Vietnam Voices: 'You're alert all the time. If you're not alert, you're going to die'

Comments · 2.6K

• JO

  @johnburrows1179 · 5 years ago

  I volunteered on my 18th birthday, January 8, 1968. A few weeks later TET happened. I left high school and went to basic in March. Infantry. I hated school. Was in country 14 months. I got home and put Vietnam in my rear view mirror. I gotta be honest, other than flashes of memories or pics, I cannot remember details like these guys can. It wasn’t until about 5-6 years ago watching YouTube that I even really started to try to remember things. There is never a day that goes by that I don’t think of it, but God help me I can’t remember the details some of these guys can. Now that I’m in my 70s, I watch these and little pieces come back. To this day I miss my friends my brothers. I’ve never had any friends in civilian life that even came close. Someday we will all be together again I hope. In my head I’m still 18, but when I look in the mirror there’s an old guy looking back. Where did all the years go

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• MA

  @Mark-te1yp · 5 years ago

  Richard used to be my boss in 1980 at the State of Ohio.<br> &nbsp;A class act, humble and a hero.

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• DO

  @doublehelix8330 · 4 years ago

  My Dad turn 18 and 21 in combat. I&apos;ve never known a more shattered man. He battle hand &amp; foot rot, ice pick headaches, horrifying PTS and was our hero. He never complained about his service and he never recovered, we lost him to cancer the end of 2018 me and my siblings were devastated. The time we did have with him was difficult and then he was gone. RIP TMS until we meet again.

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• CE

  @cecilcook2452 · 4 years ago

  I am a Vietnam veteran, two tours of duty, 1968-69 and 71-72. I was artillery, 155s ,north of Hue. Did my duty to the best of my ability, no regrets.

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• PE

  @petedube9367 · 6 years ago

  I spent 5 years in Vietnam 65, 70 . I have listened to a lot of soldiers stories from Vietnam . This soldier was telling a very realistic story of his experiences . He never fabricated a anything , like some soldiers did to make themselves look good or make a political statement . Thank you Sgt for your service &nbsp;and for being very honest .

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• BA

  @barbaraamoroso2228 · 5 years ago (edited)

  My late husband was a Vietnam vet. &nbsp;Army medic. &nbsp;Was 17 when he went to Vietnam. &nbsp;Almost every night he would have nightmares and holler out. &nbsp;He really didn’t open up and talk about his experiences till the last few years of his life. &nbsp;He told me when he first got to nam he &nbsp;tried to get to know the men he was assigned with, he said many didn’t really want to talk very much. &nbsp;He said after the first 6 months of being in combat he learned why. &nbsp;Every new guy that showed up did what he had when he first got there, but the kill rate was so extreme that it was pointless to get to know anyone, even their names because most didn’t live long enough to get to know. &nbsp; He soon stopped talking as well. &nbsp;He had a photograph of himself and four other army buddies sitting on a beach, really dark sand. He told me that he was the only one in that photo that came home alive, &nbsp;he also was sent to Germany to train on tanks. He caused so much hell over there taking off riding around the countryside in that tank, that they sent him home! &nbsp; He did everything he could to piss off the powers that be. &nbsp;Keeping in mind he was a rebel to start out with, a surfer from Miami. &nbsp;When he got home he chose to stay mostly secluded in the woods. &nbsp;He was actually a really tough man. &nbsp;Always taking on the hardest jobs to push himself. &nbsp;Might sound crazy, but I have always been proud of my Rob for being a Vietnam Vet. &nbsp;Those men are cut from a different cloth. &nbsp;He wasn’t going to let anything control his life ever again. &nbsp;Real ass to most people, but he loved me and made sure I knew it every day. &nbsp;God bless each and every Vet, without you we would not be here. &nbsp;Very grateful for these interviews, very important to NEVER forget what Veterans sacrifice for us every day.

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• JJ

  @jj-nh8lz · 5 years ago

  From E1 to E5 in one year and never &nbsp;ambushed while he was walking point. &nbsp;He served with true distinction. &nbsp;Amazing to think how much this gentleman must have changed and aged in only 12 months time.

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• TH

  @theKGB65 · 4 years ago

  Mr. Tangel&apos;s calm demeanor and interesting words held my interest throughout this entire interview. &nbsp;Wish there were more folks like him. &nbsp;Utmost respect for the man.

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• RO

  @royhoco5748 · 4 years ago

  &quot;your&apos;re alert all the time&quot; and 50 yrs later I am still alert all the time.

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• SC

  @scoldedcat · 6 years ago

  A very pragmatic guy who still has a sense of humour. You&apos;d sure want him on your side.

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• PR

  @priscillaratti4041 · 2 years ago

  My husband died in Vietnam in December 1968. I’m crying just thinking about that time of my life and all the others fighting and their families waiting. God bless us all.

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• JO

  @josephmachado1534 · 5 years ago

  This interview with Richard Tangel is, hands down, one of the best narration of his experiences in Vietnam I have ever heard. &nbsp;He speaks truth without exaggeration about his military experience. &nbsp;I was there in 1966/1967 and can relate to everything he talks about. &nbsp;He survived the war because he is a thoughtful, clear-thinking man and tells his personal story with humility. &nbsp;I saved this video because I want to listen to his story again. &nbsp;I recommend anyone interested in knowing what it was like to be an 11B (Rifleman) in Vietnam listen carefully to what he says and how he tells his story without bitterness and with gentle humor. &nbsp;Thankyou my brother and welcome home!

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