American Rifleman Television: The Men and Guns of The Vietnam War, Part 3

[@lurking0death]

I was a LRRP leader in Southern I Corps. We did not have excessive KIAs but maybe around 50% wounded including some men multiple times. It was highly productive. We found many NVA units and brought air power and arty in on them. Our biggest weapon was our radios and our binoculars. Our job was to find them, not to fight them. But we had many close encounters of the pucker kind. Twelve foot quick draw shootouts between point men, quick and deadly little fire fights. Mostly we came out on top as we were better trained and more informed about them than they were about us. Many times they seemed to have no idea that we even COULD be near them let alone that we WERE near them. The worst part was close contact in the mountain triple canopy jungle. The vegetation was so dense that airpower, jets or choppers, could not see you, could not find you. This was true of medivac as well. This was long before GPS. You had better know how to use a compass and a map but you better have most of the terrain in your head because finding your location in the middle of a fire fight is too much multi-tasking. But you do it, you do things you never dreamed you were capable of doing.

[@johnlothrop1937]

Heart breaking when hearing of the losses and sacrifices of SOG and Green Berets. Semper Fi.

[@stevefowler2112]

Yep...they didn't have the option of quick extraction that some of the typical Marine Recon units had.

[@wb-usmcret.2337]

What an incredible privilege to hear the stories from the men who were there. These are and always have been my Heroes, not some "Hollywood or Rap or Reality TV Freak!" My heart and Respect to all those who've served to protect the fleeting fundamental of a Republic and the freedom of it's citizens. WB-USMC-Ret.

[@armedrealtorakasheepdog6914]

As my Scoutmaster, Major James E Land Jr was the man responsible for motivating me to make the rank of Eagle Scout and teaching me how to shoot as a pre-teen. He and his wife Ellie (RIP Ma’am) sewed the first modern day Ghillie Suit while in Hawaii. Major land is still one of the most influential people in my life by the groundwork he laid when I was a youth. He is a great man, human being and upstanding American. I also had the pleasure of being one of only a few civilians in attendance of Carlos Hathcock’s Silver Star ceremony at Weapons Battalion, Quantico, VA. Semper Fi Major & Carlos...

[@davefellhoelter1343]

RIP Mark Butler! Thank You.

[@ArlotheSmall]

The first photo of the Marine looking through his scope was Dalton Gunderson! It is a commonly miss labeled photo saying it is Carlos when it is not!

[@steveb7433]

This is the best docoumentary I have seen on KZbin in over 10 years. It is spoken fron from the heart. Thank you!! Auckland, New Zealand (ANZAC's)

[@94Whiskey]

Col. Plaster's book Americas Commandos takes you right in the cats mouth...the courage, bravery & sacrifice of all the operators in SOG is beyond words....thank you Col. Plaster & MEN of SOG! God bless them! God bless America with such warriors!

[@scotts3574]

I could sit and listen to Major Plaster all day ling

[@WarInHD]

Chuck Mawhinney only had 101 kills, Adelbert Waldron III was an Army Staff Sergeant who had 109 kills which was the most confirmed kills in the US Military until Chris Kyle broke his record. No one really knows his stories or anything because he was a true silent professional and he never spoke or wrote about his actions

[@johngoguen361]

First of all they are not ķills there are kia's and some of the kids were dragged away plus you need a officer to confirm them all a bunch of huwee,plus you might of just took a shot when all hell breaks out so you never know only what you feel

[@diosdado0711]

"Courage lives in the Green Beret"

[@mike7099]

It must be chilling knowing that they were being hunted as soon as they hit the ground. That's off the chart bravery/courage.

[@nealatthecrossfishing]

God bless you sir! I say thank you and all Vietnam Veterans for your service.

[@benyoung552]

Man, John plaster is in this one. Him, John (Stryker) Meyer, Dick Thompson, Doug (the Frenchman), Cowboy (indigenous Vietnamese), Lin Black, Jimmy (the wild carrot) are all badasses! Macv Sog were the gnarliest bunch of warriors out there IMO. I’m sure there were others, but these guys have some stories boys n girls!!! Badasses!!!

[@mistergreen7657]

Love and respect for all of you grateful nation for ever , you never forgotten

[@davidnewland2461]

My deceased brother in law said he was a sniper in Vietnam I have no reason to doubt what he said he was awarded the silver star when deployed after his death the citation and star was given to his nephew I never took the time to read the citation while he was still alive and subsequently never got the chance to read it I miss him still it's been thirty eight years.

