Steven Dreyer - U.S. Army 1968-69 | Vietnam War 1st Cavalry Division

[@wmarbourg]

Great guy. Strong, authentic, no drama, common sense. I salute you. Good luck and Carry on.

[@scottrussell4742]

Thank you

[@claverton]

What a good guy. Straight up and down, no embellishment, told it like it was.

[@emmanuelcambier4578]

How can someone be so humble with 3 Purple Heart ??? A great soul with a great sense of of humour... Peace to you Sir !!!

[@TimNelson]

Speechless. Thank you for your service. As an American, I’m proud of you.

[@ronaldwarren5220]

Thanks for the story. I was in Infantry AIT at Ft Ord in the Fall of 1967 and was training with three washed-out chopper pilots. After AIT they were all headed for M113 driver school. Welcome home brother.

[@Snuffy03]

A good friend of mine, who was my neighbor growing up, was with the 2/5th Cav. 68-69. He passed in 2021. He was proud to have served in the AirCav as it was known then. Later on after I enlisted and did my tour he and I compared experiences. His as Army and mine as Marine. Friends have told me that in the last couple of months of his life, he had dementia and it had taken him back to his days in the bush. His widow told me he would go into the woods at sundown and dig a fighting hole. Sad. Thank you sir from another vet.

[@Rubeless]

70plus years old and digging a fox hole(he was army)?

[@Snuffy03]

@@Rubeless Yes. He was 77 at the time of his passing.

[@johnw8984]

8:51 8:52

[@Snuffy03]

@@Rubeless He was Army. And one of the best friends I ever had. The last time I saw him, I was visiting the old home place. Many of the older people we knew had passed. I made a comment. I said "Sam, most of the old folks in the valley here are gone now." He replied, " hell, Len, WE ARE the old folks in the valley now". Sad. I have missed him.

[@Snuffy03]

@@johnw8984 👍👍👍

[@robertslusser6753]

Glad to here that you made it back and had a chance to live a long life after going thru hell in Vietnam. Your comment about getting malaria with a temp of 104 and almost the ice bath hit a nerve. I spent all of 1970 serving in Okinawa with the Marines and, along with a couple other guys, contacted dengue fever. One of my buddies got it first and the next night I went to sick bay and they said my temperature was 106 and they immediately set me in a big metal "horse trough" type of thing filled with ice and I spent the whole night in the ice. The next day they sent me a short distance to the Army hospital at Camp Kue where I spent a week sandwiched between two rubber mats thru which they circulated cold water. It took about 5 days for them to get my temp back to normal and I've never been so weak in my life. It took a few weeks before I could even think about running for PT again but I was lucky that I had a desk job as a computer programmer and could get back to work right away. Dengue fever is different from malaria in that once you recover it doesn't come back as malaria can. My father -in-law served three years as an Army medic in WW2 serving in New Guinea. For several years after he came home and got married his malaria would re-occur and lay him low for a few days.

[@peter2023]

I am 75 ,my dad was in the far east fleet RN , he had terrible malaria attacks ...my father in law was a Japan 🇯🇵 POW 4.5 yrs ,,,,never talked about it ,and his neighbor had a Japanese sword ,he chopped weeds with it,,,hard hard men

[@SK-xv3hn]

I had spinal meningitis in boot camp with 7 others and we all still went through the whole meat grinder and went overseas. I went through Ranger training and was slightly behind them. When you're snagged it's all laid out in front of you but the Army is so screwed-up. You thought there's a grand plan but that's all in your head 'very' briefly and you move on. Thanks, for your post with a good back story. I guess nearing my end it's time to tell. As with some other combat vets it's unique. My father was a real hero to me and others too. Big shoes to fill! I didn't discuss my time in the Army for many decades. Most didn't care. FTR: K/75 RGR E/58 LRP 4th ID LRRP.

[@CYCLONE4499]

They just don't make men like this anymore if rarely. Unbelievable courage and bravery.

[@Nam-id7kj]

Yup, I took off the uniform and never talked about Nam. As you know, pure luck we came home. Army 67 & 68, Tet. Welcome back, brother.

[@RobertWPaine]

Welcome Home and SALUTE 🫡 🫡🫡 from a veteran who fortunately never got close to that Hellhole, and is most grateful. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

[@Nam-id7kj]

@RobertWPaine You raised your hand as I. THX for your service.

