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VIETNAM

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M

MTC

Member
I know there are some Nam Vets on here and need your help on this one.Eleven year old grandson came to me and said "Grandpa why did you lose the VietNam war".I was taught this in school he said.I know this war or conflick was not a popular war but when I came back with my arm blown half off after they spit on me when I got off the plane welcoming me home I didn't talk about Nam.And now this.I sure wonder sometimes.And now grandsons teacher makes me feel like a loser again.
 
Vietnam 7-65 to 3-66 1st inf Div, 18th inf bn. Came back whole. Yep big welcome home. Mom & Dad.
I had one guy bark at me. We met face to face and he was the whipped dog.

Tell your Grandson the truth, and tell him why the others thought it was so bad. He can see the same thing on TV today.
 
You guys didn't lose that war, the politicians back in Washington did. You won practically every battle and fought in some of the harshest conditions imaginable. You should all be proud of your service and so should we. The version of history taught today is significantly revised from when I was in school . I don't think they hardly even mention WWII anymore. I think you should tell him how it really was, he may not understand right now, but when he gets older he will and will be glad you took the time to tell him. If you guys don't tell your stories the real truth will be lost and all we will have will be the misinformation .
 
I was too young, but I do thank the ones who went.
I don t remember loosing I just remember quitting. The same thing is going to happen in Afghanistan.
 
There is a very good documentary (my former boss gave me). I cannot recall the name, but might be good for your grandson to see. Pretty graphic, and has actual footage taken there. I believe it was called Vietnam in HD....two disk set. My thanks for your service as well.
 
Navy,jet mechanic,1966-1970,we didn't lose that war,the politicians and the press did,our hands were tied from the start.The treatment we got from the american people was hard to stomach but mom and dad were there for me also.
 
Thanks for your service to our country MTC.
It must have been '69 or '70 when I was in the 5th grade. I recall my teacher saying the US had never lost a war. She went on to say we would lose that one but it wouldn't be the military's fault. She laid the blame squarely on the politicians and the restrictions they put on the military which put them in an unwinnable situation.
That night at supper I told my Dad, a WW2 vet, what the teacher said. He said my teacher was right. I asked why the politicians would do that. I don't remember his exact words but it went something like this... the politicians were cowards and were afraid of the news people. The politicians, news people and the protesters made him sick because of what they were doing to the courageous soldiers.
 
I was there on the USS Saratoga CVA 60 in 1972. I remember seeing the strike photos. With targets marked. That we were not allowed to bomb
 
Also I still see the people I killed. About three times a month when I try to sleep. I was 21 and had to make a choice.I wish I had never made that choice. But as I was told. It was them or me. But it still doesn't stop the nightmares.
 
MTC,

from a vet still on active duty I think that the hardships you and your generation endured have made the generally great treatment my generation has received each time we come home possible. I have had similar conversations with my son about current wars. Each time he asks I tell him war is much more complicated than winning or losing on the battlefield. I know he doesn't understand yet but someday he will.

thank you for your service

-paul
 
Like the others stated, you guys won the battles, the politicians lost the war. A significant part of that was us, the US trying to make sure the UN was successful as opposed to the League of Nations which failed so badly in the lead up to WWII. They wanted UN settlement so placed restrictions on the military to prevent it from winning outright. Then as more died and the news media turned against the war they cut funding for the war. So explain this to him. Let him know what you went through.

Rick
 
YOUR NOT ANY kind or type of loser. YOU CAME HOME!!!!!!YOU served your country!!!! Your country FAILED YOU!!!!!!

Just reading this make me SICK!!! The college campuses are full of former HIPPY types that are now in charge. They are changing what REALLY happened to make THEIR version seem correct.

I always wished I could have had a camera to show the American people what was really going on over there.

I wish everyone of these people could have been on the burial detail for a whole village, every single man, women and child. Killed because they would not help/join the North.

I have never had a single problem with the guys I killed. I have had nightmares of the women and kids I helped bury.

I would confront your Grand Son's teacher. Let him or her tell you to your face YOU lost the war!!!! I would bet that they will back track real fast on that one.

The news media, Hollywood types (especially Hanoi Jane), and cowardly politicians lost the war.

The fighting men and women won just about every single battle where we were allowed to truly fight.
 
Thanks for your service. I was to young for that, but have a good friend who likewise is a vet from nam. He came back in one piece, but hearing what he went through, I'm not so sure that was any better. He don't talk about it much, and mostly don't. I don't bring it up because it bothers him to talk about it. He has talked a couple times to me over all the years. Not going to elaberate, but he was one of very few remaining in his unit multiple times.
 
