Helicopter Pilot’s Unforgettable War Stories From Vietnam

[@scottcaldwell7480]

Sir, you earned the right to be as emotional as you want anytime, anywhere.

[@Terinjim]

Yes, he does. My mom gave me a St. Michaels before I left intotheArmy. Interesting that anytime, anywhere was my Unit crest motto 9th Infantry Division 9th Combat Support

[@tommyjenkins7453]

Not the first time I've heard about the South Korean Soldiers and the opposing forces getting out of Dodge rather than fighting the South Korean army. I was TDY at Osan air base and was treated like a king by the Koreans. They still appreciate the freedom we gave them

[@alexgioulis1157]

11b here. 1969-1970 To this date whenever I hear the familiar wop wop wop of a slick flying overhead I look up and smile and silently thank the warrant officers for their skill and bravery . Beautiful narration of your experience.

[@JohnNiehaus-iz1fd]

Love the St. Christopher story. May your Mom Rest In Peace.

[@davidgray5776]

Who is "ST. Christopher"

[@barsoom43]

Huey pilot, 68th AHC, Bien Hoa, 68-69.. My story is very similar to his story.. My mother draped the Miraculous Medal around my neck.. I too never turned down a mission.. It helped too that our church was right across the street from our home.. My mother never mentioned it but I am sure she spent a lot of time over there.. I needed all the help I could get..

[@mrwest5552]

@barsoom43 - Thank You for your Service there.🇺🇸 Question : did you or others on your ship crew drip fuel into the sand filled cookie tin, place an empty tin on top to boil water for coffee per: Robert Mason ?

[@barsoom43]

@@mrwest5552 Huey's had several fuel cell drains on the belly... What we did sometimes was fill a can with sand and wet it with fuel.. take an old style beer can opener and puncture across the top of the can to make little spikes sticking up.. Then light the JP-4 and set a can of food on top of the impromptu heater and warm the contents.. Had to be careful with that because we could get a scramble notice at any moment and have to pull pitch.. so there you'd be with a hot can and half warmed food.. Mostly, I ate my C's cold but I do have a picture of one of those little heaters.

[@mrwest5552]

@@barsoom43 - thank you for your reply Sir - Mason's was largely the same recollection. cookie tins and army instant coffee, no sleep, engine shut down on the top of a knoll having flown all night, ate their cookies drank their coffee sittin' in the seat. back when i was young dumb and full of cum U.S. Forest Service brought on aux fire crews and i humped. we weren't given much beyond water so when a Forest Service crew gave up their old rats we thought it was payday. 🇺🇸

[@raymondfryar1533]

Glad you made it back for your sake and mom's. Thanks for your sacrifice.

[@barsoom43]

@@raymondfryar1533 Thank you.. Later in life, I turned my flight skills into more productive work as an air ambulance pilot for a major university hospital program.. flew over 5K medical flights in 26 years.

[@josephdirvin401]

Chopper Pilots were life savers. Lima Platoon, A Co., 1/26th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Oct. 1, 1966- Oct. 1,1967. To all my dear pals, who gave all.

[@jackharle1251]

Thank you, Brother

[@Bruce-js3ci]

Guy said that the Korean allies to the U.S. were considered really Bad News to the enemy , how did their fighting differ?

[@Nam-id7kj]

@Bruce-js3ci I work with the ROK's for a short time. VC & NVA were afraid of them. They didn't have the rules we had. It was, kick ass & take names, whatever it took. Good guys, serious, but did party.

[@snowman374th]

Thank you for your service!

[@thomasjjunk6770]

As a retired Huey Army pilot who never encountered real fighting, I have no clue what you've been going through. You Stephen and all your comrades are real heroes. God bless you.

[@ellisandrews440]

My mom gave me a Saint Christopher’s medal to wear when I went to fly in the air force. I served and I am still here and will be 80 in September

[@jayr5331]

Thank you for your sacrifice. It is very much appreciated. Thanks again.

