Bro does Beer Run for his Buddies in Vietnam War

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Truth is often stranger than fiction, and sometimes a real life tale is so outlandish, that people are often left to wonder “why hasn’t this been made into a movie.” This is one of those stories.
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Credit:
Show Created by Daniel Turner (B.A. (Hons) in History, University College London)
Script: Robert de Graff
Narrator: Jared Sager

[@Simplehistory]

Join the Simple History community on Patreon today! 📚👉 www.patreon.com/simplehistory Unlock exclusive behind-the-scenes content, early access to videos, and join us in preserving and sharing the incredible stories of our past. Your support helps us bring history to life! Join now and be a part of the Simple History journey. 🕰🌟

[@SomethingAboutRightAngles]

How was this comment posted 6 hours ago

[@lewisandeviesfuntime1931]

@@SomethingAboutRightAngles No Way

[@ghost01221]

Will You do epizod about Witold Pilecki?

[@RosiePosey5150]

Finally a face to the amazing voice. I was NOT disappointed

[@C.A._Old]

i love like this stories.

[@dcc105]

What's insane is that two, not just one, but two beer runs like this happened. One from a guy in Australia, and then this one. Both were absolutely insane, but both extremely successful beer runs. Bro's for life, so it goes.

[@tg9504]

Hey, do you have any information on the Australian beer run? I'm really interested to find out more about it, but every time I search Google for it, I just find articles about Chickie's beer run and/or the movie

[@brutalxxghost4148]

There also a famous ww2 beer run. The bar later had mugs made out with a US army's helmet along with its own beer logo of the airborne soldier image.

[@Marko-uq2rh]

Those men don’t seem too crazy to me they just got a cold one underneath dangerous circumstances.

[@jamesbaker3153]

What is absolutely unsurprising however. Is which two countries these guys came from.

[@Eye_Of_Odin978]

You can't stop a determined beer-runner. Cops have been trying for years but they never catch the tenacious alcohol couriers.

[@PhantomEagle..]

This guy deserves to be in a beer commercial, with free beer for life 👍

[@sickbozo8152]

anheuser busch needs new PR person

[@TheChicagoLuxDriver]

@budweiser

[@C.A._Old]

Like george washington dodge commercial? :-D

[@C.A._Old]

i love like this stories.

[@kennydoggins1712]

This is what Modelo claims it's all about... Perfect beer "fighting spirit"

[@akramgimmini8165]

As a German I approve of this Run

[@LavaCreeperPeople]

As a Run, I approve of this German.

[@C.A._Old]

i love like this stories.

[@kevmoful]

Whilst training with the German military right before an afghan tour I saw the German beer culture . I saw a young German private get approached by the Base police at the bar . He was under arrest for assault of something that was all I understood . But before they placed him in custody they allowed him to finish his pint, when he requested without hesitation the arresting officer replied “jawohl” which I didn’t know at the time . Turns out that cop basically told ole boy “of course” . Haha doesn’t happen in the land of the “free” let me tell ya

[@Danzel_Gaming]

@@LavaCreeperPeople As A Approve, I German Of This Run

[@alexisjuillard4816]

Obviously. Your tanks are tested with pints of beers at the end of the barrel in manouver exercises to see it they can preform emergency beer runs/ressuply in case of war EDIT: just to clarify, it's actually true lol. not saying it's a standard test or whatsnot and obviously the beer run thing is sarcasm, but if you don't get the reference look up german tank beer pint or whatever it's just brilliant and fucking hilarious. pretty fucking impressive too, the stability of the barrel is mindblowing

[@Saanonymous80]

The greatest beer run was the Seabees that not only stole an enemy train, but an enemy train full of beer, and rebuilt the tracks while bringing it back.

[@attemptedunkindness3632]

A pot bellied Sailor will suddenly becomes Rambo if booze is at stake.

[@C.A._Old]

i love like this stories.

[@barryrammer7906]

This is actually true. The SEABEES did it in Korea during the Inchon landing. The SEABEES were scouting the area for anything they could use to help move supplies faster. Found a train at a beer factory. Took the train back as close as they could while enjoying a few beers and used it to bring supplies to the the Marines. The SEABEES are the best combat engineers in the world. Wherever you see Marines or special forces you can guarantee their are SEABEES there. It is a true story. The actually get combat training from Marines and fight if they have to.

[@kevinlutz5994]

The spoils of war. trophies.

[@tonypeppermint5329]

Nice.

[@pabcu2507]

Never separate a man with his beer

[@stefan7378]

Especially a Bavarian!

