Vietnam Voices: 'I wanted to go. I wanted to go to Vietnam'

[@miketresham4783]

The incident described @ 26 minutes of the interview involved a friend of mine. He was the person who stepped on the booby trapped 105 round. He lived and all the rest of his squad died. He told me that he never lost consciousness. He was blown high into the air. He was thrown into a helicopter with the dead soldiers and it was discovered that he was still alive at the hospital, all he could do was blink his eyes and one of the medics saw that he was alive. There were many doctors and nurses waiting for the medevacs to arrive and they started working on him immediately, because no one else was alive. My friends name was Jimmy Hannon from Brockton Massachusetts. His legs were gone at the knees. He suffered from survivor guilt. He died about a decade later. I think his name should be on the Vietnam Memorial. Jimmy told me this narrative himself. All the Military Channel "heroes" who have written comments critical of the men who served in Vietnam should be silent. RIP to all dead fighting men who stepped forward when their country called on them to serve. Seems like those who are the most critical are ashamed that they went to Canada and still worship Hanoi Jane. It's been over 50 years and they still can't get over their shame for lying their way out of serving. Bill Clinton did the same thing.

[@Rubeless]

Heard this story from others

[@yuvegotmale]

I have gotten addicted watching these videos.....

[@darrylgillum4785]

I have as well, it puts a human perspective on the war, and an appreciation for the men who served

[@bendean4255]

Me too! Awesome. Beats what’s on television these days.

[@thulegezelschap5884]

Same lol :)

[@chrishayes1579]

Me as well, two of my father's brothers served in Vietnam, as well as many personal friends of mine.

[@bendean4255]

I was talking to a vet today thanks to this series giving me the knowledge to discuss his experience and lead the questions. Wow. People stories are amazing. This guy now age 73 told about how he was a tunnel rat for his platoon (out of fort Jackson) he was airborne. Did three years 17-20. he said he went into a tunnel complex in a mountaintop that was a full VC hospital/city and he said the last he remembered was the mountain being blown up by the US forces while he was in the tunnel. He woke up in Japan in a hospital. More of these experiences should be taken. Unfortunately I don’t think many WWII experiences where videoed and it is now too late.

[@wheelz23]

My father was a Nam vet. Miss you dad. 53'-00'. Thank you sir for your service and thank you for this series of interviews.

[@100samoax]

Thank your dad for his service.

[@redforman424]

Truly tough to hear about the high prevalence of friendly fire in the first person as such is the bravest part of saying all you knew as truth. They pulled out for this as a big reason due to soldiers telling over and over about us killing each other at such a high rate. This as the great embarrassment, had to be stopped & the way was to get the hell O. U. T. ❗❗ THANK GOD the simpletons finally listened .. So then.the body politic had to find a new way to bring down the planetary population. So health care & insurance was the easiest cause no one would ever believe that the our own pill pushing Doctors could be that way. But when your insurance pays for one pill to fix the effects of the other pill , then that pill has also had a side effect . How can we make it stop When you have good insurance, there is no end to the diseases they can say you have. GOD BLESS YOU ALL, sure enough. Pray the reality back into health care.

[@redforman424]

​@@100samoax Read redformans comment to the end !!

[@lucky-rowe2623]

The only thing missing from this series is some photos of these American Hero's when they were over there and young.

[@MysticalPickler]

Yes 100%

[@benjohnson4606]

From the U.K , sincere thanks to these brave men for their stories and courage

[@kentgregory3299]

One of my favourite interviews so far. Love this mans voice. He sounds like an announcer for baseball or something. Fantastic guest. Great host. Top shelf series. 🙏

[@ourvaluesarewhoweareinadem4093]

This is an absolutely wonderful series. Interviewer is pretty good and lets the guys mostly just tell their stories.

[@timwendling5766]

This project, "Vietnam Voices", is the gold standard of veteran interviews, bar none! The quality of audio and video, as well as Darrel Erlic's professionalism, at drawing the story out of the veteran being interview instead of just ticking off another question on the list, should be emulated accross the board by other producers. Thank you for outstanding interviews!

