Jackal69
Well-Known Member
A world of hero's that never wanted the title
Anyone else here with PTSD?
- Thread starter CarpeNocturnum
- Start date
Big_Lou
Well-Known Member
Mine did, but only when he was with his friends - my 'uncles' - and they were into the drinks, stogies, etc. Of course I wasn't supposed to be hanging around when they'd get together, but I'd occasionally find (invent) a reason to slip into the kitchen. One night I heard something that I wish I hadn't, kind of disturbed me at that age....something about being in a nest with a Browning and "mowing 'em down"....
Dad was a B-52 guy & did BDA (bomb damage assessment) from the plane cam's, on scene photographers & personal inspection of bombed sites.
Mom told me what she knew & it sure didn't sound pretty - makes what I went through a cake walk.
Dad was in Da Nang (Rocket city) in 67 - we found his journal he kept while in country after he passed.
He made a special effort to write how much he loved and missed us daily as you could tell he figured the next one had his name on it.
He made a special effort to write how much he loved and missed us daily as you could tell he figured the next one had his name on it.
Olive Drab Green
Well-Known Member
My Pap was a Gunner's Mate on the Swift Boats. I don't remember where, but I believe he did a few tours. Made E-7, busted back down to E-6. He saw some shit. I often wonder what he'd think of me today. He killed himself when I was about 2 years old.
doublejj
Well-Known Member
I can answer that....much respect
whitebb2727
Well-Known Member
whitebb2727
Well-Known Member
DJJ nailed it.
I served under a Mustang O-7 (many years later) that was hit by friendly fire that sank his boat.
CGC Point Welcome - he was the XO at that time, made CO that day unfortunately.
"Point Welcome was about three-quarters of a mile south of the 17th parallel, in the limits of the DMZ,[20] when she was attacked in the pre-dawn hours of 11 August 1966 by three aircraft of the U.S. Air Force while on patrol in the waters near the mouth of the Cua Viet River.[21] Her commanding officer, LTJG David Brostrom, along with one crewman, EN2 Jerry Phillips, were killed in this friendly fire incident. The ship's executive officer, LTJG Ross Bell was severely wounded leaving Chief Boatswain's Mate Richard Patterson in charge with several of the crew injured.[25] A South Vietnamese liaison officer, LTJG Do Viet Vien, and civilian freelance journalist Timothy J. Page, were aboard during the incident[26]
Patterson saved the cutter and the surviving crew at great risk to himself. He was awarded a Bronze Star with the combat "V" device for his actions that were described in his award citation:[27]
The first attack caused a blazing gasoline fire on the fantail of the cutter that threatened to engulf the entire after section of the vessel. Chief Patterson, displaying the finest qualities of bravery and leadership, took charge of the situation and using a fire hose, forced the flaming liquid over the side, thus extinguishing the fire. Even as he was accomplishing this task, he saw the second aircraft attack rip through the pilot house killing the cutter's commanding officer and seriously wounding the executive officer and the helmsman. Unhesitatingly, and with complete disregard for his personal safety, Chief Patterson climbed to the bridge and took command. He ordered the crew to carry the wounded to the comparative safety of the below decks area. Alone on the bridge, he then maneuvered the cutter at high speed to avoid subsequent attacks. When it became apparent that he could not successfully evade the attacking aircraft, he ran the cutter close ashore, and directed the crew to abandon ship. Under his composed leadership, the wounded were wrapped in life jackets and paired with the able bodied before going over the side. Chief Patterson kept his crew calm and organized while they were in the water and until they were picked up by rescue craft."
It was my great pleasure to serve under Capt. Bell.
He was a man's man & stood by his word (And knew a 54 man crew aboard our ship by our first names as well as our wives & kids!).
To hell & back if he asked!
Olive Drab Green
Well-Known Member
I appreciate it, Gentlemen. And thank you guys and Captain Bell for your service.
NaturalFarmer
Well-Known Member
Big_Lou
Well-Known Member
Right away reminded me of one of the records they'd play:Mortars were a nightmare......literally.....every night.
....and that was when you weren't outside the wire.
(Cabinet stereo in the den, record players in several bedrooms; so much vinyl.)
Big_Lou
Well-Known Member
No wonder - it's nihilistic and dread-soaked. Not a fan of the song nor the band.
doublejj
Well-Known Member
I repatriated this beauty from a dead VC while on a damage assessment mission in 1970. I turned over a dead woman & she had this.....
dargd1
Well-Known Member
manufacture date for that serial number is 1945. Nice condition.
CarpeNocturnum
Well-Known Member
How's the recoil on that beauty?