Photo credit: Rare Historical Photos websites. U.S. Air Force pararescuemen and a simulated 'survivor' watch as an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter comes in for a landing. Talking of booby traps, Lt. Jack Flowers recalls how the Viet Cong used tripwires to release boxes of scorpions into the tiny confines of the tunnels. His friend, David Yuzuk, used his own money and launched a crowdfunding campaign to produce a documentary about his friends life. Id known him for 15 years, and this was the first time he ever mentioned the military. *Warning: Some people may find these pictures disturbing.*. During this deployment, he would be promoted to captain, earn two Bronze Stars and would be wounded in combat two times, receiving a Purple Heart for each time. The US army now sought alternate measures. when a soldier had approximately two months remaining on his tour in Vietnam, he might take a long stick and notch it for each of his remaining days in-country. Answer (1 of 27): Back in the days of siege wars, artillery would be used to blow a hole in the defence walls. Richard J. Flaherty may never be known. Already well-adapted to subterranean life, many insects and animals of the Vietnamese jungle found the underground tunnels to be a worthy living environment. You can also learn about how these soldiers came about, who opted to become one, how they trained, and what equipment they used. He first deployed to Southeast Asia in 1968 as a member of the 101st Airborne Division. While braving the intense hail of hostile fire, Lieutenant Flaherty displayed astute direction and leadership, leading to the enemy bunker being swiftly destroyed and allowing his platoon to advance and continue its devastating attack on the enemy, according to the citation for the Silver Star Flaherty was awarded for the action. Tho claims the Viet Cong prepared both the necessary troops and assembled the supplies needed in these tunnels to conduct the Tet Offensive of 1968. The War also claimed the lives of approximately 200,000 allied soldiers in Vietnam, nearly one million North Vietnamese/ Communist allied deaths, and an incomprehensible number of civilians. Vietnam-era Radiomen life expectancy was 5 seconds. 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. Capt. top . Many American men were trying to avoid serving the U.S. military in the 1960s and 1970s. After his tour in Vietnam, he returned to the U.S. and attended the Special Forces Officer Course at Fort Bragg. These guerrillas were fighting the colonial power of France. At the time, Yuzuk was a police officer and Flaherty was a member of Aventuras homeless community, camping under a palm tree off one of the citys main boulevards. Please support The Veterans Site by adding us to your ad blockers whitelist ads help us to provide food and supplies to veterans. A lot of the time it really depended on the size of the soldiers in the infantry division. Richard J. Flaherty with two classmates at Officer Candidate School in 1967 (Photo: David Yuzuk / Laptrinhx.com ). He becomes a mystery to family and friends alike. Somewhere along his path, Flaherty became homeless. Although the driver fled the scene, they were eventually caught. You could not help but notice him. Well anything under 4'10" is legally a disability under the law. 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 . Lieutenant Flaherty immediately called a 90 Millimeter recoilless rifle team to his position after having spotted an enemy bunker position to his front, which was delivering automatic weapons fire on his platoon. Postal Service. She also worked as a teaching assistant in the History Department. Yuzuk said it was not long after he moved to Florida in 1999 and joined the Aventura Police Department that he noticed Flaherty. Special forces officer with a great deal of success. One of his men got stung and came out screaming, refusing to ever go into a tunnel again. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, We here at the Veterans Site offer our sincerest thanks to Richard Flaherty for his service to the nation. In all fairness, that number was on the more extreme side of estimates. It helped give them the experience and confidence to cope with gas, should they encounter it in combat. The United States conducted two major campaigns to search and destroy the tunnel system: Operation Crimp (1966) and Operation Cedar Falls (1967). Yuzuk started digging and discovered that Flaherty had worked undercover with the Feds during the 80s. They harnessed their newfound abilities to help them with survival because unlike their enemies, they lacked experience in these small dark tunnels. Although the percent who died is similar to other wars, amputations or crippling wounds were 300 percent higher than in World War II. Weve got a clip from the movie that