Sir, you earned the right to be as emotional as you want anytime, anywhere.
@TerinjimАй бұрын
Yes, he does. My mom gave me a St. Michaels before I left intotheArmy. Interesting that anytime, anywhere was my Unit crest motto 9th Infantry Division 9th Combat Support
@tommyjenkins745318 күн бұрын
Not the first time I've heard about the South Korean Soldiers and the opposing forces getting out of Dodge rather than fighting the South Korean army. I was TDY at Osan air base and was treated like a king by the Koreans. They still appreciate the freedom we gave them
@alexgioulis115729 күн бұрын
11b here. 1969-1970 To this date whenever I hear the familiar wop wop wop of a slick flying overhead I look up and smile and silently thank the warrant officers for their skill and bravery . Beautiful narration of your experience.
@JohnNiehaus-iz1fd4 ай бұрын
Love the St. Christopher story. May your Mom Rest In Peace.
@davidgray57762 ай бұрын
Who is "ST. Christopher"
@barsoom434 ай бұрын
Huey pilot, 68th AHC, Bien Hoa, 68-69.. My story is very similar to his story.. My mother draped the Miraculous Medal around my neck.. I too never turned down a mission.. It helped too that our church was right across the street from our home.. My mother never mentioned it but I am sure she spent a lot of time over there.. I needed all the help I could get..
@mrwest55524 ай бұрын
@barsoom43 - Thank You for your Service there.🇺🇸 Question : did you or others on your ship crew drip fuel into the sand filled cookie tin, place an empty tin on top to boil water for coffee per: Robert Mason ?
@barsoom434 ай бұрын
@@mrwest5552 Huey's had several fuel cell drains on the belly... What we did sometimes was fill a can with sand and wet it with fuel.. take an old style beer can opener and puncture across the top of the can to make little spikes sticking up.. Then light the JP-4 and set a can of food on top of the impromptu heater and warm the contents.. Had to be careful with that because we could get a scramble notice at any moment and have to pull pitch.. so there you'd be with a hot can and half warmed food.. Mostly, I ate my C's cold but I do have a picture of one of those little heaters.
@mrwest55524 ай бұрын
@@barsoom43 - thank you for your reply Sir - Mason's was largely the same recollection. cookie tins and army instant coffee, no sleep, engine shut down on the top of a knoll having flown all night, ate their cookies drank their coffee sittin' in the seat. back when i was young dumb and full of cum U.S. Forest Service brought on aux fire crews and i humped. we weren't given much beyond water so when a Forest Service crew gave up their old rats we thought it was payday. 🇺🇸
@raymondfryar15333 ай бұрын
Glad you made it back for your sake and mom's. Thanks for your sacrifice.
@barsoom433 ай бұрын
@@raymondfryar1533 Thank you.. Later in life, I turned my flight skills into more productive work as an air ambulance pilot for a major university hospital program.. flew over 5K medical flights in 26 years.
@maninthemiddle554 ай бұрын
To you, good sir, and all those who served with the integrity with which you did, whether they came back alive or not, we thank you.
@kellymay377422 күн бұрын
Welcome home
@ellisandrews4404 ай бұрын
My mom gave me a Saint Christopher’s medal to wear when I went to fly in the air force. I served and I am still here and will be 80 in September
@jayr53314 ай бұрын
Thank you for your sacrifice. It is very much appreciated. Thanks again.
@THEELTOPIAN19093 ай бұрын
THANK YOU!!!
@johnashep1093 ай бұрын
Do you still wear the saint Christopher
@ellisandrews4403 ай бұрын
@@johnashep109 Whenever I travel I wear it. As a matter of fact I just came back from. two week trip and wore it all the time
@patfromamboy3 ай бұрын
What is a St. Christopher’s medal?
@krisshepherd740Ай бұрын
The bravery of these men is beyond my comprehension. Just so special ❤❤❤
@jackdacop98273 ай бұрын
As a retired Chicago Police officer I had St. Michael with me everyday. Saints are awesome and always there to help.
@falcon37193 ай бұрын
Amen.
@josephdirvin4014 ай бұрын
Chopper Pilots were life savers. Lima Platoon, A Co., 1/26th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Oct. 1, 1966- Oct. 1,1967. To all my dear pals, who gave all.
@jackharle12514 ай бұрын
Thank you, Brother
@Bruce-js3ci2 ай бұрын
Guy said that the Korean allies to the U.S. were considered really Bad News to the enemy , how did their fighting differ?
@Combat5564 ай бұрын
Very emotional story, thank you for sharing. I was a Marine stationed there near the DMZ in 1967-68 during the TET OFFENSIVE. I’ll never forget it.
