Colonel (Ret) Bob Waggoner Vietnam War POW Interview.wmv

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Colonel (Ret) Bob Waggoner Vietnam War POW Interview.wmv

Рет қаралды 78,767

Күн бұрын

Colonel Bob Waggoner (Ret), a towering but gentle man and fly fishing guide, was shot down over North Vietnam and spent 6 ½ years as a POW, including time at the Hanoi Hilton with John McCain. This is his story from an interview my son did for a History Day Project in 2009.

Пікірлер: 107

@barrybrannan5136 3 жыл бұрын

Bob Waggoner passed away on June 21, 2021, the longest day. I met him in Air Force pilot training in 1955. We have been friends for a long time. His celebration of life will take place on Sept 12, 2021, 55 years after his shoot down

@doefagtohd 10 ай бұрын

im sorry for that

@TheRoafer 7 ай бұрын

It was a very special celebration of his life. What a fine man. I visit his wife occasionally and love her dearly.

@barrybrannan5136 7 ай бұрын

@@TheRoafer

@barrybrannan5136 7 ай бұрын

I'm in touch with Vicki and think she is doing OK. Thanks.

@TheRoafer 7 ай бұрын

Yes,she's doing well. A month ago she had a wonderful big smile when I saw her. @barrybrannan5136

@wagonroad534 Жыл бұрын

I met Bob when he was the manager of Crowley Lake fish camp and I was the Boating Safety Officer for the Mono County Sheriff's Department. He worked hard at providing an enjoyable experience for fishermen at the lake. We talked about his experiences flying the F-105 and me flying the A-6 Intruder in Vietnam. A great patriot and a hero.

@carolecarr5210 Жыл бұрын

Sir, I was an Air Force Nurse during VietNam War but never set foot in country. Spent 2 1/2 years at Tachikawa AFB, Japan so I met many injured men.Corpmen, Medics, Nurses, Doctors & especially the Dust Offs we're phenomenal - we had people in hospital, Japan within 24 - 48 hours after being hit in field @ TET. Later I had the honor being a Flight Nurse bringing our guys on last leg home (Elmendorf to Dover). I well remember the day three C 141s flew into Hanoi to get you, with tears streaming down my face and having to catch my breath sobbing. I am amazed by you, and thank you for this video. You clarified a few of my wonderings. I 100% supported our troops, then & always, but, I was angry for the US policy being there not fighting to win. Today is Jan. 1, 2023, I wish you a Happy, Healthy New Year.

@stephensmith5221 11 жыл бұрын

Col.Waggoner is my first cousin. I did not know this interview was available until recently. I am proud to be related to such a fine gentleman. Thank you very much, cousin, for your service, and bravery. I think you are a hero. Steve

@ericbarker5197 Жыл бұрын

He isn't yr cousin, he is my cousin

@johnschwarz3239 4 жыл бұрын

A true American badass! What a disciplined humble intelligent man he is. Hats off to you sir. Thank you.

@thomasfx3190 Жыл бұрын

What a terrific patriot! Thank you sir for your service to the country. RIP.

@robertgraham5619 10 ай бұрын

Thank you Colonel Bob Waggoner for your extraordinary service coming out on the other side of such long and extreme torture with such incredible sanity. I hope enough of our country are waking up to the extreme change in culture that we can appreciate all that has had to happen in order to have the freedoms we have had for a couple centuries. I'm guessing on the reasons the captors wanted to know as much about your educational background is how the communists specifically target the universities and elementary school systems alike trying to "re-educate" people, like in the George Orwell book, 1984. You are a very impressive man to me and inspire me to do more. Again, Thank you

@edpritchard3001 4 жыл бұрын

We are not worthy...Thank you so much for your service and dedication.

@festus512 5 жыл бұрын

I remember the rail yard. It was exactly like Bob says. I flew up to Hanoi a couple of times during the peace negotiations. The Zips always drove us past the rail yard to the Hanoi Hilton where they fed us lunch. I remember on the bus ride past the rail yard the NV guard on the bus came back to where I was sitting and he said to me "See what your American B52 do " I said yes they did a dam good job didn't they. He went back to the front of the bus and did not talk to me again.

