Vietnam war stories that aren't common knowledge?

[Fishy]

At least stories that aren't known to civilians. A Vietnam Veteran mentioned that while he was over there fighting, his ship helped sink two Russian submarines. Don't recall the estimated number of Russians that were thought to have been killed. It was told to them that these subs carried supplies for the VC. He said that they were warned not to communicate any of what went on in letters to loved ones back home. Letters were thoroughly checked by others before they could be mailed, he said.

Since then, I've heard other veterans suggest that they too observed or took part in certain things that weren't supposed to have happened or officially aren't in history books.

Anyone care to share their stories. I find it interesting to hear from those who witnessed and took part in the war.

[BigDraw]

I'm tuned in

[Pushbutton2]

Vietnam war stories that aren't common knowledge?

I know a guy says that he didn't build runways in Laos for supplies or that one time there dozer got air dropped in the swamp sunk up to the cowling.
And he was never in a plane that got shot down after dropping the supplies.
Planes would land and turn while turning cargo master would release brakes on the cargo it'd roll out the back and he wouldn't jump on the ramp. Plane wouldn't stop. Only use it once

[Froggy]

Officers Only. No Enlisted

I have copies of some battalion staff journals from the U.S. incursion into Cambodia in the spring and summer of 1970. After logging in the action reports for the day the journals state "Recommendations for medals requested. Officers only. No enlisted."

I witnessed several acts of heroism by my platoon members during that time that should have been recognized. All the officers received medals for actions during those firefights.

On June 22, 1970 after being pinned down for three days, my platoon killed two Chinese officers after a Cobra gunship landed two CS gas canisters on top of their bunker. Both were over 6 ft. tall and around 180-200 lbs.

[topduarte]

My dad had a few he told my brothers as a kid in the 80's.

I will ask him again next week when he is in town if he feels like talking about it.

[dustoffer]

I got none--but one of my buddies rescued two AF fighter jocks who got shot down and had to eject to the west. They searched the area, found the 'chutes, had to go back to the east to refuel, and came back and hoisted out the two zoomies.

[AtTheWall]

Nothing from The Nam but I have a few kill stories, dealing with flying drug smugglers and F16s over the Pacific abreast of the Central Americas, offshore over the Pacific. The On Scene Commander ordered us in CIC "Ya'll didn't see anything tonight!"

So we followed orders with a smile.

[coop]

I'll only say this.
After taking a picture of two prisoners being interrogated by a person from MACV and an RVN (no rank insignia), my camera was confiscated as well as all my pictures and film I had left at LZ Uplift.

[tex4k]

Don't recall to much about the stories but working in the oilfield in the late 70's there were always vets drifting through, most were good guys just working the wild out of their system, some would get to telling about what they'd seen and done and the change that would come over them was unnerving to say the least, we would all breathe a little easier when they moved on.

[Froggy]

Don't recall to much about the stories but working in the oilfield in the late 70's there were always vets drifting through, most were good guys just working the wild out of their system, some would get to telling about what they'd seen and done and the change that would come over them was unnerving to say the least, we would all breathe a little easier when they moved on.

You do realize most of us combat vets are liable to "NUT UP' any minute and take everybody with us. I'm still working on getting the wild out of my system.

[Gummi Bear]

Dad has lots of stories. He was a Ranger.

He had a dog that was trained to find booby traps when out on patrol, they made him kill his dog when his hitch was up; No taking the dog home.

He spent as much time in other countries as he did in Nam.

Some of his favorite stories to tell, were about the Australian forces that were fighting alongside him. They were all crazy, and had a bunch of fun when on leave.

He did two tours, and got out in either 71 or 72 (I can't remember)


I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately - Thoreau

[Texas Grown]

You just made me laugh Froggy~!

BTW, STG Charlie Lewie (my cuz) has a brain tumor. Found out this past Tuesday night. He moved back here a couple of weeks ago. His boss called us and told us he was having problems And his sis talked him into it till they figure out what was causing the problems. He's staying at the same assisted living center as his 93 yoa mother, my mother's SNL. Not sure what will be done next, if anything. He was B company, 503, 173rd

[BigL]

I had a 1st sergeant who was a tunnel rat. He wouldn't tell any stories though.

[okrattler]

I had a 1st sergeant who was a tunnel rat. He wouldn't tell any stories though.

There's a guy that lives about 13 miles from me that was a tunnel rat. He's got some pretty crazy stories. Nothing that isn't common knowledge though I guess. I asked my grandpa if he ever found any tunnels like that and if someone went down in them. He said they found a bunch and just threw a stick of dynamite in there. Whatever was in there,stayed in there.

[coop]

You just made me laugh Froggy~!

BTW, STG Charlie Lewie (my cuz) has a brain tumor. Found out this past Tuesday night. He moved back here a couple of weeks ago. His boss called us and told us he was having problems And his sis talked him into it till they figure out what was causing the problems. He's staying at the same assisted living center as his 93 yoa mother, my mother's SNL. Not sure what will be done next, if anything. He was B company, 503, 173rd

Man, you don't know how I hate to hear this. Dollar to a donut Agent Orange had something to do with it.
My company pulled strike force duty for A, B and C companies on Hill 875. I don't remember the battalion or regiment. A lot of good men with the 173rd.

JC

PS. I'd offer up a prayer but Hill 875 is where I became unsure about my religion.