The Bloodiest Job in the Vietnam War ~ Medical Evacuation | Full Veteran Interview

[@Thevietnamexperience]

Listen to our podcast 🎤: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-vietnam-experience/id1732962685

[@LuciaGarcia-hq5ei]

"Camaraderie and Bonding was always there......i just didnt know their names".....Hits Hard

[@bobrussel8530]

Not on the wall because you were there. Thank you. I was Army grunt and am here because of my Medic.

[@TheTW11]

This is what a hero looks like. Alan, you are a very special man. There are guys who have lived a full life thanks to you. I salute you, sir.

[@stevendonald2653]

Alan, your story is unbelievable, heroes like you are priceless,I served with the 173d airborne in ,69,70, was hurt and medivacked by men like you, I thank God everyday , I'm 73, and loved your story, God Bless you brother 🙏🙏🙏

[@carolecarr5210]

I took care of some of your Marines while an USAF Nurse while in Japan & I have praised you phenominal Corpmen ever since. I saw the incredible results of yours & other Corpmen's work. You were the top of our "medical society" during that VN war. My respect for you is stratospheric!

[@kevio6868]

Thanks for your service Carole!

[@philtorres2975]

I saw some injuries aboard the Aircraft Carrier I served on but not yo the extent that was described by the corpsman. Much respect for all you did to save lives.

[@tylerchampion8056]

My father was wounded in 69 and recovered in a hospital in Japan. He said the nurses there gave him hope after losing his foot. I was born 10 yrs. later..just wanted to say thanks Carole! He died in 97 of alcoholism.

[@gbacrila]

DITTO Carole!!❤

[@jimmyandkathyharrell]

Thank you Doc!

[@lzkali]

Doc, I was in-country 68-69 and we marines loved us our corpsman. God bless you for your service.

[@rayperson4]

Welcome home sir

[@richardmacauley1107]

I was a Marine Corpsman as well. In Vietnam Nam in 1966. What Alan says is true. Flying medevac wasn’t for the faint of heart.

[@user-bk8iy1sd7r]

Would you agree with this man's assessment that dust offs pilots were "off their rockers"? And basically entire crew, because it was so dangerous?

[@williamw2529]

Glad you made it back to tell us younger ppl what it was like.

[@Theone10336]

Thank you for your service sir.....🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@DickHardigan]

Welcome home corpsman thank you

[@manhalen7046]

My dad was a greenside navy corpsman up in the da nang area from 1967-1968.

[@ThomasSteele-bu7ne]

I was an HM2 Corpsman on USS Sanctuary when you were serving in Vietnam. It is very interesting that you and I may have cared the same casualties. Thank you so much for your bravery and exceptional care of Marines and civilians. The 3rd hospital ship was a German ship, Helgeland.

[@theceska8345]

Thomas, I was in Surgery as a Tech. 67-68 on the Sanctuary AH17. Got on board in New Orleans at the Commissioning.

[@roberthenderson2321]

Yeah, I was on the Sanctuary as a Marine liaison Nov 70 to Christmas day 1970 during the Bob Hope show that I reassigned. Quite the eye opening assignment.

[@jonathanphillips2388]

This guy, probably saves as many military personnel after combat, due to his psychology skills, as he did during his time in combat. Bravo too you Sir!!

[@shyamlynn243]

I've watched a lot of these interviews and been impressed but this guy is next level. Sharp as a tack and from what I can tell healthy as a horse. Obviously he's made wise choices in life and has been blessed as well as being able to give so much to others, in the war and in day to day life. I love humans like this man. Thanks and bless you sir!

[@kevio6868]

agreed!

[@kevio6868]

subconscious ......alot of that. You are a true hero

[@tommytwogloves16]

This guy is full of crap. Mag 16 left Vietnam in early 71 and was deactivated in June. 1971. The only Marines left in country were at the Embassy in Saigon. People come on this channel all the time a Steal Valor. Chief Don Shipley should check this joker out.,

[@HarryBondInc]

Loved the fact he pointed out he has no shame to cry. Salute

[@wingman4860]

I was very moved by Mr. Basham's accounting of his Viet Nam experience. It was one of the most moving narrations of war experiences that I have seen. Thank you, sir, for your service to our country.

[@donb.1426]

You are truly an American hero! You represent the finest that this country has to offer and I can’t thank you enough for your service. Welcome home and we are forever grateful and proud of all of you!

