“Vietnam: Coming and Going” | 60 Minutes Archive

[@badguy1481]

I remember a stewardess, on the in-bound flight, saying to me: "But you're just a baby"...Then she started to cry. The ONLY person I ever knew that shed a tear for me.

[@crabmankiosk000]

thank you for your service.

[@cedricliggins7528]

Lol.

[@murderc27]

​@@cedricliggins7528ya, LOL. What a nuanced comment.

[@Jamestele1]

Thank God for those kind hearted souls. Thank you for you services.

[@badguy1481]

@@murderc27 But true!

[@damianhoratiu2287]

The Vietnam soldiers deserve far more credit than they get.

[@dunia566]

Deserve credit for what?

[@damianhoratiu2287]

@@dunia566 For serving their country and fighting Communism, the Russian scourge of the planet.

[@gabrielpope8105]

@@dunia566For involuntarily putting their life on the line for our country. Even if you believe that this war had no impact on the American people, these soldiers had no say on what policy decisions were made. Regardless of their personal views, they put their lives on the line day in and day out. And for that, they deserve credit.

[@sergeantmasson3669]

@@gabrielpope8105 FYI, 2/3 of the males volunteered to go to Vietnam. All the females were volunteers. Thus, NOT involuntary.

[@sergeantmasson3669]

@@dunia566 If you were never there, your argument is invalid/worthless.

[@tp-mh2ji]

God Bless All Vietnam Vets

[@Marcheenn]

As someone that lived this exact experience flying to and from Afghanistan... The parallels are uncanny.

[@TheDucatiPilot]

I did the same to Iraq and Afghanistan. This really hit home. Thank you for your service brother.

[@rkf2746]

First off, I would like to say, welcome home. I was a Marine grunt in Vietnam. For myself and my buddies, it didn't take us long to start asking, "what the f*** are we doing here"? Something I have often wondered about our troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Did you and your buddies sense a true purpose of your deployment, or, did you also ask, "what the f*** are we doing here"? Be well.

[@jamesvenable6370]

Very uncanny…the flight to Iraq and the flight home 7 months later has the same parallels as this flight that was 40+ years ago

[@kyleebrock]

The same playbook for the 1% of us again. Americans and their leadership forget really fast.

[@suskagusip1036]

​@@rkf2746 With due respect Sir. I know that doesn't mean anything to you but for us in the IndoPacific regions specifically ASEAN countries it stopped the spread of the Communist regime in our islands. I grew up in the Philippines until now we struggle from getting rid of these authoritarian regime. They're still there in our mountains hiding in different names (NPA, NDF, Hukbalahap, Kilusang Mayo Uno). Even some of our leaders were members that were recruited in universities and colleges. The most famous one was the last president. The ordinary citizens doesn't buy their craps. They terrorize some villages sometimes and tax people that are far from the city. They're pretty much just waiting for the right time.

[@rburrows7786]

I took that trip in June 1968 at 18 years old. I came back 14 months later as a 50 year old. I grew up fast. When I got home I realized I had nothing in common with my friends who didn’t go. To this day I miss my brothers I served with

[@-HughJass-]

The time was taken from you; your best years were stolen. I get it. Thank you for your sacrifice. - Fellow vet

[@mikebrase5161]

I fought in Iraq to this day my only real friends are other vets all others are just strangers.

[@rburrows7786]

@@mikebrase5161 I completely understand what you are saying brother. After Vietnam, unless I was with other vets, I felt like no one could relate to what I was thinking, nor could I relate to them. How can you? I’ve had many acquaintances over the years, but true friends? No. Yet I can bump into another combat vet, regardless of when they served, and it’s like we are connected. I know you know what I’m talking about. Hard to explain. Just know that what you’re feeling isn’t abnormal or weird, it’s been wired into us. Good luck and have a good life brother, all the best to you

[@mikebrase5161]

@@rburrows7786 I just watched a documentary on Roman soldiers who retired. The Romans were smart in that retired legionnaires lived in their own towns set aside specifically for them. I was a Sergeant Squad Leader when I was in Iraq and talk on the phone a couple times a week with my Platoon Sergeant from back then. He has over the years become closer to me than my own brother. We shared an experience that will be with us til the day we die hopefully of old age. I'll tell you the same thing I told my uncle who served with 1st Cav 69-70. I'm glad my war was in the Desert and not in the Jungle. Glad you made it back safely and thanks for sharing as I totally get what you are saying.

[@rburrows7786]

@@mikebrase5161 I was 2/7 1st Cav C company 68-70. I probably stomped some of the same ground as your uncle. Its a small world 👍

[@dutchschultz3076]

Remembering my dad Ronald Pryomski Nam 68-69 From Detroit USA. Miss you pops

[@Captainscentsable44]

Your dad and mine were in the same years. From the same city.

[@craiglarge5925]

My dad was there in Vietnam at the same time yours was there, I was 5 when he left and 6 when he came back July 1969 to Wilmington DE. I could tell he had changed.

