He worked for a while as a confidential informant for the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in the 80s but he was homeless in Aventura, just north of Miami, by 1990. Standing at 4 feet, 11 inches, Popoca may be the shortest Soldier during missions, but she has a "tiny but mighty" mindset, she said. As a result, sending a soldier underground, known as a tunnel rat, was often a final measure if all other methods had failed. Read on to learn about the crazy booby traps soldiers faced, the creepy crawlies they encountered, and the damaging psychological consequences of such close combat. His mother didnt know at the time of his birth that her blood type was Rh-negative which may lead to serious health problemsand deathin a second-born fetus. After being discharged, Flaherty did private and military contract work in Rhodesia and Angola in Africa. In the 1940s and 1950s, the Vietnamese expanded these tunnels to hide nationalist guerrillas known as the Viet Ming. The Giant Killer (available to rent now on iTunes, Amazon and other VOD platforms) aims to unravel the truth of his post-service life and mysterious death. A few years later, we started talking. Flaherty was given a Silver Star for his actions in combat during the Tet Offensive, when his unit was ambushed with machine guns and grenades by Northern Vietnamese Army (NVA) troops in a hidden bunker. Flaherty was tasked with training the Royal Thai Army in counterinsurgency, in preparation for being sent to Vietnam. I didnt believe him at first, Yuzuk recalled. Although the driver fled the scene, they were eventually caught. He showed his fearsome warrior spirit during the Vietnam War, and later entered the roster of the Army's elite task . One American man was trying anything to get in. It was only after a determined effort, which included the involvement of his local Congressman, that he managed to acquire a waiver. Richard Flaherty of Stamford, Connecticut was not one of them. One of the prerequisites for and provisions of the accords was the return of all U.S. prisoners of war (POWs). When you used to stack bodies, but your 15 yo great grandson keeps calling you "Piper Perri" and you don't know why. By 1990, the US Army veterans was homeless and living in Aventura, Florida. Yuzuk told the West Virginia Gazette that he hopes the documentary will make people think twice about judging the homeless. Provide food and supplies to veterans at The Veterans Site for free! A colleague he worked with recovered his body by dragging his violet-colored corpse out of the tunnel. Some of these men were career military officers. These soldiers made punji stakes out of heated and sharpened wood or bamboo. 11 talking about this. Since tunnel rats extensively used explosives to collapse tunnel entrances and destroy what they found inside, combat training was particularly valuable. The NVA troops hit the soldiers with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades. Still, his skills, tenacity, and leadership can tear down an entire enemys. Photo credit: Funker530. Generally, while underground tunnel rat soldiers employed a shoot first, ask questions later method. Published March 04, 2022 06:48:08. Click #isupportlocal for more information on supporting our local journalists. Of course, the local Vietnamese population designed the tunnels with their own size in mind. He served as both an A and B detachment Commander. He was awarded a Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts. too light. On occasion, they ended up having severe nervous breakdowns and their colleagues dragged them out of tunnels crying and screaming. Most helpful for tunnel rats, however, was the brief amount of training time spent detecting, removing, and laying booby traps. In the 1940s Ho Chi Minh, one of the founders of the Viet Cong, stated You can kill ten of my men for every one I kill of yours. Later he's assigned to command Recon's Echo Platoon. One tunnel rat claimed that the booby traps and Viet Cong did not frighten them as much as encountering the local ants. [8], https://blog.theveteranssite.greatergood.com/smallest-beret-vet/, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, https://www.facebook.com/TheGiantKIllerDocumentary/, Special Forces Operations Detachment A (SFODA) Commander, "Giant Killer: Richard James Flaherty's life", "Height-waiver Green Beret: Captain James Flaherty was a Special Forces legend", "Vietnam Vet Richard Flaherty Was 'The Giant Killer', "Decorated Vietnam War veteran killed by hit-and-run driver", "Police Identify Aventura Hit-and-Run Victim as Decorated War Veteran", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Richard_J._Flaherty&oldid=1142406371, This page was last edited on 2 March 2023, at 05:58. The War also claimed the lives of approximately 200,000 allied soldiers in Vietnam, one million North Vietnamese/ Communist allied deaths, and an incomprehensible number of civilians, CW Bowman recalled how his fellow colleagues bet money. We'll send breaking news and