[@johnyoungblood2771]

I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THATS STATED HERE SIR AND WE LOVE AND PRAY FOR ALL OUR VETS!!!😇😇😇🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿💯💯💯🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🌎🌎🌎😌😌😌🤔🤔🤔!!!!!!

[@patrickmorgan3326]

Ditto.

[@olehippy13]

Professor, you are a hero. myfriend. I was an OR Tech in Vietnam. 3rd Field Hospital 1972. I salute you myfriend. keep smilin.

[@GaryBaird.Photography]

You more than earned that hug from that Marine, highest honor he could give you. Great interview and thank you for your service.

[@carolecarr5210]

Your last comment, " there"s a bunch of names not on the wall, because We Were There", gave this old ex Air Force Nurse a great eyewash. Thanks Twig, for "being there". .

[@Will-dn9dq]

Stood with my dad as a kid before the wall. Didn't really understand at the time. But him silent reading the names looking for his friends without telling me or mom what names. Ever.

[@garyparks8921]

Your name is not on the wall because you didn't die over there, give me a break.

[@johannesvad]

​@@garyparks8921 dude, maybe we had similar understanding of this, except it doesn't make sense (like you said: give me a break), so I looked for this comment about his last line. There are a bunch of names not on the wall, because he and his team saved them. That makes sense (Sorry if I got it or you wrong or whatever : )

[@prestonrobert2625]

Kind response thanks😊

[@quangtri68]

Pretty apparent to me what he meant

[@barryeason749]

Dear Sir, You are a truly an angel that saved a lot of lives back in that hell hole of a war. All that shock, blood, horror and insanity that you saw while trying to save US servicemen and civilians is surely appreciated. No one should experience and witness the abnormality of that war or any war, you did and saved lives. I’m sorry for those lives that you could not save. You are alive now and even if you carry all those horrific PTSD experiences, we who are here today are grateful to understand all that you did. May you continue to live & prosper in order for you to positively impact those who need your help. You sir are a hero among hero’s. Thank you for your service…

[@LLBP.]

Everything I wanted to say. ❤❤

[@mcrichton46]

I was in country from April 68 - May 69. Lucky as hell the only injuries I got were a few shrapnel wounds but nothing some monkey blood couldn’t cure !! I got nothing but the highest respect for the corpsman and medics, these guys tried to keep the wounded calm even if they knew they weren’t going to make it. We are getting old now but the damage will always stay. Thanks for the work you all are putting in to tell our stories of hell! And for my marine brothers here- Semper Fi !

[@jamesmack3314]

Glad you made it out…and thanks for doing something most wouldn’t or couldn’t….rock on

[@aschule5684]

You have nothing but my utmost respect and gratitude for your service, I salute you and all your brothers and all who served in that shit show. Welcome home and thank you sir, !

[@frodrickfronkensteen9241]

I'm not half the man you are sir... so I won't "clean it up." You're a mother f#cking hero sir... an inspiration to a nation that DESPERATELY needs your example before it.

[@richardpcrowe]

As a Navy combat cameraman in Vietnam... I filmed medevacs from the field, Navy corpsmen in a Montegnard village with a SeaBee Civic Action Team, and a Navy corpsman serving in a Vietnamese Provincial Hospital along with a Navy Surgical Team. I have all the respect in the world for the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps, especially the corpsmen!

[@drewpall2598]

@richardpcrowe... Often in war time the film crew do not get the recognition they deserved (cameraman and reporter) doing their job out in the field and those who served alongside the service men and women during the Vietnam conflict have my up most respect as do our Vietnam Vets. thanks, you for your service and sacrifice and welcome home Sir.

[@johnyoungblood2771]

Man this is definitely worthy of a movie,to see and hear his compassion and to see this man is a educated scholar of a human being it’s just touching to the soul,he just putting out there like it is GOD bless and protect him and his love ones I thank you every American fighting man and woman for all you do to keep us free!!!!🤔🤔🤔💯💯💯😌😌😌🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🌎🌎🌎🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿😇😇😇🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿🌎🌎

[@fifteen8]

This has got to be one of the most significant interviews of a soldier I've ever seen or heard. Not just his experiences and insight, but his self-awareness and psych perspective. I'll be sharing it. Thank you.

[@mineown1861]

A remarkable man , a great story . As he told of his experiences , I couldn't help but wonder what those eyes had seen . Saving lives while under fire is true heroism .

