served in Vietnam and I suggest you read a bunch of them. It was never winnable, as almost anybody who served will tell you. Goodbye.
I was just a teenager during the Vietnam War but everyone I knew was either being drafted or enlisting. All the boys I knew who went to Nam came home missing pieces or were killed. Thank you Sir for sharing your truths. You are a hero. God bless you and your family.
as was I myfriend. I was 19 went I was over there. It seems like a lifetime ago....maybe it was. I appreciate Life more .... and the need to remain strong as a Country. @@barotraumabruce4245
My childhood mentor was at LZ X-ray with B 1/5 Cavalry. They had to jump from the helicopters because of all the ground fire. Those helicopter pilots deserved every decoration they received especially Mr. Crandall.
Col. Crandall, I salute you sir. Thank you for your sacrifices and your wisdom in battle. You are one in ten million, we need a lot more of men like you, you're awesome. God bless you and America.
Yes, that surprised me however I'm just an ignorant civilian. That man is a true leader and pilot. Whatever he says our govt should have listened. He made a great point about the Marines Osprey VTOL aircraft. They aren't ever seen in video footage or mentioned in the media.
I thought I recognized his name from the movie. I am so glad he received the Metal of Honor. Flying a Huey was dangerous enough as it was, but to go into and out of battle zones so many times is above and beyond the call of duty. Glad he is still with us as an example to all.
Not atall surprised about the valor demonstrated by helo pilots during the Vietnam War. I was a British F4 instructor on loan to the USN at Miramar (75-77) when 2 ex-army helo pilots came through for conversion to the F4. (They had resigned as O3’s from the army and came to us as Lieutenants Junior Grade, having been re-commissioned as Ensigns - no appreciation by the Navy for what these men had accomplished as helicopter pilots.) Both had 3 Silver Stars and both had been shot down 3 times - one a Loach driver and one a Huey Cobra driver. Have to admit that I was somewhat in awe of their war stories.
This man is exceptional. He speaks the truth by living it, by experiencing it. He talks about how the rewards he treasures are the lives saved, not the medals or how many he killed but how many he defended. This guy is a true hero.
I must say his philosophy in the last 3 minutes of this video is exceptional and from someone that has never been in war nor understands the vast majority of how things go I am humbled by his words, honesty and point of view.
in October 1994 this is how the villagers of the Ia Drang Valley felt about you and your team Bruce, as your two Cavalry buddies myself and our Vietnamese driver traveled along the dirt road out of the valley at dusk villagers began to appear in silhouette lining the road clapping and cheering you and your buddies, the further we traveled along the road the more villagers silhouettes appeared and the louder and more excited the clapping and cheering became, it became a spontaneous avenue of honor,
@@susanblake9994 Melvin (Mel) J Allen 1/7th ( cant remember exactly maybe 2/7th) X-Ray veteran, Reginald Bud Davis 1/7th Engineers Anh Khe, Myself 1st tourist to visit X Ray since conflicts end, The villagers lined the road at days end and cheered and clapped us out of the Ia Drang valley as we departed from the return to X-Ray, 1994, October. Gary Owen.
I just wanted to thank you guys for this video. I also want to say thank you for your service to this country. I am a Vietnam Era Veteran. I was in basic training in September 1972 so I just missed Vietnam. I proudly served with the 2/11 Armored Cavalry Regiment in Bad Kissingen, Germany from 3/1973- 8/1975. I feel honored to call you my brothers. God Bless you all.
This man came to my high school when I was jr. Back in 2009a I just so happen to have the book we were soldiers on me that day. I was re reading it. I was pretty star struck listing to him talk.
I had the honor and privilege of playing a round of golf with Crandall at Barbers Point NAS many years ago. True to form, he scored an eagle on a par-5 by holing out his third shot. An amazing shot by an amazing hero.
Colonel Bruce P Crandall; Sir you have a wonderful mind filled with much knowledge; you taught us much here! Thank you for serving America! People like you helped keep our ground units much safer than anyone can imagine! 1/ 7 Air Mobile Cavalry ; 67/68. God Bless America…
Man i like this guy i wish i was under his command when i was in OIF 2008-2009 but then he'll be too old i guess . I love this channel im happy to hear his story about vietnam and everything he went through. Great person. I wish i met him .
Everything he said about the pentagon and command structure was totally true and mapping for oil companies, man if only people like him were in command.
Col Crandall if you ever read this you are one hell of a pilot and innovator. God bless you sir and ty for your service, men need to here your story nowadays, and the military should have paid more attention to your lessons. It's a shame that war was treated the way it was by your fellow Americans at the time, you and your brothers are heroes.
