MEDAL OF HONOR: Huey Shot Down He Fights the NVA Uphill for 5 Days | Dennis Fujii
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Dennis Fujii first deployed to South Vietnam in 1968, he spent his first nine months assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division as an assistant machine gunner.
On his second tour, now an Sp4c., Fujii began serving as a crew chief on a UH-1H medevac helicopter. On February 18, 1971, Fujii and his crew flew across the border into Laos to evacuate wounded in support of Operation Lam Son 719. The helicopter took heavy ground fire and crash landed at LZ Ranger North.
Subsequent rescue attempts failed and Fujii spent the next two days on the hill calling in air support and artillery to hold back wave after wave of enemy trying to reach him. After two days of fighting, a helicopter finally reached Fujii, but as it departed the hill it too was also severely damaged and forced to crash land on another hill. He would spend another two full days fighting off enemy at this location before finally being rescued.
For his actions, Dennis Fujii would be awarded the Silver Star, which was later upgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross. In 2022, after a military review it was decided that Dennis Fujii's Distinguished Service Cross would be upgraded to the Medal of Honor.
Interview recorded on December 10, 2022
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David Staudohar USMC USN SS USCG ret , Deltas special Forces including Lancers air tactical command on Lam son as 2nd Lt , ( battlefield commission) Also, Egeal claw , and survived the helicopter crash, , and while in the Coast Guard earned the rank of lieutenant Commander, and commanded an 84 foot cutter withdrawing from Cape Hatteras to Jacksonville, I have so many were stories of horde death Madness murder and Mayhem, you could write 20 books , and they're not for sale at any price, ‼️ they've already been paid for with the blood of my fellow veterans that fought and served with honor ♦️♦️♦️‼️
P
@@davidstaudohar6733 Were you a Lancer?
Respect to all those who took part in that war…..heroes big and small….
@David Staudohar
I was a Chinook pilot during Lam Son 719. For a week I was assigned to Lang Vei on the Laotian border as liason to the 1st ARVN Division. I was in the radio bunker when word got out about Fuji and his trek towards Khe Sahn. We listened to him on the radio for several days as he evaded. Heck of a story. Glad he made it.
His experience would be an excellent screen play.
Each and every crew during Lam Son 719 deserves a decoration..so many were shot down and killed..my brother passed last July 31..he was decorated for actions at Dak To 1967..He was a hero..my hero..you are also a hero.. Thank you Ben..God bless you sir!
Tough crew chief!! We were lucky to have so many....VOLUNTEERS. !!!! GOD BLESS THEM .
WOW…that puts a whole new perspective on this interview. There was a rawness, and brutality to this war that is astonishing to listen to, even after 20yrs of studying this war. And, the revolting irony is that, we never actually “declared” war on North Vietnam. And like every war fought after WWII, it was extraordinarily costly, and we gained absolutely nothing from fighting it. Our priceless soldiers deserved so much better.
Awesome!!!
Dang, three years in Nam. He's a legend. God Bless him and our Veterans.
He’s truly incredible
Da nang indeed. Very interesting
I know a man who spent 42 months in country flying Hueys
Steel stones has he. 😮😮
I realize so many of you men had horrible experiences and will never forget them, but, you came home. My husband didn’t get to come home. He died in BonSong 1967. Capt. Larry Stotler……we’ll never forget him……. One of the hardest things was the way we were treated after the war. Thank you for all you did. Sue Stotler
Am I understanding you correctly, that even families of veterans were disrespected and mistreated?? If so, then I'm so sorry that that was your reality. Ive always been utterly disgusted and appalled by the stories I've heard, about how returning Vietnam Vets were treated. Thank *you* for *your* sacrifice, both yours and his. Respect and appreciation from Canada. =)
Thats how the government wanted it, they wanted the vets not to speak the truth about the war, by means of persecution from the public.
I’m sorry that the people treated you badly. Shame on them.
@@bracoop2 maybe dont participate in a war where your slaughtering millions of innocent people who are fighting for freedom and independence.
These guys are all heroes, and my heart aches thinking of their sacrifices and yours as well as Cpt. Stotler. What a shameful bunch of ungrateful "Americans," only pure evil scum would treat any of these veterans or their families like these people did. I am angered and very sorry to read your comment. I have served in the US Army in a different conflict. I salute you and all these valiant veterans who have served their country with honor.
I saw the results of your phenominal brave duties. An AF Nurse in Japan I received men within 24 -. 48 hours after being hit in field in Nam. Because of your courage the wounded had a 90% chance of survival. You are one of my heroes. Thank you from the bottom of my heart I am now with tears in my eyes & cold chills. Love You.