[@jaymaloney8321]

@@craiglarge5925 Maybe it was the 5-year-old who had become a 6-year-old who had changed?

[@multitieredinvestor183]

Going to Vietnam 1965, I carried my .45 caliber pistol. I travelled there on USNA Leroy ElTinge. Had two tours.

[@paddiosfscott5982]

Its sad to think some of these young men never returned home

[@nathansmith6076]

A lot of them didn’t unfortunately.

[@Paul-uo1vw]

It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived. -George S. Patton

[@Chatta-Ortega]

​@@Paul-uo1vw Why can't you do both?

[@adamdreier]

Mentally no one had recovered

[@smoothoperator7023]

@@Paul-uo1vwWhy not both? 🤷🏻‍♂️ Patton was a very good leader but was full of bluster....

[@dungteller367]

I remember this flight some parts vividly, like when we de-boarded the plane there was a group waiting to board the same plane and go home. There was dead silence when our group came to a halt, the waiting group gave a roaring cheer. I arrived in March of 69, at Tan Son Nhut Air Base and left on May 29th 1970.

[@cellardoor199991]

Is your name really Dung?

[@ChrisBrunelle]

My uncle Max Beilke was the last guy on the plane that day

[@dungteller367]

@@cellardoor199991 No but Dung in Vietnamese means beautiful. However I used the name for home movie skits then later in a blog.

[@dungteller367]

@@ChrisBrunelle I didn't meant that day just that flight on Flying Tiger Air Lines. Arrived in March of 69 and left on May 29th 1970

[@je4292]

First thank you for your service… you fought a deeply unpopular war and paved the way for my generation that fought in Afghanistan and Iraq… I too had the same feelings on all my flights coming and going. However, my return flight from Afghanistan was on a MEDEVAC C-17 as I was severely wounded by a suicide bomber and woke up at Walter Reed in DC. God bless you Sir!

[@adamhoffman3687]

Sure would be nice to have an update on these gentlemen after all these years

[@jacksonalex6525]

Pointless war, many parents lost their sons to this madness.

[@timloo6191]

Now probably if trump becomes president, people like you would be sent to defend Taiwan. Ah so how?

[@Brainbaskit]

@@RickMartinKZbin I don't know about that...Russia called up it's men to fight...should they also just report?

[@itjustlookslikethis]

@@RickMartinKZbin Hey Sparky, you forgot Bill Clinton, who used a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford to avoid the draft. Trump had a legitimate medical deferment..

[@matthew1882]

​@ThePinnacle why?

[@matthew1882]

@@IlPinnacolo why are you pro-russian if I may ask?

[@davidatovar]

At ten years old in 1970 I was proud of our service members and my country as I was brought up to be and now at 63 I'm sorry for all those that died or suffer still. 🙏

[@atakorkut5110]

You can really see the apprehension in their faces as they answer between being seen as a unpatriotic, yet struggling with the fact of not feeling like they should be their for the most part

[@vinnolano]

I worked for a major airline back in the day. A flight came in with 170+ veterans of Vietnam who were in the Para Olympics. I was told that I was going to gurney everyone out with three other employees because the Vets were missing legs. I got in there and realized they were guys in the prime of their lives and some you could tell had PTSD. That hit me hard and a memory that remains . Their lives were changed forever.

[@craigbucher5763]

Took that trip in May 67 came back 13 Mos. Later at 20 years old to a changed country.

[@chrisbearden629]

Welcome home

[@GaryLand-f8w]

I went to Sasebo, Japan from the states in the Navy 1967 18 years old. I went to Vietnam in 1968. I was for the war after seeing what we were fighting for, FREEDOM. I also went to China, Taiwan, and the Philippines. I came back a grown-up and couldn't hang with my old friends anymore, they were still kids. I'm VERY proud to have served my country and do what they told me to do, no questions asked. I'm 77yrs old now and still very proud to have served. I could tell that the "news reporter" was against the war and I could tell by his lofty additude. Mike Wallace never served, he just flew over and back or went over like Dan Rather for a week or a month, then came back and lied about what we were doin. When I came back to the "world" after a week, I never listened to the lying news anymore. We're old now but we, unlike them, can still kickass!

[@joselitorazon4033]

Thank you for your service Sir!

[@larryschmid3834]

U pretty much said it all man. God bless.

[@JoeKasino1947]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 🇺🇸

[@bobns509]

So, does any Country where you served, bombed and is unfortunate to have 1 of 800 us bases around the World, now live in democracy?

[@briancooper2112]

Rather and Wallace 💩💩

[@rsenior7140]

People were so much more well spoken back then.

[@candyapu3]

People read a lot more than they do now. Greater exposure to literature tends to correlate with a better vocabulary.

[@rsenior7140]

@@candyapu3 absolutely right!

[@SilverDreamer62]

They were actually held to some standards of accomplishment in high school.

[@KC2MFCs]

An incredible and ingenious piece of American journalism. I wish CBS did more like this.