I was enlisted. This great sir was I'm sure in his units was called the old man. If the old man says we are going to hell to fight we follow him. He loves his men and they love him. Never mess with a unit that works like that. You will lose.
I've met, and worked beside Mr Fred Ferguson in Arizona back in the late 90's. And what a privilege it was to let him tell me a story or two in confidence. Love and respect brother Fred. Thank you so much for your bravery as well in the service to our country 👍🇺🇸 Thank you also Mr Crandall 👍🇺🇸 (former USAF munitions Sgt)
My family has served in every battle the United States has been in since it's conception, via the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines (sorry Coasties). In fact my father was born on a ship from Brussels, grandfather stormed the beaches while the other grandfather was on an aircraft carrier. My Uncle went to Nam with the Cav, I went to the second happening of the sandbox with the Cav... Sadly it's a tradition coming to an end, I'm the last living male of me generation and as far as kids from our generation go, well my son will never have children or serve, he will also never be able to live alone (thanks Army for those lasting effects that "aren't really there or from exposure") The last of the line to pass on the name... So, the Freeman legacy in combat for the defense of America and promotion of democracy around the globe has come to an end. We all gave em hell on wheels, water and air, no where was safe from us. Uncle Sam doesn't have a use for my old busted ass anymore overseas, but best believe I don't need his permission if it ever goes sideways on home dirt, the original ride or die til the end, Scouts Out!
This is very sad to hear, I am so sorry for your loss. Holding people to account never ends well when dealing with the governments. I hope my sincere condolences offer you some comfort. Thank you and your entire family for your great service, in not only defending yourselves, but others from other nations, like mine, I'm a once proud Australian, so from my people we all thank you and acknowledge you.
My name is Tony Nadal. I commanded "A" Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry during the battle of LZ Xray. It was my wounded soldiers (among others) that Bruce and Ed Freeman were rescuing.
I have the highest regard for Bruce and can assure any readers of this entry that many of the soldiers recovered and flew back to the aid station would have died if not for Bruce's valor and determination to save their lives. X-Ray was not the only instance in which Bruce came to my company's rescue. A few months letter my company was engaged in a nighttime battle on the edge of a village in Bong Son when some of my soldiers were wounded. To rescue them required a night helicopter descent into a small clearing in the village. It was dark and the rice paddy was under enemy fire. I heard Bruce on the radio and asked him to take my wounded out. Although not his assigned mission, Bruce made two flights into that small rice paddy under fire and pulled out six of my wounded soldiers
Although the Army did not give him the medal for which I recommended him, the International Space and Flight Writers Association gave him a medal for THE MOST VALOROUS ACT OF THE YEAR INVOLVING HELICOPTER FLIGHT IN 1966. He is a great human being and friend.
Ramon Nadal. I don't know what company my dad was in when he was there. You may have been his CO.
Thanks for such an impressive additional insight into Col Crandall.
Welcome home sir and thank you for doing what i couldnt
Col Nadal
Wow! I'm in deep awe and respect of the service and sacrifices that you, and your unit and all the men of 1/7 endured and that I read about in LTG Moore's books.
I did not serve in Vietnam, but I joined in '76 and there were certainly several NCOs and officers that served there and they were just the best examples for me as a young soldier. I still think of them often.
Best wishes to you and yours.
Thank you sir for your service. The company of great men you knew and served with is legendary.
Just listening to this Hero make my heart beat a little faster. Proud to be an American. He's the real deal.
This man makes a lot of sense. The kind of sense you get from actual experience.
One of the few channels where you can spend some time reading the comments and feel better for it
“We lost 301 dead”…after all this time, that number is still there on his mind. My heart goes out to this guy I’ve never met.
I was an army brat in Germany and remember reading about that battle. I figured I was headed there.
I was in Nam a couple of years later. We heard the stories but I knew deep inside that pilot deserved the CMOH. Continuously flying fresh in,ammo runs, aiding med Evans right to the end. Unlike other officers that gave themselves medals, he earned that. Of course as an enlisted man, we hated officers. Hell, I still do 55 years later. I often wonder about the door gunners. I knew at one time the losses.There were guys ready and willing to climb on his and other birds going out to help keep the NVA off their backs. Again, were any awards given them because they damned sure deserved something! That whole unit was amazing.
What a ballsy guy. I served during dessert Storm. This guy saved so many of our Brothers in arms. God Bless you sir. You stand alone
Met him when I was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas at a unit dinner. He autographed a 1st Cav patch for me. A wonderful guy indeed!!! Much respect!!!