[@ethanpadgett2076]

You can tell by the look in his eyes he never really left Vietnam he still in those mountains and jungles salute to you sir and respect

[@petersclafani4370]

Any vet never really forgets there experiences. You do your best to forget. I do my best not to watch hollywood movies. For one thing its phoney. One is certain I still dont trust americans even those my age group.

[@chriso5662]

wtf are you talking about, clueless comment

[@ajcastellon5903]

I know several vets. Ya sometimes I notice a look in their eye. Something different. At least what I think. Definitely gotta be careful for what a vet watches, can snap em back to their experiences mentally. I seen my dad totally phase out for a bit watching a documentary about the war he was in. Probably not a good idea for him to watch something like that especially when it had grotesque scenes. Didnt understand it as a child but just noticed his whole demeanor changed real fast.

[@warthurn]

Kudos to this interviewer. Clearly informed from many 9interviews. Good job, thank you. Goog questions, good rhythm,

[@wdcjunk]

There is something calming and relaxing about Russ' voice.

[@anisalikhan1768]

It has a remarkable molasses like quality.

[@markmidwest7092]

Yeah he mentions his friend in NC who has a funny accent. I grew up a few years in MT (Kalispell) and Russ' accent isn't familiar to me; but it's awesome and seemed to add a little something to the whole video.

[@TheGingerKing1994]

When I was a young man I spent hours at the vfw listening to my grandfather mother and friends talk about their service. Even after eight years of my own I still love listening to the stories of others and I can’t say how much I’m thankful for this series.

[@100samoax]

So nice to hear what you say. Thanks.

[@stoneblue1795]

Intelligent fellow. Neat guy. Down to earth and relates his story well. Thanks.

[@joseluislowe1463]

I dont see how this channel isn't so popular... Vietnam stories usually get loads of views.. I guess that has died down for some, but not in my world, i cwn listen to these stories everyday until the day i die

[@howardfortyfive9676]

I've spent most of the day today 11.19.2019 watching this series of Nam veterans as they tell us of the experiences they had over there in Vietnam.

[@AnthraXaXis]

I've been watching a couple episodes a day for the past week. good to hear experiences of these men.

[@Dontarguewithmedummy]

Haha! Ive been doing that for a while. I keep trying to find new ones!

[@redsammy7789]

I have watched many, its hard to stop, I missed the draft by a few years, there is no better way to lean about history than to hear it from the people that were there.

[@100samoax]

I am hoping for more interviews ❤

[@teamcarp1]

Thank you so much for these videos I never got to speak to mu uncle about his experience in Vietnam because he didn’t talk much about it i only saw the scars from his injuries i have so much respect for these unappreciated men

[@Syrinx1987]

Russ Ponessa, U.S. Army Infantry. Served from 1970 to 1971 in the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). 4:47 - Fire Support Base (FSB) Mace: it was located on Highway QL-1 approximately 15 kilometers east of Xuan Loc. It was on what was considered a "red" road, because it was not paved and subject to regular enemy mining. Originally built by the 199th Light Infantry Brigade, it was turned over to the 1st Air Cavalry in September 1970. Built at the foot of Nui Chau Chan, a small mountain. It was a large base and built to be permanent. The base was home to artillery elements of the 1st Air Cavalry Division and one of several to support their defensive security missions in the area around Saigon during the various phases of the Vietnamization U.S. force reduction program.

[@100samoax]

Airmobile!

[@peggyrodriguez9525]

X amount of years after these interviews took place, I’ve discovered this site. I am so moved by these individuals and their unique experiences. Truly impressive and so important!

[@100samoax]

They need to have more.

[@ball-tu7ux]

Wow this guy sounds to me like some real understated bad-ass that just rolled with the punches . Amazing.

[@ballet07]

You definitely won the war. Love this guy! What a treasure he is.

[@gregoyo1862]

Thank you very much for your service and for sharing your story sir.

[@omegapointil5741]

go back and kill some more little people for us at home.

