Jon Wallenius - Battle of the Ia Drang Valley

[@stephenhenion8304]

Its been a long road from these battlefields! For you, me and the rest of the world. Thank you for your service. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@exmoorfarmer4880]

Goodness me what a modest man. I am humbled by listening to him. Thank you.

[@doucetdb]

Jon Welenius was an eloquent and touching speaker. He brought tears to my eyes when he spoke of his love for his fellow soldiers, especially when he spoke of seeing their names on the memorial in Washington D.C. and the shared love and respect for those that served and sacrificed. Well done, Jon!

[@wesleypulkka7447]

Jon, fantastic job! I'm truly impressed with your poise and articulation in front of the camera! What an incredible experience to live through at so young an age! Congratulations cousin!

[@jameschase8813]

I had the same job as Jon but in the US Marines 2/9 and I directed Mortars, heavy Artillery and directed F-4 Napalm drops. My water lou was taking Hill 861 Khe Sanh In the First Battle of Khe Sanh. March 15,16, 1967

[@martinworkens6130]

Did you know Danny Brotz. Trained with him . KIA April 1967. Hill 861.

[@davidyetter5409]

Had the 2/9 with us on the USS Tulare LKA 112. Great Marines.

[@boondocker7964]

We took over 2/9's Bn. area off of Anderson Trail in Sept. '66.

[@garypiont6114]

Aside from the m 60..you guys were the huge right arm Thanks

[@johntejeda6482]

Thank you and these soldier's for your service. I am so glad I served

[@michaelmonaghan2717]

There are no words to accurately explain my feelings! From a 65 y/o American who graduated high school in 1975, and never had to serve, (I wish I did!) I thank you and all your brothers who did!

[@topgeardel]

You wish you did? I was a Vietnam war/Draft resistor. I avoided the war but those days were terrible to be 17-19 y.o.. You think you missed something? What you missed was being a sacrificial lamb in an illegal and unjust war for Americans to be in. To put it bluntly, it was NOT our fight. It appears you weren't "motivated" to serve after high school...lol.

[@boondocker7964]

Mikey, thank your lucky stars that you were not there, I was in I CORP IN '66-'67, it was a fool's errand for all of us. I was stateside when the Iadrang battle happened, we did not have any idea how bad it was, they kept it a secret, be glad you were born too late for the fun and games the politicians put us thru.

[@michaelmonaghan2717]

My comments were meant show respect for those that did serve! More than I got from Jon. My statement that I wish I had served doesn't mean I meant in Vietnam! It was a mess, mishandled, and fraudulent! And we should have figured something out long before we lost 58,000 lives! I just want to show my respect for those that did a dirty rotten job that I didn't have to. One question; Was France wrong when they supported the rebels in the American revolution?

[@topgeardel]

@@michaelmonaghan2717 Good comment. Good question at the end. But for some unexplainable reason, I can't put those 2 conflicts together...in other words...one justified the other. But I have thought about that as well. For one thing...one of the things that turned me off about Vietnam was I wasn't convinced about the resolve of the South Vietnamese people to sacrifice everything for their own freedom. And let's face it....you didn't know who the real enemy was in Vietnam. The "battlefield" was too undefined. I firmly believe that a generous support of American weaponry ALONE should have been adequate to give those that wanted "freedom" in Vietnam a fair fight with the Viet Cong and NVA. France apparently had rivalry interests to support Americans against the British. The US shouldn't have assumed they were a legitimate "ally" in what was clearly an Asian issue. If you believe that the US has a "Divine" right to be the Policeman of the world, then you can justify American involvement in Vietnam. My position is that the US is not that noble of a nation and culture to evaluate the world through its needs and interests. I believe we are severely deluded about ourselves.

[@williamstokely9589]

@@topgeardel Yet here you are. In America with the freedoms that allow you to say things like that without fear of death or imprisonment. Bought and paid for by our men and women that never came home or came home "broken". These men never asked for this war it was just set in their laps and they did what was asked of them. It's shameful to live in a country that gives you so much and then just spit in its face for something that was a government mistake. No sense of trying to dishonor the service that you were not going to do and other men had to go in your place and maybe they made it back maybe not. Shameful that we as a country have had freedom so long that we forgot about how good we really do have it.

[@gophersk]

I am a Canadian, however I thank you and your team for doing your job. You are a hero. Well done.

[@thrivnak787]

A sincere thank you for your service and God Bless you all.

