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1 00:03:39,759 00:03:42,035 103.6 WPTZ. 103.6 WPTZ.
2 00:03:42,059 00:03:43,935 All news, radio, traffic, sports All news, radio, traffic, sports
3 00:03:43,959 00:03:46,568 and weather together on the 8s. and weather together on the 8s.
4 00:03:46,592 00:03:48,335 In the district, there's a pileup In the district, there's a pileup
5 00:03:48,359 00:03:50,002 on Constitution... on Constitution...
6 00:03:50,026 00:03:51,735 Yes, hi. Dr. Landon's office, please. Yes, hi. Dr. Landon's office, please.
7 00:03:51,759 00:03:53,601 This thing's cheap. This thing's cheap.
8 00:03:53,625 00:03:55,026 - This is terrible. - Uh, hello? - This is terrible. - Uh, hello?
9 00:03:55,359 00:03:58,568 Hi, it's Tara Huffman and I have an 8:15 amnio scheduled Hi, it's Tara Huffman and I have an 8:15 amnio scheduled
10 00:03:58,592 00:04:00,302 and we are totally stuck on Constitution. and we are totally stuck on Constitution.
11 00:04:00,326 00:04:02,102 I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry.
12 00:04:02,126 00:04:03,735 Can you hang on a second? Can you hang on a second?
13 00:04:03,759 00:04:06,668 Hello? Hi, Celia. I'm on the other line. Hello? Hi, Celia. I'm on the other line.
14 00:04:06,692 00:04:08,992 - Wait. Celia? - Okay, all right. - Wait. Celia? - Okay, all right.
15 00:04:09,259 00:04:10,725 - Quickly, quickly. - Thank you. - Quickly, quickly. - Thank you.
16 00:04:13,059 00:04:14,126 Hey, what's up? Hey, what's up?
17 00:04:15,359 00:04:16,935 What? What?
18 00:04:16,959 00:04:17,959 Why? Why?
19 00:04:19,059 00:04:21,525 I'm gonna call you back. Just meet me downstairs, okay? I'm gonna call you back. Just meet me downstairs, okay?
20 00:04:24,592 00:04:25,792 Peter just fucking quit. Peter just fucking quit.
21 00:04:26,226 00:04:27,525 You owe me a quarter. You owe me a quarter.
22 00:04:28,759 00:04:31,068 - What happened? Why? - I... I don't know. - What happened? Why? - I... I don't know.
23 00:04:31,092 00:04:32,292 I don't know what happened. I don't know what happened.
24 00:04:32,959 00:04:34,601 Okay, there's a metro station two blocks away. Okay, there's a metro station two blocks away.
25 00:04:34,625 00:04:35,625 Why don't you take it? Why don't you take it?
26 00:04:36,625 00:04:37,725 You sure? You sure?
27 00:04:38,925 00:04:40,835 - Yeah, yeah. - I'm sorry. - Yeah, yeah. - I'm sorry.
28 00:04:40,859 00:04:42,692 - It's okay. - Thank you. - It's okay. - Thank you.
29 00:04:44,259 00:04:45,202 All right, buddy. All right, buddy.
30 00:04:45,226 00:04:46,825 Take care of your mom, okay? Take care of your mom, okay?
31 00:04:50,359 00:04:52,601 All right, good luck. I'll call you later. All right, good luck. I'll call you later.
32 00:04:52,625 00:04:53,568 Okay. It's gonna be okay. Okay. It's gonna be okay.
33 00:04:53,592 00:04:54,825 - All right. - Bye. - All right. - Bye.
34 00:05:19,359 00:05:21,259 I called as soon as I heard. I called as soon as I heard.
35 00:05:21,725 00:05:23,235 It's your job to keep my pale ass It's your job to keep my pale ass
36 00:05:23,259 00:05:25,035 out of the stink, O'Neal. You're my Kevlar. out of the stink, O'Neal. You're my Kevlar.
37 00:05:25,059 00:05:26,099 How was I supposed to know How was I supposed to know
38 00:05:27,059 00:05:27,601 the secretary was gonna call a press conference, the secretary was gonna call a press conference,
39 00:05:27,625 00:05:28,469 let alone resign today? let alone resign today?
40 00:05:28,493 00:05:30,901 - Did he have a reason? - The secretary? - Did he have a reason? - The secretary?
41 00:05:30,925 00:05:32,302 Oh, yes. He wants to spend Oh, yes. He wants to spend
42 00:05:32,326 00:05:34,006 - more time... - More time with the family? - more time... - More time with the family?
43 00:05:34,159 00:05:37,002 - Jesus. Was Stanton there? - He brought the donuts. - Jesus. Was Stanton there? - He brought the donuts.
44 00:05:37,026 00:05:39,035 Of course he did. What's my day like? Of course he did. What's my day like?
45 00:05:39,059 00:05:40,634 Well, your eleven o'clock is early Well, your eleven o'clock is early
46 00:05:40,658 00:05:41,658 and your lunch scrubbed. and your lunch scrubbed.
47 00:05:42,759 00:05:44,335 - What eleven o'clock? - Master Sergeant Thomas Tulley. - What eleven o'clock? - Master Sergeant Thomas Tulley.
48 00:05:44,359 00:05:45,923 Never heard of him. Reschedule. Never heard of him. Reschedule.
49 00:05:49,725 00:05:50,725 Missed you at the brief. Missed you at the brief.
50 00:05:51,292 00:05:52,968 Glad I had my ear to the rail, Carl, Glad I had my ear to the rail, Carl,
51 00:05:52,992 00:05:54,701 or that train might have run me over. or that train might have run me over.
52 00:05:54,725 00:05:55,968 Well, if you'd been on time, Well, if you'd been on time,
53 00:05:55,992 00:05:57,601 you would have heard it like the rest of us. you would have heard it like the rest of us.
54 00:05:57,625 00:05:58,901 You must've known something. You must've known something.
55 00:05:58,925 00:06:00,525 Hey, I was here. You weren't. Hey, I was here. You weren't.
56 00:06:00,792 00:06:02,868 It's on you. I... I... I got you a donut. It's on you. I... I... I got you a donut.
57 00:06:02,892 00:06:04,668 It's got sprinkles. It's got sprinkles.
58 00:06:04,692 00:06:08,159 - My wife had an amnio. - Oh. Oh, right, priorities. - My wife had an amnio. - Oh. Oh, right, priorities.
59 00:06:08,725 00:06:11,768 I don't know how you do it. Wife, kids, hamster... I don't know how you do it. Wife, kids, hamster...
60 00:06:11,792 00:06:14,259 It was a gerbil. Mercifully, it finally went tits-up. It was a gerbil. Mercifully, it finally went tits-up.
61 00:06:15,092 00:06:17,202 Life refines itself if you're patient. Life refines itself if you're patient.
62 00:06:17,226 00:06:18,959 It was a shock, but I'm finally over it. It was a shock, but I'm finally over it.
63 00:06:20,992 00:06:23,002 You okay? What's... What's... What's bothering you? You okay? What's... What's... What's bothering you?
64 00:06:23,026 00:06:24,135 I'm a government lawyer I'm a government lawyer
65 00:06:24,159 00:06:25,192 about to be unemployed. about to be unemployed.
66 00:06:26,426 00:06:28,302 Oh, come on. You're a superstar on the verge of free agency. Oh, come on. You're a superstar on the verge of free agency.
67 00:06:28,326 00:06:29,801 You'll find something. You'll find something.
68 00:06:29,825 00:06:30,968 In the middle of an election year? In the middle of an election year?
69 00:06:30,992 00:06:32,668 Not even Tiger could sink that putt. Not even Tiger could sink that putt.
70 00:06:32,692 00:06:33,868 What makes you think I can? What makes you think I can?
71 00:06:33,892 00:06:37,825 'Cause your political Darwinism is absolutely instinctual. 'Cause your political Darwinism is absolutely instinctual.
72 00:06:38,092 00:06:39,658 Thanks. Thanks.
73 00:06:39,859 00:06:40,892 Oh, you're welcome. Oh, you're welcome.
74 00:06:42,059 00:06:44,102 You remember that decorations review You remember that decorations review
75 00:06:44,126 00:06:45,568 I gave you in July? I gave you in July?
76 00:06:45,592 00:06:47,235 It's a vague potential memory. It's a vague potential memory.
77 00:06:47,259 00:06:51,068 Uh, Medal of Honor upgrade? You have a status briefing. Uh, Medal of Honor upgrade? You have a status briefing.
78 00:06:51,092 00:06:52,801 - When? - Now. - When? - Now.
79 00:06:52,825 00:06:55,259 - With who? - Master Sergeant Thomas Tulley. - With who? - Master Sergeant Thomas Tulley.
80 00:06:55,859 00:06:58,068 Air Force Pararescue, retired. Air Force Pararescue, retired.
81 00:06:58,092 00:07:00,192 - Flew in from Dayton. - Your eleven o'clock. - Flew in from Dayton. - Your eleven o'clock.
82 00:07:00,759 00:07:01,925 He's the guy's buddy. He's the guy's buddy.
83 00:07:03,059 00:07:06,268 - Whose guy? What guy? - The Medal of Honor candidate. - Whose guy? What guy? - The Medal of Honor candidate.
84 00:07:06,292 00:07:08,026 Why didn't he just come himself? Why didn't he just come himself?
85 00:07:08,692 00:07:10,759 Because it's posthumous. Because it's posthumous.
86 00:07:12,259 00:07:14,126 You'd better read that. Here you go. You'd better read that. Here you go.
87 00:07:17,359 00:07:18,359 Christ... Christ...
88 00:07:19,159 00:07:20,599 I have been reminding you since July. I have been reminding you since July.
89 00:07:24,892 00:07:26,002 We're talking about one We're talking about one
90 00:07:26,026 00:07:27,658 of the bloodiest days of the war. of the bloodiest days of the war.
91 00:07:28,658 00:07:29,901 Pits saved lives. Pits saved lives.
92 00:07:29,925 00:07:32,002 And he was awarded the Air Force Cross. And he was awarded the Air Force Cross.
93 00:07:32,026 00:07:35,059 - What's wrong with that? - It was downgraded to the Cross. - What's wrong with that? - It was downgraded to the Cross.
94 00:07:35,259 00:07:37,268 We put him up for the Medal of Honor. We put him up for the Medal of Honor.
95 00:07:37,292 00:07:39,835 - That's different. - Sergeant, I'm gonna tell you - That's different. - Sergeant, I'm gonna tell you
96 00:07:39,859 00:07:41,259 something you probably already know. something you probably already know.
97 00:07:41,625 00:07:43,226 Decoration upgrades are rare. Decoration upgrades are rare.
98 00:07:43,792 00:07:45,568 The criteria for review is new information. The criteria for review is new information.
99 00:07:45,592 00:07:48,102 Figured the new information part was your job. Figured the new information part was your job.
100 00:07:48,126 00:07:49,625 This was 30 years ago. This was 30 years ago.
101 00:07:50,825 00:07:53,059 I mean, is there an agenda you have I should know about? I mean, is there an agenda you have I should know about?
102 00:07:53,326 00:07:56,159 Justice delayed is justice denied. Justice delayed is justice denied.
103 00:07:58,625 00:07:59,959 That's my damn agenda. That's my damn agenda.
104 00:08:01,226 00:08:04,126 Sergeant Tulley, the secretary of the Air Force resigned today. Sergeant Tulley, the secretary of the Air Force resigned today.
105 00:08:04,859 00:08:05,859 In three months, In three months,
106 00:08:06,892 00:08:09,052 everyone in this office is gonna be gone, including me. everyone in this office is gonna be gone, including me.
107 00:08:10,259 00:08:11,558 This will take years. This will take years.
108 00:08:13,592 00:08:15,124 We'll follow up on this next week. We'll follow up on this next week.
109 00:08:35,092 00:08:36,992 Secretary Peters? Secretary Peters?
110 00:08:38,359 00:08:39,359 Yes. Yes.
111 00:08:39,925 00:08:43,126 Thomas Tulley, Air Force Pararescue, Thomas Tulley, Air Force Pararescue,
112 00:08:43,759 00:08:44,825 retired. retired.
113 00:08:49,658 00:08:51,202 Defense Contract Audit Agency Defense Contract Audit Agency
114 00:08:51,226 00:08:52,892 is looking for a regional director. is looking for a regional director.
115 00:08:53,192 00:08:54,625 That wouldn't be a step backwards. That wouldn't be a step backwards.
116 00:08:56,859 00:08:58,968 Okay, well, you are now officially Okay, well, you are now officially
117 00:08:58,992 00:09:00,935 - on your own. - Don't be like that. - on your own. - Don't be like that.
118 00:09:00,959 00:09:02,068 Call sheet is on your computer. Call sheet is on your computer.
119 00:09:02,092 00:09:04,592 The secretary's looking for you. And your wife called. The secretary's looking for you. And your wife called.
120 00:09:04,992 00:09:06,159 Wait. Why? Wait. Why?
121 00:09:07,259 00:09:09,892 - Well, she didn't say. - No, Peters. - Well, she didn't say. - No, Peters.
122 00:09:11,192 00:09:13,226 He wants to see you in his office in five minutes. He wants to see you in his office in five minutes.
123 00:09:15,292 00:09:17,235 Congratulations on the job, Carl. Congratulations on the job, Carl.
124 00:09:17,259 00:09:19,568 No moss grows under your feet. No moss grows under your feet.
125 00:09:19,592 00:09:20,892 Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Thank you, Mr. Secretary.
126 00:09:26,126 00:09:27,658 Sit. Sit down. Sit. Sit down.
127 00:09:30,292 00:09:33,226 A Master Sergeant Thomas Tulley A Master Sergeant Thomas Tulley
128 00:09:33,825 00:09:37,159 doesn't think we're giving this MOH matter a fair shake. doesn't think we're giving this MOH matter a fair shake.
129 00:09:38,625 00:09:41,026 - It's a misunderstanding. - That's what I said. - It's a misunderstanding. - That's what I said.
130 00:09:41,759 00:09:43,725 Sir? Sir?
131 00:09:48,326 00:09:50,102 Operation Abilene Operation Abilene
132 00:09:50,126 00:09:53,202 was one of the bloodiest battles of the entire war. was one of the bloodiest battles of the entire war.
133 00:09:53,226 00:09:55,801 - The Vietnam War. - Thanks. - The Vietnam War. - Thanks.
134 00:09:55,825 00:09:57,935 An entire company nearly wiped out An entire company nearly wiped out
135 00:09:57,959 00:09:59,668 but for this PJ's efforts. but for this PJ's efforts.
136 00:09:59,692 00:10:01,568 Pararescue Jumper. Pararescue Jumper.
137 00:10:01,592 00:10:04,692 Pitsenbarger is a legend in the PJ community. Pitsenbarger is a legend in the PJ community.
138 00:10:05,226 00:10:06,226 I understand that. I understand that.
139 00:10:09,759 00:10:12,668 Well, Carl's putting together your itinerary. Well, Carl's putting together your itinerary.
140 00:10:12,692 00:10:15,292 You'll collect combat testimonies, personally, You'll collect combat testimonies, personally,
141 00:10:15,725 00:10:18,601 and prepare a package for a full decorations review. and prepare a package for a full decorations review.
142 00:10:18,625 00:10:20,801 But we're about to present the budget to committee. But we're about to present the budget to committee.
143 00:10:20,825 00:10:22,525 Yeah, well, Carl has it covered. Yeah, well, Carl has it covered.
144 00:10:22,825 00:10:25,558 I've been working on it all year. I've been working on it all year.
145 00:10:26,692 00:10:28,259 And now you're working on this. And now you're working on this.
146 00:10:30,959 00:10:32,159 The Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor
147 00:10:33,326 00:10:35,658 is the highest recognition of military valor there is. is the highest recognition of military valor there is.
148 00:10:37,792 00:10:40,792 Patton said he'd have traded his command for that ribbon, Patton said he'd have traded his command for that ribbon,
149 00:10:41,092 00:10:42,625 Eisenhower, the White House. Eisenhower, the White House.
150 00:10:43,126 00:10:44,268 Now, why do you think Now, why do you think
151 00:10:44,292 00:10:46,068 four-star generals and presidents four-star generals and presidents
152 00:10:46,092 00:10:47,625 would say something like that? would say something like that?
153 00:10:48,026 00:10:49,592 Honestly, I have no idea. Honestly, I have no idea.
154 00:10:50,126 00:10:52,901 Well, that's a very good place to start. Well, that's a very good place to start.
155 00:10:52,925 00:10:54,335 I'm off the budget 'cause some grunt I'm off the budget 'cause some grunt
156 00:10:54,359 00:10:55,801 chased Peters into the shitter. chased Peters into the shitter.
157 00:10:55,825 00:10:57,035 Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me?
158 00:10:57,059 00:10:59,035 He's not a grunt. He's Air Force. He's not a grunt. He's Air Force.
159 00:10:59,059 00:11:01,002 And you're off the budget 'cause you embarrassed him. And you're off the budget 'cause you embarrassed him.
160 00:11:01,026 00:11:02,701 - Tulley? - No, Peters. - Tulley? - No, Peters.
161 00:11:02,725 00:11:04,002 Look... ...I've never done Look... ...I've never done
162 00:11:04,026 00:11:06,159 a medal review. I... I don't have time for this. a medal review. I... I don't have time for this.
163 00:11:06,592 00:11:07,835 What job did you get anyway? What job did you get anyway?
164 00:11:07,859 00:11:10,168 I am legislative director for Madison Holt, I am legislative director for Madison Holt,
165 00:11:10,192 00:11:11,892 if it's any of your business. if it's any of your business.
166 00:11:12,292 00:11:15,035 - Chairman of Armed Services? - Is there another? - Chairman of Armed Services? - Is there another?
167 00:11:15,059 00:11:16,939 Look, what, do I have to spell this out for you? Look, what, do I have to spell this out for you?
168 00:11:17,259 00:11:19,601 - This is just crazy. - Take a few days. - This is just crazy. - Take a few days.
169 00:11:19,625 00:11:21,126 Go collect some war stories. Go collect some war stories.
170 00:11:21,625 00:11:23,335 Have Celia write up a summary statement Have Celia write up a summary statement
171 00:11:23,359 00:11:24,426 requesting more time. requesting more time.
172 00:11:24,992 00:11:27,568 We look like we give a shit, this furball rolls over We look like we give a shit, this furball rolls over
173 00:11:27,592 00:11:29,202 to the next poor slob that takes your job, to the next poor slob that takes your job,
174 00:11:29,226 00:11:30,735 you're out of it... you're out of it...
175 00:11:30,759 00:11:32,268 ...before Appropriations even sniffs the budget. ...before Appropriations even sniffs the budget.
176 00:11:32,292 00:11:34,059 - That's it? - Yeah, that's it. - That's it? - Yeah, that's it.
177 00:12:10,658 00:12:11,959 It's only gonna be a day, honey. It's only gonna be a day, honey.
178 00:12:19,725 00:12:20,968 We're taking fire We're taking fire
179 00:12:20,992 00:12:21,935 from all corners, over. from all corners, over.
180 00:12:21,959 00:12:23,634 Charlie Six Charlie Six
181 00:12:23,658 00:12:24,668 gun three is ready. gun three is ready.
182 00:12:24,692 00:12:25,959 Say what rounds... Say what rounds...
183 00:12:26,292 00:12:30,226 246, uh, times 7246... 246, uh, times 7246...
184 00:12:40,759 00:12:42,059 - Everybody down! - Take cover! - Everybody down! - Take cover!
185 00:12:45,026 00:12:46,825 Contact, Victor Charlie. Contact, Victor Charlie.
186 00:12:47,192 00:12:49,525 We have wounded and we are taking fire. We have wounded and we are taking fire.
187 00:12:50,092 00:12:53,024 Pedro inbound, say, two mikes out. Pedro inbound, say, two mikes out.
188 00:12:56,259 00:12:57,568 Copy that, Charlie Six Copy that, Charlie Six
189 00:12:57,592 00:12:58,692 We are inbound now. We are inbound now.
190 00:12:58,925 00:13:00,792 Charlie Six. Charlie Six.
191 00:13:01,026 00:13:03,601 They have mortars and automatic weapons now. They have mortars and automatic weapons now.
192 00:13:03,625 00:13:04,957 It's an ambush. It's an ambush.
193 00:13:15,359 00:13:17,592 Hey, Tulley, doesn't look too good down there. Hey, Tulley, doesn't look too good down there.
194 00:13:20,226 00:13:22,192 They don't know how to load the litters. They don't know how to load the litters.
195 00:13:25,092 00:13:27,126 Holy shit. It's their medic. Holy shit. It's their medic.
196 00:13:31,625 00:13:33,601 Okay. Somebody needs to go down there Okay. Somebody needs to go down there
197 00:13:33,625 00:13:34,935 and get 'em straightened out. and get 'em straightened out.
198 00:13:34,959 00:13:36,925 No way. It's hotter than hell down there, Pits. No way. It's hotter than hell down there, Pits.
199 00:13:37,126 00:13:39,259 Those people can't wait. They've lost their medic. Those people can't wait. They've lost their medic.
200 00:13:44,092 00:13:46,159 Let me go down, speed up the whole deal. Let me go down, speed up the whole deal.
201 00:13:47,859 00:13:48,868 As soon as we have their wounded, As soon as we have their wounded,
202 00:13:48,892 00:13:50,825 - you're back on this bird. - Roger that. - you're back on this bird. - Roger that.
203 00:14:00,192 00:14:01,692 You be goddamn careful. You be goddamn careful.
204 00:14:05,759 00:14:06,859 Going down. Going down.
205 00:14:33,658 00:14:35,059 Sounds like a suicide mission. Sounds like a suicide mission.
206 00:14:38,625 00:14:40,226 Suicide is hopeless. Suicide is hopeless.
207 00:14:43,992 00:14:45,992 What Pitsenbarger did was... What Pitsenbarger did was...
208 00:14:46,992 00:14:49,092 Was valor. Was valor.
209 00:14:50,226 00:14:53,159 It was a hell of a thing to see from where I was sitting. It was a hell of a thing to see from where I was sitting.