We're you at Tachikawa?
Carole we don't hear enough stories about nurses and Dr's who cared for all these Momma's boys so any miles from home and in desperate situations. Many are alive today because of your heroic efforts tank you
I served as a Hospital Corpsman in a medical battalion (1st.Med.) in Da Nang in 1966. Working Triage and I.C.U. also served as field Corpsman in a Combined Action Platoon (Delta 3) until getting wounded and medevaced right back to the medical battalion I served earlier. John Eynon Hm3 Ret.
Jeff, yes indeed, Tachikawa. U 2?
@@BeADad2447 Thank you buy I wasn't heroic, I had the honor of taking care of those that were
A lot of troops are grateful you were there Dennis. I'm proud of you. I bet lots of guys even today remember a man they will never know that saved him. That man is you.
Specialist Five Dennis M. Fujii distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity beyond the call of duty while serving as crew chief aboard a helicopter ambulance during rescue operations in Laos, Republic of Vietnam, during the period of 18 to 22 February 1971. Specialist Five Fujii was serving with the 237th Medical Detachment, 61st Medical Battalion, 67th Medical Group. The team's mission was to evacuate seriously wounded Vietnamese military personnel from the midst of a raging battlefield. The aircraft's primary approach to the bullet-infested landing zone was thwarted by heavy volumes of enemy fire directed at the specialist's helicopter. As the pilot made a second landing attempt, the enemy concentrated a barrage of flak at the air ambulance which damaged the craft and caused it to crash in the conflict area, injuring Specialist Five Fujii. Moments later, another American helicopter successfully landed near the wreckage of the specialist's airship and extracted all the downed crewmen except for Specialist Five Fujii, who was unable to board due to the intense enemy fire directed at him. Rather than further endanger the lives of his comrades aboard the second helicopter, Specialist Five Fujii waved the craft out of the combat area and remained behind as the only American on the battlefield. Subsequent attempts to rescue the specialist were aborted due to the violent antiaircraft fire. Specialist Five Fujii finally secured a radio and informed the aviators in the area that the landing zone was too hot for further evacuation attempts. During the night and all through the next day, Specialist Five Fujii disregarded his own wounds as he administered first aid to the allied casualties. On the night of 19 February, the allied perimeter came under ruthless assault by a reinforced enemy regiment supported by heavy artillery. Once again obtaining a radio transmitter, Specialist Five Fujii called in American helicopter gunships to assist the small unit in repelling the attack. For a period of over seventeen consecutive hours, Specialist Five Fujii repeatedly exposed himself to hostile fire as he left the security of his entrenchment to better observe enemy troop positions and to direct air strikes against them. At times the fighting became so vicious that Specialist Five Fujii was forced to interrupt radio transmittal in order to place suppressive rifle fire on the enemy while at close quarters. Though wounded and severely fatigued by 20 February, the specialist bore the responsibility for the protection and defense of the friendly encampment until an American helicopter could land and attempt to airlift him from the area. As his air ambulance left the battlefield, it received numerous hits and was forced to crash land at another South Vietnamese Ranger base approximately four kilometers from the specialist's original location. The totally exhausted Specialist Five Fujii remained at the allied camp for two more days until yet another helicopter could return him to Phau Bai for medical assistance on 22 February. Specialist Five Fujii's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Ty for learning this events. Ty
Thank you for those details, an amazing story from an amazing individual
A Dennis glad you made back to the world welcome home Viet Nam Veterans hoowah
Thank you for the details. Special Five Fujii is a bit too humble trying to describe what he did.
Thank you for posting this. This hunble, honorable man won't tout his bravery.
Brave man. 3 years and lived to tell us about it . Amazing
That’s one hell of a man I was there in 1969-1970 101st airborne division, thank God for those guys they saved a lot of our guys lives you really did earn that metal thank God we had guys like you 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🎖🎖
One brave Kauai boy! Thank you for your service, Dennis.
Imua Ohana
Hearing him say he had to lie to these young men he had never met, you felt the pain in his voice. Thank you sir, you are a legend. My father served 3 tours from 67-71 and always said the sweetest sound ever was the thump of a Huey buzzing tree tops coming in to help. Great episode, try and get more Vietnam vets to speak if possible, lots of legends we've never heard of.
Guys like him saved many vets wounded. They had guts,bravery & love for brother vets.