[@RobertWPaine]

@@Nam-id7kj THANK YOU. If I could only explain how much that means to me…….🙏

[@Rubeless]

My dad didn’t speak much about it, even when as a kid I asked about his scars, “it’s nothing”. He made me a machine but refused to sign my DEP docs. I went anyway in 95 and was no longer useful after 2003. I tell people the same thing my dad did “go talk to a sailor if you want sea stories”.

[@felixmadison5736]

Welcome home. Same here. I never spoke one word to my late parents or my younger brother and sisters. It took me 50 years to ever mention a word about serving in 'Nam. KZbin has allowed me to 'talk' about it and listening to the stories of other Vietnam Vets has helped me a lot. I know I'm not alone.

[@terry_willis]

"There wasn't a lot of support (when you came back)" . . . that's sure an understatement.

[@mls8702]

I was at a thunderbird hotel lounge back in ‘78 drinking beer with a bunch of roofers and one next to me was quiet but after a few he started talking and ended up boo hooing as I just listened to him saying how hard it still was unwinding from what he saw there. He was just a few years older but it opened my eyes that things were still raw with many. Had a repeat later in life from a decompressing son in law who was at the fort hood shooting day and had two rough tours in Iraq. They sometimes just need someone to listen and not talk.

[@TheGainfather]

God bless the Vietnam vets. They paved the way for their fellow veterans. From coming home to a no heroes welcome, to fighting for other veterans rights. True selfless service from these men. Thank you for your service and sharing your story.

[@SK-xv3hn]

Thank-you, for your thoughts and kind words. It goes a long way!

[@TheGainfather]

@SK-xv3hn of course. Gotta support the ones that came before us!

[@garyluck8502]

Thanks for your service!

[@loveofthegame1517]

He got out of the service December 22nd, 1969, the same day I did but I did my tour in Germany. Much respect Steven! Glad you made it home.

[@kenwenzel9040]

I lost a close friend 69 in Nam. Watching your vid brings everything in focus. I also there 70-71. Glad you made home to the world my friend. God bless you for your service.

[@pilsudski36]

I lost a friend from HS in RVN. Another friend stepped on a Bouncing Betty. Two kids I did BCT with got killed in RVN too, almost as soon as they got there.

[@kenwenzel9040]

So sorry for you loss of friends. I don't believe understand how the loss of these individuals affects those of us who were there and came back. Your friends were true hero's of this nation. God bless them all.

[@Rubeless]

They went regardless if they were supported by the public or not, that’s a hell of a lot to me. All I ever wanted was to be respected by the guys in Nam. They did it with nothing but an M16, a steel helmet and shitty body armor. They kicked ass.

[@ejsocci2630]

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

[@Sniffthedrippings]

My father was drafted to Vietnam didn't talk about it and if he did it was a one word answer. I know he was in an aviation company at Chu Lai and Bear Cat 67-68. Thanks for your service.

[@paulprigge1209]

If he has passed you can check his service records and how to get information. I don’t think those records were destroyed St. Louis with that big fire but I could be wrong

[@MichaelThomas-ps5qg]

Had an uncle MARINE CORPS stationed in Da nang he didn't talk either but he could sure drink a case of beer an hour (schlizh beer) spelling, RIP

[@TheGeonam]

I think this guy is embellishing his service in Vietnam. You don’t put a clip in the M16 you put a magazine in it. He claims three Purple Hearts he received. Three Purple Hearts got you a ticket home no questions asked. I lost both my legs over there in 1968 and married the right gal which we will have 50 yrs together come Nov. When you interview these vets asked to see their DD214 or their certificate for medals earned.

[@felixmadison5736]

@@TheGeonam I knew guys in 'Nam who received a Purple Heart and they stayed in Vietnam unless they were so badly wounded they no longer could do their jobs. A clip is another name for a magazine, and vice-versa.

[@John-n7l8r]

We had m-1s then we got m,-16s. M-1s had clips. You can make a mistake clip or magazine

[@2Oldcoots]

"You can hate the war, but you don't have to piss on the warrior!". A perfect encapsulation of what we endured when we returned to "the world". Out.

[@Rubeless]

And now we get handed everything and thanked constantly, even if you never left the states.

[@jj-nh8lz]

Isn’t that the truth. You guys got a raw deal. Welcome home brother

[@SK-xv3hn]

Truer word have not been spoken! Still sums it up 55 years later!