[@THEELTOPIAN1909]

THANK YOU!!!

[@johnashep109]

Do you still wear the saint Christopher

[@ellisandrews440]

@@johnashep109 Whenever I travel I wear it. As a matter of fact I just came back from. two week trip and wore it all the time

[@patfromamboy]

What is a St. Christopher’s medal?

[@maninthemiddle55]

To you, good sir, and all those who served with the integrity with which you did, whether they came back alive or not, we thank you.

[@kellymay3774]

Welcome home

[@jackdacop9827]

As a retired Chicago Police officer I had St. Michael with me everyday. Saints are awesome and always there to help.

[@falcon3719]

Amen.

[@krisshepherd740]

The bravery of these men is beyond my comprehension. Just so special ❤❤❤

[@ritaschultz6859]

I saw posts from other Vietnam vets who called these Huey pilots angels in the sky ! Thank you for your service, your skill , bravery,and your honorable 🌹service to our country 🇺🇸 God Bless you ✝️

[@brucehinds7269]

Welcome home Brother. We were there and wearing our St Christopher medals at about the same time. I went over in Feb 72 and came home the end of Jan 73. My grandmother had a medal blessed by the bishop of her church and told me to wear it, that it would protect me . . . We saw a bunch of action that spring with the Easter Invasion, the stand downs and all, troops were going home everywhere but those of us the flew just changed units and flew special forces or ARVN support. Although many around me got shot up, my helicopter never took a hit. I tell the story on occasion but never heard anyone else with the same story. Thanks for sharing . . .

[@Combat556]

Very emotional story, thank you for sharing. I was a Marine stationed there near the DMZ in 1967-68 during the TET OFFENSIVE. I’ll never forget it.

[@Buce-ku9vx]

What division, battalion, company, squad were you in troop?

[@Combat556]

@@Buce-ku9vx HQ Co. 4th Marines, Communications

[@Nam-id7kj]

Me too, Army 67&68, Tet. tough weeks. Welcome back, brother. Semper Fi!

[@jamiejack764]

Welcome home thank you for your service from England

[@Combat556]

@@jamiejack764 thank you. My ancestors are from the UK. 🇬🇧 😊

[@Nam-id7kj]

My team was shuttled on opts & supported a while by the 240th AHC Bearcat near Bien Hoa. I understand the emotion, combat is always there & raises it head on unexpected times. I remember after returning back to the world, arriving Travis AFB, I spent the night in SF. The next evening I caught a flight to an airport near my grandparents in CA. My dad was a USAF Col., fighter Pilot that just finished survival school on his way to Vietnam. He had a couple of weeks left of leave before departure to Nam. I'll never forget on the way to my grandparents home with them in the car & mom & dad. My dad said, "Your son's home mommy, you can sleep tonight." It's the mother's with sons in harms way that are the heroes. Army 67&68, Tet. Welcome back, brother. Thank you for the support & saving those you were able too. Trust me, they remember you & your crew.

[@JowellRivera]

I went in 1978. 20 years Army Aviation. Three years after Vietnam. I knew many pilots like this. Great bunch of guys. Fun Warriors.

[@Slcm02]

God Bless. I was a CW2 pilot in 4 corps in 69/70. Glad we both made it back.

[@jackharle1251]

Thank you, Brother

[@IRobinson44460]

Love those crew chiefs & door gunners too. Please say call sign. Thanks in advance. Ian Robinson Tiger 24/Viking 22 (121st AHC) & Falcon 88 (335th AHC), 69-70, 70-71

[@markklokkou248]

Hero's

[@SpecialAgentSamCooper]

11B here. These guys always put themselves in harms way just to save our asses on many occasions. Hearing those rotary blades off in the distance was always a relief.