Thank you ao
I'm sorry they sent you to the hood lol
@@stephenF250 FT Hood was okay wasn’t the best assignment but I made the most of it when I was there
Thank you for your Service!
Good ol’ Killeen Tx…😂
I read Hal Moore's book at least 5,6 times when it came out. Just couldn't put it down. I didn't want to miss a thing. It was then I learned of Bruce Crandell. I'm in awe of his exploits. I'm so glad he received the recognition he deservedly got although years later. So many heroes never got recognized but died in those early battles of the Vietnam War. Thank you Bruce for your fine example! God bless you and yours!
Probably the best book I have ever read.
Read Chickenhawk by Robert Mason. Mason was also at Ia Drang as a slick pilot and the book contains many references to "Too Tall" Freeman and major Crandall, and their incredible heroism. You won't want to put it down, I guarantee it.
@@philholyman9036 I agree I've read the book more than once over the years, the best book ever about the Vietnam war
I enjoyed that book. After I finished reading it, I watched the movie We Were Soldiers to see how it compared to the book. Hollywood did its thing as always but it was still a great movie and Greg Kinnear did a good portrayal of Col Moore, in my opinion.
@@justlucky8254Kinnear played Crandall. Moore was played by Mel Gibson.
This man’s courage, calm, and intelligence! God keep him safe and sound as he lives his life from here on. He saved many, many boys in that awful Wartime.
Medal or not... What a hell of a guy. We sure need more like him these days.
@@goldenmanuever1176 We need a country that is worthy of his sacrifice and efforts.
Why assume we don't have Soldiers/Marines/Airmen/Sailors equal in dedication to the mission and abilities given similar circumstances. Heroism is the product of opportunity. Read a few books about the experiences of battles and the troops who fought. Someone said there is nothing more dangerous than a pissed off 19 year old Marine with a weapon.
Amen and amen. 🙏🏼💛
@@charliekendall4288 I may be wrong but I think he's speaking more on the basis of civilians. Meaning we have too many pussies. Might want to clarify before getting offended.
Ohh we have em, look about we are here, we hold doors, stand up for others and do or have done what others today can refuse to do.
I was a medic, worked in the operating room, in saigon.... I agree with him, you don't need to kill everyone.....just those that are an immediate threat to you. Listen to his last few minutes of the interview. Great Man... I always admired the chopper pilots, and what they did. I salute you , Sir.
Great, awesome to see respect for others, when your exploits, may have been.... underappreciated, you are not, your steel man.
I’m very sorry all of you had to go to war.
People always jump on libs for being anti troops. We’re not. We’re anti-war. And it seems to me that if you really loved the troops so much the right be anti war too.
Because being pro war is only going to hurt the men and women they claim to love so much.
I’m sorry. I may not have had an easy life but at least I was never forced by my government to fight a war for/against people I have nothing against.
My father was a part of that generation. The few friends of his that survived the war came back fucked up.
I often wonder what America would be like if we never went to that war. Or Korea.
What would the men who died have done with their lives? How would the ones who survived have been different?
I am honored to live in a country full of good men like you. But ashamed I live in a nation that throws young men to die for the wars of old men.
@@jackroyaltea5034 President Harry Truman did nothing to really help the French resist Communism, so the French were on their own. Then President Eisenhower deploys the Military Advisors to train help train the Republic of Vietnam Army. President Kennedy started sending "TROOPS" in country, then LBJ sent even more "TROOPS". So I am confused by your comment, Jack? Do you prefer Communism? What policies or policy do you like of Biden's? In the last few months, Biden has shown nothing but weakness, which has opened the doors to conflict around the world. What are you ashamed of Jack? Being a coward or not really understanding what really toke place in history, or both? Just imagine if big government starts to babysit your entire existence, similar to what is happening in China by the CCP! Merry CCP Biden Holiday to you, JACK...ars
Well said. This man is a hero and also a very intelligent person. He sees the bigger picture. I salute as well
@@jackroyaltea5034 never known or heard of anyone in or out of the military that is pro war? Nobody likes war, left or right, especially those serving. Sometimes it needs to be done, and done quickly with the least damage.
This guy is the real deal. No BS. Hardcore. I have max respect
max respect for Bruce is an insult to the man! , 💥 Total Admiration is a start! , ✨
@@darrellmay4502 calm down sparky
@@tnelly1295 Got it but damn!
Straight "Bad assery" right there.
For a 90 day wonder to end up a colonel and a medal of honor all I do is I'm honored to have heard your story. A Great man!