@Buce-ku9vx4 ай бұрын
What division, battalion, company, squad were you in troop?
@Combat5564 ай бұрын
@@Buce-ku9vx HQ Co. 4th Marines, Communications
@Nam-id7kj2 ай бұрын
Me too, Army 67&68, Tet. tough weeks. Welcome back, brother. Semper Fi!
@jamiejack764Ай бұрын
Welcome home thank you for your service from England
@Combat556Ай бұрын
@@jamiejack764 thank you. My ancestors are from the UK. 🇬🇧 😊
@thomasjjunk67702 ай бұрын
As a retired Huey Army pilot who never encountered real fighting, I have no clue what you've been going through. You Stephen and all your comrades are real heroes. God bless you.
@ritaschultz68593 ай бұрын
I saw posts from other Vietnam vets who called these Huey pilots angels in the sky ! Thank you for your service, your skill , bravery,and your honorable 🌹service to our country 🇺🇸 God Bless you ✝️
@xSGTxPEPPERx3 ай бұрын
11B here. These guys always put themselves in harms way just to save our asses on many occasions. Hearing those rotary blades off in the distance was always a relief.
@richardsmith26842 ай бұрын
11D,,yes they were and that sound snaps my head up always,,
@frankfreeman14443 ай бұрын
Nam vet. This is slightly off topic and more than a little stupid and juvenile, but you might get a giggle out of it. I am sure that you remember the standard greeting when you met someone over there (at least among enlisted troops) of "SHORT!", followed by announcing how many days left before you rotated. So "short, 93 days" was how it went. I was in a shitter, on base somewhere in the Delta, just reading the graffiti on the walls, when I saw "short, 364 days, and it feels like I just got here yesterday! Stupid, I know, but it cracked me up then, and I still remember it 50+ years later!
@B25gunship2 ай бұрын
Yes sir. In the Navy we used to say, "I'm so short my knuckles are draggin." Or, "Don't start any long conversations, I'm too short." This was a helluva story of bravery and dedication. Also a heartfelt depiction of one mans love of family. Thank you sir.
@Slcm024 ай бұрын
God Bless. I was a CW2 pilot in 4 corps in 69/70. Glad we both made it back.
@jackharle12514 ай бұрын
Thank you, Brother
@IRobinson444602 ай бұрын
Love those crew chiefs & door gunners too. Please say call sign. Thanks in advance. Ian Robinson Tiger 24/Viking 22 (121st AHC) & Falcon 88 (335th AHC), 69-70, 70-71
@markklokkou2482 ай бұрын
Hero's
@probro1014 ай бұрын
Such a heartfelt interview from a good man. It tugged on my heartstrings
@josephdirvin4014 ай бұрын
As a 11B I was amazed at the bravery, skill and tenaciousness of the ”Chopper” pilots.
@brucehinds72693 ай бұрын
Welcome home Brother. We were there and wearing our St Christopher medals at about the same time. I went over in Feb 72 and came home the end of Jan 73. My grandmother had a medal blessed by the bishop of her church and told me to wear it, that it would protect me . . . We saw a bunch of action that spring with the Easter Invasion, the stand downs and all, troops were going home everywhere but those of us the flew just changed units and flew special forces or ARVN support. Although many around me got shot up, my helicopter never took a hit. I tell the story on occasion but never heard anyone else with the same story. Thanks for sharing . . .
@Nam-id7kj2 ай бұрын
My team was shuttled on opts & supported a while by the 240th AHC Bearcat near Bien Hoa. I understand the emotion, combat is always there & raises it head on unexpected times. I remember after returning back to the world, arriving Travis AFB, I spent the night in SF. The next evening I caught a flight to an airport near my grandparents in CA. My dad was a USAF Col., fighter Pilot that just finished survival school on his way to Vietnam. He had a couple of weeks left of leave before departure to Nam. I'll never forget on the way to my grandparents home with them in the car & mom & dad. My dad said, "Your son's home mommy, you can sleep tonight." It's the mother's with sons in harms way that are the heroes. Army 67&68, Tet. Welcome back, brother. Thank you for the support & saving those you were able too. Trust me, they remember you & your crew.
@ExtremeRecluse3 ай бұрын
Huey Pilot, 87-96, medevac most of the time. My heart goes out to you Steve and your St Christopher.
@Navygrl584 ай бұрын
What an incredible story that was! 🙏🇺🇸.