@topgeardel 3 жыл бұрын

Hey buddy...I have to be totally straight with you. You're fortunate he didn't put a bullet in your head. I'm sure you are way beyond thinking of the possibility that you didn't belong there in the first place...or that they might have had a legitimate right to consider you a "war criminal".

@celtwmn2013 7 жыл бұрын

I wore this hero's P.O.W. bracelet for years!!!! ROBERT FROST WAGGONER 9-12-1966 Desperately looking to return it to him!!! HELP!!!!Thank you very much...

@GWagg-bv6tc 7 жыл бұрын

Hello Linda. We are family members of Uncle Bob. I see you are on facebook. I will request you as a friend (Gloria Waggoner) and perhaps we can private message and get in touch.

@willyhearrell9060 7 жыл бұрын

+Gloria Waggoner I hope you got in touch!

@GWagg-bv6tc 7 жыл бұрын

yes I did...thank you!

@rosemarieguerrero7688 6 жыл бұрын

I wanted a bracelet for a pow but my mom wouldn't let me

@mth666 5 жыл бұрын

Did the bracelet ever get returned?

@jamesallen3799 3 жыл бұрын

This is what should be taught in our schools. Leadership, courage, and honesty. Thank you Sir

@nigelhamilton815 2 жыл бұрын

Great video. Thank you for your service.

@SacRaFiX24 2 жыл бұрын

WELCOME HOME AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

@TheVeteransNetwork 9 жыл бұрын

Brother John, this guy shows how so many POW's just hung tough and were able to report to this day. To me they have thumbed their nose at PTSD. The Tap Code was a great sub story to their survival. These guys are amazing Americans with amazing balls. Chuck the Vet 11th Armored Cav. III Corp 1969 the hot ass year.

@snowman374th Жыл бұрын

October 27, 1969 = Born into war. 53 bout to add 1 more.. I feel connected to this war

@jmp.t28b99 Жыл бұрын

A great American Patriot who sacrificed much so that we can enjoy the riches and freedoms of this country. He passed last year.

@Treeman1177 20 күн бұрын

Not true nothing we did in Vietnam saved or gave us freedoms it only hurt the people of Vietnam and at the end what we was fighting against ended up with the whole country so it was a waste and the people who lived there suffered even more if they had helped the south

@kerstenukatz8672 6 ай бұрын

A very moving and interesting interview. Thank you for that. I have also seen other videos on Vietnam. They show this world what these soldiers/veterans had to go through, especially when having been POWs. Greetings from Germany

@OlJarhead 5 жыл бұрын

Very informative interview. Thanks for posting.

@1stsharkb8 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your service!

@nondemify 4 жыл бұрын

I can't say enough to convey how much I appreciate what you and your fellow soldiers did for your country. I hate that you were betrayed by the left here in the US at the time and wish more people were aware of the whole truth of what happened.

@vincentshelpfulhints4085 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you sir ,, i was a child back then but i do recall seeing protests on the news, My uncle served enlisted, he made it home but died a few years ago from cancer from all the chemicals used there so in affect the war did kill him :(

@sellersgarner 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks to Col.Waggoner for his service & sharing his story. Thanks also to all involved in making this interview possible and available. I'm very glad to see that this video is part of an interview done by a young man for a History Day 2009 project. I must admit my first thoughts upon reading this in the description section were in the vein of "I wonder if that would happen in 2017 - outside of "Military Schools". PS- It's nice to see KZfaq comments which have something to do with the video. I can easily get on a soapbox regarding KZfaq comments (especially the fact that so many start with "Well" (no comma, not that it would help , since these always go on to be what one would expect from someone who starts a statement they are typing with the equivalent of "Umm" or "Like".

@tomortman4850 5 жыл бұрын

In 1996 I was on the island of Palawan in the Philippines. On the southern tip of the island there was a Vietnamese refugee camp. The people in that camp escaped Vietnam in rickety boats to get away from the communists in Vietnam. You won't see that on the news. Too bad the US didn't bomb the north sooner as Colonel Waggoner suggested. My two cents.