details Richards ruthlessness in combat. One American man was trying anything to get in. Marine Corps: (Accession and Regular Standards) Male - 18%. The link to . The complications caused a hormonal imbalance that stunted his growth. Hed traveled a lot, read a lot and was interesting to talk with.. [5] Fifteen years before Flaherty's death, he was befriended by Miami Police officer David Yuzuk after Flaherty became homeless. The incompatibilities in the blood caused hormonal imbalances and stunted his growth. Naturally, there were only first chances, never second, so some simply killed as they had to. limit, but he could do nothing about the height part. Thank you! March 28, 2022 Local Vietnam veterans showcase . A Soldier's Thoughts. The Vietnam War is also known as the Second Indochina War. He had been the victim of a hit-and-run car accident. The Viet Cong used this to their advantage to scare, and even kill, American soldiers. Captain Flaherty's incredible life story was captured in the Amazon #1 Best Selling book, "The Giant Killer" available on Amazon as a Paperback, eBook, & Audiobook, and the award-winning documentary, "The Giant Killer Finding Flaherty" available worldwide on Amazon, Google Play, YouTube, iTunes, and Tubi. 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. During the war, more than 58,000 servicemen and women lost their lives. See what its like to jump out of a C-17 with the Armys 82nd Airborne, How to make it through Special Forces selection, How one unusual vehicle helped create Americas Special Forces, Special Forces officer slated to lead NATO special operations, This new Special Forces video mixes history and heroism in the best ways, 8 Green Berets on what it means to be Army Special Forces, ST Idaho: The Special Forces team that vanished in the jungle, Putin has a Problem: Russia can barely build any tanks to fight in Ukraine, Controlling killer swarms of swarms: Inside DARPAs AMASS, The Marine Corps is closing down its Scout Sniper platoons, Get Out: Making The Most of a Duty Station. Shortest US soldier in Vietnam War was not short in courage. The bombs caused earthquakes that destroyed the tunnels and their ventilation shafts. Capt. How can we help? He becomes a mystery to family and friends alike. On occasion, they ended up having severe nervous breakdowns and their colleagues dragged them out of tunnels crying and screaming. Throughout the battle, he repeatedly exposed himself to the hostile fire in order to better direct the suppressive fire of his squads. Similarly, one soldier recalls how an encounter with the biggest rat he had ever seen led him to continually fire his gun. Capt. Flaherty would be considered a dwarf in medical terms, meaning that his height was less than 4 10.. This was devastating news to Yuzuk. In 1967, Flaherty attended Army Officer Candidate School (OCS) and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the infantry and assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. When Flaherty was born, hed been deprived of oxygen, due to a rare blood condition his mother had, which stunted his growth. He located witnesses and found documentation in a storage unit that revealed that even while homeless, Flaherty was still conducting clandestine missions around the worldCambodia, Iraq, Jordan, Venezuelabut who was he working for? The healthy soldier/worker effect gradually subdued over time. 58,169 were killed and 304,000 wounded out of 2.59 million who served. He deployed with the Screaming Eagles to Vietnam and served as a platoon and recon platoon leader. Though Americans, Australians, and New Zealanders claim to know these hideouts existed, they overlooked their size and importance. The average Liberian is 159.66cm (5 feet 2.85 inches) tall. Neither family, nor friends know why. The American Soldier in VietnamMore than 2.5 million American men served in Vietnam during the war. In hindsight, listening to the Viet Cong talk about their experiences in these tunnels, it appears more training certainly would have benefitted the American cause. ", People dont know about Cotton and it shows. This kit included a S&W .38-calibre special model 10 revolver with both a silencer and aiming light. Just sitting and waiting. He returned to the US at the end of his tour and attended Special Forces Officer Course at Fort Bragg. Similarly, one American soldier highlighted how they liked to soften things up by throwing in one or more hand grenades before sending in tunnel rats. Wounded Marine Gunnery Sgt. In riveting rifle, rucksack style author, David Yuzuk takes you deep into the jungles of Vietnam to walk in the combat boots of America's smallest soldier, Richard Flaherty. To even attempt Special Forces training, Flaherty had to gain six pounds and get another height waiver. The Veterans Site asks that you take a moment out