Worst Ambush of the Afghanistan War

The True Story of how US Army Sgt. Giunta of the 173rd Airborne Infantry fought to survive one of the worst close ambushes in the Afghanistan War. He was the first living Medal of Honor recipient since the Vietnam War. His act of Bravery and Valor helped save many of his buddies lives that day during Rock Avalanche in the Korengal Valley of Afghanistan.
These are the soldiers you might remember from Restrepo. He did a text book react to near ambush battle drill against the enemy.
#WAR #AFGHANISTAN #TRUESTORY

[@raisin8051]

I've seen this as part of the movie 'Restrepo' where the captain in charge of the troops briefly mentioned that he had troops close enough that they were able to kill and retrieve the soldiers gear. Restrepo is a great movie about the Korengal Valley and it talks about a lot of the soldiers view from operation Rock Avalanche and how it was the worst operation they've been through

[@Ukraineaissance2014]

The sequel to that is actually called Korengal I seem to remember

[@HumanHamCube]

My close buddy like fam (little bro) was in Kanduz province in an ambush. Restrepo is more than a film and the only time I "welled-up" watching a film. We owe it to these boys to remember what they did.

[@17nirmalya]

You do realize that in actual battles, one doesn't fight like Rambo 🙂

[@cerealport2726]

as well as the documentary, Sebastian Junger also wrote a book called "war", covering the events seen in Restrepo, and others.

[@HumanHamCube]

@@cerealport2726 his book "Fire" is really good too

[@jonny-b4954]

I'm impressed by the armor effectiveness in actual practice/battle. Impressive. Helmet and chest armor actually saved the soldiers here.

[@tongotongo3143]

No, body armour and helmets aren’t effective at all. This story of course is half made up in order to create a legend and emphasise heroism. In a real combat during the intensive ambush at very close distance bullets usually just chop off arms, shoulders, destroy legs and groin area way before hitting upper torso. While helmet does not stop assault rifle bullets whatsoever.

[@milotorrance7461]

@@tongotongo3143 ok internet general that knows everything

[@tongotongo3143]

This is war medicine statistics.

[@renanvinicius6036]

I'm even more impressed about how the helmet repealed a bullet from an AK.

[@nandoman4769]

@@tongotongo3143 so you know more about combat then the guys that were actually in it?

[@charlesmartin1121]

The highest medals are typically awarded, after the plan goes to shit. Well done Sergeant Giunta.

[@josephspruill1212]

unless your artie murffy lmfao jk it was a joke lol

[@DerDudelino]

Huge respect. It must be still hard receiving a Medal of Honor after you didn't bring all of your boys safe back home.

[@charlesmartin1121]

@@DerDudelino That weight for that should be placed squarely on the officers who planned and carried the operation.

[@DerDudelino]

@@charlesmartin1121 I agree, even though it's very difficult to anticipate an infantry ambush.

[@charlesmartin1121]

@@DerDudelino Very true especially in forested terrain.

[@kurdistanindependance5471]

glad this video is 10 minutes long and straight to the point

[@Rag33C]

It’s actually crazy to see this story after all these years. In 2010 when I was 9 or 10 years old my family was driving from Wyoming to Colorado after a family reunion when we noticed a couple on a motorcycle start to lose control lucky they had enough time to slow down but went into the ditch on the side of the road, they weren’t hurt and their bike was fine outside of a flat tire. My dad help the man get the bike into the bed of the truck and we gave the couple a ride to the nearest town about 50 miles away, they offered my parents money for helping and they refused saying it wasn’t necessary, they insisted of getting our mailbox address so they could send a gift as thanks. To be honest it was a little awkward for me I wasn’t a social kid and now we have two strangers in the truck for the next hour, after awhile they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I remember saying a cop or maybe the military, and that’s when they said their son was a Sgt in the military and didn’t saying anything else to me for the rest of the ride we drop them off at a mechanic in the town and we said our goodbyes and that was that was it I didn’t think about it for a long time until we got a package from the couple sometime later. To be honest I don’t remember what all was in the package but in the package they even got a gift for me, it was a book called “War” by Sebastian Junger, and in the front cover was a picture of the couples son from when he was on a deployment with some words of inspiration for me and his signature in the front cover, I remember thinking it was a little weird for a dude to sign a book he didn’t write. I read the book and I remember reading about this ambush and didn’t think much of it until a name of a soldier that was in the ambush seemed familiar to me it was was Sgt Giunta he was the one that signed my book who I had a picture of, his parents where who we helped. His word stayed with me and his story inspired me to enlist when I was 18. I haven’t thought about him in years it’s crazy to see this video after so long.

