Army Scout Pilot’s Worst Day in Vietnam & Other Stories

William “Hank” Hankinson served as a pilot in HHT/1/9 and B/1/9, 1st Cavalry Division, flying numerous combat operations in Vietnam between 1969 and 1970. Most notably, Hankinson spent nine months as a scout pilot and survived being shot down five times.
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Chapters:
0:00 - One of the Worst Days
5:33 - Scared Pilots Die
7:17 - Crossing the Line
10:31 - Paranoia
11:40 - Unwelcome Home
14:21 - Psychiatric Mess
18:08 - Recovery
Welcome to the largest KZbin channel exclusively dedicated to the Vietnam War. We strive to build a better future by learning from the past. All participants - and their military citations - have been vetted. For the sake of privacy, we do not share veteran contact information.
Do you know a Vietnam veteran, survivor or witness that should be interviewed? Send us an email at the address below.
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[@Sarita-ci9wc]

In a couple months I'll have 33 years sober. I lost my only brother on May 9, 1969. He was a door gunner. I am without a brother in this world. His remaining platoon members came here in 2013 and did a " proper" service for Harold. I cried again that year. We all went out to eat that evening. Thank you for your service.

[@korycoleman8971]

I'm just 34 n 3 years sober,you have millions of brothers in the sobriety section cheering fir you man ❤ your brother is a brave man ,you'll see him again on other side🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@chiphargis3703]

6-6-88 36yrs keep coming back!!

[@War_Memories]

Is he a machine gunner on a Uh1 helicopter?

[@AlanMydland-fq2vs]

thank both of u for your❤ service

[@stevevalley2784]

Congratulations on 36 years on being sober & to many more!​@@chiphargis3703

[@jameshughes582]

My dad was an army scout pilot. 68 69. He flew a loach. His story was very similar. My mom said dad was never the same after nam. He died of cancer a couple of decades ago. Britt hughes. Rest in peace dad!!!

[@tinfoilskullcap7034]

We lost a lot of good guys, I'm glad this man made it. Welcome home.

[@danhofer]

I'm glad you made it home. You deserve all the honor this country has to offer. Salute

[@raydonica6723]

Amen. I served with some of the soldiers who served there. They were God's to us privates.

[@ronallison7578]

That is the most powerful and honest narrative I have ever heard. God be with you Hank.

[@BernhardSchwarz-xs8kp]

God be with all of us - as long as we are all manipulated and exploited by people whose job it is to make fortunes in promoting and maintaining wars.

[@brandond73]

My Dad was a Cobra pilot for the 114th out of Vinn Long 68-69. My greatest respect for those brave men.

[@matthoskin3572]

It is VINH....... not Vinn!

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

​@@matthoskin3572 Yeah?

[@buckappel6835]

What a great story teller. We are still suffering after 55 years. You are not alone brother.

[@johnnyramistella8079]

The pain is still quite obvious sir 😔. I’m sorry for your loss and the losses everyone else have suffered from that war. I pray you’ll be reunited with your young friends and guaranteed a place in the house of the lord. God bless you 🙏🫡 🇺🇸

[@goodstufffromdavidpaul2246]

Bless ;you guy

[@msjudyb123]

I was married to a man, a good guy, who was in Vietnam in 67-68. He couldn’t stay married, not sure why. He committed suicide in 2008. I have so much respect for him and other Vietnam vets. You all performed with such bravery and brotherhood. I am forever grateful for what you did.

[@kenscott876]

I am in awe of the courage and bravery that men like you and your fellow servicemen had. So sorry for the loss of your friend. I take my hat off to you, sir, thank you for your service,

[@WillieC979]

Thank you Hank for your outstanding service. God bless you always my friend. You are not alone. My dad fought in 1967 operation kingfisher and he is still alive at 85 years old. You are a great hero

[@carsten4594]

Pilot RVN 70-71. 6yrs sobriety. Still flying. God bless you.

[@ericwilliams538]

Welcome home, and thank you for your service.

[@jimmydulin928]

Welcome home Hank. I was the last Apache 21. I got shot down my first day in Apache Troop at Song Be with Bloody Bart, who was from Whitefish.