[@jpmnky]

It’s jarring watching how the media USED to behave. Like you said, journalism. Even watching broadcasts from 9/11, 22 years ago, it is SO different and hard to believe these broadcasts ere so professional. How much things changed and as usual, you don’t notice in real time. Until it’s way too late. Sad, the degradation of the US media.

[@kingjoe3rd]

@@jpmnky well, the mainstream press/media has become the propaganda arm for a political party, all because of their hatred for one man.

[@almcallister6490]

@@jpmnky I studied radio and TV broadcasting in the late 1960's and worked at the mutual broadcasting system part time. In those days people got into radio and TV because that is what they wanted to do, not because of the money they made ( about $40,000 A year) now look at who the people are (most are lawyers) and got into the broadcast business because they make millions per year.

[@itjustlookslikethis]

CBS did do more. How could you forget Dan Rather and the phony-baloney George W. Bush AWOL story? Old Danny sure ate crow over that.

[@euniceslaton2102]

These guys on this plane are so young,I think when I see this how many of them didn't get to come back home ,thank you brave young men for your service

[@chrispickerel2034]

I did this 20 years ago, except I was going to Iraq. Going over, most people were keyed up, not knowing what to expect. When we left Qatar coming back from deployment, I will swear I slept most of the way to Germany. After we took off again, I know I slept most of the way until the pilot announced we had entered American airspace and that he was talking to Bangor center. Everyone cheered!

[@seanbassett3116]

When we landed in Bangor the local VFW took great care of us. Great memories

[@benignobrionesiii]

I remember landing in Bangor. Vietnam vets welcomed us home. The cafeteria was open. We landed early in the morning. I asked if I could get a burger. The cook said yes. He made a double cheese burger.

[@charleswest6372]

We should not have gotten involved in Asia

[@mrbuck5059]

I came home on a stretcher. First to Landstuhl then to Gordon.

[@Therapy101-o3k]

You can repent and God will forgive you!

[@FINALLYOUTAFTER7]

If you ACTUALLY want to thank a Vietnam veteran. Tell them, “welcome home”. They never got that.

[@willieboy8798]

i didnt get that and i dont want ur fn welcome now!

[@ronaldbrown8792]

I flew to Vietnam in early '69 and home for a month and back in early '70. I wear a Marine shirt and a cover with ribbons on it every day. I always say welcome home to every war veteran that I meet. If we ever meet, I will most likely start a conversation with you.

[@willieboy8798]

@Apollo17-yz2sh people like who?

[@willieboy8798]

@Apollo17-yz2sh yeep after rereading it became clear! txs for the response..... i didnt talk about it for 30 years after 2001 and the yeh rah i throw it in peoples faces all the time! try fighting the f ers and then needing fight for jobs in high tech sector. some of thier grandparents were symapthyzer and or actual NVA operators. a seafood joint down the street from me the guy that owned it was a relocated NVA General! he rolled on the NVA.....cheers

[@ak9989]

I remember my cousin coming home in 72. He volunteered for vietnam in 1970, 221st Signal combat cameraman. Sadly covid took my closes cousin😢. Miss ya Monte.

[@flvyu]

Sorry to hear about that! Hope all is well with you.

[@bosnmatecaddie]

Sorry Man! Go easy!

[@Sivyis333]

Uncle Sam got him in the end. Dem tragic

[@1zamboni]

Appreciated much for the service Vietnam Vets.

[@markmiller3308]

Seeing those men on that sweet bird of freedom coming home made me tear up. Thank you all for your Service. Much Love, A Son of a USMC Vet Korean Conflict who joined the Army right after and after walking the Iron Curtain for 2 Years in Germany spent 2 Tours in The Republic of Viet Nam. Proud of all of you…Due to health could never serve like my Dad and little Brother-found that out after 9/11 but wish I could’ve…

[@neilfosteronly]

I am an American whose kid's grandfather fought for Vietnam. Grandfather was sent to Cuba for college after the war. My kid was born in Hanoi. Crazy in 50 years how much can change.

[@XrayxRich]

When I went to Vietnam in '67 the door opened and the humidity hit me like a brick wall. Coming back in '68 I was so excited I took 216 frames of 35mm film. Nothing but clouds and ocean. I looked through them once. Crazy man.

[@chrisbearden629]

Welcome home

[@bwana-ma-coo-bah425]

how are you?

[@jedlogan4413]

11:55 11:55 11:55

[@mikebrase5161]

I had a similar experience, only for me it was getting off the plane in Kuwait. It was like the world's largest hair dryer hitting my entire body at once.

[@0-blitz]

As the son of a then 19 year old Vietnam vet, I was too young to witness my dad leaving for Vietnam, as well as being too young to remember his body coming back home. I am a 56 years old man now, and I still have anger towards the US Govt for getting this country involved in a war it had no business being in. It pains me that so many people were killed for no valid reason!! I have the same feeling about the Iraqi War...What did the soldier's that went to Iraqi died for?? I am still waiting for a justified answer to that question!

