Ranger Combat In The Fields Of Vietnam | 1st Infantry Division | Andrew L. Wilson

[@americanveteranscenter]

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[@PUblius-cb9dy]

Is this the dude from the Aircraft carrier in 1971 I was the 1 year old,the 3 year old,5 year old,And Jack Cosmit THERE in my USA STRIPED PANTS AND ON THE PHONE TO SHOW ME AND JACK COULD DO SAME DUDES AS WELL AS JOHN FOLAND PRE DA NANG WHEN THE PHOTO OF YOU WAS TAKEN BEFORE COLIN POWELL AND I WERE A THING "JOHN FOLAND"

[@felixmadison5736]

Boy, can I relate to what Captain Wilson went through! I was severely wounded in December of 1969, a month before my 21st birthday, after 6 months serving in Vietnam with the army. I was wounded by mortar fire with shrapnel cutting through my jungle boot, at the base of the toes on my left foot about an 1/4" from severing them. I also received wounds to both arms, both legs, and my right flank, damaging my kidney and liver. I was rushed by helicopter to a MASH unit, with about 5 or 6 of us getting treated for our wounds. The doctors immediately cut off my left boot and uniform, and gave me a shot of morphine. I tried to look around at some of the other guys who were wounded, and all I could hear were screams of pain and the sound of pieces of shrapnel being dropped into porcelain basins. When I came to I found myself in a wheelchair, and being wheeled into a small Vietnam hospital...probably in Long Binh because we were operating in the Bien Hoa area. About 5 seconds after regaining consciousness in the wheel chair, I remember vomiting all over myself. I went down to a 100 pounds after getting wounded and not able to eat solid food for months. When I was ready to travel, but still on a stretcher, I was with a group of about 20 other wounded soldiers getting ready to leave for a hospital in Japan. While waiting, my eyes began to blink rapidly and I had no control over them. I yelled for a doctor or nurse, and I remember a few nurses running toward me. I was also raised Catholic as was Captain Wilson, and when I came to, (I have no idea what they did to me or how long I was unconscious) I was blind. I felt someone holding my hand and I asked what was going on and why have I lost my eyesight? A calming male voice told me everything would be okay, and he was 'Father So and So', I don't remember his name. What I found out was that after my episode with the eye blinking, I had lost so much blood that it didn't look like I was going to make it. They looked up my records to find out my religion. When they found out I was Catholic, they summoned the Priest to give me my last rites if need be. Thankfully, that didn't happen and after another short stay in the army hospital in Vietnam, I was cleared to leave for Japan. I was there about another week before I flew back (strapped in a stretcher) to the States and the army hospital at Fort Devens, Ma. I was there from around February of 1970, and after several surgeries including two colostomies, I was released from active duty in August of that year. It was two months longer than my original 24 month tour. I'm sorry this is such a long reply, but after listening to Captain Wilson's story, all this came rushing back 54 years later.

[@darryladams519]

Thank you.

[@Andrew-tb9vr]

Hello from England. I read every word. I'm so glad you are still with us, and hope you have had and continue to have a nice life. Its a sober reminder that the scars of war last a lifetime.

[@felixmadison5736]

@@Andrew-tb9vr Thank you for that.

[@imeldaaleman1498]

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. 🇺🇸

[@felixmadison5736]

@@imeldaaleman1498 Thank you.

[@briantaylor6562]

Glad to hear a positive Vietnam vet and his story!

[@tundrawomansays694]

It is, isn’t it? The fundamental task of any military-to kill other human beings-is inherently and overtly deadly. It’s not by accident the military structure is a pyramidal shape: It dilutes the guilt born of well, having legally killed other people. Every combat vet I’ve worked with over decades always, always remember the first one.

[@christophern1302]

That guy is a fraud, sorry to say. See my comment prior to yours.

[@haruspex9662]

​@@christophern1302I can't find your comment. Please explain

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

Amazing recollection. He is in shock and worried about his breathing. Thank you sir. Godspeed.

[@scottdowney4103]

Guy is as cool as a cucumber, clear as glass, and easy as Sunday morning. Makes you proud to be from the same country as men like that. My Dad was 5th Battalion 7th Air Cav, '69-'71. He would have really liked this guy a lot. Just great . . . from a fellow Catholic schoolboy.

[@patrickwalsh279]

Well put! 🍻

[@richardthornhill4630]

Thanks to all our Veterans who served.

[@arthurbrumagem3844]

This guy is great to listen to. I was in Vietnam and can relate .i had great officers as he appeared to be

[@OrbitFallenAngel]

Thank you for your service to our Country!! 🙏❤🇺🇸 Would love to hear your perspective and any stories you have to share with us all!!

