Vietnam Voices: 'By the grace of God, you're not on the Vietnam War Memorial'

[@BobSimmons-y6i]

Half way thru the 67 baseball season I was a professional baseball pitcher and had just lost a game to NolanRyan. By March of 68 I had been drafted recieved a chest wound from a rocket attack in the jungle while carrying the 60 for the 1st Air Cav. After being wounded I ended up in Japan then on to an amputee ward in SF. With my pro career over after release from the Army I went back to college on the GI Bill

[@sierramodre1]

Thank you Bob Sorensen for your bravery and service to our country

[@frankdyer4280]

Every one of these videos is a National treasure.

[@scottyh1509]

My favorite of these interviews so far. I watched/ listened to this man several times. He seems to see/understand everything from multiple angles. Intense, very intelligent, honest. Just a great interview, thank you.

[@paulbrown8370]

When i turned 18, i went for my physical and later i enlisted in the Army, and volunteered to go to Vietnam, i did two tours there because i wanted. I now suffer from Agent Orange exposure and had a massive heart attack about 14 years ago, i also suffer with PTSD. I have an Aneurysm on the heart, i am on borrowed time right now. I still have ties with the country of Vietnam and the people there. I got into it by accident, but I teach English to the kids and teachers there everyday for the last 14 years now. I do it fr FREE 7 days a week and i love it and the kids. Many of these kids call me "Daddy" "Grandpa" "Brother" And "Uncle" I adore these kids, from 8 years old up to 45 years old because the people want to learn English so bad. I know my time is limited now, but if I had to d it again, knowing what i know today, I would still go back and do it all again.

[@mikeforte7585]

People like him are the real heros of society......I salute u sir ..thank you for ur service!!!

[@livingadreamlife1428]

Different than many Vietnam interviews, Bob is a strategic thinker that provided an intelligent analysis of a complicated situation. One of the most interesting interviews that I’ve watched. Bob, thank you for your service and for simply “doing your job “ and doing it with both honor and character.

[@banditnip0345]

I didn't catch what rank he said he was but he comes off as a very level headed non-commissioned officer. He gave a very professional & detailed description of what his responsibilities were. I give him my utmost respect for what he did over there. Because of men like him I can still wake up in a free land.

[@slyflyby]

Thank you for your service Bob. Your sincerity is so evident and profound. May you and your family have peace in life's journey... God bless.

[@Chrisamos412]

Mr Sorensen thank you very much for your experience and service to our nation during those crazy years. I was ten years after you, not even close to what you went through. Daryl thank you for a great interview.

[@jeanbailey3223]

Very competent, thoughtful narrative of his experiences in Vietnam.

[@jetobey5656]

All of these men have my love and absolute , humble respect. Thank you

[@1977Postal]

Very interesting interview he's well spoken and very insightful. I found this to be very informative.

[@bobwoll4115]

2

[@danmurphy4472]

LIGHT MY FIRE......says it all........very cool character.......Thank You Mr. Sorensen for your Service and Dedication to our Country during a very difficult time.........WELCOME HOME SIR.......JOB VERY WELL DONE.....GOD BLESS ALL YOU VIETNAM COMBAT VETERANS .

[@tommierios6518]

Thank you sir, for sharing your story. Welcome home to all Vietnam War Veterans. : )

[@brandonthomas303]

Thank you sir for your service!! SALUTE!

[@aliyahramos20]

From San Jose , California Thank you for your service Sir .

[@stevebutler812]

This country is made up of all kinds of people from all around the world. San Jose is for sure one of the most diverse areas even for the Bay Area. Yet, we recognize these men often did what they believed was right, served our country, and deserve respect and recognition.

[@AlvinUselton]

This gentleman (“soldier “) and many others like him by the grace of GOD is what has made America what she is today!! ❤🇺🇸❤️🕊

[@carlpresley9097]

Your story is so interesting. I spent two tours over there in I corps. I too read a lot of history of vietnam. Take care.

[@abc-oq7dt]

I admire the fact that these interviewees often have a lot of notes so that they dont miss any points they want to make

[@robbiburrell1168]

Top interview; insightful!

[@geraldwilson3559]

Thank you for your Service and communication. Excellent. Gerald.

[@davidhoogendyke2774]

Though I think the whole war was a sham and waste of precious lives, it in no way diminishes the bravery and effort of those who ended up fighting there. I don't think I could have done what these vets did. Glad you guys made it home alive to tell your stories, and of the ones who didn't.

[@nathanaelmoh5848]

Exactly how I feel about it. Absolutely unnecessary war but still these men deserve respect.