[@DKilnerScull-wu1gn]

How profound the hero words are, there's not a bunch of names on that wall because they brought them home😢 what a beautiful statement priceless words God bless our military and our veterans 🙏

[@philwhitt6462]

Amen

[@PhotoDesigner1]

... The consummate example of a selfless hero - God bless him.

[@markbarnes2041]

I'm a 63-year-old army that and I am so proud of every soldier and sailor that served in Vietnam, they never lost a battle 🇺🇲😎👽❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@woodjunkjrjr2689]

Actually they did.

[@lukauka7829]

@@woodjunkjrjr2689lmao the troll in me is cackling at this, thank you to the veterans for real tho 😂

[@woodjunkjrjr2689]

@@lukauka7829 I do what I can

[@BenLewis-zi8wg]

You are wrong you weren't there politics got the exit from Vietnam I served 1 yr 1965 to. 1966 25 Infantry,,Div Pleiku Vietnam​@@woodjunkjrjr2689

[@jspate61]

What a brilliant story teller! Hands down the best interview of a veteran I've ever listened to. Truly, an amazing human being. I would like to thank him for his service.

[@eddrake9542]

He’s incredibly easy to listen too and very interesting. Tipping my hat to what he’s done.

[@ronaldwarren5220]

By all that's Holy! You, sir are a hero and I admire you. Draftee here; Vietnam 1968/69. I am passing this on to a Navy Corpsman friend who was with the Marines in Falluja.

[@Ammo08]

My oldest brother was a USAF medic at Clark AFB in 1966 and 1967. He told me many times that the ability of the medics, pilots, aircrews, and nurses was extraordinary when it came to saving lives. There's a small glimpse of him in the documentary TO SAVE A SOLDIER...

[@seriously6649]

Thank you soldier for your courage and skill in extreme conditions. Thank you sir for having the grace to share these most painful memories. America stands in gratitude.

[@boondocker7964]

He wasn't a "soldier", he was a "Corpsman".

[@seriously6649]

I stand in my ignorance. You may stand in your pedanticism; taking a sincere and heartfelt sentiment and negating it in service to your ego.

[@midnightq69]

@@boondocker7964well actually he was a sailor first and foremost vs a corpsman if you want to be pedantic about it, since he was in the Navy. Corpsman was just his job description. Either way he’s a hero.

[@tomhicks7377]

Leaving 3353q32​@@seriously6649

[@bartpowers9972]

Most excellent job Sir you are a true hero 👍

[@nicholaspreboski1483]

Alan I appreciated hearing your story. I was also a Navy Corpsman and my story was almost like yours. They had rocketed the DaNang airbase and hit the barracks. Medical people were overwhelmed so they stripped the west cost of 163 corpsman and Doctors all on one plane. We were there 72 hours following the announcement we were going. Just as you said commercial flight, think mine was Continental. I arrived in August of 1967 to August of 1968, not a great time to be in VN. So here is the surprise. I was a mass casualty corpsman at Marble Mountain, Receiving One, NSA Hospital. Thats directly across the road from your facility Mac 16, we would catch your short rounds on rocket nights. We received your casualties from the choppers and got them stabilized and on there way to surgery. It was a year in my life I will never forget, its on my mind everyday. Tet offensive in 68 tested us all and we persevered thousands of casualties, delivered to our facility by your brave group. Thanks Your my friend for your bravery and service. HM2 (Doc Ski)

[@theceska8345]

@@nicholaspreboski1483 I was there then as well. Surgical Evac Team Alpha. Usually on an LPH but called in to Da Nang, I was Surgeons Assistant, Tech.

[@khiggins7231]

What a guy Respect from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@joesphbest3120]

I was Corpsman with Marines in 1965 & 1966. in Viet Nam In I Corp.

[@rayperson4]

Excuse me sir but how old are you?

[@rayperson4]

Also welcome home

[@FIGGY65]

Greetings Mr.Best, Did you know HM2 Jacque Joseph Ayd , of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines , who was KIA May 18,1967, at HQ Dong Ha? I appreciate your time, and thank you for your sacrifices and service. Kindest regards, Shawn Mann

[@bingbong2205]

I was a corpse in Vietnam for the V.C

[@hmdoc16]

There is no one closer to a Marine than a Navy Corpsman.

