I was at Clark AB Philippines when the POWs flew out of Hanoi; I was a POL troop then. I had the honor of being one of the refuelers who serviced the first POW C141 to come in.
I was there for most of the arrivals an we were just in awe a the all the POWs coming down the plane in big smiles!! Howwondweful and pricless Freedom i!! Mi husband swrved as color guard for the navy and alwats ready ti come back at moments notice whay ever tine at any time!
I WENT OVER TO NAM 10 YRS AFTER THE WAR FOUND THOUSANDS OF POWS SORTING OUT RAINBOW COLORED U.S AMPUTTATED CORPES FROM HAWAII. I SINGLE HANDED FLEW OUT A FEW THOUSAND BACK TO THE U.S THEN MADE A DEAL TO WORK RELEASE THEM THROUGH RUSSIA AFTER SPINING TIME IN AFGHANASTAN. THE LAST 65,000 OF THEM WHERE RELEASE TO OTHER COUNTRIES OF CHOICE.
@Bdendfender It was just a question. I wasn't knocking them for anything and have a lot of respect for those who went over and did what they did. I just wondered why the wrong hand...
I was in the USAF when the POW's were released. It was great to see these guys come home. They had endured years of horrible treatment by the North Vietnamese.
@comp5d5 You have to be kidding! I saw that and thought something completely different. His right arm was injured either when has plane was shot down or by the North Vietnamese while he was a POW. These guys should always be honored. Shame on you for even saying something so trivial.
You're right, but so is Wilford Hall. At that time it was the premiere hospital in the Air Force. I believe that some of the POWs with injuries were sent on to Lackland/Wilford Hall but they wouldn't have landed at Lackland, no runway. More likely Kelly AFB, next door. Also, they would have most likely used a C-9 Nightingale to transport them there (DC9, civilian designation) and not a C-141A. BTW I was a POL troop stationed at Clark AB when all of this happened.
@houma12345 Thanks for the information. I am trying to find footage of the arrival of the first ones at Lackland AFB in California,.i believe it was in February but not certain. I know it was filmed and shown on the evening news and it showed my husband in the footage. Anyone know where I might find this footage? Would appreciate any help.
I thought Clark AB first, but nothing matches up- I was there. If memory serves, after the POWs were given physicals and a little rest at Clark, they were flown on to Travis. I'd Like to know wherre this footage was taken as well.
where is that America?the country of bravery,generosity ,of the greatness and dreams .I really wonder if it will ever come back or if it lost forever.
I was at Clark AB Philippines when the POWs flew out of Hanoi; I was a POL troop then. I had the honor of being one of the refuelers who serviced the first POW C141 to come in.
uncleezra1 1 month ago
Check out the Video's and Slide Shows at the VMA 225 You Tube Channel on the tour of the Western Pacific and Viet Nam 1964-1965.
VMA225 1 month ago
bittersweet.this was back when we still had an airforce too,.
philduffer 7 months ago
I was there for most of the arrivals an we were just in awe a the all the POWs coming down the plane in big smiles!! Howwondweful and pricless Freedom i!! Mi husband swrved as color guard for the navy and alwats ready ti come back at moments notice whay ever tine at any time!
coraquin520 7 months ago
I WENT OVER TO NAM 10 YRS AFTER THE WAR FOUND THOUSANDS OF POWS SORTING OUT RAINBOW COLORED U.S AMPUTTATED CORPES FROM HAWAII. I SINGLE HANDED FLEW OUT A FEW THOUSAND BACK TO THE U.S THEN MADE A DEAL TO WORK RELEASE THEM THROUGH RUSSIA AFTER SPINING TIME IN AFGHANASTAN. THE LAST 65,000 OF THEM WHERE RELEASE TO OTHER COUNTRIES OF CHOICE.
inspectorcritic 8 months ago
@Bdendfender It was just a question. I wasn't knocking them for anything and have a lot of respect for those who went over and did what they did. I just wondered why the wrong hand...
comp5d5 10 months ago
I was in the USAF when the POW's were released. It was great to see these guys come home. They had endured years of horrible treatment by the North Vietnamese.
Bbendfender 10 months ago
@kerojis, what? The man saluted with the wrong hand... a salute is initiated with the right hand...
comp5d5 11 months ago
@comp5d5 You have to be kidding! I saw that and thought something completely different. His right arm was injured either when has plane was shot down or by the North Vietnamese while he was a POW. These guys should always be honored. Shame on you for even saying something so trivial.
Bbendfender 10 months ago
What's up with the guy saluting the flag at 0:51 with the wrong hand?
comp5d5 11 months ago
@comp5d5 he think they will greet him.
kerojis 11 months ago
@comp5d5 What military branch did you serve in? Can't you see that his other arms injured?
indieboy26 1 month ago
@indieboy26 No you can't see that... I served in the Army... YOU?
comp5d5 1 month ago
@comp5d5 USMC '66-'70
indieboy26 1 month ago
Uhhh Unless I`m missing something, Lackland is in San Antonio Texas.... It`s the basic airman trainee base for the military. Hope this helps.
Kharkovkid 1 year ago
@Kharkovkid
You're right, but so is Wilford Hall. At that time it was the premiere hospital in the Air Force. I believe that some of the POWs with injuries were sent on to Lackland/Wilford Hall but they wouldn't have landed at Lackland, no runway. More likely Kelly AFB, next door. Also, they would have most likely used a C-9 Nightingale to transport them there (DC9, civilian designation) and not a C-141A. BTW I was a POL troop stationed at Clark AB when all of this happened.
uncleezra1 1 month ago
Vietnam war was a fucking nightmare!
inspektura43 1 year ago
@inspektura43
Buddy, all war is a fucking nightmare. Ask someone who's been in one.
uncleezra1 1 month ago
Seeing them smiling and trying to march is so joyful it nearly made me cry.
Jacko459 1 year ago
Can you tell me where this was filmed at? Was this at Lackland?
gravefindr 1 year ago
@gravefindr Clark AFB, Philippines
houma12345 1 year ago
@houma12345 Thanks for the information. I am trying to find footage of the arrival of the first ones at Lackland AFB in California,.i believe it was in February but not certain. I know it was filmed and shown on the evening news and it showed my husband in the footage. Anyone know where I might find this footage? Would appreciate any help.
gravefindr 1 year ago
@gravefindr
I thought Clark AB first, but nothing matches up- I was there. If memory serves, after the POWs were given physicals and a little rest at Clark, they were flown on to Travis. I'd Like to know wherre this footage was taken as well.
uncleezra1 1 month ago
What a wonderful day for those men!!
blowupuate13 1 year ago
where is that America?the country of bravery,generosity ,of the greatness and dreams .I really wonder if it will ever come back or if it lost forever.
philipaviator 1 year ago
Very moving...thanks for posting this.
dontbuythiscrap 2 years ago