These are the only photos I have of my dad in Vietnam. I believe he was a crew chief/co pilot at summer point. He was a pilot before going into the army and flew/instructed to he was about 70 yrs old. If anyone can share any info they might pull from the photos I would appreciate it. Thank you!
Today is the 60th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.
An important battle to remember.
For the sacrifice of the soldiers from D Coy and 1 APC Sqn.
For all of the lessons learnt. Here are a couple that I learnt from interviewing Dave Sabben and Harry Smith.
Mobilisation can be done well. Great instructors, with strong experience and the facilities can provide hard training that forges civilians into very capable soldiers.
Train hard, fight easy. Harry Smith pushed D Coy harder than the other companies. At first it was resented, and then the Coy started to realise that they were better. They needed that esprit de corps during the battle.
Artillery. Good shooting goes without saying. On time and on target. But what really makes a difference is artillery logistics. A WO2 with Korea experience increased the number of rounds on position because he knew how hard it is to resupply bulk ammunition. He knew the lads would need it if they got into trouble. The 105s ended up firing over 3,000 rounds.
Force Design. A number was agreed on for how many soldiers were to deploy to Vietnam. It is calculated quickly and without a lot of thought. The Government wouldn't allow even a temporary increase. That limited what could be done and how hard everyone had to work. And what was available to respond on that day.
We TEWT for attack and defence at 3:1 ratios. The enemy doesn't.
Here are a series of interviews with Dave Sabben and Harry Smith that I was very privileged to do a few years ago. Well worth the listen. https://theprinciplesofwar.com/category/long-tan/
Going through my grandfather's pictures this was listed December 69. Could it be picture of Task Force Alpha? Grandfather was stationed at NKP.
Hi all, I was just watching the 'Soldiers in Hiding' documentary from 1985 about veterans living reclusive lives in the wilderness trying to come to terms with their experiences of the war.
I'm wondering if there was ever any subsequent interviews with any of the participants in the documentary?
It would be interesting to see how things turned out for those guys after being through so much, and if things improved for them over time.
Thanks
I am not sure if this is the proper sub for this question, but I had a close family member who passed about a year ago. He was in the 7th marines in Vietnam from Jan 1970 to Jan 1971 and operated around LZ Baldy. He didn’t talk much about his service but only a few times. I know he was on a mortar team and I believe from his stories he was some type of observer and basically they would get dropped off somewhere and spend weeks at a time looking for enemy activity to set up ambushes/strikes on.
I was hoping someone who knows more history on this subject could give me information about his or marine units in general’s type of service on this area.
Anyone have any information about this they can share?
1980’s slant pocket fatigue shirt that belonged to very highly decorated Colonel John Meyers, a veteran of Vietnam with the 219th Avi Co “Headhunters” supporting MACVSOG operations, as well as Desert Storm. A friend of Meyers’ and fellow Special Forces pilot Francis Doherty described Meyers as “nuts”, waiting to hear more about Meyers from Doherty.
