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Exclusive: Vietnam Veterans Tell Their Side of the Story
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Inside The Vietnam War premieres Monday, February 18 at 8p et/pt only on the Nat Geo Channel.
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46 Comments
These are amazing stories, thank you for sharing.God Bless the USA!
How can I say thank you for doing this story. The men and women of Vietnam need to know that there country were and are proud of them. My husband served with the 101st 2/506 during 1969-70 as a young men and in the last few years we have been involed with The Ripcord Associatio and because of them and this story my husband can hold his head up high and be proud of what he did and who he is today. God Bless all of you and God bless the USA. Thank you 101st 2/506 for bring my husband home.
Just watched the show, and for the most part it was extremely well done. However, at the end a veteran claimed he was "spit on and called a baby killer at the San Francisco Airport". That apocryphal tale has been circulating for decades, and its veracity is dubious at best. Did anyone check out this man's story? In any case, presenting it as a factual occurrence insults both our veterans and the millions of good, patriotic Americans who opposed the war.
Thank you national geographic for an incredible tv program last night. I was up for hours thinking about the war and how little i knew - truly a moving piece. will it be available on dvd?
Thank you for showing Americans what it was REALLY like for our husbands, fathers, brothers, uncles,wives, mothers, sisters, aunts and friends to fight in The Vietnam War. Bringing this war to life was extreemly emotional and powerful and heartfelt.
Now, The Battle of Ripcord needs to be reported and fully detailed in the same fashion. We NEED to know and SHOULD know all about this battle and about our BOYS who fought.
National Geographic, can we look forward to another fantastic presentation, hence, The Battle of Ripcord?
Better than most (thanks to the inclusion of veteran's stories), but still a fatally flawed presentation.
How could you not mention the fact that there was a nation-wide election in RVN right after Tet that had the effect of ratifying the Saigon government? How could you make the statement that President Ford "did nothing" regarding the 1975 North Vietnamese peace treaty violation and invasion of the south when in fact he asked the Democrat controlled Congress for authority to help the south and was flatly told "no"? Why do you even mention My Lai, a one-off aberration by American troops, and barely mention the well documented north vietnamese/viet cong atrocities that went well beyond the Hue massacre?
On the plus side, although I've read widely about the war, I was not aware of the extent to which the US Congress cut off aid to the south in 1974, effectively inviting the north to back track on the peace deal.
Thank you!
I watched this program last evening and I’m glad HGC presented it. It was riveting. It is a story that many citizens never heard about. Just when you thought you'd heard everything you would ever want to know about America's hapless descent into the Vietnam quagmire, National Geographic presents us a documentary to boggle your mind with revelations of ineptness, duplicity, and arrogance amongst the senior-most officials of the United States. President Lyndon Johnson and Defense Secretary Robert McNamara were not only cynically leading America into the Vietnam War, but they tried to escape responsibility by distorting the historical record with half-truths, misstatements, and outright lies.
You might argue that we've heard all this before, but as this show progressed, it becomes apparent that the president and his principal advisers believed that the ends justified any means -- even persistent betrayal of public trust. God bless the Veterans who fought these battles and for those who never made it home.
Thank you to all the Veterans of this war.
Shows like this, remind us that during war, heroes are made, each and every day.
Thank you for serving our country. We are happy to have you back home.
This riveting Vietnam war documentary,presented by National Geographic kept me spellbound for 3 hours and brought back many memories of what our generation endured, especially the brave and dedicated men that were torn away from loving families to set foot in very unfamiliar and hostile terriority. Thank you for keeping the memory fresh, we should never forget for one moment what they all endured to help keep all of us safe. Time will never lessen the pain and the memories that these men hold. These men are our angels.
National Geo., Inside Vietnam, I saw your program on Inside Vietnam and commend you and your staff.
Most of all I wish to Thank each and every Brother who were there serving their country and my heart goes out to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. These men and women deserve nothing but respect and I believe it has come around the circle that we finally understand their point of view. And should receive the ultimate reward of Respect and Admiration.
Great Great show National Geographic has once again positioned themselves to be one of the few that is reviewed with honesty.
My respect goes out to all the branches of service men and women deserving the same admiration as our Fathers and Granfathers before them.
They were not only fighting North Vietnam, but China, Korea, Russia and other insurgents.
Everything should of been done by the Power to be to achieve nothing short of Victory.
Mickey Moretti
February 19, 2008
Thank you for the effort NG put into the Inside Vietnam special. It's clarity of picture and audio consistency impressively supported the courageous filming and detail from several perspectives of this unfortunate world experience. I do not recall filming depiction as seemingly complete and detailed of the carnage of this war so vividly brought back to mind for me who served as a young officer leading a platoon of the 101st Airmobile in I Corps below the DMZ. This was important for me and I appreciate the NG Channel's commitment.
