Alan, your story is unbelievable, heroes like you are priceless,I served with the 173d airborne in ,69,70, was hurt and medivacked by men like you, I thank God everyday , I'm 73, and loved your story, God Bless you brother 🙏🙏🙏
This is just something else. I put this on for something to fall back asleep to at 4am but ended up telling myself sleep isn't as important as listening to this gent. truly mesmerizing.
I took care of some of your Marines while an USAF Nurse while in Japan & I have praised you phenominal Corpmen ever since. I saw the incredible results of yours & other Corpmen's work. You were the top of our "medical society" during that VN war. My respect for you is stratospheric!
I saw some injuries aboard the Aircraft Carrier I served on but not yo the extent that was described by the corpsman. Much respect for all you did to save lives.
My father was wounded in 69 and recovered in a hospital in Japan. He said the nurses there gave him hope after losing his foot. I was born 10 yrs. later..just wanted to say thanks Carole! He died in 97 of alcoholism.
I've watched a lot of these interviews and been impressed but this guy is next level. Sharp as a tack and from what I can tell healthy as a horse. Obviously he's made wise choices in life and has been blessed as well as being able to give so much to others, in the war and in day to day life. I love humans like this man. Thanks and bless you sir!
This guy is full of crap. Mag 16 left Vietnam in early 71 and was deactivated in June. 1971. The only Marines left in country were at the Embassy in Saigon. People come on this channel all the time a Steal Valor. Chief Don Shipley should check this joker out.,
Your last comment, " there"s a bunch of names not on the wall, because We Were There", gave this old ex Air Force Nurse a great eyewash. Thanks Twig, for "being there". .
Stood with my dad as a kid before the wall. Didn't really understand at the time. But him silent reading the names looking for his friends without telling me or mom what names. Ever.
@@garyparks8921 dude, maybe we had similar understanding of this, except it doesn't make sense (like you said: give me a break), so I looked for this comment about his last line. There are a bunch of names not on the wall, because he and his team saved them. That makes sense (Sorry if I got it or you wrong or whatever : )
This guy, probably saves as many military personnel after combat, due to his psychology skills, as he did during his time in combat. Bravo too you Sir!!
I was very moved by Mr. Basham's accounting of his Viet Nam experience. It was one of the most moving narrations of war experiences that I have seen. Thank you, sir, for your service to our country.
You are truly an American hero! You represent the finest that this country has to offer and I can’t thank you enough for your service. Welcome home and we are forever grateful and proud of all of you!
I'm not half the man you are sir... so I won't "clean it up." You're a mother f#cking hero sir... an inspiration to a nation that DESPERATELY needs your example before it.
Alan I appreciated hearing your story. I was also a Navy Corpsman and my story was almost like yours. They had rocketed the DaNang airbase and hit the barracks. Medical people were overwhelmed so they stripped the west cost of 163 corpsman and Doctors all on one plane. We were there 72 hours following the announcement we were going. Just as you said commercial flight, think mine was Continental. I arrived in August of 1967 to August of 1968, not a great time to be in VN. So here is the surprise. I was a mass casualty corpsman at Marble Mountain, Receiving One, NSA Hospital. Thats directly across the road from your facility Mac 16, we would catch your short rounds on rocket nights. We received your casualties from the choppers and got them stabilized and on there way to surgery. It was a year in my life I will never forget, its on my mind everyday. Tet offensive in 68 tested us all and we persevered thousands of casualties, delivered to our facility by your brave group. Thanks Your my friend for your bravery and service. HM2 (Doc Ski)
I was in country from April 68 - May 69. Lucky as hell the only injuries I got were a few shrapnel wounds but nothing some monkey blood couldn’t cure !! I got nothing but the highest respect for the corpsman and medics, these guys tried to keep the wounded calm even if they knew they weren’t going to make it. We are getting old now but the damage will always stay. Thanks for the work you all are putting in to tell our stories of hell! And for my marine brothers here- Semper Fi !
You have nothing but my utmost respect and gratitude for your service, I salute you and all your brothers and all who served in that shit show. Welcome home and thank you sir, !
I was an HM2 Corpsman on USS Sanctuary when you were serving in Vietnam. It is very interesting that you and I may have cared the same casualties. Thank you so much for your bravery and exceptional care of Marines and civilians. The 3rd hospital ship was a German ship, Helgeland.
Yeah, I was on the Sanctuary as a Marine liaison Nov 70 to Christmas day 1970 during the Bob Hope show that I reassigned. Quite the eye opening assignment.
Dear Sir, You are a truly an angel that saved a lot of lives back in that hell hole of a war. All that shock, blood, horror and insanity that you saw while trying to save US servicemen and civilians is surely appreciated. No one should experience and witness the abnormality of that war or any war, you did and saved lives. I’m sorry for those lives that you could not save. You are alive now and even if you carry all those horrific PTSD experiences, we who are here today are grateful to understand all that you did. May you continue to live & prosper in order for you to positively impact those who need your help. You sir are a hero among hero’s. Thank you for your service…
A remarkable man , a great story . As he told of his experiences , I couldn't help but wonder what those eyes had seen . Saving lives while under fire is true heroism .