[@josephspruill1212]

now that you have joined you will get to see just how small the world really is.......

[@AirSupportIncomimg]

This is a small, small world……

[@pasta-and-heroin]

enjoyed reading this, great story mate.

[@AcidGambit419]

That's absolutely nuts. Life is so much stranger than fiction.

[@Azmodai34]

With hindsight seems strange to set 400 soldiers into combat to go get one pair of night vision goggles when a few years later they would just give them away by the truckload....

[@jmmartin7766]

The treasonous individuals who caused that are about to answer for their crimes 💀

[@Ayr-me7vb]

@@jmmartin7766 you've gotta be 13 to think that Politicians actually have to answer for anything

[@jmmartin7766]

@@Ayr-me7vb At the point of a gun, they'll answer to Karen if they're told to. You've got to be *very* naive if you think I meant anything else.

[@Ayr-me7vb]

@@jmmartin7766 no-one gives enough of a shit about that to actually stage a big enough revolt that would get those politicians killed. Americans only care of their convenience or luxury is harmed

[@GutsAndGlory734]

Yes, about 20,000 pair of NVG’s….. and multiple M240 bravos, M249 SAW, M4 Carbines, M16A4’s, MRAPS, and M117 vehicle……

[@timmaybach8158]

I really love the humility and consideration at 8:54. Stuff like this is what does not only make this a great channel, but marks you as a great person.

[@jeffslaven]

God bless Sgt. Guinta, and all the men and women that served in that war.

[@josephfranzen5626]

I was with the 82nd 1st/504th as an 11B and was an E nothing. I do recall always looking up to our NCO’s who had Ranger tabs and/or multiple deployments and than seeing them react in the midst of an ambush gave me confidence and for lack of a better word, strength, to fight with every ounce of my being. I accredit my still being alive to our senior enlisted guys and their guidance. Maybe it was playing Army when I was a little kid but I always held these guys in such high esteem, looking back on it now, I did things I did not know I was capable of doing and survived things that I don’t understand why I did and other didn’t. This is a phenomenal story of what warfare often comes down to, it’s that you care deeply about the guy next to you and you’ll give everything without a seconds thought for that person. That may sound cliche or corny but in my opinion and experience it’s quite true.

[@bmuller7471]

I was 11B in 1-187th Infantry 3rd Brigade Combat Team 101st Airborne. All the Platoon SGT and Squad Leaders in our company had Ranger tabs, CIB, Air Assault, Airborne, Pathfinder. I remember being the new guy with no CIB and combat patch being so out of place. LOL.

[@donalgraeme]

Strike Hold!

[@Thetequilashooter1]

He is a true hero. I am so glad our troops are out of there.

[@anthonycalia1317]

Thank you for sharing this important piece of American history and allowing others to understand just what it means to serve a purpose higher than one's self.

[@mr.perfect1er]

Sincerely, Thank You for putting this together....Some of your work is truly humbling. Godspeed and Blessings to You and Yours. Even if you are just a dirty leg

[@kandykid119]

Between Korengal and Waygal, it is a testament to the paratroopers of the 173rd that they made it through that deployment.

[@Kevan808]

Thank you for sharing this inspiring story 🙏

[@sixgod6120]

Lived in Iowa City for over a decade - the Cedar Rapids boys are built different. The sheer disregard for his own safety and bravery is insane.