[@richardsmith2684]

11D,,yes they were and that sound snaps my head up always,,

[@ricardomorales7020]

I never called anyone a hero But you sire are one, l've hear lot of helicopter pilots stories from Vietnam ,and there's no doubts of your heroic deeds while there. All in all its one of the best and happiest Vietnam stories I've heard. Mom prays are blessing. Thank you sir 🙏

[@probro101]

Such a heartfelt interview from a good man. It tugged on my heartstrings

[@josephdirvin401]

As a 11B I was amazed at the bravery, skill and tenaciousness of the ”Chopper” pilots.

[@TheGeorgiaRover]

Sitting here, floored. Wow. What an experience. Guys like this are truly special, indeed. Grateful for his service. ✌🏻

[@mittbutler7742]

Thank you for your service, sir. My son’s father in law was a Cobra pilot in Vietnam. Both of you are heroes!

[@jeffreypinder9398]

Well done, Sir. Family is everything and family isn't always blood connected.

[@ExtremeRecluse]

Huey Pilot, 87-96, medevac most of the time. My heart goes out to you Steve and your St Christopher.

[@johnashep109]

March 30th 1972 I was 11 years old,it was the year I got saved and Baptized

[@suepantos-fp6uk]

My husband was there in the infantry. He was a lucky one that made it home.

[@dianastewart2850]

We might have crossed paths, I too was in Tuy Hoa end of 1971 and early 72. I was with the 981st Sentry Dog Handlers and we were some of the last to leave before the base was torn down. We moved north just outside Qui Nhon to Lane Army Heliport, which also was downsizing. Didn't have enough of our own people so we had Korean tower guards. They were very good to work with, very dedicated.

[@garbo8962]

I was in Di An 71 - 72 and we had ass kicking ROK'S so we never got hit with incoming.

[@jward9637]

I'm always impressed with these helicopter pilots. These guys had nerves of steel and bravery was never questioned. Semper Fi

[@dannymckinley1545]

Absolutely incredible. Thank you for your service to America.

[@Navygrl58]

What an incredible story that was! 🙏🇺🇸.

[@-Cece]

Thank you for your service and for those who served with you and after you. God Bless.

[@ejsocci2630]

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

[@krinkov7629]

Thank you for serving and doing your best. You didn't waver sir! Glad you made it home. Salute!

[@frankfreeman1444]

Nam vet. This is slightly off topic and more than a little stupid and juvenile, but you might get a giggle out of it. I am sure that you remember the standard greeting when you met someone over there (at least among enlisted troops) of "SHORT!", followed by announcing how many days left before you rotated. So "short, 93 days" was how it went. I was in a shitter, on base somewhere in the Delta, just reading the graffiti on the walls, when I saw "short, 364 days, and it feels like I just got here yesterday! Stupid, I know, but it cracked me up then, and I still remember it 50+ years later!

[@B25gunship]

Yes sir. In the Navy we used to say, "I'm so short my knuckles are draggin." Or, "Don't start any long conversations, I'm too short." This was a helluva story of bravery and dedication. Also a heartfelt depiction of one mans love of family. Thank you sir.

[@smokeyp7565]

Thank you for sharing your story..Thank you for serving.

[@vmdairy]

9/17/70...the happiest day in my life. The day I returned from Vietnam. 1/506 101st Airborne. Infantry.

[@lindajones8895]

Welcome Home. St. Christopher always protects us. Thank you for your service. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸⚓️⚓️⚓️⚓️

[@tammyalbertsen9522]

I know so many Vietnam vets. Most just didn't want to discuss their experiences, but I could feel how it weighed on them. I'm so glad that through these projects, the vets are finally able to express their thoughts. Thank you.

[@jaftb2012]

Beautiful story sir! We all owe your family our gratitude ❤

[@robertgraham5619]

Thank you for telling us your story. I'm very touched and inspired. I've heard that real heroes never consider themselves heroes, they just do what is needed to be done. How amazing you are still that "hero" willing to go back if needed! Thank you for being you!