[@pilsudski36]

Well done Army Brother. Thank you for your sacrifice.

[@riverbender9898]

Gritty and real! Thanks.

[@amir4r803]

Thank you for sharing, thank you for your service

[@WilliamHolden-t5g]

Steve, you have a great attitude. Thank you very much for your service. Will always remember you guys. Enlisted in the Army in 1986-1988, served in Germany with the 2AD, was in the artillery as a 13F, 30% of our NCO's were Vietnam combat veterans finishing up their 20.. I can't tell you how much we respected and appreciated them. They were and are outstanding soldiers. They taught us how to win and survive. Thank you again!

[@bruceschulze7487]

Thanks for your service .

[@bryandoll7948]

Thankyou sir, for your service to our country. I really enjoyed your video as well.

[@TupDigital]

So many of these vets are New Yorkers, like myself and my grandfathers who were both ww2 vets....man a lot of guys from NY served. Thank you to every last guy no matter where from.

[@jonniehosfeld6640]

Well said Brother. You stated what we lived. Making it better for the next generations of Veterans.

[@marcmenton8063]

I’ll welcome you home and thank you for your service to our great country

[@alexhidell8022]

This should be a one hour interview! very interesting

[@RobertWPaine]

I was in during Vietnam but never got close to the place. Thanks to all of those who did. You who survived: Welcome Home. To our troops who paid the price: Well done. Rest in peace. Dad piloted a B17 in WW2. He talked very little about it to me. Having PTSD myself, I knew how far to go and when to quit asking about his experiences.

[@Rubeless]

How did you get PTSD?

[@RobertWPaine]

@@Rubeless Childhood trauma. Nearly ten years of every kind of abuse and was not permitted to vent in any way. It was aggravated in the service. At the time, PTSD and depression were not understood as they are now. I was thought to be malingering so the pressure on me was increased. There are no records so I have no real proof of how it all affected me. I’m 73 and still struggling with it.

[@stevecarper4149]

Thanks for your service I was over there in 69 Jan. 9th infantry lMegong delta😮

[@josephwolfe8717]

Thank you my friend.

[@timklein8413]

Absolutely stellar comment at the end of this interview, "you can go ahead and hate the war, .....you don't have to piss on the warriorr", in reference to the question, don't you resent the way you were treated when you got home in contrast to todays attitude (2024).

[@drats1279]

Fellow Army brother. Glad you made it back and had a good life.

[@jbstonesfan]

Thank you for your service sir.

[@danmurphy4472]

Thank You SIR......for everything.......Welcome Home SIR.

[@jedgarpi]

Steven i was in Vietnam during the same period. i was a dog handjer, assigned to the 34th Scout Dog platoon. Eyes and Ears of the 1st Cav Division, I patroled Tay Ninh, Quang Tri and An Khe

[@fazole]

Could you tell us a little about dog handling and experiences in Vietnam? How well could the dogs cope with the heat and fleas for example. Thanks.

[@jimfesta8981]

Lost a high school friend in the Tet Offensive. He was in the 1st Cav, 5th Cav. Regt. Last time I saw Gene was at Manhattan Beach Summer of 67.

[@emcee797]

Thank you for your service, Steven. God bless you and your beautiful family. Your gorgeous houseplants didn’t go unnoticed - you definitely share your Dad’s talent for horticulture!🇺🇸❤️🪴

[@willtopower2158]

Thank you Sir!

[@mickmacy6161]

Facts from the heart. Thank you for your service!.

[@thomasritz4863]

We were treated well coming home because of the despicable way the Vietnam Vets were treated. Much love and respect for those who served in Vietnam. Welcome home Brothers!

[@ierwin88]

I'm a Viet Nam era vet but missed serving there by a bit of luck. I served in Germany, 1963-1966. When I wear my Army cap today, I get tons of kudos and handshakes, etc. from almost everyone. What a contrast to immediately after the war!

[@CjBurns-ms9sy]

Fucking love this guys energy- got a loving warm uncle w crazy stories kind of vibe to him kinda vibe- nothing but respect for his generation👊🏼

[@SK-xv3hn]

Thanks, Steven! Grew up on the Island, same time. Similar story in Nam! K/75 RGR E/58 LRP 4th ID LRRP

[@michaeldabney516]

I was with The 5/7 Jan69 to Jan 70. C. Co. First Air Cavalry. Just like You. I know exactly what you are talking about. Exactly 💯...