[@mtdover]

Thank you for telling these stories. We all make a silent promise to our brothers and sisters that no matter what, we will never forget them. Everyone else has Memorial Day but for us, we remember them every day. I was never in combat but I lost friends while we were there. Keep up the great work Cappy!

[@johnbarrios1598]

This was one necessary video.... THANK You!!!! Your Show touches the Heart. That is one difficult choice Fight or Fly..... Thank the good Lord for Role Models..

[@CommanderFillmore]

Thank you for sharing stories like these

[@turnerdan53]

This remind me of a story I got from a Viet Nan war vet when I was in High School. The man work with my Mom when younger and had come to visit us after coming home. My mom told me that apparently he had come home with a lot of metals and asked me if I could find out what happened. Talking to him he said it was pure stupidity on his part. He was leading a squid through open fields with a tree line to one side. He said that all of a sudden gunfire opened up and the only cover was the tree line. So he yell Charge. He said in the moment the gunfire seemed heavy and his men were being hit along with his self. When they got to the tree line the VC through down their guns and surrender to his small squid. He told me once counted there was over 100 VC in the tree line and if he knew he would not have charged.

[@postItNoteObsession]

3:32 well this makes leaving all that equipment in Afghanistan more depressing..

[@executivelifehacks6747]

Great recount of this story, Chris. 👍

[@mrnickhox]

God bless this man and the souls of his brothers.

[@stuartb9194]

Great story, well told

[@angrydingus5256]

I love this kind of content. Would love to see more hero praise just every now and then on this channel. Great content as always! Im glad to know about this

[@markknivila8383]

Great video, brother! Thank you!

[@jamesozechoski8254]

Awesome. Outstanding bravery

[@hunterschoice]

Do something on mountain warfare, equipment, terrain, logistics etc

[@Shit_salad]

What a hero. God bless all the men and women who have died in combat.

[@akanji8285]

Saying our military won’t abandon equipment for the enemy to take didn’t age to well

[@iainwilson5660]

More like this one please.

[@ShizaP]

What a beast ! Great man !

[@skookapalooza2016]

Another great vid Cappy. You're a class act. You delivered the content with both great insight & compassion. Thank you for all you do.

[@rickylafleur9601]

The way these guys sprint towards gunfire to save their comrades is crazy. They’re willing to kill themselves for others in split seconds.

[@Galkac]

when i served under emperor Monbac in the Ahtian imperial fleet we came face to face with the Courvillian unified fleet in this battle my ship and captain Encador's ship were the only surviving ships of the battle of the ethan skies we held the line for 8 months we won the sky trade routes from the hands of the courvilian blockade which ended the 691 years war.

[@ZAR556]

this story must be discuss in school, make into movie and become topic on mainstream media.

[@ifv2089]

_When almost every man in the platoon carried a GPMG and silly amounts of Link the Ambushes Stopped_

[@Josh-sk9ue]

Your channel is amazing, appreciate the knowledge. Keep on it brosef ^.>

[@seeker296]

talking about how his leader charged the line first, while MoH was saving his friend, then charged the line himself? humble indeed. He may not have felt like he deserve the award, but he showed courage, discipline, respect for his allies/friends, and the violent fighting spirit necessary in a warrior. well-deserved, imo

[@itsyaboimat2393]

I will say this as sad as it is that brennan passed atleast he passed in the hands of friendlies and was give the respect in death that he deserved damn good job Sargent

[@patriotintraining3822]

What a hero!

[@grassman8770]

2007 - USA send team of soliders to look for stolen NVG and rifle 2021 - USA left behind in afghanistan milions worth of military equipment

[@gaz1911ss]

Without knowing this story, as soon as i heard "the most dangerous" i knew it was Korengal... that fcking place man, well done boys

[@sirnuggetsboi9758]

what about clint romesha and his actions at the battle of kamdesh? Id love to see a video on that!

