Vietnam Vet’s Terrible Nightmares and PTSD #vietnamwar

Jack Moe arrived in Vietnam in June of 1967 and operated as a crew chief/door gunner on Huey helicopter with the “Red Knights” of the 114th Aviation Company. Moe survived numerous mortar attacks during the Tet Offensive, intense ground support missions, and hundreds of troop transport operations during his tour. He returned to the United States in 1968.

[jonniccum]

My dad was a Vietnam vet. He used to have “scream dreams” we called them where he was shouting stuff like “Over! Over! Do you read?! Over!” And “Get down!!!” and thrashing around. He would yelp and cry in his sleep. It was terrible for a kid to watch their father go through that and not have a clue why. Dad never spoke about Vietnam, except a few funny stories about his buddies. Never any combat stuff. He didn’t have the bad dreams often, but I remember it happening on several occasions.
The first time they broadcast “Apocalypse Now” on television in the 80s, he watched it without saying a word, went to bed, then had the worst “scream dream” ever. My mom couldn’t wake him, and blood was coming out of his mouth. Turned out he had a seizure and bit his tongue almost completely through. Spent a few days in the hospital. Don’t remember him having any “scream dreams” after that.
RIP David Niccum. You are sorely missed.

[thomasgumersell]

Vietnam was truly a hellish place to be. Thank you for your service. I hope and pray your doing better as time goes on. 💪🏻🙏🏻✨

[SonOfNone]

My Vietnam Veteran foster dad was similar to this. He had horrible PTSD that left him screaming every other night; sometimes he'd wake up combative toward any living thing nearby [including my foster mom, Debbie]. We were instructed to never approach him from behind or make sudden noises.

I felt and still feel bad for what he must have gone through, and yet, he still felt capable of raising 5 foster boys at once. And his wife was as loyal as anything or anyone. I miss you Jim and Debbie. I'll never forget all you sacrificed for me and my foster brothers.

Thank you all who have sacrificed for this great country. You deserve more than anyone can give.

[lnpslvb]

I’d shake your hand if I could. Thank you. For everything

[zackaryatkins]

My grandfather was a well known State Trooper in his state, but hardly anyone knew his service past, and how his home life was, being a member of MACV-SOG the things he saw and went through haunted him with crippling PTSD that often lead to breakdowns during his time home especially at night.. He often saw Ghosts of his team members who died in his arms still screaming for his help, or a common flashback was being overrun by VC and in hand to hand combat.. My great grandmother kept trying to get my grandmother to leave him because she would swear he was going to kill everyone in a flashback...and his ptsd put such a strain on their relationship he eventually wouldn't sleep in the same bed as her because of fear something would happen, but she refused to leave and often was able to get him back to reality..I imagine if she left he would have ended himself.. That cursed war and the effects it left on the men and their families is not talked about enough...

[spettit]

My wife is vietnamese and we live in saigon. However, she and her family are all from Nam Dinh and some of her uncles were in the northern army. One of her uncles used to have dreams of helicopters flying over and bullets raining through his house killing all of his family, except him. Then he had to collect all the body pieces for burial and he'd sleep walk around the house moving furniture around and crying. PTSD goes both ways on the battlefield.

[mr.gabriel]

I grew up with my father's ptsd. Then went and got my own. Now we sit and laugh at ourselves at the apple not falling far enough away. God bless!

[susettesantiago]

My father fought in Korea…..he would have terrible nightmares and scream………my mother was always there for him……he passed away at 93 years old….mom at his side……it’s sad to hear these stories……bless you ❤❤❤

[tysonwalberg]

My brother volunteered to the Army in 1965 he was 17 1/2 years old. He went to Viet Nam and was a helicopter gunner and later trained and became a "Green Beret" - he was trained to assassinate. I did not see him for over 7 years - he took two tours of Viet Nam. When he got out he tried to become a police officer but was told he was "too short." He tried working as the manager of a plant and worked and became a top salesman with my Dad. But he was not happy. His wife left him because he was different after returning from Viet Nam and said she found him in the middle of the night crawling around the house in full camoflage with a knife between his teeth looking for Viet Cong. After that he joined a motor cycle gang in central Modesto, Ca and became the President of that club. Later he joined after being a prospect the Hell's Angels where he was the treasurer of the club in Redding, Ca. He remained in the club until his death in 2017. He suffered from exposure to Agent Orange in Viet Nam and died of lung and liver cancer. The Army never gave him any compensation they just put his case off for years and "lost" his documents more than once until he just died and they were off the hook. We lost a lot of kids from our highschool in Viet Nam. A war that gained nothing. My brother fathered 4 sons and was married 6-7 times all ending in divorce. I wonder how his life would have been had there been no Viet Nam war.

[ponygirlusa]

That's heartbreaking. When you most needed comfort and a woman who would support you, she failed you. I am so sorry.

You are appreciated more than you'll ever know, American son.
I love you and am grateful for your service.
Welcome home, American son. 💪❤️🙏🇺🇲

[Lee-koyf]

And the government could care less, these men and women should be taken care of for what they did and went through

[Nlife]

We don’t do enough for our veterans. The pain and anguish they carry for life is wild.

[moosespeak]

My father was a Vietnam vet, Airborne Ranger and he was a rock growing up. His PTSD would come out later in my life in my teens where he fought 6 cops before they could arrest him. I remember one time when a thunderstorm.blew up out of no where and he had a full blown flashback, he slumped himself into a corner with this Stern look on his face and had a thousand yard stare that would look through you. Later in life he'd keep a case of dollar store shower curtains in his bathroom as the water getting to hot and all the steam would trigger him and he'd rip the shower curtains down and come flying out running to the sliding glass door that he'd open and get air becuz he was hyperventilating. Loud noises would upset him. I miss my father, Agent Orange linked Diabetes took him in the end sadly. He was able to fight VA for 3 years and enjoy 100% disability for a year before he pasted away.

[jackcapone]

I also have had terrible nightmares. After Vietnam I dated one woman who I told a VERY limited amount of info about my combat experiences. She said what kind of an animal are you.? I never made that mistake again. I never talk about war to anyone, man or woman. Vets need to realize that talking to non-combat vets or civilians is never in our best interest.

[bobdixon]

I'm so glad you're here and ok. And I'm happy for all of those good days you have! Thank you brother for who you are. The fact that you chose to be a nurse says so much too! The flag belongs to you and your brother's especially 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[sigxmthumb]

I feel so sorry for this man my grandfather had his wife to help him through his trauma from Vietnam and he had no one I just want to hug this man an give him my biggest apology

[glenosborne]

God bless you sir. I watched it when my Dad came home. Id give you a hug if I could. You all deserve better.

[gnome]

You guys were amazing soldiers at a young age. Total respect for you and our fallen

[michaelsly]

These stories are so appreciated. It's important for people to know about the true horrors of war vs the romanticizing and glorifying. Thank you!

[markkpardue]

Welcome Home Soldier! So sorry for the Hell you've been through!