[@bradleymiller7375]

@robert, AMEN!!

[@jasoncharles8651]

Right on brother.

[@hindflight]

I had not heard as much about the Koreans being there during Vietnamization efforts. Very interesting.

[@ScaleHangar182]

Mr, You are a true hero!

[@bboomermike2126]

I was a Navy door gunner in Vietnam. Most people never get to meet their heroes, but I got to fly with mine.

[@drewpall2598]

@bboomermike2126... Thanks, you for your service and sacrifice during the Vietnam conflict and welcome home Sir. If you haven't seen this interview by David Christian a Vietnam Green Beret, he gives his perspective on growing up in the 1950's and on the 60's and his views on the Vietnam conflict having served. Enjoy. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYO1Y5iHo5ujiMk Magnificent Vietnam Warrior Reveals Combat, Bullets, Napalm & Social War Activism

[@earlhester825]

I flew with 173rd airborne brigade aviation Casper I was a door gunner. Flew in same areas as this man did. I disliked the highlands. To me the highlands were spooky. I flew for 6 months until the brigade got orders back to fort Campbell Kentucky. The 6 months flying were the best time for me in Vietnam. I felt like I really was doing something that made a difference. Would do it all again.

[@robedwards4636]

Thank you for sharing your experience, your service and your passing on the heritage with your grandson!

[@greensombrero3641]

brilliant record Sir - thank you for sharing it for the future to learn

[@garyluck8502]

Thanks for your service please remember you did your best!!! Everyone please remember the ones that didn’t make it back home!! Thanks67 was my year

[@anthonycoiner5312]

Yes Sir you will see him one day and..He'll thank you for trying to save him!..God Bless You Sir..

[@kevbrown7137]

Emotional 🙏 Salute... They called... He hauled..

[@bradleymiller7375]

Thanks for ur service! Tears flowing!!

[@roberts1938]

An extremely touching story that catches your voice in throat. War is not for good people, but unfortunately bad people start wars and good people have to end them.

[@krisius1]

A fellow Groundhog Day birthday here. Perked right up when I heard that. Love the vet stories. Scary, interesting and heartbreaking all at the same time. Mad respect from Canada. This story really hit me.

[@JamieBlaine]

Great American. So many like him served this great nation. Thanks to all. We are so blessed to have patriots like you willing to answer the call. Thank you.

[@m1k3fx]

SIr i could not hold back my tears when you went home and gave your mom back her necklace. Thank you for your service.

[@gotchagoing4905]

I flew my first tour in the Central Highlands, (II Corps), been to lz english a few times, LZ Bong Son, Oasis, Dak To. I can't remember all of those FSB's. I went down in my loach,(OH-6a) near Oasis I think it was. RVN- 7-/71/72. Now I flew a wheelchair. Scouts out.

[@forestwalker8493]

Your family is a charm for America. Thank you!

[@davidlillie4332]

Thank you for all that you did. We were in Tuy Hoa at the same time before I was sent up to Pleiku. One of you pilots gave me a hell of a ride up through the An Khe pass one day at tree top level due to low clouds. A ride I will never forget.

[@billjames3030]

God Bless this amazing soldier and his family. We are very grateful for your service to our nation. ❤

[@arthouston7361]

You did what I had thought seriously about doing. Some guys coming back from being in country talked me out of it. I graduated VFMA in '70.

[@nickmad887]

Thank you brother, I was a tunnel rat and the copters saved my ass a few times .I LOVE MY FLAG

[@michaelstratton6701]

God bless you sir, you're an inspiration and a hero

[@tonym.9186]

I can sleep without a care. How do I thank you for your service. How do I thank all who are in service. WITH ALL MY HEART AND SOUL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

[@carlpio5754]

I was flying F-4 in Nam and got shot down while trying to support a Special Forces camp in III Crops - very bad spot - the bad guys weren't taking prisoners - I was hanging in a tree in my chute after having to eject and was getting shot at - busted up pretty bad and really couldn't move - then this Huey comes in and lands in the bomb crater I was hanging near - the crew cut me out of my harness dragged me to the Huey to get me out - then they got shot down - after a few minutes of lead flying back and forth a LOC comes in like he was on a Sunday afternoon flight in the park and gets me out - if it wasn't for Army air I would be here today - God bless those men!