I am a H-34/H-46 Crew Chief (three tours) my last mission was about March 1969, was a Med Evac, Doc would be proud to have you on my bird any day. Thank you Sir for what you have done for Marines. I salute you Sir. Gunny Joe
I was an Aircraft mechanic working C-141 thru flight on Okinawa 1969-1970. Med-vacs came thru regularly. We put two of everything we needed to turn that bird, including people, on the plane just in case one quit working. I can tell you being nineteen and working on a med-vac, just servicing the plane took grit. The smells, blood, burnt flesh, disinfectant. And the sounds of young men in agony. And for me. I watched a young man my age die. It's hard to fight a war with tears in your eyes. To all who worked med-vac , from the corpsmen on the battle field, the mash units. Doctors nurses, I salute you. I didn't have to work these planes all the time. I don't know if I could have. To all the mechanics I worked with. Their war was over, but our war just started.we fought time. Our job was to put that bird back in the air as fast as we could, and we did.I know better, but I have always hoped that they all made it and healed from their wounds and went on to live a good life.. aI hated that fuckin war. And now we return to our normal anti American broadcast.🎉
My oldest brother was a USAF medic at Clark AFB in 1966 and 1967. He told me many times that the ability of the medics, pilots, aircrews, and nurses was extraordinary when it came to saving lives. There's a small glimpse of him in the documentary TO SAVE A SOLDIER...
Man this is definitely worthy of a movie,to see and hear his compassion and to see this man is a educated scholar of a human being it’s just touching to the soul,he just putting out there like it is GOD bless and protect him and his love ones I thank you every American fighting man and woman for all you do to keep us free!!!!🤔🤔🤔💯💯💯😌😌😌🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🌎🌎🌎🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿😇😇😇🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿🌎🌎
What a brilliant story teller! Hands down the best interview of a veteran I've ever listened to. Truly, an amazing human being. I would like to thank him for his service.
How profound the hero words are, there's not a bunch of names on that wall because they brought them home😢 what a beautiful statement priceless words God bless our military and our veterans 🙏
Greetings Mr.Best, Did you know HM2 Jacque Joseph Ayd , of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines , who was KIA May 18,1967, at HQ Dong Ha? I appreciate your time, and thank you for your sacrifices and service. Kindest regards, Shawn Mann
This has got to be one of the most significant interviews of a soldier I've ever seen or heard. Not just his experiences and insight, but his self-awareness and psych perspective. I'll be sharing it. Thank you.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T Twig! Thank you for your bravery and service. I am an Air Force Flight Surgeon previously assigned to a fighter squadron but never had to venture “outside the wire”. Big respect and gratitude to you sir. Many don’t realize that the medics get exposed to the most trauma during combat operations and suffer long-lasting after effects that require treatment. You are > 10 years my senior but still razor sharp and probably a great psychologist. Mahalo and Aloha.
I wish I’d found this sooner. My dad was a sailor who did river minesweeping in Vietnam. He’d enlisted in 1959 and retired as a Senior Chief in 1981. (I showed up in 1971.) He never talked to me about his experiences. I don’t talk to my son about my experiences as a paramedic, and likewise dad never talked to me about his time at war. Unfortunately, he’s now had a few strokes and has memory problems and speech deficits. His memories from his tour in the boat club are gone. His memorabilia is gone, lost in flooding from Hurricanes Isaac and Ida. I so wish he’d been able to record something like this.
At 35 years old I have never had a single thought or desire to be in the armed forces, and frankly, don't like a lot about how the services function. HOWEVER, I have found myself the last 5 years or so, taking in as much of this kind of content and war documentaries as anyone could ever fit in their brain. The people (the good people) are truly amazing human being. Tons of respect and admiration for the feats they accomplished and everything they've had to deal with since then.
Can i ask what it is about how the services function that you dont like? Before I joined, I thought it was all like full metal jacket, strict and yelling etc etc. But after getting to the unit, theres structure, rules and expectations. They let you know all the rules and the expectations. Nothing out of the ordinary. Keep your room clean, show up early and show up where you need to, do your job, dont get in trouble out in town was about it. Lol. Really its a bunch of friends all talking s**t. Sometimes you go at each other and fight, but you shake hands after and go back to being family.
This was very moving and powerful I can't imagine being subjected to such horror and ever being able to be even remotely okay ever again. You are truly a inspiration sir. Thank you for those you saved, for those you couldn't, and for those you now help to heal. Thank you for your outstanding service to humanity.
This humble mild mannered academics account of his military service in Vietnam is absolutely stellar. His memory of facts, figures, procedures, names of places and peoples from over 50 years ago is extraordinary At 18:55 is where the real darkness of Vietnam starts. What strikes me is how much of a courageous MAN he really is and he projects this image without the slightest trace of bravado and boast about his heroic deeds. In fact his tears make him more of a man in reliving that horror of being pressured into playing God with the lives of wounded children. He didn’t need to explain his reasoning for that, what he presented here is Gold standard. The US benefited greatly from having a man of this distinction serving in uniform during the Vietnam war.
As a former Marine (who did not fight in Vietnam, my older brother did but he was KIA) and as a currently practicing physician, I can honestly say that this was the most interesting and revealing interview I have ever watched. Over the years I have listened to and watched literally hundreds of interviews but this one was the one I could relate to the best. This man and his comrades efforts absolutely did save probably hundreds of lives. That was indeed a great way to end his story. I’m just blown away and yes, he had me also shedding tears several times during his revelations. Great interview and thank you for bringing this phenomenal story to the public.
Thank you soldier for your courage and skill in extreme conditions. Thank you sir for having the grace to share these most painful memories. America stands in gratitude.
@@boondocker7964well actually he was a sailor first and foremost vs a corpsman if you want to be pedantic about it, since he was in the Navy. Corpsman was just his job description. Either way he’s a hero.