[@stockdrifta]

At 35 years old I have never had a single thought or desire to be in the armed forces, and frankly, don't like a lot about how the services function. HOWEVER, I have found myself the last 5 years or so, taking in as much of this kind of content and war documentaries as anyone could ever fit in their brain. The people (the good people) are truly amazing human being. Tons of respect and admiration for the feats they accomplished and everything they've had to deal with since then.

[@johnnyringo4463]

Can i ask what it is about how the services function that you dont like? Before I joined, I thought it was all like full metal jacket, strict and yelling etc etc. But after getting to the unit, theres structure, rules and expectations. They let you know all the rules and the expectations. Nothing out of the ordinary. Keep your room clean, show up early and show up where you need to, do your job, dont get in trouble out in town was about it. Lol. Really its a bunch of friends all talking s**t. Sometimes you go at each other and fight, but you shake hands after and go back to being family.

[@DavidJones-ey6ie]

He is there you can see it in his eyes. He is back reliving the whole thing. He did what he had to do to help people and survive.

[@aschule5684]

This was very moving and powerful I can't imagine being subjected to such horror and ever being able to be even remotely okay ever again. You are truly a inspiration sir. Thank you for those you saved, for those you couldn't, and for those you now help to heal. Thank you for your outstanding service to humanity.

[@macmedic892]

I wish I’d found this sooner. My dad was a sailor who did river minesweeping in Vietnam. He’d enlisted in 1959 and retired as a Senior Chief in 1981. (I showed up in 1971.) He never talked to me about his experiences. I don’t talk to my son about my experiences as a paramedic, and likewise dad never talked to me about his time at war. Unfortunately, he’s now had a few strokes and has memory problems and speech deficits. His memories from his tour in the boat club are gone. His memorabilia is gone, lost in flooding from Hurricanes Isaac and Ida. I so wish he’d been able to record something like this.

[@vz4779]

This is a good man.

[@chriswatson6231]

Im Australian and some of what you said took me back to being a kid and hearing dad and his mates when they would (rareley) get into talking about the war amongst themselves in thier own lingo. From watching you i got a sort of decifering of what i didnt understand as a kid. Behavior wise as well. Your words really touched me. As did your abilility to smile through tears. All the best mate

[@justanavgguy7802]

As poignant & gut wrenching an interview as I’ve yet seen. Forty years without effective treatment for the psychological wounds means that many years of hell on earth. Thanks almost to an eternal degree to that gentleman for sharing!

[@WastingTime1878]

Absolutely soul crunching. And you are right, going through that severe of PTSDs for 40 years is the actual hell. Nothing worse.

[@dennis2376]

My brother was a Korean vet and want through hell when he returned to Canada. He told he never wanted to bring that stuff up again because of the nightmares, and I respected that.

[@JaxRwld]

Thank you for what you did in Vietnam Alan and thank you for sharing your difficult memories with us.

[@Warzone_mafia]

At 24:30 when he justifies his tears fu**ing hit home hard,if you see this man crying as a weakness you are not a real man 😢 this story is unreal

[@philwhitt6462]

Thank You Mr. Alan Basham for explaining what this part of life was to you and many others who served in Vietnam. 1971-1974 I served in the US Army stationed at Ray Barracks, FRG. There were both men and women that also served with me during that time who came home from Vietnam who fought that terrible fight too. I didn't not understand what these troops had gone through at that time. Sir it's still hard to wrap my head around your story now 53 years later. You earned your wings!

[@leslieanderson5562]

Thank you. As a daughter of a Marine Corp Veteran of Vietnam, I am extremely grateful for the service of all who sacrificed.

[@jmsmeier1113]

Crying for someone else isn’t weakness, it’s a signal that you haven’t completely lost your humanity. As far as the Marines looking after Doc, we don’t view you like we do the average deck ape. In our eyes your a brother marine that wears his rank upside down, you guys are a big part of why Marines don’t shy away from the things we did. We knew that if we got nailed, come hell or high water, doc was coming to fix us, anything from an IV for a hangover to off the book stitches for a brawl we needed kept quiet, all the way up to plugging holes we weren’t issued. You guys inspired us.

[@smokey7800]

I don’t know how this channel doesn’t have more subscribers

[@Thevietnamexperience]

Thank you for watching!

[@danielegglord]

Me too.

[@WastingTime1878]

I think "the people who matter" may not want this to spread around much.

[@danyerdon8494]

Excellent interview. As an old Marine this is personal.

