Snubby in Vietnam

[SF VET]

Was an advisor deep in the Delta, and was visiting a three person team, and it was weapon's cleaning day. On the right is a fellow Captain, later nearly killed in an ambush, on the left is a Mexican American SFC , who we called Toyota, just one of those strange combat things. They were in the bunker later when the compound was over-run, and only saved their lives by holding down the trigger and running a thousand round belt thru the M60, both severe hearing impaired later. Note the snobby on the bench.

As an advisor, I had all sorts of firearms, nobody cares or knows anything about you when you are an advisor, had 5 different SMG's and scrounged a 45 cal revolver, took 45 ACP in moon clips, and used to take it with me when I would take a chopper up to Saigon every two months to try to straighten out my pay. That way if I had to drop it and walk away, I would not lose my issue 1911.

Which I did later out of a well worn holster. All the best, and stay safe, SF VET

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Special Forces units were a lot different than most Army units. Non-issued weapons and privately owned weapons were generally forbidden. I knew a few officers and warrant officer pilots who had personal sidearms, but that required specific permission from unit commanders. For the majority of us possession of an unauthorized weapon was considered a serious offense.

I saw a couple of S&W Model 60 stainless .38 Special snubs. I remember a Colt Trooper .357 magnum. One pilot carried a Ruger Blackhawk single-action revolver, and another carried a Browning .22 pistol (which he thought would make a better survival piece than the issued Model 10 S&W 4" .38 Special).

While assigned to a Pathfinder Detachment we provided support to many different units, US, ARVN, Army, Marines, and occasionally Special Forces. Some of the SF guys carried Browning Hi Power 9mm pistols and Swedish K 9mm SMGs. From time to time I'd see the old M3 .45 SMGs, which were still being issued to tank crews but some found their way to aviation crews looking for more firepower than the .38 revolvers usually issued. Quite a few Thompsons around, WW2 M1 or M1A1 models which were probably given to Ho Chi Minh's forces while they were fighting Japanese occupation during WW2. M1 and M2 Carbines were very commonly seen, provided in large numbers to South Vietnamese troops. Shotguns were used for guard duty in some areas, mostly Winchester Model 12 or 1897 Trench Guns.

A few Lugers and Walther P38 pistols showed up, which I assume arrived in the hands of French colonial troops who were veterans of fighting the Nazis.

For those of us who had trained on the M14 rifle and later transitioned to the M16, a M14 was a prized possession if we could get one. The M16 was a lot lighter to carry (especially the ammo), but many of the early rifles had a bad reputation for serious jamming problems. As I recall, the M16A1 rifles started arriving about 1970, and most of the problems had been corrected.

Long time ago, and I seem to be rambling on.

 

[SF VET]

In Vietnam, it was awash with weapons. No body cared about us advisors, we were rarely visited by anybody. I gave an M3 .45 SMG to a Jesuit priest in a tiny village along the Cambodian border, he showed me his revolver, and I told him when they come to kill you, that will never work, so gave him my M3 and a sack of magazines. Decades later, I read a great obituary about him, he made it back and devoted his life to his faith.

I shot about 600 Kodachromes with my Pentax, and a few years ago, had about 80 professionally digitalized, they look as good as the day I shot them. But the above is the only one I have relating to a revolver, so the moderators would not appreciate any other pictures.

Indeed, in Desert Storm, the army was far more explicit, all I had was my issue .45. By then I was a physician, and another MD brought his Beretta 92, and our hospital commander made him turn it into our armory until we returned. I heard of other returning troops getting caught with AK's and such when they DROS'd back 'Stateside.

I was CO of A/1/5 for 18 months out of Bragg when I got back, was MACV and not SF "in-country."

All the best, and stay safe.... SF VET

 

[Erocksmash]

This is fantastic and I thank you all for your service...

SF VET, there are other sub forums you can post in, no worries if not, this is all long before my time but I am absolutely facanated with war time stores and love reading posts about it, with all due respect.

Thanks for sharing
Erik

 

[Sistema1927]

Dad did a tour in 69-70, with MACV Intelligence, just before his retirement. Spent a bit of time out in the field with ARVN troops. Saw things that he still doesn't talk about, the ARVN played by different rules than us.

