The Deadliest Pig of the Vietnam War

As night ushered in a hushed silence over Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, Petty Officer David Larsen sat nervously in a patrol boat as it cautiously made its way through the dense jungle along the perilous upper Saigon River. It was August 2, 1969, and the 21-year-old gunner’s mate was part of a team with a vital yet risky mission: to set up a two-boat waterborne guard post on the murky river and intercept hostile river traffic.
Also on board was a six-man ambush team charged with protecting the pair of patrol vessels from any land-based threats. As the fiberglass boats reached their position, they cut their engines and quietly glided toward the riverbank, where Larsen watched the six soldiers leap onto the shore and quickly disappear into the darkness of the trees, unsure what lurked among them.
Waiting with anxious anticipation, Larsen wiped beads of sweat from his brow. The tension was made even more unbearable by the suffocating humidity. Suddenly, the silence was shattered by a staccato volley of machine gun fire, swiftly followed by the thunderous boom of rockets exploding. Larsen had a bad feeling about this one. Moments later, his fears were confirmed when a distorted, panic-stricken voice came blaring over the radio: the ambush team had been seriously outnumbered and desperately needed help. The patrol crews were under strict orders to stay on their boats come what may, but he wasn’t about to let his buddies bite the dust on the jungle floor…
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As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Docs sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect. I do my best to keep it as visually accurate as possible. All content on Dark Docs is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas. -

[@mikepersico6842]

I served with Dave onboard USS RANGER (CVA-61) in fifth division and also in Vietnam in River Division 593 “IRON BUTTERFLY “. He was a great sailor and an outstanding person. I am proud to have been his friend!

[@stevedrinkard7297]

Thank you Sir for your service and sacrifice much love and respect.

[@joe8397]

thank you for your time service to this nation and us. I had 2 brothers who were in Nam you

[@bluesentinelavoch4440]

He is a relative to my family, my youngest brother just got out of the marine corps, timothy larsen, heard awesome stories

[@dx1450]

I live not far from his hometown. I never knew there was such a war hero close by.

[@bill45colt]

WE need more stories like this,,,,,lotsa guys died or were maimed in body and mind,,,,for some high up leaders of all sides to take control of the little man,,,it goes on today,,,look at the leaders and politicians throughout the world,,,, Dave did what he could and was a terror it seems,,,glad he made it back home,,,

[@dennisud]

I'm glad you and other KZbinrs are describing these Veterans Stories and letting us know of their heroism! From WW-II, Korea and Vietnam its imperative to get those stories before we lose more to old age! Thanks!

[@im4broke643]

These memories need to be recorded. I'm 64 and read so many stories about personal experiences that it is hard to imagine some times. This farm boy knew he needed to try and do all he could to save his..."team".

[@brianbarquin362]

That makes two of us brother 👍

[@Rockynight]

Can you imagine going to war with all these woke kids that don't even know what bathroom to use?

[@jamesward4250]

Thank you the history is owned by us.

[@milesbrown8016]

Yes, very important…🪖

[@BenjaminRowe-hc7uo]

LEST WE FORGET, God bless all the veterans from the Vietnam War.They served in a troubled war and were treated terribly when they got home.All those people who disrespected the Vietnam Vets should be ashamed of themselves, Welcome home guys, God bless you all.LEST WE FORGET 🇺🇲🇦🇺🫡🎖️

[@GTGibbs]

@BenjaminRowe-hc7uo From all of us who returned, and the too many that did not. Thank You and God Bless all the Gold Star Families.

[@Michaeldavis-il6od]

We should be ashamed of American

[@megbreezy7543]

God Bless every one of these Heroes … who fought for our country.

[@BossDillman-ue1mx]

They fought for each other mostly

[@butterfinger1171]

Rip Kenny Rankin. Riv div 521. ..boat 617 Nov 16, 1969

[@whiplash8277]

Respect to this brave, brave man. How fortunate we are to have such men.

[@СержНепомнящий]

Как повезло,что маленькие худенькие азиаты уничтожили столько американских оккупантов😂😂😂азия вперед!!!

[@SteveBrownRocks2023]

My cousin Wayne Anderson was on the USS Pueblo & was captured by the N. Koreans. When he finally returned, he told me about the treatment the crew & Captain Denton endured. It was bad.

[@crazyralph6386]

Yep, seems they’re all sadistic bastards in the Asian Pacific during wartime?