[@TheWhoshoyu]

What a hero

[@jackjones9460]

Army excitement is usually highest at the worst times! Makes us adrenaline junkies.

[@15gladuis22]

He was actually born in Clinton Iowa but great video even with this error

[@somethingelse4878]

Those recruitment men are like vacuum pumps One in, your not going anywhere Was the same for Vietnam too

[@jonahmoore1408]

I live in Cedar Rapids and I’m pretty sure he went to the same school as me but I never heard of him

[@bostonterrierfanatic9652]

F that place. My back will never be the same!

[@nitonono4143]

I just found out this channel today. Wow I didn't know that Dylan O'brien was a former infantryman and has a youtube channel about military stuff.

[@richbattaglia5350]

What a joke. How much in billions of dollars did we leave after we left Afghanistan in 10 days? Yet this squad seems wise to pursue a single set of NODs and a rifle. How insulting.

[@jordonstewart2092]

173rd had 3 MOH man. Thats how rough they had it.

[@jordonstewart2092]

Can you do Kyle White Next.

[@jarnhund376]

Read his book - Living with Honor: A Memoir . He sounds like a very, very humble gentleman. And yeah, FTV. Fuck the valley. I salute you, sir!

[@vonvomit5666]

You are correct you will never know what you will do when the bullets fly. Anybody says anything different is either a liar or truly insane.

[@krishnayt732]

You look good in Mushtash

[@HumanHamCube]

Well done sir.

[@joeblack2534]

WOW JUST WOW

[@shookfng]

I never understood why the Army didn't use drones to check the routes before troops moved out. Makes no sense.

[@ryanr9299]

sensitive items like night vision... Hell now we are leaving them choppers, planes, and tanks... We should never have been over there in the first place... We ought to give them bush for all the innocent men, women, and children over there that died..

[@holajza]

until you shoot the enemy you are not ready for war, you are only ready to die

[@Tardvark]

I was on this deployment. I know most of the soldiers shown in this video

[@memecream5834]

00:08 my NCO always said to drink water and my PT Belt.

[@joesmittington1207]

I know this might be an unpopular question, but how did the ambush fail? I wish i could see how the enemy managed to blow it if it was so well planned, and engaged at such low ranges. Theres no way the americans should have been able to survive an L ambush if they were engaged at 15m by enemies in cover with fully automatic weaponry. My hypothesis is the leader of the ambush was the only one well trained, and tried to employ advanced military tactics with a bunch of untrained militants, thinking that the tactics would help overcome the lack of discipline and gear, but he was proven wrong. Really unfortunate for that guy, i know he's an enemy but i hope he survived, Ive just got a soft spot for seeing tactics like this employed in an environment like that. Even though its very sad whenever people lose their lives, especially fellow americans.

[@wendykalman9975]

The Taliban ambush did not have something my husband called a "buffer". And no egress strategy, whatever that means. He said that claymore mines are used in front of the skirmish line in case enemy combatants escaped the kill zone. When that happens, hit a line of claymores to take them out. They also set up these mines directly in front of them, and even some behind to secure a fighting retreat. The Taliban did none of this. And they lost because of it thankfully. This was part of his training as a Reservist. He got out of the Army Reserve in 1992. Just in time. There aren't many bad asses like Sal around.

[@carljohnson4285]

Shout out to 173rd, love you goons!

[@user-37428]

That's crazy

[@uppercut70]

Or contact like this please that was fantastic

[@CarmineProspectus]

Wonder if they consider the thousands of weapons and pieces of equipment left behind in Afghanistan “sensitive equipment.”

[@CrayonEater255]

prob not

[@mishrachabra4471]

Arlington National Cemetery 🙏

[@annekedebruyn7797]

I learned that charging through the fire is also taught to special police forces around the world (as in SWAT, DSI etc.) doing things such as home raids and anti terror situtions. It's interesting. It made no sense to me until this video.

