[JC30967]

Good Morning-

Last night I watched " Inside the Vietnam War", on National Geographic. That, plus this year being the 40th anniversary of the Tet offensive, just got me thinking about that often misunderstood period in our history, especially given the analogies many people draw between Vietnam and the current Iraq war. I'd love to hear from anyone here who served in Vietnam.

I'd completely understand anyone not wanting to talk about it, but I would like to say to any Vietnam veterans reading this, thank you deeply for your service and sacrafices. Whatever one thinks of the government's positions at that time, I think we can all agree that you gentlemen served bravely and honorably. Welcome home!!

 

[MakoMike]

One here.

 

[commfish]

JC30967 wrote:
I would like to say to any Vietnam veterans reading this, thank you deeply for your service and sacrafices. Whatever one thinks of the government's positions at that time, I think we can all agree that you gentlemen served bravely and honorably. Welcome home!!

 

[JC30967]

Mike-

I appreciate the reply. We all owe you a huge debt of gratitude for what you did as a young man!!! If you don't mind me asking, when were you there? With which branch?

Commfish-

Thanks, Rob

 

[MakoMike]

1970 U.S. Army - Special forces.

 

[JC30967]

Mike-

Thanks again. That's ironic! Now, I don't want to make you feel too old , but my dad was in SF, was in Vietnam 1971-72. Probably a major reason why I'm interested in this. God bless ya, even for what you went through in training! Those of us who never experienced this can never truly understand, but we definately can be appreciative. You have my sincerest admiration, Mike

!

 

[SORTIE]

JC30967 wrote:
" Inside the Vietnam War" on National Geographic. That, plus this year being the 40th anniversary of the Tet offensive, just got me thinking about that often misunderstood period in our history if this retrospective is being presented without bias, I'd like to see it too

I have nothing but respect for Vietnam vets and am glad I didn't live in that shameful period when returning servicemen were treated as if THEY were the enemy. What a bad show that was...sorrowful

 

[JC30967]

Sortie-

No, it was a very factual, impartial piece. I know what you mean about the media distorting the record of the heroes who served in Vietnam ( and they're ALL heroes!) They made clear numerous times that the United States NEVER was defeated, not once, on the battlefield in Vietnam, including the Tet offensive, which is often portrayed as some sort of military disaster for America when, in fact, Tet was a massive military defeat for the North Vietnamese & Viet Cong. Not a single one of their objectives were obtained, and the Viet Cong were essentially finished off as a viable fighting force at the conclusion of the offensive.

 

[SinkerBouncer]

I watched it last night.
Mostly actual footage and current interviews with military personal.
It is excellent.

No spin whatsoever.

 

[SORTIE]

thanks for the reviews; can't wait to see it

 

[Fishing Friend]

MakoMike wrote:
1970 U.S. Army - Special forces.

I saw an interview with a special operations guy on his experiences in Vietnam. He said that NVA troops were evil. They would go into villages and kill innocent people, women, etc. Then, he added "We gave them a taste of their own medicine "

Thanks for your service Mike

 

[MakoMike]

Fishing Friend wrote:
MakoMike wrote:
1970 U.S. Army - Special forces.

I saw an interview with a special operations guy on his experiences in Vietnam. He said that NVA troops were evil. They would go into villages and kill innocent people, women, etc. Then, he added "We gave them a taste of their own medicine "

Thanks for your service Mike

I was never TDI to the CIA, but I knew a lot of guys that were. I never saw or heard of anyone doing anything like that, at least not in the way that it sounds. We never, that I know of deliberately targeted innocent civilians. In fact if we did anything wrong it was in giving some civilans too much "benefit of the doubt."

 

[Meirowitz]

I was there in 1969. I was a unit commander, part of the 2nd Civil Affairs Company, headquartered in Long Binh. My unit was attached to a MACV team in Ben Tre, Kien Hoa Province, located way south in the Mekong Delta. Very heavy VC. I spent most of my time in the field doing rehab work in orphanages located in the hamlets and villages scattered throughout the Province. Most moving and intense experience of my life. Indelibly inscribed in my mind ... forever.

 

[crabman1130]

I'm suprised that there are not more members that were there. I had many of my friends serve there. I was in the Navy during the era but I did not serve in the area.

 

[JC30967]

Meirowitz-

I appreciate the reply very much ! That must have been an overwhelming experience, as you stated. I really don't want this discussion to turn to a debate about Iraq, since it has been a pleasure so far, but I'd like to ask you, given your experiences, do you think that that's what's needed in Iraq, more civil affairs type work? Or, mabey Mike can answer as well, since I know from my father that SF worked very closely with various groups like the Montangards who were sympathetic to the U.S./South Vietnamese cause.

Crabman-

You still deserve recognition, and thanks, for serving

This post edited by JC30967 06:56 PM 02/19/2008

 

[MakoMike]

JC30967 wrote:
mabey Mike can answer as well, since I know from my father that SF worked very closely with various groups like the Montangards who were sympathetic to the U.S./South Vietnamese cause.

We did a lot of work with the yards. I think they are already doing a lot of that in Iraq, based on what I've read.

 

[Gaucho]

I saw the same program on NGC HD and have to say it was one of the best I have ever seen on the Vietnam war.

 

[Fishing Friend]

Mike, you took what I said out of context. Or most likely I did not describe the interview enough. What he said was they took care of the BAD GUYS not innocent civilians. From what I heard the NVA wore black pajamas. You could tell who they were. VC was another story ...

Meirowitz, a movie with Mel Gibson that was based on the best selling book We Were Soldiers that was better than the movie. At the end of the book he was telling that after the major battle at Ira Drang he was in the South where you were and he saw a young girl with shrapnel wounds and bloody legs. She was about the same age as his daughter back home. That sight made him heart sick. After that he begged Washington to make plans to fight the enemy away from major civilian populations. But the enemy didn't give a ****. And Washington was clueless ..

This post edited by Fishing Friend 07:06 PM 02/19/2008

 

[jdemidio]

nov-of 1966 to novof67 jj

 

[BOBBYWALDBAUMBS]

67-71 USN< WAS ON THE FLIGHT DECK ON THE FDR AIRCRAFT CARRIER.