The Deadliest Pig of the Vietnam War

As night ushered in a hushed silence over Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, Petty Officer David Larsen sat nervously in a patrol boat as it cautiously made its way through the dense jungle along the perilous upper Saigon River. It was August 2, 1969, and the 21-year-old gunner’s mate was part of a team with a vital yet risky mission: to set up a two-boat waterborne guard post on the murky river and intercept hostile river traffic.

Also on board was a six-man ambush team charged with protecting the pair of patrol vessels from any land-based threats. As the fiberglass boats reached their position, they cut their engines and quietly glided toward the riverbank, where Larsen watched the six soldiers leap onto the shore and quickly disappear into the darkness of the trees, unsure what lurked among them.

Waiting with anxious anticipation, Larsen wiped beads of sweat from his brow. The tension was made even more unbearable by the suffocating humidity. Suddenly, the silence was shattered by a staccato volley of machine gun fire, swiftly followed by the thunderous boom of rockets exploding. Larsen had a bad feeling about this one. Moments later, his fears were confirmed when a distorted, panic-stricken voice came blaring over the radio: the ambush team had been seriously outnumbered and desperately needed help. The patrol crews were under strict orders to stay on their boats come what may, but he wasn’t about to let his buddies bite the dust on the jungle floor…

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As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Docs sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect. I do my best to keep it as visually accurate as possible. All content on Dark Docs is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas. -

[dennisud]

I'm glad you and other YouTubers are describing these Veterans Stories and letting us know of their heroism! From WW-II, Korea and Vietnam its imperative to get those stories before we lose more to old age! Thanks!

[mikepersico]

I served with Dave onboard USS RANGER (CVA-61) in fifth division and also in Vietnam in River Division 593 “IRON BUTTERFLY “. He was a great sailor and an outstanding person. I am proud to have been his friend!

[whiplash]

Respect to this brave, brave man. How fortunate we are to have such men.

[larryjohnson]

Now that is a teammate. People in the military understand exactly what he did. You cannot stand the thought of your fellow servicemen dyeing without you doing something about it. Thank You for your sacrifice and service sir. RIP, you earned it.

[BenjaminRowe-hcuo]

LEST WE FORGET, God bless all the veterans from the Vietnam War.They served in a troubled war and were treated terribly when they got home.All those people who disrespected the Vietnam Vets should be ashamed of themselves, Welcome home guys, God bless you all.LEST WE FORGET 🇺🇲🇦🇺🫡🎖️

[outlawjoseywales]

My dad was born and raised in Parsons Ks and served in WW2. The eastern Ks farm boys had a humble grit and love of country that is hard to describe. Most were very soft spoken but tough as nails! Respect to Petty Officer Larson!

[richpuzzo]

I was in the Mekong delta in 2005. I accompanied a friend who had served in the 101st airborne. I went with him so that he could finally bury the demons that had followed him home. He served in Vietnam in 1971-72. It was the best thing that could have happened to him. He had been a tank commander, and at one time was blown out of his tank, being badly wounded. He was patched up in a hospital in country and sent back out in a new tank 6 weeks later. He carried his wounds and was inevitably killed by his wounds. 30 years after the conflict had ended. He pased away 9 months adter we had got back. The changes in his life were obvious to his entire family. I considered it an honor to be his travel mate for such an important trip. I was 2 years too young to have served in Vietnam myself. The Mekong Delta is a very beautiful place. It wasn't during the war.

[megbreezy]

God Bless every one of these Heroes … who fought for our country.

[rirkc]

Now, these videos are so much better than the Vietnam movies in theaters, IMO. All true American heroes.

[frankaxiak]

Proud to say I served in the US Navy Riverine Force! Thank you Petty Officer Larsen for your unwavering service to our great country and Navy.

[butterfinger]

Rip Kenny Rankin.
Riv div 521. ..boat 617
Nov 16, 1969

[derekstocker]

Great account and thank you for showing the bravery of David and so very many in that conflict.
RIP Sir. Duty done.

[kensommers]

All these stories have one central theme, one man Can make a difference. 🤠👍🇭🇲

[SteveBrownRocks]

My cousin Wayne Anderson was on the USS Pueblo & was captured by the N. Koreans. When he finally returned, he told me about the treatment the crew & Captain Denton endured. It was bad.

[TM-yniu]

This appears to be another exceptional series which I hope to share with my father who served in that war. I have to figure how to make it simple on a weekly basis for him to watch. He's 93 and I'm a 1000 miles away....working on it

[robertmosher]

This guy has a Navy career that my dad mirrored or he mirrored my dads. Went to Vietnam on an Aircraft carrier, my dad on the Kittyhawk, then went to the special operations units we now call SWCC.
Though my dad has long passed away and I cannot remember which flotilla he was in.
Though I think was on a different type boat as he manned a double M2 on the front. He did some dismounted patrols searching for deserters in villages near the shore in the delta.

[jezsez]

I went to Vietnam recently. Now the war makes me incredibly sad.

[paulbellingham]

I’m reading a book about marine snipers now in Vietnam, can never get over the bravery

[rickleeofficial.Rope_fan]

Never leave your fellow brothers behind.

[albertstahl]

Can think of only one word, Respect !