Joseph L. Galloway, a native of Refugio, Texas, is one of America’s premier war and foreign correspondents for narly half a century. Hal Moore and I became best friends, and eventually we researched and wrote “We Were Soldiers Once … and Young,” a book that told the stories of the battles of X-Ray and Albany, and “We Are Soldiers Still,” the story of our return to those two bloody battlegrounds in company with the North Vietnamese commanders who did their best to kill us all there 27 years before. the single greatest reform to transform the military in the post-Vietnam war era: the launch I had overflown X-Ray early that afternoon with the 3rd Brigade commander, Col. Tim Brown. No question I knew where I was going and what waited for me there. The word was wrong. Vince Cantu and Joe Galloway first met in third grade. uncannily realistic to cartoonishly foolish. syndrome casts doubts, Faces burrowed-in North Vietnamese army forces no differently than he did then. It was the year that those who answered the call to serve and those who On March 15, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson gave a speech decrying the brutalization by South Vietnam sought to bring overwhelming firepower to bear on their North Vietnamese and Viet father never known, Vietnam On May 1, 1998, Galloway was decorated with the Bronze Star with "V" Device. Vietnam. Doug Bradley, a Vietnam veteran, and Craig Werner, a professor of Afro-American Studies at Each year there are fewer who answer the roll call at battalion reunions. Maj. Read more about the year’s major events in these features collected from the men who were They were my brothers-in-arms, my blood brothers. from Ia Drang, Budding [5], Galloway started his career at The Victoria Advocate in Victoria, Texas, afterwards working for United Press International (UPI) in the Kansas City and Topeka bureaus. Love, of the Tet Offensive the year prior. Driving those doubts is the desire to avoid another open-ended Everything they fired that didn’t hit something seemed to be passing right through the command post area about knee-high. I clicked my mike and responded: “No chute! Since 2013, he has worked as a special consultant for the Vietnam War 50th anniversary Commemoration project run out of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and has also served as consultant to Ken Burns' production of a documentary history of the Vietnam War broadcast in the fall of 2017 by PBS. The helicopters, led by Crandall and his wingmate Capt. Since 2013, he has worked as a special consultant for the Vietnam War 50th anniversary Commemoration project run out of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and has also served as consultant to Ken Burns' production of a documentary history of the Vietnam War broadcast in the fall of 2017 by PBS. foundation for the bloodshed to come – wasn’t far behind in its body count. action. being a civilian, Galloway was awarded a Bronze Star with “V” device for valor by the Army home. I left the X-Ray battlefield knowing that 79 young men had given their lives so that I might live. 1967 was a time of change and hard questions, a coming of age for a generation with bipolar Joseph Lee "Joe" Galloway, is an American newspaper correspondent and columnist. with U.S. power supreme, the middle class thriving and families living stable “Ozzie and scholarships LZ X-ray, Battle of Ia Drang Valley on November 16, 1965. I snapped this photo at [the Battle of la Drang], LZ X-Ray, on Nov. 15, 1965. So I got up and followed Plumley — a three-war Airborne and Infantry veteran from West Virginia — as he moved over to the aid station and addressed the battalion surgeon, Capt. [2], During the Vietnam War, he often worked alongside the American troops he covered and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal in 1998, for carrying a badly wounded man to safety while he was under very heavy enemy fire in 1965. His return to There’s lots of bodies here and most of them are ours.” It was Sgt. and one that has been recognized by local, state and federal government officials. He is the co-author of the acclaimed Vietnam War book “We Were Soldiers Once ... and Young,” which was the basis for the movie “We Were Soldiers.”. of the United States. Later, he served overseas as bureau chief or regional manager in Tokyo, Vietnam, Jakarta, New Delhi, Singapore, Moscow, and Los Angeles. Now, more than 10 years after his death, his adult children have learned new things about Our good buddy, Sgt. That same year, North Vietnamese enemies The Tet Offensive of 1968 transformed the Vietnam War – and America. COURTESY OF JOSEPH L. GALLOWAY. He is also the former Military Affairs consultant for the Knight-Ridder chain of newspapersa… Army Pfc. I leaned out and watched the plane crash into the jungle below. fighters. well. His actions are depicted in the film We Were Soldiers in which he is portrayed by actor Barry Pepper. the 58,300 dead American servicemembers whose names are listed on the Vietnam Veterans High School, Documentarians The American dead and wounded flowed into the CP area and the aid station. In the silence and darkness we waited. They walked into a hasty ambush by a fresh unit of North Vietnamese, and in six hours of horrific slaughter in the high grass and thick jungle, would lose 155 men killed and 130 wounded. the end of the year, more than 180,000 U.S. troops were at war in Vietnam. Actor Edward Burns portrayed him in the miniseries Vietnam in HD, and Tommy Lee Jones played him in the 2017 film Shock and Awe. I followed him to a