[@Puppy_Puppington]

They lied. The government lied. That era was terrible. The government was not even trying to hide anything. You just blatantly started the war on drugs walls, planting them in minority neighborhoods. Then they killed MLK and JFK. Now all the files are out and it’s admitted and no one cares except for the people who actually lost people or were damaged or hurt by the government or its branches. I wish people had more empathy in cared.

[@MJ-fj9yv]

Stop whining, civilian. Guess you should’ve joined the ranks to find out yourself.

[@jackjohnsen8506]

YOU ARE RIGHT and I can give you 58,252, reaosns why....drafted in 1965

[@emilsabatini4038]

For those who made it back home , thank you boys! We are grateful 4 your service!

[@Marcfj]

I see, so if I understand you correctly, you're thankful they made war on people who had done you no harm and never intended harm to come to you????

[@emilsabatini4038]

@@Marcfj Wrong sir!Thankful that they put their lives in harms way defending my freedom! Sir!

[@Marcfj]

@@emilsabatini4038 - OH COME NOW! Stop being such a drama-queen. Your freedom wasn't in Vietnam and the North Vietnamese had no intention of taking your freedom away,. So, stop regurgitating such nonsense because it was the Americans who attempted to take the freedom of the Vietnamese people away. After all, it was Uncle Sam who resupplied the French with arms after World War Two so they could recolonize Vietnam and rule the Vietnamese once again. And it was the Americans who were against the Geneva Accords' free elections because the U.S. knew the North Vietnamese would win.

[@jackjohnsen8506]

there were NO BOYS in vietnam.......

[@charlesxavier9978]

we should find out these men.. find out more about them, their families and how the war changed their lives and looking back at it many yrs later.

[@chrisspratlin5656]

Look how much older these guys look than the kids today? Also the maturity of them again compared to the people the same age today.

[@GregorsOutdoors]

It was 1969 and the first time I'd see my father cry. I was four. He lost his best friend in Vietnam. Shot down 20 miles east of Bien Hoa flying copilot in a Spooky AC-47D gunship on station, providing night fire support for friendly troops. I salute those men who made it back and those who never got a seat on the freedom bird home.

[@genelibbea4612]

55’000 of our boys died for absolutely nothing.

[@topgeardel]

I am a proud Vietnam/Draft resistor. Your statement is 100% true. I saw that truth from the beginning. That's why I was never going to be on plane rides in this video.

[@ajfanotreally2523]

@@topgeardelaye that’s dope, did u get around it the legal way ?

[@topgeardel]

@@ajfanotreally2523 Let me give you a longer answer, but honest one. Was there an illegal way to avoid Vietnam? Not if you are avoiding an illegal and immoral war your country is involved in....and will bully you into. The US never declared war in Vietnam. But, yes. I registered for the Draft as required by law. I filed for Conscientious Objector, plus I was in college. They accepted it, to my shock. Otherwise ....my destination was Canada. Illegal or legal meant nothing to me.

[@aday1637]

They did not die for nothing...they died so the big wigs made lots of money.

[@ajfanotreally2523]

@@aday1637 AKA nothing

[@EveryoneIsFightingSomeBattle]

Regardless of the public opinion and political climate at that time, the men and women that served in Vietnam are every bit as valiant and honorable as those that served in WWII. It's an abomination the way many of our honorable Vietnam war vets were treated once they got home.

[@jasonm949]

Neither of those wars, or any foreign wars that the US fought was any of our business. Period.

[@mikewhite6288]

​@Jason M WWll was. When they attack pearl harbor that made it our business. Period.

[@2races1kind]

The Vietnam veteran is the best this country ever fielded. They wore their jungles until they rotted, constant combat like no other war. Every thing was stacked against them, to their front and REAR! They still gave their all, that makes them special In my eyes.

[@ryleeryan3738]

I agree totally. When I came home from VN I returned to Greenbelt, Md. which was working class/lower middle class town w a ton of VN vets. I talked about my experience w complete assurance that it was ok. It was and is the central part of my life that I would not trade for anything. I am still in contact with several members of my outfit (173rd AIRBORNE INFANTRY ) and that is the way most of them feel. We learned to rely on each other so someone who might have given us grief never affected us much. GOD BLESS ALL OF THE VETERANS!!! Joe Ryan

[@sergeantmasson3669]

@@jasonm949 Freedom has a price that the protected will never know. If you were not there, your argument is invalid/worthless.