My father is big on history, and has been since before I was born. It's one of the best things I've inherited from him. I don't follow it as closely as he does, but from what I've read and seen in my days, the Vietnam War put out some of the best soldiers our country has seen. More importantly than that though, is the shame that I feel for how Vietnam vets were treated by the people of our country upon their return home. You hear about it in history books, but to hear from actual veterans is heartbreaking and sickening. These boys loved our country and their brothers in arms, and they deserved and still deserve our gratitude and respect for what they went through. Glad I found this channel and will be tuning in regularly.
correctAmericans didnt understand then but sure as hell do now?????????????????????????isalot so much
This man's action/ideas saved many generations. Thank you. God bless.
The last 5 minutes of him speaking his mind is just profound. I could listen to this man talk for days
I just discovered this channel a couple days ago and I'm really loving it, but man the time constraints are rough. I wish it was more long form, podcast style. I could have listened to this man speak for 3 hours, and it seemed like he would have if he'd been able
Yes. He needs to write a book ...He has a lot more to say.
@@johntooth9294 I don't beleive he ever wrote a book, but he's written about in a book called We Were Soldiers Once, and Young. Also he's portrayed in the movie We Were Soldiers based on that book.
@@justlucky8254 I had watched a interview with Ed Freeman where he was talking about himself and Bruce about the Medal of Honor they both received ..It was then he talked about Bruce was good at putting Pen to Paper.. So I thought he may have written a Book.. Very interesting man to listen to in interviews.. Joe Gallaway is another I love listening to ..All great men ..
You remind me of my Dad. He served in WWII and Korea. In WWII he was in China, Burma, India theater and was in Burma. He was Master Sergeant.
Pure leadership. You can recognize it but is difficult to describe.
"You kill my kids, I'm gonna be pissed at ya."
Such a true statement. Thank you for your service, and heroism. Great Americans like you are few, and really, really, far between.
And there's a lot of people pissed at Americans
They can get oved it. Better pissed off than pissed on!!@davymyboy7966
Bruce I met with you a few times at our reunions ...much respect for what you did to save many of our men during those awful days
These tales from our vets are so important, very hard to hear sometimes but so appreciated by those of us who know, and should be required for our kids in school too, never forget!
I've heard of course of Mr Crandall, America's best!
This dude is a legend....100% a legend of the highest order, Absolutely love his title of the book he hopefully writes....D.A.D....May his memory last forever.....How the hell can the government take away the financial aid that these guys absolutely deserve....in fact the veterans should NEVER have to go hungry or homeless and should be treated like hero's.......
Love his point blank honesty!
Badass AMERICAN HERO. 🇺🇸 You don't have to kill everybody. Wisdom Right There.
You contrast guys who have been in it with the stories of exposed stolen valor frauds and the differences in tone and conviction are obvious. What they choose to talk about after their nuts and bolts personal action narrative makes it obvious who the real deals are.
When you take the time to realize that he flew 22 trips into the jaws of death were no other pilot dare venture and kept this up till until darkness and survived.
Hal Moore stated that if it wasn't Crandall we would have all died in that place.
I know this is old, but another Medal of Honor recipient once said the true Medal of Honors are those who gave it all
A real HERO ..Bruce Crandall must stand Tall with ( Ed Freeman) amongst the Best Helicopter Pilots in the vietnam conflict ..
This legend flew 900 combat missions. Just wow.
@@Lowgold And survived
@@Lowgold And to think that a chopper pilots life expectancy was between 13 and 30 days or so in Vietnam and he
pulled off 900 combat missions makes that stat twice as impressive. Speaking of pilots Dust Off pilots those guys are
truly incredible. They pulled off miracles in rescuing wounded. Some of the tales of what they were able to do under fire
to get soldiers out of harms way defies logic.
Well, I do hope there's a part 2. This was too good to end like this. I love it when the veteran just talks and tell his story and not a lot of questions asked.
I thought it was an excellent interview for the same reasons .
This is a Real American hero! Why? because he doesn't brag about what he did. He just did what he had to do! Many soldiers have this man to thank if they lived through that battle.
That they do!
you mean like those Seal Team 6 pukes who were part of the OBL capture/kill who went PUBLIC, WROTE BOOKS, TRIED to parlay BIG BUCKS, like any MERCENARY WOULD?????????
@TRUTH HURTS, DELETE IT. playing call of duty doesn't count kid
@R3act Sorry to hear that. Aren’t there better places to reveal that information than a RUclips comment section?
@@derianschmidt7252 How else are people to know. The media is too busy covering these things up. 1/2 million kids were starved there.
One of the best I've ever watched.This Colonel exuded COMMON SENSE!!