210 00:14:53,725 00:14:55,792 Then why didn't he get the medal in '66? Then why didn't he get the medal in '66?
211 00:14:56,592 00:14:59,202 - You must have some opinion. - If my opinion mattered, - You must have some opinion. - If my opinion mattered,
212 00:14:59,226 00:15:01,159 this would have been done long ago. this would have been done long ago.
213 00:15:01,959 00:15:03,592 Do you do something, Sergeant? Do you do something, Sergeant?
214 00:15:05,725 00:15:08,159 Do you have a job or a hobby, or is this... Do you have a job or a hobby, or is this...
215 00:15:09,026 00:15:10,126 your full-time thing? your full-time thing?
216 00:15:11,026 00:15:12,759 I'm a palliative nurse. I'm a palliative nurse.
217 00:15:14,192 00:15:17,692 I work with terminal patients and their families I work with terminal patients and their families
218 00:15:18,026 00:15:20,525 to clarify end-of-life goals and... to clarify end-of-life goals and...
219 00:15:21,625 00:15:24,159 symptom management, psycho-social... symptom management, psycho-social...
220 00:15:27,226 00:15:28,725 spiritual support. spiritual support.
221 00:15:32,226 00:15:33,759 Do you make your own bed? Do you make your own bed?
222 00:15:36,192 00:15:37,192 What? What?
223 00:15:38,159 00:15:39,825 Simple question. Simple question.
224 00:15:41,925 00:15:43,126 My wife does it. My wife does it.
225 00:15:44,625 00:15:46,126 Must suck to be her. Must suck to be her.
226 00:15:47,925 00:15:49,792 Is there a point here somewhere? Is there a point here somewhere?
227 00:15:50,859 00:15:52,792 We've been down this road before. We've been down this road before.
228 00:15:54,592 00:15:56,059 You're just the FNG. You're just the FNG.
229 00:15:58,359 00:15:59,592 Sergeant... Sergeant...
230 00:16:00,859 00:16:03,202 this little pet project of yours this little pet project of yours
231 00:16:03,226 00:16:05,292 has been in a coma for three decades. has been in a coma for three decades.
232 00:16:07,026 00:16:09,066 There's nothing in this for me, but I'm here anyway. There's nothing in this for me, but I'm here anyway.
233 00:16:10,625 00:16:11,625 So what do you want? So what do you want?
234 00:16:12,892 00:16:13,992 Sorry to keep you. Sorry to keep you.
235 00:16:17,825 00:16:20,592 I nap more than I used to. I nap more than I used to.
236 00:16:21,159 00:16:22,725 Mr. Pitsenbarger, sir. Mr. Pitsenbarger, sir.
237 00:16:23,126 00:16:26,601 Ah, it isn't getting old that's hard, Ah, it isn't getting old that's hard,
238 00:16:26,625 00:16:29,656 it's keeping awake long enough to enjoy it. it's keeping awake long enough to enjoy it.
239 00:16:32,959 00:16:34,302 - Oh, thank you. - Well... - Oh, thank you. - Well...
240 00:16:34,326 00:16:35,302 Thank you. Thank you.
241 00:16:35,326 00:16:39,658 - So, you're the new one. - The new one? - So, you're the new one. - The new one?
242 00:16:40,292 00:16:43,135 If you want the real story about Abilene, If you want the real story about Abilene,
243 00:16:43,159 00:16:45,126 you'll need to talk to the mud soldiers. you'll need to talk to the mud soldiers.
244 00:16:45,892 00:16:47,235 And they are? And they are?
245 00:16:47,259 00:16:49,859 You do work in the Department of Defense, right? You do work in the Department of Defense, right?
246 00:16:53,126 00:16:55,159 They're the army guys on the ground. They're the army guys on the ground.
247 00:16:55,859 00:16:59,625 Charlie Company, 16th Infantry, the Big Red One. Charlie Company, 16th Infantry, the Big Red One.
248 00:17:00,692 00:17:02,202 Well, as far as they're concerned, you see, Well, as far as they're concerned, you see,
249 00:17:02,226 00:17:03,992 it wasn't Bill's fight. it wasn't Bill's fight.
250 00:17:04,292 00:17:05,658 Bill was Air Force. Bill was Air Force.
251 00:17:06,259 00:17:09,068 Charlie Company took 80 percent casualties. Charlie Company took 80 percent casualties.
252 00:17:09,092 00:17:12,658 That's 34 KIAs in the same day. That's 34 KIAs in the same day.
253 00:17:13,092 00:17:14,892 Bill was a part of it, of course, Bill was a part of it, of course,
254 00:17:15,625 00:17:17,558 but he wasn't one of them. but he wasn't one of them.
255 00:17:18,059 00:17:19,226 We have to respect that. We have to respect that.
256 00:17:19,925 00:17:22,592 - All right. - Now, Billy Takoda - All right. - Now, Billy Takoda
257 00:17:22,792 00:17:25,634 lives, uh, over in Sterling County. lives, uh, over in Sterling County.
258 00:17:25,658 00:17:27,959 That's about an hour's drive from here. That's about an hour's drive from here.
259 00:17:28,892 00:17:30,202 Over the years the wives Over the years the wives
260 00:17:30,226 00:17:32,126 have tracked down most of the guys. have tracked down most of the guys.
261 00:17:32,925 00:17:34,525 You might want to start with them. You might want to start with them.
262 00:17:34,859 00:17:38,825 And this Billy guy, is he, uh... And this Billy guy, is he, uh...
263 00:17:39,192 00:17:40,792 Will he talk to me? Is he all right? Will he talk to me? Is he all right?
264 00:17:42,159 00:17:43,892 The two of you should get along fine. The two of you should get along fine.
265 00:18:11,292 00:18:13,192 Hello! Hello!
266 00:18:14,592 00:18:16,192 What the hell are you yelling for? What the hell are you yelling for?
267 00:18:18,625 00:18:19,625 Jesus. Jesus.
268 00:18:25,792 00:18:28,892 Billy Takoda. Not an easy guy to find. Billy Takoda. Not an easy guy to find.
269 00:18:29,259 00:18:31,102 Y'all be careful down there, you hear? Y'all be careful down there, you hear?
270 00:18:31,126 00:18:33,092 Jeremy, stay out that water. Jeremy, stay out that water.
271 00:18:35,992 00:18:36,992 So what's your story? So what's your story?
272 00:18:38,859 00:18:40,026 Why are you here? Why are you here?
273 00:18:40,326 00:18:43,701 Well, I appreciate what you've been through. Well, I appreciate what you've been through.
274 00:18:43,725 00:18:45,026 Uh, I'm here to help. Uh, I'm here to help.
275 00:18:45,825 00:18:47,735 If you wanted to help, you'd pick up a weapon If you wanted to help, you'd pick up a weapon
276 00:18:47,759 00:18:49,525 and get some skin in the game, friend. and get some skin in the game, friend.
277 00:18:50,026 00:18:51,302 You'd acknowledge you own a piece You'd acknowledge you own a piece
278 00:18:51,326 00:18:52,326 of every bomb dropped of every bomb dropped
279 00:18:53,159 00:18:53,668 and every bullet fired in every skirmish and every bullet fired in every skirmish
280 00:18:53,692 00:18:55,092 since you been born, since you been born,
281 00:18:56,192 00:18:58,152 that you have blood on your hands, you understand? that you have blood on your hands, you understand?
282 00:18:58,725 00:18:59,725 Second chance. Second chance.
283 00:19:00,192 00:19:02,658 Why are you here? Why are you here?
284 00:19:05,359 00:19:06,592 It's my job. It's my job.
285 00:19:07,825 00:19:10,192 - I don't have a choice. - See? That's progress. - I don't have a choice. - See? That's progress.
286 00:19:10,658 00:19:14,226 Vulnerability and communication. Honesty builds trust. Vulnerability and communication. Honesty builds trust.
287 00:19:15,126 00:19:17,625 That's the only real currency we got left in this world. That's the only real currency we got left in this world.
288 00:19:19,359 00:19:20,859 Now you can trust me? Now you can trust me?
289 00:19:22,092 00:19:23,092 No. No.
290 00:19:25,592 00:19:27,792 You mind if I, um... You mind if I, um...
291 00:19:30,925 00:19:33,692 I'm here so I can... I'm here so I can...
292 00:19:34,759 00:19:36,059 hear your side of the story. hear your side of the story.
293 00:19:40,326 00:19:42,759 I talk, you listen. I talk, you listen.
294 00:19:50,292 00:19:52,558 Vietnam wasn't my first square dance. Vietnam wasn't my first square dance.
295 00:19:53,326 00:19:57,059 I was a dog-faced lifer, a natural war fighter. I was a dog-faced lifer, a natural war fighter.
296 00:19:58,159 00:19:59,292 I loved it. I loved it.
297 00:20:00,359 00:20:03,059 Nothing made me feel more alive. Nothing made me feel more alive.
298 00:20:05,059 00:20:07,625 But I'd never seen nothing like Abilene. But I'd never seen nothing like Abilene.
299 00:20:09,692 00:20:11,126 Lost men like that. Lost men like that.
300 00:20:20,092 00:20:21,592 Medic! Medic!
301 00:20:21,792 00:20:24,159 Medic! Medic! Medic! Medic!
302 00:20:29,625 00:20:30,990 Goddammit Kepper, you all right? Goddammit Kepper, you all right?
303 00:20:32,259 00:20:34,026 Contact, Victor Charlie. Contact, Victor Charlie.
304 00:20:34,592 00:20:35,692 I'm hit. I'm hit.
305 00:20:36,259 00:20:38,335 We have wounded and we are taking fire. We have wounded and we are taking fire.
306 00:20:38,359 00:20:40,292 Oh, fuck! Oh, fuck!
307 00:20:41,192 00:20:43,558 They have mortars and automatic weapons now. They have mortars and automatic weapons now.
308 00:20:46,026 00:20:47,825 It's an ambush. It's an ambush.
309 00:20:52,126 00:20:55,892 Pitsenbarger, where did he fit in all this? Pitsenbarger, where did he fit in all this?
310 00:20:56,625 00:20:58,092 Well, I lost my medic. Well, I lost my medic.
311 00:20:59,092 00:21:00,558 We had no LZ, so... We had no LZ, so...
312 00:21:01,592 00:21:03,235 they called in the Air Force helos. they called in the Air Force helos.
313 00:21:03,259 00:21:05,168 Pedros, Pedros, Charlie Six. Pedros, Pedros, Charlie Six.
314 00:21:05,192 00:21:08,068 Be advised, we're in a tight one down here. Be advised, we're in a tight one down here.
315 00:21:08,092 00:21:10,601 Multiple casualties. We need you soonest. Multiple casualties. We need you soonest.
316 00:21:10,625 00:21:11,825 Contact, one o'clock. Contact, one o'clock.
317 00:21:13,092 00:21:14,692 Advise when you've got us in sight. Over. Advise when you've got us in sight. Over.
318 00:21:18,892 00:21:21,634 Copy, Charlie Six. Pedros has your smoke. Copy, Charlie Six. Pedros has your smoke.
319 00:21:21,658 00:21:25,159 Pits came down, saved lives, evac'ed wounded, Pits came down, saved lives, evac'ed wounded,
320 00:21:25,892 00:21:28,658 died fighting alongside men he never even knew. died fighting alongside men he never even knew.
321 00:21:30,259 00:21:32,892 Get down, airman! Get down! Get down, airman! Get down!
322 00:21:33,192 00:21:36,592 Okay. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow it down. Okay. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow it down.
323 00:21:36,859 00:21:39,592 Nothing but your man into the basket. Nothing but your man into the basket.
324 00:21:39,825 00:21:42,059 Okay, now, you. Okay, now, you.
325 00:21:43,192 00:21:45,324 Okay? Hold these. Okay? Hold these.
326 00:21:47,792 00:21:50,357 - Nice and easy, now. - One, two, three. - Nice and easy, now. - One, two, three.
327 00:21:53,592 00:21:54,992 All right, hang tight, buddy. All right, hang tight, buddy.
328 00:21:55,259 00:21:56,634 I'm gonna need you to do something I'm gonna need you to do something
329 00:21:56,658 00:21:57,658 for me, all right? for me, all right?
330 00:21:58,692 00:21:59,634 I need you to keep the pressure on it, all right? I need you to keep the pressure on it, all right?
331 00:21:59,658 00:22:01,968 All the way up you keep that pressure on it. All the way up you keep that pressure on it.
332 00:22:01,992 00:22:04,658 All right, you're going home. All right. All right, you're going home. All right.
333 00:22:05,592 00:22:07,992 Okay. Take her up. Okay. Take her up.
334 00:22:10,792 00:22:12,759 All right, hang tight, bud. All right, hang tight, bud.
335 00:22:13,092 00:22:14,302 Hold the line. Hold the line. Hold the line. Hold the line.
336 00:22:14,326 00:22:16,634 - Come on. - What's the story, Lieutenant? - Come on. - What's the story, Lieutenant?
337 00:22:16,658 00:22:18,335 We've got a 100-meter perimeter. We've got a 100-meter perimeter.
338 00:22:18,359 00:22:20,159 We're taking fire from everywhere. We're taking fire from everywhere.
339 00:22:20,592 00:22:23,859 We've got two KIAs and at least eight wounded that I know of. We've got two KIAs and at least eight wounded that I know of.
340 00:22:24,625 00:22:26,701 All right, I'm gonna need two of your guys. All right, I'm gonna need two of your guys.
341 00:22:26,725 00:22:27,959 It's your show, airman. It's your show, airman.
342 00:22:29,658 00:22:30,658 Mott! Mott!
343 00:22:31,725 00:22:33,859 Tulley says this whole medal thing was your idea. Tulley says this whole medal thing was your idea.
344 00:22:34,092 00:22:35,092 Is that true? Is that true?
345 00:22:35,592 00:22:36,901 I made out the paperwork, I made out the paperwork,
346 00:22:36,925 00:22:39,026 sent it up the Air Force chain, that's all. sent it up the Air Force chain, that's all.
347 00:22:40,725 00:22:42,658 - But he never got the medal. - Mm. - But he never got the medal. - Mm.
348 00:22:43,592 00:22:44,925 Not the big daddy, no. Not the big daddy, no.
349 00:22:46,026 00:22:47,026 Why not? Why not?
350 00:22:49,658 00:22:50,658 It was war. It was war.
351 00:22:52,126 00:22:53,759 Pits wasn't the onlys one, you know. Pits wasn't the onlys one, you know.
352 00:22:55,259 00:22:57,601 I must have wrote over a dozen letters I must have wrote over a dozen letters
353 00:22:57,625 00:22:59,625 to parents and girlfriends. to parents and girlfriends.
354 00:23:01,026 00:23:03,825 After that, all you can do is make amends... After that, all you can do is make amends...
355 00:23:05,259 00:23:06,525 and try to forget. and try to forget.
356 00:23:07,959 00:23:08,959 How do you do that? How do you do that?
357 00:23:09,859 00:23:12,825 Like I said, get some bark in the game. Like I said, get some bark in the game.
358 00:23:13,625 00:23:15,292 You went... You went back to Vietnam? You went... You went back to Vietnam?
359 00:23:17,092 00:23:19,035 I didn't understand the world anymore I didn't understand the world anymore
360 00:23:19,059 00:23:20,768 and the world sure as hell didn't understand me, and the world sure as hell didn't understand me,
361 00:23:20,792 00:23:22,525 so where the hell else was I gonna go? so where the hell else was I gonna go?
362 00:23:24,259 00:23:25,925 Well, after I got healed up, Well, after I got healed up,
363 00:23:26,792 00:23:28,868 this old high-school buddy of mine called this old high-school buddy of mine called
364 00:23:28,892 00:23:30,558 and invited me for beers. and invited me for beers.
365 00:23:31,192 00:23:32,568 We sitting at the bar We sitting at the bar
366 00:23:32,592 00:23:34,202 and he's shooting the shit about girls and he's shooting the shit about girls
367 00:23:34,226 00:23:37,026 and how we used to raise hell back in the day. and how we used to raise hell back in the day.
368 00:23:39,259 00:23:41,259 The more he talked, the more I realized... The more he talked, the more I realized...
369 00:23:42,292 00:23:44,859 there wasn't nothing hitting, you know? there wasn't nothing hitting, you know?
370 00:23:46,026 00:23:48,634 Then he blurts out, "I hear you got the Purple Heart. Then he blurts out, "I hear you got the Purple Heart.
371 00:23:48,658 00:23:50,026 What happened? You get shot?" What happened? You get shot?"
372 00:23:52,259 00:23:53,759 It gets real quiet. It gets real quiet.
373 00:23:55,359 00:23:58,892 All these drunk assholes just staring at me. All these drunk assholes just staring at me.
374 00:24:01,159 00:24:02,759 Alls I can hear is... Alls I can hear is...
375 00:24:03,692 00:24:05,792 screams from the jungle that day and... screams from the jungle that day and...
376 00:24:07,859 00:24:09,592 artillery whistle in the air. artillery whistle in the air.
377 00:24:10,359 00:24:11,892 And I started to get pissed. And I started to get pissed.
378 00:24:13,692 00:24:17,026 So I pull my shirt up... So I pull my shirt up...
379 00:24:18,359 00:24:19,692 ...just to shut him up. ...just to shut him up.
380 00:24:20,759 00:24:22,168 He looks kind of awkward He looks kind of awkward
381 00:24:22,192 00:24:24,658 and then he starts chuckling and says, and then he starts chuckling and says,
382 00:24:25,792 00:24:27,558 "What was you doing, running away?" "What was you doing, running away?"
383 00:24:30,759 00:24:32,159 You know what? Maybe I was. You know what? Maybe I was.
384 00:24:33,825 00:24:35,992 Maybe that's what I've been doing all this time. Maybe that's what I've been doing all this time.
385 00:24:37,192 00:24:39,035 I was a refugee in my own country, I was a refugee in my own country,
386 00:24:39,059 00:24:41,625 and that hurt way more than those bullets. and that hurt way more than those bullets.
387 00:24:44,858 00:24:46,758 Does it still hurt, Grandpa? Does it still hurt, Grandpa?
388 00:24:48,992 00:24:51,259 Only on the inside, baby boy. Only on the inside, baby boy.
389 00:24:52,925 00:24:54,005 Come on, kids, time to eat. Come on, kids, time to eat.
390 00:24:55,125 00:24:57,392 Honey, think this gumbo's about ready. Honey, think this gumbo's about ready.
391 00:24:58,359 00:25:00,492 I'm gonna need you to get on the record. I'm gonna need you to get on the record.
392 00:25:01,392 00:25:03,758 That's about as on the record as you're gonna get. That's about as on the record as you're gonna get.
393 00:25:35,792 00:25:36,792 Hey. Hey.
394 00:25:39,426 00:25:41,068 Donna Burr? Hi. Donna Burr? Hi.
395 00:25:41,092 00:25:43,132 Hey, man, he doesn't even get up till eight o'clock. Hey, man, he doesn't even get up till eight o'clock.
396 00:25:43,526 00:25:45,392 Oh, uh, I'm sorry. Oh, uh, I'm sorry.
397 00:25:46,226 00:25:48,025 Scott Huffman, DOD. Scott Huffman, DOD.
398 00:25:51,059 00:25:53,925 - He... He works nights? - Jimmy's PTS. - He... He works nights? - Jimmy's PTS.
399 00:25:55,059 00:25:56,125 He's OCD. He's OCD.
400 00:25:56,426 00:25:57,935 He suffers hallucinations He suffers hallucinations
401 00:25:57,959 00:26:00,192 and about 50 other war-related effects. and about 50 other war-related effects.
402 00:26:00,959 00:26:02,268 He sleeps during the day He sleeps during the day
403 00:26:02,292 00:26:04,392 because the night just plain terrifies him. because the night just plain terrifies him.
404 00:26:06,426 00:26:09,268 Do you even know any Vietnam vets? Do you even know any Vietnam vets?
405 00:26:09,292 00:26:12,192 No. It's a new experience for me. No. It's a new experience for me.
406 00:26:15,292 00:26:16,426 How did you two meet? How did you two meet?
407 00:26:17,492 00:26:19,492 You mean, what do I see in a Section 8 like Jimmy? You mean, what do I see in a Section 8 like Jimmy?
408 00:26:19,959 00:26:22,725 No, not at all, ma'am. I'm... I'm just... No, not at all, ma'am. I'm... I'm just...
409 00:26:22,959 00:26:24,059 I was his nurse... I was his nurse...
410 00:26:25,125 00:26:26,159 at the VA. at the VA.
411 00:26:28,092 00:26:29,368 You can learn a lot about these guys You can learn a lot about these guys
412 00:26:29,392 00:26:30,535 hanging with them. hanging with them.
413 00:26:30,559 00:26:32,359 What they did, what it cost. What they did, what it cost.
414 00:26:32,925 00:26:34,935 And every day he finds the courage And every day he finds the courage
415 00:26:34,959 00:26:36,459 not to stick a gun in his mouth. not to stick a gun in his mouth.
416 00:26:37,792 00:26:39,992 So I think he deserves a little compassion, So I think he deserves a little compassion,
417 00:26:40,392 00:26:43,025 and, believe me, I get a lot more than I give. and, believe me, I get a lot more than I give.
418 00:26:43,359 00:26:45,858 So if he wants to sleep during the day... So if he wants to sleep during the day...
419 00:26:46,825 00:26:47,992 that's okay with me. that's okay with me.
420 00:26:49,059 00:26:51,326 So I saw Frank Pitsenbarger, So I saw Frank Pitsenbarger,
421 00:26:52,392 00:26:55,092 and, uh, he told me you have a contact list and, uh, he told me you have a contact list
422 00:26:55,359 00:26:57,640 for all the Charlie Company guys that you've put together. for all the Charlie Company guys that you've put together.
423 00:26:57,825 00:26:59,235 So that's what you want? So that's what you want?
424 00:26:59,259 00:27:01,858 Well... no, I... Well... no, I...
425 00:27:02,959 00:27:04,792 I'd love to talk to your husband, too. I'd love to talk to your husband, too.