[@davidnewland2461]

The lesson I learned from his death was you just never know when's the last time you're going to see some one you love make sure they know how you feel when ever you part, Steve would have been a good person to have near when my oldest returned from his first tour in the mid east I had no common experience so I could only tell him how much I love him that young man saw things I've never been exposed to well one thing whenmy dad died. That experience gave me understanding regarding his anger issues he lost too many troops in Iraq but thankfully he had enough friends he could rely on to answer the phone when he had a flash back I recently experienced my very first flash back to my dad's death, now I get it

[@gypsymanjeff2184]

Thank you ALL WHO served and serve today ..one of the BEST IVE SEEN SO FAR ..MY POPS WAS A MASTER SARG FFL..HE WOULD TELL OF GOING THRU THE TRI ANGLE OF COUNTRYS THERE ON MISSIONS..IN PAR WITH THESE..THANKS FOR THE GR8 JOB ..WELCOME HOME TO ALL

[@c3pfett]

And yet in his book One Shot One Kill Hathcock says he mostly used a Winchester model 70 with a Unertal scope on it. The model 700 was adopted later

[@gypsymanjeff2184]

Back when it took skills to accomplish your tasks ..today we've got so many things doing the thinking for us ..its SAD. my pops a was a mstr.sarg..in the FFL..he was a sob..but thanked him daily for giving me the knowledge of self..old school is the ONLY SCHOOL..tech.will fail. That means so will you..go old school & will never have to worry about your gear failing.thanks to all who serve.gr8 vids Mr.thanks

[@HiLuxInc]

If you ever wanted to talk Vietnam reproduction scopes, I might know someone... Amazing work on the history series! If we see any of you at the shows next year, we'll be sure to shake your hand.

[@arborist460]

Incredible courage….great comoradary…and true love for your buddies life so much that you give yours….hard to fathom what you guys went through but I’m sure thankful

[@shannonnunn]

God bless your service and to all those that never came home. Watching a real man choke up is hard to do. God bless you.

[@jasoncrouzat7509]

Thank you for your service from Canada I know right now we're in trouble but I thank you for your service and I thank you for everything that you guys done

[@mattblank7728]

"100% casualty rate"'; 'we lost 300 Green Berets,' "but we came away very proud for what we'd done." I've been a GB since 2008 and retiring this year. I wish I had the stories these guys had. They lead my way I just wish I was half as bad ass ad they were.

[@jonbeams9786]

Gy. Sgt. Hatchock, taught us, treat it like a target. Nothing more. I read us book. It was interesting read. I found he mentioned my dad in his book. Hatchock, fired a .50 cal machine gun with a scope for a record kill shot. Almost 2 miles. He wore a white feather in his hat (cover) he was known as white feather. The nva had a 1-mil. Poster bounty on hathcock. No one ever collected the bouty. Hathcock retired. But his legend lives on through the old breed.

[@corrioliseffect]

Boy it's sad to hear of the tremendous losses of Green Berets during Vietnam. What an unimaginably dangerous job they must have had.

[@richardrobinson1651]

Brave men here. And so very thankful that they are not all gung-ho "We kicked their butts". Just brave men, remembering those lost, including the VC who were fighting for freedom and independence in their own country.

[@craigross341]

I bought the little red USMC sniping manual. Quite a good read.

[@lesterscates774]

Man we got old!!!

[@thomassmestead6424]

I also had the chance to fire the SKS,( type 54 ) and the AK-47. Both were good weapons, for that kind of warfare.

[@hannorasmusholtiegel6044]

Thats what they where designed for.

[@johnneill5960]

My dad was a Recon marine sniper there . He got banged up pretty good but is still with us . NRA magazine had a picture of him spotting in one of their magazines showing the 700 . He’s 75 and can still out shoot me lol

[@rong.7768]

Thanks for this documentary. Ron (Bangkok/Thailand)

[@craigross341]

I holiday in Thailand, and how people managed to soldier in that heat and humidity I'll never know.

[@edwardnakagawa4262]

** Men,went to War, Some *Never Came * Back ! ***RIP, ***warriors !!!

[@Homeschoolsw6]

7:28..." purposes of deception " Heard this guy speak before...a real problem solver. Thanks.

[@glennevitt5250]

Thank you for this information and Great Video

[@marioduque5558]

Proud of those soldiers , for ever ..... I ll honor whom were there

[@shannonnunn]

My father used an acurange scope to kill a deer over 800 yards when I was a boy. He shot off my shoulder for support. It was one of the best shots I had ever seen.

[@gregdavis19]

I salute you sir. Semper Fi!

[@allandavis8201]

Wow, just when I thought it couldn’t get anymore interesting, It bloody well did. Sniper must be a really intense and dangerous role to have, mentally tough and physically draining, but I can’t imagine seeing your target in your sight and knowing that when you fire a person only has a split second to live, and probably seeing the result of your actions, I just don’t think I could do it, respect to the sniper, they must be hell of a soldier. Thumbs up 👍.