[@peterdaly6173]

@@crazyralph6386 lol, yeah, and our troops were all angels. Its war, you are trained to hate the enemy, then its easy to kill and mistreat them

[@simonflower6356]

@@peterdaly6173 Like it or not, Western Europeans and people of Western European descent treated one another with far greater respect in wartime than Asians treated their enemies, regardless as to whether they were fellow Asians or whites. It was rare for Allied prisoners to be mistreated by the Germans, and vice versa.

[@kensommers5096]

All these stories have one central theme, one man Can make a difference. 🤠👍🇭🇲

[@frankaxiak1959]

Proud to say I served in the US Navy Riverine Force! Thank you Petty Officer Larsen for your unwavering service to our great country and Navy.

[@robertmosher7418]

This guy has a Navy career that my dad mirrored or he mirrored my dads. Went to Vietnam on an Aircraft carrier, my dad on the Kittyhawk, then went to the special operations units we now call SWCC. Though my dad has long passed away and I cannot remember which flotilla he was in. Though I think was on a different type boat as he manned a double M2 on the front. He did some dismounted patrols searching for deserters in villages near the shore in the delta.

Many many Hero's served in Vietnam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@navret1707]

They all were!

[@emillyyelen5169]

@@navret1707 well...

[@QUINNEETHLING]

​@navret1707 I don't think they all were heroes, to be honest. They had a draft system. Everybody had to go, the alternative was prison. War brings out the best and the worst in people. Don't be naive about it.

[@wernerpanchenko6542]

Bull they served proudly block me out again coward

[@derekstocker6661]

Great account and thank you for showing the bravery of David and so very many in that conflict. RIP Sir. Duty done.

[@TM-yn4iu]

This appears to be another exceptional series which I hope to share with my father who served in that war. I have to figure how to make it simple on a weekly basis for him to watch. He's 93 and I'm a 1000 miles away....working on it

[@RobertGolden1952]

Click Share to send him a text with the KZbin link

[@jpiper2001]

“Kurtz got off the boat… he left the whole fkn program.”

[@ClaytonKanitz]

Uh the m60 was called the pig because of weight of it and its components.

[@sueannoquinn6788]

I'm using my wife's tablet. The Army had a 155mm howitzer, the M-114, that they called a Pig also.

[@BillMorganChannel]

David Larsen showed great ambition, which is the result of great character. People like Mr. Larsen who is endowed with it, performed a very good act. Larsen's principles directed him.

[@albertstahl3474]

Can think of only one word, Respect !

[@lordofthehouseofstormcrows8615]

Excellent work again. How about a video on Melvin Biddle? Or Richard Bong? Carlos Hathcock? Paul Smith? Any of these stories are amazing. Thank you for honoring courage under fire.

[@parkerottoackley6325]

👍 Great choices too 👍👍

[@reedwilson64GTO]

I vote for WHITE FEATHER

[@jafo766]

Dan Bullock U.S.M.C a story worth hearing.

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

Dark Docs has done a video on "White Feather" Carlos Hathcock some time ago.

[@rickbergstrom3859]

I was a kid during this era. These guys were heroic and misused terribly

[@jafo766]

That boy got busier than a one legged man at an ass kicking contest , R.I.P WARRIOR !

[@LifeslicePhotography]

Thanks for making this one. My dad built those PBR's in Bellingham WA. I actually have a plaque River Squadron 5 made for him.

[@1milesnpr]

The M60 was nicknamed 'The Pig' not because of 'It's insatiable appetite for ammunition' but for it's weight to carry slung or handheld and for its cumbersome and quirky breakdown of the weapons components making it both a "pig of thing to carry" and a "pig of a thing to quickly and easily field strip, clean and get back into action". Facts are what make a good mini doco. Not just made up or misread/misinterpreted nicknames of weapons systems and so forth.

[@Kneon_Knight]

Nobody is forcing you to watch.

[@jafo766]

@@Kneon_Knight The man is right , but no one is forcing you to listen......

[@alanbrooke3237]

I carried the " pig" as a Marine, a love hate relationship. The weight with heat and humidity was a killer.

[@Patriot46426]

​@Kneon_Knight no one's forcing you to be an ahole... yet here you are

[@daleupthegrove6396]

@@alanbrooke3237 I carried the "pig" in the Army. It was a mother to hump up a Korean mountain, especially in the winter.

