My Floating Coffin in the Vietnam War | Stories of Combat, Racism & PTSD

Video Description

Honor B. Cole enlisted in the Navy in 1965 and completed recruit training at San Diego, California before receiving assignment to the USS St. Clair County (LST 1096). Aboard the St. Clair County, Cole accompanied the landing ship as it transported Marines from Okinawa to Vietnam and traversed the Mekong River on supply runs. On September 6, 1966, he reported to the USS Stone County (LST 1148) at Danang and spent the remainder of the tour ferrying Marines and soldiers between duty stations. Following his service on LSTs, Cole received orders to train for river patrol boats (PBRs) and was eventually assigned to River Squadron 5 in Vietnam. During his time overseas, he completed 220 patrols and engaged in twenty-five firefights. Cole returned to the United States in 1968 and separated from the Navy in 1971. 📕 Purchase his book: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/my-floating-coffin-honor-b-cole/1148121225 🌎 Support the channel by pre-ordering my book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1250429935?tag=macsupaduinstalpa-20 🖥️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/191njmZhfv/?mibextid=wwXIfr 📸 Get behind the scenes content on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevietnamexperience?igsh=MWo1ZXZzNWtvc3ozMg== Chapters: 0:00 - Preparing for War 1:28 - Watts Riot & Deployment 2:48- Rough Seas 4:03 - Coming Home 6:20 - “We’re Going to Vietnam” 6:58 - Landing at Chu Lai 8:38 - Combat Duty 9:24 - Fighting Racism 10:47 - Back to Vietnam 13:22 - Trouble & Transfer 16:16 - Orders to Patrol Boats 19:10 - Death and Combat on PBRs 20:48 - “I’m Not Coming Back . . .” 21:53 - Tet Offensive 22:36 - Flying Home 26:21 - 30 Day Leave 27:42 - Guilt About Being Home 28:06 - Last Duty Stations 29:20 - Reflections Welcome to the largest YouTube channel exclusively dedicated to the Vietnam War. We strive to build a better future by learning from the past. All participants – and their military citations – have been vetted. For the sake of privacy, we do not share veteran contact information. Do you know a Vietnam veteran, survivor or witness that should be interviewed? Do you have rare footage or audio from the war? Would you like to submit an interview for the channel? Send us an email at the address below. [email protected]