Vietnam 1970-1971
Joined: May 2002
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From: Downeast
The OP has a friend that was a door gunner and he asked about some war stories.
Gary Wetzel was a Door Gunner on a Huey Helicopter and was assigned to the 173rd Assault Helicopter Company (The Robinhoods) based at Lai Khe in III Corps Military District a bit north of Saigon.
I will let the video tell his story.....as it is he who is telling it.
He exemplifies the kind of Soldier I was so honored to be allowed to serve with during those difficult times.
His unit was one of the Huey Companies in my Battalion.
Gary Wetzel was a Door Gunner on a Huey Helicopter and was assigned to the 173rd Assault Helicopter Company (The Robinhoods) based at Lai Khe in III Corps Military District a bit north of Saigon.
I will let the video tell his story.....as it is he who is telling it.
He exemplifies the kind of Soldier I was so honored to be allowed to serve with during those difficult times.
His unit was one of the Huey Companies in my Battalion.
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From: Belton, TX
The Shark guns of the 174th AHC took 6 Charlie-model Huey gunships into Laos as part of Lam Son 719. 4 were left in Laos. I'd post a link to the story but as a newby to the forum I can't post links yet.
Joined: May 2002
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From: Downeast
I believe the link that Shark 4 is referring to is this one. It takes you to the unit website and the story to which I think he is referring.
Take a wander through the entries at the web site....there be some real stories involving the Lam Son 719 operation that went into Laos.
Two Shark Teams Down
Take a wander through the entries at the web site....there be some real stories involving the Lam Son 719 operation that went into Laos.
Two Shark Teams Down
Last edited by SASless; 7th August 2019 at 04:27.
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From: Hobe Sound, Florida
SAS, thanks for the Gary Wetzel video. Our gunners were assigned from the 25th ID ( 65-66 ) and listening to Gary speak, I saw him speaking for all of the guys who were the Huey gunners, over all those years.
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From: Downeast
Note: "Danger Close- The Battle of Long Tan" opens in Cinemas in Oz tomorrow and I am reliably informed it will debut in the United States on November 8th.
I hope to be at one of the first showings.
It is interesting that date was chosen as that day holds special meaning to me.
Specialist Sixth Class Lawrence Joel, US Army....a Medic in the 173rd Airborne Brigade was awarded The Medal of Honor for his valorous conduct during a combat action on that date in 1965.
Lawrence was from my home town and later worked with our Veteran's Administration where he continued helping his fellow Soldiers.
We have named a Convention Center in his honor and every time commercial interests attempt to re-name it....the community turns out in force to prevent that from happening.
I hope to be at one of the first showings.
It is interesting that date was chosen as that day holds special meaning to me.
Specialist Sixth Class Lawrence Joel, US Army....a Medic in the 173rd Airborne Brigade was awarded The Medal of Honor for his valorous conduct during a combat action on that date in 1965.
Lawrence was from my home town and later worked with our Veteran's Administration where he continued helping his fellow Soldiers.
We have named a Convention Center in his honor and every time commercial interests attempt to re-name it....the community turns out in force to prevent that from happening.
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From: Gold Coast, Australia
Note: "Danger Close- The Battle of Long Tan" opens in Cinemas in Oz tomorrow and I am reliably informed it will debut in the United States on November 8th.
I hope to be at one of the first showings.
It is interesting that date was chosen as that day holds special meaning to me.
Specialist Sixth Class Lawrence Joel, US Army....a Medic in the 173rd Airborne Brigade was awarded The Medal of Honor for his valorous conduct during a combat action on that date in 1965.
Lawrence was from my home town and later worked with our Veteran's Administration where he continued helping his fellow Soldiers.
We have named a Convention Center in his honor and every time commercial interests attempt to re-name it....the community turns out in force to prevent that from happening.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozpdBvB0hek
I hope to be at one of the first showings.
It is interesting that date was chosen as that day holds special meaning to me.
Specialist Sixth Class Lawrence Joel, US Army....a Medic in the 173rd Airborne Brigade was awarded The Medal of Honor for his valorous conduct during a combat action on that date in 1965.
Lawrence was from my home town and later worked with our Veteran's Administration where he continued helping his fellow Soldiers.
We have named a Convention Center in his honor and every time commercial interests attempt to re-name it....the community turns out in force to prevent that from happening.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozpdBvB0hek
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: London/Atlanta
Originally Posted by [email protected]
Not so much a helicopter theme but requests for war stories about Vietnam so not surprising it has drifted somewhat
Hey Crab, I think we are all slightly guilty of thread drifts and as you do we all to seem to go with the flow.
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From: Downeast
Any other information would be helpful too....Unit, the years he was in country, base camp he was stationed at.....all that helps in sorting through sources looking for some coorrelations
Any other Pilot names too....or crewmen.....that might lead to someone that can help.
Any other Pilot names too....or crewmen.....that might lead to someone that can help.
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From: Aus
Any other information would be helpful too
Joined: May 2002
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From: Downeast
Outing a Walt is always good fun.....done the right way and in the right company.....and while the Walt is banging on about his heroics to the un-knowing.
Once ran across such a guy...wearing US Army Aviator Wings and bragging about being a Vietnam War Huey Pilot.
Engaged him in conversation in front of his admiring circle of friends....lead him on to talk all about the Huey to include its wonderful but very troublesome turbine powered APU unit that was inside the tailbone.
When he ragged on about that for a bit.....I explained quite clearly why I did not believe a word he was saying.
Two quick questions about what Flight School Class and his unit assignment in Vietnam and even the witnesses to the conversation grasped there was a problem when I pointed out the inaccuracies.
As I removed the Silver pin on wings from his jacket....I told him he should not ever wear them in public again and damn sure not in front of me or he had better grind all the sharp edges smooth as it lessens the pain when I or some other real Vietnam War Combat Pilot shoved them up his hind end.
Yes....out the Walt...but do it the right way.
In the United States there is a "Stolen Valor" law that allows criminal sanctions for those who falsely claim some "real" benefit due to their false claims...such as Housing Loans, Disability payments, Tax Exemptions but not just for the mere false claim to having been a Combat Veteran.
Once ran across such a guy...wearing US Army Aviator Wings and bragging about being a Vietnam War Huey Pilot.
Engaged him in conversation in front of his admiring circle of friends....lead him on to talk all about the Huey to include its wonderful but very troublesome turbine powered APU unit that was inside the tailbone.
When he ragged on about that for a bit.....I explained quite clearly why I did not believe a word he was saying.
Two quick questions about what Flight School Class and his unit assignment in Vietnam and even the witnesses to the conversation grasped there was a problem when I pointed out the inaccuracies.
As I removed the Silver pin on wings from his jacket....I told him he should not ever wear them in public again and damn sure not in front of me or he had better grind all the sharp edges smooth as it lessens the pain when I or some other real Vietnam War Combat Pilot shoved them up his hind end.
Yes....out the Walt...but do it the right way.
In the United States there is a "Stolen Valor" law that allows criminal sanctions for those who falsely claim some "real" benefit due to their false claims...such as Housing Loans, Disability payments, Tax Exemptions but not just for the mere false claim to having been a Combat Veteran.
The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 was signed by President Barack Obama on June 3, 2013. The Act makes it a federal crime to fraudulently claim to be a recipient of certain military decorations or medals in order to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefit.
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From: Over the Hill and far away
Off now to the first showing (stand fast all the pre-release invites to those who deserve)
https://youtu.be/_E0J11-rB7Q
https://youtu.be/_E0J11-rB7Q
Above a photo of the OZ line (161 Recce) at Nui Dat
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From: Canada