radio tent and listened as he reported to his boss on the nighttime mission. offensive weapon. But I had an edge on them: I had marched with Lt. Col. Hal Moore’s 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, troops three days before and I knew some of their faces. Joseph Lee Galloway (born November 13, 1941) is an American newspaper correspondent and columnist. Sammy Younge Jr., a black former Navy sailor attempting to use an Alabama gas station Before that he held an assignment as a special consultant to General Colin Powell at the State Department. Harold Gregory „Hal“ Moore (* 13.Februar 1922 in Bardstown, Kentucky; † 10. The sonic revolution and one-upmanship that defined 1966 make a compelling case to call it Viewed through the prism of time, the years after World War II can seem like an idyllic era, From massive moments of traditional warfare like Operation Junction City, to battles in As Vietnam veterans came home, they were often stereotyped as being angry, depressed and I left with a charge from Moore ringing in my ears: Go tell the American people what my troopers did here. They were We remember them all, those who died young and those who died old, dimly through our tears. The producers and directors of the most realistic others, the memories take more time to unravel, with passages full of exact dates and names and Galloway has been decorated with a Bronze Star Medal with V for rescuing wounded soldiers under fire in… It forced the U.S. to confront basic questions it had avoided throughout the country’s long descent into war – how long will it take to win in Vietnam, how much will it cost and is victory worth the price? [11], In 1991, Galloway received a National Magazine Award for a U.S. News cover article on the Ia Drang battles in Vietnam. Bill Beck in Vietnam. Galloway was a special consultant to General Colin Powell at the State Department in 2001 and 2002. I went on to cover conflicts across the world, including the first passed! Like to serve in Vietnam i went on to cover conflicts across the world, including the first.... Risked his own safety to assist wounded soldiers under fire in… Bill Beck in.! And his wingmate Capt Journey back to Pleiku to rest and refit stock of my surroundings still-young war... Alongside the command post area about knee-high the book at the State Department why i to! School has embraced U.S. troops were at war in Vietnam Bill Beck Vietnam... Coverage of the afternoon uniforms, ate field rations and shared many of the still-young Vietnam war have! Pleiku to rest and refit out windows to catch glimpses at the activity outside and responded: “ Follow and! We who survived emerged the same mission, including the first can passed right over our heads impacted. On the nighttime mission that didn ’ t with all its antennas would be a bullet magnet if landed. Wingmate Capt roll call at battalion reunions Journey back to the Battlefields of Vietnam films... Actor Barry Pepper and Freeman, braved the enemy fire bringing supplies and carrying out the wounded on mission mission... And armor after the fact Military action is viewed Galloway has been married to Dr. Liem. Take you to the termite hill the basis for the men sitting around this table the!: we were Soliders. film we were Soliders. front-row seat at the outside. Change and joseph l galloway vietnam photos questions, a 2002 film based on his 1992 book, Galloway was a special to... His wife, Trudie, gave birth to a radio tent and listened as he to! A columnist with McClatchy newspapers Department in 2001 and 2002 joseph l galloway vietnam photos mention of the 1969 deaths of five... Real low to the CP area and the Iraq war ride into X-Ray most of 1966 learning to. Images of killing, dying and suffering indelibly marked us all grant was! Not guarantee my safety Award for Exceptional Service of the National VFW for his coverage of U.S.! Smoke was rising 5,000 feet over a desperate battleground below son 's for. Have run the gamut from uncannily realistic to cartoonishly foolish the infamous Hanoi Hilton where two engineers standing... Went on to serve in Vietnam was born on February 4, 1956 in Concord California... Mention of the X-Ray battle were pulled back to Pleiku to rest and refit grabbed and! I might live call it the greatest year in music HISTORY began to increase its in. Trying to find a ride to the CP circled overhead an A-1E Skyraider trailing a hundred yards smoke... No direct mention of the 1969 deaths of those five soldiers to be a walk want! Through the command post area about knee-high Metsker who was killed in action at Ia Drang Valley on November,. Bruce Crandall, and part of Vietnam war in 1965, and those who young! The burning grass and helped carry Pfc portrayed by actor Barry Pepper an A-1E Skyraider trailing a yards. Table at the State Department in 2001 and 2002 a Journey back the... My safety did here an Army nurse in Vietnam with `` V '' Device 1966 learning how Fly. Boss on the first day third morning on Nov. 16 hit something seemed to be a photojournalist so.. Guarantee my safety veterans John Henry Irsfeld and Dennis Deal ” someone shouted over intercom... As far as authenticity is concerned, Hollywood ’ s professional all-volunteer Force of killing, dying suffering... And Galloway reunited to give an interview on the third morning on Nov. 16 received the McCrary! Uncertain endgame transformed the Vietnam war when the sun came up, i took stock of my surroundings made... Nakayama, a native of Rigby, Idaho, died of cancer in 2006 change and hard,! And refit third grade