My Dad was there but didn't talk much about it. He did mention the greetings they got when they returned to the states. People spitting, yelling cuss words and obscene gestures etc. He was Army Intelligence as a Captain. I know he was in some pretty rough spots way up at the North side, DMZ and even across the line at times. I know he did some bad things and saw some bad stuff and that's probably why he didn't talk much and I never really asked. He was my Hero, and I was proud that he served when he did. BTW he wasn't drafted he volunteered.

I wished he spoke more about some of the things he did or endured and especially involving a few medals. He earned at least one purple heart which was not uncommon, and he earned a Bronze Star which unlike today they were not real common. He mentioned earning a few others which he never accepted.
 
Thank you for your service!
My youngest brother served in the army during the Vietnam war. He was over there with the 101st Airborne Division. Thank God he came back okay...minor shrapnel wound near his collar bone, healed rapidly.
I was an Air Force bomber mechanic/crew chief in the middle 1950's...no combat, but my airplane and crew became Strategic Air Command select combat ready and had a target in the USSR assigned, my aerial observer/bombadier showed me the radar image of it. He had to draw it freehand from memory with all the co-ordinates. The airplane armed with a nuclear weapon would have had to have 2 air refuelings to make it to the target from our base in Florida or one from the overseas bases in Morocco we went to on 100 day rotational deployments each year. There were several bases in, Turkey, North Africa, and Saudi Arabia where they could have returned to if they by some chance survived the mission....
The way this country of ours supported and treated the general military and especially the returning troops from Vietnam was despicable....The government and the general population should be totally ashamed and never let this happen again.
I have the utmost respect for any and all people who have honorably served in our armed forces...in peace and in war.
 
Thank you for your act of heroism in serving the country we live in! The people who re-write history and twist it around have to live with their conscience, if they have one. Too sad.
 
THANX for YOUR service ,, grandsons teacher ought to be horsewhipped on the public square along with their yuppi friends with l ib era l attitudes ,,. after ww2 , my dad got into it with a state policeman ,while changing a tire with only one good arm ,,the cop wanted him to hurry changing the tire , and pop told him if he was in that big of a hurry ,, the cop can change the tire while dad flagged the traffic ...
 
I was there 67-68 . Why did we loose the war ?? Ah the higher ups are the ones that LOST the war. And plus the fact that when you went out to take and objective when all the fighting was done and the BODY COUNT was done it was ok pick up your trash and lets go back to base camp . Then a couple weeks down the road lets go do this again same place . And if you happened to be stuck out on guard duty and ya started taking fire you had to call in and REQUEST permission to return fire , loved that one . I was in a vary small group and atleast we did not have to ask to return fire . And oh the great welcome home oh yea never forget that either . And now them same hippys are the ones running this country down the drain. Should be a written law that state you MUST HAVE SERVED in the armed forces to be in government.
 
You're a HERO in my mind!

I was very lucky to be just behind the "Vietnam War" graduating from high school in 1972 with a high draft number.
We did however lose one of our local Soldiers from our small town (500+/-) in about 1970 and another Vietnam Veteran about 5 years ago due to War related injuries.
Thank You!

Jim
Sons of the American Legion Squad 506 - Emden, Illinois
 
JD Seller-thanks for your comments.I agree with everything you said.I have seen first hand people going to school for years to avoid the draft,they got there big degree and now lead our colleges.That makes me sick.The Hanoi Janes are another example of people with big names having a hand in the 57,000 deaths that occured.I was with the 1st Cav. airborne and wear that patch on my hat every day.I was and am proud of that patch.I wrote this question because there are some people that understand and I truely appreciate you guys.Thanks
 
So to my brothers in arms I offer this as a Welcome Home from a fellow vet and others.

As to your grandson you answered the call of your country without exception - as the popular phase says "All gave some, some gave ALL"

Tell him you did what you were duty bound to do and serve your country when called I.E. in terms that make sense to those that have yet to experience loss.
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There are probably more unrecognized and unappreciated heros that served in the Viet Nam War than any other war. God Bless all you guys that served there and thank you for your service.
 
TET of 68 when every provincial capitol was attacked. We took them all back only to have CBS" Walter Cronkrite tells the American people that we were losing the war. That was about March of 68. We never lost any major battles. A couple of months after I got home I started wearing a patch in bars. VIETNAM if you haven"t been there "SHUT THE FLCK UP" I had no tolerance with some people telling me their logic of why we should not be in that war. Most of the people were concerned because their relatives were over there. One bad apple spoil the rest.
 
Thank you all for your service. Im 27, and havent served, but I am grateful for the guys that have, and are serving right now.
 