Thank you sir for what you have done! As a grunt on the ground you instill confidence that when SHTF somebody is coming after you! Chopper pilots take a hell of a lot more fire than us grunts do yet you keep coming back time after time to the rescue! Four courageous men in a helicopter that will risk their lives for folks they have never heard of! You are the best of the best!
RGT you call.
Thank you for your Service, Sir... 1969 1CAV veteran
Welcome home and thank you for doing what i could not
This man continues to serve. He has given us a gift by this interview -- the gift of his wisdom borne by EXPERIENCE. This has been one of the most interesting, insightful, and EYE OPENING interviews I have ever had the pleasure to watch. Thank you Col. Crandall, for your service and for sharing your wisdom with us.
One of the greatest and bravest soldiers of Vietnam along with Ed Freeman.
Among the greats but unfortunately lesser known is medal of honor recipient Roy Benavidez .... there are a couple videos you can find on RUclips about his life and time in the jungle... I can't promise you won't get choked up a bit.
Don't forget hal moore
@@zachmorgan3680 or CSM Basil Plumley
They were all brave men
Joe Ronnie Hooper
My steadiest longest salute to this soldier Veteran! Thank you for your service.
I'm a Australian but I send out my humble respects to this HERO and to all others who serve their FLAG
I See so many people saying their hero's are these shallow self obsessed people
But men like him are real HERO'S
So from the Land Down "God Bless America"
Thank you for your heart filled words. Respect for all military. Your country has a bunch of hero's also. To all, a Happy New Year from New Orleans, Louisiana.
I have to agree with you . A real hero . Honour & Respect . Lest we forget .
From an Irish fan. ?
Aussies have been great allies and the ones who were in Vietnam, were tough as nails.
A man who speaks from experience should not be confused with one who just speaks his mind.
Well said....
Experience can be misleading. Especially if you have lots of positive reinforcement.
A foolish man speaks cause he has to say something.
A wise man speaks cause he has something to say.
I love these stories. Perspectives that are getting more rare as time marches on. A big thank you to American Veterans Center and others for preserving our history.
Col. Crandall shared so much wisdom after telling his story: “Don’t kill ‘em (the ‘enemy’ soldiers) we need to convert ‘em, get ‘em to help us. We don’t need a million more Arabs hating us. Go after Saddam Hussein, OK, that’s who we needed to kill.”
He knows as much as anyone, though, that war is hell and too many good lives are lost in one.
He’s so right too about “breaking up the units,” to send soldiers out of Nam & back home.
So much harm came from that alone. It only created the isolation and the alienation so many Vietnam veterans felt on their return to the States, and increased the trauma so many experienced after returning.Welcome home, sir!
I wish we could get the name of the Camp Holloway Officers Club bartender who refused to serve Crandall, Mills and Hal Moore based on Hal Moore being "Too Dirty after 3 days at LZ X-Ray
Cant convert an ideology
@Bryce McQueen baath party was formed from nazi party believe it or not
@@knarftrakiul3881 True. However we messed up by disbanding the infrastructure of the party. Those people needed better governance not democracy. If we had left that governing infrastructure in place we would have avoided sectarian and later religious infighting.
Colonel Bruce Crandall, you are a bad-ass MF. That is what my dad used to tell me in the rare moments when he talked about Ia Drang. You saved his life, among so many others. He was Alpha Company, 1st Battalion 7th Cavalry. His name is Ron Prozoris and he lived to come home, meet my mom and have my sister and I. He ended up with 4 holes in him and Malaria at Clark before eventually getting back to the States. You are the reason I had him as my dad. Thank you for everything you have done. “Thank you” doesn’t begin to sound remotely near what I want to say. But I thank you for being a serious bad-ass!
I met him after a presentation he gave at city hall in Auburn Washington. What a good guy he was. Salute, Sir!
I think I saw my Dad in Vietnam in HD during the aftermath of the Ia Drang battle. It's very grainy so I'm not positive it's him.
Lost Dad in 1988 from damn bone marrow cancer. He was 39 in Vietnam but I see pictures from then and he looks 60. Served 1945 to 1969. CWO3.
Thanks Col Crandall for your brave,honorable service. We need more men like you.
God Bless our vets and "Pops" memory.
Garry Owen.
Another CWO !
Mine was in from 1940-1967, retired as CWO 3, as a radar and guidance specialist. Served on the USS CHICAGO, The USS PROMETHEUS, USS ROCHESTER, And USS THETIS BAY.