I was 16th SOS out of Hurlburt Field, with the MH53 Pavelow squadron. Guys like Fujii and the countless others that never came home were our inspiration. My brother was an Army 58D Kiowa pilot with 1-10th mountain."That others may live" was and is still the motto to this day. There wasn't anything that would stand in our way to get our boys back. GOD bless Sir.
I wanna thank you folks for doing these interviews y'all. This guy here is pretty awesome for sure.
Thanks to all our Veterans who served. Semper Fi.
There’s a DJ in Rochester, Alan Levine, did THREE tours in Vietnam as a door gunner. He once remarked, “Just when I finally got it right they sent me home.”. Good Guy
I’m an Australian living in Tokyo. Fujii is quite a common Japanese family name. I guess this gentleman is Japanese Hawaiian. The Fuji means wisteria and the i is a well. A hole in the ground that hopefully has water at the bottom. Just sharing a bit of cultural knowledge. Again sir, Mr. Fujii, thank you for your incredibly brave service.
Amazing man! Soft spoken and humble.
What a real man. Gives faith in humanity.
Damn this guy is true to what he says!!
What a man with one hell of a story to tell. God bless you and Thank you for your service. " Tail rotor is clear "
What a beautiful human being. It was my privelage to listen to this man's story. They sure dont build them like that anymore. God Bless all of you.
Heroes aren't built. They are born.
@@georgemcadoo8546 I disagree, however you opinion is just as valid. I believe a person is both a product of his or hers DNA but also the environment that child is put in.... Who knows maybe were all born Heros but were never given the chance to prove it....its all opinions anyways. Only the Creator God the Father knows and I dont exactly have a phone number to call and ask him. Go in peace brother and may the Holy Spirit fill your body and reside in your soul and grant you joy and happiness. Blessings🙏
❤Thank you for your courage,sacrifice and service to answer the call to serve 🇺🇸
I was born at Beach Army Hospital, Fort Wolters, Mineral Wells, Texas where helicopter pilots were trained for Vietnam. We have a great Vietnam Memorial Museum with a Huey on display. Dad was stationed there at the end of his tour during the Korean War. Mom's boyfriend was Captain Gary Lenord a helicopter flight instructor near the end of the Vietnam War. Audie Murphy was trained at Camp Wolters and a few Medal of Honor Recipients came through this Base.
I'm from Farmersville, Texas, the home of Audie Murphy. What a brave man he was. Someone said it earlier but I'll say it too... they don't make 'em like that anymore.
I can remember hearing about his death on the radio as a boy.@@smokeykitty6023
Thank you for your service sir my dad is a Vietnam veteran himself well he says Vietnam error veteran but i call him a veteran cause he was in the service when the war was going on my uncle gary was one of many Vietnam veterans who died he was in the marine special forces he died when his helicopter got shot down he is on the Vietnam wall with all his fellow brothers who lost there lives my dad wrote a book on the men who died in Vietnam took him 31 year's to complete to all our veterans out there i thank u so much for your service and to those who died i thank as well i try to thank as many veterans as i can they deserve so much respect from people
What’s the book called?
@@FewGuysFromFloida its on the Vietnam war casualties who served from flint Michigan or genesee county area the book is done and complete just can't find a publisher who will publish it but it took him 30 long hard work and research to complete my uncle gary thomas is also in his book who was a marine in the special forces who never made it home alive from Vietnam if your interested in seeing it or wanting to read through it I'm sure we can work something out
@ajbaumgart4774 please check with the Library of Congress, as well as Federal, State, and Local Veterans Organizations to make sure this book is preserved.
@@mikejrSAA will do I'll look into that thank you
Remember when news of Dennis Fujii's honorable actions during that particular mission n subquent military recognition. Back home we were proud of Hawaii son distinguished himself. When he came back home a parade was given in his honor in his home town. Was there to see the parade etc. So many many years ago but the memories are still there. Thank you for your service Dennis. Kudos for upload. New subscriber because of this vid. Looking forward to ur next one. Peace n Aloha from Hawaii.
Splst Fuji much honor is still due you for your bravery. There were many like Dennis during that awful war. While I joined the Corps four years after Dennis, I had a friend in our church who was a Marine chopper pilot, Marine Lt Tom Tuno. A big 200 lb Marine. Fifteen years after the war we were talking and he told me he had a chopper shot out from under him 3 separate times and while wounded he carried his crew to safety each time. Mr Fuji and Mr Tuno, extraordinary men in extraordinary times doing extraordinary things. Fast forward 50 years later, I am working as a real estate agent. I had the honor of assisting a Marine family buy a house. She told me her husband’s story. A Marine in Iraq, his Humvee was hit by an IED. He was the only survivor, he had severe wounds in both arms and legs. He applied tourniquets to each and stumbled back 3 clicks to base barely surviving, but survive he did. Extraordinary men still doing extraordinary things. My thanks and sincere appreciation to all my vet brothers and sisters.
