I had a friend at 881, in 1967, don't recall if it was north or south. They killed him over there, but took untill year & half ago to die! He pass a way in 2004. I do know that hill really screwed him up.While you were there, I got to play water Sports on the Cua Viet River, did the same on the Hue River, DaNang and Chu Lai. PS, Glad you made it back.C.S.Powell said:
How many ever served in actual combat
- Thread starter C.S.Powell
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Byron Quick
Moderator In Memoriam
I've known lots of combat veternas. Dr Bentley,B-24 pilot on the Ploestia raid in WWII. Justice of the Peace John Teddy Palmer B-25 pilot and German POW. Mr. Mims, Silver star recipient at Anzio. Went to school with a guy a couple of years older than me-Clyde Saxon, Silver Star-Vietnam-posthumous.
Local UPS driver-Infantry, Ia Drang. Don Thomas, Laos. Jeffrey Stokes, Marine Barracks, Beirut, Lebanon, 1983. Kurt McCray, Marine, Guadalcanal. Patient of mine in the emergency department, tank crewman, 3rd Army with Patton.
I was never mobilized during my Army Reserve enlistment.
From what I've seen of the people that have had the experience, I certainly don't feel as if I missed anything.
You can hear a lot from them over time if you're willing to listen and don't try to start the conversations or steer the conversations. If you start in with the questions, they'll shut up.
The worst things I've ever heard though were from European civilians during WWII. I know a woman who was 18 in Berlin in April, 1945. Her story of that gave me nightmares. I knew her for about fifteen years before she would ever talk about it.
Local UPS driver-Infantry, Ia Drang. Don Thomas, Laos. Jeffrey Stokes, Marine Barracks, Beirut, Lebanon, 1983. Kurt McCray, Marine, Guadalcanal. Patient of mine in the emergency department, tank crewman, 3rd Army with Patton.
I was never mobilized during my Army Reserve enlistment.
From what I've seen of the people that have had the experience, I certainly don't feel as if I missed anything.
You can hear a lot from them over time if you're willing to listen and don't try to start the conversations or steer the conversations. If you start in with the questions, they'll shut up.
The worst things I've ever heard though were from European civilians during WWII. I know a woman who was 18 in Berlin in April, 1945. Her story of that gave me nightmares. I knew her for about fifteen years before she would ever talk about it.
OEF_VET
Member
I've come close on a couple occasions.
The first time was in Kosovo, when I had a round in the chamber, safety off, sights on a Serb soldier when he decided to scoot back towards the border. Chances are, if my company commander hadn't prematurely launched a flare, I might well have had to shoot that soldier. I'm kind of happy the CO launched it too soon.
The second time, I actually fired some 81mm mortar Illumination rounds above the heads of two Afghani men at Kandahar Airfield, in March '02. I was the Assistant BDE Fire Support NCO during OP Anaconda. If those guys had decided to act squirrely and fire at the Apache I had overwatching them, or at the Canadians observing them, I was fully prepared to fire them up with mortars, the Apache, or with Canadian Infantry dismounts. Luckily, they decided that it was better to run away and fight another day. (If you consider sneaking around at night, emplacing Anti-Tank mines on previously cleared roads fighting.)
Other than those two times, I've never had to face down an enemy or make the decision to end another humans life. I do know that when I was in those situations, I had the full power to kill them, but in neither situation would it have been right. Granted, none of them were likely candidates for sainthood, but they hadn't done anything that warranted me killing them. I believe that's what seperates us from most of our enemies. We know when to kill someone and when it's not necessary, and we act accordingly. Many of our enemies kill indiscriminately, with little or no regard for whether it is morally right or wrong. And THAT is one of the things that makes America great.
The first time was in Kosovo, when I had a round in the chamber, safety off, sights on a Serb soldier when he decided to scoot back towards the border. Chances are, if my company commander hadn't prematurely launched a flare, I might well have had to shoot that soldier. I'm kind of happy the CO launched it too soon.