[@sog6841]

Talking about the M-60 while showing the M-2. SMH

[@Kneon_Knight]

Did you come here just to bitch?

[@1339LARS]

There you go !!!!! //Lars

[@bigczech7]

Yeah he’s showing the hippo not the pig 😂

[@scottierivers3278]

I know rite!!!!! Smh

[@NotableSavage2]

Hey if the head of the ATF doesn’t have to be a firearms expert, neither does any KZbinr. 😅

[@TM-yn4iu]

Why didn't he receive the Medal of Honor?

[@Necron990]

Not that I agree, but he did disobey orders, so they found a middle ground

[@HondoSauce]

Incredible story. RIP Sailor

[@jimcox4728]

In the Army we had a Quaid 50 4 50 Cals mounted on the back end of a 5 ton wrecker.

[@samdoors5132]

My brother and cousin, both joined the Navy at the same time, but didn’t know that until they were assigned to the same assault boat. My brother said it was so hot and humid. 24 hours a day. I had a cousin that was a fighter pilot in Vietnam. He committed suicide many years later, because he could not handle the cancer that most likely came from chemicals in Vietnam. My cousin became a heroin and pot attic, and my brother an Alcoholic those boats had a high alcohol content in the fuel and by tweaking it somehow it became drinkable. My cousin passed away from liver cancer about 20 years ago, and my brother is still drinking all these years later, despite being about 70 years old. I guess some people can handle the good times with no effect and some can’t

[@davidkubasiak9093]

When you said the biggest pig I thought you were talking about Johnson.

[@clifbradley]

My step-father was on the Riverine boats for THE ARMY as part of the MAC-V SOG 5th SF team and they went in and did hit and fades, LP's, and salting ammo dumps with C-4 7.62 ammo, they also rigged string mines, and they had 2 mortars on the boat. One fired Starburst shots, the other HE and WP rounds. The goal was to make the VC or NVA think they were being hit by a landborne force,,but in reality, it was just to get them to expose themselves and then call in an ARC light or a snake and nape run. While there were M-60's, the best guns were the M-2's that were dual M-2's, an early version of the Mark-19 40mm grenade launcher, an early version of the mini-gun, but also a 23mm cannon, the mortars, and the M-60's that would be limited to 500 rounds and were cooled by river water that was held in buckets above the guns and could be tipped onto the barrels. The riverine units used up the most M-60 a d M2 replacement barrels.on average, 4 per month per gun amd also used an average of 20,000 rounds of ammo per week among boats and 150-200 hand grenades, smoke grenades, WP grenades or thermite grenades per month. They went looking for a fight every night. These were big Mike boats and then smaller airboats with only 2 machine guns and 4-6 guys jumping off. Instead of 'parakeet' ops, they did 'eel ops'.

[@thadstaples]

We were kids when we got to Nam. A few months later, we had aged many more than our actual age. Our teenage years were gone even though a lot of us were nineteen when we came home.

[@maryanngreatbatch931]

This was my husbands story. Severe ptsd the rest of his life till 2012 when he died of agent orange poisoning.

[@FrankDunlevy]

To the fellow with the Story on his friend being “Blown out of a Tank” and serving in the 101st Airborne. I served in the 1st Brigade 101st Airborne in Nam 1966-67 , and 82nd Airborne 1968. To my knowledge the 101st had no Tanks , usually relied on 11th Armored Cav Guys for Force Protection if moving on Roads, so not sure where that story comes from!

[@paaron603]

Never underestimate us Kansas boys

[@Dr.Pepperdave]

Respect

[@AndrewRook-d2r]

Yeehaiuuu

[@johnmmjj3162]

Great video and heroic action by Larson and the other Americans. But what was the point of the mission: run off into the jungle until some of you get killed? So many Viet Nam missions seemed to have no legitimate military point.

[@jimbush5676]

To all the operation game, warden sailors and marines, my utmost respect

[@suburbandiyguy661]

When I saw the photo of LBJ, I thought that's what the video was titled after...

[@jerrywilson4771]

Great information, Fabulous video footage, perfect cadence on the speaking role. I approve this channel!

[@reYouMad]

Amazing story Where there any medals this brave man did not receive ?

[@NotableSavage2]

Congressional Medal of Honor.

[@JimNorkas-qx4nt]

Bless him Almighty Father

[@Pleasemison]

Im high as hell. What a grest channel. I watched the tad story. This is well done also.