"Meyers is one of the country’s most highly decorated American Indians". John Vance Meyers was born January 30, 1941 to John Tortes "Chief" Meyers (who is a former professional MLB catcher) and Emma Rice Meyers. John would enlist in 1966 and would attend Officers Fixed Wing Aviation School in 1969. From here is where John would join the 219th Aviation Company nicknamed "Headhunters". The Headhunters flew O-1 "Bird dog" planes which were glorified crop dusters with rockets attached. John would be selected to fly in direct support of MACVSOG and 5th SFG operations requiring Top Secret clearance. By February 9, 1970 John had already accumulated six Distinguished Flying Crosses for individual heroism in flight. The citation for his sixth mentions John finding a truck convoy and actively engaging it with his "Willie Pete" (2.75 inch white phosphorous) rockets. Upon expending his rocket ammunition John began making low level passed dropping smoke markers to mark the convoy for further attacks he called in. While attached John would fly covert operations into Cambodia and Laos under the call sign SPAF-1. Following his five campaigns in two tours of Vietnam John became a recruitment officer, a race relations officer and a training officer in the South Carolina National Guard. John then switched again and went from National Guard to Reserves becoming a Management Evaluation officer advising Reserve troops within a five state radius of Virginia. John would then transition roles once again becoming a Civil Affairs officer and a public spokesman for the Army. Despite John now being in a comparatively tame role in the Military and having served previously in extremely hazardous conditions in Vietnam his foreign campaigns were not yet over. John would be an officer in the 11th Aviation Brigades Civil Affairs team directing supplies for refugees during Desert Storm in the midst of liberating Kuwait from Iraqi forces. Following his military time, John had a long career of government service outside of the military as well, in 1991 he was appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor under Secretary Elizabeth Dole, where he contributed to national workforce initiatives and policy. He was also appointed U.S. Army Ambassador for Maryland (rank equivalent to Major General). John was extremely proud of his Native American heritage and worked tirelessly to fight for the rights of his people. "Beginning with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1975 John’s service spanned four Presidential Administrations. The more important Senior Executive Service appointments were in the Department of Defense as the Director, Equal Opportunity (Military); Department of Housing & Urban Development as the Director of the Office of Indian Housing, and in his last position as the Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Veterans Employment and Training at the Department of Labor. In each of these positions Mr. Meyers’ responsibilities included the development and implementation of National Policy and the development and management of program budgets approaching three quarters of a billion dollars. He retired from the Department of Labor in 1992. John’s accomplishments in these positions have received laudatory recognition from the President’s Committee on Management Improvement and throughout Indian country."
Distinguished Flying Cross
Vietnam War
Service: United States Army
Rank: Captain (Field Artillery)
Action Date:
February 9, 1970
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 13 (January 17, 1973)
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain John V. Meyers, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight: Captain John V. Meyers, ¥Field Artillery, distinguished himself by exceptional heroism while a member of Headquarters, 219th Aviation Company (Utility Airplane), Republic of Vietnam on 9 February 1970. At approximately 1100 hours, while flying an 0-1 aircraft on a reconnaissance mission, he spotted an enemy truck convoy moving along an enemy controlled road. Captain Meyers called for helicopter gunships which were in support of his mission, vectored them to the target area, and commenced to mark the partially concealed convoy with marking rockets. On his first firing pass, Captain Meyers began to receive intense, well- aimed small arms, .50 caliber and other automatic weapons fire: Despite the aggressive enemy air defense, he continued to make marking runs, receiving withering fire on each pass. As Captain Meyers marked each target, it was necessary for the gunships to remain aloft to observe the marking round. As a result, on each pass the entire air defense of the area was focused on his aircraft. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Captain Meyers continued his mission until all rockets were expended. Realizing that there were still lucrative unengaged targets (trucks, bunkers and gun emplacements) remaining, he made an extremely low and dangerous pass to mark additional targets with smoke grenades. Post strike reconnaissance by Captain Meyers confirmed two trucks destroyed as well as several bunkers and gun emplacements. Captain Meyers heroism and intrepidity were an inspiration to all who observed and reflects great credit on him and the United States Army.
Colonel Meyers decorations include : 3 Legion of Merits, 6 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 3 Bronze Stars, 2 Meritorious Service Medals, 31 Air Medals, 6 Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, 4 National Guard Achievement Medals, National Defense, Vietnam Campaign with 5 stars, Southwest Asia Campaign with 2 stars, Humanitarian Service medal, Armed Forced Reserve Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, 2 Vietnam Crosses of Gallantry with Palm and one with Bronze Star; Vietnam Honor Medal First Class, 2 Vietnam Civil Action Medals with Palm, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.