@carlpio57543 ай бұрын
I was flying F-4 in Nam and got shot down while trying to support a Special Forces camp in III Crops - very bad spot - the bad guys weren't taking prisoners - I was hanging in a tree in my chute after having to eject and was getting shot at - busted up pretty bad and really couldn't move - then this Huey comes in and lands in the bomb crater I was hanging near - the crew cut me out of my harness dragged me to the Huey to get me out - then they got shot down - after a few minutes of lead flying back and forth a LOC comes in like he was on a Sunday afternoon flight in the park and gets me out - if it wasn't for Army air I would be here today - God bless those men!
@richardnixon43452 ай бұрын
And then Mom woke you up and told you to stop pulling yourself
@niklasnystrom14152 ай бұрын
It is really kind of disrespectful to make up silly stories like this.
March 30th 1972 I was 11 years old,it was the year I got saved and Baptized
@jeffreypinder93984 ай бұрын
Well done, Sir. Family is everything and family isn't always blood connected.
@JowellRivera3 ай бұрын
I went in 1978. 20 years Army Aviation. Three years after Vietnam. I knew many pilots like this. Great bunch of guys. Fun Warriors.
@smokeyp75654 ай бұрын
Thank you for sharing your story..Thank you for serving.
@kevbrown71374 ай бұрын
Emotional 🙏 Salute... They called... He hauled..
@suepantos-fp6uk4 ай бұрын
My husband was there in the infantry. He was a lucky one that made it home.
@ScaleHangar1824 ай бұрын
Mr, You are a true hero!
@-Cece4 ай бұрын
Thank you for your service and for those who served with you and after you. God Bless.
@anthonycoiner53124 ай бұрын
Yes Sir you will see him one day and..He'll thank you for trying to save him!..God Bless You Sir..
@ejsocci26304 ай бұрын
Welcome home and thank you so much for your service.❤️🇺🇸
@TheGeorgiaRover3 ай бұрын
Sitting here, floored. Wow. What an experience. Guys like this are truly special, indeed. Grateful for his service. ✌🏻
@ricardomorales70204 ай бұрын
I never called anyone a hero But you sire are one, l've hear lot of helicopter pilots stories from Vietnam ,and there's no doubts of your heroic deeds while there. All in all its one of the best and happiest Vietnam stories I've heard. Mom prays are blessing. Thank you sir 🙏
@jaftb20124 ай бұрын
Beautiful story sir! We all owe your family our gratitude ❤
@krinkov76294 ай бұрын
Thank you for serving and doing your best. You didn't waver sir! Glad you made it home. Salute!
@earlhester8252 ай бұрын
I flew with 173rd airborne brigade aviation Casper I was a door gunner. Flew in same areas as this man did. I disliked the highlands. To me the highlands were spooky. I flew for 6 months until the brigade got orders back to fort Campbell Kentucky. The 6 months flying were the best time for me in Vietnam. I felt like I really was doing something that made a difference. Would do it all again.
@dianastewart28504 ай бұрын
We might have crossed paths, I too was in Tuy Hoa end of 1971 and early 72. I was with the 981st Sentry Dog Handlers and we were some of the last to leave before the base was torn down. We moved north just outside Qui Nhon to Lane Army Heliport, which also was downsizing. Didn't have enough of our own people so we had Korean tower guards. They were very good to work with, very dedicated.
@garbo89623 ай бұрын
I was in Di An 71 - 72 and we had ass kicking ROK'S so we never got hit with incoming.
@dannymckinley15454 ай бұрын
Absolutely incredible. Thank you for your service to America.
@gotchagoing49054 ай бұрын
I flew my first tour in the Central Highlands, (II Corps), been to lz english a few times, LZ Bong Son, Oasis, Dak To. I can't remember all of those FSB's. I went down in my loach,(OH-6a) near Oasis I think it was. RVN- 7-/71/72. Now I flew a wheelchair. Scouts out.
@hindflight3 ай бұрын
I had not heard as much about the Koreans being there during Vietnamization efforts. Very interesting.
@garyluck85024 ай бұрын
Thanks for your service please remember you did your best!!! Everyone please remember the ones that didn’t make it back home!! Thanks67 was my year
@jward96373 ай бұрын
I'm always impressed with these helicopter pilots. These guys had nerves of steel and bravery was never questioned. Semper Fi
@mittbutler77423 ай бұрын
Thank you for your service, sir. My son’s father in law was a Cobra pilot in Vietnam. Both of you are heroes!
@Dave-hc6pp4 ай бұрын
Welcome home Brother.
@robertgraham56194 ай бұрын
Thank you for telling us your story. I'm very touched and inspired. I've heard that real heroes never consider themselves heroes, they just do what is needed to be done. How amazing you are still that "hero" willing to go back if needed! Thank you for being you!