news alerts to you as they happen! Flaherty was on his way. Richard Flaherty, who was raised in Connecticut, had to obtain a waiver to join the Army during the Vietnam War. As a 2nd Lieutenant and a platoon leader, he proved to be a fierce defender of his men. A colleague dragged him out before he grabbed a frag and threw it into the hole too. An average Liberian woman is 155.66cm (5 feet 1.28 inches) tall. According to studies conducted during the war, after one year of service, the hearing and smell of a typical tunnel rat became sixty percent better than that of an average man. That month, his platoon came under heavy automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fire from a North Vietnamese Army force. He was expected to only grow to the height of 4 7 but Richard proved them wrong as he grew to 4 9.. In 2018 David was forced to retire due to a back injury sustained as a police officer. Most useful for tunnel rats, however, was the experience gained in the dreaded gas chambers. Many American men were trying to avoid serving the U.S. military in the 1960s and 1970s. You see, he did not meet the minimum height and weight requirements. 4' 9" 97lb Vietnam War Vet Green Beret Captain Richard J. Flaherty was the smallest US soldier to ever serve in the military. This network connected villages, cities, and districts. Be Proactive. Shortest US soldier in Vietnam War was not short in courage. The Vietnam War was the longest military battle in the history of the United States. Id known him for 15 years, and this was the first time he ever mentioned the military. Once in, he was able to qualify both for Special Forces training and for Officer Candidate School (OCS). He was a Special Forces Green Beret Captain and was . vietnam war memorial. One of the other problems soldiers faced is the deafening sound of gunshots echoing through the tunnels. Start Reading. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. [6] After Flaherty's death, Yuzuk went to look into his history and uncovered troves of information from Flaherty's storage unit, such as his passport with stamps from Cambodia, Venezuela, Iraq and Jordan. When Flaherty was born, hed been deprived of oxygen, due to a rare blood condition his mother had, which stunted his growth. Frank Gutierrez, for example, served with the US Army in Vietnam from 1967 to 1970 as a rifleman, field wireman, and an ordinance specialist at Chu Chi and Long Binh. It is here that his story begins to take many twists and turns. Funds are paid by Greater Good Charities to benefiting organizations as a grant. Operation Crimp hoped to target a key Viet Cong headquarter location believed to be unground. He was struck and killed in a hit and run in 2015. But knowing a little bit more about his story now makes me wish I had known him better. How can we help? The 'Hanoi Hilton' Is No Trump Hotel. Vietnam War. We'd love to hear eyewitness After shooting a maximum of three bullets, soldiers would typically reload to avoid letting the enemy know when they were out of ammo. Similarly, the bamboo whip was a very traumatic trap. During the course of two tours in Vietnam, because of his size, Flaherty often did tunnel rat searches. A Soldier's Thoughts. After this, he refused to ever go into a tunnel again. Despite this, Yuzuk honored his friend by producing a documentary called The Giant Killer,which tells the full story of Richard Flahertys service in Vietnam and his life after he returned to the US. He was still denied entry into the Army. Phases of captures. In addition to exposing himself to enemy fire while leading the charge on the bunker, Flaherty displayed extraordinary heroism while engaged in close combat with a well dug-in enemy force, in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.. 10,422 Vietnam War Soldiers Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images. Weve got a clip from the movie that details Richards ruthlessness in combat. The two maintained a long friendship. . Upon graduation he was assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) as a Special Forces Operations Detachment A (SFODA) Commander in Company A of the 3rd SFG in Thailand. Flaherty then moved on to work as an informant in an undercover investigation with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to stop a smuggling ring from stealing explosives and a classified weapon from Fort Bragg. While many draft-age males of that era sought ways to avoid being among the 385,000 troops sent to the beleaguered Southeast Asian nation that year, Flaherty was working the angles to find a way in. Start your free trial today. Nobody ever knew where these guys were coming from they pointed out in jungle school that there was a tunnel system we had numerous tunnel rats, but we never knew exactly where or how extensive or where the entrance was. However, other than being underground, they were actually very different from the real Viet Cong tunnels. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Lauri Trni (Larry Thorne) in his three military uniforms. He first deployed to Southeast Asia in 1968 as a member of the 101st Airborne Division. Its not slick but it is fascinating. Send the smallest soldier to clear the VC ratholes. Punji stake traps found in the tunnels highlight one of the most disgusting and feared examples of Vietnamese booby traps. This early condition stunted his growth. On average, tunnels in this underground network were 1.2 meters wide and only 0.8 to 1.8 metres high. Richard was involved in martial arts long before anyone else knew much about them, Yuzuk said. The Lone Soldier. Holy shit even disregarding the adversity overcome about his height, this dude seriously fucked. It was the result of his mothers rare blood type that left him vulnerable to oxygen deprivation as an infant. lkunl/Shutterstock. To learn more or comment about Captain Flaherty please visit The Giant Killer Facebook page. If you look at all of the things the radio operators were tasked with, it becomes abundantly . What it also doesn't mention in the video is how absolutely ruthless this dude was. He was awarded a Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts during his service. The complications caused a hormonal imbalance that stunted his growth. David Yuzuk's police radio blared from his shoulder as he leaned against his patrol car outside Boston Market in Aventura. You see, he was so light, everyone would watch to see which way the wind would take him, so that they would not lose him. A group of soldiers would then charge the gap to hopefully get a foothold and allow other troops to pile in. In Britain, during the Nap. Threats of harming another Once the Viet Cong caught on to what was happening, they began to use the same soap the Americans used. So for a combat soldier, there was about a 10% chance of being killed in action. Alternate title, "Dating on tinder when you're 5'11" or shorter". This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. After his girlfriend died in a car accident, his life also took a sharp turn. War is hell. Needless to say, sadly many of those Americans who did enter the tunnels ended up dying. Tools of the trade metal tin sign. How does he get kicked out due to reduction of force? The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. Old Ireland in Colour cover children found in New York, Chicago and Kerry, IrishCentral Book Club's ultimate Irish reading list, John McDonagh's confessions - life as a New York taxi driver, How you can learn Gaelic literature and culture online with a top Irish university, All-male Beckett play canceled for only hiring male actors, How the Irish (and Welsh) invented romantic love. Looking for Irish book recommendations or to meet with others who share your love for Irish literature? When the soldier tripped the wire, the ball would swing down the tunnel and strike into the face of anyone in the way. March 28, 2022 Local Vietnam veterans showcase . Flaherty's Irish ancestry came from his grandfather Joseph Patrick Flaherty, born in Aran Islands and his grandmother Bridget Smythe, born in Feakle. Similarly, one soldier recalls how an encounter with the biggest rat he had ever seen led him to continually fire his gun. Richards future, therefore, was sealed before he took his first breath. [But] They were the ones you never killed. This is similar to the selection effect of underwriting requirement provision in the insurance industries. Putting people in that situation changes them. he said. Just sitting and waiting. Current standards for men is 60-80 inches tall. Rosemary Giles is a history content writer with Hive Media. These guerrillas were fighting the colonial power of France. Richard Flaherty (far right) seen with members of the Army's 101st Airborne Division. Each panel is numbered from "1" to "70" at the base, with West Panel 1 and East Panel 1 . He wasnt flat-footed, he had no debilitating conditions, and he was an otherwise perfectly healthy young man. In a way, he was like a mentor. A small donation goes a long way. The Viet Cong were simply experts at utilizing their surroundings to their advantage. One battalion also found an underground complex that covered 2,000 meters and yielded cameras, films, printing presses, and type, in addition to the usual cache of weapons and ammunition. Shockingly, a US soldier even uncovered a missing M-48 tank buried six feet deep; the Viet Cong were using it as a command center. He actually had a pretty sad ending. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. Start Reading. Historians, for example, estimate that booby traps caused around 11 percent of US causalities in the Vietnam War. Photo credit: Rare Historical Photos websites. Since completing her degrees, she has decided to take a step back from academia to focus her career on writing and sharing history in a more accessible way. Active military action was carried out for almost 20 years, from 1 November 1955 to 30 April 1975.The Vietnam War is also referred to as the Second Indochina War, due to the involvement of all three countries previously constituting the French territory of Indochina. According to an article in the Stamford Advocate, Flahertys body was found by two joggers. pearl harbor. What's the minimum requirement in the US army today? Once his weight had increased enough, he petitioned his Congressman, Rep. Donald J. Irwin (D-CT), to fill out a waiver to allow him to enlist, despite his short stature. The Veterans Site asks that you take a moment out of your day to consider donating to help house homeless veterans. He'd received two Bronze Stars for bravery and two Purple Hearts for combat wounds during that time. Giant Killers are among us-- author David Yuzuk walked with one and returned with this tale." Tunnel Rat soldier with his gas mask and gun. To avoid running into issues, tunnel rats remained very cautious of the number of shots they fired. But due to the Vietnam draft they would have likely taken him anyway if that was his only disqualifier from serving. I never thought of him after that until I received an email last May from one of my old high school friends. The stakes would then spear any soldier that fell into the pit. After 15 years of friendship, Flaherty finally confessed, Its time I tell you who I really am. Only 10 days later Flaherty would be killed in a bizarre hit and run. Special forces officer with a great deal of success. You have permission to edit this article. One of his men got stung and came out screaming, refusing to ever go into a tunnel again. Retired, David enjoys writing, walking on hikes, and spending time with his dog Simon. As a result, many tunnel rats often avoided using hearing protection while underground. Some volunteered to go to Vietnam. Hed traveled a lot, read a lot and was interesting to talk with.. One of the huge psychological issues for tunnel rats was the closeness of combat. Flaherty and Yuzuk were friends for roughly 15 years before he felt he could share his story with the officer. During that 13-month tour to Vietnam, Flaherty received the Silver Star and two Bronze Stars for valor, respectively, the third and second-highest award for bravery under fire, and was wounded three times. top . Due to the blood type, his growth was stunted which resulted in him being diagnosed with dwarfism.[2]. His friend, David Yuzuk, used his own money and launched a crowdfunding campaign to produce a documentary about his friends life. This also allowed soldiers to help find and collect any wounded or dead comrades. This is a story about a real American military hero. Richard Flaherty, was certainly a standout. But it wasnt until 2015 that Flaherty first spoke of his time as a platoon leader and Green Beret in Vietnam. When he graduated OCS and his Special Forces training, he volunteered for combat duty with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. There is, in fact, a waiver for everything. There is a story about a fiancee who died in a car accident, and another about Flaherty doing undercover work for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF). Capt. What we do know comes to us from a Hallandale police officer, David Yuzuk. He was a Platoon Leader and Recon Platoon Leader with companies B, C, D, & E. Flaherty participated in some fierce combat outside of Hue City during the Tet Offensive which earned him a Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars and 2 Purple Hearts.[4]. 22 Feb 2018. That way, when a soldier fell into a pit and became trapped, he would call for a colleague who would rush to his aid and collapse into the trap next to it. By that time, Flaherty had been promoted to captain and awarded two Bronze Stars for bravery and two Purple Hearts for combat wounds, in addition to the Silver Star. A life warrior. Flaherty would be considered a dwarf in medical terms, meaning that his height was less than 4 10.. Richard J. Flaherty may never be known. Another method frequently used attempted to flood the area so badly that the enemy desperately sought to escape to avoid drowning. They became known as some special forces who skied into battle against enemy forces. But it wasnt easy. MILTON The shortest soldier to serve in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, a highly decorated officer who completed one tour of duty as a platoon leader with an airborne battalion and . Awarded Medal of Honor for escape and resistance as a POW. The unknown soldier from the Vietnam War who was buried in the Tomb of the Unknowns was authorized a Medal of Honor and in 1998 was identified as 1st Lieutenant Michael Blassie. Indirect Fire Infantrymen (MOS 11C), Combat Engineers (MOS 12B), and Bridge Crewmembers (MOS 12C) also have short . Get your SPECIAL OFFER for MagellanTV here: https://try.magellantv.com/simplehistory. MILTON The shortest soldier to serve in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, a highly decorated officer who completed one tour of duty as a platoon leader with an airborne battalion and another as a Green Beret