[@michaelsullivan1262]

I’m thinking of my old friend Mike Rigney, a retired police officer in the same home town where I am now a retired firefighter from. We had some good times going to Patriots football games where he at times would give little glimpses into his time as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. He was a hell of a guy and I miss him terribly. ✌🏼

[@fiddlefolk]

Thank you to all our brave Vietnam veterans! I was born in 1968 but I feel so much pride in all of you!

[@user-so1nc6lk5r]

Sir I flew with the 155th Assault Helicopter Company, like e you I have lost brothers, I believe if they were here today they would tell us to be be at peace because they are resting in peace. Keep the faith brother. Ltc Ken Donovan

[@joannawhite1841]

Blessings and Peace, Hank... 363 Coffin Dodger huey gunner with the 57th Gladiators here, Pleiku, central highlands, (70-72), 1753 air combat hours. Have many of the same feelings. 74 years young now, never been in any aircraft since getting out of the service, will not get near the damn things, too much bad Karma owed. Spend my life flying a Freight truck at night down the highway. Retired at 68. Now, I drink alone, (except for an occasional ghost), now live back in the north michigan woods, that suits me just fine. Thank You for your service.

[@dienbenedict1384]

I have a similar story, I spent 2 1/2 years in Viet Nam flying mostly C model gunships. I was pretty much a fearless killer. The part of this story that really struck me was the attitude that the bad guys could never get me. After particularly hairy situations I would key the intercom and repeat my mantra of "THEY WILL NEVER GET ME." Well, they never did, and I went on to military retirement after 22 years of service. I never had any negative feedback from the public as I heard told by many VN vets. Drinking was a big problem for most of the pilots I knew, maybe in was a false since of security or a crutch to the daily danger. The drinking to excess is my biggest regret. I finally got it under control with age.

[@lard_lad_AU]

We should never forget what these men went through, or how the Country treated them when they came home. Welcome Home Sir.

[@danodonnell7218]

Welcome home brother!

[@brentbeardsley655]

Because you didn't get this when you came back-welcome home. Thank you for what you did and lived through. Never forget you're a badass hero. An old lion is still a lion.

[@Coppersaguaro]

God Bless the men AND women who served in Vietnam. They had it rough there and coming home. 🇺🇸

[@57silverwings]

UH1,AH1,OH6,OH58 crews all hero’s. My MOS 67N20 crew chief gunner. Got out used GI bill for college and learned to fly fixed wing became a airline pilot . Retired now but still a lot of memories. Living in the woods small farm. Trying to forget a lot of things.

[@jimcoon]

I stayed in college and drank so I could keep a student deferment and not go to Vietnam. I have so much respect for this wonderful man and all the others who went. My son did a tour in Iraq and came home…changed but alive. I tell younger parents now to never let their children be involved in one of these pointless wars. Thank you, Mr. Hankinson. You are an amazing man

[@haroldadkins770]

Thank you sir for your service God bless you

[@Brough1111]

Always wanted to be a bush pilot. Congradulations on 50 years sober. Me ive only got 35😂

[@dennisday8141]

Hi Hank. Thanks for your service and perseverance not to die. As far as I'm concerned, Scout pilots had balls as big as watermelons. lol I was with B troop "Blues" 1/9 mostly in Quon Loi from 69 - 70. I probably rescued you and your aircraft on many occasions and pulled recon missions under your and the Cobra's watchful eyes many times also. I also know a "Scout" pilot near where I live in North Texas, named Earl Bausch, who was in Bravo Troop 1/9 after I left. Thanks for sharing your story.

[@indycharlie]

Hey brother , Happy 4th . Small world on here . My last unit during my TOD ( 70-71 ) was as a Blue ( medic ) with the 25th I.D. We worked the QL A.O. sometimes and it was always hot . Of course the same was true for the Loch Ninh , Bu Dop and Song Be AO's as well . Actually , I don't remember if it was before FSB Pace or after . But the then renamed " SOG " folks were working out of QL using indig's and yards . They were set up off the active and were using those choppers that did the "rolling " take off and belched fire from the exhaust . I " think " they had eyes painted on the nose ?! I actually know a medic who was at QL before he came to us . His last name was Nixon , don't remember his first ? Have a great 4th , and Stay Strong Brother ! There are less of us by the day ! doc 25th ID ...