@bradleymiller73754 ай бұрын
@robert, AMEN!!
@jasoncharles86514 ай бұрын
Right on brother.
@greensombrero36414 ай бұрын
brilliant record Sir - thank you for sharing it for the future to learn
@nickmad8874 ай бұрын
Thank you brother, I was a tunnel rat and the copters saved my ass a few times .I LOVE MY FLAG
@bradleymiller73754 ай бұрын
Thanks for ur service! Tears flowing!!
@robedwards46364 ай бұрын
Thank you for sharing your experience, your service and your passing on the heritage with your grandson!
@roberts19384 ай бұрын
An extremely touching story that catches your voice in throat. War is not for good people, but unfortunately bad people start wars and good people have to end them.
@tammyalbertsen95224 ай бұрын
I know so many Vietnam vets. Most just didn't want to discuss their experiences, but I could feel how it weighed on them. I'm so glad that through these projects, the vets are finally able to express their thoughts. Thank you.
@forestwalker84932 ай бұрын
Your family is a charm for America. Thank you!
@janetmessman954 ай бұрын
And Go Your Way In Safety. St Christopher goes with me everywhere. Glad he was with you. God Bless You. 52 years wearing a POW-MIA bracelet
@jameslong99213 ай бұрын
May I ask who the POW-MIA bracelet belonged to or who it was made in remembrance for? I'm just curious because obviously it can't have been made for you, you not being either a prisoner of war or missing in action.
@janetmessman953 ай бұрын
@@jameslong9921 Charles L Hoskins . My first one was Frederick Masterson who was a POW and was released in probably 1973. Sadly he was killed in an automobile accident
@m1k3fx4 ай бұрын
SIr i could not hold back my tears when you went home and gave your mom back her necklace. Thank you for your service.
@Coppersaguaro4 ай бұрын
You are indeed a hero, sir. God bless you.
@galesams42054 ай бұрын
i done 30 days as a door gunner on a UH-1 HUEY, around pleiku, pla-Durang, ankhe, ba Mettuit, tew a wah. 4th div.
@billjames30304 ай бұрын
God Bless this amazing soldier and his family. We are very grateful for your service to our nation. ❤
@edwardgovan1304 ай бұрын
Brings back old memories.
@freightdawg67623 ай бұрын
Incredible, Thank you Mr Franich
@JohnMacculloch-o5v4 ай бұрын
My mom didn't know I was coming home either. I miss my mom
@Neptune7303 ай бұрын
Thank you Sir for your courage and your service. And to all our service men and women. Thank you!!! I unfortunately never severed and wished I would have. You all have my respect and admiration.
@RobinBrowne-k6k3 ай бұрын
I flew Cobras and Lochs with 11th ACR. Ben Hoa and Quan Loi 68/69. Glad you are home.
@arcanondrum65433 ай бұрын
Looks like I'm being prevented from writing about the actual enemy. Maybe you can look at the "Made In" labels on items in the store. I like Vets, I hate the people behind the people who send them.
@philbrown97644 ай бұрын
Welcome Home Brother from another Nam Vet, Chu Lai 68-69 1st MAW MAG 12. Liked your story.
@scottamcfarland4 ай бұрын
God bless this man.
@arthouston73614 ай бұрын
You did what I had thought seriously about doing. Some guys coming back from being in country talked me out of it. I graduated VFMA in '70.
@YOutsider4 ай бұрын
Beautiful survival story!
@krisius12 ай бұрын
A fellow Groundhog Day birthday here. Perked right up when I heard that. Love the vet stories. Scary, interesting and heartbreaking all at the same time. Mad respect from Canada. This story really hit me.
@davidlillie43323 ай бұрын
Thank you for all that you did. We were in Tuy Hoa at the same time before I was sent up to Pleiku. One of you pilots gave me a hell of a ride up through the An Khe pass one day at tree top level due to low clouds. A ride I will never forget.
@garyjenkins66294 ай бұрын
Amazing story. God bless you, Sir.
@nickdawn39854 ай бұрын
Thank you for sharing! GB
@richp11144 ай бұрын
Welcome home Sir. Thank you for sharing your story.
@danmurphy44724 ай бұрын
All Good SIR.......Thank You......and your Family......FOR EVERYTHING !!!
@garthrogers21764 ай бұрын
Wow very powerful story, god bless you Mr French
@StevenBoyd-x1n4 ай бұрын
Thanks for your story. You are a veteran HERO in my book. Thanks for your service. God Bless you.
