The men and guns of the Vietnam War (short videos)

[old11bravo]

I found this interesting. Some of the World War II vets laughed (part 2 at 1:28) at the Vietnam vets that complained about the weight of the M60 (pig) machine gun. We just keep getting more pussified as time goes on...

Part 1

Video—The Men and Guns of the Vietnam War, Part 1

Part 2

Video—The Men and Guns of The Vietnam War, Part 2

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[Mephistopheles]

"The average infantryman in the South Pacific during World War II saw about 40 days of combat in four years. The average infantryman in Vietnam saw about 240 days of combat in one year thanks to the mobility of the helicopter."
"One out of every 10 Americans who served in Vietnam was a casualty. 58,169 were killed and 304,000 wounded out of 2.59 million who served. Although the percent who died is similar to other wars, amputations or crippling wounds were 300 percent higher than in World War II. 75,000 Vietnam veterans are severely disabled." Speech by Lt. Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey, (reproduced in the Pentagram, June 4, 1993) assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to Vietnam veterans and visitors gathered at "The Wall", Memorial Day 1993. Don't think pussified belongs here.

 

[Dungannon]

Some of the World War II vets laughed (part 2 at 1:28) at the Vietnam vets that complained about the weight of the M60 (pig) machine gun. We just keep getting more pussified as time goes on...

My uncle Chet thought the M1 was heavy enough, and was glad he didn't have to tote a BAR [Marine, 1943-1945, south pacific]. I seen several threads on this forum where the M60 is called a pig. I never heard that when I served 71-73, in Vietnam or stateside in armorer school.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

I never heard the M60 called The pig or Pig while in the Army either ... I have read it referred to as such by others folks who were in the Army or in print ... just not by troops around me or in my command.
I did hear it called "The Gun" a time or two however.
Edit to add : we usually just called it "The 60" in tones of reverence ...

Slang is a weird thing....
Andy

 

[KKG]

Like Andy said, the M-60 in my experience was anything but a pig. I think the people calling it that likely don't have a clue. It's a fine piece of Hardware. I think they have pretty much replaced it with this new SAW which as far as I'm concerned is just another .223/5.56mm mistake. I was a 45B20 Small Arms Repair Specialist in the Army and have no use for the M-16 and what it's turned into. I started life with an M-14 and managed to keep one around both during my time in the CZ and in Vietnam. I did "Serviceable Checks" on some 40K for the 1st Cav Div and still don't like the things.

 

[Mephistopheles]

I too never heard the M60 referred to as the "Pig". Smallest guy in my platoon carried it. He and that 60 saved my life. He received the Silver Star. We talk a couple of times a month on the phone.

 

[Stomper]

I loved the M60 and carrying the gun wasn't ever an issue, but 600-800 rounds of ammo got heavy after a bit... but it just made you harder!