of your day to consider donating to help house homeless veterans. Funds are paid by Greater Good Charities to benefiting organizations as a grant. The Central Intelligence Agency recruited him in the late 1970s due to his knowledge of Intelligence. [7] Flaherty was buried at Forest Memorial Park in Milton. Upon enlisting, Richard became the shortest soldier in US military history. Americans often carpet bombed areas under suspicion to try flushing out the enemy. Despite his size Richard Flaherty had all the heart in the world and it showed when he was platoon leader in Vietnam. Low near 45F. Myanmar 159.52cm (5 feet 2.80 inches) The Temples of Bagan in Mandalay, Myanmar. Here, leaders forced soldiers into specific chambers and made to recite their name, rank, and service number. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism For this action he was awarded the Silver Star in 1968. Yet, both of these tactics were not as successful as they hoped. Click #isupportlocal for more information on supporting our local journalists. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. The primary focus of his time in the CIA was supplying the Nicaraguan Contras in Nicaragua. 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. This is similar to the selection effect of underwriting requirement provision in the insurance industries. Reach Rick Steelhammer at rsteelhammer@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5169 or follow. He ended up leading a reconnaissance platoon, showing great . A heavier tunnel-exploration kit may also include nylon rope, body-armor vests, grappling hooks, work gloves, kneepads, and earplugs. When an American soldier tripped the wire, the grenade would detonate inside the tunnel. Phil Bucklew: The Father of US Naval Special Warfare. He returned to Vietnam in 1969 and was stationed there until 1971. A large proportion of the U.S. troops consisted of African American men from the inner cities, the sons of immigrants . As a Green Beret, he served from 1969-71, before being honorably discharged. Snakes were also commonly used traps inside these tunnels. When he graduated high school in 1966, the 4-foot-9-inch man . Flaherty and Yuzuk were friends for roughly 15 years before he felt he could share his story with the officer. None of these wars were longer than the Afghan war, anyway.] 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 deployed for the first time in 1968 as part of the 101st Airborne Division, acting as a platoon and reconnaissance platoon leader with companies B, C, D and E. While making parachute jumps, Flaherty would be the first to leap, so his men could see where the wind took him and ensure he didnt get carried somewhere alone because of his light weight. Current standards for men is 60-80 inches tall. These tunnels hugely impacted American morale as it was difficult to comprehend that the enemy could be hiding just feet away yet were undetectable and unreachable. What it also doesn't mention in the video is how absolutely ruthless this dude was. If you look at all of the things the radio operators were tasked with, it becomes abundantly . Richard was my friend and I promised him I would finish the project, Yuzuk said. But he may have left me with more mysteries than Ill ever be able to solve.. Both known as the shortest soldiers in their units, each would serve in numerous battles as soldiers. If it did not force the enemy out, those inside the tunnels often suffocated to death instead. Clothing-wise, it was a good idea to wear tight waterproof items to stop clothing from snagging on obstructions, leather gloves, and, if possible as mentioned knee pads to assist with crawling around. This would-be Captain America was just 49, three inches too short for Army service. Flaherty dedicated himself to gaining weight. Once in, he was able to qualify both for Special Forces training and for Officer Candidate School (OCS). Of those killed, 61% were younger than 21 years old. Later that year, he was reassigned to the 10th Special Forces Group at Fort Devens. Retired, David enjoys writing, walking on hikes, and spending time with his dog Simon. Tweets from https://twitter.com/heralddispatch/lists/hd-news-4. The exact figure, however, remains unknown as there were no extensive records kept on this exact type of engagement with the enemy. Communications, public relations, and marketing professional, and content creator during free time. However, he was eventually arrested for possession of gun silencers and removed from the agency. 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. Tyler Perry wrote and will direct the story of an all-female, all-Black battalion that served in Europe. Yuzuk used his own funds and a crowdsourcing campaign to produce The Giant Killer, an 80-minute documentary available on Amazon Prime and iTunes, released late last year. The CIA? 