426 00:27:05,892 00:27:07,792 I hope you're sincere about this, I hope you're sincere about this,
427 00:27:08,159 00:27:10,392 'cause Jimmy is tougher than a two-dollar steak 'cause Jimmy is tougher than a two-dollar steak
428 00:27:10,892 00:27:14,135 and he can smell a rat a mile upwind. and he can smell a rat a mile upwind.
429 00:27:14,159 00:27:15,834 Well, I don't have a position here Well, I don't have a position here
430 00:27:15,858 00:27:17,159 or an opinion. I'm... or an opinion. I'm...
431 00:27:24,392 00:27:25,992 Here's your list. Here's your list.
432 00:27:26,459 00:27:27,459 Thank you. Thank you.
433 00:27:28,492 00:27:30,202 You wanna talk to Jimmy, you're gonna have to wait. You wanna talk to Jimmy, you're gonna have to wait.
434 00:27:30,226 00:27:31,459 I'm not making any promises. I'm not making any promises.
435 00:27:31,959 00:27:33,392 Thank you. Thank you.
436 00:27:49,526 00:27:50,858 Hey. Hey.
437 00:27:51,426 00:27:52,468 Sleeping on post Sleeping on post
438 00:27:52,492 00:27:54,125 would get you fragged in my unit. would get you fragged in my unit.
439 00:27:54,992 00:27:56,426 Know what I'm saying, sir? Know what I'm saying, sir?
440 00:27:59,159 00:28:02,135 People round here think I'm a goddamn vampire. People round here think I'm a goddamn vampire.
441 00:28:02,159 00:28:03,226 Maybe they're right too, Maybe they're right too,
442 00:28:04,226 00:28:07,092 'cause I ain't slept in the dark for 32 years. 'cause I ain't slept in the dark for 32 years.
443 00:28:07,392 00:28:08,792 You know what I'm saying, sir? You know what I'm saying, sir?
444 00:28:10,125 00:28:11,292 You know what that is? You know what that is?
445 00:28:13,259 00:28:14,259 Yes. Yes.
446 00:28:16,092 00:28:18,892 - No. No, I... I don't. - Yeah. - No. No, I... I don't. - Yeah.
447 00:28:19,526 00:28:22,892 Big Red One. First Infantry Division. Big Red One. First Infantry Division.
448 00:28:23,159 00:28:25,892 Baddest goddamn GIs ever laced a boot. Baddest goddamn GIs ever laced a boot.
449 00:28:26,559 00:28:27,758 Is that loaded? Is that loaded?
450 00:28:32,125 00:28:34,292 You know what you call a gun that ain't loaded? You know what you call a gun that ain't loaded?
451 00:28:34,559 00:28:36,492 A fucking stick, sir. A fucking stick, sir.
452 00:28:37,858 00:28:40,159 You know what, Jimmy? Uh, ca... Can I... You know what, Jimmy? Uh, ca... Can I...
453 00:28:41,025 00:28:42,092 Can I call you Jimmy? Can I call you Jimmy?
454 00:28:44,059 00:28:45,226 I'm a civilian, so... I'm a civilian, so...
455 00:28:46,825 00:28:49,292 - you don't have to call me sir. - The only reason I'm talking - you don't have to call me sir. - The only reason I'm talking
456 00:28:49,492 00:28:52,426 and not shooting is 'cause of Tulley. and not shooting is 'cause of Tulley.
457 00:28:53,292 00:28:55,535 He said this is all about Pits getting the medal. He said this is all about Pits getting the medal.
458 00:28:55,559 00:28:58,402 - Ain't that right? - Right. Absolutely. - Ain't that right? - Right. Absolutely.
459 00:28:58,426 00:29:00,492 'Cause I don't give a shit about you. 'Cause I don't give a shit about you.
460 00:29:00,925 00:29:02,725 I don't give a shit about anything. I don't give a shit about anything.
461 00:29:02,959 00:29:05,035 I just wanna be left goddamn alone. I just wanna be left goddamn alone.
462 00:29:05,059 00:29:06,502 You understand what I'm saying? You understand what I'm saying?
463 00:29:06,526 00:29:08,892 I mean, I've been fucked over and fucked around. I mean, I've been fucked over and fucked around.
464 00:29:09,125 00:29:11,468 Nobody knows what went down with me over there. Nobody knows what went down with me over there.
465 00:29:11,492 00:29:12,925 Nobody knows. Nobody knows.
466 00:29:14,925 00:29:16,925 You understand what I'm saying, sir? You understand what I'm saying, sir?
467 00:29:19,426 00:29:20,492 Listen, man, I... Listen, man, I...
468 00:29:20,892 00:29:22,259 I didn't come here to get shot at, I didn't come here to get shot at,
469 00:29:22,892 00:29:25,125 or to rattle your cage. I'm just... or to rattle your cage. I'm just...
470 00:29:26,159 00:29:27,268 I'm just here because Tulley said I'm just here because Tulley said
471 00:29:27,292 00:29:30,492 your statement was important, as did Mr. Pitsenbarger. your statement was important, as did Mr. Pitsenbarger.
472 00:29:33,359 00:29:36,025 I was the oldest FNG they'd ever seen. I was the oldest FNG they'd ever seen.
473 00:29:37,292 00:29:39,925 Germany, Guam... Germany, Guam...
474 00:29:41,359 00:29:43,059 goddamn Okinawa. goddamn Okinawa.
475 00:29:44,825 00:29:47,792 Ten years and I never squeezed off one round. Ten years and I never squeezed off one round.
476 00:29:49,192 00:29:50,858 Understand what I'm saying, sir? Understand what I'm saying, sir?
477 00:29:51,259 00:29:53,092 FNG? What is... What is that? FNG? What is... What is that?
478 00:29:53,858 00:29:55,025 Fucking New Guy. Fucking New Guy.
479 00:29:56,326 00:29:58,159 Lower than tits on a snake. Lower than tits on a snake.
480 00:29:59,059 00:30:01,159 FNGs got people killed. FNGs got people killed.
481 00:30:01,959 00:30:03,725 All them years waiting. All them years waiting.
482 00:30:04,359 00:30:07,792 Come Easter of '66, I'm in goddamn Vietnam. Come Easter of '66, I'm in goddamn Vietnam.
483 00:30:08,192 00:30:10,059 I mean, I signed up for this shit. I mean, I signed up for this shit.
484 00:30:11,059 00:30:13,368 Thirty-three years old and I was gung-ho Thirty-three years old and I was gung-ho
485 00:30:13,392 00:30:15,025 and ready to kill something. and ready to kill something.
486 00:30:15,292 00:30:17,492 Hey, Ray, you're short, right? Hey, Ray, you're short, right?
487 00:30:18,426 00:30:20,468 Thirty-two days and I'll be swimming in Schlitz Thirty-two days and I'll be swimming in Schlitz
488 00:30:20,492 00:30:21,925 unless you get me killed. unless you get me killed.
489 00:30:23,226 00:30:25,302 How long did it take you to grease your first dink? How long did it take you to grease your first dink?
490 00:30:25,326 00:30:27,725 - Understand what I'm saying? - Get off my back. - Understand what I'm saying? - Get off my back.
491 00:30:28,025 00:30:29,025 What's your problem, man? What's your problem, man?
492 00:30:29,526 00:30:31,226 You trying to get each other killed? Hmm? You trying to get each other killed? Hmm?
493 00:30:32,125 00:30:33,459 Man, get the hell away from him. Man, get the hell away from him.
494 00:30:35,392 00:30:36,725 Now, you know better, Ray. Now, you know better, Ray.
495 00:30:37,392 00:30:38,725 Keep your eyes open, man. Keep your eyes open, man.
496 00:31:00,992 00:31:03,426 - Go, go, go! - Charlie! Get down! - Go, go, go! - Charlie! Get down!
497 00:31:05,125 00:31:07,925 Get down, get down! Get down, get down!
498 00:31:16,559 00:31:17,535 What we got? What we got?
499 00:31:17,559 00:31:20,725 - There was three of them. - I... I got one. - There was three of them. - I... I got one.
500 00:31:20,925 00:31:22,959 I got one. I got one.
501 00:31:31,492 00:31:33,059 Holy shit. Holy shit.
502 00:31:35,025 00:31:36,426 Nice shot. Nice shot.
503 00:31:36,925 00:31:38,268 Charlie Six, Charlie Three. Charlie Six, Charlie Three.
504 00:31:38,292 00:31:39,326 Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ.
505 00:31:41,392 00:31:42,392 Charlie Six. Charlie Six.
506 00:31:43,693 00:31:44,335 Lieutenant, what the hell is going on up there? Lieutenant, what the hell is going on up there?
507 00:31:44,359 00:31:46,292 FNG bust his cherry is all. FNG bust his cherry is all.
508 00:31:46,792 00:31:48,092 Copy that. Anything else? Copy that. Anything else?
509 00:31:48,925 00:31:50,459 - Negative. - Roger that. - Negative. - Roger that.
510 00:31:50,858 00:31:51,892 Charlie Three out. Charlie Three out.
511 00:31:54,125 00:31:55,925 Kep, check him for intel. Kep, check him for intel.
512 00:31:56,459 00:31:58,292 Then shove a couple of grenades up under him. Then shove a couple of grenades up under him.
513 00:31:59,226 00:32:00,892 Anybody comes for him, we'll know. Anybody comes for him, we'll know.
514 00:32:08,092 00:32:09,092 FNG. FNG.
515 00:32:09,392 00:32:10,792 Welcome to 'Nam, Jimmy. Welcome to 'Nam, Jimmy.
516 00:32:11,492 00:32:12,992 Come on, I got you. Come on, I got you.
517 00:32:16,125 00:32:18,326 I ain't never seen nobody die before. I ain't never seen nobody die before.
518 00:32:19,492 00:32:20,834 That little matter sucked That little matter sucked
519 00:32:20,858 00:32:22,725 all the whoop-ass right out of me. all the whoop-ass right out of me.
520 00:32:23,359 00:32:24,992 Understand what I'm saying, sir? Understand what I'm saying, sir?
521 00:32:26,925 00:32:31,192 I felt real bad about that for exactly 12 hours. I felt real bad about that for exactly 12 hours.
522 00:32:33,059 00:32:35,092 And then I didn't feel bad about nothing. And then I didn't feel bad about nothing.
523 00:32:48,125 00:32:50,045 Thought this was going to the bottom of the pile. Thought this was going to the bottom of the pile.
524 00:32:50,092 00:32:51,292 We are the bottom of the pile. We are the bottom of the pile.
525 00:32:52,426 00:32:54,586 Some guy named Ray Mott called, said he was confirming. Some guy named Ray Mott called, said he was confirming.
526 00:32:54,892 00:32:57,459 Today's adventures in post-traumatic exorcism. Today's adventures in post-traumatic exorcism.
527 00:32:58,025 00:32:59,326 Hopefully he won't have a gun. Hopefully he won't have a gun.
528 00:33:00,025 00:33:01,868 Sit down and walk me through the requirements Sit down and walk me through the requirements
529 00:33:01,892 00:33:03,792 for a congressional decorations package. for a congressional decorations package.
530 00:33:04,192 00:33:06,459 - New eyewitness statements. - Okay, we're doing that. - New eyewitness statements. - Okay, we're doing that.
531 00:33:07,025 00:33:08,468 DOD report of casualty. DOD report of casualty.
532 00:33:08,492 00:33:10,502 Well, he's definitely dead. So that's two. Well, he's definitely dead. So that's two.
533 00:33:10,526 00:33:12,135 And chain of command endorsements. And chain of command endorsements.
534 00:33:12,159 00:33:13,858 Bingo. Where are they? Bingo. Where are they?
535 00:33:14,359 00:33:17,459 Because some guy named Kepper Because some guy named Kepper
536 00:33:18,259 00:33:20,359 wrote the after-action report and passed it up. wrote the after-action report and passed it up.
537 00:33:20,959 00:33:22,319 It would have to have been approved It would have to have been approved
538 00:33:22,925 00:33:25,402 from Bien Hoa, Saigon, to here at the Pentagon. from Bien Hoa, Saigon, to here at the Pentagon.
539 00:33:25,426 00:33:28,226 - That would have been protocol. - Right, so where is it? - That would have been protocol. - Right, so where is it?
540 00:33:29,159 00:33:31,068 Well, a lot can get lost in 32 years. Well, a lot can get lost in 32 years.
541 00:33:31,092 00:33:32,825 This is the government we're talking about. This is the government we're talking about.
542 00:33:33,025 00:33:35,235 Well, if I can't find the chain of command endorsements, Well, if I can't find the chain of command endorsements,
543 00:33:35,259 00:33:38,259 this thing's DOA. I'm out of it. this thing's DOA. I'm out of it.
544 00:33:39,159 00:33:40,292 Why not ask Kepper? Why not ask Kepper?
545 00:33:40,858 00:33:42,834 Because he's living in Nha Trang, Because he's living in Nha Trang,
546 00:33:42,858 00:33:45,259 which is in Vietnam, and that's 11 time zones away. which is in Vietnam, and that's 11 time zones away.
547 00:33:45,559 00:33:48,326 There is this new invention called the telephone. There is this new invention called the telephone.
548 00:33:48,858 00:33:51,192 Look, apparently this guy is some Kurtzian burnout Look, apparently this guy is some Kurtzian burnout
549 00:33:51,559 00:33:54,001 smoking ganja under the Bodhi tree. smoking ganja under the Bodhi tree.
550 00:33:54,025 00:33:55,459 I'm not going there. I'm not going there.
551 00:33:55,892 00:33:57,725 - Is that the budget top sheet? - Yeah. - Is that the budget top sheet? - Yeah.
552 00:33:59,426 00:34:01,426 All right. I'll call you from the road. All right. I'll call you from the road.
553 00:34:06,125 00:34:08,801 I come out here, knock out a box or two, I come out here, knock out a box or two,
554 00:34:08,825 00:34:10,725 check my targets, pick up my brass. check my targets, pick up my brass.
555 00:34:11,292 00:34:13,092 Keeps me civil with the kids. Keeps me civil with the kids.
556 00:34:18,292 00:34:19,868 Hear you went Hear you went
557 00:34:19,892 00:34:22,468 - to see Jimmy Burr. - Yeah. - to see Jimmy Burr. - Yeah.
558 00:34:22,492 00:34:24,535 He kills things to relieve stress. He kills things to relieve stress.
559 00:34:24,559 00:34:26,492 Flower box, 75 meters. Flower box, 75 meters.
560 00:34:29,858 00:34:30,901 You know, he's got a bullet in his head still. You know, he's got a bullet in his head still.
561 00:34:30,925 00:34:33,834 It didn't kill him, so they slammed him into VA, It didn't kill him, so they slammed him into VA,
562 00:34:33,858 00:34:35,502 doped him up for about 20 years. doped him up for about 20 years.
563 00:34:35,526 00:34:37,092 Can't imagine why. Can't imagine why.
564 00:34:46,125 00:34:47,892 It's a hell of a thing, you know, It's a hell of a thing, you know,
565 00:34:48,559 00:34:51,492 to have somebody die so you can pop melons and... to have somebody die so you can pop melons and...
566 00:34:52,492 00:34:54,459 shoot rabbits by the light of the moon. shoot rabbits by the light of the moon.
567 00:34:55,025 00:34:57,125 Weapon's clear, Gene. Weapon's clear, Gene.
568 00:34:58,359 00:34:59,392 Weapon's clear. Weapon's clear.
569 00:35:04,226 00:35:06,025 Your reputation precedes you. Your reputation precedes you.
570 00:35:06,359 00:35:09,092 - Jimmy isn't a fan. - Yeah, Tulley either. - Jimmy isn't a fan. - Yeah, Tulley either.
571 00:35:09,858 00:35:12,801 Well, if you guys want this guy to get the medal, Well, if you guys want this guy to get the medal,
572 00:35:12,825 00:35:14,935 I gotta get statements, testimony. I gotta get statements, testimony.
573 00:35:14,959 00:35:18,001 It was one day, decades ago. It was one day, decades ago.
574 00:35:18,025 00:35:20,402 Pitsenbarger came into that shitstorm on purpose. Pitsenbarger came into that shitstorm on purpose.
575 00:35:20,426 00:35:22,059 I mean, how do you account for that? I mean, how do you account for that?
576 00:35:22,259 00:35:25,725 Duty, commitment, mission. Pick one. Duty, commitment, mission. Pick one.
577 00:35:27,359 00:35:29,226 I kept telling him to get out... I kept telling him to get out...
578 00:35:30,259 00:35:31,426 but he wouldn't go. but he wouldn't go.
579 00:35:32,192 00:35:34,025 Even his CO ordered him back up. Even his CO ordered him back up.
580 00:35:34,526 00:35:36,392 Their bird was getting ripped up. Their bird was getting ripped up.
581 00:35:37,192 00:35:38,492 But he waved them off. But he waved them off.
582 00:35:40,192 00:35:41,459 Probably saved them too. Probably saved them too.
583 00:35:42,359 00:35:43,492 Hell, he was Air Force. Hell, he was Air Force.
584 00:35:44,059 00:35:45,392 He shouldn't even have been there. He shouldn't even have been there.
585 00:35:45,925 00:35:47,992 - None of us should have. - How so? - None of us should have. - How so?
586 00:35:49,092 00:35:51,035 We'd already been out two weeks on patrol, We'd already been out two weeks on patrol,
587 00:35:51,059 00:35:52,801 but once we tangled but once we tangled
588 00:35:52,825 00:35:55,125 with those NVA forces, naturally, with those NVA forces, naturally,
589 00:35:55,526 00:35:56,959 we got the duty. we got the duty.
590 00:35:57,326 00:36:00,025 - Duty? - Bait, brother. - Duty? - Bait, brother.
591 00:36:00,825 00:36:01,825 Live bait. Live bait.
592 00:36:06,992 00:36:08,125 Everybody down! Everybody down!
593 00:36:10,025 00:36:11,345 They put us there to make contact. They put us there to make contact.
594 00:36:12,426 00:36:16,259 Alpha and Bravo would flank and we'd grind 'em into pulp, Alpha and Bravo would flank and we'd grind 'em into pulp,
595 00:36:16,858 00:36:18,168 take 'em out at whatever cost. take 'em out at whatever cost.
596 00:36:18,192 00:36:20,858 Search and destroy. Notches on your pistol, baby. Search and destroy. Notches on your pistol, baby.
597 00:36:21,426 00:36:23,725 Kill ratios, body counts. Kill ratios, body counts.
598 00:36:24,292 00:36:25,459 It was total bullshit. It was total bullshit.
599 00:36:26,426 00:36:29,025 Westmoreland, McNamara, Johnson. Westmoreland, McNamara, Johnson.
600 00:36:29,858 00:36:31,378 That's how they kept the money flowing. That's how they kept the money flowing.
601 00:36:31,925 00:36:33,925 Kick an anthill. Grease a mess of gooks. Kick an anthill. Grease a mess of gooks.
602 00:36:34,526 00:36:36,957 Next day the NVA'd be right back again. Next day the NVA'd be right back again.
603 00:36:56,125 00:36:58,035 - What's happening? - More gooks, sir! - What's happening? - More gooks, sir!
604 00:36:58,059 00:36:59,326 - Where? - Over there, sir! - Where? - Over there, sir!
605 00:37:00,159 00:37:02,025 This place is crawling with them! This place is crawling with them!
606 00:37:07,125 00:37:08,125 They're in the trees. They're in the trees.
607 00:37:08,526 00:37:10,090 They're in the trees. They're in the trees.
608 00:37:13,892 00:37:16,292 Cover me! Cover me!
609 00:37:21,559 00:37:23,192 We didn't have a fucking chance. We didn't have a fucking chance.
610 00:37:36,059 00:37:37,326 Ah. You're dogging it. Ah. You're dogging it.
611 00:37:37,559 00:37:38,535 Just so you know, Just so you know,
612 00:37:38,559 00:37:40,435 I can't find the chain of command endorsements I can't find the chain of command endorsements
613 00:37:40,459 00:37:41,725 in the Pitsenbarger file. in the Pitsenbarger file.
614 00:37:42,792 00:37:44,832 - So put it in your report. - I'm missing something. - So put it in your report. - I'm missing something.
615 00:37:44,892 00:37:47,792 - What are you doing? - What? - What are you doing? - What?
616 00:37:47,992 00:37:50,192 This thing was ancient history before you were born. This thing was ancient history before you were born.
617 00:37:51,392 00:37:52,758 Let me let you in on something. Let me let you in on something.
618 00:37:52,992 00:37:55,101 It is an undisputed fact at the Pentagon It is an undisputed fact at the Pentagon
619 00:37:55,125 00:37:57,259 that all the real hardware goes to the officers. that all the real hardware goes to the officers.
620 00:37:57,959 00:38:00,135 There's been one enlisted Medal of Honor There's been one enlisted Medal of Honor
621 00:38:00,159 00:38:01,439 in the history of the Air Force. in the history of the Air Force.
622 00:38:02,226 00:38:04,068 So somebody makes endorsements disappear So somebody makes endorsements disappear
623 00:38:04,092 00:38:05,392 because the guy's enlisted? because the guy's enlisted?
624 00:38:05,892 00:38:07,725 It's not a can of worms you wanna open. It's not a can of worms you wanna open.
625 00:38:08,858 00:38:10,402 - Why not? - Because confronting - Why not? - Because confronting
626 00:38:10,426 00:38:13,326 the Air Force decorations board is not in your best interest. the Air Force decorations board is not in your best interest.
627 00:38:13,892 00:38:14,959 Oh, shoot. Oh, shoot.
628 00:38:15,825 00:38:16,768 I'm getting a shower. I'm getting a shower.
629 00:38:16,792 00:38:18,226 - Yeah. - It doesn't count. - Yeah. - It doesn't count.
630 00:38:27,226 00:38:28,292 Hey there, hotshot. Hey there, hotshot.
631 00:38:29,292 00:38:30,572 Thought you fell off the planet. Thought you fell off the planet.
632 00:38:31,125 00:38:33,059 I'm pacing myself. It's a long way down. I'm pacing myself. It's a long way down.