He scrounged a Hi-Power and ammo from some Aussies, left his M16 in his hootch, and carried a Model 12 shotgun and the Hi-Power in the field. As far as I knew, nobody cared.

 

[triaxle]

I had a buddy that was Air Force , he always had a Browning 9 Mike and a Swedish K.

 

[Drm50]

We were allowed anything we wanted but you better have your issue weapon on you. I think all the problems with unauthorized weapons came from service outfits. They were issued a rifle but would get a pistol and leave their rifle. Then if SHF you had worthless people with nothing but 38Spec revolvers.

 

[18robert]

i was a.f., flew with 1st air commando,out of bein hoa,64-64. we were issued victory model and ar 15's, but carried pretty much what we wanted. i even found MODEL 19, NICKEL AND HALF A BOX .357 MAG,WORTH IT'S WEIGHT IN GOLD.also swedish k's and baby brownings.BOUGHT MANY M1 AND M2 CARBINES FROM ARVIN and vnaf.

 

[haywood]

Thank You all for sharing your stories and Thank You for your Service.

 

[SF VET]

would enjoy sharing slides of my year in Vietnam, as soon as the moderators allow me to do so, in the Lounge I suppose. Not yet available to me. I don't want to be banned just when have joined this fine forum. SF VET

 

[SF VET]

I am sure this pilot and his back seat are wearing their issue revolvers. But can't risk any more pics until moderators allow me. Tan San Nnut, Saigon, Was overrun in the offense. SF VET

 

[rkittine]

As a pilot I had a 4" model 19 S&W in a chest holster.

 

[BillBond]

A few Lugers and Walther P38 pistols showed up, which I assume arrived in the hands of French colonial troops who were veterans of fighting the Nazis.

.

Not only that but from what I have read there were also a lot of Germans in the French Foreign Legion during the years after WWII.

 

[Protected One]

Special Forces units were a lot different than most Army units. Non-issued weapons and privately owned weapons were generally forbidden. I knew a few officers and warrant officer pilots who had personal sidearms, but that required specific permission from unit commanders. For the majority of us possession of an unauthorized weapon was considered a serious offense.

I saw a couple of S&W Model 60 stainless .38 Special snubs. I remember a Colt Trooper .357 magnum. One pilot carried a Ruger Blackhawk single-action revolver, and another carried a Browning .22 pistol (which he thought would make a better survival piece than the issued Model 10 S&W 4" .38 Special).

While assigned to a Pathfinder Detachment we provided support to many different units, US, ARVN, Army, Marines, and occasionally Special Forces. Some of the SF guys carried Browning Hi Power 9mm pistols and Swedish K 9mm SMGs. From time to time I'd see the old M3 .45 SMGs, which were still being issued to tank crews but some found their way to aviation crews looking for more firepower than the .38 revolvers usually issued. Quite a few Thompsons around, WW2 M1 or M1A1 models which were probably given to Ho Chi Minh's forces while they were fighting Japanese occupation during WW2. M1 and M2 Carbines were very commonly seen, provided in large numbers to South Vietnamese troops. Shotguns were used for guard duty in some areas, mostly Winchester Model 12 or 1897 Trench Guns.

A few Lugers and Walther P38 pistols showed up, which I assume arrived in the hands of French colonial troops who were veterans of fighting the Nazis.

For those of us who had trained on the M14 rifle and later transitioned to the M16, a M14 was a prized possession if we could get one. The M16 was a lot lighter to carry (especially the ammo), but many of the early rifles had a bad reputation for serious jamming problems. As I recall, the M16A1 rifles started arriving about 1970, and most of the problems had been corrected.

Long time ago, and I seem to be rambling on.

If'n yer gonna ramble, this is the place to do it. We love hearing that stuff.

 

[NCBeagle]

would enjoy sharing slides of my year in Vietnam, as soon as the moderators allow me to do so, in the Lounge I suppose. Not yet available to me. I don't want to be banned just when have joined this fine forum. SF VET

Quality post SF Vet. I look forward to seeing the slides, wherever you decide to share them.

Interesting to see another SOF physician. Side story - I joined the Army Reserves in the early 1990s with a guy who signed up through the 19th Special Forces Group, a National Guard Unit out of Utah. Of course, that was just his foot in the door and no assurance of selection down the line. He made it to SF selection several years later but experienced persistent and debilitating intestinal issues while at Mackall and the Army discharged him medically. Disappointed, he finished college and started medical school.