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. Photo credit: Funker360. Richard Flaherty had to get a waiver to join the Army during the Vietnam War. His size also meant he worked as a tunnel rat during his tour of duty, crawling through enemy tunnels to destroy them. Photo credit: The Chive. After a while, whenever Id see him, Id give him a little head nod and hed do the same. lkunl/Shutterstock. By the time RichardFlaherty graduated from high school in 1966, the US was already heavily involved in Vietnam. Abandoned by the CIA, Flaherty locates a smuggling ring stealing tons of explosives including a classified weapon from inside a U.S. Army base, and signs on to work the investigation undercover with the Federal law enforcement agency the ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). His life may have ended tragically, but it was also a life that included real heroism and self-sacrifice. 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. Sometimes these snakes were even poisonous and so became known as three-step snakes because a soldier was only granted three more steps before the venom killed him. 7'3" Jakob Nacken (221 cm), the tallest German soldier of WW2, chatting with 5'7" (170 cm) Eddie Worth, AP photographer with the wartime still picture pool, after his surrender. One Viet Cong soldier highlighted their lack of discreteness. David Yuzuk's police radio blared from his shoulder as he leaned against his patrol car outside Boston Market in Aventura. He also discovered that, while homeless, Flaherty was secretly traveling to places like Jordan, Iraq, Thailand, Vietnam and Venezuela. 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. Richard Flaherty had to get a waiver to join the Army during the Vietnam War. Next, the Viet Cong would dig a pit and jam the punji stakes upright in it. To learn more or comment about Captain Flaherty please visit The Giant Killer Facebook page. This offensive is commonly seen by historians as a turning point for American involvement in the Vietnam war. It has been well-documented in epidemiology studies . Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Richard James Flaherty was born on November 28, 1945. The openings to these tunnels were very small and those tunnel rats who went into them did so armed only with a flashlight, a K-bar (knife), and a .45 pistol. Flaherty was 2 inches too short and 6 lb. ODA was tasked with training the Royal Thai Army in counterinsurgency operations and prepare them for a deployment to Vietnam. He led a charge, which succeeded in pushing out the enemy. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. When interviewed he stated: We often wondered how things happened in the night and we never saw what was going on, guys getting their throat cut. Another method frequently used attempted to flood the area so badly that the enemy desperately sought to escape to avoid drowning. He was a Special Forces Green Beret Captain and was . Twenty-year-old Mike . His only problem was that he stood four feet, nine inches tall. Sign up to IrishCentral's newsletter to stay up-to-date with everything Irish! I just tell them Im 35 pounds of muscle, 14 pounds of dynamite and one pound of uranium-238, and it gets a lot of laughs.. In 1970 he was reassigned to the 10th Special Forces Group at Fort Devens. I didnt believe him at first, Yuzuk recalled. Afghan war. As a result, many tunnel rats often avoided using hearing protection while underground. It was if he was hardening himself up for some special task.. Private contractors? Flaherty was killed on May 9, 2015 in a hit and run. Giant Killers are among us-- author David Yuzuk walked with one and returned with this tale." Between February and March 1973, 591 American servicemen were released by the North Vietnamese. As a Vietnam veteran he is my brother. The first point to keep in mind is that there was a lot of "tail" in Vietnam. Anness, who died in 2005, was the daughter of an Army captain, and traveled the world with her military family before settling in Miami, where she earned an MBA at the University of Miami and worked as a consultant. Protests to end the war in 1965. These story remain nothing more than bits and pieces of a life that seems to have become shrouded in anonymity. It was also the most expensive and deadliest year of the war. It included an article about Flahertys tragic death in Aventura, Florida. Amazingly, these tunnel rat soldiers were volunteers. Click Today's Obituaries to view all of the listings. Every group would do things differently. According to an article in the Stamford Advocate, Flahertys body was found by two joggers. In 1966, the Army issued six tunnel-exploration tester kits. 66F. In a way, he was like a mentor. Grenade traps were another form of booby trap placed along