Before I say anything, I would like to note: I do not interact with military history spaces often, and I'm a bit timid about it. I have observed people from all points on the political spectrum praise war, death, violence, etc. I see people disrespect veterans-- especially Vietnam veterans. I have told myself not to even try reading about WW2, for example, because I've seen one too many takes praising the Allies for swooping in and saving the world from genocide (I'm Jewish, and respectfully... no). Sometimes it feels like a fanclub, rather than remembrance of those who suffered. I come here in the best faith possible, but I am operating off those experiences, and my very personal painful experience of the generational trauma inflicted by the Vietnam War. My grandfather died by suicide shortly after his return to America, due to the immense trauma he experienced as a tunnel rat, and my family has been fractured ever since.
Alright, here is my request. I would like to learn more about tunnel rats and their experiences in Vietnam. I am working on a personal writing project, and I would like to understand more about what my grandfather went through. As previously discussed, I obviously cannot ask my grandfather. Most of my family on that side is either dead or estranged. What are the best books to read? I would prefer first-hand accounts.
My main concern is forming a biased perspective/being turned off from further study from accounts that lean heavily towards "America good" and not effectively portray the doubts, fears, and brutality of war. My grandfather did not die for a reason, and it upsets me to read books (forgive my callousness) deepthroating the boot of higher powers who couldn't care less about anything but power and profit.
I would also appreciate perspectives from anyone in this sub who participated in the war themself, whether or not you were in the tunnels. Anything would be immensely helpful :)
Taking 79yo on a trip to see where her husband fought - staying a few days in an hoi and then heading up to hue this coming January.
Looking for a private battlefield historian/guide from Hue who can research K Company, 3/1 Marines, Operation Badger Tooth, Feb. 2, 1968, Lam Xuan/My Loc/Cua Viet area — not a standard DMZ tour. I don’t want a ‘big bus tour’ type thing but i also want more than ‘here are some rice paddies where they probably were’ either. Thank you!
If anyone anyone knows my Grandfather SFC Ramon Lopez Det- 431 Cai Cai, I would love to hear from you.
he was a Chinese-Vietnamese man, i was told that he is a MACVSOG soldier (Thunder Tigers aka Biệt Kích Lôi Hổ), after 1972, he was transferred to the Rangers unit. Later of the war, he fought till his last blood in april 30th 1975 while defending Saigon. Currently, every year while Vietnamese people celebrate what they call "liberation," my family still dedicates that day to remembering my grandfather's sacrifice.
If anyone can identify any patches or help gain any more information I’d really appreciate it
E Troop, 1st Cav was the cavalry unit part of the 11th LIB in 1968-69 at LZ Bronco when I was there. Most of their tracks looked to be parked at the LZ when I drove by and snapped this. Lots of coastal mud everywhere. Everyone seems pretty relaxed; maybe doing ops near the LZ?
A few photos found in my grandfathers stack of Vietnam war leftovers, he didn't speak much about the war except a few stories that painted a very stacked and busy deployment.
1st photo.
My grandfather (Far left.) Standing next to a LRRP Ranger assigned with the 101st, My grandfather often flew dustoff for them and was good friends with a few Rangers, I was told of stories by him of parties with them and a few dinners with SOG, although he rarely spoke of SOG and avoided all questions about them.
Last two are him inspecting a round through the plexiglass window and a photo of his helicopter.
The final picture is his "Party Jacket." With the in country made patch sewn onto their breastpocket.
Hey everyone,
I recently watched the 1970s documentary "G.I. Junkies: The Forgotten Veterans" and it really stuck with me. It focuses on Vietnam vets in NYC who were dealing with addiction and going through a therapy group run by a program called SERA / DMZ up in the Bronx.
There is a specific therapy session in the doc with a group of guys who look to be in their 20s. One of the guys is named Max, and he’s talking about how his wife just left him, and the other guys in the circle are giving him advice and trying to lift him up. It was incredibly raw and powerful to watch.
I know it’s a massive long shot since this was filmed over 50 years ago, but does anyone recognize or know any of these guys?
Would love to know what happened to Max and if he or any of the other guys are still around. Appreciate any responses!!!