[@terrysarrazin3450]

Thank you sir. I grew up with Antone (Tony) Schnobrich, at Clyde Park. There is a memorial to him in front of our High School at Clyde Park. Now Shields Valley High school.

[@jeffcollins9995]

Firstly, thank you so very much for your service, which was a considered sacrfice by you to us. I'm also very despondent that your service interrupted your education at Cornell, which, I believe, would have resulted in an MD Degree. Well Done and Welcome Back.

[@niamhneevekinsella7951]

Lovely gentle man, welcome home and glad you made it back. I hope you had a happier life after the war and I’m glad you have friends that stood by you. Greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@rodneysmith247]

It's great to see history no matter what flag it stands for sends a universal message of the human experience. These videos have a powerful message and I'm glad you could be a p❤rt of it. 😁

[@danmurphy4472]

I like this Interviewer.......very patient .

[@cocoandwillowthewanderers6746]

Thanks all you men and women who served. Have met some veterans.🇺🇸🇨🇦🇺🇸🇨🇦🇺🇸🇨🇦🇺🇸🇨🇦🇺🇸🇨🇦very brave people .

[@wendyleewilliams1157]

Thank you ❤ book recommendations, movies, and respect shown to those whose lives were damaged and lost.

[@earlscottchambers4280]

Great interview!

[@scottranney5891]

Best interviewer I've heard with veterans

[@pedalsteel5]

First of all i thank you for your service....most of all I fell like there are some deep down problems you refuse to let come out...i wish you the best..

[@jeffkerr4249]

THANK YOU BOB !

[@simonhellier7281]

Very well interviewed.

[@kennethprice5628]

Welcome home my brother, God bless you, you served with honor Sir...72 yo Navy Veteran

[@plihp]

Thank you for your service.

[@brownspot9]

Well spoken 🇺🇸

[@bugzie706]

Well done and I must say you are still very sharp, you should have been in an intelligence unit.

[@peloneretana9460]

Thank You Sir🇺🇸

[@jinyingjiang4628]

Thanks for your service !

[@1murder99]

I was assigned to 1st 14th Artillery 198th Light Infantry Brigade. I was then attached to A company 1st 46th Infantry as a Forward Observer. My first day in the field was spent in Laos doing bomb damage assessment on the Ho Chi MInh trail. Totally out of range of our artillery. After 7 months in the field with the Infantry unit I was moved to B battery 1/14 Artillery as a Fire Direction Officer.

[@adrianh332]

Montana must be a good place to live all the guys being interviewed either moved back there or never left.

[@tylerstamps2786]

Dude is very cerebral. He has a monotone voice but he’s articulate and appears well-adjusted. TY for your service.

[@glennlarson9343]

Thank you.

[@dougyoung221]

You were blessed by your age, maturity level, and college experience. Wasn't anything like that for me. I think I was probably still 13 yrs old in my head and not a happy camper. Absolutely hated the military and stayed an extra 4 mths in Nam when my division was sent home just to get out when I landed in California. ✌️ The protesters had it right for the most part though the lack of support for vets sucked. Didn't have to be one or the other.

[@madbrad7274]

What a hero 👏🙌

[@michaelcody-ju2zz]

God bless you sir...

[@rubycollins3492]

Thank you for your service Cery composed thoughtful Very interesting

[@kennethkeefer4291]

Thank you sir

[@adrianh332]

I read a lot of comments on these videos that criticize the interviewer, personally I think he does a good job. People don't realise just how difficult and skilled a job interviewing actually is, it's why prime time national TV anchors and interviewers command such high salaries. This dude isn't perfect but he's not bad. I did a bit of interviewing but I was awful I found it really hard, I thought I'd be good because I'm a decent actor but it's radically different.

[@eliah_B]

Great interviews. Personally, I miss questions regarding the view of the veterans towards war. Their ideology.

[@brucevanatta8586]

War sucks, not romantic, not like the movies. Pure hell at times. To kill another man that was there serving his country his believes don't make it any easier at all. He had a family just like me.

[@devlin7575]

Good to hear about Cornell times and how the period was then and when drafted he still felt duty. If at all meaningful when at uni many of us saw the cold war and the civil war of ulster ending and we had ideas of joining the army wither away. Many of us were so disappointed.

[@harleylawdude]

After the war there was an interview with the new Mayor of Saigon. He said: “During the war, America brought much material and many men. Why can you not now bring much material and many men?”

[@wrenchhead4378]

Ithaca is indeed beautiful, I lived there for a few years…. Its still as liberal as its ever ben…. Great story.. thank you sir….