[@danmurphy4472]

Thank You SIR.........for EVERYTHING !!.........GOD BLESS.

[@leonardshutty6516]

Thank you sir. And the test of the brave men and women that served

[@tumbleweed6658]

Thank you for your selfless service I have two buddies that did not make it back from Iraq , it’s hard I was a lot older then they were, one was a PFC and a Spec-4. I retired in 2014. Your words help me you never forget the ones you lost.

[@ronaldwalsh6246]

Quit the whining…Vietnam Veterans didn’t get 100% handed out like candy… I had to get 5 I lost in one day! Pathetic

[@JohnDayDude]

Thank you for your service. Americans can never thank you and your comrades enough. God speed!

[@markdavids2511]

Yet your countrymen threw shit & piss at the poor men as they returned. Whenever I see all the stars & stripes in American yards I think Fairweather patriots.

[@paulannebranson8230]

Love all of this! Makes me realize how my life and everyone else’s , back in the days, just how special we were ! I am so proud to be a part of that! Now days, not so much!

[@bradr2142]

You are a warrior something most of us will never experience. Thanks for sharing what you experience. And I love what you did for us. A big thank you.

[@Thataintnothing]

Am 64 and Graduated HS also 1975 when Draft had ended and War ended .waste of Young Men and resources , aGod Bless You men whom served , and the One’s that gave All!!!🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@EarthBoundMisfitI]

What a fantastic man. Such an Interesting guy and the way he tells his story puts you there with him. Thanks for all you sacrificed Sir. I'll keep you and you're brothers in my heart always. Thanks again.

[@jinyingjiang4628]

Thanks for your service ! God Bless You.

[@reddiver7293]

What a well spoken, humble man. Many thanks to you, sir, and your brothers in arms for your courageous service.

[@tylermillare8417]

Thank you for serving and your shared knowledge ✊✊ Much love

[@petebentley3156]

Thank you sir for your service and you story,and may god bless you!!!!!

[@gulfwarveteran3832]

It's good to hear these stories because before we know it they'll be gone like so many of our WW2 veterans god bless and thanks to all of you

[@xipingpooh5783]

Thank you for your service. Our military personnel stand on the backs of Giants. Semper Fidelis🇺🇸

[@phillamoore157]

What an amazing interview….wow.

[@dufus2273]

Thanks to all these brave veterans.

[@fredkeele6578]

Held the mirror under his nose, and he was still dead. How these warriors can see a bit of humor in the horror they went thru surely helps keep their sanity. Much respect to our men and women that have and currently serve. God Bless our military.

[@bobbynesbitt1863]

Thank you for your service. Amen 🙏 ❤

[@thomasstevens9551]

God bless you sir. God I hope your sacrifice was not in vain. OUR COUNTRY UNDER ATTACK FROM WITHIN. WE SO DESPERATELY NEED BRAVE MEN LIKE YOU.

[@jinyingjiang4628]

Thank you for your service !

[@davep7308]

Thank you sir

[@kennethrobinson4743]

May All of Yall Fly On Forever may GOD Bless Yall!!✊💪✌

[@Foomba]

I read the book We Were Soldiers... and if my memory serves me, Jon Wallenius was mentioned several times. Much respect to the men and women who answer the call.

[@johnbaca1809]

Dear Jon you always been good friend and beautiful artist wonderful president of 1st Cav division few yrs back iwas there with Cav 69-70 but yall took me in when you had your I Drang reunions. Dear Hal Moore and wife Julie befriended me.

[@lennielefler2081]

I was in Nam in 1967 and saw little action mostly I was in support. For years I felt almost guilty as so many guys died or were injured. Then a few years ago I saw that saying about Nam-- “Some gave all- all gave some”... How True...

[@candellasteelerectorscande7575]

My thanks to you foryour service as ido my dad 65 to 67

[@LrdnBeast]

When I thank a service member, it's for defending the life of his fellow service members, together they protect our citizens.

[@corbytester9503]

So so true

[@jean-paulvanopdenbosch2098]

0

[@bradr2142]

I really like that.

[@prmath]

🙏🇺🇸RIP, Heroes and I most respectfully Salute you🇺🇸🙏

[@tim7325]

At the 5 minute mark is probably the most accurate portrayal of combat I've heard.

[@glennlarson9343]

Thanks

[@xXPlumpkinXx]

Thank you for serving. Thank you for uploading.