The second time, I actually fired some 81mm mortar Illumination rounds above the heads of two Afghani men at Kandahar Airfield, in March '02. I was the Assistant BDE Fire Support NCO during OP Anaconda. If those guys had decided to act squirrely and fire at the Apache I had overwatching them, or at the Canadians observing them, I was fully prepared to fire them up with mortars, the Apache, or with Canadian Infantry dismounts. Luckily, they decided that it was better to run away and fight another day. (If you consider sneaking around at night, emplacing Anti-Tank mines on previously cleared roads fighting.)
Other than those two times, I've never had to face down an enemy or make the decision to end another humans life. I do know that when I was in those situations, I had the full power to kill them, but in neither situation would it have been right. Granted, none of them were likely candidates for sainthood, but they hadn't done anything that warranted me killing them. I believe that's what seperates us from most of our enemies. We know when to kill someone and when it's not necessary, and we act accordingly. Many of our enemies kill indiscriminately, with little or no regard for whether it is morally right or wrong. And THAT is one of the things that makes America great.
HI express
Member
Vets?
2 Uncles-Infantrymen at Guadacanal and Iwo Jima.
Dad-Okinawa.
A distant uncle-442nd in Europe.
Youngest uncle-Korea during the "Police Action"
Oldest cousin-Korean DMZ
I was detached from the 1st Cav to "survey" in Cambodia ('66-'68)
Nephew- 101st(1st big push from Kuwait to Baghdad.) Now on his 2nd tour presently in Kirkuk playing in the big sandbox.
Had a co-worker who claimed SF. He said that he was "dropped in" before Desert Storm..He told all the women at work that he was a "specially trained" sniper and that he hunkered down hiding in his spider hole in the desert for some pre-op work. This guy is 6'1" and 300 lbs. Didn't fit the profile of other SF types that I knew.
There's 4 vets in our office. We challenged him on his stories about his combat experiences but the girls ate it up, but you should have seen this guy's face when my nephew showed up on R & R in his Class A's. My nephew was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. They share the camp with SF people and he offered to look up this co-worker's buds and tell them where he was. My nephew offered to look up his service record after listening to this guy for a few minutes...this guy wouldn't talk about his service time after that visit.
Shrug...takes all kinds.
2 Uncles-Infantrymen at Guadacanal and Iwo Jima.
Dad-Okinawa.
A distant uncle-442nd in Europe.
Youngest uncle-Korea during the "Police Action"
Oldest cousin-Korean DMZ
I was detached from the 1st Cav to "survey" in Cambodia ('66-'68)
Nephew- 101st(1st big push from Kuwait to Baghdad.) Now on his 2nd tour presently in Kirkuk playing in the big sandbox.
Had a co-worker who claimed SF. He said that he was "dropped in" before Desert Storm..He told all the women at work that he was a "specially trained" sniper and that he hunkered down hiding in his spider hole in the desert for some pre-op work. This guy is 6'1" and 300 lbs. Didn't fit the profile of other SF types that I knew.
There's 4 vets in our office. We challenged him on his stories about his combat experiences but the girls ate it up, but you should have seen this guy's face when my nephew showed up on R & R in his Class A's. My nephew was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. They share the camp with SF people and he offered to look up this co-worker's buds and tell them where he was. My nephew offered to look up his service record after listening to this guy for a few minutes...this guy wouldn't talk about his service time after that visit.
Shrug...takes all kinds.
280PLUS
Member
Closest ever came to combat is when I "procured" a roll of TP for a SEAL team just before they went ashore on Mindinao.
I'm just reading "Marine" about Chesty Puller. He makes the remark that you never know how you'll react under fire until you're under fire. All I can say is I hope I would measure up. I think the REST of the conditions some of you guys had to face were even more demanding than performing under fire. I can't see how some of you did it. Of course I'm a little older now and not as full of the vim and vigor I once was. One WWII vet I talked to was a navigator on a B-17. Imagine you're sitting there getting shot at and you can't even shoot back. All you can do is wait and hope you're number isn't up. What does it take to be able to withstand that?
I'm just reading "Marine" about Chesty Puller. He makes the remark that you never know how you'll react under fire until you're under fire. All I can say is I hope I would measure up. I think the REST of the conditions some of you guys had to face were even more demanding than performing under fire. I can't see how some of you did it. Of course I'm a little older now and not as full of the vim and vigor I once was. One WWII vet I talked to was a navigator on a B-17. Imagine you're sitting there getting shot at and you can't even shoot back. All you can do is wait and hope you're number isn't up. What does it take to be able to withstand that?