@TheVeteransNetwork 9 жыл бұрын

Col W. has a great historical view of this war. He is a true hero. So glad he can remain intact and be able to report in modern times for many who have no idea of what that war was. Vet Net's RS has done another great job of putting the entire war era in perspective in his recently released book C.I.B 1969. John C. the Vet RVN 1968

@janshiff9942 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your service ,💕 and God bless you and all the soldiers .💞

@mikemb123 6 жыл бұрын

#1 lesson learned from Viet nam You can't win a war without support on the home front.

@keithkluber1195 2 жыл бұрын

THANK U SIR 🇺🇸HAPPY YOU MADE IT 🗽🇺🇸👍

@davidwayne5152 Жыл бұрын

Not sure of the exact time,but around 28 minutes..maybe a little before,he describes the rope treatment.He says ,with hesitancy,that this was "torture".After everything he describes,I would say that it was all torture.This MAN is/was a true soldier and he has my utmost admiration.♥️

@MrKedab 2 жыл бұрын

Vietnam was not North & South until the breach of the agreement after they kicked the French out.

@trobson9952 Жыл бұрын

Thanks

@ejsocci2630 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your service… welcome home.👊🏻🇺🇸

@tB3o3tR9o9 Жыл бұрын

thanks for nothing

@dks13827 8 жыл бұрын

A fine American. The young man did a good job on the interview. Did you notice the kid didn't know anything about the moon landing including the year it occurred ? What is up with our schools ?

@BougieBlue 7 жыл бұрын

dks13827 core education

@markhaurbaun9446 8 жыл бұрын

In the John McCain recording,in which he told of his treatment in a north Vietnam hospital,and his comments to the very good treatment he received,the recording being bad was voice recognition used?As that would clarify the fact or false,of the McCain question.

@Hartcore11 7 жыл бұрын

It was true. Several POWs that were with McCain have come to his defense about the matter. What is really disheartening is that some other POW's have voiced hatred towards him. I don't know how much torture they endured whether is be less or more severe than what McCain had gone through, but McCains was extremely severe in measure as told by other POWs that were with him. It is unfathomable how they can judge after others that were with McCain hold him with such high regard. With Mccain's father being the Admiral of the Pacific fleet he was a prized target to break. A 4 day non stop period of torture McCain reached his break point and read the propaganda while being recorded and it was that recording that was taped and then played over the radio. I went through a military training program as a simulated POW. In my opinion is was the best training program I ever went through. The program was established and advised on by several POW's from Vietnam. I can not tell you what happened in the program, but can tell you that the physical and mental stresses placed on you in just a short period gave me the ability to see things through different perspective. I can't even begin to compare my training to the real life events that lasted years to our POWs. I have the utmost respect for McCain and every other POW. I hope you and others can understand that what they went through was not a game that many armchair warriors easily pass judgement. It was real life with real fears of death in the hands of those who hated you.

@donnahanegraaff3390 7 жыл бұрын

I wore Maj Robert Waggoner's POW bracelet!! 9-12-66 I have always wanted to find him and let him know that! I still have the bracelet! Is there a way I can contact him? Donna Hanegraaff

@ChrisPGuideGuy 7 жыл бұрын

Hi Donna, Bob got back to me and said he was very flattered that you'd like to contact him, and he asked me to send you his email address. I'll send it to you soon. Chris

@barrybrannan5136 7 ай бұрын

You can send it to me. Bob and I went thru pilot training together and our first squadron together. B Brannan, 206 Clubhouse Vista Dr, K 35, Matthews, NC 28105. Im in touch with his widow will sent it to her along with any note you want to send. Thank you.

@mikebarker6979 4 ай бұрын

SEATO was 8 countries, US, UK, France, Pakistan, Thailand, Phillipines, Australia and New Zealand. No Malaysia or South Korea. Plus Cambodia and South Vietnam became protected states.

@cagedlemp5184 3 жыл бұрын

Crazy how this experience seems to be the norm among pows at that time. Not even aloud to communicate, having to tap at eachother... They took away their basic humanity.

@peterringier 3 жыл бұрын

Western nations had no business in exploiting and suppressing these South East Asia nations. The split in North/South Korea and Vietnam was a western construct to hold power in SEA. The US started the 'American War' (so called by the Vietnamese till today) with the Golf of Tonkin incident.