633 00:38:33,359 00:38:34,858 What can I do for you? What can I do for you?
634 00:38:35,925 00:38:38,326 You ever hear of a General John A. Hackmeyer? You ever hear of a General John A. Hackmeyer?
635 00:38:39,192 00:38:41,901 He was one of the army silverbacks He was one of the army silverbacks
636 00:38:41,925 00:38:43,359 down in Saigon during the war. down in Saigon during the war.
637 00:38:43,792 00:38:45,402 He was also the service secretary He was also the service secretary
638 00:38:45,426 00:38:47,725 that approved the Medal of Honor of your division. that approved the Medal of Honor of your division.
639 00:38:48,392 00:38:49,858 Think you could track him down? Think you could track him down?
640 00:38:50,092 00:38:52,135 He's probably fertilizer by now. He's probably fertilizer by now.
641 00:38:52,159 00:38:55,292 Besides, you're the one with the DOD security clearance. Besides, you're the one with the DOD security clearance.
642 00:38:56,326 00:38:58,192 Maybe we don't want the DOD to know. Maybe we don't want the DOD to know.
643 00:39:00,059 00:39:01,259 Can you hold on a second? Can you hold on a second?
644 00:39:09,526 00:39:10,725 We don't? We don't?
645 00:39:11,758 00:39:12,801 Chain of command endorsements Chain of command endorsements
646 00:39:12,825 00:39:15,392 are an essential element for congressional review, are an essential element for congressional review,
647 00:39:16,125 00:39:17,326 and they're not in the file. and they're not in the file.
648 00:39:18,459 00:39:20,326 What are you asking me? What are you asking me?
649 00:39:20,858 00:39:22,268 I'm asking you if it's possible I'm asking you if it's possible
650 00:39:22,292 00:39:24,292 that what we're looking for isn't really lost. that what we're looking for isn't really lost.
651 00:39:25,259 00:39:26,492 What are you doing? What are you doing?
652 00:39:28,392 00:39:30,302 I'm doing my job. What do you... I'm doing my job. What do you...
653 00:39:30,326 00:39:31,834 What do you mean, what am I doing? What do you mean, what am I doing?
654 00:39:31,858 00:39:33,825 It's a rare quality these days. It's a rare quality these days.
655 00:39:34,559 00:39:36,335 What, did you grow a conscience? What, did you grow a conscience?
656 00:39:36,359 00:39:39,392 Not at all. It's a waste of energy. Not at all. It's a waste of energy.
657 00:39:41,792 00:39:43,092 Well, I'll sniff around. Well, I'll sniff around.
658 00:39:44,492 00:39:45,492 Okay. Okay.
659 00:40:04,359 00:40:05,868 - Daddy? - How you doing, - Daddy? - How you doing,
660 00:40:05,892 00:40:06,925 mister? mister?
661 00:40:08,526 00:40:09,925 We have company. We have company.
662 00:40:12,359 00:40:13,725 Hi. Hi.
663 00:40:14,125 00:40:16,459 Long drive from Wilmington in that school bus. Long drive from Wilmington in that school bus.
664 00:40:17,125 00:40:18,402 I don't have a car. I don't have a car.
665 00:40:18,426 00:40:20,259 They let me take her home nights. They let me take her home nights.
666 00:40:23,559 00:40:25,502 - Who wants to build a fort? - Me. - Who wants to build a fort? - Me.
667 00:40:25,526 00:40:28,259 - Okay. - Thanks for the coffee. - Okay. - Thanks for the coffee.
668 00:40:28,925 00:40:29,925 Pleasure. Pleasure.
669 00:40:34,925 00:40:36,392 You messed with my head, man... You messed with my head, man...
670 00:40:37,992 00:40:39,259 when you came to see me. when you came to see me.
671 00:40:41,359 00:40:43,025 Started having dreams again. Started having dreams again.
672 00:40:45,459 00:40:46,825 Can't sleep. Can't sleep.
673 00:40:48,092 00:40:50,292 Probably normal, considering. Probably normal, considering.
674 00:40:55,526 00:40:56,858 Sit down. Sit down.
675 00:41:00,092 00:41:01,092 I, um... I, um...
676 00:41:04,359 00:41:07,302 When I got out of the, uh, army hospital in Saigon, When I got out of the, uh, army hospital in Saigon,
677 00:41:07,326 00:41:09,135 I wanted to wear my dress uniform I wanted to wear my dress uniform
678 00:41:09,159 00:41:10,559 for my mother, even though I knew... for my mother, even though I knew...
679 00:41:11,459 00:41:13,992 even though they carried me off the plane. She was... even though they carried me off the plane. She was...
680 00:41:14,959 00:41:17,292 She was crying when she saw me, She was crying when she saw me,
681 00:41:17,526 00:41:20,326 my ribbons and my Purple Heart. my ribbons and my Purple Heart.
682 00:41:21,492 00:41:23,535 They took me straight to the VA They took me straight to the VA
683 00:41:23,559 00:41:25,468 and I was in there for months before I got home, and I was in there for months before I got home,
684 00:41:25,492 00:41:27,192 I never saw that uniform again. I never saw that uniform again.
685 00:41:29,159 00:41:32,059 She packed everything up from the war in my duffle, She packed everything up from the war in my duffle,
686 00:41:33,259 00:41:34,834 like it never happened, you know, like it never happened, you know,
687 00:41:34,858 00:41:36,535 and I guess I didn't care, and I guess I didn't care,
688 00:41:36,559 00:41:39,758 'cause it's been sitting in her attic ever since. 'cause it's been sitting in her attic ever since.
689 00:41:41,825 00:41:44,925 My daughter's a shrink. My daughter's a shrink.
690 00:41:47,159 00:41:48,392 She thought maybe... She thought maybe...
691 00:41:49,059 00:41:50,192 it'd be good... it'd be good...
692 00:41:52,092 00:41:53,825 uh, for me to unpack it. uh, for me to unpack it.
693 00:41:56,292 00:41:57,959 Everything was still there. Everything was still there.
694 00:42:00,892 00:42:03,292 The smell of war still on my clothes. The smell of war still on my clothes.
695 00:42:05,426 00:42:06,725 And, um... And, um...
696 00:42:23,959 00:42:25,092 Pits gave that to me. Pits gave that to me.
697 00:42:25,992 00:42:27,426 He asked me to take care of it. He asked me to take care of it.
698 00:42:28,326 00:42:29,925 He asked me to bring it to her. He asked me to bring it to her.
699 00:42:34,292 00:42:35,292 The guy saved my life The guy saved my life
700 00:42:36,292 00:42:37,368 and there was one small thing that he asked of me and there was one small thing that he asked of me
701 00:42:37,392 00:42:38,758 and I wouldn't do it. and I wouldn't do it.
702 00:42:42,825 00:42:43,992 I couldn't do it. I couldn't do it.
703 00:42:56,459 00:42:58,025 You know what that makes me? You know what that makes me?
704 00:43:10,992 00:43:12,426 1954. 1954.
705 00:43:13,192 00:43:16,092 It snowed all night. Ah, that was a beautiful Christmas. It snowed all night. Ah, that was a beautiful Christmas.
706 00:43:16,459 00:43:19,125 I got Bill his Flexible Flyer. I got Bill his Flexible Flyer.
707 00:43:20,226 00:43:22,426 It's... It's still out there in the garage. It's... It's still out there in the garage.
708 00:43:22,959 00:43:25,068 - You were close? - Sure. - You were close? - Sure.
709 00:43:25,092 00:43:29,326 But, uh, I wa... I was on the road in... In those days. But, uh, I wa... I was on the road in... In those days.
710 00:43:29,925 00:43:31,459 I missed so much. I missed so much.
711 00:43:33,125 00:43:34,792 Yeah. Yeah.
712 00:43:40,359 00:43:41,892 You close to your dad? You close to your dad?
713 00:43:42,892 00:43:44,858 Actually, I never met him. Actually, I never met him.
714 00:43:48,292 00:43:50,492 Why... Why did you let him go? Why... Why did you let him go?
715 00:43:51,159 00:43:52,459 Why didn't you just stop him? Why didn't you just stop him?
716 00:43:54,159 00:43:57,459 You can't teach your children values... You can't teach your children values...
717 00:43:58,825 00:44:02,001 and then just withdraw 'em because you're afraid and then just withdraw 'em because you're afraid
718 00:44:02,025 00:44:03,392 of what you might lose. of what you might lose.
719 00:44:04,226 00:44:06,792 It just seemed like such a high price to pay. It just seemed like such a high price to pay.
720 00:44:08,092 00:44:09,426 If not my son... If not my son...
721 00:44:10,825 00:44:11,892 then whose? then whose?
722 00:44:12,492 00:44:14,025 My neighbor's? My neighbor's?
723 00:44:14,559 00:44:15,892 My sister's? My sister's?
724 00:44:17,125 00:44:18,125 Yours? Yours?
725 00:44:19,992 00:44:20,992 Bill... Bill...
726 00:44:21,959 00:44:24,292 he honored all of us by serving, he honored all of us by serving,
727 00:44:24,959 00:44:26,959 and that's no small thing. and that's no small thing.
728 00:44:29,326 00:44:30,492 No disrespect. No disrespect.
729 00:44:31,526 00:44:32,959 None taken. None taken.
730 00:44:34,559 00:44:36,192 In 1965, In 1965,
731 00:44:36,825 00:44:39,792 the first ground troops landed at Da Nang. the first ground troops landed at Da Nang.
732 00:44:40,326 00:44:42,326 I had the thing on TV all the time. I had the thing on TV all the time.
733 00:44:42,925 00:44:46,159 A couple of weeks later, the US embassy was bombed. A couple of weeks later, the US embassy was bombed.
734 00:44:47,925 00:44:51,435 Americans his age started dying. Americans his age started dying.
735 00:44:51,459 00:44:53,292 Boys from our own town. Boys from our own town.
736 00:44:54,326 00:44:55,892 I... I think it moved him. I... I think it moved him.
737 00:44:56,359 00:44:59,168 He came to me one night, I knew what he was thinking. He came to me one night, I knew what he was thinking.
738 00:44:59,192 00:45:01,792 God, it sent a jolt right through me. God, it sent a jolt right through me.
739 00:45:03,059 00:45:04,459 But he went easy on me. But he went easy on me.
740 00:45:05,159 00:45:08,359 He never asked for permission. He never asked for permission.
741 00:45:09,459 00:45:11,892 I think he knew what it would mean later... I think he knew what it would mean later...
742 00:45:13,292 00:45:14,892 if something happened to him. if something happened to him.
743 00:45:23,159 00:45:27,492 By the time I woke up, he'd already gone. By the time I woke up, he'd already gone.
744 00:45:29,359 00:45:30,959 Next time I saw him... Next time I saw him...
745 00:45:33,259 00:45:35,226 he had a haircut and orders. he had a haircut and orders.
746 00:45:37,125 00:45:39,992 I was never so frightened and I was never so proud. I was never so frightened and I was never so proud.
747 00:45:42,125 00:45:45,825 I can't help it, but I... I still miss... I can't help it, but I... I still miss...
748 00:45:47,292 00:45:50,059 watching him mow the lawn out there, watching him mow the lawn out there,
749 00:45:50,992 00:45:54,357 the smell of fresh cut grass on his sneakers. the smell of fresh cut grass on his sneakers.
750 00:45:56,593 00:45:59,725 And how he folded his clothes, even when they were dirty, And how he folded his clothes, even when they were dirty,
751 00:46:00,559 00:46:02,392 'cause he knew it pleased his mom. 'cause he knew it pleased his mom.
752 00:46:03,459 00:46:08,268 I miss the way he tapped his cleats for luck I miss the way he tapped his cleats for luck
753 00:46:08,292 00:46:09,858 when he went up to bat... when he went up to bat...
754 00:46:10,858 00:46:12,992 and the way he always found me... and the way he always found me...
755 00:46:15,292 00:46:16,935 when he crossed home plate. when he crossed home plate.
756 00:46:16,959 00:46:19,858 There's a thousand things like that. There's a thousand things like that.
757 00:46:21,259 00:46:25,359 But mostly, I miss what I didn't get to see him do. But mostly, I miss what I didn't get to see him do.
758 00:46:26,226 00:46:27,359 What do you mean? What do you mean?
759 00:46:28,125 00:46:30,459 Well, I never got to see him marry, Well, I never got to see him marry,
760 00:46:31,259 00:46:33,758 or fall in love with a child of his own. or fall in love with a child of his own.
761 00:46:35,392 00:46:36,426 Because only then... Because only then...
762 00:46:39,059 00:46:42,192 could he understand how much his father loved him. could he understand how much his father loved him.
763 00:46:48,025 00:46:49,459 I... I have a son. I... I have a son.
764 00:46:50,858 00:46:53,059 Then you know what we're talking about. Then you know what we're talking about.
765 00:46:56,125 00:46:58,092 Who is, uh, Jenny? Who is, uh, Jenny?
766 00:46:58,326 00:47:01,259 Oh, Jenny Raynor. Oh, Jenny Raynor.
767 00:47:01,492 00:47:02,858 So beautiful. So beautiful.
768 00:47:03,392 00:47:05,968 She came to live with us while Bill was overseas. She came to live with us while Bill was overseas.
769 00:47:05,992 00:47:08,392 You see, Mr. Huffman... You see, Mr. Huffman...
770 00:47:10,459 00:47:12,226 we actually lost... we actually lost...
771 00:47:13,125 00:47:16,858 - two children that day. - Here are her letters. - two children that day. - Here are her letters.
772 00:47:17,259 00:47:19,359 She gave them to us when she got married, She gave them to us when she got married,
773 00:47:20,125 00:47:22,392 but we could never bring ourselves to read 'em. but we could never bring ourselves to read 'em.
774 00:47:24,359 00:47:25,858 Mr. Pitsenbarger... Mr. Pitsenbarger...
775 00:47:26,559 00:47:28,326 I just... I just wanna be clear. I just... I just wanna be clear.
776 00:47:30,792 00:47:33,092 This process doesn't take months. This process doesn't take months.
777 00:47:33,559 00:47:35,059 It takes years. It takes years.
778 00:47:36,459 00:47:38,359 Scott, I have cancer. Scott, I have cancer.
779 00:47:38,992 00:47:42,068 I should have been gone already if you'd believe the doctors. I should have been gone already if you'd believe the doctors.
780 00:47:42,092 00:47:44,925 But, he's a fighter, my man. But, he's a fighter, my man.
781 00:47:46,259 00:47:47,135 I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
782 00:47:47,159 00:47:49,801 Dying isn't harder than losing a child, Dying isn't harder than losing a child,
783 00:47:49,825 00:47:50,825 I promise you. I promise you.
784 00:47:51,758 00:47:53,459 - Do what you can, son. - Thank you. - Do what you can, son. - Thank you.
785 00:48:15,925 00:48:17,259 He sleeps so soundly. He sleeps so soundly.
786 00:48:18,925 00:48:20,792 He has no worries. He has no worries.
787 00:48:22,192 00:48:23,359 Pitsenbarger... Pitsenbarger...
788 00:48:24,492 00:48:25,858 he had everything. he had everything.
789 00:48:26,526 00:48:28,326 People really cared about the guy. People really cared about the guy.
790 00:48:30,025 00:48:31,159 And really loved him. And really loved him.
791 00:48:36,992 00:48:38,426 How could he give all that up? How could he give all that up?
792 00:48:39,526 00:48:41,168 He knew what he was leaving behind, He knew what he was leaving behind,
793 00:48:41,192 00:48:42,259 and still he... and still he...
794 00:48:44,092 00:48:45,359 had such certainty. had such certainty.
795 00:48:47,192 00:48:48,192 Of what? Of what?
796 00:48:49,858 00:48:50,858 That... That...
797 00:48:52,459 00:48:53,959 no bullet was gonna... no bullet was gonna...
798 00:48:55,192 00:48:57,459 stop him from being who he was. stop him from being who he was.
799 00:49:00,226 00:49:01,435 I've never felt that certain I've never felt that certain
800 00:49:01,459 00:49:03,125 about anything in my entire life. about anything in my entire life.
801 00:49:13,392 00:49:14,392 I have. I have.
802 00:50:04,192 00:50:05,768 Look, we're gonna play possum, all right? Look, we're gonna play possum, all right?
803 00:50:05,792 00:50:07,935 No matter what, don't move, don't breathe. No matter what, don't move, don't breathe.
804 00:50:07,959 00:50:09,758 Come on, get on top. Come on. Hurry up. Come on, get on top. Come on. Hurry up.
805 00:50:13,125 00:50:14,468 We have contact all around us. We have contact all around us.
806 00:50:14,492 00:50:16,135 VC got their whole goddamn battalion VC got their whole goddamn battalion
807 00:50:16,159 00:50:17,901 - out of bed for this one. - We're gonna tighten up - out of bed for this one. - We're gonna tighten up
808 00:50:17,925 00:50:20,858 - this circle right now. - Takoda's still out there, sir, - this circle right now. - Takoda's still out there, sir,
809 00:50:21,492 00:50:23,324 Willy, and Burr, too. Willy, and Burr, too.
810 00:50:25,159 00:50:26,959 Nobody gets left outside the perimeter. Nobody gets left outside the perimeter.
811 00:51:05,526 00:51:06,892 Hello? Hello?
812 00:51:18,326 00:51:20,092 Whatever it is you want... Whatever it is you want...
813 00:51:21,792 00:51:22,925 it's okay. it's okay.
814 00:51:39,025 00:51:40,025 Psst. Psst.
815 00:51:40,792 00:51:41,925 Anybody alive? Anybody alive?
816 00:51:42,392 00:51:43,459 Yeah. Yeah.
817 00:51:57,292 00:51:59,068 - I can't breathe. - Whoa. - I can't breathe. - Whoa.
818 00:51:59,092 00:52:00,768 Well, they messed you up good, Lieutenant. Well, they messed you up good, Lieutenant.
819 00:52:00,792 00:52:02,368 Get me out of here, will you? Get me out of here, will you?
820 00:52:02,392 00:52:03,468 Hey. All right. Hey. All right.
821 00:52:03,492 00:52:05,426 I need you to help me with the lieutenant, okay? I need you to help me with the lieutenant, okay?
822 00:52:05,858 00:52:08,035 - Are you with me? Ssh, ssh. - You gotta help Willy. - Are you with me? Ssh, ssh. - You gotta help Willy.
823 00:52:08,059 00:52:09,768 - We can't leave Willy. - Shh, shh. - We can't leave Willy. - Shh, shh.
824 00:52:09,792 00:52:11,072 Willy's gone, friend, all right? Willy's gone, friend, all right?
825 00:52:12,059 00:52:14,019 Now, are you with me? Look at me. Are you with me? Now, are you with me? Look at me. Are you with me?
826 00:52:14,292 00:52:16,292 All right. Come on. All right, up you get. All right. Come on. All right, up you get.
827 00:52:16,492 00:52:17,901 Come on, grab a shoulder. Come on, grab a shoulder.
828 00:52:17,925 00:52:20,123 One, two... One, two...
829 00:52:21,125 00:52:22,326 Grab his belt. Let's go. Grab his belt. Let's go.
830 00:52:33,159 00:52:35,992 This way. This way.
831 00:52:37,226 00:52:38,992 Come on, man, let's go! Get up! Come on, man, let's go! Get up!
832 00:52:39,559 00:52:42,068 It's Takoda. For Christ's sake, don't shoot. It's Takoda. For Christ's sake, don't shoot.
833 00:52:42,092 00:52:44,935 Put him down over there. Over there. That's it. Put him down over there. Over there. That's it.
834 00:52:44,959 00:52:47,025 Easy, easy, easy. Easy, easy, easy.
835 00:52:47,792 00:52:49,825 Wrap it and pack it, all right? Wrap it and pack it, all right?
836 00:52:54,159 00:52:57,092 Right, not too tight. Just venous pressure. Right, not too tight. Just venous pressure.
837 00:52:58,792 00:53:00,992 Okay, that's it. That's it. Okay, that's it. That's it.
838 00:53:02,159 00:53:04,035 Okay. Okay.
839 00:53:04,059 00:53:05,792 Just a few minutes, all right? Just a few minutes, all right?
840 00:53:08,092 00:53:09,892 Hey, you're doing great. Hey, you're doing great.
841 00:53:10,526 00:53:11,792 You're doing just great. You're doing just great.
842 00:53:15,492 00:53:17,159 All right, okay. All right, okay.
843 00:53:17,858 00:53:20,326 One, two, three. One, two, three.
844 00:53:21,259 00:53:23,068 I need you to hold that, I need you to hold that,
845 00:53:23,092 00:53:24,459 all right? Don't let that move. all right? Don't let that move.
846 00:53:25,025 00:53:27,392 - Okay? - Why are you here? - Okay? - Why are you here?
847 00:53:28,925 00:53:30,092 Because you're here. Because you're here.
848 00:53:42,925 00:53:43,959 Did he... Did he...
849 00:53:44,526 00:53:45,858 say anything? say anything?
850 00:53:48,492 00:53:50,192 He never says anything. He never says anything.
851 00:55:03,392 00:55:06,001 Hey. Somebody somewhere likes you. Hey. Somebody somewhere likes you.
852 00:55:06,025 00:55:09,168 - Hey, Carl. - The FBI is doing due diligence. - Hey, Carl. - The FBI is doing due diligence.
853 00:55:09,192 00:55:10,435 You're on the shortlist You're on the shortlist
854 00:55:10,459 00:55:13,192 for Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs. for Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs.
855 00:55:14,526 00:55:15,758 What'd you tell 'em? What'd you tell 'em?
856 00:55:16,226 00:55:18,268 That you're a lying, womanizing pimp That you're a lying, womanizing pimp
857 00:55:18,292 00:55:19,459 and you cheat at hoops. and you cheat at hoops.
858 00:55:20,659 00:55:22,899 They assured me those were all occupational requirements. They assured me those were all occupational requirements.
859 00:55:24,792 00:55:26,159 What about the MOH? What about the MOH?