Elephants are more dangerous prey than armed men?!Stand_Watie said:
You're kidding, right?
Sorry, this is an offtopic reply to an offtopic post, but I felt the need to request a clarification of that statement.
To those that have served, especially those in close combat, thank you, and God bless you and your buddies. You make all the difference in a world where liberty is a rare and precious gift.
Vern Humphrey
Member
When facing elephants, always shoot the one with the binoculars -- that's the artillery forward observer.
Horsesense
Member
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2003
- Messages
- 565
Anyone that suspects that someone is faking has an obligation to the ones who did serve, to confront and report them to http://teamhouse.tni.net/sfwanabe.html there are other organizations that investigate this kind of thing and you can search the net to find them…. It’s the least that you can do.
I actually brought up the web page I linked to, right in front of a guy that was telling me that he was in captured in Cuba, during the Bay of Bids Invasion and traded in a prisoner exchange. The guy grabbed his paper work and left my office before I could get his name ss# etc.
I was just a kid, during Veat Nam but our paperboy; Tony was drafted and went to Nam during that time. He use to call me “Yaze” (SP) after his favorite BaseBall Picture, it was cool to have a “big kid” show an interest in a little kid. When Tony came home, he looked 30 years old and he just wasn’t the same.
I actually brought up the web page I linked to, right in front of a guy that was telling me that he was in captured in Cuba, during the Bay of Bids Invasion and traded in a prisoner exchange. The guy grabbed his paper work and left my office before I could get his name ss# etc.
I was just a kid, during Veat Nam but our paperboy; Tony was drafted and went to Nam during that time. He use to call me “Yaze” (SP) after his favorite BaseBall Picture, it was cool to have a “big kid” show an interest in a little kid. When Tony came home, he looked 30 years old and he just wasn’t the same.
Stand_Watie
Member
middy said:
Ok, it was overstated, so sue me
If you have a crummy guide and are a bad shot, it might, maybe, possibly, in some infintesimally small way, potentially, in some rare circumstance, once in a blue moon, concievably, imaginably be more dangerous.
Rembrandt
Member
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2003
- Messages
- 4,657
My son recently returned from serving in Afghanistan, we nearly lost him, by the grace of God he made it back. Recently both he and myself attended a reunion with my brother-in-law. For the first time in nearly 40 years he brought out a display case no one had ever seen....and began sharing with my son his experiences and pain.
Sometimes only a soldier can understand the experiences of another soldier. I've withheld the identity on his name tag for reasons of privacy....for those of you who were there, you'll know what these items represent.
He didn't go see Mel Gibson's movie "We Were Soldiers", saying only that he was there and lived it first hand.
God Bless those of you who have served, Thank you.
[IMaGe]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v405/Rembrandt51/Img_3058.jpg[/IMaGe]
Sometimes only a soldier can understand the experiences of another soldier. I've withheld the identity on his name tag for reasons of privacy....for those of you who were there, you'll know what these items represent.
He didn't go see Mel Gibson's movie "We Were Soldiers", saying only that he was there and lived it first hand.
God Bless those of you who have served, Thank you.
[IMaGe]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v405/Rembrandt51/Img_3058.jpg[/IMaGe]
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OEF_VET
Member
Why you wanna shoot me? Besides, a good elephant FO will have you bathed in steel rain long before you see the whites of his tusks.
I served with 3rd Bn., 26th Marines in I Corps RVN in '69, and later with
the 1st Marines in late '69 and '70 in I Corps, RVN.
I wonder sometimes how it might have been different, if we had had
the support of the American people, the way our troops in Iraq and
Afghanistan do today.
I'm a "battle-hardened Marine", but it sometimes brings a tear to my eye
when I see "welcome home" parades and celebrations for our soldiers on
the news. And yes, as self-pitying as it may seem, I wonder why we couldn't have been shown a little appreciation for the sacrifices we made.
Come to think of it, maybe the homecoming reception we got then
is one of the reasons we don't talk about the war these days.
Walter
the 1st Marines in late '69 and '70 in I Corps, RVN.