This was a great show. My brother is a survivor of Fire Base Ripcord. I would like to hear more about the last great fire fight of the war and why it was covered up for so long. My brother served with 101st 2/506 and is a member of the Ripcord Association. He also helped with the book on Fire Base Ripcord. I look forward to hearing more about these brave men and women. I am very proud of my brother for his service. Thank you.
It saddens me that the mood of country against our soldiers of Vietnam has been reduced to "" a rather dubious story" which needs to be checked out. "While our men were fighting in Vietnam , many as draftees and many as volunteers all doing a wonderful job of supporting our country the liberal establishment was protesting at home. It hurt then and it hurts now. I was 20 years old and proud of my service to our country when I returned to go to school . It was at Pasadena City College in 1971 that I was spit on and called a baby killer. These were common occurences at the schools.I was taken aback at the mood of the country and crawled into the PTSD hole. Today I am 100 % VA disabled and the VA has done a great job in helping our vets. I was wounded on FSB Ripcord and was with the 2/501 101 ABN. We need to welcome todays vets back with open arms. I was just a kid and they are just kids, but we grew up real fast defending our country. God Bless America DMM
Thank you for the stories and to all MY Vietnam Vets, THANK YOU and WELCOME HOME! I'm the son of an Army helicopter pilot that served in the same unit as Jim Fulbrook (Rattlers/Firebirds"). Dad served in '65-'66. May God bless all Vietnam Vets and especially the Army helicopter pilots and crews. Army Aviation, ABOVE THE BEST!
The program was well worth watching. For once a program that didn't make the troops look like idiots or criminals. We needed to hear the truth: The government who didn't explain the necessity of combat and the long-shot objective well enough; the elitist pentagon; the lack of support at home; the biased media; and a beyond vicious and callous enemy all seemed to converge to turn every victory into a massive defeat.
God bless all who fought in combat there. Veterans do not need to watch this program--it is very graphic and depressing. The rest of us DO need to watch this in order to better understand the veterans and serve them. They deserve more than our pity and regret for the way they were treated back then and even now. Their pain will never go away. They did their very best.
A special thanks to troops from New Zealand, Australia, Korea, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines for the help that they gave the USA in Vietnam, also. Their loyalty and help should always be remembered.
WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST ALL TO READ " THE BETRAYAL " BY WILLIAM R. CORSON....
LEARN ABOUT "THE OTHER WAR" IN VIETNAM.... TODAY'S SUCCESS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE BRILLIANCE OF LT. COL CORSON AND HIS SUBORDINATES; ALL THOSE MARINES WHO SERVED VALIANTLY IN CAP UNITS THROUGH-OUT SOUTH VIETNAM... SEMPER FI
Thanks To National Geographic for showing and telling the truth. GOD Bless you all. The world should know the truth. I was at some fire bases in 1969 lost lots of friends.
I know some that was killed at Fire Base ripcord one was Lt Bob Kalsu he was pro-Football player with Bills he was with my Battery of 2nd/11th arty 155 toe after I left Vietnam he took over at Fire base ripcord as there commander he was killed but I had heard him say he was asked why he had come he could have got out of coming he said he was no better than any else.
Some one else who took over after he died is my friend he was 80% disabled when he left.
I am proud of all them that served.
There has been to much lies told about what happen. We Fired on Hamburger Hill. 101 all the way. I am glad we gave some of the Vietnamese people freedom they got out .VVAW and all them that lied they are free you can never change that or take there freedom away. Glenn Scarborough. Hull,GA
FINALLY!
On March 3rd at 4 PM EST National Geographic is again airing Day Under Fire: Vietnam War.
It's one of the most compelling stories of a Vietnam War battle that has ever been aired in the US!
I was extremely moved by this show.
American TV needs more programming like this!
As a child, all I remembered of Vietnam were the protest and something about the DMZ on the nightly news with Cronkite or Mudd. This show truly helped me understand from a military perspective what actually happened and WHY America was so enraged. Thank you for that!
It would be great if something similar could be done to cover "the Korean War" of which my dad was a veteran. All he ever said about Korea was it was cold. I learned more about it from his military buddies at his funeral than I ever learned from him.
Miss Ann McDermott there was no excuse for America to be enraged you seen the things that was never shown on news cast.
The Police Chief who shot the young man it was not what it seamed it was because this young man just killed the Chiefs brother raped his wife daughter then killed his son also. This thugs used the war to do ant thing they wanted.
More of the Vietnamese people than any American because it was like they said they wanted to scare the people in to turning against us.