[@chickmcgee1000]

What an extraordinary human. I learn and gain so much by listening to these people telling of their experiences.

[@skipschauer5535]

There are many guys like this who served honorably in Vietnam. My generation is the best we went to war and were not well received when we came home!!!

[@josephbarlow969]

I am a H-34/H-46 Crew Chief (three tours) my last mission was about March 1969, was a Med Evac, Doc would be proud to have you on my bird any day. Thank you Sir for what you have done for Marines. I salute you Sir. Gunny Joe

[@mickcraven980]

What a badass! Great stories. Kudos to the interviewer for shutting up and letting him talk.

[@sanjeever82]

This is just something else. I put this on for something to fall back asleep to at 4am but ended up telling myself sleep isn't as important as listening to this gent. truly mesmerizing.

[@georgemcadoo8546]

Welcome Home Doc. Semper fi... I would have sent you on your missions, but I was several years before you.

[@genataylor460]

Your mention of the compass course in Marine training reminded me of our one week program in basic in the Women's Army Corp in 1967. We were sent out on a compass course and timed on how long it took us to finish it. Of course, we were not nearly the first to use it, and they apparently did not change the course, so there was a well beaten path through the course. I had almost immediately noticed the path, and told the other girls to follow the path, which we did, and we finished in record time; We managed to keep a straight face when congratulated on our record time. None of us were particularly worried about learning combat skills, since back then women were still treated like women in the military and when we enlisted we were guaranteed to not be sent to combat zones against our will. They did not change that until the invasion of Panama years later.

[@dwainsw4076]

One thing we can all agree on is that air support is a wonderful thing.

[@user-ho4nw5sf3w]

I was an Aircraft mechanic working C-141 thru flight on Okinawa 1969-1970. Med-vacs came thru regularly. We put two of everything we needed to turn that bird, including people, on the plane just in case one quit working. I can tell you being nineteen and working on a med-vac, just servicing the plane took grit. The smells, blood, burnt flesh, disinfectant. And the sounds of young men in agony. And for me. I watched a young man my age die. It's hard to fight a war with tears in your eyes. To all who worked med-vac , from the corpsmen on the battle field, the mash units. Doctors nurses, I salute you. I didn't have to work these planes all the time. I don't know if I could have. To all the mechanics I worked with. Their war was over, but our war just started.we fought time. Our job was to put that bird back in the air as fast as we could, and we did.I know better, but I have always hoped that they all made it and healed from their wounds and went on to live a good life.. aI hated that fuckin war. And now we return to our normal anti American broadcast.🎉

[@Cookefan59]

As a former Marine (who did not fight in Vietnam, my older brother did but he was KIA) and as a currently practicing physician, I can honestly say that this was the most interesting and revealing interview I have ever watched. Over the years I have listened to and watched literally hundreds of interviews but this one was the one I could relate to the best. This man and his comrades efforts absolutely did save probably hundreds of lives. That was indeed a great way to end his story. I’m just blown away and yes, he had me also shedding tears several times during his revelations. Great interview and thank you for bringing this phenomenal story to the public.

[@Pulsonar]

This humble mild mannered academics account of his military service in Vietnam is absolutely stellar. His memory of facts, figures, procedures, names of places and peoples from over 50 years ago is extraordinary At 18:55 is where the real darkness of Vietnam starts. What strikes me is how much of a courageous MAN he really is and he projects this image without the slightest trace of bravado and boast about his heroic deeds. In fact his tears make him more of a man in reliving that horror of being pressured into playing God with the lives of wounded children. He didn’t need to explain his reasoning for that, what he presented here is Gold standard. The US benefited greatly from having a man of this distinction serving in uniform during the Vietnam war.

[@fredlarge8209]

This is the best interview I have ever heard. Thanks for your service and your duty to service.

[@charlesmiddleton3247]

To you ,Sir... I thank you for all your sacrifice, dedication and expertise in your MOS and for caring for my Marine brothers who you so bravely cared for. I served in the Marine Corps from 71-75 with HMM-261 and MABS-26 and was taken care of by corpsman and Navy nurses while hospitalized and am so grateful to all of them. I became an RN some years after discharge bc of those corpsman and nurses. I'm thankful you are still here to tell your story so others may know the horrors that the Few, the Proud, the Marines went thru and of your experience. You are a Marine brother to me! Namaste. From a Vietnam Era Marine Corps veteran (E-5).