[@arthurbrumagem3844]

@@OrbitFallenAngel I was at one of our 173rd airborne reunions in DC in 1985 when Playboy was there to interview troops ( they had a presence in Vietnam with Bob Hope tours ). They wanted to interview me about Vietnam and my life afterwards . I told them they wouldn’t print my “ story”. They said they would. After I told them ,they said “we can’t print that “. What they wanted was a story about “ woe is me, the war destroyed my life,etc etc” . I wasn’t going to fall into that trap. They walked away with me smiling in the background

[@hjr2000]

​@@arthurbrumagem3844respect 😂

[@Lynchfan88]

I grew up two blocks from John Carroll University. I salute Capt. Andrew L. Wilson for his service and I thank him.

[@PatMcDonald-c6p]

God bless you. My best friend is retired ranger. I have been to Ashtabula Ohio, collecting " ocean" glass . I still have it. Rangers Lead the way.

[@cisco8088]

Hats off to you Sir! You kind of down played yourself. Volunteering, going Airborne, graduating Airborne, volunteering for Ranger School, graduating Ranger school, and volunteering for Vietnam let's pause and say that is no joke! Amazing 👏

[@CalicoKitties-ib3qb]

What an awesome story and such a sweet guy!!! He is so incredibly positive about his whole time in service! Didn’t even say anything negative about not being able to make it thru college at first because he served. 😢 What a great role model thanks for capturing this story!! ❤

[@babellBell-qk9ys]

Solid spirit and a real veteran hero 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@sandeewood2948]

Welcome home sir thank you for your service.i was pretty close to where you were in war zone three was with the 25th infantry division Aug 68 -Aug 69.. was walking behind our point man when he stepped on a booby trap a hand grenade he was seriously wounded but survived I didn’t get hit because he told me to stay way back from him so I can relate everything you were talking about..later on I was wounded twice..glad you survived and made it back home…

[@breakingpointvideos1995]

Thank you for your service in the 25th Infantry!

[@carlv8168]

What a great interview of Capt. Wilson. He's a man of honor. commitment and valor. I salute you, sir!

[@claraedouwesdekker6389]

What a remarkable, positive, humble, positive, brave man! Respect!🙏🏻🇿🇦

[@Nighthawk1966]

This guy is very sharp and recollects everything. What a great story. Thank you for your service sir !

[@brentauslander2115]

What an impressive man. We can all learn from that push through mindset he showed.

[@jacksonfl]

Age 75 here. Infantry platoon leader in the New York National Guard at the tail end of Nam, so never went. My service paled in comparison to his. So impressive. Guys like him are what makes America great.

[@MarkTrocchio]

So positive a great leader and super intelligent guy. I would of loved to have been in his platoon

[@WillieC979]

Amazing story brother. God gave you another life and your are still a brave soldier. Thanks to you Vietnam veterans for protecting this country.

[@rulerofgods215]

Thank God for this man and men like him.

[@johngetty3839]

This guy is a real hero. We need many more like him. Thank you so much for your service!🇺🇸

[@hughbo52]

Sir, thank you very much. I joined the Navy in 74 and was lucky enough to miss Vietnam. I was however stationed to a Seabee battalion and it wasn't that bad. We'd go out for 9 months then come back for 3. Looking back the service was the 2nd best thing for me . I needed the discipline and structure. Your story and duty was quite the story and I would have loved to have heard a few more details.

[@JustSomeGuyAroundTown]

Some people are born leaders. You can tell he did well for himself to this day.

[@redbeardjohnson2570]

Thank you for your service 🇺🇸

[@gc-yk9ev]

Terrific Soldier!

[@patrickwalsh279]

Absolutely great interview, absolutely great man! Videos like these are a priceless treasure, a valuable source of experience and historical detail. CPT Wilson is especially good at relating his experiences. You KNOW this man is a genuinely good person and was a fine officer. This former infantry officer was particularly moved. Thank you, Andrew and thanks to the American Veterans Center.

[@danam0228]

Great story from a great guy. Can totally relate to what he said about saving his breath, speaking as few words as needed myself having broken ribs and nasty case of pneumonia drifting in and out

[@moviegoer1000]

Thank you for your service to our country.

[@OrbitFallenAngel]

God Bless you and Thank you for your service to our Country!! 🙏❤🇺🇸

[@LucasWRIGHT-u5b]

GENUINE, LEGITIMATE.

[@flyforce16]

Interesting perspective. This guy is positive and forward-thinking!

[@MIXTAB1]

Sooo honest, I think every man has wondered “how would I handle myself in war, could I hold up” ✌️💯

[@matthewhoheisel4840]

You have to breathe either way. May as well be talking :) thank you for your service

[@SpicyLunarDust]

Thank you sir for your service.