[@airbrushken5339]

I couldn't believe I missed this. We flew from Fort Lewis to Alaska, Japan and then on to Cam Ranh Bay. From there to my Unit, 2/502 Inf, 101st Airborne. I was on the DMZ my whole tour around the A Shau Valley and Laos. I was told we spent around 330 days in the jungle, we didn't operate out of any base camps. We were around 20 men "Strike Team". I was wounded just before going back... when we landed in Japan, there was some protest at that airport, so we had to wait over an hour on that plane. From there we flew to Washington C Tack, where again we were met with more protesters and News Teams... it was night and all these lights. After awhile some Major came on board and told use to hold the belt of the guy in front and talk to NO ONE, I guess seeing my eye and hand bandages gave them the idea to stick a microphone in my face... Federal Marshals, once search us all for drugs and what ever... there were about 12 walking wounded solders in our group, including me. Some Capt came over and blew the crap out of the Marshals and took us onto some hospital where we got showers, new dressing and then took us to get our Greens... welcome home!

[@johnfalkenstine8377]

I think you're making stuff up. BTW That's Seattle airport, not Washington.

[@vinceocratic]

What’s really amazing is how much damn leg room each seat has!!!

[@andreweasson6653]

I would like to know what happened to these men

[@josephstevens9888]

I was thinking the exact same thing. It would be interesting to see how their lives turned out.

[@aday1637]

Go to a VA medical center and look around at the older vets....you'll see 'em.

[@tonberryhugs6435]

Contrasting the men leaving vs those coming home....the looks in their faces is chilling.

[@thethaovatoquoc312]

Based on the survey results conducted on the plane, many more actually supported the war when they were leaving than those arriving.

[@almcallister6490]

I went there in 1968 and left in 1969. I was a chinook FE and saw a lot more of the country than many solders In 2004 I married a Vietnamese woman and spend about 90, to 100 days a year there over 90% of Vietnamese are very thankful for what we did. The country is no longer huts and people struggling and most very much appreciate what we did.

[@michaelcummingsherrera1232]

Mike Wallace stated that the troops going back were exhausted after three days of outprocessing. I processed out in August 1969, and it was rather uneventful. Processing out of the Army at Travis AFB was also uneventful. All in all, coming back to America after pulling two tours in Vietnam was the most anti-climactic event of my life.

[@Hartley_Hare]

What sort of reaction did you get when you got home?

[@michaelcummingsherrera1232]

@@Hartley_Hare Do you mean from the people back here? It was either indifference or hostility with a few people who supported us. My reaction was that this was no longer the country I grew up in.

[@Hartley_Hare]

@@michaelcummingsherrera1232 Sorry if the question was intrusive. I'm an ex-journalist and old habits die hard. But I'm interested in the attitudes to you as a human - why were people hostile when they must have known that it likely wasn't your choice to go?

[@chrisbearden629]

Welcome home

[@2races1kind]

So believable....and utterly heartbreaking, how the impossible becomes mundane!

[@keithbrown4751]

These men never got the recognition they deserve! Thank you to all that served… salute

[@leonardtran2282]

This flight had the same parallels when I deployed with my unit to Iraq 🇮🇶 in 2003. The look on the faces of these soldiers was the same look we all had.

[@muslimcel4581]

PTSD look

[@oldcop18]

I turned 20 when I went to Nam in 1966 as a Navy Corpsman (Devildoc/HM3) w/the Marines. Didn’t give much thought to the right or wrong of the war but I was pretty scared, just like everyone else.

[@michaelwallace7587]

We went to Vietnam alone with strangers and came home the same way. Strange I remember the planes going over troops joking and flirting with stewardess. Going home the the plane was very quite. We cheered arriving over international waters and reaching CONUS. I slept through my first call for a flight. I had extended so I was going back. Felt very uncomfortable at home. My whole system relaxed. When I got back to Vietnam.

[@chrisbearden629]

Welcome home

[@topgeardel]

Lol. I'm a Vietnam/Draft resistor. I can only relate to what you said regarding your "whole system relaxed" That describes how I felt when I went to Canada to visit. A whole different vibe completely. America was so F'up I guess for both of us...for different reasons.

[@airbrushken5339]

@@topgeardel I was told (I grew up in Michigan) that about 30,000 Canadians volunteered to serve in the U.S. armed forces during the Vietnam War war. At least 134 Canadians died or were reported missing there... I was also in charge of the Base Property Books, (my secondary MOS was supply 76 Y) and I was at Selfridge Air Force base when Jimmy Carter gave amnesty to all the draft dodgers ... I had to arrange quarters for them so I re-opened an old missile barracks with all new bunks and gear. We had food delivered as I couldn't have them in the unit mess hall and we had to restrict them to the compound for their own protection, as you can guess how the other solders felt about them. The Army education center organize employment help for them also... something Vietnam Veterans never got. When you number was called, did you ever wounder what happen to the man who had to step up and take your place? ... as someone did... that's how the draft worked.

[@robertisham5279]

​@@airbrushken5339It doesn't matter it's ultimately that other person's responsibility to resist the draft. No American had a place in Vietnam period end of story.

[@michaelspitler4610]

When I landed back in Germany after a year in Afghanistan, I was absolutely scared shitless lol. I just wanted to sit right back down and just go back, not gonna lie. Reintegrating is no joke.

[@hkloss11]

Have you noticed how much leg room there was on that plane?