[@explorers1979]

Great video, as always. Just one critique only because it didn't fit the story- you stitch videos together to tell a narrative, however, at the 3:03 mark there is footage of the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Just letting ya know because there are several people working on the videos for these particular channels and it's a big operation and probably got overlooked. Anyway, great story! Thanks for telling it!

[@freekingawwsome]

God blessDavid Larson

[@billmoore7133]

At 14:28 claims its a 31 foot 14,600 ton fiberglass PBR seems extremely heavy for a 31 footer.

[@SpaceyMonkey75]

That's a "ma-deuce", not an m60. (just sayin')

[@JADEK111]

He changed the thumbnail and the title, for some reason...

[@kevinmartin4137]

the ma duece is a50 cal i think. the m60 a 308 cal

[@boblouden6663]

​@@kevinmartin41377.62

[@Pantera-wu9ty]

RIP Warrior!

[@Anthony-em1rc]

Sounds like a interesting story. Wish I could understand the narrator.

[@MrReymoclif714]

He’s a garbler!

[@rocketruss3405]

When I watch these war stories and tales of incredible selflessness and bravery of these soldiers, I like to think that I too, would have the fortitude and strength of character to do the same. But I am not so sure that I would have the courage to not just follow orders and remain safe, while being able to justify my actions by saying “I followed my orders.

[@davidk8504]

Thank you David

[@bicivelo]

Dude was a real life Rambo! Holy cow!!

[@johnniethepom7545]

Sylvester Stallone went to Switzerland to work as a Handyman/ Gardener during the Vietnam War. Nice and safe , while good ole American boys were dying for their country .

[@johnthomson4011]

💯RESPECT BRAVERY AND HONOUR GOD BLESS YOU SIR ❤️🇺🇸THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE 👋🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿👍

[@johnwaters7455]

Thanks!

[@rp9035]

I served on The Kitty Hawk and destroyer Hoel. Would of liked to serve in the River. However, it was over when I enlisted in 74.

[@raymondvasquez4984]

Thank you sir.

[@sfsgm]

One correction: It is the Vietnamese Campaign Medal, not Camp medal.

[@andyblanzy2693]

Had a guy on our boat was a First Class Petty Officer with 28 years. Had 3 of those boats sunk underneath him.

[@dougwalker4944]

..the narration...reminds me of Geophrey Lewis. ... Lets rock and roll...

[@paulleckner8235]

Wow! When the chips are down, sometimes you just gotta disobey the standing orders and do what you think is right.

[@dinosabatelllo464]

Respect

[@tomn9094]

What an f'd up mess that war was.

[@billearnshaw1074]

We supported the PBRs and SeaWolves in the Mekong Delta, USS Garrett County 786... 70-71 Radioman.

[@JosephCoveleski]

I was there for the evacuation of Saigon off a rpb off the USS Blue ridge

[@MMN218.]

wow,, these are the stories that need to be told to the modern spineless youth to understand why and who made the USA what it was known for. Respect and salute for such a brave soldier.

[@mantia39]

He was one gungy sailor! Respect!

[@spenceralbin344]

RIP Stud/Hero/Warrior.

[@dominikspencer3981]

Some men do not question their bravery. They just do it!

[@SamLukie]

They still lost. Backstabbed by politicians.

[@johntruth3713]

Astounding.

[@brucehenkelman9852]

Go with God hero❤. I live 30 miles from Parsons Kansas. I was in a Tornado there ! Trucking adventures 😊😊😊

[@randywise5241]

Why are so many nave members from Kansas?

[@inlandindieP35]

They want to see the ocean!

[@fjb4932]

If you've Ever been to Kansas, you'd know ! Kansas has two types of weather. My Father ( RIP ) grew up in Kansas City Missouri And Kansas, once he joined the ARMY and saw how good other places could be, i think he went back for a quick visit maybe 4 times over the next 60 years. They think it's the center of the Earth. I've met more guys from Kansas and Misery in my 20 years with the SeaBees than from anywhere else ( other than California ). As Dorthy said " There ain't no place like home". The best times she had was when she was gone from there... ☆

[@contractkiller6863]

Why can’t you spell navy?