[@speedypete9694]

No offense , and it’s easy to play Monday night quarter back , but how do you only send 18 marines and no cars no air cover and no armor ?

[@xFlared]

"Sensitive equipment that U.S. as not gonna leave behind" (Pair of goggles and a rifle). Meanwhile in Afghanistan today: U.S. leaves 70,000 pairs of latest brand new unpacked night goggles with batteries, countless weapons, thousands of transport vehicles, helicopters, planes, and fully operational military bases.

[@spooky4223]

Restrepo

[@Milkman-bu9es]

Every time I hear someone say “the US got their shit kicked in by sand farmers” this is the kind of shit I think of. It just tells me they don’t know anything

[@KILLFRENZY9921]

how do you counter a textbook anyway

[@vinnieg6161]

I would have crapped my pants

[@junkeatng]

'Shoot Bad Guys'. Haha. Who the bad guy is depends a lot of perspective.

[@IcarusErm]

Thank God they went to try to go capture that rifle and NVG's. We wouldn't want the taliban or any other enemy to have 10's of thousands of rifles, NVG's, vehicles, attack helicopters, and much much.

[@beaujeste1]

What were you doing in someone else’s country?

[@surinderjitsingh8954]

Salvatore aka savior

[@Lovenlife139]

They cant have that night vision but lets leave planes and humvees.

[@rushidharmadisetty9042]

"Well trained Taliban fighters from outside of Afghanistan".... I wonder where there must be from??!

[@Endtime378]

Movie name please

[@dudewithout_a_face5573]

Bin laden: dont worry i always left someone alive to tell the story

[@amcconnell6730]

3:32 "Sal's platoon was tasked with hunting the equipment down. Those (NVG's and weapons) were sensitive items that the US military was not going to just let disappear without a fight." Well, how that policy changed, eh?

[@Kurogumo]

Not our fault the ANA are absolute wimps. We gave equipment to the the ANA who pussed out gave them to the Taliban.

[@wasser5686]

@@Kurogumo US left Afghanistan because they couldnt win against them,. face it. US was running into a financial desaster. that 80b in equipment was cheap compared to what wouldve been lost if the us kept staying in afg

[@Kurogumo]

@@wasser5686 Not really, the US would have gladly spent more if we were actually accomplishing something, we squandered our chance of a political victory messing around in the desert for 20 years and finally decided it wasn't worth the political backlash.

[@humbolt.869]

Must have had help from our old poltergeist friend camouflage

[@nikolakaravida9670]

Things are never quite the way they seem

[@jimmiet1988]

God was on his side period

[@resevoirdog]

Poltergeist lol? Like the movie or the fake magic tricks people used to con people with ?

[@humbolt.869]

@@resevoirdog poltergeist as in ghost Making a reference to a song called camouflage where a ghost helps a marine in a firefight in vietnam Good song check it out

[@christopherdunstan1708]

"Woaahhh oh oh camouflage"

[@jmmartin7766]

My brother, a Marine in a very violent and deadly Ramadi in 03', amazed me (a former soldier) with his matter of fact accounts of how he and his men were *always* running *toward* the gunfire... How RPGs were miraculously missing them, and how even their radio guy was making miraculous long kills with his A4... I am humbled and awed by *anyone* who's been through *real* combat... Thank you for YOUR service, Cappy. I know you saw some shit too...

[@dasfreshyo]

2004 my buddy was in Ramadi. 2/4 Marines

[@jmmartin7766]

@@dasfreshyo Semper Fi, Marines!

[@natedog805402]

When the radio operator doubles as a designated marksman..love to see it

[@sjtv6565]

@@natedog805402 This was often the case during the Pacific theater and even in Vietnam; communications guys had an M1 Carbine and that 30-30 is vicious

[@natedog805402]

@@sjtv6565 cool piece of history I didn't know that. I was a marine RO 💪

[@racialconsciousness6996]

This operation, Rock Avalanche, was pretty well covered in Sabastian Junger's book "War". Highly recommended reading.