[@griffinroblox73]

never give a russian beer. only give it vodka

[@leonardticsay8046]

@@griffinroblox73lol. It.

[@SlyCooper1920]

​@@griffinroblox73The French prefer wine

[@chiapets2594]

Yes ban alcohol

[@attemptedunkindness3632]

Donahue clearly still had Niall's blood running through his veins. "Your idea is insane, dangerous, and above all else stupid... I'll do it instead."

[@ScotchIrishHoundsman]

Yes. This is why we still claim to be “Irish”, though we’re American by nationality. Just because our ancestors had to immigrate, doesn’t change our DNA!! 💪😤

[@afrikasmith1049]

Moral of the story: A good soldier always looks out for his comrades, but a good civilian gives his fellow man a beer.

[@rickwilliams967]

If we changed that to a joint, we might have a couple hours of peace 😂😂😂 Wait, probably like ten minutes. Either way, totally across the planet. A comedian said that I think. If everyone smokes a joint at the same time, there'd be a couple hours of peace or something. I'm misquoting it, but you get the jist

[@nerminerminerminermi]

The CIA guy with an bag full of bear handing it out to everyone crossing his path 😂😂😂

[@Gmtar]

Lynch, Donoghue, Minogue and Collins. Irish surnames. No wonder they were on a beer run.

[@brandon8541]

This brings a whole new meaning to “Once a Marine always a Marine”.

[@RichardinSiam]

I remember as a child one of my dads vets friends was talking about cold beer and ice cream being huge.

[@TheColosiss]

This reminds me of a story I heard from a friend in Oregon. He was a Vietnam vet and had a unique experience. He was demoted and severely reprimanded all due to beer. Long story short, he was sent to get some supplies for everyone and on board was a case of beer for the top brass. On the return journey, a machine gunner opened fire on his chopper. His squad wasn't allowed to fire back, so he grabbed a case of beer and chucked it at the guy when the chopper passed over. The case broke open mid-air and rained down very heavy beers going very fast. One of them hit the guy. That was what saved him from serious issues. This ol' marine said they only reason he is still alive was because he actually hit the guy... he just reached for what he could and reacted. True story. Apparently a beer from a Huey hurts...

[@iammelon7803]

I want to know what brand that was! It must hit hard!

[@tomhenry897]

At a hundred miles per hour A guy is Spose to have hit an VC with a smoke gernade when his mg jammed

[@nativefreek5194]

Bruh the gunner got the hangover and didn’t even drink

[@TheGamerFriends3]

​@@nativefreek5194 bro 😂😂 underrated asf comment

[@danielescobar7618]

You got me crying on my work break. I miss being in as much as I don't. I miss having dudes that cared about you always in arms reach. Care like this is too spread out thin, too far apart now.

[@kevmoful]

I received a Red Cross letter while on deployment that my father had hours to live . I didn’t have a father never met him or anything so I had that conversation with my xo . Turned out my paternal grandfather I never met made it happen . I got to go home and the man that was my father did pass a few hours before I got there . But I did get to meet a guy whole new family and learn quite a bit about where I came from. The first thing my grandfather ,Duck, a very tattooed Vietnam vet I had never met did was in fact buy me a beer and just laugh when he found out we were both 13b. Good times

[@NewPaulActs17]

13b?

[@avroarchitect1793]

​@@NewPaulActs17 Artillery man. Its the US military ID code for that particular trade. Every trade has a unique number.

[@mattwilliams3456]

11B is infantry. 13B is a gun bunny, cannon cocker, round pounder, or Redleg, aka an artillery man .

[@andrewhoward4523]

@@NewPaulActs1713B was his job. 13 Bravo. You go to AIT, (job training) when you graduate BCT.

[@mikegood8582]

He has got to be the greatest friend in human history. Risk your life to make sure your buds have at least one more good time.

[@TheFlutecart]

I had heard this story but it's excellent to see a Simple History cover it. The Great Beer run is legendary. What it must have meant to those men to know their neighborhood bar was thinking about them. Priceless.

[@Mach5Johnny]

I’d love to see Dankula do an Absolutely Interesting video on this glorious story

[@PhantomEagle..]

I know right!

[@BonShula]

Dude has some brain rotted political takes

[@Mika-ph6ku]

Gotta suggest this in the comments of his vids

[@gamewatch6861]

This automatically makes him the greatest bro ever.

[@sircrimsonwolf7492]

Few people are brave enough or crazy enough to do what this guy did not to mention lucky enough. This guy must’ve had feet on his side to be able to go through all this and live hats off to friends willing to go the extra mile.