I wonder sometimes how it might have been different, if we had had
the support of the American people, the way our troops in Iraq and
Afghanistan do today.
I'm a "battle-hardened Marine", but it sometimes brings a tear to my eye
when I see "welcome home" parades and celebrations for our soldiers on
the news. And yes, as self-pitying as it may seem, I wonder why we couldn't have been shown a little appreciation for the sacrifices we made.
Come to think of it, maybe the homecoming reception we got then
is one of the reasons we don't talk about the war these days.
Walter
My experiences make me see this from a different angle...
I HOPE that no one else gets the chance to experience what I have. Combat? No, terrorism...in a foreign country, disarmed, unable to return fire. Frankly, give me an AR and slap me into combat ANY day over throw me into a foreign land with no means of defense!
I've looked, up-close-and-personal, down the barrel of two shotguns and two pistols, walked within inches of unexploded improvised bombs and had one "detonated" less than 50 yards from me as I was pouring water to make tea...nearly made me pee my pants. Over the course of three months in Chile, I experienced, witnessed and "heard" within blocks 29 terrorist attacks, including bombings and machine-gun drive-by shootings of the <<carabineros>> (military police).
It was the summer from Hell. It taught me that a person can develop PTSD even if they haven't been the one pulling the trigger. Combat? Sort of...I was the one in the middle, kissing by rear-end good-bye.
Sometimes people will not talk about "combat" situations becuase they replay it in their mind, over and over after they have managed to "forget" it...well, at least put it out of mind.
I actually DID see the person set the bomb 50 yards away...with my own eyes! He looked me square in the eyes as I sat on a park bench with my 8-year-old brother-in-law and his puppy--
I finally fell asleep lastnight at about 3:00 after "reliving" this one from reading this thread. Trust me, I SAW EVERYTHING that day! I just thank God no one died...just the building damaged. I can only imagine that combat is no different than surviving terrorist attacks...youlived the violence once, you don't want to relive it.
I'm sorry if theis seems incoherent or rambling, but it's the one set of experiences that I don't usually go into tons of detail. It's just too unnerving!
So, what's my point to all this? Self-pity??? Heck no!!! I am so thankful to live in America, even if at times it seems like Amerika. I'll take it any day over the alternative. My other point, we need to be mindful of our men and women in uniform who keep extactly THIS situation outside of our borders!!! Lest we live here, what I survived there!
Doc2005
I HOPE that no one else gets the chance to experience what I have. Combat? No, terrorism...in a foreign country, disarmed, unable to return fire. Frankly, give me an AR and slap me into combat ANY day over throw me into a foreign land with no means of defense!
I've looked, up-close-and-personal, down the barrel of two shotguns and two pistols, walked within inches of unexploded improvised bombs and had one "detonated" less than 50 yards from me as I was pouring water to make tea...nearly made me pee my pants. Over the course of three months in Chile, I experienced, witnessed and "heard" within blocks 29 terrorist attacks, including bombings and machine-gun drive-by shootings of the <<carabineros>> (military police).
It was the summer from Hell. It taught me that a person can develop PTSD even if they haven't been the one pulling the trigger. Combat? Sort of...I was the one in the middle, kissing by rear-end good-bye.
Sometimes people will not talk about "combat" situations becuase they replay it in their mind, over and over after they have managed to "forget" it...well, at least put it out of mind.
I actually DID see the person set the bomb 50 yards away...with my own eyes! He looked me square in the eyes as I sat on a park bench with my 8-year-old brother-in-law and his puppy--
I finally fell asleep lastnight at about 3:00 after "reliving" this one from reading this thread. Trust me, I SAW EVERYTHING that day! I just thank God no one died...just the building damaged. I can only imagine that combat is no different than surviving terrorist attacks...youlived the violence once, you don't want to relive it.
I'm sorry if theis seems incoherent or rambling, but it's the one set of experiences that I don't usually go into tons of detail. It's just too unnerving!
So, what's my point to all this? Self-pity??? Heck no!!! I am so thankful to live in America, even if at times it seems like Amerika. I'll take it any day over the alternative. My other point, we need to be mindful of our men and women in uniform who keep extactly THIS situation outside of our borders!!! Lest we live here, what I survived there!
