2006-06-19 18:39:51 · 3 answers · asked by chieftombo 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
A lot different than Iraq.
Though Iraq has an issue with IED's we had an issue with the North Vietnamese Army and booby traps. There were IED's as well, sometimes detonated by 12 year olds.
The NVA were good fighters and would never ambush you unless their forces far exceeded ours! They don't cut and Run like the Iraqi army.
We spent a lot more time in the field than the do in Iraq and Rainy seasons were hell. You could not get dry!
As far as combat, well this is what Hack said!
"You know what really galls me? How those that seem to yell loudest for war have never seen one. They've never seen a buddy disappear from the waist up after a shell hit, then see his legs stand there for a moment before falling over. They never saw a friend all psyched up about going home tomorrow after finishing his tour get hit in the belly with shrapnel, see his guts spill out, then watch him try to gather up his intestines lying in the dirt.
"They never saw what napalm does do a little girl's skin. They never saw a 19-year-old from Iowa screaming and writhing on the ground because a mine blew his legs off. They never saw a man take a bullet through the brain, then watch his body flop around on the ground for a minute or so because it doesn't realize he's dead. They never put pieces of someone into a bag, not knowing who it was until you read the tags, because there wasn't any face left to go along with the other parts. They haven't seen the **** I've seen, and they want to do it all over again. Those bastards!
"But what really makes me mad is how those who should know better seem to have forgotten. All those vets in Congress, POW's even, who know what I'm talking about, but will go along with the calls for war because it's politically expedient. Don't they remember? Do they really want another generation of kids to experience that ****? Have they gotten so accustomed to the trappings of power that people are just pawns, tools, mere things to be manipulated for their own ends? DO THEY KNOW WHAT THE **** THEY'RE DOING?
2006-06-19 19:07:02 · answer #1 · answered by cantcu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cantcu U said it all. However, as a foreign national soldier attached to and serving along side them I also witnessed the many, many acts of gallantry and sacrifice of US military personnel. Being a Brit with jungle war experience I was there in the initial days to advise, help, train and whatever.
It didn't take long to realize the cailbre of the men I was allegedly there to help, train and advise. Their acts of courage, heroism and endurance were beyond belief & didn't need anything from us. Only our profound admiration and respect.
That the Vietnam war was doomed to failure was apparant to the many serving there at a very early stage. For some reason the US decorated me for distinguished service. However, the British Gov't continually denied me the right of wearing US medals and ribbons.
Long, long afterwards I had occassion to meet many of the men I had served with. Why I was asked was I not wearing my US medals. When I explained the reasons the indignation was all too apparant & swiftly remedied. Yes, Vietnam Vets who turned politicians are the worst offenders & easily forget the horrors of the Vietnam war. Perhaps the trappings of power do cover the fog of war and the memories and scares it leaves in participents.
To us however, more agonizing is being denied the right to wear what was awarded. We were not american nationals or soldiers, we didn't volunteer, we were ordered to go. Why then should our government refuse us the honour of wearing what was so graciously awarded by the US.
I also owe my life to certain US military men. If that day they hadn't stopped and done what they did, myself & a few others wouldn't be around today
2006-06-20 07:56:45 · answer #2 · answered by Hollis 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hell and then some.
2006-06-20 01:42:58 · answer #3 · answered by jennifersuem 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