[@hannorasmusholtiegel6044]

Its very dangerous to be a sniper ,in ww2 for example,snipers where hated,so if you where captured by the enemy as a sniper,you where treated much worse than the other pows.

[@sabrinasands6933]

I was a sniper in Vietnam in 1970 the scope will use was a three- by 9 Redfield

[@adamhauskins6407]

The music is haunting

[@marcellocfp]

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

[@tommygun6028]

Great Story Great Episode 👍🤝😎

[@michaelhill6451]

2:18 That photo they keep showing of a sniper looking through the scope isn't Carlos Hathcock. It is Lance Corporal D. Gunderson.

[@MrZozur]

great document keep doing it as it is

[@royboiiiluo6178]

So much respect to SOG folks

[@joeJoe-pb3su]

Honor and respect for all this Macsog teams.

[@georgemorley1029]

5:55 “I’m not willing to shoot any of them…but then again I’m not being occupied by anyone.” You have to admit, he makes a fair point.

[@paulkeogh3518]

It should be noted that Carlos Hathcock’s 93 confirmed kill’s only tells half the story many times there was no one to confirm Hathcocks kills.

[@4rct1c9Ic3m4n]

10:36 Extreme left-Andy Murray served with distinction

[@rhyssalmon8]

Interesting series

[@brandonbentley4677]

Your really smart on this subject the red field was green in color nothing wrong with model 70. Win or 700 rem. They just. Brillant

[@thomaspayne3347]

The 3x9 Redfeild On the M40 Remington was known as the Accutrack and the gauging stedia lines allowed one to accurately gauge targets out to 600 yards beyond that? One utilized target guessamation , with your map and compass as your bests means of accurate range estimation, learning to estimate 10 digit grid coordinates. By this means in conjunction with your range card and sniper’s observation log utilizing key terrain features, one was accurate within 25 meters + or - or better? As range estimation was the number one hit or miss call. Followed in close second with your wind call. And if your spotter was up to snuff and properly positioned behind your right shoulder to obtain your trace? He could give you by body width offset, quick correction on your follow up shot. Your windage offset was completely “Kentucky windage”. I went through the very last class at Camp Pendleton, 3-82 to utilize this platform. The Redfield Accutrack was put to rest shortly thereafter. And retired into the annals of Marine Corps history. Happily surplanted by the 10x40 Unertle BDC, mildot optic. And thus giving the M40 its new designation as the M40A1. And though I was merely a Cold War Marine. The M40 system gave me a great understanding and respect for our Veit Nam, Scout Sniper’s and their proven combat capabilities as the green ghosts that they were. I’d also like to mention the AN/ PVS-2 (Gen 1) Night Observation Scope. As they to were still in our inventory when I transferred onto the STA ( Surveillance and Target Acquisition ) Platoon. We thought that the PVS-2 was the hot item, that was until it too was replaced the the PVS- 4 (Gen 2). Now I look back on those antiquated dinosaurs, in comparison to what is in the inventory today and wonder how we ever got by with those grainy, snowy beasts? And yet when I think back on the earlier conflict’s of the twentieth century? I can’t imagine how those generations of warriors were able to do what they did without them? God Bless them all! I hope this tidbit of trivia was of some interest? USMC 76-87 Post script- The decision to once again disband the Scout Sniper program Marine Corps wide, with small exceptions. I fear will once again cause the many lessons learned to once again, have to play catch-up when its value comes again to light? However, as those who have served know, that has always been the Marine Corps way? Embrace the Suck! Semper Fi

[@kevinkeeley7202]

Thumb up. John

[@billkaldem5099]

Being from Arkansas Carlos Hathcock was and is my hero

[@steveadams5190]

God bless them all

[@shadowwolf7622]

My uncle did some sniper work in Viet Nam for the USMC. He has shared both stories and personal pictures with me of his sniping experiences.

[@ronphillips6336]

Wiley Clapp, my friend.

[@IBenZik]

I went to high school with a guy that had the 2nd longest kill in Vietnam.

[@justinbradfield6499]

Thats not Hathcock pictured sitting position that Gunterman

[@paulposey3030]

Lance Corporal Dalton Gunderson

[@slickceretto9760]

Hathcock might not have the most kills, but he was definitely the best.

[@jimpalmer4916]

He was also very honest. He had more kills when there wasn't an officer around to confirm the kill. He killed over 400, but dragging an officer around isn't what a sniper does. Jim Land wasn't a liar either and he saw Carlos was very honest.

[@smithplus]

Hold over is the only technique I know. Low budget for scope.

[@therendra]

Mu condolences to those who perish in the war of Vietnam, both sides are missed miserably. My their souls rest in peace. Aameen

[@atilla6612]

AWSOME

[@michaelstratton6701]

Young and very brave

[@rustynail246]

I salute the Green Barets that died so we may live freely. I served, but nothing in comparison to what they did.

