AMBUSHED: The FEROCIOUS FIGHT at LZ Albany | Battle of Ia Drang | George Forrest

[@mikem4883]

What an excellent man. I was USMC in VietNam 65-66and landed in Quinhon by ship late May, early June ..infantry. This brave leader was in the same place, . 3 months later we moved to Chu-Ali. 50 miles north on an large ship that carried amphibious assault vehicles and Chulai, here we come. The camaraderie was excellent even when exhausted, and in battle. Now,I am an old man. However, Many times, I still visit VietNam in my mind and so thankful to God, He let me live. I am thankful this brave Colonel lived also. All young men. Boys really. Yes, Col. I am proud of you. Mike USMC. Autorifleman.

[@randomdude7651]

Thank you, and welcome home.

[@mduff94]

Welcome home Marine.

[@dunexapa1016]

*I HAVE A COWARD TEST, IF YOU HAVE THE COURAGE TO TAKE IT.*

[@johnsemrau6412]

Thank you for your Service Sir ❤ my pops was Brown water Navy! ❤

[@edcasey9738]

Thank you sir for your service

[@TapeDeSpencer]

May be late but welcome home George Forrest. I thank you for your service!

[@dunexapa1016]

*DO YOU CELEBRATE BIRTH DEFECTS DUE TO AGENT ORANGE AS WELL?*

[@TapeDeSpencer]

@@dunexapa1016 I don’t but I also don’t blame the soldiers for the wars the government started.

[@private6572]

😂​@@dunexapa1016 roll call ass hat. You serve?

[@private6572]

​@dunexapa1016 you think you have the right to talk trash to men?

[@brettstewart4851]

Welcome Home LTC Forrest. I’ve studied your company’s ambush. It was good to hear it directly from you, sir. Thank you sir for your service. I’ve wondered why the battalion commander called all the commanders to his location too but you are right.

[@danielp8433]

Wasn t it a Radio Problem? !

[@dstaff7373]

Nobody likes a Brown Noser Relax Man.

[@pats3071]

@@danielp8433It was to have a briefing with them about the situation and what their plan was after discovering and capturing enemy scouts in the area, he had no idea multiple regiments of NVA were so close to them and they were moments from being hit, it’s easy to criticise in hindsight.

[@hebjdhdhdbbshshshshs9119]

We were Soldiers Once and young. Its a good book. Recommend everyone to read it. Im only left with the last 30 pages and its a beautiful and horrible experience

[@hebjdhdhdbbshshshshs9119]

Thank you for your service LTC Forrest!

[@jacobthayer236]

Thank you for your service George Forrest! Welcome home! You guys are heroes.

[@zazasnruntz7505]

Actually he wasn’t. I feel sorry that people of color got sucked into the military with fake promises to end up doing the same evil things that white men were happy to do

[@andyguajardo4785]

Welcome home sir. Thank you for your service. Our nation is indebted to you. God bless you

[@James-dm6ey]

Served with Vietnam vets when I was active duty. I learned a lot. Late 70's through the late 80's. We broke down racial barriers, learned different cultures, and became better for it. It breaks my heart to see the division and strife we see today. My military career spanned from 1978 to 2019(20 year break in service). I wouldn't trade it for anything. Thank you sir, and welcome home. Know that some of us were proud of you guys back then.

[@jason-hy8ci]

AND....... we're proud of YOU. 🫵🇺🇸

[@kimlebrun5196]

I thank both of you for your service!! I ❤ my vets with all my heart!!!!!