As a Navy combat cameraman in Vietnam... I filmed medevacs from the field, Navy corpsmen in a Montegnard village with a SeaBee Civic Action Team, and a Navy corpsman serving in a Vietnamese Provincial Hospital along with a Navy Surgical Team. I have all the respect in the world for the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps, especially the corpsmen!
@richardpcrowe... Often in war time the film crew do not get the recognition they deserved (cameraman and reporter) doing their job out in the field and those who served alongside the service men and women during the Vietnam conflict have my up most respect as do our Vietnam Vets. thanks, you for your service and sacrifice and welcome home Sir.
You’re a hero, man. There’s a lot of beautiful babies in the world today because you got grandpa home. Thank you for being a damn fine corpsman from us civilians.
As poignant & gut wrenching an interview as I’ve yet seen. Forty years without effective treatment for the psychological wounds means that many years of hell on earth. Thanks almost to an eternal degree to that gentleman for sharing!
My brother was a Korean vet and want through hell when he returned to Canada. He told he never wanted to bring that stuff up again because of the nightmares, and I respected that.
Im Australian and some of what you said took me back to being a kid and hearing dad and his mates when they would (rareley) get into talking about the war amongst themselves in thier own lingo. From watching you i got a sort of decifering of what i didnt understand as a kid. Behavior wise as well. Your words really touched me. As did your abilility to smile through tears. All the best mate
By all that's Holy! You, sir are a hero and I admire you. Draftee here; Vietnam 1968/69. I am passing this on to a Navy Corpsman friend who was with the Marines in Falluja.
I did two tours as an infantry officer . These men were the bravest in the war. I waived them off more than once but never had one refuse to land if we had wounded. They always became the target of intense fire if we were engaged. They were the angels of the battlefield. God bless everyone of them.
Your mention of the compass course in Marine training reminded me of our one week program in basic in the Women's Army Corp in 1967. We were sent out on a compass course and timed on how long it took us to finish it. Of course, we were not nearly the first to use it, and they apparently did not change the course, so there was a well beaten path through the course. I had almost immediately noticed the path, and told the other girls to follow the path, which we did, and we finished in record time; We managed to keep a straight face when congratulated on our record time. None of us were particularly worried about learning combat skills, since back then women were still treated like women in the military and when we enlisted we were guaranteed to not be sent to combat zones against our will. They did not change that until the invasion of Panama years later.
Thank You Mr. Alan Basham for explaining what this part of life was to you and many others who served in Vietnam. 1971-1974 I served in the US Army stationed at Ray Barracks, FRG. There were both men and women that also served with me during that time who came home from Vietnam who fought that terrible fight too. I didn't not understand what these troops had gone through at that time. Sir it's still hard to wrap my head around your story now 53 years later. You earned your wings!
Crying for someone else isn’t weakness, it’s a signal that you haven’t completely lost your humanity. As far as the Marines looking after Doc, we don’t view you like we do the average deck ape. In our eyes your a brother marine that wears his rank upside down, you guys are a big part of why Marines don’t shy away from the things we did. We knew that if we got nailed, come hell or high water, doc was coming to fix us, anything from an IV for a hangover to off the book stitches for a brawl we needed kept quiet, all the way up to plugging holes we weren’t issued. You guys inspired us.
Yep. My dad built the air craft carriers. WW 2 . My husband was at Camp Pendleton. 1977. . ME, I CERTAINLY Didn't' T EXPERIENCE WHAT YOU DID. I LIVE IN THE BLUE Ridge Mountains NOW. THE VIETNAM WALL. I CRIED.
There are many guys like this who served honorably in Vietnam. My generation is the best we went to war and were not well received when we came home!!!
I wasn't in Vietnam, but was an FMF Hospital Corpsman (8404/8410) from 1991 to 2011. I did fly on helicopters in Iraq, but was only flying from base to base or FOB to FOB to repair equipment in the STP or Surgical Operating Rooms. I saw a lot of the aftermath with Marines being operated on in front of me while I repaired medical equipment, like ventilators or other life saving devices. I am very proud that I was able to walk in the footsteps of FMF Corpsmen that served before I did. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
I was a Navy Corpsman from 1969 to 1973 and six years active reserve Tank Company in the 80's. I was state side during the War and worked on a lot of wounded Marines . I can tell you I hate wars.
To have these kinds of defining experiences when in his early 20’s is unimaginable to people who have no comparable experience. That would include me, though I’m not all that much younger. To subsequently create a stable life seems to me to be a true act of heroism. The debt we owe them, as a country, that I owe them, as an American, is impossible to repay.
My grandpa was a medic in wwll, and towards the end of his life, he told me many thing's about his four year's, and so this man really touched me with his story. I am glad that he was able to get treatment for the ptsd, because it's something hard to live with. G-d bless everyone.
Corpsman from your time walked so we could run. To this day you still inspire HM's, and many of our advancement in medical expertise came from all of you. Absolutely outstanding, from one Doc to another.
Wow. I retired after being a Paramedic for 35+ years and a SWAT Medic for 15. I have dealt with some pretty bad things but I can't imagine what you went through. Thank God for people like you.
Thanks for going... and coming home, 1:36 Hoss. Vietnam Vets are owed a lot of respect. I'm happy that a lot of patriot Americans now fully realize that our military Vets are what keeps us thankful for this amazing country we call home. I committed to the Marine Corps December of 75. Thanks again for your sacrifices...SFMF ❤🇺🇲☠️
Alan Basham’s last sentence of this interview - and his eyes that reach into the past - dropped like an anvil: “There’s a bunch of names…not on the wall…because we were there.”