[@ejsocci2630]

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

[@garyferrellable]

Thank you RANGER - AWESOME 😎

[@barrykarow906]

First and foremost - good man. I was an enlisted man and can appreciate your in country and after experience. I hope you’re well today. VN veterans are a dwindling number today.

[@casablanca2745]

An inspiring individual.

[@richman7833]

Go Blue Streaks! Thank you for your service. From a John Carroll University graduate class of 2006.

[@paulkweiner6577]

Excellent plus !!!

[@Donaldwewon]

you Vietnam vets,were,are,my heroes, I went in the army,bootcamp,got sent home,medical reasons, 1979,met many Vietnam veterans, they were real men,many have helped me..I'm not a veteran,but I tried..

[@Paul-f7q]

Greetings from the 216, thanks for your service. 👉👊

[@Sludge73]

💪 badass. Thank you for being you. My maternal grandfather was 82nd paratrooper in WW II.

[@kickpunched]

This Captains story is so inspiring! Could have had a completely different attitude with it all and chose to stay positive in the darkest moments. What a legend!

[@chipowens5153]

God bless your for your service and thank you for such a positive story

[@Dominique-c3n]

Thank you so much for your service a lot of my family is in the military and sometimes I wonder what military training is like in ww2

[@bon3y4rd]

Perspective. Just really hit me that I was whining about getting shin splints in airborne school then griping about getting sick while overseas in desert storm. Then I hear this Captain with such an amazing attitude and how he saw things so differently than I did. I wish I would have been able to talk with him years ago when I was acting like a child.

[@billrosebraugh2335]

God bless you sir. Thanks for your service

[@dallasbeus2117]

Your bravery and steadfastness inspire me. God bless.

[@anlerden4851]

Thank You so much for your service and lovely dedications to Our Beautiful USA Dear American Sir.🤗🥰😍❤🤍💙🇺🇲🙏✝️

[@DRFelGood]

God Bless you for answering the call to serve our wonderful nation ❤️🇺🇸

[@John-dw5pn]

Andrew - The young kids today know who are the heroes and who were the cowards. Time has come slowly, but now the kids despise the protestors and anti-war people. Know that my 23-year-old son watches these Viet Nam clips religiously. You are the new heroes. Welcome home, Mr. Wilson.

[@HardTack808]

@Johndw5pn - understand your sentiments, but that was clearly written by someone who’s never seen combat. The world isn’t as black and white as you seem to think it is.

[@otadashi1570]

That's why you didn't start darting across a field in Vietnam in a big hurry without hyper situational awareness. Unfortunately there aren't many chances to practice not doing that under combat conditions.

[@dennislyons3095]

Thank you for your story. I also amazed Vietnam vet but, I was a helicopter pilot & there when the truce was signed. I served in II Corps near Quin Noh on the coast & Pleiku (Nov-Dec '72) Lucky to survive the booby trap! Congratulations on a good life!

[@krisshepherd740]

Great warrior and man😊

[@donnieraby5322]

From the bottom of my hart, Thank you for your service.....ML&R

[@sold8634]

Pure gold

[@LightWarriors4Life]

Thank you for your service brother 🙏🏼🇺🇸

[@forwardobserver2048]

John Carroll University Class of 1967. So many Nam vets.

[@marc2638]

I went to fort benning in 98’ and I too enjoyed the discipline. I was raised in a home that was militarily structured anyway my father served so when I got into the army I truly went home. Everything fit everything made sense I knew what to do before I was even told. I loved it, I thrived in that environment. I’d end up serving 9 years I went to airborne school, pathfinder school, Ranger school, SERE training and sniper school. I did 6 deployments 4 out of the 6 were combat tours and went to Afghanistan twice! I my iraq tour (17 months) terrorizes me to this day it was the single tour and deployment that got to me, saw and did things I don’t ever want to do again it’s just not my idea of soldiering but I wanted to go home so,,,,,, you do what you need to do

[@petervanderwaart1138]

I got to Dion about 9/1/1969. I was in the 1st Division Band. It very interesting to hear a story about what was going on in the field.

[@blainepeone2614]

Wow what a crazy thing all that training all the prep to get hit with a mine right off the bat .. how unfortunate.. glad ur ok though great respect for ur sacrifice.

[@jamesharner2687]

You should be proud amazing story thank you

[@Convoycrazy]

Thank you for sharing your story, and welcome home. They have a pretty neat DDAY reenactment every year in Conneaut; Higgins boats, DUKW's, Armor, Aviation, the whole nine yards. Beautiful part of Ohio.

[@johngaglione2236]

Great interview and great officer!

[@rickfrancis5480]

Thank you sir .