[@Blumack21]

22 YEARS FOR ME YESTERDAY ODAAT. THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME STAY SOBER TODAY.

[@RogerBrant]

I know this was hard to share. I want to thank this man for his service and his courage for what he did and the story he's telling here... I missed Vietnam draft by 1 year . A lot of my family served that tour and lost 2 cousins.. God Bless this Man !!

[@tommierios6518]

Thanks for sharing your story. Welcome home.

[@theress9063]

God bless you, your family, and all Vietnam Vererans.

[@larryevans2806]

Hey William, great story. I'm a fellow Montanan with forty four years in "Bill W's" group. Served in 'Nam 68-69. Glad you got home ok. I had the same "hippie" experience in San Francisco airport upon my return home. I did not leave them unscathed however! God be with you bud!!

[@jaredpeterson380]

I had a friend who became a Cobra pilot in the 7th Cav. Killed by a .51 caliber bullet. January. 1970 near Tay Ninh. Great guy. So much potential.

[@josephwest7227]

Thank you for your Service,I'm a Canadian ,feel bad you got treated so badly when you got home !!!

[@geraldcalderone5228-x2p]

I wish that your government didn’t accept our cowards

[@marcusaetius9309]

@@geraldcalderone5228-x2p Some of the idiots still call them cowards, I call them smart. They knew an unjust war when they saw it and refused to kill and be killed for a cause that had zero to do with the defense of their country.

[@geraldcalderone5228-x2p]

@@marcusaetius9309 I can respect that point of view. But they should not have been offered amnesty.

[@stinkymccheese8010]

Guy has a lot to be proud of I hope he realizes that before he’s done.

[@Insert-name-here00]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Glad you made it.

[@johnlorrieboskovic2836]

Courage can be shown so many ways. The most courageous thing someone can do is face themselves. This man has. Respect to you, sir.

[@ejsocci2630]

Welcome home, thank you all for your service,👊🏻🇺🇸

[@DragerPilot]

I would like to hear more from this soldier. I would like to shake his hand, and tell him he did well. He is another of my generation who has much to say, and for the younger generations to learn - and remember.

[@curly__3]

Wow! That was a good story, thanks! Thank you for your service.

[@ArchInspectionDavidMilne]

This brings back memories of my stepfather who was a door gunner on a huey. When I was in high school, he would get up mornings dripping in sweat. A mix of being back in Nam and living state side (imagine being in a Luckys and suddenly being in a firefight). He too used alcohol as a crutch. I still remember the smell of Pall Malls and Vodka as we talked. I was lucky that he felt comfortable sharing his experiences with me and listening to your story took me back. I'm not sure if this will help you but try to find that young man inside you and embrace him like a son. The two of you can become best of friends and many wounds can be healed.

[@user-qw1lq3sz1r]

Your attitude that you thought was bad is the one thing that saved you through it all . Thanks for your tour of Duty . Blessings to you , Sir !

[@raymondkb2nzo788]

God bless you sir thankful for you.

[@JLNYardBird]

His dramatic pauses are something.

[@hinesfigher6093]

I have no doubt all you guys had to have balls as big as Chicago over there, and here at home with the welcome you [didn't] get. Thank you for your service.

[@Chris-Nico]

This former 67Y Cobra crew chief always admired all chopper pilots, but especially ‘Snake’ drivers! 👍 Just remember you’re not alone and welcome home brother! 🇺🇸 We, the military, won in Vietnam, I never let anyone else tell me otherwise….

[@liamrooney5314]

Thanks for sharing your experience, strength, and hope Hank! Congrats on stringing all those 24-hour days together! You're an inspiration to me and many others (45 years here.)

[@chrisamiejohnson3362]

I just want to reach out and give him a hug! ❤

[@bill2066]

"Scared Pilots Die." Interesting because I can apply that to life situations too

[@agates9383]

A good analogy would be skiing steep hills, attack it and go balls out and youre fine, hold back and be timid and you have lots and lots of problems..