[@thomasmeagher8941]

Bro pulled the smokey and the bandit💀

[@vaedo01]

"Why hasnt this been made into a movie" Dude theres a movie about it literally called "the greatest beer run ever"

[@williamkarbala5718]

Right!? It starred Zack Efron and Russle Crowe, like this was a major motion picture.

[@kdoubleg]

Came here to say this. Glad im not alone

[@POPTARTMILK]

Same here

[@atomicmelodies]

Its weird because they mention the movie at the end if the video

[@derp3044]

​@@atomicmelodiesyeah but at the beginning they said why hasn't there been a movie lmaoo

[@paperman9708]

Love the detail on the SKS at 9:48. Most channels would just slap an AK in there but instead it's an SKS. They were used very widely. It makes sense too. No magazines to carry around and it's cheaper/easier to carry around a bunch of loaded up stripper clips. USSR and China had a TON of them laying around so why not use them. There was plenty of 7.62 x 39. So they can hand out just the rifle and a handful of stripper clips without worrying about magazines. It also probably helped conserve ammo since they only had the 10 round box mag and semi-auto. It would have been cool if they made a full auto SKS lol.

[@MistakenForBigfoot]

The Chinese made the Type 63 which is pretty similar to what a full auto sks would be, its in BOCW

[@MistakenForBigfoot]

Plus it is really easy to accidentally convert your SKS or M1 Garand to full auto

[@Backroad_Junkie]

It was made into a movie in 2022. It was on Apple+, so I never saw it, but I do remember it was being produced.

[@williamkarbala5718]

It starred Russle Crowe and Zack Efron. I like it. It was interesting perspective on the war, a pro-war guy being dressed down by his friends, for being an immature a-hole.

[@brianumbarger9790]

Your videos got my generation of highschool students 2012-16 back into history.

[@aj3751]

This is another level of wholesome and I love it. My one nit-pick is that you said PBR, Rheingold, Schaefer, and Peels are lesser known beer. My dad grew up around this time in New York City, and these were everybody's go to beer. Light, cheap, and cold.

[@dysko3560]

Never even heard of the last three honestly, not sure if the brands died off or what but yeah, do love a cold PBR every now and then though. OP did specify "lesser known in Vietnam" btw.

[@ShoanQuebecCoD]

Pbr was most Likely less known at the time

[@shamimmohamed2843]

Why do americans like light beer?

[@RazSofer-xh3qs]

Punisher, Spawn and Forest Gump just enjoying their Vietnam Beer run

[@bernardorios9948]

This man is a legendary veteran of the Vietnam War. 😎👏. Donohue deserve to have a true story movie of himself by delivering the beer.

[@zintosion]

The greatest beer run ever is the movie name. It's base on his story.

[@bernardorios9948]

​@@zintosion, thanks for the reminder. It turns out Zac Efron role plays as Donohue. 😎.

[@ricothepoolboy1758]

@@zintosion My understanding about that film is they took some liberties with the story. I don't believe he saw a CIA helicopter execution, as well as a few other things.

[@TheCaptainSplatter]

​​@@ricothepoolboy1758ya, it's not exactly faithful.

[@qwettttttt]

​@@ricothepoolboy1758most movies that are BASED on a true story, have dramatization added to it. For the sake of the movie.

[@kokomo74149]

That was an awesome lost story. That's the level of actions speak louder than words... that we need a lot more of today. What an incredible quest of honor.

[@momoniji6439]

POV: That one unemployed friend on a Monday...

[@shelty3178]

My grandfather knows him, I got to meet him a few months ago. Still a great lad!

[@StrikingYoIp]

As someone who enjoys a cold one, this man has got the respect of all beer enjoyer's here

[@SkiddyBeef]

Sad thing is it probably wasn’t cold😔

[@jerryeskridge6149]

I hope some one in the U.S. Government gave Lynch a congressional medal of honor what a patriot...🇺🇸

[@oliversherman2414]

Imagine how confused you'd be as a soldier seeing a civilian running around the battlefield

[@mr.krabs1009]

In a foreign country non the less

[@oliversherman2414]

@@mr.krabs1009 yeah lol

[@hfar_in_the_sky]

I think we call agree this well and truly deserves the title of “a truly epic beer run.”

[@Goc4ever]

A former US Marine turned Merchant Navy member travels to Vietnam to give beer to his neighbours: he is an amazing buddy and bro🫡

[@kebabgud]

0:10 actually.. it was made into a movie. its called "The Greatest Beer Run Ever" starring Zac Efron and Russell Crowe

[@ShadowMark3_]

They mentioned that in the end of the video.

[@CT--7556]

Definition of: Not all heroes wear capes.