It is inspiring, how many incredibly true heroes serve in our military. And so many unsung, but by those who witnessed their valor. To those to whom I was the last man on Earth to talk with, Honor and Respect Warrior Heroes. You are not forgotten. Slow hand salute. Semper fi...
Thank you for your service. You and all Viet Nam Vets are my heroes. I am so glad that you made it out and that you shared your story. Love you.
My father was in the 25th Infantry 1968 to 1969. And my grandfather was a marine and Guadalcanal World War II they are the motivation for me to join the Army I ended up enlisting in the cavalry 2005 and deployed one month after I graduated
The guts it must of took for those young pilots to go into a hot LZ. Those birds had very thin skin and a lot of glass. They must of felt like there was nothing protecting them. Amazing heroes, risking their lives to save someone else's life. I don't know how a person can do that and remain sane after the fact. All vets should get more respect and more help from the country they fought for. I thank you all for your service. The Nam vets deserve extra respect. The stress of being in danger from the minute you arrive till the last wakeup and the freedom bird home. They never knew for sure who was friend or foe. 17 or 18 year old boys in a country with totally different culture. We can't do enough to pay them for their service and sacrifice.
What an inspiration these men are. When I think I'm having the worst day, I think about these men and my day isn't bad at all... because of these men. Dust Off crews, who really knows how many veterans returned home because of these crews. Thank You.
Thank you for you service Brother. I missed going to VN and have great respect for you all. I truly appreciate all everyone gave.
Thank 7 for your service you are a hero
Thank you Specialist Fuji. You give me strength. Thank you for your service. God Bless you sir!
You can hear the sorrow in his voice for the ones that never made it out of the jungle. His mention of audy Murphy reminded me of my WW2 dad passing down stories about Audy Murphy and what a good shot he was ECT .
Thank you endlessly for your service Sir and may God bless you always!!!! ✝️🇺🇲✝️
Much respect sir!
I was a kid in the 60s and my mom was a pos hippie drugged up stripper I left home at14 years old. . I remember her and her friends treated our warriors with so much disrespect I was ashamed. After a generation I can say our 5 kids give the utmost respect to all our warriors. Sorry it took so long to get the respect you Vietnam vet deserve. We will never forget. Most importantly the M.I.A K..I.A fellow Americans.
I’m sorry to hear you had that rough kind of upbringing man. No child deserves that. But you seem to have to have never let it affect you, have moved ahead and made a great life for yourself. Sure it must not have been easy. Glad to see you found a way out of it and made something of yourself! 🫡
@@BeefCake1012 Thank you I was lucky my wife is amazing. We got married at 18 and after 46 years we still have a great life. Nothing better in life than having grandchildren. We are truly blessed. Thank you for your kind words.
Thank you for your service brother!
Thank you for your service and sharing your amazing story sir.. What a brave and honorable man you are, truly a treasure for our nation. God Bless you..
thanks Mr. Fujii for your military service and sharing your story. Brings back memories of my fathers generation that took part in WW2.
Thank you Vietnam vets. I was a child during this war but knew older guys that went. You served your country and your sacrifices will not be forgotten at least by my family. Again thank you.
Dennis, thank you for your service and sacrifice to our country. Thank you also for sharing your story with us.
I have much praise for each and everyone who served in the nam, I’ve heard many stories that touched my heart
Amazing story! I love his ability to really describe what he and his crew went through.
Thank you for the things you’ve done for our great country. We need men like you now more than ever.
Amen to that! I used to eat lunch with guys (about 7 other guys in their mid-30's) from the Info Systems part of the company (a huge software services company). This was about 10 years ago. Out of all of us eating our lunch on an almost daily basis, I was the only person who had spent even 5 mins. in the military service of our country. Truly a sad awakening! I was indeed a stand out - U.S. Marine. Semper Fi!
You are a hero sir
Any man that wears the M.O.H. deserves so much respect, because its a sign this man has seen the worst of Battle and rose to the occasion beyond Duty, with actions that can only be explained by love of his brothers, Thank you Mr.Fuji!