the base of tunnels. Some volunteered to go to Vietnam. When he reached adolescence, Flaherty was small compared to his peers. Flaherty was born to a mother who, unknown to her, had a blood type that made her second-born son vulnerable to oxygen deprivation in his infancy, which stunted his growth. He had a story to tell. In his death, however, he found his home next to the woman he had loved, Lisa Anness Davis. When the soldier triggered the tripwire, foot-long spikes placed all over a long bamboo pole catapulted into the soldiers face and chest at a rapid speed. Start Reading. Col. Floyd J. Thompson, who endured nearly nine years of torture, disease and starvation in Vietnam as the longest-held prisoner of war in American history, has died. TIMES STAFF WRITER. We often look at college students as punk kids, lazy frat guys or any other kind of social stereotype. Vietnam), evaded for two weeks with a banged up leg and his right arm broken in three places. 22. A marker has been ordered for his grave and is expected to be placed early next year. He had a few run-ins with the law before becoming a confidential informant for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. He was successful and joined the US Army. 4' 9" 97lb Vietnam War Vet Green Beret Captain Richard J. Flaherty was the smallest US soldier to ever serve in the military. soldier has to be fit both physically and mentally to endure the hardship in an adverse environment such as a battle field. Finding out about him and what he had done since graduating from high school has put me through a roller coaster of emotions. So began a wild adventure involving guns, cash, and High Altitude Low Opening parachute jumps into the Florida Everglades swamps. [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. Its not slick but it is fascinating. Flaherty attended Infantry Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a 2Lt on August 31, 1967. 11 talking about this. Related: How to make it through Special Forces selection. Lance Corporal Robert A. Bishop explores a Viet Cong tunnel complex found by Leathernecks of the 2d Battalion, 26th Marines. Bob Roberts, who was photographed when Jakob Nacken was captured, has been awarded France's highest military honour, the Legion d'Honneur, by the French . All rights reserved. He began to eat and stay in fighting shape, as he was an avid sportsman in high school, especially good at martial arts. I Spent Seven Years as a Vietnam POW. He left the Army in 1971 at the rank of captain due to a reduction in force. Chance of rain 90%. Copyright 2023 Military.com. However, Bowman said that he was never that scared of the tunnels; he was so young he believed he was invincible. The army sent in tunnel rat soldiers with the aim of locating the enemy, finding their resources, and cutting off their supplies. After completing basic training, Richard Flaherty qualified for Infantry Officer Candidate School, earning the rank of second lieutenant. Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, perfectly summarised the problem in 1969: The conventional army loses if it does not win, the guerrilla wins if he does not lose. Johns Hopkins University. Looking for Irish book recommendations or to meet with others who share your love for Irish literature? In most cases, tunnel rats were engineers, infantrymen, cavalry scouts, or chemical specialists. Captain Flaherty is the shortest man to have served in the Army's Special Forces Regiment. He agreed to cooperate, but said that once we got started, I had to promise to finish the project, Yuzuk said. But knowing a little bit more about his story now makes me wish I had known him better. This meant naturally handguns were most commonly chosen. Photo credit: Peter Alan Lloyd Website. February 24, 2023. 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. Four-foot, nine-inch tall veteran Richard J. Flaherty claimed to be the shortest man ever to serve in the United States military. The 'Hanoi Hilton' Is No Trump Hotel. His friend decides to investigate and finds a passport that shows Flaherty was secretly traveling to dangerous locations like Jordan, Iraq, Thailand, Vietnam, and Venezuela while living as a homeless man. Indirect Fire Infantrymen (MOS 11C), Combat Engineers (MOS 12B), and Bridge Crewmembers (MOS 12C) also have short . Similarly, the bamboo whip was a very traumatic trap. After one tour in Vietnam, Capt. He actually had a pretty sad ending. Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don't miss out on updates. Aim of locating the enemy, finding their resources, and this was the first point to in. Cotton and it showed when he graduated high School has put me through a roller of... Experience and confidence to cope with gas, should they encounter it in combat a pit jam. 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