The Vietnamese have been using drugs for long time they all are hook because they raise Pot now Ho Ci Min had big pipe he used for Opium.
Just this past year can have Bible but can not worship. The VC Sappers was high on pot when they hit us you could smell it all over them.
Glenn Scarborough,Hull,GA
Show was great. Would like to see more on Battle of Ripcord. Why is so little known about this battle
Such an interesting program - I add my request to have it on DVD so it can be shown to those who missed it.
As a veteran of Operation Texas Star and the battle of FSB Ripcord I must commend
National Geographic on a brilliant documentary, one of the best I have ever seen. To the statement that was made in this blog questioning about some of our veterans being spit on and called baby killers after returning, this indeed did happen, it's not, "urban legend", it's fact.
I attended college shortly after my service, I did not mention to anyone that I was a Vietnam veteran, it was not vogue at the time.
As a member of the Ripcord Associaton, to me, the battle was not covered in depth as it should have been.
Other that that, kudo's to NG. Superb.
As a Vietnam combat vet, I received news of this program too late to see it. My combat group spoke of it the next evening and thought highly of the program.
It is perhaps a little early to ask, but I would like to know when the next viewing is, or, if not that, when the DVD will be coming out.
Thank you,
Manuel Serrano, Kilo, 3/7-1, 67-68
I got halfway through your documentary of Vietnam and turned it off, not wishing to view such graphic images again.
To all my Nam brothers,
Welcome Home!
P Hayes, USMC
HMM-361, 65-66
Helicopter gunner
I also missed seeing this wonderful put together documentary by NG. Hopefully it will be released on DVD for purchase
To all NAM Veterans
"Welcome Home"
Michael B.
Delta Company 3/8th
4th Infantry Division
October 1968-October 1969
When will it be shown again? I hope soon. Glenn
This is the first attempt I have ever seen to present a comprehensive and balanced account of the war without the typical media bias slanted against our own country. God bless those many young men who fought and died and never lost control of the country or the jungle. We, who were there have always known this, but it has taken a long time for a truthful account to be aired in public. My hat is off to the makers of this film.
Hey, critics, lighten up a little - covering ten years in three hours is not easy. Let's give them credit for a job well done. My Lai happened. To have left it out would have been seen as another whitewash, and would have shown bias. Haven't we seen 35 years of bias?
I watched this show twice and thought for the most part it was quite well done. I was very disappointed that the portion dealing with Firebase Ripcord only dealt with the last third of the battle.
It's a disservice to those who fought, were wounded and most especially died during the first battle on Ripcord on March 12, and in the area of operations around Ripcord from that date through the end of July.
Go to the Ripcord Website and look at the whole story.
Tim Joliet
1st Lt
1st platoon,
Alpha Co
2/506th
Currahee!
Two days ago, I had a veteran of Vietnam tell me when he was traveling home [in uniform] and flying through O'Hare airport in Chicago, a woman came up to him and asked him if he had been in Vietnam. When he answered, "Yes, ma'am," she struck him. I don't believe this to be Urban Legend since the story was told to me by the veteran himself who remembers the incident from 41 years ago.
Yesterday, I attended an event to discuss planning a Minnesota event [for 2009] to honor military veterans that served in Vietnam, and to convey to them "Welcome Home" and " Thank You" for service to their country.
Our collective behavior in decades past did not adequately convey this to the veterans that came home alive, and we are now trying to be better late than never.
I was processed out of the Army as soon as I hit the West Coast then headed to the airport to catch a flight back to Chicago. At the airport, I started talking with another just-returned Vet who, like me, was older than most and had a wife and child waiting in Chicago. We had hours before our flight so walked to a snack bar in the airport to get a bite to eat.
We weren't spat on or called baby-killers but they would not wait on us even though the place was mostly empty. We were not loud, had not been drinking, just wanted something to eat and drink while we waited for our flight back to our families. Eventually, we just got up and left. That was our 'welcome home' and, at least for me, taught me that being a Vietnam Vet was something better kept hidden. In time that changed but I'll never forget that night in the airport.
Upon return from Viet Nam in 1971 a few of the fellows I was with "ditched" their Class A uniforms in the Dallas airport bathroom and changed into civilian clothes.
I stayed in mine and was treated very well by everyone I came in contact with.
I was with the C-2/501 the battle goes back Dec. 1969, we could hear and see the trucks bringing in supplies at night during moonsoon rain, leading up to it there was many battles, Granite, Gladiator, in and around Ripcord area of operation. The classified documents are the ones that should be viewed.