[@ejsocci2630]

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

[@DrewHanks2083]

The music playing in the background is very distracting.

[@oldreliable40]

god bless all nam vets! i served in the 80's peace! in europe!!!

[@DEVanderbiltCecil]

Thank you.

[@GrantSmith24]

Hats off to you and the general for giving everything you had for this country. I think General Moore was the only General who gave an additional 20 years of service after retirement to commemorate his boys.

[@mwbrada]

I believe Hal was a Lt. Col. when his boys dropped into the Ia Drang Valley.

[@mikewalker6208]

As a high school librarian I give tours to English classes of the different subject areas of the non fiction books. When I get to the section of shelves of the books on wars I say “ War is Hell. Here are the books you can read about it”. The freshman language arts teacher couldn’t believe I said the word “Hell”! I told him at least I didn’t say “ War is F@#$&*% Hell”! I heard stories just like this from Viet Nam Veterans, Korean Conflict Veterans & WW2 Veterans when The Library of Congress did the Veterans History Project in the 1980’s. Public Library Librarians were involved in gathering the stories of veterans on videotape & we submitted those tapes to the Library of Congress. They were shown later on The History Channel & The Military Channel on television. Oral history like this is so important for us to preserve. Thankfully those recordings from the VHP have been digitally preserved forever. Mary Z. Walker, Member NSDAR🇺🇸 Education, Patriotism, Citizenship & Historical Preservation

[@kennethb.dillard6899]

My Uncle Bob Was KIA in Anzio Beachhead Italy Jun 1944. Rest in peace uncle

[@tomfilipiak3511]

My mothers first husband Edward Pienta,was killed at Anzio,May 14, 1944,88 division 325 infantry,Blue devils of Italy!

[@bradr2142]

Wow we were standing there and this guy In a kahki uniform and pith helmet on and we were wondering who he was. Then 4 or 5 more with a machine gun then we knew who they were. Wow I bet that changed quick for him. I love you and welcome home and I love how you go to the wall and visit your buddies that is sacred and holy. You guys did a great job. Welcome home. Great story.

[@silesian99]

How can it be claimed that these guys were well-prepared when they didn't even know what NVA uniforms looked like????????????????????????????

[@phillamoore157]

It’s amazing what I continue to learn about this battle, given how much info is out there already. This is the first I’ve heard about this mortar platoon fight. It would be nice to know exactly where these platoons were located in the grande scheme of the battle, for reference. If something accurate exists can you put a link in your reply? Thank you! 🇺🇸

[@kennethb.dillard6899]

We served because we love our Country

[@krisius1]

My only issue is the annoying music in the background. These guys stories don’t need obnoxious music as a back drop. I want to hear his story, not his story in an elevator.

[@salviloc21]

Mr. wallenius . My art teacher at Venice high school.

[@garygrant9612]

Due to the thick jungle and high elephant grass, problems were everywhere due to not knowing where our friendlies were in heavy battle. Many were wounded or killed by friendly fire. Not just in this battle but many more to come. I'm not sure what island our Marines landed on in the Pacific, but about 30% were killed or wounded from our battle ship firing on the island.

[@davidovercash1408]

The draft stopped two months before I was 18, but still had to go to the post office and register

[@paullaws4965]

When my Australian unit was getting ready for somalia I had no idea where it was

[@joshboncoeur6985]

This man is a hero--led a helicopter combat assault into LZ Albany after LZ Xray.

[@johncummings6023]

How did you do it

[@samcowell2768]

As a retired Salior i salute you and cannot understand why you were disrepected i served in desert storm and all the gulf wars.....NO WAY is that remotely close to your war AGAIN I SALUTE You

[@SaviorCross]

They brought back Alverez.

[@paulannebranson8230]

Makes me cry

[@oscarsajovic6]

Enquanto Vocês lutavam o nefasto comunismo era mantido longe. Obrigado. Vcs vão ver nossos Heróis para sempre. Deus os abençoe.

[@kennethb.dillard6899]

My brother served with 9th Marines at An Kae

[@tobydog247]

58 thousand plus for no reason. I'll be drinking beer tonight over a fire with a Marine survivor of that war. He hasn't been right since 1968 when he came home. The VA does what it can with these heroes but it isn't enough. My Dad was over there with the CIA and would never talk about it. He also survived the Bulge as a staff Sargent WWII. Wouldn't talk about that either. These men came home scared and we need to be doing something better for them.