[@stevefirst1512]

This guy was just great. Nothing else to say.

[@toddlewis3075]

Thank you sir

[@lindajones8895]

Welcome Home. Thank you for your service. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸⚓️⚓️⚓️

[@johnzec1389]

An absolutely insane war. My father's only son was a door gunner on a gunship for nine months and also never talked about his time over there. A few years ago he wrote a book, "One February Morning", which chronicles his time in insanity. Well worth reading. Welcome home, brothers!

[@michaelbechtel4944]

Thank you for your service COMBAT INFANTRYMAN, ot means more than you know.

[@ZapDog43]

Thank you for your service Steven! Very happy for you that you found love and a stable life :)

[@BooBoosPalace]

I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you, for sharing your story. I love your sense of humour, as it made me laugh! I pray you are doing well ❤❤❤

[@awkwardtouches]

Much respect to this man.

[@mattreames3356]

Thank you Sir to you and your family. A lifetime of service our Nation. Your Wife and Children have all paid a price few have. Thank all of you for protecting our freedom.

[@Rocketman88002]

I'm surprised even given the intents that, so many combat veterans are willing to share their experiences. I'm also glad they could. Welcome Home!

[@vincentcassano3179]

God bless you. 🚁🏅

[@edmedlin2936]

I love to listen to your war stories, the real thing. I was also a grunt in the Cav, so I know. That was so cool, "I could get killed doing this shit!" Ha!

[@stephenlane9640]

Welcome home Steve..

[@manuelgchapajr2000]

Thank you for your service CSM Chapa

[@williamcooke6056]

And thank you as well, CSM Chapa! Qm1 (SW) Cooke USN

[@gordontainsch2624]

I was there at the same time as Steve, but with the 25th Inf. mechanized (APCs). I remember the 1st Cav very well, there next to us, same area near Cu Chi. Everything he said is true and familiar to me. We all just wanted to stay alive and make it back....unscathed, if possible. I was luckier than Steve...never got hit. It was another unnecessary political war. Thanks, Steve. I don't think I could sit there and relate the experience and keep as composed as you. The anger stays with me to this day

[@claytonmunsey9740]

We tracked a year apart, both took the same path, different outcomes. Difficult times.

[@SnakeBitBob1982]

Respect.

[@robbiewilliamson357]

god bless you. by great uncle lloyd earl williamson (my fav vet and one of my favorite humans) did 2.5 tours as a stallion of the 1st cav. the man had a fist full of medals but told me “that horse head is the only thing on my clothes that makes a shit.” of everyone i’ve lost that man gets to me more than any if the others. and i think it has a lot to do with the fact that, while yes, his fortitude got him home… that didn’t account for 1/2 of what his accolades actually cost him. he never totally left that place. happy veterans day.

[@Bat21bravo]

SEMPER FIDELIS Steve, God Bless. Thank you for your sacrifice and welcome home. I did it for you cuz you did it for me Brother.

[@flight2k5]

Semper pie

[@alexgioulis1157]

11b here. I know exactly how you felt upon returning. It was like WTF ?

[@corso5150]

Wow what a good man

[@alciao3441]

I have great respect for Vietnam veterans; especially those who were drafted.

[@elsuprimo0674]

I think you would have made a hell of a CWO helicopter Pilot and I would loved to have flown with you. Thank you for your service and welcome home!

He was young once & a soldier...

[@edwinclark5041]

You are a great Soldier, man, citizen.

[@RobinSMoody]

Glad you made it home I served there 69 70 B Moody Mississippi

[@lopezjp1]

Welcome Home

[@jds6206]

Still affected by PTSD......and it's a shame....

[@user-dv8tx6xx4p]

You told it like it was brother!!

[@Stonelaker]

I think younger vets are confused how the draft changed when Nixon took office and instituted the yearly lottery. All Student deferments were vacated. Depending on your lottery # you could enlist quickly. Many volunteered for service as Nixon tried to remove military personnel but intensify bombing by Mid 1970 when I was on the Cambodian border. I was fluent in Canadian patois . My fellow colleague was Greg Demello from Fall River,Mass.

[@kenwenzel9040]

I stepped foot in Nam Dec 70. The day I arrived was at the processing center. That same day I ran into a close friend that was in High School with me. He was ending his tour and going home on same plane I came in on. I was in fresh uniform he was filthy with his coming apart being on a tank running into Cambodia. We looked at each other and I was so elated to know my buddy from my town was going home even if I had a year to go. There was one friend from our small town who did not make it back. Killed by friendly fire. Still can't get the experience out of my mind. Glad for everyone of the troops that made it home.