[@mongolikechewchew2475]

Thank you & WELCOME HOME MEN! 🇺🇸

[@cdubois13]

The sad part is today they couldn’t broadcast a story like this because soldiers would get a big UCMJ trouble for simply expressing their opinions. even when I was in people walked on eggshells about expressing their views about Iraq.

[@redmond9653]

It did seem really striking that he was allowed to poll the guys on the way over. I can't picture that being broadcast today.

[@stevejump9630]

I lost my cousin in Vietnam. He was with the 9th Infantry Division. He and his platoon were being inserted by Hueys into what the Army called a “quiet” LZ. From what I read in some of his paper work their Hueys were just about to touch down when the LZ opened up to enemy gunfire. While trying to get to cover he was killed. He’d only been in country for 6 weeks with the 9th Infantry Division. RIP Charles.

[@mofo7689]

My Iraq return was unforgettable. It was the only day I saw 20+ hrs of daylight. We departed as sunrise arose over the east horizon, raced the sun around the earth, and landed at McGuire AFB as daylight dropped over the west horizon. In 24 hrs, our weather altered over 100*; left at 130* (there) and reached NJ about 5*. We were swept into an Air Force school bus to the base hospital for shots from the weather change. Hot and dry there, landing in snowfall from earlier that day.

[@waivn4usad]

I flew out of Iraq and got stuck in Qatar for about 12 days. Loved in the tents and big groups were coming in heading up to Iraq and Afghanistan. We were a lot dirtier than those guys, was a good time. Landed in Baltimore early in the morning, and the Vietnam Veterans Association in Baltimore was out there to greet us. Was a weird feeling getting on my first commercial flight on my own. I was keyed up for a few days at least, took awhile to unwind.

[@Dovid2000]

Growing-up as a child and teen throughout the Vietnam war era, I grew to dislike the war and hoped that America's involvement in the war would end. In High School (in Colorado), I had a school friend whose father was killed in Vietnam. My first-cousin was sent to fight in Vietnam and during his turn of duty was wounded. He was shot in the leg. I asked him if he killed any Viet Cong. He said to me "yes".

[@markweiss4327]

Fought in Grenada, 1st Gulf War, Iraq, and later as a military contractor in Syria. Took Milair to Grenada and Gulf war…commercial to Iraq/Syria. Unless those men were 11B/infantryman or helicopter crews, their survivability rates were very very good. REMF/POG or FOBits were rarely injured or killed. SF/Rangers/SOF/infantryman and helicopter crews were and still are very dangerous professions. God bless these young men…the feelings, experiences, the chit-chat always the same. Thank God the US military dropped the draft…all the wars I fought we were ALL volunteers. ❤😊

[@War_Memories]

The machine gunner of the UH1 helicopter is the most dangerous

[@lanagorgeous9485]

The real Greatest Generation, bless these soldiers.

[@jackjohnsen8506]

Not the entire Generation just the few who had to go, or go to prison,,,one of them

[@martinvalenzuela1040]

Can you imagine flying into hell. Thank you Vietnam Vets for your service. The U.S needs to stop fighting in other countries and just defend our own. No excuses!

[@BarbaraPerez-ow5tr]

Defend the Southern Border

[@Bishopspipes]

Incredible footage. So glad this was made and saved and now shared decades later

[@dadskrej5226]

I went over to Vietnam in July '69 to do a helicopter maintenance job with the 1st Air Cavalry, U.S. Army. Came back in July '70 somewhat unscathed. I did my job for my country, Luckily my PTSD is somewhat controlled with meds from the VA. But the memories never go away. I'm 74 now, and just glad I made it back home safe after serving my country. I don't remember much about the flight going over, but remember every detail of the flight home to my wife. Do it again? Probably. I love my country.

[@kagnewcobra5228]

Thank you for your service!

[@chrisbearden629]

Welcome home

[@dadskrej5226]

@@kagnewcobra5228 Thank you!

[@dadskrej5226]

@@chrisbearden629 Thank you!

[@jamesschneider8228]

Hey man, you and I were over there about the same time I was in the first Cav second to the 20th headquarters battalion as a medic January 1972 February 1971 in country I’m 74 as well

[@pitbull60]

Vietnam soldiers were our heroes in my neighborhood .

[@user-fu7eh2mk5n]

I was at the gas station the other day and saw an older man wearing a “Vietnam veteran” hat. When i went up to him and said thank you for your service he just turned towards me and said “dont send me back.”

[@jackjohnsen8506]

I was in the US Army also, and that man was the real deal...trust me...

[@terryslota2224]

3rd Batt. 7th Marines ChuLai,RVN 10/65-11/66

[@FrankieD92]

1st Infantry ‘69, 173rd Airborne ‘70; when the Freedom Bird took off, there was a resounding yelling and screaming…I feel for all those that did not make the return journey home…

[@pclayton5063]

I flew from McGuire AFB, NJ, DC-8, to Bien Hoa, Vietnam, Apr 1970 so a few months before this video was done but the experience was pretty much the same. The soldier towards the end of the video with the wound who mentioned Cambodia, I had a part in that venture too providing air support. Will never forget the cheer that went up from those on the plane, as the wheels came up, when we left Vietnam.