Doc2005
Does when the ex slapped me just to see if I'd hit her back,and I did nothing but tell her to get out..... count?
I have the highest respect for those that served so the rest of us could have a safe place to sleep. My father korea. Myself too young for vietnam but have friends that were there. I also enjoy the stories some of my fathers friends have about WWII. But you guys are right they only like to share stories with fellow servicemen or very close friends. Thanks Guys!
I have the highest respect for those that served so the rest of us could have a safe place to sleep. My father korea. Myself too young for vietnam but have friends that were there. I also enjoy the stories some of my fathers friends have about WWII. But you guys are right they only like to share stories with fellow servicemen or very close friends. Thanks Guys!
Never been in a military conflict but, I have been I close quarters combat more times than I like to remember. Shots fired, attempts to take away my gun (and then I would imagine shoot me), knife attacks, knife disarmings (by me), group attcacks and beatings (when I was on the bottom but usually wound up coming out ok). I always seemed to have the black cloud over my head and had the nickname of Jose Negro (Spanish for Joe Black - this was while I was in the BP). I find it easy to talk about all of these situations, even about how scared to tears I was during some of them. Maybe this is because they did not happen every other day like they may in a war; they have been spread out unevenly over my 26 year career. The first 4 years were the worst - lots of combat situations - most wrestling matches with guys trying to get away but, some where I was very fortunate not to have been more seriously wounded or even killed. I have a few lifelong scars from some of them, including a bite scar on my left bicep, and good stories from all of them. I find relating them to others has helped me cope with the traumatic psychological effects somewhat and has helped me to train others to avoid or at least cope with the same.
280PLUS
Member
I had another friend once that had no problem talking about his experiences crossing Europe on foot. He was quite matter of fact about it. He was 5th Ranger and I believe 26 when he hit the beach. It was IIRC 20-30 years before he stopped having regular nightmares. I can relate somewhat because it was ~ 20 years before I stopped dreaming about being out to sea.
C.S.Powell
Member
Walter
A WELCOME HOME BROTHER and a crisp Hand Salute for your reply.
I attend many Homecomings for our soldiers returning from their time in harms way for all of us. Our small mid-west town has many serving now in both zones, Iraq and Afganastan and we are proud as @#$& of them.
One Homecoming was a few weeks ago in a little town of Danville Ia. One lone Marine was coming home but the whole town was there to meet him. I happened to know the town Marshall so I called him and asked if he might suprise them with an escort into town. There were two vehicles filled with family and friends bringing him from the airport so we called one that we hoped he wouldn't be in to let them know they were going to have an escort. We were able to plan where the Marshall would intercept the vehicles and the plan started to roll. At the predetermined point the Marshall lit them up and turned on his wale slowing down to wave to the lead vehicle to follow him. As the story was relayed to us waiting, when the Marshall turned on his lights and wale the poor Marine said "Hell I'm not even home what could I have done!". As the procession pulled into the park the crowd roared and the flags waved. He was truly shocked and overwhelmed. His question was answered. He served to protect us by keeping the bad guys at home, that's what he had done and we were proud to have him back. There wasn't a dry eye and from a couple of us old vets the tears could have filled a swimming pool, olympic size.
So Walter you hit the nail right on the head with your reply.
Semper Fi, and never miss a chance to thank a vet or police officer,
C.S. Powell
A WELCOME HOME BROTHER and a crisp Hand Salute for your reply.
I attend many Homecomings for our soldiers returning from their time in harms way for all of us. Our small mid-west town has many serving now in both zones, Iraq and Afganastan and we are proud as @#$& of them.
One Homecoming was a few weeks ago in a little town of Danville Ia. One lone Marine was coming home but the whole town was there to meet him. I happened to know the town Marshall so I called him and asked if he might suprise them with an escort into town. There were two vehicles filled with family and friends bringing him from the airport so we called one that we hoped he wouldn't be in to let them know they were going to have an escort. We were able to plan where the Marshall would intercept the vehicles and the plan started to roll. At the predetermined point the Marshall lit them up and turned on his wale slowing down to wave to the lead vehicle to follow him. As the story was relayed to us waiting, when the Marshall turned on his lights and wale the poor Marine said "Hell I'm not even home what could I have done!". As the procession pulled into the park the crowd roared and the flags waved. He was truly shocked and overwhelmed. His question was answered. He served to protect us by keeping the bad guys at home, that's what he had done and we were proud to have him back. There wasn't a dry eye and from a couple of us old vets the tears could have filled a swimming pool, olympic size.