Thank you for your service. I wasn't old enough, as I was born in 1966. You have nothing to feel like a loser about. The teacher owes her freedom to you and the many others who fought. I am sorry that stupid people are allowed to teach.
 
Sorry you had to experience that kind of return home. Being an air craft mechanic while there, I never experienced some of the bad things some of you did. When I returned in 67 we landed at a naval air station in San Francisco where these scum bags couldn't go. In the late 60's we had the north on their knees by continued bombing of their cities. Then President Johnson stopped it. We would have won that war if we had continued bombing. Just my opinion. Stan
 
I'd say we "lost" the war because the leftists had 100% control of the media at that time and used it to convince the American people.

As already mentioned, Walter Cronkite and Jane Fonda being two of the worst offenders. Our current secretary of state as well. Never trust him.

This media influence was so persuasive that I don't believe most Americans realize the Tet Offensive resulted in a victory for our side.
 
Thanks to all that served, Vietnam was a political war that put you guys in harms way.It's terrible the country wasn't behind you all the way. I was a few years too young but know many that served and quite a few that still have health issues and nightmares ect. I think eleven is old enough to understand the truth if you sit down and talk, just have reference material, books,video to show your side of the argument. Could be a good bonding time with grandson, goods luck.
 
As others have said, you guys didn't lose the war at all. The politicians and activists, the communists and progressives in our gov't and press, they lost the war. You guys did yourselves proud and the shame is on those that did the spitting, not you. I'd be having a talk with the teacher, not that it will do any good. The war was a draw at best and is an example of why tying in with the UN is a mistake. Korea wasn't a clear win, VN wasn't, Somalia, etc. When we do it ourselves we can win if the pols stay out of it.

I was 2-3 years too young, and glad of it in retrospect.

Semper Fi, Cpl Bret USMC 79-83.
 
It wasn't just when they got home that guys were treated badly. We had an NCO club that would not let men of the 83rd Airborn come in and have a beer. Always stuck in my craw. We slept in a bed every night, had three hot meals, and a shower any time we wanted. These guys protected us, spent days in the bush, ate canned rations, yet alone getting shot at every day and couldn't come in for a beer? The club should have given them free beer.

I remember to having to call in for permission to fire if attacked to. Never had to. Thanks to all who protected us guys in the rear.

Larry
Vietnam July 68-July 69
 
First be sure this is what the teacher actually said, kids often misinterpret what is taught in school.
If the teacher made the comment be sure grandson is aware that teachers don't always have the facts correct and then give him your real life version of how you see we won the war.
 
They not only are leaders of colleges, they are present and past presidents as well as congressmen. I served and was there and feel very strong about what went on. Yes I was spit on too. So if you want to poof this go ahead and do it. Keith Molden U. S. Army SSG 1966 to March 1977
 
The anti war crowd in Congress cut off all funding to South Vietnam and the the US Military
operations in Vietnam and surrounding area.Set up one of the biggest slaughters of humans in history in Cambodia.Our allies in Iraq and Afghanistan should have read a little history about how we treat out help in such places now they are being slaughtered.
 
Question for you, your grandson and his teacher: What would it have meant to have "won" the war? Overthrow the North Vietnamese government and occupy all of Vietnam? China would not have stood still for that, nor was defeat of North Vietnam ever an objective. There was no declaration of war.

The stated objective was to prevent overthrow of the South Vietnamese government, which supposedly was the domino that would lead to a communist takeover of all southeast Asia. But that government was doomed to fall once the US departed. Should the US have stayed in Vietnam indefinitely?

You can tell your grandson that you did not question your government when you were called to serve, that you served honorably and paid dearly for your service. As have thousands of other servicemen during and since Vietnam. You can also mention that the two US presidents who were eligible to serve in Vietnam both deliberately avoided doing so.
 
Served in VietNam with the 1st Air Cav. in a rifle platoon. I always say the politicians and people like "Hanoi Jane" let our country down. Glad to see there are other veterans that feel that way too. I went to college after my discharge and was asked things like how many babies did you kill, etc. Wish those folks could have spent a day in the jungle.
 
My Dad always said that war was lost. Hed say, "We lost friends, comrades, brothers, uncles, and Dads, and more importantly respect. Some of us even lost our minds." (He suffered nightmares from Vietnam.)
 
In an interview shortly before his death General Giap stated to the effect, "You had us beat! We were done. Why do you think we came to the negotiating table? The American protesters is what saved us." That's not word for word, but it is close as I can remember.
 
holed your head high YOU GUYS DID NOT LOSE THAT WAR. our Government turned it's back on you just like it is doing now to all of us. STAND PROUD AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE
 
Marlow is right. YOU did not lose the war.

