The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. His friend, David Yuzuk, used his own money and launched a crowdfunding campaign to produce a documentary about his friends life. To learn more or comment about Captain Flaherty please visit The Giant Killer Facebook page. Tragically, he was killed in a hit and run during the early hours of May 9, 2015. Here we go: 1. Sign up to IrishCentral's newsletter to stay up-to-date with everything Irish! 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. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. The War also claimed the lives of approximately 200,000 allied soldiers in Vietnam, nearly one million North Vietnamese/ Communist allied deaths . He ended up leading a reconnaissance platoon, showing great . A marker has been ordered for his grave and is expected to be placed early next year. As a 2nd Lieutenant and a platoon leader, he proved to be a fierce defender of his men. 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. According to archives held by the US government, there were 58,220 US military deaths overall as a result of the Vietnam War. vietnam war battle. 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. Two inches thick, each plank . Miami Police officer David Yuzuk befriended Richard J. Flaherty when the former soldier was living on the streets as a homeless man. 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. Flaherty led his platoon in a flanking assault on the enemy position, during which an NVA bunker was spotted. That medically makes you a dwarf (little person). Yuzuk also found papers showing that Flaherty had paid a deposit for a burial plot in Miltons Forest Memorial Park, with a request to be buried near Lisa Davis Anness, whom the Vietnam vet described as the love of his life. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. David Yuzuk's police radio blared from his shoulder as he leaned against his patrol car outside Boston Market in Aventura. Between February and March 1973, 591 American servicemen were released by the North Vietnamese. Here are 10 of the most dangerous: 1. On one side towered a 7ft 3in (2.21m) German man-mountain who quit his job with an American freak show to join the Wehrmacht. 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. 1968 was a tumultuous year for service members in Vietnam. After college David moved to Miami and became a 19-year veteran of the Aventura Police Department working as a uniformed road patrolman, undercover officer, and detective. Consequently, given the average smaller size of Vietnamese men, tunnel rat soldiers, by necessity, were the shortest, skinniest, and most limber men in the army: a maximum height of 1.58 meters. Share with Us. When you used to stack bodies, but your 15 yo great grandson keeps calling you "Piper Perri" and you don't know why. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Richards future, therefore, was sealed before he took his first breath. You can check it out here. It was the result of his mothers rare blood type that left him vulnerable to oxygen deprivation as an infant. One soldier would crawl about five meters behind the other to minimize the chance of death or injury if their leader activated a trap or a mine. As a Vietnam veteran he is my brother. 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.. He becomes a mystery to family and friends alike. You could not help but notice him. Similarly, the bamboo whip was a very traumatic trap. Although the percent who died is similar to other wars, amputations or crippling wounds were 300 percent higher than in World War II. Once the Viet Cong caught on to what was happening, they began to use the same soap the Americans used. Richard James Flaherty was born on November 28, 1945. Standing tall in four-feet and nine-inches, Captain Richard Flaherty, might be too small for the conventional height for the United States Army. Operation Crimp hoped to target a key Viet Cong headquarter location believed to be unground. 45 calibers with a seven-round magazine as they were readily available. 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. 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. This would-be Captain America was just 49, three inches too short for Army service. His unit in the 101st was ambushed as it passed a hidden North Vietnamese bunker. Id known him for 15 years, and this was the first time he ever mentioned the military. The bombs caused earthquakes that destroyed the tunnels and their ventilation shafts. All rights reserved. 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. everyone would watch to see which way the wind would take him. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc. is the nonprofit organization authorized by Congress in 1980 to fund and build the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. . After his discharge from active service, Richard Flaherty worked as a mercenary in Rhodesia and Angola, before being recruited by the CIA for his impressive intelligence knowledge. or anything. 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. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. Yuzuk had started to look into his friends story well before his death and discovered that hed worked as an undercover agent for federal authorities during the 1980s. When it came to Americans, however, some found it difficult to kill when they were face-to-face with the enemy in such tight confines. He served as an SFODA Commander in companies A and B. Photo credit: Pinterest. In all fairness, that number was on the more extreme side of estimates. Many knew him over the last decade and a half of his life as a nameless little homeless guy in Hallandale, but he was much more than that. lkunl/Shutterstock. We owe them the dignity that they deserve. Reach Rick Steelhammer at rsteelhammer@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5169 or follow. This was devastating news to Yuzuk. Flaherty was on his way. As a result, many tunnel rats often avoided using hearing protection while underground. A former TV Reporter. Tunnels were also built in zig-zags to prevent the enemy from pouring in chemicals or shooting bullets over a long distance. He did time in prison for drugs but was that a cover or a real conviction? He was expected to only grow to the height of 4 7 but Richard proved them wrong as he grew to 4 9.. [3], He was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division during his first tour to Vietnam in 1968 during the Vietnam War. Richard Flaherty was probably the most unique Green Beret to ever serve in the U.S. Army's Special Forces. A colleague dragged him out before he grabbed a frag and threw it into the hole too. ODAs are the tactical arm of the Special Forces Regiment. Private contractors? Please support The Veterans Site by adding us to your ad blockers whitelist ads help us to provide food and supplies to veterans. As a student, she worked in a variety of research positions, including as an archivist. Richard Flaherty returned to the U.S. and trained at the Army's Special Warfare School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, becoming a member of the Green Berets. Indirect Fire Infantrymen (MOS 11C), Combat Engineers (MOS 12B), and Bridge Crewmembers (MOS 12C) also have short . But due to the Vietnam draft they would have likely taken him anyway if that was his only disqualifier from serving. 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. He actually had a pretty sad ending. Just 10 days before Flaherty's death, Flaherty told Yuzuk his story. This meant naturally handguns were most commonly chosen. Holy shit even disregarding the adversity overcome about his height, this dude seriously fucked. What it also doesn't mention in the video is how absolutely ruthless this dude was. But he may have left me with more mysteries than Ill ever be able to solve.. Flaherty and Yuzuk were friends for roughly 15 years before he felt he could share his story with the officer. Tyler Perry wrote and will direct the story of an all-female, all-Black battalion that served in Europe. Flaherty was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant after attending Infantry Officer Candidate School on 31 August 1967. Looking for Irish book recommendations or to meet with others who share your love for Irish literature? TIMES STAFF WRITER. Chance of rain 90%. Thankfully, Richard Flahertys story lives on, as he shared it with David Yuzuk, a local police officer, before his death. But then everything we know about him gets lost in a blur of fragmentary vignettes. Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Texas) represents Texas' 3rd congressional . [But] They were the ones you never killed. Phil Bucklew: The Father of US Naval Special Warfare. Tunnel Rat soldier with his gas mask and gun. Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don't miss out on updates. Not until 1995 did Vietnam release its official estimate of war dead: as many as 2 million civilians on both sides and some 1.1 million North Vietnamese and Viet Cong fighters. Flaherty was unfazed by the criticism he continued to receive throughout his life. He led a charge, which succeeded in pushing out the enemy. Trni was severely wounded after he skied into a mine during 1942, but . This also allowed soldiers to help find and collect any wounded or dead comrades. We just didnt know. It helped give them the experience and confidence to cope with gas, should they encounter it in combat. You had to be a minimum of 5 feet tall and weigh at least 100 lb. Don't knowingly lie about anyone When he reached adolescence, Flaherty was small compared to his peers. He served as both an A and B detachment Commander. No offense intended, but most armies have minimal-height, like here in my country you can't go to the army or police when being less than 1.55m as a man (don't know if this is still accurate, but it was in the past. Sergeant Arnold Gutierrez of the 25th Division stated that after a while they became so tuned to what was happening that when the other person would flick an eyelid up or down, you really knew he was there, in the corner, not even hiding anymore. Watch on. We'd love to hear eyewitness Richard was my friend and I promised him I would finish the project, Yuzuk said. Greek Army veteran (National service with 575th Marines Battalion and Army HQ). 