[@banditnip0345]

When he mentioned the change of assignment from Combat Medic over to Artillery was the work of God. God does work in mysterious ways. He was being protected.

[@davidwatson2399]

Thank you Gentlemen.

[@yuvegotmale]

Welcome home Bob

[@mattcero1]

Great interviews. I just wish the interviewer would better gather his questions.

[@eancurtis9333]

Awesome

[@mokeski2196]

"A Bright and shining lie" terrific book.

[@spiritsgyre2021]

Regarding books, Francois Bizot's The Gate and Michael Herr's Dispatches are two of the best. Bizot covers imprisonment under Duch and the Khmer Rouge. I attended part of Duch's trial years ago . He sat motionless and only received 19 years for the estimated tens of thousands of deaths he orchestrated. His sentence was later revised upward.

[@dougdownunder5622]

53:20 good intentions. William F Buckley. He asked why is the country with good intentions reviled instead of the ones without and who never does anything to help another country. Wish I would have listened to Bill Buckley more.

[@F_Tim1961]

I wish Bob would give examples of what an artillery Fire direction technician did on the job. I'm assuming that it involved converting coordinates of target to elevation and azimuth of the guns , allowing for the gun type (he mentions two, he 175mm and the 8inch howitzer), charge used and the atmospheric and wind data of the day. That's a guess of course.

[@ronaldsnowden7448]

Wow what a story

[@mebeasensei]

Toooo many questions I have,,,,1) I saw a doco about the Malaysian emergency (1948-60) last night. Search and Destroy, isolated villages, jungle patrols, defoliant. Obviously on a different scale, but I wonder, were Americans aware of it at the time? 2) Why was the Korean War seen as just and Vietnam not? 3) Speaking of ‘Light My Fire’ and The Doors, I listened to an interview with Iggy Pop, who was also inspired by Jim Morrison. Iggy was born ‘47 and had to face the draft. He made sure he was deemed unfit. What does Bob think about Iggy now and then?

[@InkRebellion]

Can we have an interview with Rex?

[@flybouy11]

Spent the war in the math classroom. That’s an example of the college grads getting deferred and the high school grads going to the war.

[@danielortiz691]

I want a more vivid description of battle scenes and the feel of what it was like to be there

[@knunyabeasewhacks8744]

You can always enlist.

[@WD-41469]

@@knunyabeasewhacks8744 zing

[@ilovenyiloveny1140]

Most of these men do not want to relive it. Stand in front of the Vietnam Memorial and use your imagination.

[@dougdownunder5622]

Watch platoon

[@richardlong8014]

They were no absolute front lines in Vietnam. Anybody could be killed no matter where you were. The NVA conducted their war, but the VC were everywhere sneaking around. The VC were in among us. Give them an opportunity they'd butcher you. Some were kids, begging for food one minute, chucking a hand grenade the next. Everything was important to watch. Always tense. Always ready to raise rifles or dive under a rock. You were alert or you were gonna be hurt but a random shot could take you out anyway. Da Nang, class of 67.

[@johnchestnutt6892]

Should have made those protesting, of the right age of course, go in with those on the bus for induction. My father spent the first two years of my life in Vietnam, didn't agree with the war entirely, felt we could have defeated the enemy and in much less time with far fewer casualties but served his country while killing no women and kids and came home. Why does it seem that the 60s started a downward trend of our country and many of those living here?

[@brianlittle700]

Thank you welcome home

[@jessegibbons3562]

Hero

[@wm3138]

Ask him why he chose to give up his deferment?

[@altonwillimon6989]

I need you to interview my uncle's

[@altonwillimon6989]

Hope

[@dougdownunder5622]

The war was won. Chinese General wrote a book about it. Anyone know the title?

[@anthonyroberts7302]

Bob looks like joker from full metal jacket lol Thank you for your services Bob 😄

[@mokeski2196]

Happens all the time. I was trained as a 93F Ballistic meteorologist . When I arrived at my duty station I was told they didn't need anymore 93Fs. I became a battery clerk. Easiest job in the Army.

[@0U8123MTA3]

55:06 Learning about LZ XRAY really helped me understand how the entire war was fought. Lieutenant General Harold Moore was interviewed in 2005 and animated diagrams of the battlefield operations are available. Interview: www.c-span.org/video/?301573-1/harold-moore-oral-history-interview-part-1 Diagrams: lzxray.com/lz-xray-day-1/

[@daniel007coldassassin2]

It’s like BILLINGS sent every male they had wearing a hat to Vietnam...

[@johnsmithie821]

have no idea why they protested to the soldiers when the solder had nothing to do with the war....when your government tells you that you will become a soldier or you will go to prison you pretty much have no choice....browbeating the individual is wasted time....you must go to the source and protest....seems stupid.