860 00:55:27,025 00:55:28,202 MOH? I'll reassign it. MOH? I'll reassign it.
861 00:55:28,226 00:55:30,335 I mean, I probably should have done it in the first place. I mean, I probably should have done it in the first place.
862 00:55:30,359 00:55:31,925 Somebody was bound to pick you up. Somebody was bound to pick you up.
863 00:55:35,359 00:55:38,392 I see Senator Holt's peddling an election-year memoir. I see Senator Holt's peddling an election-year memoir.
864 00:55:39,059 00:55:40,235 Yeah, you should read it. Yeah, you should read it.
865 00:55:40,259 00:55:41,168 You might learn something. You might learn something.
866 00:55:41,192 00:55:43,868 - You write any of it? - Every other word. - You write any of it? - Every other word.
867 00:55:43,892 00:55:46,035 That's good, Carl. That's good, Carl.
868 00:55:46,059 00:55:47,959 First time you've told the truth in four years. First time you've told the truth in four years.
869 00:55:48,492 00:55:50,135 What's the matter with you? You... What's the matter with you? You...
870 00:55:50,159 00:55:52,901 You don't want the best civilian job in the Pentagon? You don't want the best civilian job in the Pentagon?
871 00:55:52,925 00:55:55,868 I mean, this... This makes you. I mean, this... This makes you.
872 00:55:55,892 00:55:58,059 It's 3-D moves from here on out, It's 3-D moves from here on out,
873 00:55:58,359 00:56:00,502 not to mention getting you back to Appropriations. not to mention getting you back to Appropriations.
874 00:56:00,526 00:56:02,292 I need to finish this report. I need to finish this report.
875 00:56:03,159 00:56:05,792 Are you kidding me? Look at me. Are you kidding me? Look at me.
876 00:56:06,792 00:56:09,326 You're a predator, man. You're a goddamn meat eater. You're a predator, man. You're a goddamn meat eater.
877 00:56:09,559 00:56:10,992 That single instinct That single instinct
878 00:56:11,226 00:56:14,435 has taken you very far in a very short time, has taken you very far in a very short time,
879 00:56:14,459 00:56:16,235 so don't get sentimental on me now. so don't get sentimental on me now.
880 00:56:16,259 00:56:18,335 So you're gonna finish the review? So you're gonna finish the review?
881 00:56:18,359 00:56:19,725 Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, absolutely.
882 00:56:20,492 00:56:22,758 I'll send an intern down to pick it all up. I'll send an intern down to pick it all up.
883 00:56:22,992 00:56:23,992 An intern. An intern.
884 00:56:25,392 00:56:28,059 - Well, congratulations, man. - Yeah. - Well, congratulations, man. - Yeah.
885 00:56:34,992 00:56:37,123 You'd think I'd be better at this second time around. You'd think I'd be better at this second time around.
886 00:56:39,025 00:56:41,326 Well, you could read the instructions. Well, you could read the instructions.
887 00:56:42,025 00:56:43,192 That would be cheating. That would be cheating.
888 00:56:46,459 00:56:49,159 - Stanton was looking for you. - Well, he found me. - Stanton was looking for you. - Well, he found me.
889 00:56:50,426 00:56:51,901 I'm on the shortlist I'm on the shortlist
890 00:56:51,925 00:56:54,059 for Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs. for Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs.
891 00:56:55,526 00:56:57,059 What about Dave Croft? What about Dave Croft?
892 00:56:57,492 00:56:58,492 Croft's out. Croft's out.
893 00:57:00,025 00:57:02,892 - Well, that's great, then. - It's a career maker. - Well, that's great, then. - It's a career maker.
894 00:57:03,326 00:57:05,725 E-ring, a view of the river. E-ring, a view of the river.
895 00:57:06,259 00:57:08,035 Well, since they threw in the view... Well, since they threw in the view...
896 00:57:08,059 00:57:10,125 Yeah. I mean, what's wrong with that? Yeah. I mean, what's wrong with that?
897 00:57:12,459 00:57:13,858 What about the MOH? What about the MOH?
898 00:57:14,992 00:57:17,292 The Pitsenbargers are in town. The Pitsenbargers are in town.
899 00:57:17,825 00:57:19,892 Frank's having some tests done at the VA. Frank's having some tests done at the VA.
900 00:57:20,392 00:57:21,392 What's wrong with him? What's wrong with him?
901 00:57:22,925 00:57:24,125 Ewing's sarcoma. Ewing's sarcoma.
902 00:57:25,226 00:57:26,226 God. God.
903 00:57:27,526 00:57:29,326 They're gonna be here for Thanksgiving. They're gonna be here for Thanksgiving.
904 00:57:30,226 00:57:33,335 Maybe they'll see our situation and meet Luke and you and... Maybe they'll see our situation and meet Luke and you and...
905 00:57:33,359 00:57:35,834 You are not using us as your excuse. You are not using us as your excuse.
906 00:57:35,858 00:57:38,259 Our life is not an excuse, Tara, it's a fact. Our life is not an excuse, Tara, it's a fact.
907 00:57:40,159 00:57:41,135 Besides, Stanton said he's gonna Besides, Stanton said he's gonna
908 00:57:41,159 00:57:43,259 have someone pick it up right where I leave off. have someone pick it up right where I leave off.
909 00:57:46,159 00:57:47,159 Okay. Okay.
910 00:57:52,392 00:57:53,768 We were Michigan fans We were Michigan fans
911 00:57:53,792 00:57:56,068 long before we moved to Buckeye country. long before we moved to Buckeye country.
912 00:57:56,092 00:57:57,368 It's more than a football game It's more than a football game
913 00:57:57,392 00:57:59,402 when the Wolverines come to Columbus. when the Wolverines come to Columbus.
914 00:57:59,426 00:58:02,168 - Do you still go to the games? - Oh, God, no. - Do you still go to the games? - Oh, God, no.
915 00:58:02,192 00:58:03,858 - Not since... - 1965. - Not since... - 1965.
916 00:58:06,159 00:58:07,159 I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
917 00:58:08,226 00:58:09,135 Talking about Bill Talking about Bill
918 00:58:09,159 00:58:11,226 is one of the greatest joys of our life. is one of the greatest joys of our life.
919 00:58:11,858 00:58:14,159 Keeping him alive keeps us strong. Keeping him alive keeps us strong.
920 00:58:14,426 00:58:15,892 It's how we balance our grief It's how we balance our grief
921 00:58:16,226 00:58:18,402 and how we live a happy life without him. and how we live a happy life without him.
922 00:58:18,426 00:58:21,159 Oh. Huh. Oh. Huh.
923 00:58:21,792 00:58:22,792 Is that a game? Is that a game?
924 00:58:23,758 00:58:26,459 This is a machine that gives me my medicine. This is a machine that gives me my medicine.
925 00:58:28,359 00:58:30,368 Whoa. Whoa.
926 00:58:30,392 00:58:32,968 - We are minutes away. - Yeah, we're ready. - We are minutes away. - Yeah, we're ready.
927 00:58:32,992 00:58:35,202 - May I help? - Oh, uh, Luke, honey, - May I help? - Oh, uh, Luke, honey,
928 00:58:35,226 00:58:37,168 why don't you show Alice and Frank your room? why don't you show Alice and Frank your room?
929 00:58:37,192 00:58:38,959 - Thank you, Luke. - Okay. Okay. - Thank you, Luke. - Okay. Okay.
930 00:58:45,959 00:58:47,292 How do you think I should do this? How do you think I should do this?
931 00:58:48,426 00:58:49,426 Be honest. Be honest.
932 00:58:51,392 00:58:52,825 I meant the turkey. I meant the turkey.
933 00:59:27,292 00:59:31,226 Scott, may I, uh... give the blessing? Scott, may I, uh... give the blessing?
934 00:59:32,792 00:59:33,992 Yeah, of course. Yeah, of course.
935 00:59:35,326 00:59:36,326 Okay. Okay.
936 00:59:37,059 00:59:38,125 Heavenly Father... Heavenly Father...
937 00:59:40,226 00:59:42,935 please bless this food please bless this food
938 00:59:42,959 00:59:45,492 that it may nourish this growing family that it may nourish this growing family
939 00:59:46,125 00:59:48,092 and the friendship between us. and the friendship between us.
940 00:59:49,159 00:59:51,492 And give praise to this young man And give praise to this young man
941 00:59:51,992 00:59:55,492 as he honors us with his commitment to ensure as he honors us with his commitment to ensure
942 00:59:56,292 00:59:58,492 that the sacrifices of the fallen... that the sacrifices of the fallen...
943 00:59:59,792 01:00:01,059 were neither in vain... were neither in vain...
944 01:00:02,292 01:00:04,025 nor will they ever be forgotten. nor will they ever be forgotten.
945 01:00:06,025 01:00:07,025 Amen. Amen.
946 01:00:15,392 01:00:16,426 What you say, mister? What you say, mister?
947 01:00:19,858 01:00:23,168 - What are you doing here? - Tulley had your number. - What are you doing here? - Tulley had your number.
948 01:00:23,192 01:00:26,259 So I called, talked to your wife. Nice woman. So I called, talked to your wife. Nice woman.
949 01:00:26,892 01:00:28,492 She told me where you was at. She told me where you was at.
950 01:00:29,159 01:00:30,159 Sit down. Sit down.
951 01:00:32,492 01:00:34,426 - Coffee? - No. - Coffee? - No.
952 01:00:43,259 01:00:44,959 You tracked me down to give me this? You tracked me down to give me this?
953 01:00:51,192 01:00:54,459 You... never appreciate You... never appreciate
954 01:00:54,858 01:00:57,059 what American artillery can do... what American artillery can do...
955 01:00:58,059 01:01:00,059 till you see it waste your own people. till you see it waste your own people.
956 01:01:00,858 01:01:02,125 What are you talking about? What are you talking about?
957 01:01:03,359 01:01:05,426 The first round killed three for sure. The first round killed three for sure.
958 01:01:06,792 01:01:08,235 Ain't no telling how many of the wounded Ain't no telling how many of the wounded
959 01:01:08,259 01:01:11,159 would have died later if the VC hadn't got to 'em first. would have died later if the VC hadn't got to 'em first.
960 01:01:12,559 01:01:15,159 If you give your shooters a good plot, If you give your shooters a good plot,
961 01:01:15,559 01:01:17,834 them Red Legs could put a .105 round them Red Legs could put a .105 round
962 01:01:17,858 01:01:19,159 inside a pickle barrel. inside a pickle barrel.
963 01:01:20,792 01:01:22,792 I got the distance correction wrong... I got the distance correction wrong...
964 01:01:23,925 01:01:25,825 and we got thumped by our own shit. and we got thumped by our own shit.
965 01:01:27,159 01:01:30,426 - What are you saying? - It was blue on blue, brother. - What are you saying? - It was blue on blue, brother.
966 01:01:31,825 01:01:33,925 Friendly fire. Ain't no getting around that. Friendly fire. Ain't no getting around that.
967 01:01:34,192 01:01:35,968 Damage! Damage! Damage! Damage!
968 01:01:35,992 01:01:37,368 Charlie Three has a fire mission. Charlie Three has a fire mission.
969 01:01:37,392 01:01:41,235 Shift from Queensland, direction 3-1-0, Shift from Queensland, direction 3-1-0,
970 01:01:41,259 01:01:43,302 distance 300 meters. distance 300 meters.
971 01:01:43,326 01:01:44,424 We will adjust. We will adjust.
972 01:01:45,825 01:01:48,892 Shit. Splash. Adjust left 100. Shit. Splash. Adjust left 100.
973 01:01:49,459 01:01:52,324 What the hell was that? What the hell was that?
974 01:01:54,925 01:01:56,459 Can I get some ammo, please? Can I get some ammo, please?
975 01:01:57,125 01:01:58,492 I need some fucking ammo. I need some fucking ammo.
976 01:02:02,892 01:02:03,901 Man down! Man down!
977 01:02:03,925 01:02:06,801 Charlie Three has a fire mission. Drop 100. Charlie Three has a fire mission. Drop 100.
978 01:02:06,825 01:02:07,992 Fire for effect. Fire for effect.
979 01:02:08,259 01:02:11,292 Make it danger close. Make it danger close. Make it danger close. Make it danger close.
980 01:02:13,125 01:02:15,792 Move up! Move up! Move up! Move up!
981 01:02:24,226 01:02:25,292 Medic! Medic!
982 01:02:26,292 01:02:27,725 Medic! Medic!
983 01:02:28,226 01:02:32,025 So when Tulley says I'm the one what started it, So when Tulley says I'm the one what started it,
984 01:02:32,792 01:02:34,259 that's what he really means. that's what he really means.
985 01:02:36,059 01:02:37,226 The truth is... The truth is...
986 01:02:39,326 01:02:40,925 I killed my own men. I killed my own men.
987 01:02:43,092 01:02:44,792 If I get those numbers right... If I get those numbers right...
988 01:02:46,125 01:02:48,492 Pitsenbarger probably never even gets that call, Pitsenbarger probably never even gets that call,
989 01:02:49,392 01:02:51,758 never comes down that wire, never... never comes down that wire, never...
990 01:02:52,992 01:02:54,092 saves my life. saves my life.
991 01:02:56,326 01:02:59,001 Maybe he's the one sitting on a riverbank somewhere Maybe he's the one sitting on a riverbank somewhere
992 01:02:59,025 01:03:02,792 with his grandkids around him, and that'd been fine by me. with his grandkids around him, and that'd been fine by me.
993 01:03:04,459 01:03:06,092 Instead he's dead... Instead he's dead...
994 01:03:08,025 01:03:10,392 and they gave me the goddamn Silver Star. and they gave me the goddamn Silver Star.
995 01:03:11,326 01:03:13,858 For what? Surviving? For what? Surviving?
996 01:03:15,559 01:03:17,968 I sit around year in and year out thinking I sit around year in and year out thinking
997 01:03:17,992 01:03:19,725 about 20 seconds about 20 seconds
998 01:03:19,992 01:03:23,326 32 years ago I wish to God I could have back. 32 years ago I wish to God I could have back.
999 01:03:25,959 01:03:27,292 Surviving isn't a crime. Surviving isn't a crime.
1000 01:03:29,392 01:03:32,492 No, it ain't... but it's a life sentence. No, it ain't... but it's a life sentence.
1001 01:03:33,992 01:03:35,492 Getting that medal for Pits, Getting that medal for Pits,
1002 01:03:35,992 01:03:38,092 for his family, for the men I lost, for his family, for the men I lost,
1003 01:03:38,892 01:03:42,125 might be the only decent thing I get to pull out of that war. might be the only decent thing I get to pull out of that war.
1004 01:03:44,125 01:03:47,202 So, why don't you go on back up to Washington So, why don't you go on back up to Washington
1005 01:03:47,226 01:03:48,992 and make that happen, all right? and make that happen, all right?
1006 01:04:04,025 01:04:05,202 Daddy. Daddy.
1007 01:04:05,226 01:04:07,192 Hey. Hey.
1008 01:04:07,426 01:04:09,792 I'm thirsty. I'm thirsty.
1009 01:04:10,359 01:04:12,725 Okay, buddy, let's get you a drink. Okay, buddy, let's get you a drink.
1010 01:04:13,459 01:04:16,125 Daddy, are those the army men you're helping? Daddy, are those the army men you're helping?
1011 01:04:19,492 01:04:22,125 Yeah, they are. Yeah, they are.
1012 01:04:25,226 01:04:27,292 Do you want me to be a army man? Do you want me to be a army man?
1013 01:04:29,059 01:04:32,259 - Hey. What's going on? - Hey. - Hey. What's going on? - Hey.
1014 01:04:34,359 01:04:35,725 He just needs a drink. He just needs a drink.
1015 01:04:37,025 01:04:40,092 Oh, I see. Let's go get you some water, huh? Oh, I see. Let's go get you some water, huh?
1016 01:04:42,159 01:04:44,901 - Everything okay? - Yeah. See you in a bit. - Everything okay? - Yeah. See you in a bit.
1017 01:04:44,925 01:04:48,025 Okay. All right. Let's get you some water. Okay. All right. Let's get you some water.
1018 01:04:54,792 01:04:57,168 Well, Jim, I was deployed to Vietnam Well, Jim, I was deployed to Vietnam
1019 01:04:57,192 01:04:59,101 at a very interesting point during the war, at a very interesting point during the war,
1020 01:04:59,125 01:05:00,335 and that's really what prompted me and that's really what prompted me
1021 01:05:00,359 01:05:01,359 to write the book. to write the book.
1022 01:05:02,359 01:05:04,801 I was initially serving as the G3, I was initially serving as the G3,
1023 01:05:04,825 01:05:06,035 or operations officer, or operations officer,
1024 01:05:06,059 01:05:09,825 for the 1st Infantry Division, the Big Red One, for the 1st Infantry Division, the Big Red One,
1025 01:05:10,159 01:05:11,768 now, we were deployed, uh, now, we were deployed, uh,
1026 01:05:11,792 01:05:13,168 northwest of Saigon... northwest of Saigon...
1027 01:05:13,192 01:05:14,168 ...in a very crucial area ...in a very crucial area
1028 01:05:14,192 01:05:15,935 next to the capital... next to the capital...
1029 01:05:15,959 01:05:16,734 ...Saigon then, ...Saigon then,
1030 01:05:16,758 01:05:18,092 - now Ho Chi Minh City. - Hello? - now Ho Chi Minh City. - Hello?
1031 01:05:19,326 01:05:21,359 Now, what I meant by a very interesting period... Now, what I meant by a very interesting period...
1032 01:05:27,959 01:05:28,959 Hey. Hey.
1033 01:05:30,125 01:05:32,259 - Where is he? Can I see him? - Slow down. - Where is he? Can I see him? - Slow down.
1034 01:05:32,925 01:05:33,925 Okay. Okay.
1035 01:05:43,426 01:05:44,459 Hey, Frank. Hey, Frank.
1036 01:05:45,426 01:05:47,892 Got someone here to see you. It's the FNG. Got someone here to see you. It's the FNG.
1037 01:05:48,459 01:05:51,468 - Mr. Huffman. - How you doing, Frank? - Mr. Huffman. - How you doing, Frank?
1038 01:05:51,492 01:05:53,459 All the better for seeing you. All the better for seeing you.
1039 01:05:54,992 01:05:56,192 Thank you for coming. Thank you for coming.
1040 01:05:56,559 01:05:57,758 Of course. Of course.
1041 01:05:59,925 01:06:01,426 He gave me a call and, uh... He gave me a call and, uh...
1042 01:06:03,392 01:06:05,292 - here I am. - Right. - here I am. - Right.
1043 01:06:10,192 01:06:11,226 Is he dying? Is he dying?
1044 01:06:12,259 01:06:13,725 We're all dying, son. We're all dying, son.
1045 01:06:17,292 01:06:18,959 I think he's holding on... I think he's holding on...
1046 01:06:21,326 01:06:22,925 for you to get this done. for you to get this done.
1047 01:06:24,559 01:06:26,392 Why are you in the middle of everything? Why are you in the middle of everything?
1048 01:06:27,092 01:06:31,492 I mean, what's in it for you? He didn't save your life. I mean, what's in it for you? He didn't save your life.
1049 01:06:32,492 01:06:33,492 Didn't he? Didn't he?
1050 01:06:35,359 01:06:36,992 So you feel like you owe? So you feel like you owe?
1051 01:06:37,259 01:06:38,925 Absolutely. Absolutely.
1052 01:06:39,959 01:06:41,959 You asked me if I had an agenda. You asked me if I had an agenda.
1053 01:06:42,226 01:06:45,459 It's those people upstairs. It's those people upstairs.
1054 01:06:47,125 01:06:48,326 Now, what about you? Now, what about you?
1055 01:06:51,825 01:06:53,935 We'd already been out two weeks on patrol, We'd already been out two weeks on patrol,
1056 01:06:53,959 01:06:57,001 but once we tangled with those NVA forces, but once we tangled with those NVA forces,
1057 01:06:57,025 01:06:59,959 naturally we got the duty. naturally we got the duty.
1058 01:07:00,192 01:07:02,825 - Duty? - Bait, brother. - Duty? - Bait, brother.
1059 01:07:03,192 01:07:04,192 Live bait. Live bait.
1060 01:07:05,226 01:07:06,635 They put us there to make contact. They put us there to make contact.
1061 01:07:06,659 01:07:11,359 Alpha and Bravo would flank and we'd grind 'em into pulp. Alpha and Bravo would flank and we'd grind 'em into pulp.
1062 01:07:12,492 01:07:14,768 Why don't you just ask Chauncey Kepper? Why don't you just ask Chauncey Kepper?
1063 01:07:14,792 01:07:16,459 He wrote the after-action report. He wrote the after-action report.
1064 01:07:16,992 01:07:19,125 He's the sage of Southeast Asia. He's the sage of Southeast Asia.
1065 01:07:19,792 01:07:21,072 We've all been there to see him. We've all been there to see him.
1066 01:07:22,459 01:07:24,202 If there's anyone who knows where the bodies are buried, If there's anyone who knows where the bodies are buried,
1067 01:07:24,226 01:07:25,459 it's Kepper. it's Kepper.
1068 01:07:32,125 01:07:35,492 I found this. May the second, 1966. I found this. May the second, 1966.
1069 01:07:35,959 01:07:39,159 Interview with Mr. Kurtz. Interview with Mr. Kurtz.
1070 01:07:40,059 01:07:42,226 Ex-pat, Sergeant Chauncey Kepper. Ex-pat, Sergeant Chauncey Kepper.
1071 01:07:42,959 01:07:44,435 He wrote the after-action report. He wrote the after-action report.
1072 01:07:44,459 01:07:45,459 Apparently. Apparently.
1073 01:07:46,526 01:07:48,001 What I can't understand is why nobody from the DOD What I can't understand is why nobody from the DOD
1074 01:07:48,025 01:07:49,025 ever talked to him. ever talked to him.
1075 01:07:49,526 01:07:52,725 Southeast Asia is supposed to be beautiful. Southeast Asia is supposed to be beautiful.
1076 01:08:30,992 01:08:32,125 Down that way. Down that way.