[@arnenelson4495]

Welcome home hero!

[@Jv9569]

These men have real character that was formed through some serious adversity; which is why it's not hard to see why most modern-day Americans can't relate to what vets went through in war, as well as having to assimilate into society afterwards. God bless these men.

[@user-nu5jl8xg8t]

What a great man, i salute you

[@goodstufffromdavidpaul2246]

As a pastor, I have worked so often with folks from our country's battles I have almost lost count. Thank you for sharing the raw truth and pain you carry. And thank you for the sacrifice that you an so many others have made for all of us.

[@mynameisjim48]

Thank you for your service.

[@michaelvanausdall5968]

Really amazing story.The guys that went to Vietnam were put through sheer hell.They were fighting against the viet cong who had many years of combat experience like decades.

[@nydads]

God bless this man. Loved hearing about his life and experiences. Thank you for your service and welcome home.

[@vesnajurc4188]

Grateful for the told experience👍

[@GolfRemoEchoGolf2]

Sober Veteran here , June 1st 09 ! 0311 Marines, 13fox Army

[@jasonirby3382]

He should have said, "None. But the day ain't over yet."

[@SmashPhysical]

Hero.

[@nonamesplease8228]

I was a weapons repairer on the Cobra (MOS 68J10) 1986 to 1989. The 20mm turret gun, Tow missles and 2.75 rockets were such devastating weapons.

[@adamshani3049]

Thank you for sharing this sir.

[@jaysandstrom1359]

Powerful testimony. I’d been a proud man to have known you. Thank you for service and belated welcome home. I’d love to have known the circumstances of your article 15’s but I’m guessing you saved a bunch of good guys because of them. 😢😢😢

[@Truckergregg]

I respect no one more than combat vets from any war. God be with you always.

[@steventwiddy3402]

Thank you for your service and all of the sacrifices you made !

[@thievingpanda]

Damn we have some truly ungrateful and disgusting civilians. I'm sorry you had to endure that homecoming.

[@indycharlie]

Hey Hank , hope you have a great 4th today ! Sounds like we worked the same AO's , but my TOD was 70-71 . I started out at Tay Ninh and ended up as a leg , recon and BLUE with the 25th / 17th /Med Det. Tay Ninh . One of my last duties was with my team and some SF in Tay Ninh province during the FSB Pace deal as a QRF. I can vividly remember sitting around the CC bird at Tay Ninh West before we left for the SF camp , and their was a lively discussion about which was the best way to use the " chicken plate " to sit on . The whole AO around FSB Pace was hot with 51 cals' . I ended up sitting on mine with the front down . During that shit I would fly in the C&C bird wearing my Swiss Seat along with a Ranger ( RTO ) who also wore his SS . Thank God we weren't hit with a 51 , and we were only scrambled twice for downed birds . I don't know if you were at Quan Loi , Loch Ninh , Bu Dop or Song Be , or other . But all those AO's up that way were hot for us . Stay Strong brother , there are less of us by the day .. doc

[@douglascapron9814]

Great episode

[@cmcd1008]

I'm sorry you got screwed by your own country, but HOOAH, brother. I wish you all the good there is.

[@Ashley1958cpt]

So powerful. Lest we forget.

[@monkeymeat5171]

Thank you for sharing your story brother. Be in peace.

[@SirCarlosMusicBMI]

God look after our Heroes and may the USA 🇺🇸 Help all of our brave Veterans 🙏 Wake up America 🇺🇸 and PLEASE quit forgetting about all of our Veterans 🇺🇸🙏. Thank you Sir for your service 🙏. I will forever be grateful for everything you young men and women have done for us. Blessings from Paso Robles, California, Carlos

[@volca8421]

What did going to Vietnam do for any American?

[@donc9751]

Very powerful experiences you shared doing an incredibly dangerous job, as so many of the young men did who were in Vietnam . I'm glad you made it home, and I'm glad you made the trip that saved your life from yourself when you became a friend of Bill's!!! That I can relate to! Between 14 and 30 I drank my life time supply and more. Welcome home!