[@MrLuckylilly]

My Dad was in the 77Th div in WW2 and survived Okinawa and many other horrible battles. I enlisted in the AF in 68 and probably could have stayed there, but my buddies at Sheppard AFB got orders to Nam. I volunterred to go and since i was a Huey mech i knew i probably would not be in the mud and the blood. Did about a yesr in Pleiku as an advisor to the ARVN , which i liked much more than the chicken shit at Sheppard. We had some close calls, but nothing like the grunts ! When the Cambodia campaign was called off many of those PISSED off men got drunk at Pleiku since they wanted to finish off the VC. God bless all those warriors, dead and alive ! Pres Johnson was another horribe liberal politician that dragged us into an endless war !

[@MrLuckylilly]

Dan Nidds, MIA was a high school buddy in West Islip NY. I remember he always wanted to be a soldier and i believe he quit HS in the 11th grade to enlist. Another patriotic hero !

[@stevenhj3124]

Just curious............. A fiberglass 31 foot PBR weighing 14,600 tons. I don't think so. Any comments? I am Vietnam veteran USS FOX (DLG-33) 1967-68. ☮

[@mtkoslowski]

Breathless, breathless, breathless…

[@SparkyPete-p7x]

Don’t forget us coasties who where there before the PBRs with our 82 ft boats

[@stephaneislistening6103]

I picture the narrator talking like that when he brings a beer to his buddy 🙂

[@ianparrish6543]

Did Larson not write a couple of novels about Nam.? His name sounds familiar.

[@Maldoror200]

, "P.B.R." duty really sounds like a Super Tricky, Volatile assignment..!! ..

[@HappyBarn-lv6bm]

I really can really, appreciate this story.Look up the book ,THOSE WOODEN SIPS AND IRON MEN.MSBs stationed at na bay on the long Tao river,THE RIVER OF ASSASINS . MINE SQUADRON 11, ONE ALFA THE BOOK IS ABOUT MY FRIEND THAT GAVE IT ALL.THEY WERE A WONDERFUL BUNCH OFAMERICAN SAILORS,AS WAS ALL WHO SERVED THERE.

[@HappyBarn-lv6bm]

Friends

[@stewartdouglass2774]

14.000 tons?

[@stevenrisso5535]

What a brave fella

[@edwardstauffer2096]

I LIKED THE BAR THE BEST!!!!!

[@joshrawlings2621]

A Man Among Men…! ✨🫡✨

[@raymondready7496]

My dad did two tours on pbr's in war. Navy lifer.

[@ScottSchell-f1l]

Is this 14 year old or a 15-year-old trying to do this

[@RedSinter]

There is a Tradition statement I think is universal across all services. It is Better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for Permission.

[@kevinwilson6786]

Selfless bravery. RIP

[@Chea568]

Way to go Larson! R.I.P.

[@karp1945]

Read Through the Valley, an The Magnificent Bastards, for true heros

[@modee-b9s]

BRAVE SOULS.

[@kpadalldotablet1009]

The M60 only has a cyclic rate of 550-650 rounds/min.

[@rimrunz1795]

"14000 ton...." really??????

[@geoffrandwick5020]

Go along to the Vietnamese war museums have a look at all the women and children that were obliterated then come back and watch this again

[@skipschauer5535]

Twin 50's was a lot of firepower!!!

[@Oldtimered]

Teach, your children well... CSN&Y Don't make mistakes our Country has, but if they do, fight like an American. It scared the h3ll out of our foes.

[@dareisnogod5711]

Please do not forget that DJT considers him to be a sucker & a loser.

[@umaikakudo]

Recheck your sources.

[@bonvoyage5377]

31 ft..........and weighed 14600 tons???? something not right here. Listen to the commentary from about 4mins 15

[@Philobeddoe12]

Why was the USA in Vietnam?

[@MrReymoclif714]

French.

[@gregeverett7686]

50-60...my buddy was Mekong delta a a "gun-boat" always catching random fire...fuckin giving it back!

[@Extrikit]

Lest we forget

[@gunner678]

If not now when, if not us who?

[@t10claytempered16]

God Bless this man and all who serve. I was called up in 71' but thankfully was 1Y with bad knees (1Y means essentially: On Hold). One of my friend'd brothers served on a PT in the Mekong and was horribly wounded and told me the war war had become a bad joke. "Take ground, give it back." Frustrating and Costly to the men who were involved/ Too many politicians and Bullsh*t. Many of my friends who served bravely, told me the same thing. Hope we had learned something but Biden proved we hand Not. I dislike him to my core for that.

[@shanewarmington2680]

jeez you guys love to slab out medals, was there a Kellogs one too?