[@American_Psycho707]

@@omegapointil5741 🤣

[@danmurphy4472]

These guys that fought in Vietnam are true American Patriots !! I think it's great that they have these series that lets them tell their stories . I have nothing but total respect for all the Vietnam Combat Veterans . Thank you all and WELCOME HOME !!

[@theroadrunnerjarhead4109]

I served six years in the Corps as a 0311. Got out in 66. A year after that I re-enlisted in the Marine Corps knowing I would be sent to Nam. My first reaction to landing in Da Nang was shit, I really fuc..d up. The temperature was about 110 degrees and there was smoke and the smell of burning diesel and burning shit was overpowering. And I could hear bombs and artillery exploding in the distance. Then at liaison they gave me orders to go to the 2nd Bn. 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division and told me to expect one Purple Heart before I went home. They were right.

[@msteen6407]

Thank you to all the veterans of Vietnam, and I thank your paper for preserving this story.

[@KennyMcC]

I’ve watched many of these videos and this the best one yet. Respect to this calm, tough man. I’d want him in my team.

[@davewait3371]

Yes. I. Totally. Agree. Very. Calm. And. Relaxing. Yes !!

[@anisalikhan1768]

The Jesse McMurty interview is really interesting too.

[@benyoung552]

Not necessarily the best of em all, but infantry usually see more action which is cool... But it's awesome seeing all the other viewpoints from crane operators to guys who loaded bombs n ammo. All different kinds of pilots to doctors to boat n ship men... Pretty freaking cool hearing "all" the angles....

[@jimmccall6130]

Probably the best of the many interviews I have seen so far. Thank you sir for your service to our great country.

[@100samoax]

I definitely agree!

[@austincriswell8480]

My Dad was a Vietnam vet graduated 1969 and was in the Americal. And when Russ said Fire Base Mary Ann I got chills, My dad was stationed there in 71, artillery. Thanks for the story. My dad- Mike Criswell 1951-2020 US Army love you man

[@John-lv1zq]

American was the division that perpetuated the war crime of MyLai in which women and girls were raped and killed. That division then tried to cover it up. It brought everlasting shame to the USA

[@1969tss]

I like how he starts his words out. “ahhhh welllll you know”. You just can’t help but like the guy.

[@shodanart]

Haha I noticed that! lol The worst things, handled the same “Ah, yea, well…”

[@dollybellamy1290]

What a voice, he explains the unexplainable with a touch of humor. I listened to it twice. I'm starting to see that really cool people come from Montana.

[@sranney1]

Real Americans in Montana

[@wyatt-rocks]

Thanks Mr. Ponessa for your service. My dad was a First Class Sergeant in Vietnam, 2 Tours, USMC...so I understand what the latter years have been like for many of the veterans. God Bless.

[@HemetOCMACK]

Wyatt - you're going to have to do better with the rank -- there's no such thing as a First Class Sergeant in the Marine Corps. (U.S. Army had a Sergeant First Class.)

[@donaldjones7678]

I was there at the same time in the 196th Bde. I had very similar experiences. Went up near DMZ when I got there and then around DaNang later in tour. Nice to hear his story...relate.

[@shawnleonard4974]

Thank you so much for your service Donald. God only knows where this country would be if not for men like you.

[@keatomic]

I appreciate what you've sacrificed for my freedom. My father was stationed in DeNang. His unit was 1st log. They called the unit badge "the leaning shithouse" happy Veterans Day Sir!

[@yuvegotmale]

My son worked in Hong Kong for 10 years and in 2017 I visited him and set up a trip to VN for the two of us. We flew into Saigon and then caught a flight to Da Nang where I was based. I never left the Da Nang area so seeing other parts of VN was an eye opener. Da Nang now is very modern city....still very busy and parts not so modern. I got close to my base (camp Tien Shaw ) that is now a VN naval facility. We had a tour guide that drove us around...we finally found the main gate but were met with a VN navy guy with automatic weapon....basicly it was Di Di mau and take no pics.....