[@txmarko]

US Army here... 1978 to 1982. Most of my Drill Sergeants in BCT were Vietnam Vets. Hard Corps, but they were not supposed to talk to us about personal Vietnam war experiences. Best stories I got was from our First Sergeant in my final company: Co. A, 319 MI BN, 525 MI GP, XVIII ABN Corps, at Fort Bragg. 1st Shirt was a HUGE black guy, at least 6'4" and scary looking initially, but with a wonderful sense of humor and a disarming and charming smile. He lived off base from Fort Bragg, NC, and often rode his vintage Harley to work and back. One day, he was cruising into work, when the occupants of an old pickup truck decided to mess with, tossing trash in his path, refusing to completely pass him on a 2 lane road, the usual racist crap, etc. 1st Shirt just expertly dodged all the trash they threw his way, and basically ignored them./ This seemed to piss them off. They got VERY close to him and his vintage Harley, driving in the oncoming lane. When things got too dicey, 1st Shirt lifted his shades, calmy looked directly at the worst offender hanging out of the truck window, and... drew his .45 from his under the shoulder holster. The reaction was immediate and severe. The truck swerved away to the left and ended up driving through some sticky mud on the far shoulder. End of story, 1st Shirt re-holstered his .45 and went on to work Lots of old memories from those days. We fortunately never saw battle, but still forged friendships' that remain today.

[@charleslennon1]

I'm privileged to have served with 'Nam vets during my service in the 1990s and honored to be the child of a Korean and Vietnam veteran who served for 23 years Infantry and Artilery. My older brother served as an officer during the conflict (the first in our family to attend college), and my other brother retired after serving 20 years in the U.S. Army enlisting during the Vietnam War That said, yes, things changed for the better, but there was a lot of racial division as late as the 90s. Especially at Ft. Riley. So much so at least one battalion was on notice by not only the post command but DoD for its racial strife. Thankfully, since my DEROS, things have changed even more (for the better). But 'we' still have a long way to go. RIP E.D. Case [S.F.] and James Lee [75 Rangers] HHC 1-16 Medics The Iron Rangers, you are not forgotten by your brother medics DUTY FIRST!!!

[@erc9468]

He’s right about the reception of the vets now. I was almost embarrassed by how much attention we got when we came home from deployments. It felt almost over the top. But I would always tell my guys to smile and thank everyone, because it’s a heck of a lot better than the alternative, like the Nam guys got. But now I sense it is changing… the military is now getting a colder reception. I think after 23 years of war, America is tired. And some Americans are blaming the soldiers once again.

[@Bigworm35153]

Lt. Col. Forrest was my football coach when I was in college. He's an awesome human being.

[@leestiltner9292]

Where'd he coach?

[@Bigworm35153]

@@leestiltner9292 Morgan State University. His alma mater also.

[@res00xua]

America’s treatment of the Vietnam veterans was shameful.

[@RaunTawn]

The public was unhappy with the government over the war and, unfortunately, chose the wrong representatives to express their discontent.

[@tonygville2969]

I saw it first hand when my brother came home in 1970. In South Miami and Coconut Grove, it was the Haight-Ashbury of the South. I'd ride my bike and see hippies everywhere in Kennedy Park. They had the best hash and acid, and I was young and dumb, but I was always proud of my brother,and Dad who were in WWII.

[@cyclone8974]

@@RaunTawn well maybe but a lot of the Hippy groups would call the families of men that had died and tell them "that they were glad their son died fighting against heroic people of Vietnam." Many even sent aid to our enemies.

[@GlobalDrifter1000]

@@cyclone8974total b.s.

[@GlobalDrifter1000]

I returned to Oakland Dec 1967. Never heard an unkind word. Older guy and his wife bought me drinks because I was in uniform. I got 4 years in university paid for, A horrible, dishonorable war fought by good men. Millions of Vietnamese killed for b.s. politics. We haven’t learned a thing. Same crap going on today. Our owners have a terrible thirst for blood.

[@jamesrussell7760]

Col. Forrest didn't mention that he was the only Company Commander of the 2nd of the 7th who made it back to his Company located at the tailend of the column to organize a defensive perimeter. By doing so, he saved the lives of many of his troopers, although it's clear he still to this day deeply feels the casualties his unit suffered. Moreover, thanks to this interview, I now learn that he organized a rescue operation for many troopers isolated in the middle of the Battalion column. He doesn't say so directly, but the 2nd Battalion Commander was incompetent as a combat commander, having come from a background in Supply. It unfortunately was (and probably still is) not uncommon for others like him to "get his ticket punched" in a combat unit just in aid of his career in the Army. Col. Forrest (then Capt. Forrest) is one of the heroes of the Battle of LZ Albany.