[@KillrMillr7]

Outstanding story here, Dreyer you’re a winner regardless of washing out at Warrant officer flying school, it wasn’t because you couldn’t fly, they were only picking certain profile types capable of being initiated into something else. One day everyone will understand what I’m implying.

[@fazole]

Masons?

[@samurai2345]

"Surely, you can't be serious", quoting Leslie Nielsen in the movie Airplane, about "picking certain profile types". I am a Vietnam vet, Dec 1969. I was EOD, Explosive Ordnance Disposal. Two of my brothers were helicopter pilots. One flew for the Korean Army soldiers and became the personal pilot for the Commanding General in 1968. The other was there in 1970 and flew for the ARVNs, the South Vietnamese soldiers. He was either landing or taking off from a Landing Zone (LZ) and was shot in the tail, and luckily it didn't do any serious damage. Our father was a combat infantryman in WW2 in Germany. No Purple hearts for any of us. I guess you could call us a military family.

[@mags5459]

These guys are true Patriots 🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@tevman69]

Welcome home, Brother!

[@dinamho]

Like it that this guy is real , and not looking like a Vietnam vet christmastree.

[@shearwave7885]

You can hate the war.. you don’t have to piss on the warrior!!!! Wow

[@chrisfeuerhaken396]

Clip?

[@thurstonhowell3569]

I'd like to buy this fella a beer.

[@ChuckMccomas]

L . a. Charlie nam 68-70 you told like it was . fellow sky trooper

[@jamesorth6460]

He almost sounds like Humphrey Bogart, God bless and thanks

[@kevinjohnson-lf3kj]

Smoke em if u got em.

[@jyellowhammer]

Sir, did you happen to know Sgt. Al Oyler?

[@brandonh7036]

My mom was dating a Vietnam vet back in my early days, 90’s, I asked him once about Vietnam cause I was a teenager and he told me to mind my own business. He was a jerk to me most of the time, but it’s ok. I understand now.

[@davidayotte8305]

25th infantry...i was lucky at 19yo...joined in 75

[@rowdyyates5345]

I thought 3 Purple Hearts and you were out?

[@Nam-id7kj]

Nope, many of my team had 3. Maybe later & the severity.

[@USAWarriorStories]

As far as we know a 3rd Purple Heart would not automatically qualify yo to leave a combat zone.

[@Americal-v6r]

Is that fact? 3 PH and a ticket out?

[@Nightowl76]

Thats it in a microcosm. You can hate the war but dont piss on the Warriors.

[@michaeldabney516]

When I came home. My Dad refused to pick Me up at the Airport.

[@kevinjohnson-lf3kj]

3 P H s n Malaria..fkn Hardcore

[@chadm6981]

Question to the poster. Are any of these guys verified in anyway? Just curious as a combat vet myself.

[@USAWarriorStories]

Thanks for the question. All the Veterans we interview are members of various veteran service organizations and have documentation of service. If you would like to reach out to us please email [e-mail]

[@paulprigge1209]

@@USAWarriorStories that was an excellent question thank you. Some of the people that do these you really wonder if the person being interviewed has really seen or been in the Military.

[@Rubeless]

Probably because these days everyone I meet was special ops or at least a sniper. Same with cops, all swat or at least a sniper. Dude at the gym even has a GB tattoo, I asked what ODA he was, knowing what I was he said he was only attached to SF…man

[@leonardjanda6181]

Very beautiful ❤lady ❤️

[@salvatoretrifiletti1858]

Forget the war the heat and humidity in equipment will kill you

[@DannyNicholson-db2uo]

I won nemoire cambot medat medalal .Why am I n0t mendichand?

[@doughboybellmore2347]

Fuckin A Brother

[@allencollins6031]

I second that 💯

[@skipcampbell4226]

☝️

[@michaelallison1255]

sounds like you were a heavy smoker.

[@DannyNicholson-db2uo]

Wa danny e niccolson in vn in 1969

[@sharonray5418]

Thank you for your service, but please give your heart and life to Jesus now. He is the one who brought you home safely. He loves you, isn’t it time you love HIM? He died for you!!!

[@ralphgwilson2388]

What kind of bobby prize do they expect to win.