He realized after several years of good health and during the second year of medical school that he, in fact, did not have the medical condition which triggered his medical discharge. So, he convinced the Army, got a waiver, and the Army took him back during medical school. He completed family and emergency medicine residencies and was again chosen for SF selection which he completed as a physician. The need to "catch up" on small unit tactics and infantry skills better known to most others presented a special challenge, as he tells it. So, the story goes on that he is still a SOF soldier and physician, now back in the states after many years in Europe and Middle East as a battalion surgeon and other roles. Reconnected with him in 2019 when he came to Charlotte for the Special Operation Medical Association (SOMA) conference.

Anyway, I mention it because there are certainly not too many SF physicians and fewer on such an odd circuitous path. Thought that you might find it interesting. Maybe not. Keep the photos coming.

 

[jfd]

Thanks to you vietnam vets who have posted and those who haven’t, have a lot of respect for you guys. Too many never made it from that part of the world. It was a crazy time in US history, most today who have never served just don’t get it. I missed out by a couple of years because of age, served during first gulf “war” which I’m not even sure really qualified as such. Was proud to serve though. Thanks to all forum members who ever did, and still do today. God bless you all.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

If'n yer gonna ramble, this is the place to do it. We love hearing that stuff.

A little more rambling some might find interesting:

The first M16A1 rifle I was issued was manufactured by General Motors Hydramatic Division.

Some of our M60 light machineguns were made by RockOla, the jukebox company.

A M3A1 .45 submachine gun I picked up was manufactured by Signal Lamp Company.

A Thompson M1A1 .45 submachinegun I had for a while was manufactured by Savage Arms Company.

A truly rough looking, but completely reliable and accurate, M1911A1 .45 pistol was made by Union Switch & Signal Company, Swissvale, Pennsylvania.

Camouflage fatigue uniforms and boonie hats were practically impossible to get in combat units, but every cook and clerk-typist at MACV HQ in downtown DaNang seemed to have all they wanted. Major headquarters areas were like fashion shows of the newest and best field uniforms and equipment.

Captured weapons and gear (Chicom pistols, belts, holsters, SKS rifles, helmets, etc) were excellent trade goods at US Air Force bases. We sold our excess for cash or traded "war trophies" for cases of frozen steaks and other goodies that were not available from other sources. We once hauled a complete 12.7mm anti-aircraft gun to the big Air Force base at DaNang and brought back a truck load of beer in exchange, after watching the latest movie in the air conditioned base theater, right next to the "big PX in the sky" filled with all the best stereos, cameras, Seiko and Rolex watches, and shops for Hong Kong tailors providing handmade custom suits for the more discriminating classes.

Interesting experiences, half a century ago.

 

[Baxter6551]

SFVet. Thank you for your service and the great photo. I would love to see all your slides !
Army 74-77 here

 

[Drm50]

One of my favorite war stories. We holed up in abandoned Marine bunker after XX1V Corps took over MR-1. We found a stack of NVA helmets that Marines had left. Me and buddy got to go back to HQ and took helmets with us. Planning to trade them. All the helmets were very good shape except one that had jagged holes and parts of previous owner dried inside. Our Battery HQ had ammo pallets for side walks. The battery clerk comes out of HQ and meet us. He had latest camo, boonie hat filled with 12g 00. He wanted to buy a helmet. After going through them he picked the shot up one. Me and buddy got Jeep with m60 and threw helmets on ground. Shot them up and raised price $10.

 

[SF VET]

Chuck's preferred way to over-run an outpost was to leave it completely alone, then the Vietnamese troops would get lazy and careless. Would have their lunch, then nap in their bunkers with their families, and Chuck would walk in thru the front door, toss grenades into the bunkers, grab the commo and weapons and beat feet. In this one, across the river, I accompanied the rescue force but by the time we got there, all dead. While standing there on the berm all the Vietnamese troops started jumping into the smoldering bunkers, I asked what was going on, their reply was that the wrong coordinates were given to supporting 105's, and we had incoming. So dove in with them, and WP impacted just outside the berm.

When I am able, will post pics to I think the non-pertinent forum. When I left active duty in '73, used my GI bill to become a MD, and then back again Army for decades.

Stay safe, SF VET