[@XNTN808]

No matter. The public never respected Vietnam guys like us and they never will. I gave up trying to right that wrong.

[@Nmax]

God bless all you veterans who served. The defeat of communism and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 is everybit thanks to you Vietnam Veterans as well as all of those that served

[@matthewjacobs141]

My old haunts.... LZ East and Center 68-69 Recon 3/21/196th LIB

[@swabbyboy]

There's a lot of folks here who haven't read the book. Y'all might try it sometime.

[@jbol2454]

The music is quite annoying, can we get this without the background music please...

[@mr.johndavid1302]

❤

[@mr.johndavid1302]

😊❤

[@paulannebranson8230]

God takes care of all

[@richardgreen7811]

Tell the whole story for once. La Drang was "one skirmish" of a three-phase battle. The La Drang phase was a costly but successful action. Where it breaks down for reality is that, unlike the movie, only a small amount of troops were evacuated by helicopter. The vast majority (many hundreds) were ordered to march out toward two separate LZ's (Albany and Columbus). Adding insult to injury, "command" ordered a B52 air strike for the area where the US Troopers were massed, giving them an unannounced and very short window to egress the area. Because US communications were compromised, the NVA knew precisely where the troopers were and that they were being divided in two groups. The NVA set up ambushes and slaughtered the troopers with around 40% KIA's, and that's just Albany. The data surrounding Columbus was concealed to avert publicity. Know this ... every coin has two sides and now you know both. It's high time that the dead and wounded of the "less glowing" events are also recognized. Doubtful there will be a movie about that though.

[@kennethb.dillard6899]

173rd Sky Soldiers 2nd Bn 503Rd Raiders in Ia Drang

[@johnbaca1809]

Too Tall Freeman medivac chopper pilot and Joe Marm befriended me

[@martinworkens6130]

So nonchalant. He was really scared shitless.

[@martinworkens6130]

Frankie, I do not know him but I do know about fear and lucky to be alive. Especially when a perimeter defense was not set.

[@sheldor5312]

@@martinworkens6130 must have been different for you. Every time I was in contact time stopped, the decisions were easy. I had already accepted I would die so fear never entered the equation. Not a “hero” just how it was for me. With men under your command, showing fear is a recipe for disaster.

[@martinworkens6130]

Sheldor . Controlling fear is what you were able to do. Fear is present.

[@boondocker7964]

You would be too, time smooths out the rough spots, after 50 plus years.

[@Slimgermanindianirishman]

What hesaysthe are true

[@notagrd]

G**damn music!@@!!

[@dcollier7239]

For all who fought thank you! For the cowards that greeted you at airports behind skirts and a trumped up agenda so they didn't have to go screw you!

[@billyrock8305]

Useless war for nothing.

[@Jack-rg6xf]

Turn off the stupid music while the man is talking

[@martinworkens6130]

Incompetent commanders. Area not secured. No one knew responsibility for perimeter .

[@tylermillare8417]

Were you able to go or actively serving during that time?

[@martinworkens6130]

@@tylermillare8417 yes USMC ‘66 ‘68.

[@boondocker7964]

@@martinworkens6130 Draftee? We had some draftees, not bad guys at all, pulled their weight. '65-'69, 0311.

[@martinworkens6130]

Boondocker . My USMC boot camp platoon 121 in January ‘68 all but two were draftees. One was a four year air wing enlistee the other a reservist who did not graduate. Twenty drafted into Marines from Detroit that day. 4 were KIa one of the KIA Silver Star

[@jeffreymcdonald8267]

The crappy and distracting melodramatic music is an insult to this man's narrative. Lose it please and thank you.

[@jackanderson6882]

What with this crappy music, geez!

[@kgw100]

Wtf is this music

[@samuelwatkins5145]

Piano is terrible, let them talk

[@paulparker8298]

Need to can the music

[@snowman374th]

Is this a bar? NO Is this a funeral? NO Is this a cartoon? No Is this an elevator? NO.. It's an Interview. People watch it to HEAR A PERSON TALK.. NOT TO HEAR MUSIC OVERLAYING THE PERSON TALKING. HOW LAME THAT KZbin DOES THIS WITH EVER VIDEO IT HAS... THAT is killing the place for me. I play music. And I'm getting sick of it because youtube's uploader are destroying everyone's music. it's sickening. i hope it stops