[@lemuelyoungblood5756]

Never will be able to thank this men enough..thank y'all appreciate y'all's service

[@operationtruth288]

This interview was by far the best of the Series

[@Kimchiboy08]

I hear Montana folk are a different breed of American . Thank you for sharing your experience . Welcome home

[@mebeasensei]

I’m not American, but looking from the outside, seems to me, like Texas people, West Texans? Without the accent? Ranchers. Cowboys. I guess Cowboys. Guns, lots of guns. But cool demeanor.

[@Stax-ht9md]

Montana can be proud of her vets - I sure am!

[@sranney1]

Yes I agree

[@Doplar12]

Mr. Ponessa carries a heavy load and he carries it so well. Just incredible that he can talk about it the way he does. God Bless.

[@tomsmith2215]

enjoyed this one, thanks for your service, Sir

[@mikejamieson419]

Russ is solid as a rock. Great interview 👊🏾

[@slyflyby]

Russ you are a great American. Thank you for your service. Welcome home!

[@carylwilson9279]

I like this good ole boy. Well grounded. Love this series.

[@ericpayne9852]

Dogs did save a lot of lives and our government left them in Vietnam like they were nothing..

[@4min33seconds]

Most candid and comprehensive of their interview series I’ve seen so far.

[@lw4268]

Eloquence personified. Mr. Ponessa's account and observations of his experiences in Viet Nam are the unequivocal epitome of the product of these illimitable interviews.

[@100samoax]

Mr. Ponessa has given the best interview yet. Thanks for your service.

[@centralbears3010]

one of my favorite interviews. Thanks to the cowboy for sharing the girlfriend letter story to the brother from NC.

[@80sOutrunFan]

Except for the fact this man is a hero, so glad he still send that letter after all those years.

[@Blazefork]

Thank you for your service sir, welcome home

[@michealmatthews9377]

some of the interviewed appear to me to be the made from the same mold as the cowboys of legend, with there easy going manner and complete and there modest charm, these interviews are sublime well done you guys from the uk.

[@fwt2120]

I grew up during the Vietnam war. My father worked on B- 52 bombers . I just want to thank these men for their service and welcome them home. It was not right the way they were treated when they came home. Do not judge them because you didn’t walk in their boots.

[@jackruby1137]

Russ suffered the loss of that one man Harry, and for whatever reason blamed himself Good he reached out to the sister and was able to cope with that. God bless you Sir!

[@sranney1]

I am Very thankful these Men tell us their Story!!

[@bugzie706]

thanks for telling your story a story that needs to be told and all the vets are extremely patriotic and entertaining.

[@tommypatchell3342]

TY Mr Ponessa for your service!

[@diseaseconspiracy]

"Looking now at Afghanistan; I can't say we learned anything." GREAT VIDEO

[@sranney1]

No, we are not a moral people We had no business being in the Nam Vietnam today is very prosperous thank God

[@sranney1]

No, we are not a moral people We had no business being in the Nam Vietnam today is very prosperous thank God

[@bradethier3762]

He sounds calm but the way his eyes move back and forth when he's remembering means he's been through some serious shit

[@rob7633]

Great to hear these men storys. Well done.

[@joeylewis2912]

Now that's a good ol boy if I've ever seen one they don't make them like him no more much respect

[@LKtube1]

Thanks Russ - you're a great American!

[@patrickmahony8641]

What a great grounded soung man...verry clear and have a great heart..love him.

[@patrickmahony8641]

No place for cowards they just make negative comments..

[@davideubanks5377]

Love the interviews grew up with this war and it affected my life and my feelings about war these guys were true heroes for what they went through at the time is Fred Dietz still alive.

[@ourvaluesarewhoweareinadem4093]

Mr. Ponessa is correct, I think blue-on-blue fire is vastly underreported.

[@teresalundy532]

I just in awe all these people who served in Vietnam also thanks to Billinge gazete after all this time to get the recognition they deserve

[@lemuelyoungblood5756]

Thanks for your service very appreciated

[@drogers5355]

Welcome home Russ. Thank you for your service

[@richardray5297]

These videos are great, thank you so much and thank you sir for your service

[@spencerlucas3065]

Thank You For Your Service!