[@zetamafia911]

First I ever heard of it was when watching "Restrepo".

[@racialconsciousness6996]

@@zetamafia911 -- Sebastian Junger was the guy who filmed and produced Restrepo and Korengal. If you liked those docs, get his book "War", because it's about that deployment.

[@joshwinslow8397]

I have this book and can confirm. Great book on war and soldiers deal with it

[@BobMuffin-dt8jp]

I just finished reading it, it’s freaking awesome and thought-provoking

[@KentuckyReef]

Hunt down 1 pair of NVG. While Biden leaves thousands of them!! Let’s go Brandon!!!

[@ericbergfield6451]

This is the more "serious" productions you've made, & I'm a fan! Keep this up, you're not just a hilarious caster, sometimes getting down & dirty is a damn-good thing.

[@mauricio1514]

Interesting how they considered weapons and night vision goggles "sensitive items" back then.

[@nathanwilliams3877]

Hah

[@joshuajoaquin5099]

i agree for me its absurd, risking your life just for a rifle and a nvg. I understand the necessity but man i don't understand why Americans will do that. For us we just list it as lost equipment and move on

[@17nirmalya]

An equipment ahead of its time has the potential of reaching the Chinese through the Pakistanis for reverse engineering. Remember the helo the Americans blew at Bin Laden's Abottabad residence.

[@mr_beezlebub3985]

@@17nirmalya M4s and NVGs aren't exactly ahead of their time. The Chinese have had equivalent weapons and equipment for quite some time.

[@17nirmalya]

@@mr_beezlebub3985 Are you saying at the time of this incident the Chinese had better rifles and NVGs ? The world should definitely be purchasing from the Chinese then. They would come cheaper as well. Wonder why we are all buying from the USA. Countries should have advisors like you !

[@davidyu194]

man war sucks... imagine being the squad/team tasked with retrieving stolen gear. realizing that to the higher ups, your life is worth a pair of NODS. damn

[@steves578]

Its not so much the cost of NODS is what the enemy can and will use them for.

[@daniel-ug3po]

It's more about what the enemy could do with the equipment

[@steves578]

no reason to make it easier for the enemy to kill our boys.

[@MCOGroupNews]

@@steves578 True, it's a bit of a vicious cycle though, having to sacrifice a few more lives to prevent [the enemy] them from taking even more lives

[@xSintex]

I don't think you fully grasp it. Back in those years the US owned the night (unless enemy got lucky). Having the enemy own a pair of NODS is an absolutely huge risk to the safety of the area.

[@Rudizel]

I have been deployed multiple times as a 11Bravo and as far as i am aware there is no real way of countering a L shape ambush at least it was never trained in my time over there. The L shape is absolutely deadly and extremely effective, hence why we utilize it all the time when we move up on an objective.

[@12up4down]

Fire wedge and assault forward.

[@thenewbonboncompany]

Turn and burn baby

[@17nirmalya]

Agree. If L shaped ambush is executed effectively, you hardly get the opportunity to counter.

[@Rudizel]

@@12up4down It’s an ambush utilizing heavy machine guns and suppressive fire. Soon as you stand up you will be mowed down. Your best chance is to blow all your smoke and call in support assets. Of course a proper L shape ambush you can expect that one side is advancing on your position to finish you off so attempting to break through a side might be the only option you have.

[@12up4down]

@@Rudizel and yet, utilizing this technique this squad was able to make it out with minimal casualties

[@patrickwilson2650]

Marines are taught to attack a ambush. Do the unexpected. When I was in. 1977. We had no body armor. Or most of the gear they have today. Semper fi. Good job

[@Kaiserland111]

Sweet, a video on the legend himself! Sal went to my high school, JFK, in Cedar Rapids, IA, just a few years before I was there, and about the same time as my older brother. We talked about him and watched clips from his Medal of Honor award ceremony in my AP US History class in 2010, and my history teacher even teared up because he had taught Sal in the same classroom just a few years before. Thanks for covering this humble hero!