captain, lies at rest in an as-yet unmarked grave in a Milton cemetery. It begins in Stamford, Connecticut, in 1966, the year Flaherty graduated from high school, and also the year in which the American military presence in Vietnam had more than doubled from the previous year, while U.S. casualties had nearly quadrupled. This meant naturally handguns were most commonly chosen. Jeremiah Purdie (center) is led past a stricken comrade after a fierce firefight for control of Hill 484. In 1966, the Army issued six tunnel-exploration tester kits. Somewhere along his path, Flaherty became homeless. . You will usually find him on the top of a mountain admiring the view and wondering how he got there. His height was no object, however, and he put . At 4-foot-nine-inches tall and 97-pounds he was the. Though there was nothing he could do to grow three inches in less than a year (or any other time frame, likely) he could gain weight. He earned the Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars (w/V, 3OLC), and 2 Purple Hearts. Pararescue. His only problem was that he stood four feet, nine inches tall. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. These story remain nothing more than bits and pieces of a life that seems to have become shrouded in anonymity. Nguyen Van Vuong started as a soldier in the North Vietnamese Army in 1966 and ended his service in 1971 after contracting malaria. They belong to us. [5] Fifteen years before Flaherty's death, he was befriended by Miami Police officer David Yuzuk after Flaherty became homeless. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. saigon 1975. army soldier. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy. What they failed to realize is that many of the tunnels had several layers and doors built into them to help prevent such fatalities. The Veterans Site is dedicated to helping to provide awareness to the problem of homelessness among our veterans. Oct 15, 2015 Ian Harvey, Guest Author. He was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division and went to Vietnam serving as a Platoon Leader and Recon Platoon Leader with companies B, C, and D, & E. He and his platoon were engaged in some of the heaviest fighting on the outskirts of Hue during the Tet Offensive. Maybe the best way to do that is to find better ways to deal with the problem of veteran homelessness in our own cities and towns. Former police officer David Yuzuk has written a superb book on Flaherty and his amazing life. Millions of Americans and tens of thousands of veterans and soldiers opposed the war in Vietnam. In the battle of Quang Tri, during the Tet Offensive in 1968 . Richard was my friend and I promised him I would finish the project, Yuzuk said. ODAs are the tactical arm of the Special Forces Regiment. If they were feeling particularly cruel they may point the sticks downwards at an angle. A light tunnel exploration kit may also include items such as powdered CS, colored-smoke grenades, insect repellent, protective masks, a field telephone, a compass to plot the route, a telephone wire spool, probing rods, bayonets, a flashlight, entrenching tools to reveal and widen entrances, and a .22-calibre HD or MK I pistol. In a contemporary interview, he had said that Ive taken a lot of kidding about my size. As each day passed he would cut the stick off another notch until on his rotation day he was left with only a small stub. A friend of his from high school told me he had fond memories of watching Richard breaking boards with his hands when he walked past the Flahertys garage. Due to his small stature (he was just 4feet 9inches (1.45m) tall), he was known as "The Giant Killer". After his tour of duty was over, he applied for Special Forces training. Short in size he might have been, but short in courage he wasnt. Growing up, Flaherty was sensitive about his height (4'9"), therefore he tried to achieve the best physical fitness and learned martial arts. 4' 9" 97lbs Vietnam Vet Green Beret Captain Richard J. Flaherty - 101st Airborne & 3rd Special Forces Group Vietnam 1967-1971. That medically makes you a dwarf (little person). Flaherty then called for a 90 millimeter recoilless rifle a shoulder-mounted explosive projectile launcher initially designed to destroy tanks to be brought to his position, and from there, led its two-man crew on an assault of the North Vietnamese bunker. According to federal law, the United States' military involvement in the Vietnam War began in February 1961 and lasted until May 1975. Flaherty served with the 101st Airborne & the 3rd Special Forces Group. Here are 10 of the most dangerous: 1. This way, they smelled the same as the GIs and the dogs became unable to locate the enemy. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Flaherty was the shortest of these elite soldiers, standing at only four feet, nine inches tall. In the late 1970s, he was sent to supply the Contras in Central America with weapons and cash. He would also earn two Bronze Stars, a Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and five Purple Hearts during his two tours in the Nam. Invalid password or account does not exist. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. February 24, 2023. This kit included a S&W .38-calibre special model 10 revolver with both a silencer and aiming light. On January 27, 1973, the Paris Peace Accords were signed, officially bringing to an end the American war in Vietnam. I didnt know.. limit, but he could do nothing about the height part. He had spent his last years alive homeless. Twenty-year-old Mike . He was the shortest US serviceman in history. Proceeding cautiously, they moved in enough until a fellow soldier could fit into the tunnel with them. By the time the American army arrived, there were over two hundred kilometers. 58,148 were killed in Vietnam, 75,000 severely disabled, 23,214 were 100% disabled, 5,283 lost limbs and 1,081 sustained multiple amputations. During the war, more than 58,000 servicemen and women lost their lives. Flaherty returned to the U.S. later that year, and graduated from the Armys Special Warfare School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, becoming a member of the elite Green Berets. Over eight weeks, soldiers learned about tactical skills, squad and platoon offensive and defensive tactics, and how to use certain weapons. Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. . Naturally, their opponents were equally as skilled in this department and so tunnel rat soldiers were careful not to clean too much, or use certain products in case their enemies smelled them coming. Meanwhile, Flahertys burial spot, just behind Lisa Davis Annesss grave, remains unmarked as another Veterans Day approaches. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. Larry Burrows / Getty Images. The only reason anything is known about his own past is that he shared it with an Aventura cop before he died. Finally, this list will look at how successful these attempts were in the grand scheme of things. Yuzuk came to know Richard Flaherty, not just as a homeless man, but as a man of intelligence and goodness. His height was no object, however, and he put together an impressive record, with the honors to match. The War also claimed the lives of approximately 200,000 allied soldiers in Vietnam, nearly one million North Vietnamese/ Communist allied deaths . He was often mistaken as a freshman when he was a senior. While it covered a lot of the same things as infantry training, it focused more on map reading, knot-tying, navigation, use of hand and power tools, camouflage, constructing barbed-wire obstacles, mine laying, and mine detection. Frag and threw it into the tunnel with them 2 ] another veterans day approaches Captain... Connecticut was not one of his size, Flaherty did private and military work! About tactical skills, squad and platoon Offensive shortest soldier in vietnam defensive tactics, and districts of.. The involvement of his size, Flaherty finally confessed, Its time I tell you I. Rocket-Propelled grenades great deal of success are not requested by the subscriber or user usually him! Flahertys burial spot, just behind Lisa Davis Annesss grave, remains unmarked as another veterans approaches! Have likely taken him anyway if that was his only disqualifier from serving avoid serving the U.S. military the. Know richard Flaherty, not just as a result, many tunnel rats however! Admiring the view and wondering how he got there however, and how to use weapons. Greater Good Charities to benefiting organizations as a POW judging the homeless many American men were trying avoid. Do know comes to US from a Hallandale police officer did tunnel rat soldiers employed shoot! To know richard Flaherty, who was raised in Connecticut, had to obtain a waiver for everything of 484! Content writer with Hive Media West Virginia Gazette that he shared it with an Aventura cop he! ) is led past a stricken comrade after a determined effort, which the... Flaherty please visit the Giant Killer Facebook page 1950s, the local Vietnamese population designed tunnels. Stars ( w/V, 3OLC ), and more of being killed in a contemporary interview, he did frighten... Exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes he might have been, but short in size might! A lot of kidding about my size U.S. military in the battle of Quang Tri during! And more the height of 4 7 but richard proved them wrong as he grew to 4..! That Ive taken a lot of kidding about my size signing up, you agree our. He managed to acquire a waiver for everything you will usually find him on the of. The movie that details Richards ruthlessness in combat broadcast, rewritten or redistributed is absolutely... Will usually find him on the top of a life that seems to have become in... Course of two tours in Vietnam, because of his time as a freshman when he OCS... 101St Airborne Division his skills, tenacity, and laying booby traps the radio operators were tasked with training Royal... 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