[@chuckmayes234]

Great interview !!! Very interesting guy !!! Thanks for sharing your story cowboy !!!!

[@johnmchugh8049]

Thank you for your service sir 🇺🇸

[@guesswho343]

This guy should do voice-overs as a second career... Thank you for service!

[@sranney1]

Thx Mr great service

[@yuvegotmale]

I left Da Nang in July of 1970....when I got back home I was so cold I thought my teeth were gonna crack from shivering.....

[@nicholaswoolfenden5254]

Why is it that the some of the American public are shits to returning soldiers? When their government has taken stupid decisions to go to war? And Vietnam was one of the most foolish. I'm sure some suicides happened because of the stigma. It's happening again with Iraq.

[@TheFlatlander440]

Good interview but then again he doesn't volunteer any personal experiences without being prompted to. Thank you for your service to our country.

[@fuckhead9194]

I found my uncle's stash box from Korea in the garage one day when I was a kid in 1977.

[@colemcclain7319]

Thank you for your service

[@haroldadkins770]

Thank you sir one of my heros God bless you sir

[@southlanddan]

Thanks Russ. I real tough man. Proud of you.

[@lemuelyoungblood5756]

I just found this vidios this week I be watching and thanking this men

[@chrisb7721]

Another fantastic interview

[@threesmallpeopleinabigtren5056]

Wouldn't be America without you thank ya Ruaz

[@smallkrmit5717]

Thank you for your service sir

[@xxllbb55]

This guy is hard core !!!!! Better stick with him !

[@charlessistrunk3185]

I'm a 80 year old vet an Russ made more sense than any that I've lessen to.

[@tonynapoli5549]

Thanks for sharing your story

[@BritneyStinson]

42:01 i had the same experience with pumpkin pie. as a kid growing up in the south we had all kinds of pies, and in la florida we always had a key lime pie hanging around but never a pumpkin. one day in the army there was this fancy meal for some reason, but by the time it was my turn to get dessert all that was left was pumpkin pie and ice cream. so, i ate it. now, every time i get asked to pick a dessert, its pumpkin pie and ice cream

[@peternorthrup6274]

Thank you.

[@Damidas]

4:06 This episode should've been titled "You're seeing it in color".. that's so good being that he probably only saw Vietnam on a b&w television

[@charlieblaine2419]

I remember seeing the body count on TV when I was 12 yrs old.

[@Damidas]

@@charlieblaine2419 Did they usually report American casualties or casualties on both sides? Would they call north Vietnamese “communists” when referring to them in terms of fighting/body counts? Like how Afghanis were referred to as “insurgents” during operation freedom after 9/11..that always sounded so ridiculous to me

[@IntheBlood67]

Thankyou, Brotherman!

[@hddun]

I like him--when he said you have to swim 100 meters--Holy Crap---I can't swim 3 meters. I won medals water skiing in competition. Then one day some of the guys said "lets swim to that island about 1 mile out." I said "NO way, I can't swim." They thought I was kidding. But look, skiing you can't sink with the vest on so no problem.

[@tyroniousyrownshoolacez2347]

Finally, a no bs vet.

[@timothydalton9026]

This guy should have been a sports broadcaster!

[@100samoax]

Best interview!

[@jessegibbons3562]

God bless these Vets

[@100samoax]

Great Job! Russ

[@scoldedcat]

Lovely guy but nobody's fool. I like his dry humour.

[@almontepaolilli7531]

Great stories for those who were there.

[@chadrush573]

I could be wrong, but I believe my dad was there... if I am right on the location. The second group of sappers came in because they knew the Americans had one captured. I still have a picture of him that my dad took.

[@100samoax]

Some soldiers called Ft.Bragg Ft.Drag. I was at Ft.Bragg and there were times I felt I was treated like the enemy . Only to learn later that everything they taught me was to help me survive.

[@davidbruce2159]

Thank You RUSS

[@Rubeless]

His mental state is amazing.

[@MysticalPickler]

Great interview! You gotta do a series on the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan!