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View Full Version : Vietnam exfil under heavy contact


Melchett01
20th May 2016, 23:35
I'm not normally one for posting stuff from social media, but I think I'll make an exception this evening. We've all heard various combat RT footage over the years, whether it be bomber crews in WW2 or Tonka crews being locked up by SAMs. This is similar, but different. It's from Vietnam and concerns 2 Huey drivers going by the name of Waldo and Pigpen and it frankly deserves more of an airing.

On 30 Mar 69, 125 US ground forces were surrounded by 2000 enemy forces ivo Plei Trap Valley. They had been told to escape and evade as it was too hot for aviation to mount an exfil. Nobody told Waldo and Pigpen that. Apparently they all got out just before the area was over run.

I've sat in many briefings over the years where bosses have got very excited about single round small arms SAFIREs. I think they'd have had kittens over this one. But if anything, to me at any rate, it shows one thing. Once the inter-service rivalry and banter is out of the way, we really are all in it together.

http://http://worldwarwings.com/the-most-badass-vietnam-helo-coms-youll-ever-hear-incredible-rescue?a=mk&var=pinups-viet-coms (http://worldwarwings.com/the-most-badass-vietnam-helo-coms-youll-ever-hear-incredible-rescue?a=mk&var=pinups-viet-coms)

Basil
21st May 2016, 09:11
Considering the circumstances, they sounded very cool.

Impressive.

barnstormer1968
21st May 2016, 10:35
Very cool headed indeed, but surely inter service rivalry wouldn't apply here as all involved would be U.S. Army.

bcgallacher
21st May 2016, 11:53
Some years back I received recurrent 747 maintenance training at a school in Charlotte North Carolina run by an ex Vietnam Huey pilot by the name of Waldo - his surname was Pepper! At first I thought he was taking the piss but that was actually his name.

Union Jack
21st May 2016, 15:42
Some years back I received recurrent 747 maintenance training at a school in Charlotte North Carolina run by an ex Vietnam Huey pilot by the name of Waldo - his surname was Pepper! - BCG

Lokks like AVMATT, and Silver Spur President's Corner (http://northwestvets.com/spurs/prez.htm) may also be of interest together with https://www.reddit.com/r/CombatFootage/comments/3ul9mn/this_is_pigpen_i_was_a_combat_helicopter_pilot_in/ :ok:

Jack