[@chrisbearden629]

Welcome home

[@topgeardel]

Too bad I can't relate. I was a proud Vietnam/Draft resistor at exactly that time. I didn't miss a damn thing and if I lost my life it would have been for zero- nothing. All that war was good for was for guys, like yourself, that like to get off on war stories...like this video.

[@airbrushken5339]

@@topgeardel Vietnam Combat Veterans rarely if ever tell people (especially non-combatants about their actual combat experience... in US Army only about 8% of all those solders would be combat arms (Infantry, Mortars and flight teams, like door gunners), so I would doubt many had even fired a weapon. We often sold NVA gear we captured to the guys in the rear, what they did with the stuff was probably used while they told people their fake war stories. Only about 25 percent of the military force in the combat zones were draftees, the rest were volunteers unlike WWII where about 66% of U.S. armed forces members were drafted... as a teacher I was asked why would I go... all my uncles an my father served in WWII, as an American citizen I was called up to serve, just like them.

[@topgeardel]

@@airbrushken5339 Yea, I get it. As a member of the Baby Boomers you had Dad in WW2, Uncle Willy served in Korea and Uncle Billy served in Germany. We are products of our upbringing and our parent's generation. Some of us followed "the Pattern"...and some of us challenged the Pattern. The WW2 generation was NOT the "greatest generation". They were great b/c of the Great Depression and WW2 But they also passed on sexism, racial discrimination, and religious hypocrisy. They also passed on militarism as part of the American Way. Conforming was a part of the package...whether conforming was right or wrong.

[@KingJCJ]

I can smell the inside of the aircraft. From the luggage, uniforms & boots. RIP to every service member KIA MIA. We miss you & think about you.

[@vmdairy]

The happiest day of my life was the day I set foot back in the "World" after my tour! That was the first day of the rest of my life.

[@bhall4996]

I can only imagine that feeling you had. I hope you had a great life upon your return. You truly earned it. Thank you for serving.

[@tayninh69]

I don't remember a whole lot about the flight going to Vietnam except that is was a long, long flight. It seemed even longer on the way home. I served with the 1st Cav. Div. and was stationed in the Tay Ninh area. June 69 to Aug 70.

[@chrisbearden629]

Welcome home

[@JimJanowiecki]

Gary Owen

[@Mrgunsngear]

Thanks

[@jimw.4161]

Great job, Mike Wallace! 👍

[@AL-qi4nh]

I’d love to know how all these guys turned out

[@sps244]

Memories...Jan 7, 70 . Went home on a "freedom bird" March 20 71.

[@allencollins6031]

Welcome home.

[@AlexNH56]

Mad respect to those who did 2/3 tours in Vietnam! Balls of steel!

[@KosherFinance]

They like them russkies going to Ukraine😂

[@AlexNH56]

@@KosherFinance no even close.

[@markmiller3308]

@@KosherFinance Not even close. The ruskies are throwing everything they have at Ukraine and losing. We fought Viet Nam with both hands tied behind our backs.

[@KosherFinance]

@@markmiller3308 ..and won😸

[@junglesuperstar9270]

@@markmiller3308stop watching American news

[@hemigod2]

It would be nice to know who that we seen on that flight going over made it back

[@gman-xd5hd]

It's not a Movie, it's real.

[@cb-yl6gj]

Thank you all for serving 🙏

[@tomtaylor6163]

Man this hurts watching

[@radiorob7543]

Thank you 60 Minutes for your top journalism, provided here for free. Thank you Veterans for your effort, at trying to keep the world free.

[@James-yp5dn]

Thank you to all of our veterans 🇺🇲🙏

[@fanda789]

Za vraždy a drancování.

[@lorenzomaximo1818]

Thanks for your support. I was killed in Vietnam……… I just haven’t died yet.😔

[@James-yp5dn]

@@lorenzomaximo1818 Thank you for your service and 🙏I pray for your peace of mind 🙏

[@lorenzomaximo1818]

@@James-yp5dn thank you so much for your support. You are a true patriot.

[@johnhouston9764]

​@@lorenzomaximo1818I am very sorry for your pain. To be mentally tormented all because of our lying, misguided government. May you be well 🙏 in the afterlife.

[@mrshannon8]

2:33 this guy nailed it.......

[@dennisss3974]

Then there were the ones that came home on C-141s

[@bicolmange]

Well no famous war movies about this guys. They are straight up honest and real men. Nice piece , I want to see more of this. Because history keep repeating it self . (Sad but truth..)

[@deborahchesser7375]

Kids when they left, battle hardened old men when they returned ✌️🇺🇸

[@beltigussin81]

Wonder how many of them did not make the return flight.