So Walter you hit the nail right on the head with your reply.
Semper Fi, and never miss a chance to thank a vet or police officer,
C.S. Powell
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C.S.Powell
Member
DorGunR
And thank you!!!! I only did 5 months WIA, don't know if I could have done 3 tours in that HELL HOLE! Semper Fi Brother and WELCOME HOME!!!!
C.S. Powell
And thank you!!!! I only did 5 months WIA, don't know if I could have done 3 tours in that HELL HOLE! Semper Fi Brother and WELCOME HOME!!!!
C.S. Powell
James T Thomas
Member
United States Cavalry
Whenever I tell someone I was in the US Cavalry, they begin to count my gray hairs! The First Air Cavalry Division; of course during Vietnam, we used the Huey for our iron steeds, and I understant that the current Cav has traded in the helicopters for arnored vehicles, and is deployed in Iraq.
My unit was Company D, 2/7 Cav.
Yes, Gen. Custers unit, and on 3 Dec.1968,we too were caught in and ovewhelming ambush. There are a few survivors; we valiantly fought the whole day, and if it wasn't for our air superiority, we too would have been anihilated totaly.
For an account of the battle I mentioned try .military.com>Vietnam>Articles>"No DEROS Delta" by Sgt. Steve Banko, III.
You will have to join, however, it is free -except they require you admit their cookies.
Whenever I tell someone I was in the US Cavalry, they begin to count my gray hairs! The First Air Cavalry Division; of course during Vietnam, we used the Huey for our iron steeds, and I understant that the current Cav has traded in the helicopters for arnored vehicles, and is deployed in Iraq.
My unit was Company D, 2/7 Cav.
Yes, Gen. Custers unit, and on 3 Dec.1968,we too were caught in and ovewhelming ambush. There are a few survivors; we valiantly fought the whole day, and if it wasn't for our air superiority, we too would have been anihilated totaly.
For an account of the battle I mentioned try .military.com>Vietnam>Articles>"No DEROS Delta" by Sgt. Steve Banko, III.
You will have to join, however, it is free -except they require you admit their cookies.
C.S.Powell
Member
James T Thomas
"Wars might be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of the men who leads that gains the victory". You probably know who uttered this quote. General George S. Patton
Semper Fi and welcome home
"Wars might be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of the men who leads that gains the victory". You probably know who uttered this quote. General George S. Patton
Semper Fi and welcome home
sandy4570
Member
I met a Vietnam vet last week when he came to buy a diabetic test strip for $50 . While I looked at his baseball cap and saw Vietnam vet pin so I asked him why don't you get the test strip from the VA hospital and he inform me that it was not for him but for his wife and he thank me for asking. He shake my hand before he left I think that he appreciate that I acknowledge him for serving his country in Vietnam . I was lucky enough not to have to look at the enemy in the eyes and kill him but my MOS would prevented me from looking to anyone eyes before turning him in to taco salad with the 120 mm sabot or Heat round (19K-M1A1 Heavy tank crewman) but I consider a compliment when some vet at the range ask me if I ever serv in the military and I would proundly said " yes "
nyresq
Member
if combat means getting shot at and returning fire, then yes. If it has to occure while in the military in some foreign country, then no. unless you consider the south bronx in NYC a foreign country. I earned my "CIB" while on the streets as a LEO. I was never in the military, but I have "walked the walk".
Rich K
Member
As a former Marine,who served in peacetime only,I can only say thank you to those who have been at the point of the sword,and come back alive.I thank you all for your service and sacrifices,and remember always those who paid the ultimate price.My uncle Ralph,who served in Europe during WWII,only told me one thing about his time there.That was that after 40 years,he could still smell the concentration camp he had helped to liberate.He didn't name it,and I didn't press the issue.He and my paternal Grandfather are the men who made me the man I am today.Thank you all once again,and God Bless and keep you all safe.Semper Fi.
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