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David Samuels

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

David Strickler

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His experience in construction work determined his path in the Marines. David Strickler started running a crane when he was fourteen years old and he could operate most any heavy machinery. He joined a newly formed engineer battalion and shipped out for the Pacific. (This interview made possible with the support of RICHARD G. MCDANOLDS.) (5:01)

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Combat engineer David Strickler went into Guadalcanal with the Marines after dodging Japanese air attacks offshore. He describes the planes coming in and a near miss from a dive bomber. (This interview made possible with the support of RICHARD G. MCDANOLDS.) (5:51)

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While on Guadalcanal, David Strickler had to contend with a lone Japanese plane that would come over in the middle of the night and attack the Marine bivouacs. One night while investigating the damage, he made a grisly discovery. (This interview made possible with the support of RICHARD G. MCDANOLDS.) (2:34)

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While constructing a runway on Guadalcanal, combat engineer David Strickler had to dodge rounds from a Japanese artillery piece mounted on rails. It would emerge from a cave up in the high ground and rain shells down below. (This interview made possible with the support of RICHARD G. MCDANOLDS.) (5:32)

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After Guadalcanal was secured, combat engineer David Strickland and his unit were sent to New Zealand to recuperate and refurbish their equipment. He suffered a sprained ankle while working on a bulldozer but at least he avoided the malaria that hit so many others. (This interview made possible with the support of RICHARD G. MCDANOLDS.) (4:23)