[@telcobilly]

My dad, a captain in the Air Force came back in 1968 and deplaned in Travis. His CO told him not to wear his uniform because of the protesters. That made him more determined to wear it. He was bitter about his homecoming treatment. He served for 14 years, 3 in Okinawa flying rear seat in a F4. My brother and I went to live with him upon his return. We moved to South Africa in '68, a very tumultuous year.

[@oldcop18]

A group of Hippies called me a baby killer as I was coming through LAX on my way home from Nam. It was my first experience w/this and could not understand why (I still don’t) we caught the wrath of protestors. To my way of thinking this should have been directed at the politicians that sent us over there.

[@JaxonSmithers]

My father was a captain in the Air Force too. He got a lot of crap when he came back to the US late in 1968.

[@telcobilly]

@@oldcop18 ABSOLUTELY

[@warprimeminister]

11yrs active Army. So far 9yrs reserve time and counting. I’ve met a lot of Vietnam guys & always thanking but I never accept it. Those guys realllllllly went through it

[@chrisastro300]

Same feeling going to Afghanistan and coming back for me as well.

[@chnalvr]

It's wild to see these young, naive men, most of whom returned maimed or ruined psychologically, physically or in a casket or didn't return at all. What a mess our country created.

[@jerrycondon2935]

I made that trip in 72 ,and came back in 73 with a different attitude!!

[@josephanderson7237]

Please elaborate.

[@Neukids]

Love these and current young men and women sacrificing for all of us but against all those politicians, who won't ever have their own kids in Army be pro-war or pre-war.

[@jimheckert5383]

Made this trip USMC 67/68. I was amazed at the great answers these troops gave. I think of RVN every day. America the Beautiful 🇺🇸

[@jamesrapp9778]

The industrial military complex

[@billofrightsamend4]

I would love to know about these men. They should do an update.

[@alonsocamilo]

A great piece of history. Real history.

[@user-yu1zp2vu9x]

My dad did three tours. He had over 1000 days in country. I was hoping to see him on this video. It didn’t happen. War is terrible. I love all the men who have fought in wars. I especially love and appreciate the American fighters.

[@nappozulp4199]

Fascinating!

[@davidreed3357]

I was 3 when my dad came home. He called coming home the worst day of his life. The disrespect they received when he got home.

[@philbrown9764]

When I left Nam, the plane was full of military personnel. And we cheered when we left Nam airspace. When I was in Okinawa, I was bumped off my flight by an officer and the flight I was on, was mostly civilians. So the whole atmosphere was completely different. But no one spoke to me at all. Just like when I was at San Francisco airport and Love Field. I felt invisible because I didn’t get harassed by anyone…no that I’m complaining.

[@chrisbearden629]

Welcome home

[@bwana-ma-coo-bah425]

How are you now?

[@ak9989]

My uncle 1966-67 usmc, and ptsd and still struggling today. My dad ww2 thankfully was ok, malaria from fighting on Guam and Okinawa. I got 47 ptsd us army but thankfully it helps to not to drink or smoke. My oldest came back thankfully better even with an ied too hitting his mrap.

[@simonbolivartenecesitamos6890]

Dear god you have a blood line of warriors. Thank you all for everything

[@perezfecto]

Shocking to think that some guys have seen more at 25 than most people do at 65.

[@rjperez1554]

Brave young men.

[@JohnBrown722so]

Idiots fighting for a cause for a country that doesn't give a fck about them

[@JohnBrown722so]

U better think. .

[@JHillNC]

Love seeing Mike Wallace again. He was always cool and classy. And able to breach the hard subjects head on.

[@suskagusip1036]

This is a good documentary. Did any of these brave man made it back home? I remember those that were injured went to our hospital in Manila. I couldn't blame them from being hesitant to go to war. I wouldn't blame the Vietnamese either. That's their home. Many Vietnamese also left and ended up in our islands. War is a nasty business. Praying for Ukraine and war to end. Sending my kid before his flight to NATO 's border I saw him teary eyed going back to his barracks. I can understand the fear of the unknown. I hope all these wars will end and be settled in diplomatic manners.

[@nancychace8619]

My Dad fought his way up through the Phillipines in WWII. You're right, war is a nasty business. I hope for peaceful times ahead for everyone, but it looks like we are facing another Hitler. Wish you good luck.

[@ScottFoster482002]

It was the longest year of my life.

[@eleonora4284]

I can imagine. Thank you for your service ❤

[@ScottFoster482002]

@@eleonora4284 ❤

[@Jimmy_Widders_Hunt]

Would love to know what became of all these guys?

[@donovanlawerence2595]

What 60 minutes should have done was track down all the individuals interviewed on these two flights and did a follow up interview in 2000, thirty years after the 1970 original interview.

[@surfwaves8636]

My father did two tours as a Green Beret from 67-69. He was in Mike Force. Luckily he came home in one piece. I served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. I too feel both blessed and happy that I returned home in one piece. I surf my days off and have one son and two daughters and wonder if my son Cal will serve in a foreign war.