U.S. Army Sergeant Recalls Harrowing Combat in Vietnam and Near-Death Experience | Terrence Bucklew

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As an Afghan vet your final comments hit me to the core of my soul.

As the wife of a Viet Nam Vet with severe PTSD, among other health issues, I only know what I have seen from him for the past 41 years. I salute you and honor your bravery. I will always love and support you and all men and women with the armed forces. God bless your continued journey. But more importantly…Thank you.

His job was well done even if it wasn't finished. He deserves all the respect in the world.

I feel the hurt that lies deep within this man. I think the hurt is that he fought alongside so many that lost their lives! For what? To lose a war, they weren't allowed to win. Thank you, Sir!

I'm a Vietnam veteran and I feel like you do. Our politicians lost that war not us. They wouldn't let us do what we needed to. Then pulled out and didn't back them when the North didn't stop fighting. It was almost 50 years before I heard a Thank You for your service. Thanks to all our Veterans for their service. God bless all of you that have served our country.

This interview is by far one of the best on Vietnam combat I’ve seen. So honest, calm, and thoughtful. He is such a brave and fine individual. Thank you.

Well over a million of us served in Vietnam and each of us has memories that will remain with us for the rest of our lives. When asked what his service meant to him I felt his words were coming from my mouth. Later, when we left Iraq so abruptly, I had a knot in my gut just as I had when we fled Vietnam but the debacle in Afghanistan was soul crushing. So many young, proud and capable Americans sacrificed themselves in so many ways and for what?

As a Vietnam veteran, I can relate. Many times we were restricted by the rules of engagement. I blame McNamara and Johnson for the way they directed the “war”.

"Didn't finish the job" Son of a bitch but that hurts. I think he spoke for all the men in service; I am so sorry for what you all went through and the barriers that were intentionally put in your way. My eternal thanks.

Imagine waking up in pain, inside a body bag, abandoned in the middle of the night and not knowing what was going on. If that was the ONLY thing I experienced, I'd have nightmares for the rest of my life.

As a combat wounded Afghanistan vet, I feel his pain... : (

I was a Marine platoon commander in Vietnam 1968-69. I can confirm at least in my experience that many of the rules of engagement were pretty much crazy. To avoid civilian casualties while on patrol or a sweep, no round in the chamber and no magazine in the M-16. We were not to return fire unless we could positively identify the target as an enemy (note to self: The Viet Cong wore civilian clothes). There were many other nonsense rules such as it was a court martial offense if didn't wear a helmet and flak jacket, which on a night patrol or ambush could make a lot of noise with thing banging against them. Did we follow all of those rules? No. My platoon had magazines in their rifles and a round in the chamber and there were times when I sent Marines on nighttime patrols with floppy hats and no flak jackets at their decision. I think lawyers make the rules of engagement, who ever they were, they were never in real combat And agree with this vet. The only way to win a war is to commit overwhelming combat power aggressively to break the enemy's will to fight as quickly as possible. In stead of a war of attrition in Vietnam, we should have invaded North Vietnam and have been dune with it. Heavy casualties in the short term. Vietnam was ten years of fighting and we lost 68,000 men and women killed all for nothing. In April 1975, I participated in the evacuation of Saigon as a Marine company commander. It was salt in the wound to have to be a part of the surrender to the North Vietnamese.

What an Honor for this man to mention Afghanistan with so much love and support. Politicians lose wars, not the soldiers

This man laid it on the line with his service and his commentary. It was real and heartfelt. No one could ask anymore of him.

This Man wanted to win and Risked his life He is a True Patriot. Thank You Sir God Bless You.

This country owes you a debt of gratitude, a true hero you are! 😭

Every time I see these heroes interviewed it makes me think about the state our country is in and how absolutely UNGRATEFUL people are. Makes me angry.

As an Iraq veteran I feel the same way. We left and allowed everyone who trusted us enough to help us be slaughtered by ISIS. We left our weapons there to be used by the enemy to undo any good we had accomplished. Nobody cares. Afganistan, the same thing only maybe even worse because we left some of our people there to find their own way home and allowed the Taliban to dictate our withdrawal, the how and the when. Disgraful and frankly, embarrassing.

That part at the end was brutal. To give that much of yourself, to lose your friends, and have it be ultimately for nothing. And to watch it happen again to a new generation.