[@ZebraActual]

Powerful story of events.. bravery and dedication to your fellow soldiers to the Max! It's a shame though now that the same insurgents got over 16,000 night vision devices that we left behind on that cluster-fuck pull-out from Afghanistan.

[@josephspruill1212]

They cant even get pens to write with, lmfao. What makes you think they goin to find batteries and enough to supply 16k worth?.... And I bet you the ones they left behind aren't no where as good as the ones the piolets or spc ops do.... I was a soldier and I was better off without the nods they gave us. I would have one eye in the nods and one eye out. the dep perception in those things are horrible. That was the best thing they could have done if you ask me was throw them bitches away. They are garbage anyways.... The only good use I found out of the nods was star gazing, lol!

[@josephspruill1212]

We think of our country as having the most high tech shit out there and every soldier has it. Its not that great guys. even the MATV's they left behind which was new tech was garbage. one rpg takes out the air lines no air no break. That seems okay till you are 85 feet in the are on a cliff, lmfao!....I use to think highly of American made stuff, but after serving i say dif... Oshkosh only has one thing in mind and that is the $ ..... Dewight, warned us of the industrial war complex and he was so right in more than one way... besides its cheaper to leave shit there and buy new more advanced shit like we have with every war since ww2. we left sherman tanks in africa etc yet no one talks of the passed only what we are doin now and how it looks from the outside looking in...

[@Javie_p]

broke down watching this. Thanks for the nose shits Cappy, havnt cried like this since i found your channel.

[@kiwi_comanche]

Rock Avalanche was a total clusterfuck. RIP SSGT Larry Rougle and others. Edit:: Brendan O'Byrne, if you read this, get in touch brother. It's been way too long.

[@BMF6889]

I was a Marine platoon commander in Vietnam 1968-69. One day we were on a company sweep through an area of large dry rice paddies in an area known to be periodically controlled by North Vietnamese soldiers. My platoon was on line crossing a dry rice paddy that was about 400 yards wide with no cover. About half way across we came under heavy automatic fire from the tree line to our immediate front. We were completely exposed. I immediately decided that to try to retreat would be certain death so I ordered a frontal attack across about 200 yards of open terrain. I could plainly see the enemy bullets kicking up dirt to our front. A bullet travels faster than the speed of sound and therefore you can hear to make a loud "snap" as it passes nearby. There was only one radio in the platoon which was mine to communicate with the company commander, so the only way to control the attack was by voice which was useless because of the noise, by running up and down the assault line to give orders to my squad leaders, or to send a runner to a specific squad. During the attack, i remember thinking that I would probably take a lot of casualties. And something happened that was very strange. Everything seemed to slow down and seemed able to think and act more clearly. I was between slow motion and normal speed. It all seemed slower than it should have been. When we reached the tree line, there was a brief moment when some of my platoon were in hand to hand fighting. I don't know how long it lasted, but I would say less than a minute before the surviving North Vietnamese broke contact and retreated. The vegetation was too dense to try to continue the attack as it would have been impossible to control three squads plus my machine guns and 60 mm mortar. I told the Platoon Sargent to get a count of casualties while I alerted the company commander that we would likely need medivacs for casualties. When the Platoon Sargent returned to my position, he said, "Sir, you ain't gonna believe this, but we only have one minor casualty who doesn't want to be evacuated." We counted 21 NVA dead and the dead to wounded rate is usually about 3 WIA to every KIA. Miracles do happen.

[@drt7273]

Do you believe they were totally incompetent in not hitting you (new recruits or smt), or was this luck?

[@figo3554]

The ambushers must've been super surprised that their plan got foiled by one guy. Props to that man and the sheer weight of his balls. Many more would've died if it weren't for him.

[@Polarian1]

Story still doesn't make much sense. No matter how American and brave these guys were it would seem impossible to survive even a few seconds of being shot with fully automatic rifle fire from multiple directions. They all would have been dead/badly wounded in seconds.