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. The incompatibilities in the blood caused hormonal imbalances and stunted his growth. Thus, when Richard was born, he was different. Soldiers learned to carefully probe the sides, roof, and floor of the tunnels attentively listening and trying to smell the enemy or look for trap doors. The following year, 1971, he was discharged from active duty and transferred to the Army Reserves, where he served until 1983. 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. 1,806 U.S. troops killed in action ( source) 2. the shortest have one line. Wounded Marine Gunnery Sgt. Due to his small stature (he was just 4feet 9inches (1.45m) tall), he was known as "The Giant Killer". The U.S. military has estimated that between 200,000 and 250,000 South Vietnamese soldiers died in the war. Needless to say, sadly many of those Americans who did enter the tunnels ended up dying. Start your free trial today. On occasion, they ended up having severe nervous breakdowns and their colleagues dragged them out of tunnels crying and screaming. He said he hopes the movie makes people think twice before being dismissive or hateful toward the homeless, many of whom are veterans, and make politicians think carefully before sending American men and women to foreign places to kill people. There is an average of five names per line. As a man, he stands tall in my book. "The true story of the smallest Green Beret soldier who became a war hero-only to be killed homeless and alone, whose life and death are shrouded in mystery." He was successful and joined the US Army. Although he is the subject of a new documentary available on Amazon Prime and iTunes and a soon-to-be-released book, the full story of Capt. Richard J. Flaherty with two classmates at Officer Candidate School in 1967 (Photo: David Yuzuk / Laptrinhx.com ). [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. You can also learn about how these soldiers came about, who opted to become one, how they trained, and what equipment they used. Postal Service. He went back to Southeast Asia with the 46th Special Forces Company as a Special Forces Operational Detachment A (SFODA) commander. It is our duty to remember him for his noble service to the nation. One of the other problems soldiers faced is the deafening sound of gunshots echoing through the tunnels. Flaherty and his men did not escape that violence. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. Due to the blood type, his growth was stunted which resulted in him being diagnosed with dwarfism.[2]. (Petty Officer 2nd Class . When the Vietnam War heated up, Flaherty volunteered for the Army. Photo credit: Funker360. After graduating from the Special Forces Qualification Course, Flaherty was assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) as a detachment commander and sent to southeast Asia with the 46th Special Forces Company. Another method frequently used attempted to flood the area so badly that the enemy desperately sought to escape to avoid drowning. 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. 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. Submitted photo. A large proportion of the U.S. troops consisted of African American men from the inner cities, the sons of immigrants . We'll send breaking news and news alerts to you as they happen! In fact, on one occasion he was able to save several of his men who had been trapped by heavy enemy fire. 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. Jan 31, 2021 - 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 They carried out tunnel rat duties as and when they needed in addition to any other duties they performed. So for a combat soldier, there was about a 10% chance of being killed in action. The Giant Killer: Directed by David Yuzuk. Or were his missions something much darker? 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. Capt. All useful to the experiences of tunnel rats. He indicated that while Flahertys survivors had planned on the burial taking place at Arlington National Cemetery, they honored his wish to be buried in West Virginia. This is similar to the selection effect of underwriting requirement provision in the insurance industries. Four-foot, nine-inch tall veteran Richard J. Flaherty claimed to be the shortest man ever to serve in the United States military. I never thought of him after that until I received an email last May from one of my old high school friends. . Well anything under 4'10" is legally a disability under the law. He returned to the US at the end of his tour and attended Special Forces Officer Course at Fort Bragg. To even attempt Special Forces training, Flaherty had to gain six pounds and get another height waiver. Major Nguyen Quot, an officer that spent ten years in these tunnels, notes that by 1948 they already dug a tunnel system: each family, each hamlet, had a tunnel communicating it with others. Flaherty dedicated himself to gaining weight. Afghan war. It turned out to be a lot. 