Was at the Battle for the Solomons, and New Guinea, the support for the Inchon invasion, Occupation Forces of Japan, the Queimoi Incident, and the blockade of the Formosa straits in 1956. We then were stationed at China Lake NWTC, in California.
@@siseley1 Wow. Awesome. Sounds like 2 good men.
My dad was in the army 1949 to 1971. Two tours in Korea during the war and we were at ft Bennington 1962 to 1965 and he got orders for Vietnam in the summer of 65. He was with that Cav unit. We got a letter sometime in December of that year from him saying he got hit during that battle and was in some hospital in Vietnam. He was also wounded in both tours in Korea. He didn't come home and returned to duty sometime in January of 66 and came home finally later that summer. His third tour in Korea was in 68 to 69 and finally retired in 71. He went to school and started teaching air conditioning and refrigeration in trade school and came down with cancer in 1983 and passed away shortly after being diagnosed with it that year. I sure did miss him and wish I could have spent more time with him when I was getting older.
@@oldfarmer4700 I have the utmost respect for your father and for his service to America. America today is in dire need of men such as your father. May the good LORD BLESS him with the rest he richly deserves.
Frank Serra thank you sir. He always avoided cameras and said many times while he was in Vietnam he could have been in front of them. Quite man and was military until his last breath. Wish I could find out more of what and when and where he was and did.
One common thing I've found about combat veterans like Crandall is they're always so understated. They'll tell you all about their experience, the horrors of war, and never try to embellish. - A video I watch earlier about LZ Ray and one vet talked about losing many friends in terrible ways on the first day and the last thing he said was, "It was a difficult situation." -
"I'm putting you in for OCS because you are so screwed up you might make corporal eventually and I can't have that on my conscience." I spit my coffee when he said that. One of the most ... original reasons I ever heard. hahahaha
I cooked for his VFW Post in Oak Harbor, WA... Close as I'll lever come to giving my thanks to him.
Did you shoot your special sauce all over his food?
As Col. Crandall says here about his lovely wife, "She knew I loved to fly!" Thank God for wives who support us as we military aviators feed our habit.
It gives me hope that there are men out there like this...they are the real hero's!
One day a few years ago I was at work on MacDill AFB. Our command is just down the road from the family camping area on the beach. I was just sitting there working when this older gentleman came in the front door and asked if we had a copier he could use to make a couple copies on, said he was an Army vet and hoped we wouldn’t mind. I looked at him and said “you’re Bruce Crandall aren’t you?” He said “ yessir”. And that’s how I met Bruce Crandall. He got his copies.
*"We should have used chainsaws instead of machetes." Common sense is not common. Everytime Col. Randall smiled I felt like he knew things could have been different than they turned out to be. Vietnam was a winnable cause if the powers that be wanted it to be. Respect to all who served there.*
. . . 'if the powers to be, wanted it '!
. . . that be
It was never winnable, as history proved.
@@oldbatwit5102 History only proves that politicians still get young and old men killed at astounding rates.
Did you ever read up on some of the Rules of Engagement these men had to fight under during Vietnam? The bullshit rules those politicians made these soldiers fight under?
Don’t shoot unless shot at.
No don’t bomb that depot- with missiles that kill your brothers.
Don’t bomb over there- the enemy is there.
Again, history only proves that politicians don’t belong in warfare.
@@chloehennessey6813 You are full of crap and, plainly, have no idea what happened over there.
There are loads of really good accounts written by men who served in Vietnam and I suggest you read a bunch of them.
It was never winnable, as almost anybody who served will tell you.
Goodbye.
My Honor from a German Soldier. Awesome and unbelievebale. Great Service Sir!!!!
I was just a teenager during the Vietnam War but everyone I knew was either being drafted or enlisting. All the boys I knew who went to Nam came home missing pieces or were killed. Thank you Sir for sharing your truths. You are a hero. God bless you and your family.
I was a teenager IN the Vietnam war.
as was I myfriend. I was 19 went I was over there. It seems like a lifetime ago....maybe it was. I appreciate Life more .... and the need to remain strong as a Country. @@barotraumabruce4245
I never thought about it this way until he actually spoke the words.He is spot on about the right targets and the wrong targets.
He wears that metal so proud........I love it.
I've been watching these all night. This guy is a straight shooter with wisdom and character in spades.
RN 🇬🇧
My childhood mentor was at LZ X-ray with B 1/5 Cavalry. They had to jump from the helicopters because of all the ground fire. Those helicopter pilots deserved every decoration they received especially Mr. Crandall.
This wonderful man had angels on his shoulders.
Most pilots can relate.
Thank so very much Sir. You are a true to life Hero and we all thank you very much.