[@SandfordSmythe]

The protest were against the war. Very few were against the soldiers.

[@goutvols103]

Why didn't he re-enroll back into Cornell?

[@johns.7609]

It’s pretty evident why he wouldn’t return to Cornell after serving.

[@papamoney2]

I had to request gaunt to Viet Nam and to make sure by Reinlisting! Reason all my friends and others were going ! This was my war because a lot of guys I knew were in WW2 and Korea! My home town Vicksburg MS was a military town! Was in Military Region 1 in support of 101st Airborne! Retired Army

[@billwylie1746]

I would argue the gulf of tonkin resolution was a worthless piece of paper and should have been challenged in a court of law those orders to deploy to Vietnam were unlawful and every one that followed them are war criminals

[@SandfordSmythe]

That or any other incident. So, we wouldn't have gone to war otherwise?

[@wm3138]

Gave up your college deferment. Clever.

[@emmanichol3613]

I’ve watched a few of these interviews and I really enjoy them but it always seems to me that the interviewer is never prepared,like he’s making up the questions as he goes,which I think is quite disrespectful to the person getting interviewed and to the goal of this series! Or maybe it’s just me that thinks that?could people reply to this comment to give their views on it

[@jefferyallan9015]

He IS making up questions as the interview progresses. It's the interviewers that stick to their prewritten questions that is disrespectful. The vet starts flying down memory lane, let him go!

[@knoxherrington299]

Emma Nichol, you know nothing

[@tijno75]

Also, I've watched many of these Vietnam interviews, best interviews are when little is asked and the Veteran speaks freely and long about his memories and experiences in Vietnam without interruption. But that also depends on the Veteran's abilities of gifted speaking.

[@TwoFingerSaloute]

These stories have to be allowed to have their own flow and it would be disrespectful if he was too regimented with a certain line of questions. Interviewer does a great job. There's a lot of detail and emotion these gentlemen have to recall. You really only want to hear their stories at their pace, not a proding and probing journalist with an agenda.

[@TwoFingerSaloute]

@@jefferyallan9015 amen

[@wm3138]

You did choose to be in the military when you gave up your deferment.

[@joeyrice1583]

Is Lt. Kelly on the Virtual Wall?

[@johnsmithie2978]

what happens in these protests is the protest to the wrong people....you can not change anything by protesting to the individual only the authority which I feel is the path of cowards.....to kill the snake you need to cut off the head....poor men were doing as they were forced to do under duress of law I am sure none of them wanted to be there and the ones that did were miss informed. I was given a 1Y and at the time was sad but after hearing what was going on there I was happy.

[@neemtreebark]

Tweeted #VietnamVoices interviews Billings native, Honor Student who got a scholarship from @Cornell where @SandorKatz Teaches on food preservation, fermentation, and more kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXzcf4OdqNmZrZI I lost touch with friends who attended Cornell: Steve Ellis, Elaine Sill & Ken Sill - I think they got married. Wonderful, loving people.

[@keithdodd5689]

He mentions the 58,000 Americans who died in this folly. Absolutely no mention that for each American who died there were 60 innocent Vietnamese who died. They were harming no one. They were brutally invaded by the USA while staying in their own country minding their own business.

[@joanmarymccormack6877]

Why do they talk about the war in tanks and bombs and battles and battalions. Numbers. They are like robots describing a computer. He talks about death and killing like it's just going to the shops for a pack of cigarettes. No feeling no emotional attachment. No soul

[@her2374]

Couldn’t get into the interview due to him constantly making the snaking noise

[@redzone012]

It seems like everyone is borne over at that city!!!!

[@haroldreardon1407]

Pardon this comment but I could not stand the interviewer's stumbling, stuttering method. I would have to politely ask for someone else to take his part if it was me.

[@mbroa2280]

Thats it

[@davidkral7317]

Did it really start with good intentions? LBJ and Lady bird made a lot of money, as did many others. Brown & Root, now a subsidiary of Halliburton was closely tied to Johnson.

[@stephenpoe2037]

There was NO SAFE PLACE in Nam !

[@mbroa2280]

They used you

[@markfromct2]

Why is Race so important in this conversation?

[@topgeardel]

The man is right. He went to a country very far away to kill people there. It was not his fight. He had no legitimate right or reason to be there. Vietnam did nothing to America. You dodged a bullet. That's what all Vietnam vets should realize...and move on. And especially don't criticize or berate those wise enough to resist the war.

[@psmith9789]

No wife? Kids?