1077 01:08:32,792 01:08:34,025 - Over there. - Okay. - Over there. - Okay.
1078 01:08:50,892 01:08:51,959 Ahoy there. Ahoy there.
1079 01:09:12,059 01:09:13,326 You pray, Mr. Huffman? You pray, Mr. Huffman?
1080 01:09:14,292 01:09:15,326 Not really. Not really.
1081 01:09:15,959 01:09:18,326 I didn't either. I prayed that day. I didn't either. I prayed that day.
1082 01:09:19,359 01:09:20,758 Prayed for a miracle... Prayed for a miracle...
1083 01:09:21,359 01:09:23,858 and one came. His name is Pits. and one came. His name is Pits.
1084 01:09:24,526 01:09:25,502 We're gonna We're gonna
1085 01:09:25,526 01:09:28,092 get you home, huh? You're gonna go back home? get you home, huh? You're gonna go back home?
1086 01:09:28,526 01:09:31,035 Man, you're gonna have one hell of a scar Man, you're gonna have one hell of a scar
1087 01:09:31,059 01:09:32,292 by the end of summer. by the end of summer.
1088 01:09:32,992 01:09:34,856 She's gonna be impressed with this one. She's gonna be impressed with this one.
1089 01:09:36,159 01:09:38,326 All right, I got some pain relief coming up. All right, I got some pain relief coming up.
1090 01:09:39,559 01:09:42,025 All right, hold tight, bud. Hold tight. All right, hold tight, bud. Hold tight.
1091 01:09:42,892 01:09:45,157 There you go, buddy. There you go. There you go, buddy. There you go.
1092 01:09:47,792 01:09:50,856 One, two, three. One, two, three.
1093 01:09:56,392 01:09:57,925 Pits, come on! Pits, come on!
1094 01:10:04,992 01:10:07,992 - Come on! - All right, buddy. Here we go. - Come on! - All right, buddy. Here we go.
1095 01:10:11,825 01:10:13,192 Okay. Let's go! Okay. Let's go!
1096 01:10:42,292 01:10:43,725 Come on! Come on!
1097 01:10:45,125 01:10:46,892 Pits, let's go! Pits, let's go!
1098 01:11:24,359 01:11:28,259 That after-action report that you wrote on the battle. That after-action report that you wrote on the battle.
1099 01:11:30,526 01:11:31,959 A lot of it is missing. A lot of it is missing.
1100 01:11:32,292 01:11:33,758 Everything that I wrote Everything that I wrote
1101 01:11:34,259 01:11:37,292 went up the Saigon chimney 32 years ago, brother. went up the Saigon chimney 32 years ago, brother.
1102 01:11:37,559 01:11:40,468 Look, I... I talked to a lot of the guys Look, I... I talked to a lot of the guys
1103 01:11:40,492 01:11:42,025 in Charlie Company and... in Charlie Company and...
1104 01:11:43,559 01:11:46,758 no one seems to know. I mean, who even thought up no one seems to know. I mean, who even thought up
1105 01:11:47,059 01:11:49,025 Operation Abilene in the first place? Operation Abilene in the first place?
1106 01:11:49,326 01:11:51,825 Company CO, Mad Matty Holt. Company CO, Mad Matty Holt.
1107 01:11:54,492 01:11:56,792 - Madison Holt? - Colonel. - Madison Holt? - Colonel.
1108 01:11:57,159 01:11:59,159 He's a big shot in Washington now, I think. He's a big shot in Washington now, I think.
1109 01:12:05,125 01:12:07,226 Yeah, Senator Holt. Yeah, Senator Holt.
1110 01:12:09,192 01:12:11,259 Maybe gonna be Secretary of Defense one day. Maybe gonna be Secretary of Defense one day.
1111 01:12:14,792 01:12:15,959 He was a good CO. He was a good CO.
1112 01:12:17,159 01:12:19,725 It was a very bad day. It was a very bad day.
1113 01:12:22,059 01:12:23,925 So why do these vets come here to see you? So why do these vets come here to see you?
1114 01:12:24,292 01:12:26,159 Why they come here is none of my business. Why they come here is none of my business.
1115 01:12:27,159 01:12:28,292 Well, what do you do here? Well, what do you do here?
1116 01:12:29,459 01:12:32,025 I live, I love, and listen. I live, I love, and listen.
1117 01:12:32,426 01:12:33,901 - So you listen to them? - Yeah. - So you listen to them? - Yeah.
1118 01:12:33,925 01:12:35,226 - To the vets. - Uh-huh. - To the vets. - Uh-huh.
1119 01:12:36,292 01:12:38,959 Try to rewrite their story, help 'em. Try to rewrite their story, help 'em.
1120 01:12:39,792 01:12:41,059 You can't change their past. You can't change their past.
1121 01:12:41,259 01:12:43,392 But you can change your perspective. But you can change your perspective.
1122 01:12:44,059 01:12:46,326 You can create new memories, You can create new memories,
1123 01:12:46,925 01:12:49,326 happy memories, even in a sad place. happy memories, even in a sad place.
1124 01:12:53,359 01:12:54,359 It's choices. It's choices.
1125 01:12:56,125 01:12:57,758 Our guys come through here, Our guys come through here,
1126 01:12:58,426 01:13:00,768 people think the war is who those men are. people think the war is who those men are.
1127 01:13:00,792 01:13:02,226 It's not. It's what happened to 'em. It's not. It's what happened to 'em.
1128 01:13:03,326 01:13:04,492 And it's just wonderful to, And it's just wonderful to,
1129 01:13:05,192 01:13:06,825 kind of, go through stuff with 'em. kind of, go through stuff with 'em.
1130 01:13:08,226 01:13:10,392 Hey, I wanna show you something. Hey, I wanna show you something.
1131 01:13:11,359 01:13:12,359 Shh. Shh.
1132 01:13:35,226 01:13:36,392 This is incredible. This is incredible.
1133 01:13:39,392 01:13:41,992 I never brought anyone who didn't feel happy here. I never brought anyone who didn't feel happy here.
1134 01:13:45,492 01:13:46,825 You did all this? You did all this?
1135 01:13:47,792 01:13:48,792 Yep. Yep.
1136 01:13:50,459 01:13:52,392 You know where we are? You know where we are?
1137 01:13:54,492 01:13:55,825 Uh... Uh...
1138 01:13:57,059 01:13:58,059 No. No.
1139 01:13:59,025 01:14:00,259 This is where he came down. This is where he came down.
1140 01:14:01,025 01:14:02,025 Pits. Pits.
1141 01:14:03,526 01:14:04,992 I thought I saw an angel. I thought I saw an angel.
1142 01:14:06,792 01:14:10,192 And there he was right in front of me, all clean and pressed. And there he was right in front of me, all clean and pressed.
1143 01:14:10,992 01:14:12,725 Air Force. Air Force.
1144 01:14:14,159 01:14:15,292 This is Abilene. This is Abilene.
1145 01:14:16,125 01:14:17,825 - Here? - Right here... - Here? - Right here...
1146 01:14:18,426 01:14:19,492 under your feet. under your feet.
1147 01:14:21,492 01:14:22,959 But now it's Avalon. But now it's Avalon.
1148 01:14:24,125 01:14:25,125 Avalon. Avalon.
1149 01:14:27,025 01:14:28,159 Avalon. Avalon.
1150 01:14:29,959 01:14:31,459 Now, how can that be possible... Now, how can that be possible...
1151 01:14:32,492 01:14:34,825 to have those two things in the same place? to have those two things in the same place?
1152 01:14:36,892 01:14:39,359 Just stay here for a while... Just stay here for a while...
1153 01:14:40,526 01:14:41,858 and breathe. and breathe.
1154 01:15:30,992 01:15:31,992 Let it go. Let it go.
1155 01:16:06,492 01:16:10,025 The veterans hold something for all of us. The veterans hold something for all of us.
1156 01:16:11,159 01:16:14,426 They take the shame of war, denial... They take the shame of war, denial...
1157 01:16:17,858 01:16:18,858 anger. anger.
1158 01:16:19,959 01:16:23,858 They just come here so somebody'll listen to them. They just come here so somebody'll listen to them.
1159 01:16:24,959 01:16:26,535 That's why medals are so important. That's why medals are so important.
1160 01:16:26,559 01:16:29,459 It helps... It helps bring us together, It helps... It helps bring us together,
1161 01:16:30,192 01:16:31,426 tell stories. tell stories.
1162 01:16:32,858 01:16:34,125 I'm... I'm just a witness. I'm... I'm just a witness.
1163 01:16:35,226 01:16:36,758 You're a witness, too. You're a witness, too.
1164 01:16:41,492 01:16:43,426 The Vietnamese love their khom loi. The Vietnamese love their khom loi.
1165 01:16:44,426 01:16:46,259 It's symbolic for letting go... It's symbolic for letting go...
1166 01:16:47,292 01:16:49,359 and if you have something that you... and if you have something that you...
1167 01:16:50,792 01:16:52,159 You wanna leave here... You wanna leave here...
1168 01:16:53,259 01:16:54,825 something you brought with you... something you brought with you...
1169 01:16:55,792 01:16:57,992 you don't want to take back... you don't want to take back...
1170 01:16:59,925 01:17:01,226 well, just let go. well, just let go.
1171 01:17:28,892 01:17:32,792 They're coming! They're coming!
1172 01:17:35,059 01:17:36,092 Let's go! Let's go!
1173 01:17:40,159 01:17:41,834 I'm on the hook with Red Leg. I'm on the hook with Red Leg.
1174 01:17:41,858 01:17:43,202 Tell them to drop it on top of us. Tell them to drop it on top of us.
1175 01:17:43,226 01:17:45,090 Charlie Six, emergency fire mission. Charlie Six, emergency fire mission.
1176 01:17:47,259 01:17:49,768 - Call them in now! - Damage. Damage. - Call them in now! - Damage. Damage.
1177 01:17:49,792 01:17:51,968 Charlie Six, emergency fire mission. Charlie Six, emergency fire mission.
1178 01:17:51,992 01:17:54,192 Quebec Tango 633. Quebec Tango 633.
1179 01:18:01,192 01:18:03,368 Damage, damage. Charlie Six. Damage, damage. Charlie Six.
1180 01:18:03,392 01:18:06,801 Emergency fire mission. Quebec Tango 633. Emergency fire mission. Quebec Tango 633.
1181 01:18:06,825 01:18:09,359 This is Broken Arrow. We are being overrun. This is Broken Arrow. We are being overrun.
1182 01:18:10,059 01:18:11,459 Hold this. Keep pressure on it. Hold this. Keep pressure on it.
1183 01:18:11,992 01:18:13,402 Somebody's still out there! Somebody's still out there!
1184 01:18:13,426 01:18:15,825 I need a tourniquet, I'm bleeding out. I need a tourniquet, I'm bleeding out.
1185 01:18:16,992 01:18:18,426 I need you to do me a favor. I need you to do me a favor.
1186 01:18:19,326 01:18:20,935 I need to get this to someone. I need to get this to someone.
1187 01:18:20,959 01:18:22,801 - No. - Please? - No. - Please?
1188 01:18:22,825 01:18:24,459 - No. - It's a stamp. - No. - It's a stamp.
1189 01:18:26,192 01:18:27,834 I'll hold onto it till you get back. I'll hold onto it till you get back.
1190 01:18:27,858 01:18:29,324 Okay. Okay.
1191 01:18:32,792 01:18:33,959 What are you doing, man? What are you doing, man?
1192 01:18:35,025 01:18:37,125 You've done enough, brother. You be still. You've done enough, brother. You be still.
1193 01:18:51,292 01:18:54,801 Pits came down, saved lives, evac'ed wounded, Pits came down, saved lives, evac'ed wounded,
1194 01:18:54,825 01:18:58,392 fought, died alongside men he never even knew. fought, died alongside men he never even knew.
1195 01:19:00,492 01:19:01,992 You pray, Mr. Huffman? You pray, Mr. Huffman?
1196 01:19:03,192 01:19:06,025 I prayed that day. Prayed for a miracle. I prayed that day. Prayed for a miracle.
1197 01:19:07,459 01:19:09,758 I ain't never seen nobody die before. I ain't never seen nobody die before.
1198 01:19:09,959 01:19:11,359 Coming out! Coming out!
1199 01:19:13,259 01:19:14,235 That little matter sucked That little matter sucked
1200 01:19:14,259 01:19:16,259 all the whoop-ass right out of me. all the whoop-ass right out of me.
1201 01:19:17,292 01:19:18,992 Understand what I'm saying, sir? Understand what I'm saying, sir?
1202 01:19:23,959 01:19:26,059 All this hellfire coming in. All this hellfire coming in.
1203 01:19:26,559 01:19:27,959 To him it was like... To him it was like...
1204 01:19:29,559 01:19:30,992 nothing could hurt him. nothing could hurt him.
1205 01:19:32,392 01:19:34,858 He was there to save lives and that's what he was doing. He was there to save lives and that's what he was doing.
1206 01:19:37,992 01:19:39,001 Who knows how many guys are walking Who knows how many guys are walking
1207 01:19:39,025 01:19:40,345 around alive today because of him, around alive today because of him,
1208 01:19:40,959 01:19:42,125 what he done. what he done.
1209 01:19:44,459 01:19:46,125 When he didn't come back... When he didn't come back...
1210 01:19:49,092 01:19:51,959 I felt like the best part of me went down with him. I felt like the best part of me went down with him.
1211 01:19:54,925 01:19:57,259 I still think about it, 'cause... I still think about it, 'cause...
1212 01:19:58,359 01:20:00,439 ...if anybody deserved to get out of that hell alive, ...if anybody deserved to get out of that hell alive,
1213 01:20:01,192 01:20:02,292 it was him. it was him.
1214 01:20:08,159 01:20:09,292 Make yourself at home. Make yourself at home.
1215 01:20:11,025 01:20:12,492 You know, I could have you arrested. You know, I could have you arrested.
1216 01:20:13,892 01:20:17,758 Senator Madison Holt, formerly Colonel Madison Holt. Senator Madison Holt, formerly Colonel Madison Holt.
1217 01:20:17,959 01:20:20,768 First Infantry Division, the Big Red One. First Infantry Division, the Big Red One.
1218 01:20:20,792 01:20:22,935 The senator's distinguished military career The senator's distinguished military career
1219 01:20:22,959 01:20:26,235 is a matter of public record. It's undisputed. is a matter of public record. It's undisputed.
1220 01:20:26,259 01:20:29,202 - I bought the book, Carl. - Yeah? Did you read it, - I bought the book, Carl. - Yeah? Did you read it,
1221 01:20:29,226 01:20:31,101 or did you just look at the pictures? or did you just look at the pictures?
1222 01:20:31,125 01:20:32,535 Holt was part of the brass Holt was part of the brass
1223 01:20:32,559 01:20:34,226 that cooked up Operation Abilene. that cooked up Operation Abilene.
1224 01:20:35,192 01:20:39,402 You're not really suggesting that Holt ordered an NVA ambush? You're not really suggesting that Holt ordered an NVA ambush?
1225 01:20:39,426 01:20:41,801 I'm suggesting that it'd be pretty convenient for you I'm suggesting that it'd be pretty convenient for you
1226 01:20:41,825 01:20:43,025 to keep that off the record... to keep that off the record...
1227 01:20:43,392 01:20:45,035 ...which is why you put me on it, ...which is why you put me on it,
1228 01:20:45,059 01:20:47,125 because you knew I'd dump it. because you knew I'd dump it.
1229 01:20:48,326 01:20:50,368 You know, Holt's gonna be Secretary of Defense someday, You know, Holt's gonna be Secretary of Defense someday,
1230 01:20:50,392 01:20:51,792 maybe even president. maybe even president.
1231 01:20:52,226 01:20:53,359 You had the comm... You had the comm...
1232 01:20:54,226 01:20:56,758 Command endorsements all this time. Command endorsements all this time.
1233 01:21:00,025 01:21:01,059 I'm taking them. I'm taking them.
1234 01:21:02,192 01:21:04,392 Have you ever been the subject of opposition research? Have you ever been the subject of opposition research?
1235 01:21:05,426 01:21:07,068 'Cause if you even twitch on this, 'Cause if you even twitch on this,
1236 01:21:07,092 01:21:09,059 I will have them on you like spray paint. I will have them on you like spray paint.
1237 01:21:09,492 01:21:11,801 You'll never get another mortgage, passport, You'll never get another mortgage, passport,
1238 01:21:11,825 01:21:15,125 or Sam's Club membership card or Sam's Club membership card
1239 01:21:16,226 01:21:18,292 let alone a political appointment. let alone a political appointment.
1240 01:21:21,259 01:21:22,619 But I'm not worried about all that. But I'm not worried about all that.
1241 01:21:23,825 01:21:26,168 - Why not? - Because it's not in your nature - Why not? - Because it's not in your nature
1242 01:21:26,192 01:21:27,834 to spit in the face of a man to spit in the face of a man
1243 01:21:27,858 01:21:29,892 who could just as easily make you. who could just as easily make you.
1244 01:21:30,259 01:21:31,402 What's my nature? What's my nature?
1245 01:21:31,426 01:21:33,758 Climb, prosper, expand the gene pool, Climb, prosper, expand the gene pool,
1246 01:21:33,959 01:21:35,159 just like the rest of us. just like the rest of us.
1247 01:21:36,159 01:21:37,159 I'd appreciate it I'd appreciate it
1248 01:21:38,259 01:21:40,392 if you'd leave the place the way you found it, and... if you'd leave the place the way you found it, and...
1249 01:21:41,392 01:21:45,426 don't forget, we got squash, Wednesday. don't forget, we got squash, Wednesday.
1250 01:21:53,259 01:21:54,326 Jenny, Jenny,
1251 01:21:55,392 01:21:56,935 sometimes it's difficult to understand sometimes it's difficult to understand
1252 01:21:56,959 01:21:58,226 why we've been sent here, why we've been sent here,
1253 01:21:58,959 01:22:00,959 or to explain what happens. or to explain what happens.
1254 01:22:01,825 01:22:02,825 I only have a minute, I only have a minute,
1255 01:22:03,792 01:22:04,968 since we got a call to make pick-ups since we got a call to make pick-ups
1256 01:22:04,992 01:22:07,092 near Xa Cam My, about 30 klicks from here. near Xa Cam My, about 30 klicks from here.
1257 01:22:08,092 01:22:09,226 You know, Jenny, You know, Jenny,
1258 01:22:09,959 01:22:12,125 the only thing I fear of dying the only thing I fear of dying
1259 01:22:12,359 01:22:14,326 is that dreams of you won't come, is that dreams of you won't come,
1260 01:22:15,192 01:22:18,159 that death is dark and still that death is dark and still
1261 01:22:18,959 01:22:21,125 and endless like these jungle nights. and endless like these jungle nights.
1262 01:22:23,092 01:22:24,792 But sometimes I think, Jen, But sometimes I think, Jen,
1263 01:22:25,326 01:22:27,758 maybe it is this place I'll wake up from, maybe it is this place I'll wake up from,
1264 01:22:28,259 01:22:30,492 safe and warm in your bed, safe and warm in your bed,
1265 01:22:30,992 01:22:33,025 the morning light streaming in. the morning light streaming in.
1266 01:22:36,092 01:22:38,192 But if it is the thunder here that's real, But if it is the thunder here that's real,
1267 01:22:38,526 01:22:41,025 and if this letter should reach you instead of me, and if this letter should reach you instead of me,
1268 01:22:41,959 01:22:43,858 then know that I am never far. then know that I am never far.
1269 01:22:45,226 01:22:47,834 Take care of Mom and especially Dad, Take care of Mom and especially Dad,
1270 01:22:47,858 01:22:50,326 because he'll take this worst of all. because he'll take this worst of all.
1271 01:22:51,326 01:22:54,259 Tell them I'm sorry for what I've put them through, Tell them I'm sorry for what I've put them through,
1272 01:22:55,059 01:22:56,925 but that I am sure of my purpose but that I am sure of my purpose
1273 01:22:57,326 01:22:59,392 and in the words we all believe, and in the words we all believe,
1274 01:23:00,326 01:23:03,992 these things we do that others may live. these things we do that others may live.
1275 01:23:04,992 01:23:06,059 Bill. Bill.
1276 01:23:11,392 01:23:12,592 You have an impeccable record. You have an impeccable record.
1277 01:23:14,326 01:23:16,892 The secretary has given you his highest recommendation. The secretary has given you his highest recommendation.
1278 01:23:17,825 01:23:18,825 Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir.
1279 01:23:20,025 01:23:22,225 So why do you think you'd be effective in this position? So why do you think you'd be effective in this position?
1280 01:23:23,092 01:23:26,226 Well, I'm connected, Well, I'm connected,
1281 01:23:27,125 01:23:29,392 ambitious, persuasive... ambitious, persuasive...
1282 01:23:30,992 01:23:32,168 not afraid to make enemies, not afraid to make enemies,
1283 01:23:32,192 01:23:34,392 and I want this job more than anybody. and I want this job more than anybody.
1284 01:23:35,858 01:23:38,725 At least that's what I would have said a month ago. At least that's what I would have said a month ago.
1285 01:23:39,192 01:23:40,192 Okay. Okay.
1286 01:23:41,426 01:23:42,426 And today? And today?
1287 01:23:44,825 01:23:45,959 Today I'm... Today I'm...
1288 01:23:47,426 01:23:48,758 just unavailable. just unavailable.
1289 01:23:57,526 01:23:58,758 Air Force? Air Force?
1290 01:24:00,292 01:24:01,359 Yeah. Yeah.
1291 01:24:03,059 01:24:04,825 I'm sorry about your buddy, man. I'm sorry about your buddy, man.
1292 01:24:07,392 01:24:08,758 I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry.
1293 01:24:33,959 01:24:36,392 The whole time I'm washing him... The whole time I'm washing him...
1294 01:24:37,925 01:24:40,858 his feet and his hands... his feet and his hands...
1295 01:24:46,792 01:24:48,159 I didn't feel anything. I didn't feel anything.
