NEW VIDEOS

David Samuels

---

The 135th AHC flew a lot of missions in support of many different units in the Mekong Delta, both US and South Vietnamese. Pilot David Samuels recalls that there were Korean Marines and one British mercenary, as well. It was dangerous work since their helicopters were constructed entirely of lightweight materials and were susceptible to damage from even small arms fire. (6:24)

---

It was an experimental unit, combining US Army pilots and Australian Navy pilots in an assault helicopter company. Huey pilot David Samuels remembers the Aussies as good pilots and big drinkers who had their beer delivered monthly on pallets. There was also marijuana around and he was astounded at who might be indulging. (4:06)

---

Gunship pilot David Samuels was on a gun run when unanticipated fire from off to the side knocked out his engine. He got the Huey down without crashing and he and the crew took the radios and guns and hustled to cover. That began a long wait for rescue. (2:41)

---

Every night there were gunships on alert in case they were needed. Pilot David Samuels got a call from a ground unit that was under siege from a much larger force of VC and were just about overrun. The weather was too bad to fly but he and his crew agreed to go. Three times, they slogged through the rain and returned to refuel and re-arm and the enemy was chased back into Cambodia. The commander of the rescued unit made sure he was recognized for saving his hide. (10:36)

---

Huey pilot David Samuels opines that, considering the way Vietnam turned out, maybe we should pick and choose which wars to get into with a little more wisdom. (2:43)

Bill Gessner

---

After an idyllic youth growing up fishing, swimming and boating, Bill Gessner had a rude awakening when his first job out of high school was in a hot, miserable factory. A few weeks of that and he began talking to a Navy recruiter. At eighteen, he signed up and was singled out for his test scores and it was suggested he be either a Yeoman or a Corpsman. (6:04)

---

Bill Gessner was at the advanced level of Navy Corpsman training when the reality of Vietnam hit home. Leave was cut short and orders were cut for him to join the Fleet. There was a huge need for replacement Corpsmen in the expanding war. He got lucky and served a Mediterranean tour first, which gave him a chance to train hard with a Marine unit. This may have saved his life later. (4:07)

---

Before Navy Corpsman Bill Gessner was attached to the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, they already had the nickname, The Walking Dead, based on their high casualty rate. When he arrived at the unit, an artillery barrage was just beginning. Welcome to Vietnam. (3:23)

---

The terrain was eerie, old banana plantations with encroaching jungle. Navy Corpsman Bill Gessner was on a sweep near the DMZ and had no action on this operation. It was his next patrol that turned into a full blown firefight during a VC ambush. A slick outflanking maneuver took care of that. (4:52)

---

He didn't hold onto a lot of names from way back then, but Bill Gessner did serve in Vietnam with a few men who made an indelible impression on him, both Corpsmen and Marines. (5:04)