[@IronSikh44]

💯 correct. He likely called up the company commanders to get their direct input on how to organize the perimeter. If he was confident himself he could’ve relayed those orders over the air. I recall from the book the LTC actually walked ahead of the whole column to the other side of the clearing before the ambush. So essentially he was cut off from all of the companies himself. Just a terrible loss of life. Gut wrenching. Larry Gwin’s book did an excellent job of summarizing this battle.

[@jamesrussell7760]

@@IronSikh44 Yep. I have read Larry Gwin's book, "Baptism". He had a unique perspective, serving under Lt. Col. Hal Moore at LZ Xray and Lt. Col. Robert McDade at LZ Albany. Even after the intel received from the two NVA prisoners that a significant force of NVA were in the area and wanted to fight, McDade apparently still regarded the march to Albany as a "walk in the Sun" and did nothing to inform his command to be on the alert and act accordingly, like putting out flankers. As a lowly E-5 Marine Sergeant at about the same age as Larry Gwin was at Albany, those precautions would be obvious to me so long as you're still in 'Indian country'. Or perhaps McDade just assumed that his Company Commanders would do it for him. Either way, he was inadequate, way in over his head.

[@IronSikh44]

@@jamesrussell7760 lots to unpack here. First off there is nothing lowly about being a Marine! Command made a decision to rotate McDade in (for whatever reason) and set him up for failure by inserting him into that valley. It was a debacle.

[@adamr6794]

George Forest was "A" Company 1/5. He was not part of 2/7. "B" Company of 2/7 was used to reinforce the Ridge at LZ X-Ray where the NVA had broken through the lines. A Company 1/5 replaced B Company 2/7. B 2/7 flew out of X-Ray with 1/7. Eventually B 2/7 would be dropped into Albany to save their buddies. This was Rescorla's Company. The only Company to fight at both X-Ray and Albany

[@adamr6794]

@@jamesrussell7760 Baptism was great. "Rescorla's Game" is the best chapter I've ever read in any book

[@tomdevine7395]

Great interview. I read “We Were Soldiers” as soon as it came out and it still ranks as one of my favorite books. When I was reading the second half of the book and the accounts of Captain Forrest I remember thinking, “now that’s a guy I will follow into battle”. Thanks for the interview and thank you to Mr. Forrest.

[@ghost4-6]

😮 you should have had the chance to speak with them. I have over 50+ autographed in the book.

[@bobkelly9828]

Worked for Mr. Forrest, a great man and mentor. Thank you sir!

[@TheGainfather]

Welcome home and thank you for your service. Yall fought a hell of a war and came home to a fight. On behalf of Veterans that came after thank you for everything yall have done for younger vets! Yall helped pave the way that has personally helped me. God bless these warriors.

[@brandonray8409]

You guys are solders you are heros , and i am damn proud to be an American today and i couldn’t be if it wasn’t for soldier’s like you! Thank you so much for your service!

[@1AmendUS]

Sir, thank you for your unselfish sacrifice of service before self. You are my hero! Thank you with all my heart. Those who complain or protest know nothing about sacrifice and service. From one vet of 44 years to another, I got your back as I know you have mine. God bless you!

[@JohnnyUtah9]

Thank you Sir, Welcome home. You’re a true American Hero and Patriot. The American Heroes you lost are Never Above you, Never Below you, Always beside you. Semper Fi.

[@Jrako_DuTcH]

Thank you for your service sir 💪🏿💪🏽💪🏼

[@davidbabin387]

Thank you for having Col. Forrest on with his recollection of La Drang. We Were Soldiers, movie, was only about the 3 day fight at La Drang, but the march to LZ Albany was a parallel event, perhaps just as intense as the fight at LZ Xray! Many soldiers were killed, and wounded, many more than LZ Xray. Col. Forrest just a very light representation of what it was like, and what transpired. I've heard other soldiers tell their story of the March to LZ Albany, but a movie about that March would be very knowledgeable to all Americans, as long as it is written by a group of soldiers, officers, and commanders who fought the battle. Thank you Col. Forrest for your, what I would call, Heroic Service! No American Soldier should ever have to go through what the Vietnam Veteran went through......!