I want to know when this documentary will air again in National Geographic Channel. I did not know that until recently. Please let me know and when it will be in DVD. Thank you very much.
wasnt the gulf of tonkin a friendly fire operation? i thought everyone knew that. when was this documentary made? one sentence for the entire reason to going to "war" seems a little light. why is the assassination of kennedy so glossed over? it seems to me, natgeo is becoming more and more blinded by towing the company line.
Ken Tucker - I am sickened by your comments calling into question the validity of the veteran's statements! Your flippant statement only reaffirms how out of touch you are with reality and your lack of respect for those in uniform. I am a son of a Vietnam veteran and I can tell you for a fact that MY father was spit on and called a baby killer. These men are heroes (and while you might feel that way too) you add insult to injury by questioning them on such an unfortunate part of our history. It is also unfortunate that some of your "patriotic Americans that oppose the war" walk that fine line of repeating that part of our history again.
...then again, maybe it is just what your college professors have taught you.
To the Vietnam vets - thank you for your service, you have the silent majority's utmost respect and gratitude!
give me a break natgeo... not to belittle or discredit those who served/serve, but if you think the U.S. was in Vietnam to fight communism you probably think we're in Iraq to find WMD's... where was george w. during fsb ripcord?
give me a break natgeo... not to belittle or discredit those who served/serve, but if you think the U.S. was in Vietnam to fight communism you probably think we're in Iraq to fight "terror"... where was george w. during fsb ripcord?
give me a break natgeo... not to belittle or discredit those who served/serve, but if you think the U.S. was in Vietnam to fight communism you probably think we're in Iraq to fight "terror"... where was george w. during fsb ripcord?
When I was dischared I ended up at an air base in CA. I was instructed to remove my uniform and put on street clothes.
I found most of the "kids" who opposed the war didn't know why, they were just following the crowd.
I thought this piece was great and told the story. The VC were very cruel as shown in the film. I saw what they did.
We were winning the war!
Chief "Gunner" Stanley was right when he spoke of the Mobile Riverine Force. We took casualties, but we never lost a battle. When we were ambushed, we stayed and slug it out until the VC were killed or escaped.
We were called "baby killers" when we got home. I was. I was so happy to be home though, I didn't care.
The show was really great. I hope it does become a DVD we can purchase!
Smite,
Saying something three times doesn't make it true.
We WERE in Vietnam to fight communism. That is historical fact. You may not like it, but it is.
Why do liberals have to circle everything around to a Bush bashing rant?
Yes Terry, it was true we were fighting commusism back then. Those were the times. The press, again, distorted the war by showing body bags. Hell man, it's war. If I wasn't too damm old I'd go back in and help the young fellows!
Calling guys "baby" killers was true It was terrible but my wife helped me. I cannot go look at the wall, shame.
sorry, didn't mean to repeat-post (this board doesn't seem to update right away so wasn't sure if my comment was getting thru...)
Terry, you can try to compartmentalize me away as a "liberal" but what I am is an AMERICAN who will not
accept being lied to or manipulated. Truman's
betrayal of Vietnamese independence post-WWII, the
Diem government's blocking of free elections (backed
and encouraged by the U.S.), the "distortion" of the Gulf of Tonkin incident... all historical facts. The truth is that U.S. involvement in Vietnam was more about the loss of colonial Indochinese resources than about fighting back a "communist threat". And not to bore you with what has almost become cliche (though no less meaningful), but what freedom could the U.S. hope to provide when at home something like racism/Jim Crow/etc. was tolerated, even accepted by most? Blind patriotism and ignorance serves no one. True strength lies in an ability to face reality and
build from there.
I only mention Bush because there is a correlation between his presidency's Iraq war and the Vietnam
War. Someone else's son or daughter possibly sent to
die under the guise of "freedom" or "independence" or "terror" or "WMDs" or whatever... Sgt. 1st Class
George Stanciel was killed four days ago... Freedom
or oil?
Veteran's Day 2008 - I was in Vietnam with the Americal Division 1968-69 and this fantastic movie was the first I have watched in 40 years. It inspired me to research my path and it has been a healing process. Thanks so much
Chuck Porter, S-4, Americal Division Signal Battalion
To Ken Tucker, your post of Feb. 2008. -- you doubt Vietnam vets were spat on? My husband, who was wounded in Vietnam during Operation Texas Star, returned home in 1970, with a short layover in Alaska for refueling. He was so happy to be back in the USA. In the airport, still in his uniform, he had a group of people get around him, spit on him and yes, they called him a baby killer. A college professor (MPC, Monterey, CA) also called him a baby killer. To this day, he remembers the feeling of betrayal. You think it didn't happen? YES, it did! People, no matter your position on the war, PLEASE, when you see our vets coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan, tell them "Welcome Home".
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