1296 01:24:49,426 01:24:50,426 Nothing. Nothing.
1297 01:24:51,959 01:24:53,858 That's when I knew I'd been there... That's when I knew I'd been there...
1298 01:24:54,559 01:24:55,858 too long. too long.
1299 01:24:57,526 01:24:58,959 I shipped him back... I shipped him back...
1300 01:25:00,025 01:25:02,959 and I finished my tour and I got on with my life. and I finished my tour and I got on with my life.
1301 01:25:07,192 01:25:08,192 Did you? Did you?
1302 01:25:09,125 01:25:10,159 Did I what? Did I what?
1303 01:25:10,925 01:25:12,259 Get on with your life? Get on with your life?
1304 01:25:14,059 01:25:15,125 I'm standing here. I'm standing here.
1305 01:25:18,492 01:25:19,725 You know... You know...
1306 01:25:21,059 01:25:22,326 when I was five years old... when I was five years old...
1307 01:25:24,192 01:25:27,035 I watched my father pack up his things in his car I watched my father pack up his things in his car
1308 01:25:27,059 01:25:29,792 and leave my mother and me. and leave my mother and me.
1309 01:25:31,992 01:25:33,059 I was so afraid. I was so afraid.
1310 01:25:34,959 01:25:36,092 It hurt so much. It hurt so much.
1311 01:25:38,292 01:25:41,192 I ran out to the driveway, and I... I ran out to the driveway, and I...
1312 01:25:42,792 01:25:47,259 shoved my hand in the car door as he slammed it shut. shoved my hand in the car door as he slammed it shut.
1313 01:25:48,892 01:25:50,502 I thought that if he saw I was injured I thought that if he saw I was injured
1314 01:25:50,526 01:25:52,226 and really hurt, then he would... and really hurt, then he would...
1315 01:25:53,159 01:25:54,399 have to take me to the hospital have to take me to the hospital
1316 01:25:55,492 01:25:58,326 and the doctor would tell him to stay and take care of me. and the doctor would tell him to stay and take care of me.
1317 01:26:01,492 01:26:02,925 But he just drove away. But he just drove away.
1318 01:26:05,892 01:26:08,435 I chased his car down the street, I chased his car down the street,
1319 01:26:08,459 01:26:10,125 my hand all mangled, and... my hand all mangled, and...
1320 01:26:12,526 01:26:15,326 till my mother scooped me up. till my mother scooped me up.
1321 01:26:20,426 01:26:22,292 Ah. You were marked. Ah. You were marked.
1322 01:26:24,392 01:26:25,725 Just like you. Just like you.
1323 01:26:29,992 01:26:33,858 What happened to you on April 11th, 1966? What happened to you on April 11th, 1966?
1324 01:26:34,959 01:26:36,059 My friend died. My friend died.
1325 01:26:37,025 01:26:38,326 What happened to you? What happened to you?
1326 01:26:40,559 01:26:42,925 - I told you. - It's okay. - I told you. - It's okay.
1327 01:26:44,059 01:26:45,059 It's not okay. It's not okay.
1328 01:26:45,459 01:26:47,402 - Just... - Nothing about it is okay. - Just... - Nothing about it is okay.
1329 01:26:47,426 01:26:49,025 Just tell me. Just tell me.
1330 01:26:49,292 01:26:51,725 What is it? What... What was it? What happened? What is it? What... What was it? What happened?
1331 01:26:53,125 01:26:57,402 He died. He got killed. He got shot in the head. He died. He got killed. He got shot in the head.
1332 01:26:57,426 01:27:01,435 - And the... Well, that's war. - Right, right, it was war. - And the... Well, that's war. - Right, right, it was war.
1333 01:27:01,459 01:27:04,202 So how long are you going to punish yourself? So how long are you going to punish yourself?
1334 01:27:04,226 01:27:07,468 - Punish myself? - What was the thing you did? - Punish myself? - What was the thing you did?
1335 01:27:07,492 01:27:09,059 - What'd I do? - Yeah. - What'd I do? - Yeah.
1336 01:27:09,392 01:27:10,935 Just tell me, what was the thing you did? Just tell me, what was the thing you did?
1337 01:27:10,959 01:27:13,368 - No, you stop it. - It's okay to talk about it. - No, you stop it. - It's okay to talk about it.
1338 01:27:13,392 01:27:15,992 - You better stop it, man. - Just say it. - You better stop it, man. - Just say it.
1339 01:27:16,925 01:27:17,925 Say what? Say what?
1340 01:27:19,125 01:27:21,992 He knew it was dangerous. I told him... He knew it was dangerous. I told him...
1341 01:27:22,892 01:27:24,259 to be goddamn careful... to be goddamn careful...
1342 01:27:25,192 01:27:26,392 And? What? And? What?
1343 01:27:27,025 01:27:29,368 No, no, no, no, no. I'm not doing this. No, no, no, no, no. I'm not doing this.
1344 01:27:29,392 01:27:31,426 - Doing what? - Doing this. - Doing what? - Doing this.
1345 01:27:32,925 01:27:35,168 I told him to come back up, I told him to come back up,
1346 01:27:35,192 01:27:37,392 get back on the wire, get back in the ship. get back on the wire, get back in the ship.
1347 01:27:37,858 01:27:39,968 He didn't do that. Why didn't he do that, He didn't do that. Why didn't he do that,
1348 01:27:39,992 01:27:40,992 get back in the ship? get back in the ship?
1349 01:27:41,992 01:27:43,035 Because he couldn't. Because people needed him. Because he couldn't. Because people needed him.
1350 01:27:43,059 01:27:44,868 Yeah? Yeah? Yeah? Yeah? Yeah? Yeah?
1351 01:27:44,892 01:27:46,992 Well, fuck you and... Well, fuck you and...
1352 01:27:49,559 01:27:51,025 Oh, God. Oh, God.
1353 01:28:00,359 01:28:01,935 It's gotta hurt to be mad at him. It's gotta hurt to be mad at him.
1354 01:28:01,959 01:28:03,226 Yeah. Yeah.
1355 01:28:04,459 01:28:06,125 What else happened to you, Tom? What else happened to you, Tom?
1356 01:28:06,459 01:28:09,292 I... I stayed in the bird I... I stayed in the bird
1357 01:28:10,059 01:28:13,092 and I... I... I didn't go down. I... and I... I... I didn't go down. I...
1358 01:28:14,359 01:28:16,125 I was relieved. I... I was relieved. I...
1359 01:28:16,825 01:28:19,326 I stayed, you know, where it was safe. I stayed, you know, where it was safe.
1360 01:28:22,159 01:28:23,459 God, when I found him... God, when I found him...
1361 01:28:25,326 01:28:26,359 I was... I was...
1362 01:28:29,459 01:28:30,925 ...I was glad... ...I was glad...
1363 01:28:33,459 01:28:37,202 that it wasn't me, that I didn't wanna be dead, that it wasn't me, that I didn't wanna be dead,
1364 01:28:37,226 01:28:39,025 I... I was alive and it... I... I was alive and it...
1365 01:28:42,059 01:28:43,935 - ...it felt good. - You did feel something. - ...it felt good. - You did feel something.
1366 01:28:43,959 01:28:45,858 Yeah, I felt ashamed! Yeah, I felt ashamed!
1367 01:28:52,858 01:28:54,359 You're not a coward, Tom. You're not a coward, Tom.
1368 01:28:57,892 01:28:59,125 You're a hero. You're a hero.
1369 01:29:02,392 01:29:03,892 Deal with that. Deal with that.
1370 01:29:07,192 01:29:08,226 Just let me... Just let me...
1371 01:29:09,426 01:29:11,192 Let me have it for a while. Come on. Let me have it for a while. Come on.
1372 01:29:28,059 01:29:31,226 Do you know what I want? Do you know what I want?
1373 01:29:32,059 01:29:33,226 I do. I do.
1374 01:29:36,192 01:29:39,792 I want some grace. I want some serenity. I want some grace. I want some serenity.
1375 01:29:40,226 01:29:42,992 I want my country to honor my brother I want my country to honor my brother
1376 01:29:43,226 01:29:44,925 before his parents. before his parents.
1377 01:29:46,992 01:29:49,792 I want my friend, your friend... I want my friend, your friend...
1378 01:29:51,959 01:29:56,359 I want his father to leave this place in peace. I want his father to leave this place in peace.
1379 01:30:21,226 01:30:22,935 Can I get you anything else, Senator? Can I get you anything else, Senator?
1380 01:30:22,959 01:30:24,868 - No, thanks, hon. - You can put it on my number. - No, thanks, hon. - You can put it on my number.
1381 01:30:24,892 01:30:26,202 - Okay. - Gentlemen. - Okay. - Gentlemen.
1382 01:30:26,226 01:30:27,259 Hey, Carl. Hey, Carl.
1383 01:30:27,792 01:30:28,825 Colonel. Colonel.
1384 01:30:29,426 01:30:31,758 - Do I know you? - I should hope so. - Do I know you? - I should hope so.
1385 01:30:32,292 01:30:34,101 Master Sergeant Thomas Tulley. Master Sergeant Thomas Tulley.
1386 01:30:34,125 01:30:36,901 38th Rescue Squadron, Operation Abilene. 38th Rescue Squadron, Operation Abilene.
1387 01:30:36,925 01:30:38,535 Uh, you want to speak to the senator, Uh, you want to speak to the senator,
1388 01:30:38,559 01:30:40,758 - you go through channels. - It's all right, Carl. - you go through channels. - It's all right, Carl.
1389 01:30:41,192 01:30:42,459 I'll talk to these men. I'll talk to these men.
1390 01:30:43,459 01:30:46,801 Sir, this is a 1966 routing memo Sir, this is a 1966 routing memo
1391 01:30:46,825 01:30:49,068 between you and General Hackmeyer between you and General Hackmeyer
1392 01:30:49,092 01:30:50,935 downgrading the William H. Pitsenbarger downgrading the William H. Pitsenbarger
1393 01:30:50,959 01:30:52,025 Medal of Honor request Medal of Honor request
1394 01:30:53,125 01:30:55,801 to an Air Force Cross, dated on October 7th, 1966. to an Air Force Cross, dated on October 7th, 1966.
1395 01:30:55,825 01:30:57,268 Guys, you wanna give us a second? Guys, you wanna give us a second?
1396 01:30:57,292 01:30:58,292 Go ahead. Go ahead.
1397 01:31:01,992 01:31:03,059 Have a seat. Have a seat.
1398 01:31:05,792 01:31:07,059 We have an opportunity We have an opportunity
1399 01:31:07,792 01:31:10,892 to upgrade the Cross to the Medal of Honor. to upgrade the Cross to the Medal of Honor.
1400 01:31:11,858 01:31:15,292 To cut through the bullshit, we need a congressional sponsor. To cut through the bullshit, we need a congressional sponsor.
1401 01:31:15,559 01:31:17,302 Mr. Stanton doesn't think you'd favor Mr. Stanton doesn't think you'd favor
1402 01:31:17,326 01:31:19,302 the publicity of being associated the publicity of being associated
1403 01:31:19,326 01:31:21,359 with Operation Abilene during an election year. with Operation Abilene during an election year.
1404 01:31:21,559 01:31:23,758 You have no idea what you're starting. You have no idea what you're starting.
1405 01:31:24,292 01:31:25,923 I think I do, Carl. I think I do, Carl.
1406 01:31:28,359 01:31:29,402 Have you ever been Have you ever been
1407 01:31:29,426 01:31:30,786 the subject of opposition research? the subject of opposition research?
1408 01:31:31,192 01:31:32,801 'Cause if you even twitch on this, 'Cause if you even twitch on this,
1409 01:31:32,825 01:31:35,426 I will have them on you like spray paint. I will have them on you like spray paint.
1410 01:31:36,492 01:31:40,168 Information was removed from the original package Information was removed from the original package
1411 01:31:40,192 01:31:42,868 to disqualify the decorations board's review to disqualify the decorations board's review
1412 01:31:42,892 01:31:44,768 for congressional reapplication. for congressional reapplication.
1413 01:31:44,792 01:31:46,459 We have since recovered those documents. We have since recovered those documents.
1414 01:31:47,159 01:31:48,768 This... This, Senator, this... This... This, Senator, this...
1415 01:31:48,792 01:31:50,368 This communiqué is simply a response This communiqué is simply a response
1416 01:31:50,392 01:31:52,468 to the colonel's MOH request to the colonel's MOH request
1417 01:31:52,492 01:31:55,935 saying that the Air Force Cross was awarded instead. saying that the Air Force Cross was awarded instead.
1418 01:31:55,959 01:31:58,202 It's pretty open to interpretation. It's pretty open to interpretation.
1419 01:31:58,226 01:32:01,435 You are under no obligation to respond to any of this. You are under no obligation to respond to any of this.
1420 01:32:01,459 01:32:04,125 If you sent it up the chain, If you sent it up the chain,
1421 01:32:04,858 01:32:06,259 why didn't he get it then? why didn't he get it then?
1422 01:32:07,992 01:32:09,259 Honestly, I don't know. Honestly, I don't know.
1423 01:32:09,992 01:32:12,892 Maybe it fell through the cracks somewhere. Maybe it fell through the cracks somewhere.
1424 01:32:13,292 01:32:16,001 Maybe MACV didn't wanna call too much attention Maybe MACV didn't wanna call too much attention
1425 01:32:16,025 01:32:18,259 to one of the bloodiest days of the war. to one of the bloodiest days of the war.
1426 01:32:19,092 01:32:22,402 Or maybe I just didn't fight hard enough Or maybe I just didn't fight hard enough
1427 01:32:22,426 01:32:24,202 to get this man what he deserves. to get this man what he deserves.
1428 01:32:24,226 01:32:27,935 Senator, your political enemies will take full advantage Senator, your political enemies will take full advantage
1429 01:32:27,959 01:32:30,202 of any admission of wrongdoing. of any admission of wrongdoing.
1430 01:32:30,226 01:32:32,834 Your military judgement will be called into question. Your military judgement will be called into question.
1431 01:32:32,858 01:32:34,868 They'll try and hold you to the Medina standard. They'll try and hold you to the Medina standard.
1432 01:32:34,892 01:32:36,858 He's right, sir. They might. He's right, sir. They might.
1433 01:32:40,125 01:32:41,292 What happened on... What happened on...
1434 01:32:42,992 01:32:44,092 Operation Abilene, Operation Abilene,
1435 01:32:45,125 01:32:46,485 one of the darkest days of my life. one of the darkest days of my life.
1436 01:32:47,326 01:32:48,492 You're hurt, Lieutenant. You're hurt, Lieutenant.
1437 01:32:49,426 01:32:50,792 Why are you still here? Why are you still here?
1438 01:32:52,259 01:32:54,426 I won't leave till you have all my wounded. I won't leave till you have all my wounded.
1439 01:32:58,992 01:33:00,025 What happened here? What happened here?
1440 01:33:02,092 01:33:04,035 You marched us right into a kill sack You marched us right into a kill sack
1441 01:33:04,059 01:33:06,059 with no idea how we was gonna get out. with no idea how we was gonna get out.
1442 01:33:07,359 01:33:09,035 That's what happened here. That's what happened here.
1443 01:33:09,059 01:33:12,925 Can somebody explain this to me? Can somebody explain this to me?
1444 01:33:13,892 01:33:17,025 Can somebody explain this to me? Can somebody explain this to me?
1445 01:33:18,226 01:33:19,392 You tell me. You tell me.
1446 01:33:20,693 01:33:22,168 Hell, I think we all died a little bit that day. Hell, I think we all died a little bit that day.
1447 01:33:22,192 01:33:23,292 You tell me! You tell me!
1448 01:33:24,359 01:33:27,025 Mistakes were made. This is probably one of 'em. Mistakes were made. This is probably one of 'em.
1449 01:33:27,492 01:33:30,101 We went to see General Hackmeyer at the VA. We went to see General Hackmeyer at the VA.
1450 01:33:30,125 01:33:31,892 He verifies your story, sir. He verifies your story, sir.
1451 01:33:32,125 01:33:35,535 Senator, please, it's my job to protect you. Senator, please, it's my job to protect you.
1452 01:33:35,559 01:33:38,326 - Protect me from what, Carl? - From everything. - Protect me from what, Carl? - From everything.
1453 01:33:42,559 01:33:45,092 Usually we're judged by what we do. Usually we're judged by what we do.
1454 01:33:46,992 01:33:49,125 But I find that what we don't do... But I find that what we don't do...
1455 01:33:49,925 01:33:50,925 is what haunts us. is what haunts us.
1456 01:33:52,059 01:33:53,159 Here's the plan. Here's the plan.
1457 01:33:54,359 01:33:57,925 We're gonna roll the dice. We're gonna go with the truth. We're gonna roll the dice. We're gonna go with the truth.
1458 01:33:59,159 01:34:02,892 No matter how uncommon or uncomfortable that may be. No matter how uncommon or uncomfortable that may be.
1459 01:34:03,392 01:34:07,834 Mr. Chairman, I refer you to S2549, Mr. Chairman, I refer you to S2549,
1460 01:34:07,858 01:34:12,226 Page 44, Title 5, Military Personnel Policy, Page 44, Title 5, Military Personnel Policy,
1461 01:34:12,892 01:34:15,968 - Subtitle E, Other Matters. - Yes? - Subtitle E, Other Matters. - Yes?
1462 01:34:15,992 01:34:19,335 This amendment authorizes a posthumous Medal of Honor This amendment authorizes a posthumous Medal of Honor
1463 01:34:19,359 01:34:22,925 for Air Force Staff Sergeant William H. Pitsenbarger... for Air Force Staff Sergeant William H. Pitsenbarger...
1464 01:34:23,992 01:34:27,202 for conspicuous gallantry in action in Vietnam, for conspicuous gallantry in action in Vietnam,
1465 01:34:27,226 01:34:30,502 11 April 1966, during Operation Abilene. 11 April 1966, during Operation Abilene.
1466 01:34:30,526 01:34:32,326 Mr. Chairman, point of order. Mr. Chairman, point of order.
1467 01:34:33,059 01:34:34,092 The chair recognizes The chair recognizes
1468 01:34:35,159 01:34:37,039 the distinguished gentleman from North Carolina. the distinguished gentleman from North Carolina.
1469 01:34:37,593 01:34:39,901 The rules of this committee prohibit authorization language The rules of this committee prohibit authorization language
1470 01:34:39,925 01:34:42,235 to be included in this Appropriations Bill. to be included in this Appropriations Bill.
1471 01:34:42,259 01:34:43,202 Will the chair yield? Will the chair yield?
1472 01:34:43,226 01:34:45,834 Chair apologizes to the gentleman from Ohio, Chair apologizes to the gentleman from Ohio,
1473 01:34:45,858 01:34:47,368 but this committee has much business but this committee has much business
1474 01:34:47,392 01:34:49,302 before it today and so we must move on. before it today and so we must move on.
1475 01:34:49,326 01:34:50,392 Mr. Chairman, Mr. Chairman,
1476 01:34:51,659 01:34:52,335 - I sincerely appreciate that... - Mr. Chairman. - I sincerely appreciate that... - Mr. Chairman.
1477 01:34:52,359 01:34:54,801 ...but it should be obvious ...but it should be obvious
1478 01:34:54,825 01:34:55,701 that there is absolutely nothing in this amendment... that there is absolutely nothing in this amendment...
1479 01:34:55,725 01:34:58,335 Uh, the Vietnam War was over long ago. Uh, the Vietnam War was over long ago.
1480 01:34:58,359 01:35:01,292 - I know that, Bob. I was there. - Maybe you should take a rest. - I know that, Bob. I was there. - Maybe you should take a rest.
1481 01:35:02,392 01:35:04,901 Stop kicking that dead horse. Stop kicking that dead horse.
1482 01:35:04,925 01:35:06,235 Gentlemen, this is a point of order. Gentlemen, this is a point of order.
1483 01:35:06,259 01:35:07,825 I'm sorry. We must move on. I'm sorry. We must move on.
1484 01:35:09,092 01:35:11,092 The Chair recognizes the lady from Florida. The Chair recognizes the lady from Florida.
1485 01:35:11,292 01:35:13,092 Oh, yes, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Oh, yes, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
1486 01:35:16,092 01:35:17,935 Senator, what the hell happened in there? Senator, what the hell happened in there?
1487 01:35:17,959 01:35:19,035 The distinguished gentleman The distinguished gentleman
1488 01:35:19,059 01:35:20,402 from North Carolina shut us down. from North Carolina shut us down.
1489 01:35:20,426 01:35:22,459 - That's what the hell happened. - Just like that? - That's what the hell happened. - Just like that?
1490 01:35:22,925 01:35:24,402 Look, it's payback. Look, it's payback.
1491 01:35:24,426 01:35:27,068 I harpooned a tobacco subsidy at his last session. I harpooned a tobacco subsidy at his last session.
1492 01:35:27,092 01:35:29,302 Unfortunately, he's ranking member, Unfortunately, he's ranking member,
1493 01:35:29,326 01:35:31,226 so there's not a lot I can do about it. so there's not a lot I can do about it.
1494 01:35:32,059 01:35:33,235 But I promise you, But I promise you,
1495 01:35:33,259 01:35:36,326 I will get this in next year's bill. I will get this in next year's bill.
1496 01:35:36,526 01:35:37,901 Hopefully by that time, Hopefully by that time,
1497 01:35:37,925 01:35:39,335 the distinguished gentleman will be dead. the distinguished gentleman will be dead.
1498 01:35:39,359 01:35:41,101 So will Pitsenbarger's father. So will Pitsenbarger's father.
1499 01:35:41,125 01:35:43,159 - What? - He's dying, sir. - What? - He's dying, sir.
1500 01:35:45,059 01:35:48,259 Ah, Jesus. I didn't know about that. I'm sorry. Ah, Jesus. I didn't know about that. I'm sorry.
1501 01:35:49,092 01:35:52,292 I'm truly sorry. I'm truly sorry.
1502 01:35:57,159 01:35:58,392 So that's it? So that's it?