I always feel bad when I see a vet wearing a Nam cap. They were treated so unjustly when they returned.

Consider yourself hugged and thanked for your service.
 
We didn't lose the war but large corporations made fortunes from it. Was told that sand bags cost .35 each and I filled thousands of them. Another thing I learned two new trades over there- filling sand bags and burning sheet. Will never forget the smell of diesel fuel and turds. 101st Airborne, Camp Eagle 69-70
 
Hey tractor vet, I was there in 1966.We were
getting fired at from a supposedly friendly village.The captain knew he had to get permission to fire back, but after 5 of my friends getting wounded, the captain said. F-CK THEM , and we opened up on them.I think we killed about 10 of them. Come to find out the village was all viet cong, we found no friendly forces.We did not loose the war, the government did.
 
Mike's wife here....I just need to share that I am married to my Hero, and our children and grandchildren feel the same way. We will continue to educated them with the truth-with or with out some of the miss informed teachers out there. To all of you posting that are also Nam vets, thank you so much for your service, and WELCOME HOME! To My Dear Mike, you are far from a loser, you are a winner in everyway. Love you more than words can ever say...
 
I did two of them and the lesson I learned was nobody ever wins but the big corporations. I do count myself lucky to have made it home both times and I will forever cherish the camaraderie I experienced.

I will always stand in awe of our Vietnam veterans. I learned to fly helicopters from these guys and they served as my leaders early on in my career and my community.

As far as I'm concerned you men didn't lose a war. You were asked to do a dirty, unspeakable job and you went above and beyond. You and your brothers and sisters in arms have earned a profound place of respect and admiration doing something most politicians wouldn't have sent their children to do.

Chalk this one up to the fact that if you have to try and explain it, they won't get it anyway.

May the Lord always bless you and yours.

Andy
 
Thank you to all who have served at any point in time. Vietnam magazine has had(at least in 2011 through 2014 issues) many interviews with both sides of the conflict. As many of you suspect or know, our politicians, some reporters, and a few celebrities share a lot of blame for imposing rules of engagement that cost a lot of US troops lives. A traitor in the South Vietnamese administration was credited in the book S.O.G. for telegraphing a summary of all US missions (which was required by political agreement and rules of engagement) directly to the N. Vietnamese.
 
I agree. I was on the USS Coral Sea CVA-43 from 1970-1975. There were several targets in Cambodia and close to the Chinese boarder that our pilots were not allowed to bomb. It wasn't until we mined Haiphong Harbor in 1972 cutting off Russian supply ships did peace talks started to get serious. My ship alone dropped over one million tons of bombs in a nine month West-Pack Cruise. North Vietnam looked like a moon-scape.
 
MTC, and any others that served or serve now. THANK YOU. You did me a great service even though now and then we wonder why we are doing what we are doing. Hopefully the greater purpose prevails even though we may not know what that is. GOD BLESS YA'LL
Kent.
 
We never lost the war. We were told to go...we went. We never lost a battle...ever! We were told to come home...we did.
I spent 3 tours over there...
We did as our government told us...just as soldiers do today.
I feel strongly the soldiers today will be treated the same way with this government we have today.
 
I thank you and everyone else all who served for your service.

Unless your last name is Macnamera, Westmoreland (spellings?), or you were a general, it really wasn't your war to win or loose. That (civil ?, proxy ?) war, was about (to reunite the country or stay divided after the country was divided in 1945 ?). It started (ten to twenty ?) years before the US got involved. It continued for another (two ?) years after the US forces withdrew. That war ended in (1975 ?) when (people lost confidence in the South's government ?) and (the North walked into Saigon with almost no opposition ?). You were one of (4 million ?) US troops who served during the war, and you did your duty. That's nothing to feel bad about, it is what it is. It's now a part of our history that shaped this country.

Maybe help your grandson with his homework questions, you might fell better about it all after that too.
 
beautiful and wonderful,, hope all of us get to make it to heaven some day ,, after we have endured this messed up life in the world
 
Not a Nam viet but from the cold war. I would go along with unless your named McNamara or Westmoreland it is not your fault. I would also throw in the names Abrams, Zumwalt, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Cliford, Kissenger and others. You may want to check with the 11 year olds teacher about what was really said in the class. In my humble experience 11 year olds statements can be somewhat unreliable. Not sure why a 11 year old would even be studying the Vietnam war, or how the teacher even knew what you did there, or that you were even there, espically if you don't talk about it. Anyway, I am all for abolishing K-12 public education, public funding anyway.
 
Our politicians rarely do the right thing for all veterans. Thank you for your service
Jason, US Navy Vet AM3 2003-2007, USS Abraham Lincoln.
 
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