[@truckingmogul3254]

Salute to this brave man. I really appreciate the courage and this interview of another black American who fought for this country. I lost a great uncle in Vietnam

[@chrischapel9165]

Well this man is a hero no matter his melanin content,all communities should be looking up to men like this man instead of - insert whatever ingrate activity/man our culture worships

[@christopherferrante5236]

God bless you sir!

[@gracielou1783]

Welcome home, sir. Thank you for your courage, dedication, and service.

[@joshswacina991]

Welcome Home Sir , and Thank You for your service!!

[@DavidRodriguez-po2re]

From my generation of servicemen to yours, thank you for your service, big brother… always respect our seniors

[@angeoutdoors4094]

mr. Forrest thank you for your service

[@rimrunz1795]

Thank you for all your sacrifices, LTC Forrest. I was just a small child when all that went down, living a carefree life...... No idea what you went thru. Bless you for your efforts

[@ThomasCranmer1959]

Thank you for your service, sir!

[@Zalzaroth]

What wonderful insight from a good man.

[@tonygville2969]

Dear Sir, please consider yourself Hugged and told Welcome Home 👍🏻🙏🏻😘 My Father served in WWII and my eldest brother served in the Air Force in Vietnam too. I have another brother who was fortunate enough to not leave Paris Island before it ended. Thank you for your service and Welcome Home 🙏🏻 Viva Cristo Rey

[@PhilAlumb]

Thank You. 💯

[@johngrogan7585]

Thank you Sir

[@cj_m2477]

What a great interview. I read the book and it broke my heart reading about this nightmare ambush. I do hope someone makes a movie about what happened at Albany. It deserves to be told and these men honored. Thank you George Forrest, for sacrifice of time and the war that you endured. May our military always have brave, honorable men like those that served in Vietnam.

[@jinyingjiang4628]

Thank you for your service !

[@robertguerrero8009]

Thank you for serving Sir, Welcome Home. Not to forget all who have and are currently serving We the People thank all of you..

[@XHollisWood]

Thank you Sir for your service, courage and sacrifice ❤🇺🇸

[@rob2326]

God bless this man. Thank you for your service!!!

[@J.Walker88]

Four or five years ago I was working on a high fenced ranch as a hunting guide for for exotic animals. I had a customer that That showed up wearing his veterans hat and said something to the effect of seventh air calf, La Drang Valley, Vietnam. I acknowledged that I knew about that bottle and Colonel Howell Moore, and thank him for his service. He seemed surprised I knew anything about it. I didn’t question him more on it but he basically said it was the scariest moment of his life, and it was a horrible, tough battle, then sang Colonel Moore’s praises. We got him a nice axis deer with a bow and had a great time. He gave me a nice vortex rangefinder as a tip.

[@jj-nh8lz]

I saw this gentleman interviewed on a network TV special when he and his fellow soldiers returned to the scene of the battle. I believe it was the 30th anniversary in 1995. What a horrible life changing experience for the troops at LZ Albany. God Bless them

[@mac609]

I saw the same special here on KZbin and wondered what happened to Captain Forrest. Glad to see he is doing well.

[@jason-hy8ci]

Welcome Home LtC. Forrest!!!!🎉 WE LOVE YOU! ❤ 🇺🇸

[@James-fs4rn]

👍 much respect and gratitude! Welcome home!

[@christopherjohnson2369]

We really do appreciate your service, thank you very much and welcome home soldier 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💯💯💯💯💯

[@cindytran5595]

Thank you for all your services sir

[@anlerden4851]

Thank You so much for your service Dear American Sir!!!🥰😍🤗❤❤❤🤍🤍🤍💙💙💙💪🙏👍

[@Chez-74]

Such a great film portrayal

[@patrickturner2788]

This man was the hero of LZ Albany. Great to see this man.