[@richardnixon4345]

And then Mom woke you up and told you to stop pulling yourself

[@niklasnystrom1415]

It is really kind of disrespectful to make up silly stories like this.

[@The_FatGeneral]

​@@niklasnystrom1415why do you think its made up

[@carlpio5754]

@@niklasnystrom1415 kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2KpmoZrgc15oK8

[@Retiredjourneyman]

@@niklasnystrom1415 you must be young

[@lifeveteran9766]

Like some off the other respondents here, I too was WOPA. Class 69-1, Nam 69-70 Ist Cav. I also had, and still have and carry, a St. Christopher medal. I used to tell guys over there that I wasn't superstitious - but that medal was what kept the main rotor blades on .... (LOL). Welcome home, Brother.

[@crystalheart9]

Thank you for your stories and service Mr. Franich. St. Christopher came full circle.

[@janetmessman95]

And Go Your Way In Safety. St Christopher goes with me everywhere. Glad he was with you. God Bless You. 52 years wearing a POW-MIA bracelet

[@jameslong9921]

May I ask who the POW-MIA bracelet belonged to or who it was made in remembrance for? I'm just curious because obviously it can't have been made for you, you not being either a prisoner of war or missing in action.

[@janetmessman95]

@@jameslong9921 Charles L Hoskins . My first one was Frederick Masterson who was a POW and was released in probably 1973. Sadly he was killed in an automobile accident

[@milesbrown8016]

Thanks for all your service. And especially those that never came home. Salute and respect…

[@Neptune730]

Thank you Sir for your courage and your service. And to all our service men and women. Thank you!!! I unfortunately never severed and wished I would have. You all have my respect and admiration.

[@Coppersaguaro]

You are indeed a hero, sir. God bless you.

[@hossee1]

I was very fortunate to have crewed Hueys and flown with some of the pilots who had flown in Vietnam. The best of the best!

[@theUnSub_46]

Good job, sir. You have my utmost respect. My cousin was a chopper pilot at about the same time. He has my utmost respect, too.

[@marioGarcia-du9eh]

I wore my st. Christopher since 1970 and still have it on had replaced the chain a few times it also brought me back home ! Dang it just brought tears to my eyes! It’s the enamel Irish green! Semper fi!

[@tomrinehart3022]

Beautiful story, Sir! You are indeed a hero and I’m sorry the way your country treated you! Thank you!

[@StevenBoyd-x1n]

Thanks for your story. You are a veteran HERO in my book. Thanks for your service. God Bless you.

[@lowandslow3939]

Wow. That brought tears to my eyes. I was Infantry in the 80’s, never deployed. Much respect.

[@stevet8121]

You would have if ordered to, so you deserve a big thank you!

[@lowandslow3939]

@@stevet8121 I was begging to go, but there was nothing going on and nowhere to go. I was also very young and naive.

[@stevet8121]

@@lowandslow3939 Every good combat soldier is young and naive. It's what makes them good combat soldiers. I'm 75 and was young and naive during the Vietnam era but missed seeing action.

[@lowandslow3939]

@@stevet8121 Well, we both wrote the check, but Uncle Sam didn’t cash it.

[@stevet8121]

@@lowandslow3939 Amen, brother!

[@ottogaher2805]

Thank you SIR for fighting for our FREEDOM, and glad to see YOU back home alive,and telling us the stories you guys went through.God Bless you,and everyone who served,and served our country! It is the Greatest honor anyone can do! You are the BEST of the BEST!God Bless the USA!