@johnfranborra3 ай бұрын
That must be the sweetest story I ever heard from that terrible war; it should appear in places like National Catholic Register and the wider, secular press! I've worn St. Christopher for more years than I can remember; only time I was without the medal was during SERE training, when it was confiscated and was used against me during mock interrogation. I flew with a Vietnam Huey vet until a couple years ago; he was in his early eighties when he finally called it quits; we all love him, admire his skills and are awed by his service. You guys are the very definition of hero! God bless you and your family, Stephen!
@tonym.91864 ай бұрын
I can sleep without a care. How do I thank you for your service. How do I thank all who are in service. WITH ALL MY HEART AND SOUL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
@mikehoncho72524 ай бұрын
Very emotional story for all who heard it. Thank you Sir
@lowandslow39394 ай бұрын
Wow. That brought tears to my eyes. I was Infantry in the 80’s, never deployed. Much respect.
@stevet81214 ай бұрын
You would have if ordered to, so you deserve a big thank you!
@lowandslow39394 ай бұрын
@@stevet8121 I was begging to go, but there was nothing going on and nowhere to go. I was also very young and naive.
@stevet81214 ай бұрын
@@lowandslow3939 Every good combat soldier is young and naive. It's what makes them good combat soldiers. I'm 75 and was young and naive during the Vietnam era but missed seeing action.
@lowandslow39394 ай бұрын
@@stevet8121 Well, we both wrote the check, but Uncle Sam didn’t cash it.
@stevet81214 ай бұрын
@@lowandslow3939 Amen, brother!
@rustysteed84143 ай бұрын
PRC-25 was the backpack sized field radio carried by🎉 the grunts. The survival vest radio was a different nomenclature. Thank you for your sevice. 3rd Tanks, 3rd Marines MOS 2531 (field radio operator).
@JamieBlaine3 ай бұрын
Great American. So many like him served this great nation. Thanks to all. We are so blessed to have patriots like you willing to answer the call. Thank you.
@mbiker20103 ай бұрын
Wow! What a great man and great storyteller. Thank you for your service you are an inspiration to myself and I'm sure meant others as well.
@tomrinehart3022Ай бұрын
Beautiful story, Sir! You are indeed a hero and I’m sorry the way your country treated you! Thank you!
@MrFrankturbo14 ай бұрын
Very touching to say the least
@mkepler58613 ай бұрын
what an incredible story of faith!!! thank you
@PLUMGRUBBY.4 ай бұрын
You ARE a hero!! Dont think otherwise. God bless you and welcome home❤❤❤
@lifeveteran97664 ай бұрын
Like some off the other respondents here, I too was WOPA. Class 69-1, Nam 69-70 Ist Cav. I also had, and still have and carry, a St. Christopher medal. I used to tell guys over there that I wasn't superstitious - but that medal was what kept the main rotor blades on .... (LOL). Welcome home, Brother.
@crystalheart93 ай бұрын
Thank you for your stories and service Mr. Franich. St. Christopher came full circle.
@gordongoodwin4553 ай бұрын
Thankyou for your story Stephen. Thankyou so much.
@marioGarcia-du9eh4 ай бұрын
I wore my st. Christopher since 1970 and still have it on had replaced the chain a few times it also brought me back home ! Dang it just brought tears to my eyes! It’s the enamel Irish green! Semper fi!
@djmech38712 ай бұрын
Wow, those emotions sent chills up my spine.
@milesbrown80163 ай бұрын
Thanks for all your service. And especially those that never came home. Salute and respect…
@hossee14 ай бұрын
I was very fortunate to have crewed Hueys and flown with some of the pilots who had flown in Vietnam. The best of the best!
@markthemovieman4 ай бұрын
Thank you for your service, sir. God bless you.
@brianrobertson12113 ай бұрын
This man's service and others like him preserved our American freedom. Thank you sir.
@lindajones889518 күн бұрын
Welcome Home. St. Christopher always protects us. Thank you for your service. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸⚓️⚓️⚓️⚓️
@ottogaher28053 ай бұрын
Thank you SIR for fighting for our FREEDOM, and glad to see YOU back home alive,and telling us the stories you guys went through.God Bless you,and everyone who served,and served our country! It is the Greatest honor anyone can do! You are the BEST of the BEST!God Bless the USA!
@tats78594 ай бұрын
Only the ones that are inside looking out can see what a real hero looks like, and, ' sir' when I see you, I see a real HERO!!! Thank you for your work and your service 🙏
@amir4r8033 ай бұрын
Thank you for sharing. Thank you for your service on behalf of a greatful American
@theUnSub_463 ай бұрын
Good job, sir. You have my utmost respect. My cousin was a chopper pilot at about the same time. He has my utmost respect, too.