First, thank you, Doc, for your service. My uncle was in LRRP's 68 - 69. You touched on something that he and several guys I've worked with over the years about coming home. They all said the same thing, your in combat one day, you get your orders to go, 2 days later your sitting at home eating at your folks dinner table. The mind is still in the jungle, but your body is here. They all agreed that was one thing they were glad to see that changed in Iraq, and Afghanistan. A soldier got to get away from the combat, decompress, and get your brain to thinking like a civilian again before you got to go home. Anyone that served in any combat at the age of most, 18 - 22 sees things that no one should ever see or have to remember . I have nothing but the utmost respect for all vets, VN vers have a special place, because of the way they were treated coming home and many years after. God bless each man and woman that served and has had to live with it since. You are absolutely correct sir, not all the casualties of Viet Nam are on the wall, many became casualties years later.
As a MARINE in VIETNAM 1 CORP 67 68. I thank CORPSMEN for keeping us alive and having the guts , glory patriotism GOD BLESS THEM for their all unselfish actions and guts .
In early '67 was aboard the carrier Bonnie Dick in the Gulf with VAH-4, a refueling outfit, when the USS Forrestal caught fire on Yankee Station and we responded. As the Forrestal burned, was able to film our onboard Navy Corpsmen as they helped offload Forrestal's survivors (and others) from our Angel (helo). Tough stuff those guys, real pros, too, then and now. So thank you Navy Corpsmen, you are the best.
Thank-you for sharing your stories. I don't know if it helps to tell the tales or is painful to dredge it up. I do think these stories need to told. I hope you awake each day knowing what an amazing person you are for enduring what you did. It was worth it for all the lives you touched. Not just the warriors you worked on, but their families that got to keep their loved ones.
Welcome Home sir. Amazing video, and just want to say thank you from all those names and their descendants that are not on the Wall because of you and your fellow corpsmen. I am glad you were able to get the help you needed for your PTSD. My Uncle did a tour there as an artillery spotter, I don't think he ever talked to anyone about his experiences there. The most he ever told me about it was his return home sucked, and to make sure any Vietnam Vet I met to tell them Welcome Home because they did not get it when the initially returned. He received 2 Purple Hearts that the family did not know he received till just a few years before his death about a decade ago. For some reason he decided to get a Purple Heart license plate, and that is when we found out. He never said what happened for him to get them.
Listen to our podcast 🎤: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-vietnam-experience/id1732962685
"Camaraderie and Bonding was always there......i just didnt know their names".....Hits Hard
Not on the wall because you were there. Thank you. I was Army grunt and am here because of my Medic.
This is what a hero looks like. Alan, you are a very special man. There are guys who have lived a full life thanks to you. I salute you, sir.
Alan, your story is unbelievable, heroes
like you are priceless,I served with the 173d airborne in ,69,70, was hurt and medivacked by men like you, I thank God everyday , I'm 73, and loved your story, God Bless you brother 🙏🙏🙏
This is just something else. I put this on for something to fall back asleep to at 4am but ended up telling myself sleep isn't as important as listening to this gent. truly mesmerizing.
I was a Marine Corpsman as well. In Vietnam Nam in 1966. What Alan says is true. Flying medevac wasn’t for the faint of heart.
Would you agree with this man's assessment that dust offs pilots were "off their rockers"? And basically entire crew, because it was so dangerous?
Glad you made it back to tell us younger ppl what it was like.
Thank you for your service sir.....🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Welcome home corpsman thank you
My dad was a greenside navy corpsman up in the da nang area from 1967-1968.
I took care of some of your Marines while an USAF Nurse while in Japan & I have praised you phenominal Corpmen ever since. I saw the incredible results of yours & other Corpmen's work. You were the top of our "medical society" during that VN war. My respect for you is stratospheric!
Thanks for your service Carole!
I saw some injuries aboard the Aircraft Carrier I served on but not yo the extent that was described by the corpsman. Much respect for all you did to save lives.
My father was wounded in 69 and recovered in a hospital in Japan. He said the nurses there gave him hope after losing his foot. I was born 10 yrs. later..just wanted to say thanks Carole! He died in 97 of alcoholism.
DITTO Carole!!❤
Thank you Doc!
Anyone stupid enough to judge this man negatively by his emotions isn't worth listening to.
Respect to you Sir.
From Australia.
AGREED!
Doc, I was in-country 68-69 and we marines loved us our corpsman. God bless you for your service.
Welcome home sir
Loved the fact he pointed out he has no shame to cry. Salute
I've watched a lot of these interviews and been impressed but this guy is next level. Sharp as a tack and from what I can tell healthy as a horse. Obviously he's made wise choices in life and has been blessed as well as being able to give so much to others, in the war and in day to day life. I love humans like this man. Thanks and bless you sir!
agreed!
subconscious ......alot of that. You are a true hero
This guy is full of crap. Mag 16 left Vietnam in early 71 and was deactivated in June. 1971. The only Marines left in country were at the Embassy in Saigon. People come on this channel all the time a Steal Valor. Chief Don Shipley should check this joker out.,
Your last comment, " there"s a bunch of names not on the wall, because We Were There", gave this old ex Air Force Nurse a great eyewash. Thanks Twig, for "being there". .
Stood with my dad as a kid before the wall. Didn't really understand at the time. But him silent reading the names looking for his friends without telling me or mom what names. Ever.
Your name is not on the wall because you didn't die over there, give me a break.
@@garyparks8921 dude, maybe we had similar understanding of this, except it doesn't make sense (like you said: give me a break), so I looked for this comment about his last line.
There are a bunch of names not on the wall, because he and his team saved them.
That makes sense
(Sorry if I got it or you wrong or whatever : )
Kind response thanks😊
Pretty apparent to me what he meant
This guy, probably saves as many military personnel after combat, due to his psychology skills, as he did during his time in combat. Bravo too you Sir!!
I was (still am in spirit) an infantryman an our Doc was the most important guy in combat.
I was very moved by Mr. Basham's accounting of his Viet Nam experience. It was one of the most moving narrations of war experiences that I have seen. Thank you, sir, for your service to our country.
You are truly an American hero! You represent the finest that this country has to offer and I can’t thank you enough for your service. Welcome home and we are forever grateful and proud of all of you!
I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THATS STATED HERE SIR AND WE LOVE AND PRAY FOR ALL OUR VETS!!!😇😇😇🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿💯💯💯🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🌎🌎🌎😌😌😌🤔🤔🤔!!!!!!
Ditto.
Professor, you are a hero. myfriend. I was an OR Tech in Vietnam. 3rd Field Hospital 1972. I salute you myfriend. keep smilin.
I'm not half the man you are sir... so I won't "clean it up."
You're a mother f#cking hero sir... an inspiration to a nation that DESPERATELY needs your example before it.
Alan I appreciated hearing your story. I was also a Navy Corpsman and my story was almost like yours. They had rocketed the DaNang airbase and hit the barracks. Medical people were overwhelmed so they stripped the west cost of 163 corpsman and Doctors all on one plane. We were there 72 hours following the announcement we were going. Just as you said commercial flight, think mine was Continental. I arrived in August of 1967 to August of 1968, not a great time to be in VN. So here is the surprise. I was a mass casualty corpsman at Marble Mountain, Receiving One, NSA Hospital. Thats directly across the road from your facility Mac 16, we would catch your short rounds on rocket nights. We received your casualties from the choppers and got them stabilized and on there way to surgery. It was a year in my life I will never forget, its on my mind everyday. Tet offensive in 68 tested us all and we persevered thousands of casualties, delivered to our facility by your brave group. Thanks Your my friend for your bravery and service. HM2 (Doc Ski)
@@nicholaspreboski1483 I was there then as well. Surgical Evac Team Alpha. Usually on an LPH but called in to Da Nang, I was Surgeons Assistant, Tech.
I was in country from April 68 - May 69. Lucky as hell the only injuries I got were a few shrapnel wounds but nothing some monkey blood couldn’t cure !! I got nothing but the highest respect for the corpsman and medics, these guys tried to keep the wounded calm even if they knew they weren’t going to make it. We are getting old now but the damage will always stay. Thanks for the work you all are putting in to tell our stories of hell! And for my marine brothers here- Semper Fi !
Glad you made it out…and thanks for doing something most wouldn’t or couldn’t….rock on
You have nothing but my utmost respect and gratitude for your service, I salute you and all your brothers and all who served in that shit show. Welcome home and thank you sir, !
You more than earned that hug from that Marine, highest honor he could give you. Great interview and thank you for your service.
I was an HM2 Corpsman on USS Sanctuary when you were serving in Vietnam. It is very interesting that you and I may have cared the same casualties. Thank you so much for your bravery and exceptional care of Marines and civilians.
The 3rd hospital ship was a German ship, Helgeland.
Thomas, I was in Surgery as a Tech. 67-68 on the Sanctuary AH17. Got on board in New Orleans at the Commissioning.
Yeah, I was on the Sanctuary as a Marine liaison Nov 70 to Christmas day 1970 during the Bob Hope show that I reassigned. Quite the eye opening assignment.
Dear Sir,
You are a truly an angel that saved a lot of lives back in that hell hole of a war.
All that shock, blood, horror and insanity that you saw while trying to save US servicemen and civilians is surely appreciated.
No one should experience and witness the abnormality of that war or any war, you did and saved lives.
I’m sorry for those lives that you could not save. You are alive now and even if you carry all those horrific PTSD experiences, we who are here today are grateful to understand all that you did.
May you continue to live & prosper in order for you to positively impact those who need your help.
You sir are a hero among hero’s.
Thank you for your service…
Everything I wanted to say. ❤❤
A remarkable man , a great story . As he told of his experiences , I couldn't help but wonder what those eyes had seen . Saving lives while under fire is true heroism .
I am a H-34/H-46 Crew Chief (three tours) my last mission was about March 1969, was a Med Evac, Doc would be proud to have you on my bird any day. Thank you Sir for what you have done for Marines. I salute you Sir. Gunny Joe
Don’t think you’re not a marine because you are more marine than most i will ever forget your bravery god bless you 0:06
I was an Aircraft mechanic working C-141 thru flight on Okinawa 1969-1970. Med-vacs came thru regularly. We put two of everything we needed to turn that bird, including people, on the plane just in case one quit working. I can tell you being nineteen and working on a med-vac, just servicing the plane took grit. The smells, blood, burnt flesh, disinfectant. And the sounds of young men in agony. And for me. I watched a young man my age die. It's hard to fight a war with tears in your eyes. To all who worked med-vac , from the corpsmen on the battle field, the mash units. Doctors nurses, I salute you. I didn't have to work these planes all the time. I don't know if I could have. To all the mechanics I worked with. Their war was over, but our war just started.we fought time. Our job was to put that bird back in the air as fast as we could, and we did.I know better, but I have always hoped that they all made it and healed from their wounds and went on to live a good life.. aI hated that fuckin war. And now we return to our normal anti American broadcast.🎉
My oldest brother was a USAF medic at Clark AFB in 1966 and 1967. He told me many times that the ability of the medics, pilots, aircrews, and nurses was extraordinary when it came to saving lives. There's a small glimpse of him in the documentary TO SAVE A SOLDIER...
... The consummate example of a selfless hero - God bless him.
What a guy
Respect from Ireland 🇮🇪
Man this is definitely worthy of a movie,to see and hear his compassion and to see this man is a educated scholar of a human being it’s just touching to the soul,he just putting out there like it is GOD bless and protect him and his love ones I thank you every American fighting man and woman for all you do to keep us free!!!!🤔🤔🤔💯💯💯😌😌😌🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🌎🌎🌎🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿😇😇😇🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿🌎🌎
What a brilliant story teller! Hands down the best interview of a veteran I've ever listened to. Truly, an amazing human being. I would like to thank him for his service.
How profound the hero words are, there's not a bunch of names on that wall because they brought them home😢 what a beautiful statement priceless words God bless our military and our veterans 🙏
Amen
I was Corpsman with Marines in 1965 & 1966. in Viet Nam In I Corp.
Excuse me sir but how old are you?
Also welcome home
Greetings Mr.Best,
Did you know HM2 Jacque Joseph Ayd , of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines , who was KIA May 18,1967, at HQ Dong Ha?
I appreciate your time, and thank you for your sacrifices and service.
Kindest regards,
Shawn Mann
I was a corpse in Vietnam for the V.C
I'm a 63-year-old army that and I am so proud of every soldier and sailor that served in Vietnam, they never lost a battle 🇺🇲😎👽❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Actually they did.
@@trumpius_maximus47lmao the troll in me is cackling at this, thank you to the veterans for real tho 😂
@@lukauka7829 I do what I can
You are wrong you weren't there politics got the exit from Vietnam I served 1 yr 1965 to. 1966 25 Infantry,,Div Pleiku Vietnam@@trumpius_maximus47
This has got to be one of the most significant interviews of a soldier I've ever seen or heard. Not just his experiences and insight, but his self-awareness and psych perspective. I'll be sharing it. Thank you.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T Twig! Thank you for your bravery and service. I am an Air Force Flight Surgeon previously assigned to a fighter squadron but never had to venture “outside the wire”. Big respect and gratitude to you sir.
Many don’t realize that the medics get exposed to the most trauma during combat operations and suffer long-lasting after effects that require treatment.
You are > 10 years my senior but still razor sharp and probably a great psychologist. Mahalo and Aloha.
I wish I’d found this sooner. My dad was a sailor who did river minesweeping in Vietnam. He’d enlisted in 1959 and retired as a Senior Chief in 1981. (I showed up in 1971.)
He never talked to me about his experiences. I don’t talk to my son about my experiences as a paramedic, and likewise dad never talked to me about his time at war. Unfortunately, he’s now had a few strokes and has memory problems and speech deficits. His memories from his tour in the boat club are gone. His memorabilia is gone, lost in flooding from Hurricanes Isaac and Ida.
I so wish he’d been able to record something like this.
Alan Basham is a hero. He would never think of himself as being one but without doubt, he definitely is.
At 35 years old I have never had a single thought or desire to be in the armed forces, and frankly, don't like a lot about how the services function. HOWEVER, I have found myself the last 5 years or so, taking in as much of this kind of content and war documentaries as anyone could ever fit in their brain. The people (the good people) are truly amazing human being. Tons of respect and admiration for the feats they accomplished and everything they've had to deal with since then.
Can i ask what it is about how the services function that you dont like? Before I joined, I thought it was all like full metal jacket, strict and yelling etc etc. But after getting to the unit, theres structure, rules and expectations. They let you know all the rules and the expectations. Nothing out of the ordinary. Keep your room clean, show up early and show up where you need to, do your job, dont get in trouble out in town was about it. Lol. Really its a bunch of friends all talking s**t. Sometimes you go at each other and fight, but you shake hands after and go back to being family.
Pretty sure most Marines would say you earned the right to consider yourself one. Amazing video.
This was very moving and powerful I can't imagine being subjected to such horror and ever being able to be even remotely okay ever again. You are truly a inspiration sir. Thank you for those you saved, for those you couldn't, and for those you now help to heal. Thank you for your outstanding service to humanity.
This humble mild mannered academics account of his military service in Vietnam is absolutely stellar. His memory of facts, figures, procedures, names of places and peoples from over 50 years ago is extraordinary At 18:55 is where the real darkness of Vietnam starts. What strikes me is how much of a courageous MAN he really is and he projects this image without the slightest trace of bravado and boast about his heroic deeds. In fact his tears make him more of a man in reliving that horror of being pressured into playing God with the lives of wounded children. He didn’t need to explain his reasoning for that, what he presented here is Gold standard. The US benefited greatly from having a man of this distinction serving in uniform during the Vietnam war.
As a former Marine (who did not fight in Vietnam, my older brother did but he was KIA) and as a currently practicing physician, I can honestly say that this was the most interesting and revealing interview I have ever watched. Over the years I have listened to and watched literally hundreds of interviews but this one was the one I could relate to the best. This man and his comrades efforts absolutely did save probably hundreds of lives. That was indeed a great way to end his story. I’m just blown away and yes, he had me also shedding tears several times during his revelations.
Great interview and thank you for bringing this phenomenal story to the public.
Thank you soldier for your courage and skill in extreme conditions.
Thank you sir for having the grace to share these most painful memories.
America stands in gratitude.
He wasn't a "soldier", he was a "Corpsman".
I stand in my ignorance.
You may stand in your pedanticism; taking a sincere and heartfelt sentiment and negating it in service to your ego.