What a great example of humble and effective leadership!
I’d buy this brave man a drink🇺🇸
Godspeed Sir🇺🇸
I'd buy this guy a Distillery...
This guy did good a no bs he did it his way
@@brianpeters7847 If you'd do that I'd start drinking his brand. What a man
This gentleman is pure genius. Thank you for your service, sir.
I can't imagine the PTSD and nightmares he suffers. Could you live with that? Believe. There are great men and then there are men like Col. Crandall.
I appreciate that the interviewer let him talk. I always wish these interviews were longer. When the vets are gone, they’re gone
Thank you for your service sir. You guy’s are my HEROES
Col. Crandall, I salute you sir. Thank you for your sacrifices and your wisdom in battle. You are one in ten million, we need a lot more of men like you, you're awesome. God bless you and America.
I believe all Vets deserve a hero's title with deep respect. I thank you all for your service and sacrifice. God bless all of you.
What an honourable gentleman.
Another American hero! I salute you, sir! May God make His light shine upon you.
What an extraordinary man , one of the best veteran interviews I’ve seen
An incredible incredible man. Thank God men like him lived.
So very grateful for Bruce and so many others. We needed you then and we need you and more like you and Hal Moore now. Welcome Home!
Pilots like Crandall survive because they are very instinctual. His take on the Huey as compared to the cobra was very interesting.
Yes, that surprised me however I'm just an ignorant civilian. That man is a true leader and pilot. Whatever he says our govt should have listened. He made a great point about the Marines Osprey VTOL aircraft. They aren't ever seen in video footage or mentioned in the media.
I agree 👍 very interesting to say the least,,,,,, 🤔
Osprey as well its a bloated waste of money program
He is spot on about both
Idk my uncle always talked up the cobra over the apache. I've never heard anything very positive said about the apache's reliability
Truly a good and decent man. What a Man
I thought I recognized his name from the movie. I am so glad he received the Metal of Honor. Flying a Huey was dangerous enough as it was, but to go into and out of battle zones so many times is above and beyond the call of duty. Glad he is still with us as an example to all.
*Medal of Honor
Not atall surprised about the valor demonstrated by helo pilots during the Vietnam War.
I was a British F4 instructor on loan to the USN at Miramar (75-77) when 2 ex-army helo pilots came through for conversion to the F4. (They had resigned as O3’s from the army and came to us as Lieutenants Junior Grade, having been re-commissioned as Ensigns - no appreciation by the Navy for what these men had accomplished as helicopter pilots.)
Both had 3 Silver Stars and both had been shot down 3 times - one a Loach driver and one a Huey Cobra driver.
Have to admit that I was somewhat in awe of their war stories.
lol "Metal" of Honor. Sounds like a Hatebreed song.
This man is exceptional. He speaks the truth by living it, by experiencing it. He talks about how the rewards he treasures are the lives saved, not the medals or how many he killed but how many he defended. This guy is a true hero.
The dad's thing is probably the best thing iv ever heard from birth and thank you for your service
I must say his philosophy in the last 3 minutes of this video is exceptional and from someone that has never been in war nor understands the vast majority of how things go I am humbled by his words, honesty and point of view.
A man of true valor, who saved many brothers lives at his own peril time and again .
He has the ice cold eyes of a fighter pilot - no BS - only the truth of combat
He is a great man. He just moved to FL this year to live near his son. Wonder how many know just how banged up he really is.
in October 1994 this is how the villagers of the Ia Drang Valley felt about you and your team Bruce,
as your two Cavalry buddies myself and our Vietnamese driver traveled along the dirt road out of the valley at dusk villagers began to appear in silhouette lining the road clapping and cheering you and your buddies, the further we traveled along the road the more villagers silhouettes appeared and the louder and more excited the clapping and cheering became,
it became a spontaneous avenue of honor,
HUH?
@@susanblake9994 Melvin (Mel) J Allen 1/7th ( cant remember exactly maybe 2/7th) X-Ray veteran, Reginald Bud Davis 1/7th Engineers Anh Khe, Myself 1st tourist to visit X Ray since conflicts end,
The villagers lined the road at days end and cheered and clapped us out of the Ia Drang valley as we departed from the return to X-Ray,
1994, October.
Gary Owen.
If we had men in the Pentagon today with this mans character, our Nation wouldnt be in the position it is today!
We do. The civilian leadership is to blame for where we are today. The military has never been as professional and effective as it is today.
The military has never been as dysgenic and gay as it is today. Is that why they fought?
@@davereiland9921 You served where and when? Proud veteran here, so screw you and your unhelpful homophobic views
@@Walant55 i purposely did not serve israel in the us military.