[@DaveForman-f2q]

Truly an authentic American hero welcome home

[@finding_mojo]

What a powerful recount of his service. Very moving and profound.

[@TheSuperdupersteve]

Forever a Hero.

[@mrstealyoface]

I love getting to hear these guys stories both my grandfather's served in Nam one was a pilot and the other one did 3 tours as a helicopter door gunner

[@DavidJones-ey6ie]

These men and women who know what it takes to live and help their fellow humans are amazing.

[@mugsypea]

There is a special place in heaven for men like him…God bless him! 🙏🙏🙏

[@tcarroll3954]

A hand salute and eternal gratitude and admiration to you, Sir, from a VN combat vet of the same time period. Welcome Home!

[@MikeDavis-vb4wt]

God bless you Alan. So glad I just stumbled across this and watched the complete video. God bless all of you who served our country and gave and sacrificed so much. God bless you all so much forever and ever. Thank you!

[@elsuprimo0674]

You can’t help but like this guy. Thanks “doc” from an Army Dustoff pilot.

[@BlueJayWaters]

Corpsman from your time walked so we could run. To this day you still inspire HM's, and many of our advancement in medical expertise came from all of you. Absolutely outstanding, from one Doc to another.

[@nealbutler5067]

This retired Chief Engineman on boats in Viernam says you are a Marine. The Marines I know love their Docs and Chaps!

[@richardmacauley1107]

That feeling goes both ways.

[@DavidJones-ey6ie]

My mom's first cousin walked a lit ofpoint in the Dragoons and is an amazing man who has had malaria, diabetes from agent orange, and extreme PTSD. He is a great guy who is still living! I have so enjoyed Ken in my life. I have seen his picture with a huge boa in the field that his squad killed. His worst memory is having to kill a teen who had an ak47 and was the point for the vc. He was destroyed mentally by that experience. He returned with horrible malaria. His brother who just passed was in at the same time. They lied to their mother ao she thought one was stateside. Kens brother had a jeep accident on base and about died and their mother never new! His brother Harlan unfortunately just passed away. Heros.

[@johnklenzak1001]

Alan, thank you brother for your sincere personal effort to support our fellow service men. Our medics were the last person I wanted to see when we were under fire; but, you were the one person I wanted to see when we were under fire because you were an angel moving from one situation to the next. It is a shame that American government personnel could not see what was clearly in front of them when they refused to give the VA the funds to support the treatment of PTSD until 40 to 50 years after this "police action" that the political guys wanted to label Vietnam as. Welcome home my brother.

[@donnagaxiola9675]

True heroes!! All of our soldiers who went to Vietnam!

[@dconvention8568]

Alan Basham’s last sentence of this interview - and his eyes that reach into the past - dropped like an anvil: “There’s a bunch of names…not on the wall…because we were there.”

[@kevinkiernanoutdoors3413]

A soldier of the highest order.

[@phillipgriffiths9624]

This man is a true hero.

[@Buck_Watson]

Thank you "Alan Basham" for you service! Your witness has helped me understand what Vietnam Servicemen have had to deal with from the service they provided to preserve the FREE WORLD. Thank you again.

[@vinylhanger604]

I could listen to this guy tell stories all day long.

[@donedgmon4138]

I was with HML-167 July 70 to June 71 when the squadron was withdrawn. I flew part time as a gunner and may well have provided gun coverage for you. Our huey went down in Arizona territory and the 46 stopped to pick us up on the way back to China Beach to drop off the wounded Korean marines. Wonder if you were the Doc on that run. Deepest respect for you and the other corpsmen!

[@richardmacauley1107]

Why weren’t ‘Marine’ Corpsmen newly arrived at Mag 16 in Danang instructed to zip up their flight suits when the medevac chopper dropped into a hot landing? Had to learn the hard way… the spent M60 rounds (HOT) forms their way down the front of my flight suit! Only needed one such experience to never let that happen again.

[@camperspecial9666]

Thank you Doc. Welcome home.

[@died4us590]

My grandpa was a medic in wwll, and towards the end of his life, he told me many thing's about his four year's, and so this man really touched me with his story. I am glad that he was able to get treatment for the ptsd, because it's something hard to live with. G-d bless everyone.

[@reginaclark1816]

God Bless you. Thank you for your service.

[@Nursebakr]

My Dad was a Corpsman with the 6th Fleet Marines. He has never said a word.