@@boondocker7964well actually he was a sailor first and foremost vs a corpsman if you want to be pedantic about it, since he was in the Navy. Corpsman was just his job description. Either way he’s a hero.
Leaving 3353q32@@seriously6649
Most excellent job Sir you are a true hero 👍
He is there you can see it in his eyes. He is back reliving the whole thing. He did what he had to do to help people and survive.
As a Navy combat cameraman in Vietnam... I filmed medevacs from the field, Navy corpsmen in a Montegnard village with a SeaBee Civic Action Team, and a Navy corpsman serving in a Vietnamese Provincial Hospital along with a Navy Surgical Team. I have all the respect in the world for the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps, especially the corpsmen!
@richardpcrowe... Often in war time the film crew do not get the recognition they deserved (cameraman and reporter) doing their job out in the field and those who served alongside the service men and women during the Vietnam conflict have my up most respect as do our Vietnam Vets. thanks, you for your service and sacrifice and welcome home Sir.
You’re a hero, man. There’s a lot of beautiful babies in the world today because you got grandpa home. Thank you for being a damn fine corpsman from us civilians.
As poignant & gut wrenching an interview as I’ve yet seen. Forty years without effective treatment for the psychological wounds means that many years of hell on earth. Thanks almost to an eternal degree to that gentleman for sharing!
Absolutely soul crunching. And you are right, going through that severe of PTSDs for 40 years is the actual hell. Nothing worse.
My brother was a Korean vet and want through hell when he returned to Canada. He told he never wanted to bring that stuff up again because of the nightmares, and I respected that.
Thank you. As a daughter of a Marine Corp Veteran of Vietnam, I am extremely grateful for the service of all who sacrificed.
Im Australian and some of what you said took me back to being a kid and hearing dad and his mates when they would (rareley) get into talking about the war amongst themselves in thier own lingo. From watching you i got a sort of decifering of what i didnt understand as a kid. Behavior wise as well. Your words really touched me. As did your abilility to smile through tears. All the best mate
Thank you for your service! Served 82-85 I have nothing but love and respect for you and all the rest of the Corpsmen. Semper Fi! 🦅🌎⚓️
By all that's Holy! You, sir are a hero and I admire you. Draftee here; Vietnam 1968/69. I am passing this on to a Navy Corpsman friend who was with the Marines in Falluja.
I did two tours as an infantry officer . These men were the bravest in the war. I waived them off more than once but never had one refuse to land if we had wounded. They always became the target of intense fire if we were engaged. They were the angels of the battlefield. God bless everyone of them.
Your mention of the compass course in Marine training reminded me of our one week program in basic in the Women's Army Corp in 1967. We were sent out on a compass course and timed on how long it took us to finish it. Of course, we were not nearly the first to use it, and they apparently did not change the course, so there was a well beaten path through the course. I had almost immediately noticed the path, and told the other girls to follow the path, which we did, and we finished in record time; We managed to keep a straight face when congratulated on our record time. None of us were particularly worried about learning combat skills, since back then women were still treated like women in the military and when we enlisted we were guaranteed to not be sent to combat zones against our will. They did not change that until the invasion of Panama years later.
Excellent interview. As an old Marine this is personal.
I was Army sp5 crew chief with the 254th HelAmb Dust Off 66-67 we were a hoist co. Thank for your service, God Pless.
Thank You Mr. Alan Basham for explaining what this part of life was to you and many others who served in Vietnam. 1971-1974 I served in the US Army stationed at Ray Barracks, FRG. There were both men and women that also served with me during that time who came home from Vietnam who fought that terrible fight too. I didn't not understand what these troops had gone through at that time. Sir it's still hard to wrap my head around your story now 53 years later. You earned your wings!
Crying for someone else isn’t weakness, it’s a signal that you haven’t completely lost your humanity.
As far as the Marines looking after Doc, we don’t view you like we do the average deck ape. In our eyes your a brother marine that wears his rank upside down, you guys are a big part of why Marines don’t shy away from the things we did. We knew that if we got nailed, come hell or high water, doc was coming to fix us, anything from an IV for a hangover to off the book stitches for a brawl we needed kept quiet, all the way up to plugging holes we weren’t issued. You guys inspired us.
Yep. My dad built the air craft carriers. WW 2 . My husband was at Camp Pendleton. 1977. . ME, I CERTAINLY Didn't' T EXPERIENCE WHAT YOU DID. I LIVE IN THE BLUE Ridge Mountains NOW. THE VIETNAM WALL. I CRIED.
Welcome Home Doc. Semper fi... I would have sent you on your missions, but I was several years before you.
There are many guys like this who served honorably in Vietnam. My generation is the best we went to war and were not well received when we came home!!!
I don’t know how this channel doesn’t have more subscribers
Thank you for watching!
Me too.
I think "the people who matter" may not want this to spread around much.
My uncle was an HM2(FMF) in Vietnam. A total bad ass. It wasn’t until I joined the navy that he told me about his time in the service.
Thank you for what you did in Vietnam Alan and thank you for sharing your difficult memories with us.
That closing statement had to be the most powerful ❤ God bless you Doc. Thank you and all our Veterans for your service and sacrifices
Great memories. My brother's best friend, Doug. Was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. 1967.
I wasn't in Vietnam, but was an FMF Hospital Corpsman (8404/8410) from 1991 to 2011. I did fly on helicopters in Iraq, but was only flying from base to base or FOB to FOB to repair equipment in the STP or Surgical Operating Rooms. I saw a lot of the aftermath with Marines being operated on in front of me while I repaired medical equipment, like ventilators or other life saving devices. I am very proud that I was able to walk in the footsteps of FMF Corpsmen that served before I did. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
I was a Navy Corpsman from 1969 to 1973 and six years active reserve Tank Company in the 80's. I was state side during the War and worked on a lot of wounded Marines . I can tell you I hate wars.