[@judoclawplays962]

They did make a movie about this

[@Masonthebaconhair]

"You are a true American, son" -Soldier

[@pokefan-ix7sh]

John "Chickie" Donohue is an American former United States Marine, merchant seaman and trade unionist. He is best known for his 1968 journey through Vietnam where he delivered beer to several United States service members during the height of the Vietnam War.

[@crazymothman6124]

If you’re homie bringing you beers in the middle of war you know he’s a loyal ones

[@jacobmnichowski7563]

Imagine if Chris Kane was your history teacher in school

[@ChrisKane-]

If only...

[@RiceOnToastGaming]

@@ChrisKane-oh my god it’s literally him 🥳

[@ChrisKane-]

@@RiceOnToastGaming o/

[@ChrisKane-]

o/

[@jacobmnichowski7563]

@@ChrisKane- History teachers were my favorite

[@enigma5760]

0:44 giggity

[@danzmitrovich6250]

I am very happy to be getting beer to my boys and my crew when the times are tough for a beer and food run and done that can always support the crew with beer

[@TitanAEX4]

Balls of steel on this man. Four months overseas is worth fire-forged friends for life.

[@blaskoxx4954]

9:00 omg you guys I'm going over to support great content TY so much!

[@thebritishgamerandstuff8328]

You’re right, someone need to make a movie about this

[@LouieOcean.]

There is a movie lol

[@thebritishgamerandstuff8328]

@@LouieOcean. What is it called 🤨

[@LouieOcean.]

@@thebritishgamerandstuff8328 the greatest beer run Zac Efron is in it

[@thebritishgamerandstuff8328]

@@LouieOcean. thank’s my friend

[@mobucks555]

Imagine being young in that small town and knowing 28 young men died in the war over there. I was 17 when Afghanistan and Iraq happened, I knew a bunch of guys that went and fought, and bless us all we didn't lose one person from our town in combat.

[@dannycolliflower7868]

Inwood, Manhattan, guys were from NYC

[@nealjustus9500]

a duffed bag, some jeans, a plaid shirt, list and some fast talking will get you places, places you might not want to go but places non the less

[@jetnoise007]

This also happened with my unit. Miller Brewing filled one of our KC-135 planes with beer and sent it to our unit in Cario during desert/shield storm. Thanks, Miller!

[@m60pattoncovidiot29]

This is the support we need to give all our soldiers

[@tammy6610]

Talk about military runs for things reminded me of a story where a aircraft carrier forgot to stock up on female monthly supplies. This was when they started to let women on carriers They had to send fighters to pick up pads, tampons, and a perfume smelling items. No one was happy.

[@erinescobar8610]

Fun fact, I work in film and read a script based on this story lol

[@error4v0r47]

This sounds like the greatest history film that would reach box office records.

[@josh_bonn]

I read Chickie's book and I am very glad I did. Also the book was turned into a movie starring Zack Efron as Chickie and it's available to stream on Apple TV

[@scottmarquardt3575]

I had a good beer run in the Olympic national forest, Washington state, I walked to town and took a cab back through winding dirt roads, with the girlfriend and kid watching from a lookout spot.

[@akatsukii-_-]

Guy had serious balls to do a beer run in an active warzone and a dangerous 1 at that

[@cannonball666]

I think I saw that Vietnam movie. It was called The Beer Hunter.

[@TheMetalwolf77777]

As an irish-american, the only complaint I have was it's not enough beer

[@Daniel4646]

The beer Donohue delivered to his buddies brought them luck, all right. And the big surprise for me: This absured real-life story really WAS made into a movie! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@firesturmgaming]

Best of all they thought he was a "tourist" and left him largely alone.

[@caseclosed9342]

I actually first heard of this story weirdly enough from a KZbin comment on a clip of Apocalypse Now. Now I’m glad someone made a video of it!

[@Fractal_blip]

Truly one of the greatest runs ever

[@Mr.Generic__]

I’d say he said “hold my beer” but nah, he’s such a badass he held his beer and their beers too.

[@Guyonnn]

And the moral of the story is, it’s okay to drink and drive as long as you’re in the army and you are drinking beer brought to you from across the world by an old friend. 😂

[@Shaun_Jones]

I think only one can of beer is just enough to put you under the legal limit, although I don’t recommend testing that theory.