@shovedhead 11 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing this interview.

@dvsd01 10 жыл бұрын

Only one word for Col Waggoner: THANKYOU. You are a great example to those who forget that freedom is not free. The LIBS/Anti-War peeps don't like it when these heroes get any exposure.

@ralpharchbold2454 Жыл бұрын

Fascinating

@strgazerlilly 6 жыл бұрын

South East Asia Treaty Organization SEATO ..like NATO so this would be what happens if NATO is attacked...thats a big pill to swallow. Thankyou for surviving and for your honorable service. From 1 veteran to another. You are loved and there's no way we can repay you. Welcome home!

@bradmarking9106 3 жыл бұрын

Levi Waggoner was my grand father was wondering if we are related

@danwalk2388 4 жыл бұрын

Brave and great guy. Im british but respect these old guys for what they went through. I reckon alot of young guys these days couldnt do what they did.

@josephanderson7237 4 жыл бұрын

Welcome home.

@atlaswhitt3513 2 жыл бұрын

What a badass

@lairdstephenrousek.r.o.6505 4 жыл бұрын

Does anyone think they are still American Pows there.

@albertcostello7476 10 жыл бұрын

he members more about nam than I care too

@rickyt43515 5 жыл бұрын

Truman sent the first advisors into Vietnam in 1952 not Kennedy

@anastasiahopkinson5676 2 жыл бұрын

The number of American military in Vietnam when Kennedy died was 16,000. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1963_in_the_Vietnam_War

@richardfurber2947 Жыл бұрын

Who was the “Emperor of Annan”?

@howardleekilby7390 10 ай бұрын

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

@Jim-nt7xy 11 ай бұрын

To set the record straight, Vietnam first turned to the USA for help in their fight for freedom from the French. But the Americans, supposed mother of democracy declined to help the little Asians, instead opting to support the club of colonizers the French.. That is when Vietnam turned to China and Russia for help. I guess they don't teach that inconvenient history in schools.

@BlurrFn- 7 ай бұрын

they dont teach anything about the vietnam war in the us now.

@Daisy-fw6cr Жыл бұрын

And here is another reason see I was trying to tell you

@eric8477 5 жыл бұрын

I was going to go on a little rant about how awful the interviewer was, but then I read that he's the son of the guy that this channel belongs to, so I'll keep my mouth shut. Suffice it to say his youth and lack of knowledge about the Vietnam War was glaringly evident.

@copper4441 5 жыл бұрын

And the moon landing not knowing history you will repeat it

@jerrytee2688 4 жыл бұрын

Eric, totally agree.

@justaman6972 11 жыл бұрын

Bob is a fine American. This video has some nose whistling thing going on driving me nuts. Bob is tougher than woodpecker lips...

@a.krueger6486 5 жыл бұрын

5 years later, the nose whistling still going strong. Lol, oh well. Nice interview, thank you sir for your service.

@phil4508 11 жыл бұрын

very interesting...and informative....he did not say to much on McCain....or the pow that left early....without honor.....what happened to them.....no answer....

@HighExplosiveDualPurpose40mm 7 жыл бұрын

Philip Buckley without honor?? and yours?

@barrybrannan5136 7 ай бұрын

I think you might be referring to the US Sailor who fell overboard and was captured by the VC. He memorized all the names of the prisoners and was able to tell the US who was alive. That's how we found out Waggoner was alive.

@michaelmourame6758 10 жыл бұрын

sini sabotage - 22m

@UpstateGardening 3 жыл бұрын

War doesn’t change minds, it creates real estate

@danthedewman1 3 жыл бұрын

McCain...lol

@blarfle 5 жыл бұрын

Stories like this are invaluable. I hate whining dogs.

@goutvols103 6 жыл бұрын

The interviewer is not really good and is too young to be interviewing an American hero.

@GrindinGears526 6 жыл бұрын

This was a school project.

@1stsharkb8 5 жыл бұрын

The young NEED to be educated by people who were actually THERE and not the lying media or politicians who use this type of thing to further heir agenda and pat themselves on the back!

@chuckjohnson2564 5 жыл бұрын

It's his son fool.