[@anthonybray4727]

my brother was a scout pilot in vietnam, he was a scout in a h13 was a key player in the I drang valley nov 65. he had 3000 hrs in the sky. he came home in 66 he just passed 3.17,23. dfc chief warrant officer 2. he was 82 when he died.

[@LazyHAcres]

Thank you

[@user-gb8fl4hk9x]

I remember the hunter killer team, the low bird shot at us, Just crazy, First Air Cav 1/7 69/70.

[@brrrlak]

"none, it was a slow day" man that's rough.

[@stevefaulkner6689]

Thank You Sir and Welcome Home Your Service and Sacrifice are and will be always Remembered 🇺🇸🙏

[@para1324]

Respect sent. 🇺🇸 We can bend but still be strong.

[@jansobieski7470]

Fear attracts bullets, frags and shrapnel... those who soldier on in the face of fears quite often make it home... unfortunately, you were not the only GI to be $hit on ... welcome home Brother...

[@woolfy02]

That is one tough dude! He could have been great doing audiobooks or podcasts, the way he tells his story.

[@johngrogan7585]

Thank you Sir 31 for me

[@francispeltonen3772]

❤ Bless you sir. Let's all the bit on veterans that made the ultimate sacrifice.Or or was wounded or just served in a combat unit. Brave brave man.

[@jeffbeard3613]

Thanks for your service Thanks for telling your story God was with then an now

[@Romas65]

Thank you for your service brother, God bless you, God love you.

[@wesleyallan7436]

You and me brother, welcome home!

[@kevinprice7203]

My father was a Headhunter: A Troop 1/9 Scout Pilot at Tay Ninh, March 1969 - 1970. I believe he moved to the HHT Troop later in 1969. Lieutenant, later Captain, Price.

[@danodonnell7218]

I'm glad your sober! God is good!

[@rodrogers6895]

God is obviously selective. There are thousands of PSTD victims that he seems to have overlooked.

[@danodonnell7218]

@@rodrogers6895 Politicians start wars and people die and are damaged! And you want to blame GOD for that?

[@brianjernigan6183]

Welcome home soldier. What hell of a story....

[@ZERO-911]

Thank you Hank. I wish I was really somebody special so it could mean more, but I'm not. Me and those that I love have had pretty good lives and I can't shake the feeling that we were gifted our lives by YOU and guys just like you. Thank you for my life and the lives of those that I love and care for Hank. Stay sober Hank, this man has nothing but love and gratitude and admiration for you.

[@drenk7]

Thank you for sharing. I remember what we were treated like. One of my buddies went home, to a small town in Wyoming. They bought him drinks and treated him well. Metropolitan Areas not good.

[@Cognitoman]

I’m from Montana dude, and lived in Missoula for a few years

[@richp1114]

Welcome home sir.

[@ScornedRemnant3935]

What kind of people could treat a returning combat veteran so bad?

[@lard_lad_AU]

liberals

[@LRRPFco52]

Marxists acting as part of the Soviet demoralization program. Read the defector literature.

[@katherinegates1559]

✨✨💫 God Bless All of Our Vietnam Veterans.....Love them All....They are amongst our Bravest......♥️✌️♥️

[@jamesoncampbell6168]

My uncle who taught me to fly was a scout pilot in Vietnam and flew caribous for special forces air drops was an insane pilot lol

[@unpob]

We were sitting outside the hootch in Chu Lai and talked about how we were not going back to the USA but going to go to Australia. After getting the cake with the ground glass in it, flying to the “world” no longer interested us. Memories from the Americal…

[@waynewood1991]

Hank. Welcome home I'm from a small town west of Havre flew c model guns for 11th cav C model slicks for 3rd sqdn 11 cav medivac one ship troop inserts and resupply no gun cover got my commercial r/w and f/w before I got out cropdusted for six years and then quit flying still fighting battles most of which I didn't invite God Bless

[@jackdelaney8849]

Well done Hank. I also had a wife that said clean up or get out , so I cleaned up , Danang 63, did they call you Teflon Hank after hitting the dirt 5 times , : ) Cheers

[@forestreader]

hard as nails

[@Hopalong..75]

We were all scared but you have to feel like you are going to live forever. Thinking something is going to happen to you creates too much negative energy.