You are such a quiet soul. I would think you always were, which helped you stay focused . Thank you for your service! Thank you as well for this interview. My Dad was there in '69 but a much different story; he was 40 with 15 years military experience in the Army, unlike you, a young man out of boot camp! He never wanted to talk about Viet Nam much........... only the positives, how beautiful it was and that most people were kind, and generous to offer what little they had. He was in Army intelligence in a compound in a village in the rear. but involved with the Laos /Cambodia shit shows. They got along well enough that the villagers promised not to eat the companies mascot "mutt" dog. Considering the suffering the people were going through, I call that a win.
Thank you for what you did. You Vietnam guys inspired me to become a Huey crew chief/door gunner in the early ‘90s.
story is amazing! To think u were unable to get on that first chopper…. Just cannot know what that was like being alone Thank you for your service sir!🇺🇸🇺🇸
Kudos to you Sir. Thank you for your teachings.
I'm glad he finally got the CMH.
Thank you for your service
We’re glad you all made it home and we are sorry for what you came home to. Badasses. All of those who served in that barbaric war of containment. RIP KIA’s POW’s MIA’s and *All. Much Respect 🫡
This hero is so humble. He doesn’t even mention the things he did to earn the medal.
My grandpa was in the M.A.S.H. unit, served one tour, saw the horrors of the aftermath of battle. He passed away several years ago.
So much respect for these men
WELCOME HOME, THANK YOU SIR, GOD BLESS YOU ALL 🙏
People talk about binge watching shows? I love binge watching the stories of all our soldiers in all conflicts. Absolutely amazing men and women fighting for freedom so we can sit comfortable binge watching shows. Thank you for your service.
Great guy
"basically, we were shot down" That's an understatement. Respect from a two tour helo pilot!!
You are doing the public a GREAT SERVICE by allowing these fine men to tell their stories. The people need to know how far other people are willing to go to save their brothers and to protect the freedom in which we enjoy. But more importantly, it tells the stories of the men who are not here to tell theirs.
There is only one way to say thank you to these veterans, we have to be a population of people that are worthy of thier sacrifice.
the things this man has seen...
God bless you Dennis. What a way to fight a war.
A real hero🇦🇺
Thank you Mr. Fujii for sharing your story. Welcome home sir.
Mr Fujii: You are a cut above the rest, sir.
Dennis, thank you for your service, and thank you for that outstanding narrative.
Thanks a lot and much more from this Vet. Angels Above
Thanks for this Vietnam vets interviews. Very special. Grtz from Holland
Thank you Sr. for your incredible service to our country...Welcome Home Brother..!
This is a truly humble man. A real hero.
Sir, you are a remarkable man. You deserve our nations love and respect. Welcome home!🇺🇸
Thank you for your service, sir.
Sp5 Dennis Fujii....You sir are an inspiration! Thank you for your service!! a 110 fold!
It is always so sobering to hear and see the emotion of the memories carried by these men who we know have demonstrated such courage. It makes you appreciate all the more just what it takes to not just fold in those circumstances.
Thank you to all our veterans and their families. Without the support of family it would be a lot tougher for the men and women that serve.
This interview brought tears to my eyes. To know men had to endure such times. You are a true hero.
Outstanding, Sir!
Thank you Sir and ALL that serve for your sacrifice to keep America safe!
This mans a warrior. That sling shot moment wouldve felt like an adrenaline rush to get out of that moment.
I was at the V.A. getting my chemo and radiation treatments when I met an old guy . He was wearing a baseball cap with a Huey on it. Having been a crew chief myself during part of my time in service I struck up a conversation with him, I seems he was a retired CW-4 and he had a couple tours very early in Vietnam with lots of hrs. After we had talked a few times I asked him if he missed flying? He kinda looked at me funny and said no the day of his last flight he closed out the log book got out of the Huey walked around it for the last time walked into the flight opps turned in the log book and never looked back.
Thanks,Dennis.
God bless you sir. Eternal gratitude and respect.
You sir are a genuine hero. God bless.
Thank you and God bless all of you heroes
Not all hero’s wear capes to a whole new level
I'm glad you made it sir.
Thankful for you, Dennis, sir.
Congratulations on your MOH Sir... Thank You for your service and for those you assisted and saved ! SALUTE
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. My God Man.
Thank You so much for your service sir
Thanks for your service..
Thank you for your service.
Welcome home brother and God bless you and thank you for all your service
Dennis,,we can only say thankyou brother..❤
Love these stories ❤️
These. Our wonderful young Men. Our Best. So Proud of Them.
Thank you sir.
Great job brother!