[@JerseyRails104]

Thank you for your service, sir. He looks really good for his age as well.

[@terrymann5139]

Thousands of stories out there just like this one, but few do as good of a job telling and keeping your attention as Mr Forrest. Thank you for your service Sir.

[@FloridaSpook]

Thank you for sharing Mr. Forrest

[@russm535il]

Thank you for your service! 👏👏👏

[@reginaclark1816]

Thank you very much for your service. Thank you for the free country we all live in. Because of you, we are blessed!!!

[@oldgoat142]

I had the honor and privilege to serve with Vietnam guys when I was a young pup in the navy. This was 82 to 86, (active duty). I was 19 when I joined up. All of the seniors in any place I went, starting with boot camp, were Vietnam guys. They taught me so much; things I use to this day, (I'm almost 61 now). I could go on for hours about the things they taught me, including standing up for myself and to just get the job done. They have a special place in my heart. As I always told people; my parents and family started raising me. These guys finished it. Thank you, all of you Vietnam veterans. To every single one of you, Welcome Home.

[@michaeltague7266]

I was 17 when I joined the Navy in 1979 , I knew plenty of Vietnam vets back them , most were 1st class PO's at the time and I learned plenty from them ...Uss Saratoga CV-60 79-83

[@darrylmuse9948]

Was in the Marines 86-90 and both of my 1st Sgts did tours in Nam and to this day I have never forgot them and still hold high respect for both of them. They were damn good men and good leaders 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@charlesmiddleton3247]

Much respect to you, Sir. Thank you for all you gave and sacrificed! Wishing you a long and healthy life. From a Vietnam Era Marine Corps veteran. (E-5). Namaste.

[@Onlyusemesuede]

Wow the timing by this channel is immaculate, I just watched We Were Soldiers a few days ago! This channel doesn’t miss!

[@LicardoDeBousee]

My dude’s a Vietnam vet and doesn’t look a day over 55. They really meant it when they said “Black don’t crack baby.” 👍🏼 Thanks for your service Sir!

[@jabarikellam]

add melanin to your diet

[@243Abolerz]

I was a hiring event recently and was BSing with another veteran. Thought he was an early Iraq dude and ended up being an infantry Vietnam veteran. You couldn't tell at all by his looks and his mind. We were sharing funny stories and laughing our asses off. Im 28 btw.

[@kevinpurcell2093]

I want to thank you for your courage & determination.

[@Synthetic-Rabbit]

The smart ones plump up a bit, like William Shatner.

[@FRDOMFGTHR]

Then you go to the hood and see 20yo looking 70 it’s mostly about how you live not your genetics

[@fire-4-effect]

I wish I had something that would be sufficient to thank you for your service in Vietnam....but all I can do is say thank you, Sir.

[@echoredfour]

Cpt Forrest thank you for saving your soldiers by being there. Mustangs

[@Gernansky]

Gulf War Marine Vet here. I absolutely LOVE the way You told your story, Sir. So Very Good. I'm Proud of You, Brother 👊🏻 You gave me joy.

[@wayneedwards5158]

Sir., Thank you for your service and for sharing what you had experienced in battle. Welcome Home! 🇺🇸

[@thomasaguilera3096]

Ty for your service

[@jmhjmhjmh]

What an interesting story. Thank you for your service sir, and welcome home!

[@kenhill3601]

Appreciate your absolute honesty sir. Retired military and always did my due diligence to study. The movie cut away from your part of the story and I’m glad to hear it from a hero who survived that.

[@wesleyalmond9217]

Thank you for your service sir

[@johnking8724]

Outstanding !

[@oilguygamer1744]

All of you guys are a complete and utter credit to your country and yourselves, I wish I could thank you all the better for the service you provided and still provide. Many Many Thanks.

[@hebjdhdhdbbshshshshs9119]

Thank you for your service LTC Forrest!

[@MrBwheazy]

Thank you Col. Forrest for your courageous Duty in battle! May God continue to bless you.

