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

Terrence Bucklew was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Initially trained in communications, Bucklew accepted many different assignments on his lengthy deployment to Vietnam - from field wireman to door gunner to running night ambushes.

Bucklew offers his raw history of service in Vietnam, including how he woke up inside a body bag and his frustrations with the rules of engagement, which Bucklew says prevented a decisive U.S. victory.

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[JeremiahPTTN]

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

[mimilights]

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.

[sandranatali]

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!

[bctloaded]

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

[davemc]

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.

[rudydedogg]

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?

[danpatterson]

"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.

[dancrafton]

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.

[georgestephens]

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”.

[farrongodwin]

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

[jamesbecker]

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

[BMF]

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.

[mikelittle]

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.

[charlesbawden]

Thank you for your service. Never forgotten. Always appreciated.

[Waynemann]

I served from 81-87 and live in awe of men like this. Thank you SGT for all you did. You did your best and may you find comfort and peace knowing some gave all. Know there are Americans that appreciate and respect your service. Welcome home and God bless you. Respect

[Grequierecafe]

I escaped going to Vietnam for blessed medical reasons. This man makes me want cry for so many reasons. When I was 19, I wanted to go to Nam. My mother begged me to go
to school instead. When I was 23, I was drafted and swore they’d never get me over there. Health made it so I didn’t have to go anyway. —-This soldier’s last point is so profoundly true for so many theaters of war, and for a lot of other “campaigns”—in the broadest sense. I salute the people that went because they had to and the people that volunteered AND the people that went because they didn’t know what the hell else to do.

[arlenevandeveer]

A real hero, like all the men fighting for us. Thank you Sir and God Bless

[DirtyShwa]

I'm so happy so many Vietnam veterans are coming forward now and sharing their stories with us. We missed so many interesting stories from WWI, WWII and Korean war veterans. I'm so happy that the few surviving WWII veterans are also sharing their stories. Makes me wonder if I'll have any military stories to share some day.

[gregw.]

As an Iraq, Afghanistan veteran, being in Mortuary Affairs, I have never watched a video so deep, touching, well spoken, and being able to see what you described in my mind. This poor man will never forget it.