[@SurfCityVideo]

This warrior is a great interview.

[@Cornbread.icetea]

This was so powerful. God Bless you Sir. Tears filled my eyes listening to his descriptions of his time there are palpable.

[@blupupher]

Welcome Home sir. Amazing video, and just want to say thank you from all those names and their descendants that are not on the Wall because of you and your fellow corpsmen. I am glad you were able to get the help you needed for your PTSD. My Uncle did a tour there as an artillery spotter, I don't think he ever talked to anyone about his experiences there. The most he ever told me about it was his return home sucked, and to make sure any Vietnam Vet I met to tell them Welcome Home because they did not get it when the initially returned. He received 2 Purple Hearts that the family did not know he received till just a few years before his death about a decade ago. For some reason he decided to get a Purple Heart license plate, and that is when we found out. He never said what happened for him to get them.

[@jeffe9429]

Love hearing these vets be able to finally talk openly

[@brianlykins6663]

First, thank you, Doc, for your service. My uncle was in LRRP's 68 - 69. You touched on something that he and several guys I've worked with over the years about coming home. They all said the same thing, your in combat one day, you get your orders to go, 2 days later your sitting at home eating at your folks dinner table. The mind is still in the jungle, but your body is here. They all agreed that was one thing they were glad to see that changed in Iraq, and Afghanistan. A soldier got to get away from the combat, decompress, and get your brain to thinking like a civilian again before you got to go home. Anyone that served in any combat at the age of most, 18 - 22 sees things that no one should ever see or have to remember . I have nothing but the utmost respect for all vets, VN vers have a special place, because of the way they were treated coming home and many years after. God bless each man and woman that served and has had to live with it since. You are absolutely correct sir, not all the casualties of Viet Nam are on the wall, many became casualties years later.

[@jerrytetro6482]

My co-worker told me his story joined the Navy because he didn’t want to be drafted and sent to Nam. AF gave him three choices of work he got his last preference hospital administration which he got. They made him a Corpsman and he ended up in the Rice patties of Nam with the Marines. He developed a shake in his hands that he never could get over.

[@SandfordSmythe]

Yup, out with the Marines.

[@mesaeddie]

I was a Navy Corpsman from 1969 to 1973 and six years active reserve Tank Company in the 80's. I was state side during the War and worked on a lot of wounded Marines . I can tell you I hate wars.

[@falconmoose5435]

Good God man. The most respect. Live long and continue to help humanity. All wars are banker wars. Da Nang 366 Combat Security Squadron. Perimeter guard.......easy duty, but scared s^&%tless as a 19 year old. Jan1971-Jan 1972. When I got home and went out in public, I was dumbfounded that no one even knew there was a war.

[@philwhitt6462]

Welcome home!

[@ericfragoso3456]

Thank you for your service to our nation. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. That was very insightful and touching. God bless you .

[@dwainsw4076]

Newbies = FNGs. Thanks for your service. In my opinion, Vietnam was the dumbest war we ever fought. I was there 1969-70. WELCOME HOME!

[@GH0ST369]

They were bound by treaty with France.

[@roadscholar9323]

The therapy he's discussing at the end of the interview is called (as I remember) "Prolonged Exposure Therapy" or PET. I went through it at VA Menlo Park, and it worked, though it was one of the roughest four months of my life. I too had to talk about a child I could not save, though we tried. The smell of blood: I took a copper penny, rubbed it between my fingers and inhaled its odor because it approximates the smell of blood. The relationship-destroying "distancing" I experienced caused the ending of many good relationships. What really got me about this interview was remembering treating a GSW chest, and not checking the back, where the bullet actually entered. And he died. Thanks Doc. Not just "welcome home" but Welcome Back. Charley Mike

[@boblarson6444]

I was there ln 66 & 67. Our company corpsman was outstanding individual we all loved and respected. Your presentation was one of the best I have seen.

[@robertcombs55]

Helicopter Squadron Vietnam; I would never had the nerve to fly Dust Off; the Bravest men I have ever met...The National Cemeteries are full of Corpmen...

[@frankmazzie4855]

Its Men like you Sir that make the world a better place..Your courage and humanatarism,are evident.You are blessed.ONWARD ON THE JOURNEY

[@ninezulu]

I was (still am in spirit) an infantryman an our Doc was the most important guy in combat.

[@mikemitchell7575]

This guy is a real hero...