[@tats7859]

Only the ones that are inside looking out can see what a real hero looks like, and, ' sir' when I see you, I see a real HERO!!! Thank you for your work and your service 🙏

[@RobinBrowne-k6k]

I flew Cobras and Lochs with 11th ACR. Ben Hoa and Quan Loi 68/69. Glad you are home.

[@arcanondrum6543]

Looks like I'm being prevented from writing about the actual enemy. Maybe you can look at the "Made In" labels on items in the store. I like Vets, I hate the people behind the people who send them.

[@brianrobertson1211]

This man's service and others like him preserved our American freedom. Thank you sir.

[@danmurphy4472]

All Good SIR.......Thank You......and your Family......FOR EVERYTHING !!!

[@freightdawg6762]

Incredible, Thank you Mr Franich

[@mikehoncho7252]

Very emotional story for all who heard it. Thank you Sir

[@NB.867.]

Sir you are a Hero to me as well as the rest of your family who has served and still are serving, thank you for your story, your service and your families service that is still going on. Thank you to you and your family that has kept my family safe and I Thank you and your family for their service. God Bless you and your family.

[@Dave-hc6pp]

Welcome home Brother.

[@rweekrweek]

Absolutely an increduble person. Peaple like this make humble and proud to be an American. Thank you so mutch.

[@mbiker2010]

Wow! What a great man and great storyteller. Thank you for your service you are an inspiration to myself and I'm sure meant others as well.

[@rustysteed8414]

PRC-25 was the backpack sized field radio carried by🎉 the grunts. The survival vest radio was a different nomenclature. Thank you for your sevice. 3rd Tanks, 3rd Marines MOS 2531 (field radio operator).

[@richp1114]

Welcome home Sir. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@PLUMGRUBBY.]

You ARE a hero!! Dont think otherwise. God bless you and welcome home❤❤❤

[@lozcb1]

As a Brit big Thankyou for your service mate , war zones give an adrenalin buzz like no other and at the same time scare the living daylights out you , dont mind admitting freaks the life out of you when your vehicle takes half a dozen rounds , cool head and keeping the damn thing on the road saved lives , magnificent story would love to hear more .

[@arthursmith3401]

Omg!!!!! What a wonderful example of an American, of a man!!!!! Thank you so much for your service sir@!!!!! And incase no one has yet, welcome home!!!!! God bless you and all your loved ones!!!! May peace and tranquility fill all your days!!!!

[@garthrogers2176]

Wow very powerful story, god bless you Mr French

[@johnfranborra]

That must be the sweetest story I ever heard from that terrible war; it should appear in places like National Catholic Register and the wider, secular press! I've worn St. Christopher for more years than I can remember; only time I was without the medal was during SERE training, when it was confiscated and was used against me during mock interrogation. I flew with a Vietnam Huey vet until a couple years ago; he was in his early eighties when he finally called it quits; we all love him, admire his skills and are awed by his service. You guys are the very definition of hero! God bless you and your family, Stephen!

[@CraigAvis]

Thank you Sir, for sharing this incredible story and thank you for your service. You never hesitated to help those around you despite the danger it put you in, and that Does make you a Hero.

[@philbrown9764]

Welcome Home Brother from another Nam Vet, Chu Lai 68-69 1st MAW MAG 12. Liked your story.

[@km6341]

Thank you for sharing this story! My brother-in-law flew a Kayuse there and was shot down twice flying forward area reconnaissance missions. On the second, a bullet passed through his gunner/observer’s neck ( proving fatal ) and into my BiL’s shoulder. He carries fragments of that devastating round still today! God Bless You sir!

[@djmech3871]

Wow, those emotions sent chills up my spine.

[@edwardgovan130]

Brings back old memories.

[@gil123bonsai]

Thank you for serving and thank you for an emotional story.

[@bushiepete]

thank you sir for telling this story and your mum thanking her for sending chris with you,, cheers from oz