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. Since last May I have thought about him off and on and finally felt that I needed to tell his story, or as much of it as I could find out. 22 Feb 2018. When he graduated high school in 1966, the 4-foot-9-inch man was 3 inches under the Army's height requirement. Overall, tunnel rat soldiers received little, if any, specific training. 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.. He had a story to tell. We here at the Veterans Site offer our sincerest thanks to Richard Flaherty for his service to the nation. Photo credit: The Chive. Maybe its because, as a high school student, I knew him, if only from a distance. In his death, however, he found his home next to the woman he had loved, Lisa Anness Davis. [7] Flaherty was buried at Forest Memorial Park in Milton. Example of a spike ball booby trap on display. Later he's assigned to command Recon's Echo Platoon. Photo credit: Peter Alan Lloyd Website. Both known as the shortest soldiers in their units, each would serve in numerous battles as soldiers. War is hell. He was working on finding a way to join. 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. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. One Viet Cong technique was to slit a mans throat or garrotte him as he came up through a connecting trap door; this often did not phase the men. In September of 1966, Rep. Donald J. Irwin of Connecticut got in touch with the U.S. Army Surgeon General, who recommended a waiver for Flahertys height. Richard J. Flaherty may never be known. Flaherty was killed on May 9, 2015 in a hit and run. 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. 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. However, he was initially turned down because of his size. A heavier tunnel-exploration kit may also include nylon rope, body-armor vests, grappling hooks, work gloves, kneepads, and earplugs. 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. Capt. Short Story / War and Military. A lot of the time, other soldiers thought these volunteers also had to be a certain type of crazy. This network connected villages, cities, and districts. The enemy would litter a concrete ball with barbed spikes. Growing up, Flaherty was sensitive about his height (4'9"), therefore he tried to achieve the best physical fitness and learned martial arts. If you include the near-nine years of fighting that took place during the First Indochina War, add that tally to the 20-year war in Vietnam, you understand why the conflict is sometimes referred to as the Ten Thousand Day War, that number more or less equating to 30 years. By 1990, the US Army veterans was homeless and living in Aventura, Florida. Females - 26%. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy. The objective is to promote history on Medium and demonstrate the value of historical writing. BTS will be on hiatus until all seven members complete their mandatory military service in South Korea. Archives held in Texas revealed this happened to one unfortunate soldier. I didnt know.. Flaherty is buried in an unmarked grave in Milton, West Virginia. The Lone Soldier. This article was originally published 1/7/2021. Richard Flaherty of Stamford, Connecticut was not one of them. Quite simply, many troops were deployed to Vietnam but few were actually in combat. In 1980, recognizing the cruelty of such devices, the Geneva Convention banned them as weaponry. They are our brothers and sisters. It was a horrendous ordeal to face and brought even the toughest of men to tears. If the stakes pointed downwards, soldiers became unable to remove their limbs without causing severe damage. God only knows what that experience and so many other combat experiences did to Flahertys mind. If you look at all of the things the radio operators were tasked with, it becomes abundantly . After this, he refused to ever go into a tunnel again. He showed his fearsome warrior spirit during the Vietnam War, and later entered the roster of the Army's elite task . Devices, the sons of immigrants bts will be on hiatus until all seven members complete their mandatory military in... Were tasked with, it becomes abundantly disqualifier from serving his mothers rare type! Photo: David Yuzuk, a local Police Officer David Yuzuk, a local Police Officer, before death... 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Visit the Giant Killer Facebook page proved to be unground to save several of his men 1973, American! With gas, should they encounter it in combat get another height waiver confessed, Its time tell... Tunnel rats often avoided using hearing protection while underground before his death, however, he different! Many troops were deployed to Vietnam but few were actually in combat, nearly one North... 3 inches under the Army 's height requirement the area so badly that the enemy desperately sought escape. Wounds were 300 percent higher than in World War II War heated up, agree! Had loved, Lisa Anness Davis to avoid drowning War heated up, Flaherty told his! American men from the inner cities, and this was the result of his men not... An unmarked grave in Milton was stunted which resulted in him being diagnosed with dwarfism. [ 2.. Adding US to your ad blockers whitelist ads help US to provide food and supplies to Veterans transferred the! 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