1503 01:35:59,559 01:36:01,402 Unless you got a tobacco subsidy Unless you got a tobacco subsidy
1504 01:36:01,426 01:36:04,226 to horse-trade with the senator from North Carolina. to horse-trade with the senator from North Carolina.
1505 01:36:05,426 01:36:06,858 What about those men? What about those men?
1506 01:36:09,159 01:36:10,159 What about Pits? What about Pits?
1507 01:36:11,925 01:36:14,192 Holt says he'll get it on the bill next year. Holt says he'll get it on the bill next year.
1508 01:36:17,326 01:36:18,459 And Frank? And Frank?
1509 01:36:21,858 01:36:24,226 I can't cure cancer, Tara. I can't cure cancer, Tara.
1510 01:36:27,326 01:36:30,326 If I push this any harder, I really will end my career. If I push this any harder, I really will end my career.
1511 01:36:37,092 01:36:39,326 - It's interesting. - What? - It's interesting. - What?
1512 01:36:40,526 01:36:42,035 In 12 years, In 12 years,
1513 01:36:42,059 01:36:45,192 I have never seen you back off of anything. I have never seen you back off of anything.
1514 01:36:46,426 01:36:47,725 I'm scared. I'm scared.
1515 01:36:57,892 01:37:00,226 Fear is good. Fear is good.
1516 01:37:01,125 01:37:03,192 Fear is a survival instinct. Fear is a survival instinct.
1517 01:37:04,526 01:37:07,059 You're supposed to be afraid. You're supposed to be afraid.
1518 01:37:09,125 01:37:10,292 Use it. Use it.
1519 01:37:20,192 01:37:22,001 You turned down a significant You turned down a significant
1520 01:37:22,025 01:37:24,025 career opportunity to finish this. career opportunity to finish this.
1521 01:37:26,459 01:37:29,101 You figure out why four-star generals You figure out why four-star generals
1522 01:37:29,125 01:37:30,801 and presidents would trade legacies and presidents would trade legacies
1523 01:37:30,825 01:37:32,059 for a medal? for a medal?
1524 01:37:35,825 01:37:38,135 Because they know that guys like Pitsenbarger Because they know that guys like Pitsenbarger
1525 01:37:38,159 01:37:39,959 don't do what they do for them. don't do what they do for them.
1526 01:37:42,125 01:37:43,426 They do it for each other. They do it for each other.
1527 01:37:44,959 01:37:46,226 A life for a life. A life for a life.
1528 01:37:47,326 01:37:48,492 That's big stuff. That's big stuff.
1529 01:37:51,892 01:37:53,792 There are worse things that can happen to a man There are worse things that can happen to a man
1530 01:37:54,025 01:37:56,059 than getting killed in a war. than getting killed in a war.
1531 01:37:56,259 01:37:57,292 Like? Like?
1532 01:37:57,492 01:37:59,825 Like losing men, Like losing men,
1533 01:38:00,326 01:38:01,492 losing a child, losing a child,
1534 01:38:02,392 01:38:03,392 a father... a father...
1535 01:38:04,326 01:38:05,359 having to live with that. having to live with that.
1536 01:38:08,059 01:38:10,359 You think a piece of ribbon is gonna change that? You think a piece of ribbon is gonna change that?
1537 01:38:20,159 01:38:21,858 I'm gonna go public with the story. I'm gonna go public with the story.
1538 01:38:22,992 01:38:24,059 I'm gonna name names. I'm gonna name names.
1539 01:38:25,825 01:38:27,235 Shaming Appropriations Shaming Appropriations
1540 01:38:27,259 01:38:29,068 in front of the Washington press corps in front of the Washington press corps
1541 01:38:29,092 01:38:31,268 on the eve of a national election on the eve of a national election
1542 01:38:31,292 01:38:34,035 sounds a little dangerous. sounds a little dangerous.
1543 01:38:34,059 01:38:36,226 Yeah. Yeah.
1544 01:38:37,459 01:38:38,925 But it'll be great television. But it'll be great television.
1545 01:38:43,159 01:38:44,159 Well done. Well done.
1546 01:38:45,059 01:38:46,059 Thank you Thank you
1547 01:38:47,492 01:38:48,535 Mr. Huffman, Mr. Huffman,
1548 01:38:48,559 01:38:50,068 I'm Mary, the supervising producer. I'm Mary, the supervising producer.
1549 01:38:50,092 01:38:51,468 We're gonna put a wire on you. We're gonna put a wire on you.
1550 01:38:51,492 01:38:53,302 - Okay. - We have you on split screens, - Okay. - We have you on split screens,
1551 01:38:53,326 01:38:54,968 so the anchors are gonna be able to hear you, so the anchors are gonna be able to hear you,
1552 01:38:54,992 01:38:56,535 but they're not gonna be able to see you. but they're not gonna be able to see you.
1553 01:38:56,559 01:38:58,292 - Okay. - All right, come with me. - Okay. - All right, come with me.
1554 01:39:03,292 01:39:04,858 Dad, are you nervous? Dad, are you nervous?
1555 01:39:05,825 01:39:08,192 I am. But I'm not afraid. I am. But I'm not afraid.
1556 01:39:15,025 01:39:15,968 All set. All set.
1557 01:39:15,992 01:39:17,168 In an unusual move today, In an unusual move today,
1558 01:39:17,192 01:39:19,368 a member of the Department of the Air Force, a member of the Department of the Air Force,
1559 01:39:19,392 01:39:21,135 a gentleman named Scott Huffman, a gentleman named Scott Huffman,
1560 01:39:21,159 01:39:22,268 went before cameras went before cameras
1561 01:39:22,292 01:39:25,168 to accuse high-ranking senators and their staffs to accuse high-ranking senators and their staffs
1562 01:39:25,192 01:39:27,968 of playing political football with military valor. of playing political football with military valor.
1563 01:39:27,992 01:39:29,402 ...long-awaited HR Defense ...long-awaited HR Defense
1564 01:39:29,426 01:39:32,068 Appropriations Bill, it stalled in the Senate Appropriations Bill, it stalled in the Senate
1565 01:39:32,092 01:39:34,235 when a Pentagon staffer accused lawmakers... when a Pentagon staffer accused lawmakers...
1566 01:39:34,259 01:39:36,235 ...the bill, including a recommendation ...the bill, including a recommendation
1567 01:39:36,259 01:39:39,901 for a posthumous Medal of Honor for William H. Pitsenbarger for a posthumous Medal of Honor for William H. Pitsenbarger
1568 01:39:39,925 01:39:41,335 is now heading to the Oval Office, is now heading to the Oval Office,
1569 01:39:41,359 01:39:42,968 and President Clinton... and President Clinton...
1570 01:39:42,992 01:39:44,725 ...is expected to sign that bill. ...is expected to sign that bill.
1571 01:39:53,459 01:39:55,068 An airman named Bill Pitsenbarger An airman named Bill Pitsenbarger
1572 01:39:55,092 01:39:57,268 will be awarded the Medal of Honor today will be awarded the Medal of Honor today
1573 01:39:57,292 01:39:58,935 for his service in Vietnam. for his service in Vietnam.
1574 01:39:58,959 01:39:59,935 He gave his country He gave his country
1575 01:39:59,959 01:40:01,492 what Abraham Lincoln once called, what Abraham Lincoln once called,
1576 01:40:02,059 01:40:04,226 "The last full measure." "The last full measure."
1577 01:40:13,892 01:40:15,057 I'll be right back. I'll be right back.
1578 01:40:26,892 01:40:27,959 Hey. Hey.
1579 01:40:30,459 01:40:32,059 It's good to see you, man. It's good to see you, man.
1580 01:40:32,292 01:40:33,492 It's good to be here. It's good to be here.
1581 01:40:36,125 01:40:38,226 So... the, uh... So... the, uh...
1582 01:40:39,792 01:40:41,192 lady in red, behind me... lady in red, behind me...
1583 01:40:43,025 01:40:44,359 she's, um... she's, um...
1584 01:40:45,459 01:40:47,359 the address on this letter. the address on this letter.
1585 01:41:12,059 01:41:14,925 Bill gave me this. He asked me to give it to you. Bill gave me this. He asked me to give it to you.
1586 01:41:19,825 01:41:21,359 I'm sorry it took so long. I'm sorry it took so long.
1587 01:41:28,459 01:41:29,492 Thank you. Thank you.
1588 01:41:33,092 01:41:34,092 Thank you. Thank you.
1589 01:41:45,392 01:41:48,825 Amid the gloom and waste of war, Amid the gloom and waste of war,
1590 01:41:49,292 01:41:52,092 we occasionally witness a brief but... we occasionally witness a brief but...
1591 01:41:53,159 01:41:55,858 brilliant flash of personal valor brilliant flash of personal valor
1592 01:41:56,092 01:41:59,792 so radiant it becomes impossible to ignore. so radiant it becomes impossible to ignore.
1593 01:42:00,192 01:42:04,535 Such is the heroism of William Hart Pitsenbarger, Such is the heroism of William Hart Pitsenbarger,
1594 01:42:04,559 01:42:07,426 who was moved by higher angels of duty, who was moved by higher angels of duty,
1595 01:42:07,992 01:42:10,235 courage and sacrifice courage and sacrifice
1596 01:42:10,259 01:42:13,101 to make, on behalf of men he did not know to make, on behalf of men he did not know
1597 01:42:13,125 01:42:16,168 and a nation that until now did not know his story, and a nation that until now did not know his story,
1598 01:42:16,192 01:42:19,292 the most supreme sacrifice. the most supreme sacrifice.
1599 01:42:20,992 01:42:22,892 Frank, Alice... Frank, Alice...
1600 01:42:23,925 01:42:26,959 on behalf of the President of the United States of America, on behalf of the President of the United States of America,
1601 01:42:27,559 01:42:31,092 in the name of Congress, for conspicuous gallantry, in the name of Congress, for conspicuous gallantry,
1602 01:42:31,492 01:42:34,192 extreme valor and intrepidity, extreme valor and intrepidity,
1603 01:42:34,992 01:42:36,502 at the risk of his own life, at the risk of his own life,
1604 01:42:36,526 01:42:39,192 above and beyond the call of duty, above and beyond the call of duty,
1605 01:42:39,959 01:42:41,392 I award the Medal of Honor I award the Medal of Honor
1606 01:42:41,792 01:42:45,925 to Airman First Class William Hart Pitsenbarger. to Airman First Class William Hart Pitsenbarger.
1607 01:43:19,792 01:43:23,168 Uh, now, this... This isn't in your program, Uh, now, this... This isn't in your program,
1608 01:43:23,192 01:43:26,758 but if you could give me just a moment more of your time. but if you could give me just a moment more of your time.
1609 01:43:28,992 01:43:31,992 I'd like to recognize some guys I'd like to recognize some guys
1610 01:43:32,925 01:43:34,959 who are gonna hate me for doing it. who are gonna hate me for doing it.
1611 01:43:36,559 01:43:38,135 Now, we have with us today Now, we have with us today
1612 01:43:38,159 01:43:40,426 some of the veterans of Operation Abilene, some of the veterans of Operation Abilene,
1613 01:43:42,025 01:43:45,492 Charlie Company, second of the 16th Infantry. Charlie Company, second of the 16th Infantry.
1614 01:43:46,192 01:43:48,202 Now, these men were the witnesses Now, these men were the witnesses
1615 01:43:48,226 01:43:50,135 to Bill Pitsenbarger's heroism to Bill Pitsenbarger's heroism
1616 01:43:50,159 01:43:55,159 and they've worked and worked for 32 years... and they've worked and worked for 32 years...
1617 01:43:56,526 01:43:58,259 to see this day come. to see this day come.
1618 01:44:02,426 01:44:04,292 Would you honor us, please, Would you honor us, please,
1619 01:44:04,925 01:44:07,992 by standing and being recognized? by standing and being recognized?
1620 01:44:31,526 01:44:33,492 And would the airmen of Pits's unit, And would the airmen of Pits's unit,
1621 01:44:34,092 01:44:36,801 the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service, the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service,
1622 01:44:36,825 01:44:38,426 also please stand? also please stand?
1623 01:44:40,259 01:44:44,992 And any other PJs from Vietnam, would you rise? And any other PJs from Vietnam, would you rise?
1624 01:44:47,526 01:44:50,268 If there are any other US veterans here today, If there are any other US veterans here today,
1625 01:44:50,292 01:44:51,858 will you please stand? will you please stand?
1626 01:44:56,359 01:44:58,801 If there are wives or parents here, If there are wives or parents here,
1627 01:44:58,825 01:44:59,825 would you stand? would you stand?
1628 01:45:03,792 01:45:05,834 And any children or grandchildren, And any children or grandchildren,
1629 01:45:05,858 01:45:06,992 would you join us? would you join us?
1630 01:45:08,559 01:45:10,535 And any other friends or family, And any other friends or family,
1631 01:45:10,559 01:45:14,302 anyone who has been touched or moved in any way anyone who has been touched or moved in any way
1632 01:45:14,326 01:45:17,901 by the actions of this Medal of Honor recipient, by the actions of this Medal of Honor recipient,
1633 01:45:17,925 01:45:20,392 would you also stand? would you also stand?
1634 01:45:28,526 01:45:29,758 Look around. Look around.
1635 01:45:31,492 01:45:36,758 This is the power of what one person can do. This is the power of what one person can do.
1636 01:46:39,259 01:46:40,359 Thank you, son. Thank you, son.
1637 01:46:49,892 01:46:51,192 So you don't forget us. So you don't forget us.
1638 01:46:53,526 01:46:54,858 Thank you. Thank you.
1639 01:47:16,459 01:47:18,192 Daddy! Daddy!
1640 01:47:18,858 01:47:19,858 Hey, little man. Hey, little man.
1641 01:47:20,825 01:47:22,426 - I'm glad we got to come. - Ah, me too. - I'm glad we got to come. - Ah, me too.
1642 01:47:23,359 01:47:24,792 Where's your mom? Where's your mom?
1643 01:47:28,092 01:47:29,792 Looking good in that uniform, Jimmy. Looking good in that uniform, Jimmy.
1644 01:47:32,192 01:47:33,459 This is my son, Luke. This is my son, Luke.
1645 01:47:35,359 01:47:37,490 Nice to meet you, soldier. Nice to meet you, soldier.
1646 01:47:40,426 01:47:41,892 I wanted to say... I wanted to say...
1647 01:47:44,059 01:47:45,459 I wanted to say thank you. I wanted to say thank you.
1648 01:47:48,326 01:47:49,959 Understand what I'm saying, sir? Understand what I'm saying, sir?
1649 01:47:51,392 01:47:52,392 You're welcome, Jimmy. You're welcome, Jimmy.
1650 01:47:54,892 01:47:57,059 But you really don't have to call me sir. But you really don't have to call me sir.
1651 01:47:58,292 01:47:59,292 Sure I do. Sure I do.
1652 01:48:00,426 01:48:01,492 Why's that? Why's that?
1653 01:48:03,959 01:48:05,259 You earned it, sir. You earned it, sir.
1654 01:48:07,159 01:48:10,959 Ah, you take care, now, 'cause it's a jungle out there. Ah, you take care, now, 'cause it's a jungle out there.
1655 01:48:24,792 01:48:25,825 What's your name? What's your name?
1656 01:48:26,359 01:48:28,259 - Luke. - I'm Tommy. - Luke. - I'm Tommy.
1657 01:48:31,326 01:48:33,758 Early on, you said... Early on, you said...
1658 01:48:34,892 01:48:36,758 there was nothing in this for you. there was nothing in this for you.
1659 01:49:28,049 01:49:31,722 Of the millions of men and women who served in the US Army, Of the millions of men and women who served in the US Army,
1660 01:49:31,746 01:49:35,172 a total of 3,498 received the Medal of Honor. a total of 3,498 received the Medal of Honor.
1661 01:49:35,196 01:49:39,313 Only 18 of the recipients were members of the US Air Force. Only 18 of the recipients were members of the US Air Force.
1662 01:49:39,337 01:49:44,282 Only 3 of them were Airmen. Only 3 of them were Airmen.
1663 01:49:44,495 01:49:49,987 One of them was William Hart Pitsenbarger. One of them was William Hart Pitsenbarger.
1664 01:50:33,834 01:50:35,943 On April 11, 1966, On April 11, 1966,
1665 01:50:35,967 01:50:37,600 when we took off on that mission... when we took off on that mission...
1666 01:50:38,834 01:50:39,910 Pits made a statement. Pits made a statement.
1667 01:50:39,934 01:50:41,267 He got on the hot mic and he said, He got on the hot mic and he said,
1668 01:50:42,101 01:50:42,977 "Boy, Captain," he said, "Boy, Captain," he said,
1669 01:50:43,001 01:50:44,867 "I don't feel good about this mission." "I don't feel good about this mission."
1670 01:50:45,234 01:50:47,843 They were prepared for us, they knew we were coming. They were prepared for us, they knew we were coming.
1671 01:50:47,867 01:50:52,543 They were in, uh, ground holes, in trees and on the ground, They were in, uh, ground holes, in trees and on the ground,
1672 01:50:52,567 01:50:54,043 and, uh, as we walked, and, uh, as we walked,
1673 01:50:54,067 01:50:56,101 they just simply closed the back door. they just simply closed the back door.
1674 01:50:58,633 01:51:00,609 So they started calling us So they started calling us
1675 01:51:00,633 01:51:02,077 to help them get out the wounded. to help them get out the wounded.
1676 01:51:02,101 01:51:04,010 And Pits said, "Let me... Put me on the ground, And Pits said, "Let me... Put me on the ground,
1677 01:51:04,034 01:51:05,900 I can organize this much better." I can organize this much better."
1678 01:51:06,134 01:51:07,800 I said, "I don't wanna lose you, Pits. I said, "I don't wanna lose you, Pits.
1679 01:51:08,334 01:51:10,310 And it's hotter than hell down there because the war And it's hotter than hell down there because the war
1680 01:51:10,334 01:51:12,310 and the firefights going on all the time. and the firefights going on all the time.
1681 01:51:12,334 01:51:13,533 You can hear the stuff." You can hear the stuff."
1682 01:51:13,934 01:51:14,934 So down he went. So down he went.
1683 01:51:16,067 01:51:18,177 My initial thought on seeing him rappelling out of, uh, My initial thought on seeing him rappelling out of, uh,
1684 01:51:18,201 01:51:20,110 uh, coming out of the helicopter, I'm thinking, uh, coming out of the helicopter, I'm thinking,
1685 01:51:20,134 01:51:21,643 "What in the hell is this guy thinking "What in the hell is this guy thinking
1686 01:51:21,667 01:51:22,867 coming down here?" coming down here?"
1687 01:51:24,301 01:51:25,243 There's not a one of us There's not a one of us
1688 01:51:25,267 01:51:27,243 that wouldn't have left there if we could. that wouldn't have left there if we could.
1689 01:51:27,267 01:51:28,643 And the only guy that could leave And the only guy that could leave
1690 01:51:28,667 01:51:30,034 was Pitsenbarger, and he didn't. was Pitsenbarger, and he didn't.
1691 01:51:30,700 01:51:33,567 Marty Kroah was on the ground and he sent for me, Marty Kroah was on the ground and he sent for me,
1692 01:51:33,967 01:51:34,967 because, um... because, um...
1693 01:51:36,301 01:51:39,001 he said, "I want somebody to know what Pits did, he said, "I want somebody to know what Pits did,
1694 01:51:39,334 01:51:41,734 so that it gets reported back, in case I die." so that it gets reported back, in case I die."
1695 01:51:42,001 01:51:44,267 At that time Marty had been shot five times. At that time Marty had been shot five times.
1696 01:51:44,800 01:51:46,633 When we found out the next morning... When we found out the next morning...
1697 01:51:47,600 01:51:49,667 that he had been killed, it was just... that he had been killed, it was just...
1698 01:51:55,967 01:51:57,734 It was a sad time for everybody. It was a sad time for everybody.
1699 01:52:01,267 01:52:03,234 To me, uh, this is one of the most, To me, uh, this is one of the most,
1700 01:52:03,900 01:52:06,643 uh, important things I did as Secretary of the Air Force. uh, important things I did as Secretary of the Air Force.
1701 01:52:06,667 01:52:08,710 Well, it should have been handled by itself. Well, it should have been handled by itself.
1702 01:52:08,734 01:52:10,014 It was just a fundamental wrong. It was just a fundamental wrong.
1703 01:52:10,201 01:52:11,643 It was wrong to Bill Pitsenbarger, It was wrong to Bill Pitsenbarger,
1704 01:52:11,667 01:52:12,747 it was wrong to his family. it was wrong to his family.
1705 01:52:13,500 01:52:14,977 Wrong to the airmen who supported him. Wrong to the airmen who supported him.
1706 01:52:15,001 01:52:15,843 When you think about it, When you think about it,
1707 01:52:15,867 01:52:18,110 uh, it is extraordinary to have people uh, it is extraordinary to have people
1708 01:52:18,134 01:52:20,867 who worked for 30 years to get this done. who worked for 30 years to get this done.
1709 01:52:21,201 01:52:23,543 I mean, these are people who had their own lives, I mean, these are people who had their own lives,
1710 01:52:23,567 01:52:25,533 wives, children, grandchildren, wives, children, grandchildren,
1711 01:52:25,800 01:52:27,310 and this was a passion for them, and this was a passion for them,
1712 01:52:27,334 01:52:29,134 and I just thought that was extraordinary. and I just thought that was extraordinary.
1713 01:52:29,600 01:52:33,067 And I just... I felt... And... And I owed it to Pits, And I just... I felt... And... And I owed it to Pits,
1714 01:52:33,567 01:52:35,710 and I wouldn't... And not just myself, and I wouldn't... And not just myself,
1715 01:52:35,734 01:52:37,414 there's other people who feel the same way, there's other people who feel the same way,
1716 01:52:37,700 01:52:40,600 basically, our whole crew. We owe it to him. basically, our whole crew. We owe it to him.
1717 01:52:42,600 01:52:44,943 Bill's blood is mixed with ours forever. Bill's blood is mixed with ours forever.
1718 01:52:44,967 01:52:46,667 He... He is our brother. He... He is our brother.