7 Tours in VietNam

[RenegadeGlocker]

Someone told me another person had served 7 tours in VN. I thought a tour was 13 months, so 7 is a long time.

Is this realistic?

[habu3]

Numerically it is possible, but I don't know. I'm not sure any of the services sent anyone over there that many times. In my early days in the USAF I had a commander that spent 7 years there. But over 6 of it was as a guest of N Vietnam.

[leadbutt]

I think Billy Waugh{sp} SF type spent the most time incountry,, can't remember dates now but think it was 5 or 6 years

[FLBob]

Medal of Honor winner Franklin D.Miller spent 6 yrs(66-72)
in Vietnam,most of it in Studies and Observation Group(MACVSOG).
7 tours was possible,just rare.

http://www.sfahq.com/miller/

[NDGlock]

My Dad did 3 tours: 1st ID, LRRP, MACV. I thought that was a lot.

I guess 7 would be possible but it would be nice to see which units the tours were with.

[BilltheCat]

damn. I couldnt finish one and thought it would never end.

[matsig]

There was a guy who wanted to walk out. Yes walk out of Vietnam after the end of the war. If I remember correctly he was 1st LT.
My dad and neighbors used to laugh about what an idiot he was.(Army brat lived on post til I was 17)

I do know that he made it to thailand and lived and was kicked out of the army

[Waterwagonboom]

Which branch of service? If Army or Marine I would have trouble buying that. Some "tours" were shorter than 13 months. Mine were. Bomber crews were 6 months and Tankers less. SAC crews were TDY, not PCS, thus, shorter tours. Of course, during 24 years I've never been on a road trip that got me home on time!

[Cav]

I thought a tour was 6 months.

[lefteye]

Guess I assumed it was 12 months for people on the ground. Mine was. Oct.'69 - Oct. '70. Some buddies stayed for an early-out.

[Glock 21 Dan]

A "tour" for the army was 1 year. Arrived 18 Sep 67, left 18 Sep 68.

[Jack23]

With the Marines a "Tour" is 13 months. I served in Vietnam in '66. I can't recall ever hearing anyone serve more than 3 tours. By that time the toll physically, pshchologically, and emotionally would have been tremendous. I seriously doubt that anyone would have been allowed to serve more than 3 tours. 7 would be all but impossible, I would think.

[JimmyMN]

When I was there from 69-70, and Army "tour" was 12 months. That was more than half of my total Army "career" of 23 1/2 months...heh.

[hogship]

I knew a TI (Helicopter Tech Inspector) that stayed for 3-4 one year tours. His job wasn't the most dangerous you've ever heard of, so it's possible. He, if I'm remembering right, wanted to open an ice cream store when he returned. He probably did!

hog

[KenF]

I met this guy (http://www.oldspooksandspies.org/Waer/prison.pdf) at a reunion a few years ago. It was an Army Security Agency reunion for Southeast Asia veterans of the Vietnam war.

He had 9 tours, if I remember correctly. Starting in 55 or 56 (before the French left). I think at the time he was an Airborne Ranger, and the Army sent his unit to train with the legionairres or something like that.

Very interesting fella to talk to.

[SlimlineGlock]

MOH winner Robert L. Howard spent 5 tours in SOG.

http://members.cox.net/rlhtribute/

a cool web site to visit!

[Juell]

Originally posted by leadbutt
I think Billy Waugh{sp} SF type spent the most time incountry,, can't remember dates now but think it was 5 or 6 years
I just finished reading his book "Hunting the Jackal" Awesome book BTW, and it details quite a bit of his experiences in VN.

[stengun]

Howdy,

I know of several men that did 2, 3 and 4 tours in 'Nam. They always went home between tours and didn't stay over there the entire time.

My wife's uncle did 5 tours starting in '64. He come home one time for nearly a year. He got married and when he found out his wife was knocked up, he went back to 'Nam for 2 more tours.

Paul