My Dad was a Corpsman with the 6th Fleet Marines. He has never said a word.
These men and women who know what it takes to live and help their fellow humans are amazing.
This is the best interview I have ever heard. Thanks for your service and your duty to service.
A hand salute and eternal gratitude and admiration to you, Sir, from a VN combat vet of the same time period. Welcome Home!
To have these kinds of defining experiences when in his early 20’s is unimaginable to people who have no comparable experience. That would include me, though I’m not all that much younger. To subsequently create a stable life seems to me to be a true act of heroism. The debt we owe them, as a country, that I owe them, as an American, is impossible to repay.
Thanks for your service and everyone that serves! Please remember the ones that didn’t make it back home!!!!
Truly an authentic American hero welcome home
He’s incredibly easy to listen too and very interesting. Tipping my hat to what he’s done.
What a powerful recount of his service. Very moving and profound.
One thing we can all agree on is that air support is a wonderful thing.
My grandpa was a medic in wwll, and towards the end of his life, he told me many thing's about his four year's, and so this man really touched me with his story. I am glad that he was able to get treatment for the ptsd, because it's something hard to live with. G-d bless everyone.
Corpsman from your time walked so we could run. To this day you still inspire HM's, and many of our advancement in medical expertise came from all of you. Absolutely outstanding, from one Doc to another.
Wow. I retired after being a Paramedic for 35+ years and a SWAT Medic for 15. I have dealt with some pretty bad things but I can't imagine what you went through. Thank God for people like you.
Thanks for going... and coming home, 1:36 Hoss. Vietnam Vets are owed a lot of respect. I'm happy that a lot of patriot Americans now fully realize that our military Vets are what keeps us thankful for this amazing country we call home. I committed to the Marine Corps December of 75. Thanks again for your sacrifices...SFMF ❤🇺🇲☠️
Alan Basham’s last sentence of this interview - and his eyes that reach into the past - dropped like an anvil:
“There’s a bunch of names…not on the wall…because we were there.”
Love hearing these vets be able to finally talk openly
First, thank you, Doc, for your service.
My uncle was in LRRP's 68 - 69.
You touched on something that he and several guys I've worked with over the years about coming home. They all said the same thing, your in combat one day, you get your orders to go, 2 days later your sitting at home eating at your folks dinner table. The mind is still in the jungle, but your body is here. They all agreed that was one thing they were glad to see that changed in Iraq, and Afghanistan. A soldier got to get away from the combat, decompress, and get your brain to thinking like a civilian again before you got to go home.
Anyone that served in any combat at the age of most, 18 - 22 sees things that no one should ever see or have to remember .
I have nothing but the utmost respect for all vets, VN vers have a special place, because of the way they were treated coming home and many years after.
God bless each man and woman that served and has had to live with it since.
You are absolutely correct sir, not all the casualties of Viet Nam are on the wall, many became casualties years later.
Men like you sir are a true American hero! You make me proud to be an American! I pray God blesses you and your family sir!
As a MARINE in VIETNAM 1 CORP 67 68. I thank CORPSMEN for keeping us alive and having the guts , glory patriotism GOD BLESS THEM for their all unselfish actions and guts .
It was a two way street
There is a special place in heaven for men like him…God bless him! 🙏🙏🙏
In early '67 was aboard the carrier Bonnie Dick in the Gulf with VAH-4, a refueling outfit, when the USS Forrestal caught fire on Yankee Station and we responded. As the Forrestal burned, was able to film our onboard Navy Corpsmen as they helped offload Forrestal's survivors (and others) from our Angel (helo). Tough stuff those guys, real pros, too, then and now. So thank you Navy Corpsmen, you are the best.
Thank-you for sharing your stories. I don't know if it helps to tell the tales or is painful to dredge it up. I do think these stories need to told. I hope you awake each day knowing what an amazing person you are for enduring what you did. It was worth it for all the lives you touched. Not just the warriors you worked on, but their families that got to keep their loved ones.
What an extraordinary human. I learn and gain so much by listening to these people telling of their experiences.
The emotion. Laughing and Crying at same time. You Sir are my hero. My respect to you!! 💕
What a badass! Great stories. Kudos to the interviewer for shutting up and letting him talk.
There is no one closer to a Marine than a Navy Corpsman.
This retired Chief Engineman on boats in Viernam says you are a Marine. The Marines I know love their Docs and Chaps!
That feeling goes both ways.
Welcome Home sir. Amazing video, and just want to say thank you from all those names and their descendants that are not on the Wall because of you and your fellow corpsmen.
I am glad you were able to get the help you needed for your PTSD.
My Uncle did a tour there as an artillery spotter, I don't think he ever talked to anyone about his experiences there. The most he ever told me about it was his return home sucked, and to make sure any Vietnam Vet I met to tell them Welcome Home because they did not get it when the initially returned. He received 2 Purple Hearts that the family did not know he received till just a few years before his death about a decade ago. For some reason he decided to get a Purple Heart license plate, and that is when we found out. He never said what happened for him to get them.
This is a good man.
Thank you for your service to our nation. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. That was very insightful and touching. God bless you .
I did Medevac. 1995 to 2003. US Central South America Canada & Europe.
This was so powerful. God Bless you Sir. Tears filled my eyes listening to his descriptions of his time there are palpable.
It’s a privilege to listen to this man!