[@M21L35]

The French didn't suffer a tremendous defeat @ Dien Bien Phu by the Vietnamese...per say.....specifically it was communist revolutionaries known as the "Viet Minh" that prevailed in victory over the French forces.

[@jimpalmer4916]

The studies and observations group were supported by the Ravens flying around in the sky in Cessna piper cubs. It was only a matter of time before the sog groups were in radio contact with the Ravens to bail them out of trouble, and the Ravens became the savers of many sog groups. The Ravens would call in the airpower to save the sog groups. The sog groups would have been decimated without the Ravens.

[@CANAL.O.MENTE.]

Top 👏👏👏

[@kellyBorgman]

One reporter supposedly asked Carlos about how he derived his aim points. He rattled off some stuff and ended with SWAG. The reporter asked what that meant. His reply ? Scientific Wild Azzed Guess !!

[@joeygarcia6783]

super

[@dennisschell5543]

Should have stuck with the M-70....

[@lrsd3drrd448]

Sir (Maj. Plaster), my uncle (name classified and former member of MAC V SOG CCN) and stories of/about you are the sum total of my reasons for enlisting and choosing the career path that I did. Fuck Virgil, even though I've never met you I would follow you through all nine layers of Hell. Sua Sponte, Carpe Noctem.

[@Nontacticalboy]

Interesting to mention people sourcing to create their own weapon, talked to some Ambonese who fought the religious war few years ago, they cut down electrical poles, and turned them into madeshift canons.

[@tobyjenny7622]

FUNEY thing about old Hathcock that in the fact that he was from arnksaw .

[@fjb4932]

Tobey & Jenny, Only thing funny would be if he was from New York City. Them Arkansas boys can shoot ! . . .

[@woodsinme]

Real men (and of course,women). We owe a debt not only to our military but to their families and their sacrifice as well and to our great country as a whole. In that I absolutely am not including the gov or the alphabet clubs.

[@charliemccarthy5854]

RIP Carlos ‼️‼️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@williamturkewitschturkewit1549]

How do they know exactly how many kills?

[@rajbiswas9077]

You forgot to put Ed Eaton on the list

[@notme4755]

CARLOS WAS NOT A “””SNIPER “”” He was the “”” Actual Bullet””” He was my weapons HERO... I DREAMED TO BE AN ARMY RANGER AND DREAMS COME TRUE.

[@mikeyncali]

First srgt Jones was a bad azz too

[@dzyanist]

🍂..Damn..

[@galesams4205]

Just can't beat the springfield M-14 , the best battle rifle made. Never liked the matel m-16. Lz x-ray, lz. black-hawk south vietnam 4 th div.

[@69newportking]

Notthing better then a 30-06

[@omarlara1898]

Semper Fi

[@masonryan6101]

I’ve never heard of a mas 35 lol Do u mean mas 36

[@stribble78]

For that Man to get choked up is really a impressive don't think so, just take a glimpse at his DD214, BEWARE after - ur going to question if you've reached manhood yet, you can't unsee somethings oops?

[@Tsamados]

A slight correction the French rifle used was the MAS-36, the expert says the MAS-35, which is incorrect. There wasn't a MAS-35 rifle. French paratroopers also used the MAS-44 rifle.

[@tntmay20]

USA and ARVN (Army Republic of Viet Nam) against communism, our enemies is communist countries. We thank you and honor our veterans those who have given their lives in service to our country. Remember! Every minute we enjoy our freedom, every second someone “Out there” in uniform risk their lives to protecting it. Let us never forget, let us always remember. Freedom is not free, God bless and keep all those who have given for our liberty, fight against the Communism and the Radical Islamic terrorists.

[@paulsimmons5726]

And today, Vietnam has converted to a capitalistic economy; amazingly enough, Marshall amplifiers have a plant there and turn out amps similar to those used by Hendrix and others who protested the war in the 60’s… Sad that all these soldiers died and the VC ultimately decided to become capitalist!

[@1stidvet553]

Mas36....not 35

[@joeygarcia6783]

No i don't 💯🤓

[@aaronwright1771]

The mas 35 the mas 36

[@8166PC1]

France suffered a devastating defeat? The USA was in Vietnam longer than the French and lost more men and still lost yet they didn't mention that as a "devastating defeat"

[@chrischiampo7647]

😮😳😲😎

[@nelsonfountain4297]

I shot a guy through his scope....

[@Edgar-kl6us]

I would think that when an “author” writes a book about the expectations, trial, & tribulations of their personal experiences, that these articles should be read as if one were reading the holy book, of one’s religion, … no matter which religion one follows, … Pay attention to the little snippets that most would relegate as not news worthy, because there is/was a purpose for the author to put it in their “bible”, …

[@philipvonsaltza4084]

J