[@31446963048]

I would have known you were catholic even if you hadn't said so. Thanks and glad you came home. AMDG and in the service of others.

[@artyfo46]

Your story is an interesting parallel to mine. I enlisted in Nov 1966. Graduated Artillery OCS Sep 1967. Arrived Bien Hoa Sep 1968. Went to Di An (Big Red One), then to Lai Khe (Ben Cat - Iron Triangle). Field Artillery Forward Observer with 1/26th Infantry, purple heart, back to the rifle company. Three days from field operations to Travis AFB, California at year's end.

[@prestoni]

I was in I Corp and III Corp while there with the 173rd Airborne and then the First Field Force -Task Force South. Served as an RTO for our infantry unit and then as a comms specialist in a DETOC and then a TOC

[@Cam_88]

Thank you good sir. 👏

[@howardbeall4144]

thumbnail is the legend Sergeant Joe “Rock” Musial

[@WrittenbytheVictorUK]

Thank you, Sir. 🇬🇧

[@TommyLuciano-qe8gx]

Shout out to the big red one

[@danielhamilton4269]

THANKS BUDDY!!!!!!

[@greensombrero3641]

Bravo

[@fredlink1036]

That guy looks young. I hope he is young as he looks.

[@christiancork3912]

Brilliant

[@julianjrobertson]

Imagine meeting an extremely badass combat veteran... who will look you dead in the eye and tell you he went to Fort Denning for basic, lol.

[@generaldvw]

Such an interesting guy

[@Stoney_AKA_James]

RLTW-ATW!!

[@markjfox866]

👏🏻👏🏻👍🏼🙏🎖🎖🎖🎖

[@ryantron9]

2:40 “the paratroopers blouse their pants inside their jump boats and they’re the elites!” Could someone explain to me what the “blousing of the pants” entails?

[@SwordsmanRyan]

You tuck each of your pant legs into your boots, as opposed to having your pants over your boots with blousing rubbers.

[@mikeneidlinger8857]

I Fast Water and Herb Teas and practice Qigong. I was able to stop the night terrors. I used to get horrible nightmares every time I slept, guaranteed.

[@OrbitFallenAngel]

Thank you for your service and I am sorry that you had nightmares!! 😔 God Bless you!!

[@mikeneidlinger8857]

I'm not a Veteran. I had a long history that culminated in nightmares. Night terrors. They gave me some stuff for it that didn't help at all. Got Bless us all.

[@generaldvw]

👏🙌

[@scottbarry62]

Rangers lead the way

[@TonyBongo869]

Beware the open field

[@arthurbrumagem3844]

The US troops had a bad habit of walking into clearings en masse . The enemy always had ambushes planned and the US lost dozens of men each time. Sometimes more

[@OrbitFallenAngel]

Yes, that's why they were called; Ambushes... Unfortunately the VC were very proficient at laying traps and ambushes on American US Army Soldiers and US Marines... The VC had alot of practice at creating often deadly and unique traps..

[@arthurbrumagem3844]

@@OrbitFallenAngel you missed my point. Ambushes in many cases can be avoided by “ avoiding large open areas and not moving the brunt of your troops over that area at once “. Now ambushes in thick jungle are damn near impossible to avoid other than by just not going into the jungle at all😩

[@markcorbett3807]

No eldest son of a 7 kid household gets bothered by being Yelled At.

[@9386265]

He reminds me of an older version of Aaron Rogers of the Green Bay Packers.

[@thecomrade9284]

Wasted a bunch of taxes and walked your platoon immediately into an ambush. Glad you were confident though...

[@francislagace8411]

This guy drinks adrenaline

[@mnblkjh6757]

🇺🇸👍🙂

[@vicshun]

No foolin

[@AirborneDoc-nb1pe]

RLTW.

[@marksummers463]

God bless him for not putting a dress on and going to Canada.

[@Akubra123]

fact , you got kicked your butt where ever you went, why never get the nord vietnamese on a interview to see what they have to say, any way all of you went and still do fighting for something what is not your business, you people go in screws up and then leave or get kicked out and leave a mess behind without achieving ANYTHING

[@clydeblair9622]

What a waste of American life.

[@PatMcDonald-c6p]

That's a real man. But how does he identify? A woman? No a man. I live in Scranton Pennsylvania and we have the first woman. Not identifying as a woman, a woman killed in Vietnam. The Gino Merlio hospital. Bronz statue of this woman

[@mrpotato4441]

Psh. I’ve seen much worse. Want a real interview? Hop aboard my ****. I’m a war hero. Kids meet me and know they met a real life superhero.

[@jeffn.918]

At least you're a modest troll...

[@mrpotato4441]

@@jeffn.918 😘