[@JoeRogansForehead]

@@Shaun_Jonesit’s two within an hour . Your body processes around 1 unit of alcohol per hour depending on your liver strength. If you drank 1 unit of alcohol an hour you wouldn’t get drunk or be over the limit . It’s when you start to consume more than 1 unit of alcohol an hour that you start to get drunk. 1 unit is 1.5 oz of 40% liqueur , 12 oz 3% beer and I forget the wine I think it’s like 6-7 ozs of 15% wine . Source : DUI classes lol

[@makukawakami]

This lad brought beer 10,000 nautical miles in a warzone but some of my friends can't even follow through with a get together.

[@zer0themysticguardian432]

A grandfather of mine was in the 11th armored as a sgt and was on r and r when he and his buddies stole a zippo flamethrower apc and broke into an mp warehouse full of booze. Great story

[@jmanj3917]

5:47 HAA!! That's freaking Awesome!!

[@SuperNoobGaspirilla]

This was made into a movie

[@codyadams3870]

Beer can make people do crazy things

[@mathtee]

i hope pabst gave the man a lifetime supplies of beers ! what a legend !

[@drippypanda925]

Much love simple history. I'm so sorry that the algorithm is hurting you. I was never good in history class and always made a d or f in class and I get excited every time a video gets posted. ❤❤❤❤

[@currier207]

Loved the movie with zach Efron. Weird how it said that “it should be made into a movie” when there is one.

[@loosha1854]

Thanks! I Enjoy your work and hope you can continue to produce amazing content. ❤

[@sgt_slobber.7628]

That man deserved a Medal!!!🏅 🏅🏅🍺🍺🍺🤗🤗🤗

[@adamwelch4336]

😂 tickles me that a guy bringing a little joy to hometown soliders best beer run in history! 🍺 🍻 Cheers to this moment in history!

[@gavinwhite8506]

Even in combat you gotta get a drinl

[@DarnNative]

THANKS FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO!!!!!!

[@MrSpaceWorm]

Of course it's Pabst Blue Ribbon

[@lordlucius1341]

Man really had some main character energy going on

[@CMseabee16]

While we’re on the topic of beer runs someone needs to cover the great Seabee train robbery during the Korean War

[@tjanderson5892]

Some Forrest Gump type storyline where a dudes quest to link w/ his drinking buddies led him to participating in some great historical moments lol.

[@cuckertarlson3329]

You may have friends, but I guarantee you don’t have a friend like him 😂

[@marcelnesbitt8707]

People say he delivered beer but we all know he delivered blessings. Beer is an blessing

[@nathanlynch9634]

He is one mad man for doing this but at the same time one of the greatest men of all time.

[@seanbaker9796]

What an amazing True American tale! Military or not someone get this man a medal. I really want to know if there were ever any special visits after he got home?

[@williamkarbala5718]

This was made into a movie, it stared Zack Efron and Russle Crowe. It was called the greatest beer run in history.

[@derp3044]

No, just "The greatest beer run ever"

[@rachet9035]

11:30

[@chrisread6292]

This movie was amazing too the way it takes a hard flip from a light hearted kind of comedy to a serious movie about the reality of the war in Vietnam its definitely worth the watch

[@JosephSantoro]

This would make a GREAT Mark Wahlberg movie!

[@williamkarbala5718]

Lol, this was made into a movie like a year ago. It starred Zack Efron and Russle Crowe. It was literally called the greatest beer run in history.

[@brutusvonmanhammer]

That thumbnail officially takes the cake for greatest Simple Histpry thumbnail of all time.

[@emilioi.valdez6680]

There's also the one time Seabees (US Navy's Construction Battalion) stole trains from a brewery alongside lots of booze from it in the Korean War. Because Seabees.

[@TheBenNZ]

Bloody good guy and a bloody good story. The movie pulls on the heartstrings but it’s worth the watch. The Greatest Ever Beer Run. Thankyou Simple History, I came here straight after the movie for the pure facts. Happy New Year 😊 Love your content ❤😉

[@corymorimacori1059]

“Why don’t you Dodge this battle like you did in Vietnam? Cause you got so much chance as beating me as LeBron. I’m a flying machine like the world’s ever seen. You can fight one man, I can drive through a whole team!” Michael Jordan

[@Cory_LaRose]

You guys made my top 3 channels on KZbin I can't remember what exact number but it was there.

[@saniaamirbaaz8850]

Anyone seen the movie?

[@CrossFire22]

Even in war all they hope for is to crack a cold one with the bois

[@chancemiller3414]

I love your guys channel but I'm really starting to hate KZbin all the channels I used to watch are disappearing due the new rules KZbin put in place

[@megalodonsniperelite]

This is the greatest beer run done ever.

[@bawmie]

oh god PLEASE do not include gulping sounds every 3 seconds in any other video.... i loved this until all i could hear was overdramatic slurping sounds in my ear.