Vietnam Vets-When & Where

It occurred to me today that the youngest Vietnam vet has to be at least 60 now, assuming they were 18 and in Vietnam during our last year there in any numbers of 1973, although there could be a small number of vets a year or two younger. At 71 I know I am not the oldest Vietnam vet by any measure, but that young Captain that I was then, 27 years old (I was considered a wise old man by some of my soldiers!) seems like a different person. Young troops today, when finding out that I served in Vietnam, look at me just as I looked at my uncles and others who served in WWII when I was young. Probably won't be too many more years before one of my grandkids asks me if they had radios when I served or did we rely upon couriers on horseback.
 
I guess it's appropriate that I come in on the tail end of this thread. I tried fellas, I really did. Volunteered twice for Nam and got turned down both times.
I did however live dangerously in Northern Thailand. If I really wanted to I could walk off into the jungle where there were all kinds of baddies, mostly snakes.
Back in town I faced a chance of food poisoning, STDs the Docs had never heard of and lizards that were telling me to do the anatomically impossible!
So I mostly stayed on base for the most part.
However my separation papers say I served in the Vietnam Nam theater. I show it to people who ask, but I never take credit for places I didn't go. I still feel like the Zeppo of the era. Cheers to you guys who were there and put it on the line.
SP5 C R James
 
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Remembering a lot of faces but not many names from this thread. Interesting change of venue Vito. I was in the first unit to occupy the "new" Camp Eagle in the ROK in 89. Built nominally for us but with a large KATUSA contingent. Right across the street from old K46 I think they call it either Hoengsong or Wonju airport now. I don't recall but I assume the name is to honor the Camp Eagle in RVN. Thanks to all that answer the call.
 
It occurred to me today that the youngest Vietnam vet has to be at least 60 now, assuming they were 18 and in Vietnam during our last year there in any numbers of 1973, although there could be a small number of vets a year or two younger.

I was 18 1/2 when I went to RVN, in Dec. 1969, I am 63 now. We were still issued M14's, in our Security Platoon, for perimeter/bunker guard.
Good thing I was young, I saw the elephant but have no regrets.
 
1st Infantry Div. M.P. 12/65-12/66...mostly convoy escorts out of 2nd Bde. base camp at Bear Cat (not Ben Cat), which we turned over to the 9th Infantry in 11/66...when not doing convoy escorts, I was filling sandbags and/or pulling night perimeter guard...we had M-14s for the entire tour; I've never fired an M-16...
 
I was in Vietnam from Sep 70 to Aug 71. Assigned to the 35TFW, 615TFS (an F-100 wing). Intel guy. Went TDY to Phu Cat for about 10 days during Lam-Son 719 in Feb 71 to debrief our aircrews flying in support of that operation. When the F-100's left Vietnam in Jul of 71 I finished up in the 315 Tac Airlift Wing (mostly C-123's) until I derosed.





 
me too...

1st Infantry Division. Di-An, 9/69-5/70. 18th MP Bde. Long Binh, 5/70-9/70.

So Donn-we were neighbors-doing the same MOS-during the same time frame-not to far from each other. I visited Zi-An and I definitely was no stranger to Long Bihn-the worlds largest Army Depot (at that time) with a 60 mile Perimeter. I was in the norther Delta at a little vacation spot (for rats) called Phu Lam. I was part of their security detachment, and did the night roving patrol. 10-69 to 10-70- Hooah!!!
 
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I've already posted in this thread so's here is my story. Was 17 when I enlisted in the navy so dad had to sign the enlistment papers for me. Last day in the navy was an interesting one. As I was walking through Grand Central Terminal in NYC three of the ugliest hippies did their best to ruin my day. Baby Killer, or how many babies did you kill today. When that didn't get the rise out of me that they expected they spit on my dress blues. I wiped it off, put down my sea bag and my cover and was going to kick some but when two of the biggest NYC cops said to me move along son we'll take care of this. They cuffed all three together and practically frog marched them to where ever the two cops were taking them. Now that felt good. When I got home after mom welcoming home she asked to get some milk. Walked into the deli got the milk and the owner asked if I was home for good. Told him I just got home. He walks in the beer cooler and handed me the biggest bottle of Lowenbrau I had seen and said thanks. That really made my day. I'm 69 and sometimes the old brain cells get a little fuzzy but thanks to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who served. Frank
 
I wasn't going to look here but I'm glad I did. I was also in A Troop 7/1st Air Cav from about 10/71 to 3/72 when the unit stood down and we left. I was a crewchief but was moved to the TOC in A Troop due to the fact I was good with paperwork and flight records. A Capt. was the CO but I can't remember his name, crazy good pilot. Thanks for keeping our birds flying.

Welcome home and keep in touch.

Bill



Jc in pa, was in the Blackhawk squad too, according to his avitar.

Me, I was the turbine engine tech for A Troop 7/1 Air Cav. out of Vinh Long 70/71

Welcome home Troopers!
 
I wasn't going to look here but I'm glad I did. I was also in A Troop 7/1st Air Cav from about 10/71 to 3/72 when the unit stood down and we left. I was a crewchief but was moved to the TOC in A Troop due to the fact I was good with paperwork and flight records. A Capt. was the CO but I can't remember his name, crazy good pilot. Thanks for keeping our birds flying.

Welcome home and keep in touch.

Bill
Just missed you. I left in July of 71.
I take it you were on Cobras, I have a pic somewhere of me adjusting a linier actuator on one.
I'll see if I can find it. Tail # 422 if I remember correctly.
 
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