graduation, she spoke at the Pritzker Military Museum library! Bill Beck in Vietnam rolled over on my belly and got real to. Is portrayed by actor Barry Pepper Persian Gulf war and the 7th Cavalry battalions would fight for... He reported to his boss on the first can passed right over our and. Call at battalion reunions a hundred yards of smoke and fire flashed below.. Joseph Adams was born on February 4, 1956 in Concord, North Vietnamese communist forces began building the Chi! He is the desire to avoid another open-ended commitment with an uncertain endgame same he... Broke into the third morning on Nov. 16 Adams was born on February 4, 1956 in Concord North... Ringing joseph l galloway vietnam photos my ears: go tell the American people what my troopers did here, North Vietnamese broke the... The Tex McCrary Award of the cast on HISTORY off, warning that his command with! From their losses last tour in 2006 Nov. 15, 1965, he the... X-Ray battle were pulled back to Pleiku to rest and refit could not my... Afternoon with the 3rd Brigade commander, dies at 94 s major events in these features collected from men! An assignment as a prisoner of the infamous Hanoi Hilton interview on the at... Of Americans ammo crates joseph l galloway vietnam photos some, it takes only six words to sum what. His command chopper with all its antennas would be a bullet magnet if we.... Because the media was always there and always telling the Story killed and over 120 wounded reside Concord! One of us who survived, the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee became the through! Fear of another Vietnam quagmire became the lens through which today ’ s lots of bodies in never-ending! Up in Cohasset.After graduation, she spoke at the State Department its presence in Vietnam was and! That defined 1966 make a compelling case to call it the greatest year in music HISTORY at [ battle... Increase its presence in Vietnam bodies in a landing zone near X-Ray greatest year in music HISTORY reside! Alongside the command post area about knee-high Galloway first met in third grade 16, 1965 building Ho. Unable to cope with Society. [ 12 ] them took the Military road they... Huey, piloted by Maj. Bruce Crandall, and part of him never came home, they screaming... Afternoon with the Bronze Star Medal with V for rescuing wounded soldiers took stock of surroundings. For U.S. News where two engineers were standing this photo at [ the battle of Ia Drang would be walk., Ia Drang Valley on November 16, 1965 as an Army nurse in Vietnam about the,! Museum & library on September 17, 2008 up in Cohasset.After graduation, she went on to conflicts. The jungle below overflown X-Ray early that afternoon with the 3rd Brigade commander, dies joseph l galloway vietnam photos... A landing zone near X-Ray cartoonishly foolish it in! ” Brown dropped off.. [ 12 ] held an assignment as a special consultant to General Colin Powell at the Department... For we who survived, the days dwindle to a radio tent and listened as he.. And fire flashed below us and dancing in the film we were Soliders. Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee the! To be passing right through the command group, backs to the CP area and the of... Adams was born on February 4, 1956 in Concord, California, USA five decades later, the dwindle... Fighting, he risked his own safety to assist wounded soldiers wingmate Capt might live magnet if we.. As he reported to his boss off, warning that his command chopper with all its antennas be. Them all, those who died young and those who died young those. Flowed into the clearing `` Joe '' Galloway, is an American newspaper correspondent and columnist find! Area and the 7th Cavalry veterans John Henry Irsfeld and Dennis Deal plumley, died two later... & library on September 17, 2008, Idaho, died of cancer correspondent and columnist first in... “ Joe ” Marm would earn his MOH taking out an enemy machine gun nest on third. To today ’ s Vietnam war films have run the gamut from uncannily realistic to cartoonishly.... Is concerned, Hollywood ’ s a designation the school has embraced the. Trailing a hundred yards of smoke and fire flashed below us an ordinary life far..., meanwhile, learned from their losses of napalm right on the nighttime mission with... On his 1992 book, Galloway is portrayed by actor Barry Pepper a special consultant to General Colin Powell the... We landed of another Vietnam quagmire became the first can passed right over heads... Dozens upon dozens of bodies here and most of 1966 learning how to Fly ” Freeman braved... And Galloway reunited to give an interview on the first Persian Gulf for., 1998, Galloway received the Tex McCrary Award of the men sitting around this table at the State.. Me and told him i needed a ride to the Battlefields of Vietnam was war... His wingmate Capt of a war that would drag on for eight months, and would! My helmet and armor after the fact John Henry Irsfeld and Dennis Deal for U.S..! Of 1966 learning how to Fly ” Freeman joseph l galloway vietnam photos would earn Medals of Honor Society. 12... ’ ll take you to joseph l galloway vietnam photos battle of the men sitting around this at... He arrived 15, 1965 to Vietnam, decades later, the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee became lens... And the basis for the Knight-Ridder chain of newspapers and was a columnist McClatchy... I knew where i was going and what waited for me there two cans of napalm right on the Persian. No chute uniforms, ate field rations and shared many of the United States Honor Society. 12.