[@lonnyjaw]

God Bless you George and we are GRATEFUL and THANKFUL for your service!

[@danmurphy4472]

Thank You SIR......for everything.......God Bless SIR.

[@Matty-s7s]

Smart man, thanks❤

[@jason-hy8ci]

LTC. Forrest like any good soldier is quite modest. If you would like to know all the details of LZ Albany look for an outside perspective, most likely you will find out that LTC. (formerly Capt.) Forrest is THE Definition of the word HERO.

[@robertdavis575]

God bless you, sir! Thank you for your service and for sharing these memories. 🇺🇸

[@whoamipooh8977]

thank you for this interview, I read the book and I'm glad the second battle is being acknowledged

[@leonjennings4632]

Welcome Home And Thank You For Your Service Blessings And Please Be Safe ✌️

[@rudytagala7076]

Well said, Sir! Thank you

[@mohawkdriver4155]

Respect.

[@clintonmaurer5758]

Sir you and men like you paved the way for the men of my generation that fought in the global war on terror. You did everything that was asked of you and even more.

[@alandohner4426]

All of these men tell their hard stories from memories they'd most likely want to forget. Grateful for all of them. Really liked George Forrest taking us back there. He's a very good teller of these events.

[@colterino]

Bravo. Thank you. Such a hard story to tell, but you reckoned through it. Lessons and losses for you and, now, us. You have a great mind and a compassionate soul. Glad you made it home and lived the life. 🙏👏👏👏

[@John-mf6ky]

There's a TV episode called "they were young and brave" from 1993 that talks about all of this. They actually go back to the battlefield. It has George Forrest, Hal Moore, Joe Galloway, and many others in it. Definitely worth a watch.

[@John-mf6ky]

You can find it here on KZbin.

[@brianwashburn4917]

Thank you so much for your service sir and all those you served with

[@toomanyhobbies2011]

Thank you for bringing us these interviews.

[@alpha3in1]

Than you for your history, your courage and honor sir. God bless you.

[@johnpugh327]

Great video and Thank You so much for your service sir. Many great Americans are so often forgotten.

[@dannyfowler7055]

God Bless you Brother!

[@ejsocci2630]

Welcome home, thank you so much for your service.👊🏻🇺🇸

[@specag31]

Respect and Love.

[@scottiman4390]

Welcome home love u guys.God Bless u each and everyone of u .

[@jrnymn14]

you Sir, are a Genuine American Patriot, and a hero to your men. Nobody could possibly repay you for your sacrifices. Thank You for your service

[@christopherjay7018]

Amazing video. Thank you for your service and your story. We appreciate the honesty and humility. THANK YOU!!!

[@jessestone3915]

Total respect for this man and all his comrades

[@gregkelly8014]

Thank you for your service Sir!

[@James-we4fj]

You guys did a good job,under the circumstances, I got so luckey,I turned of age,and went to see about inlistment,and was told to go home ,I actually ran home I was happy at my young age I knew the horrors of War,I had cousins ,and friends fighting in that War. God Bless the fallen men ,and nurses also.

[@johnwurfel2862]

Thank you for your Sacrifice in service.

[@spaceburger80]

Thank you, sir. Thank you.

[@Moondog9330]

GOD Bless you and keep you.

[@41tl]

Great interview

[@darrylmuse9948]

Much respect to you Sir and everyone who served over there Semper Fi

[@AndrewLong-hr5mx]

I read about this man in the book. It was so nice to hear his voice. Thank you for surviving and coming home.

[@galesams4205]

I served in a RECON armored calvery unit in pleiku. 4th div. busted brush all around with m-48 tanks and APC. 1969. Ankhe/ to QL14 to LA-Durang valley.

[@riverbender9898]

I salute you Sir!

[@mgunny05]

That was an excellent interview/talk by the Colonel. Well told and well said. Thank you for your service sir. Semper Fi

[@davidellsworth9136]

Much respect sir… Thank you for your leadership and service to our nation. Welcome home