Trust me we do
I just wanted to thank you guys for this video. I also want to say thank you for your service to this country. I am a Vietnam Era Veteran. I was in basic training in September 1972 so I just missed Vietnam. I proudly served with the 2/11 Armored Cavalry Regiment in Bad Kissingen, Germany from 3/1973- 8/1975. I feel honored to call you my brothers. God Bless you all.
I thank all veterans and current military soldiers for their efforts and protecting our nation.
This brave man saved many lives. A man with intelligence unlike people in the Pentagon whose decisions cost lives of young men in battle.
Thank You for fighting for my country!. May God always be with You,!.
This man lived an amazing life. Thank you for your service.
My hat's off to this pilot I just watched "We Were Soldiers" great movie. Thank you for your service and Welcome Home Bruce Crandall.
Thank you for your service and living long enough to pass on your experience and to be able to give your advice.
Thank you, Snake! For making sense and being who you are......
This man came to my high school when I was jr. Back in 2009a I just so happen to have the book we were soldiers on me that day. I was re reading it. I was pretty star struck listing to him talk.
What a fine sweet human being. Brave and real. Pragmatist and clear. Practical and steady handed. Men like this. Thank you, Sir. Bless you.
These Heroes shall never be forgotten ......
Thank you for your service and being so honest! Thank you very much for mentioning the other LZ’s and the units that had so many casualties.
I had the honor and privilege of playing a round of golf with Crandall at Barbers Point NAS many years ago. True to form, he scored an eagle on a par-5 by holing out his third shot. An amazing shot by an amazing hero.
Colonel Bruce P Crandall; Sir you have a wonderful mind filled with much knowledge; you taught us much here! Thank you for serving America! People like you helped keep our ground units much safer than anyone can imagine! 1/ 7 Air Mobile Cavalry ; 67/68. God Bless America…
Words of true wisdom at the end.
Those who have been in war, are soft spoken afterwards. Thank you for interview.
Thank you for your service to this country ~
True hero's are never forgotten ~
Man i like this guy i wish i was under his command when i was in OIF 2008-2009 but then he'll be too old i guess . I love this channel im happy to hear his story about vietnam and everything he went through. Great person. I wish i met him .
Everything he said about the pentagon and command structure was totally true and mapping for oil companies, man if only people like him were in command.
Col Crandall if you ever read this you are one hell of a pilot and innovator. God bless you sir and ty for your service, men need to here your story nowadays, and the military should have paid more attention to your lessons. It's a shame that war was treated the way it was by your fellow Americans at the time, you and your brothers are heroes.
I was enlisted. This great sir was I'm sure in his units was called the old man. If the old man says we are going to hell to fight we follow him. He loves his men and they love him. Never mess with a unit that works like that. You will lose.
Welcome home and thank you
I've met, and worked beside Mr Fred Ferguson in Arizona back in the late 90's. And what a privilege it was to let him tell me a story or two in confidence. Love and respect brother Fred. Thank you so much for your bravery as well in the service to our country 👍🇺🇸 Thank you also Mr Crandall 👍🇺🇸 (former USAF munitions Sgt)
My family has served in every battle the United States has been in since it's conception, via the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines (sorry Coasties). In fact my father was born on a ship from Brussels, grandfather stormed the beaches while the other grandfather was on an aircraft carrier. My Uncle went to Nam with the Cav, I went to the second happening of the sandbox with the Cav... Sadly it's a tradition coming to an end, I'm the last living male of me generation and as far as kids from our generation go, well my son will never have children or serve, he will also never be able to live alone (thanks Army for those lasting effects that "aren't really there or from exposure") The last of the line to pass on the name... So, the Freeman legacy in combat for the defense of America and promotion of democracy around the globe has come to an end. We all gave em hell on wheels, water and air, no where was safe from us. Uncle Sam doesn't have a use for my old busted ass anymore overseas, but best believe I don't need his permission if it ever goes sideways on home dirt, the original ride or die til the end, Scouts Out!
An honorable tradition ended by dis honorable men. I can only hope your family find the peace they deserve.
Thanks for your family’s sacrifices to this great country. I pray our government will one day get back on track.
This is very sad to hear, I am so sorry for your loss. Holding people to account never ends well when dealing with the governments. I hope my sincere condolences offer you some comfort. Thank you and your entire family for your great service, in not only defending yourselves, but others from other nations, like mine, I'm a once proud Australian, so from my people we all thank you and acknowledge you.
Thanks to you and you family for serving and sacrificing for our country.
You & your family are not alone....