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surfered

(10,619 posts)

19. Had a friend in the Army refuse an order in Vietnam

Reply to Capperdan (Original post)

Wed Nov 26, 2025, 02:58 PM

Nov 26

He was a Lt. He was ordered to go into Cambodia, “armed with a camera” and accompanied by some ARVN soldiers for reconnaissance.

He refused as the US could not act militarily in Cambodia until later authorized by Pres Nixon.

It did later make Captain.

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Highlight:

I refused orders once... [View all] Capperdan Nov 26 OP

I never disobeyed an order when I was on active duty EYESORE 9001 Nov 26 #1

It's amazing what people (soldiers) will do if they've been told the "others" are the enemy. erronis Nov 26 #3

Trump needs to lie to the soldiers and sailors popsdenver Nov 26 #21

You can be a lot proud of that one. TheRickles Nov 26 #2

Please accept my gratitude, sir! lastlib Nov 26 #4

Thank you lastlib Capperdan Nov 26 #9

And you should be proud, MarineCombatEngineer Nov 26 #5

And back at you MCE Capperdan Nov 26 #10

The closest I came was in the USAF in 1969. MineralMan Nov 26 #6

My hat off to you, MM. That takes guts and a true sense of what's right. erronis Nov 26 #23

Or, I'm a smartass. MineralMan Nov 26 #24

I think you were a smart smartass. 3catwoman3 Nov 26 #25

I had a similar experience LogDog75 Nov 26 #34

Yes, exactly. MineralMan Thursday #36

We were breaking down our NDP (night defensive position), and The Wizard Nov 26 #7

Yup, brave. Joinfortmill Nov 26 #8

more info? NJCher Nov 26 #11

LOL! Great gifs FakeNoose Nov 26 #20

You should be proud. Nt Figarosmom Nov 26 #12

Love that you did this, and that blue_jay Nov 26 #13

And you should be mountain grammy Nov 26 #14

A little proud? llmart Nov 26 #15

Good on you. 3catwoman3 Nov 26 #16

Im sure it would have Capperdan Nov 26 #27

Thank you Capperdan! Clouds Passing Nov 26 #17

I salute your service, honor and integrity, Capperdan Grim Chieftain Nov 26 #18

Well thanks, GC Capperdan Nov 26 #28

Had a friend in the Army refuse an order in Vietnam surfered Nov 26 #19

thank you for your honorable service. cab67 Nov 26 #22

My father refused Bmoboy Nov 26 #26

Thank you KT2000 Nov 26 #29

Thank you. I'm proud of you too. Ohioboy Nov 26 #30

Precisely the Correct Action Nictuku Nov 26 #31

On the other hand . . . Aussie105 Nov 26 #32

If that happened, no one would consider charging the coerced soldier. TomSlick Nov 26 #33

My late brother, who flew BlueMTexpat Thursday #35

This message was self-deleted by its author sarchasm Thursday #37

I was in 6-years. I NEVER got an illegal order. Grins Thursday #38

At Kent State the students tricked a gung ho commander into following them. GreenWave Thursday #39

Those were crazy times to be 20 years old Capperdan Thursday #41

My ROTC Ranger group committed mass mutiny one time... malthaussen Thursday #40

On the other hand (and only tangentially related) malthaussen Thursday #42

I am thankful I never had to face a situation in which I would have to refuse an order. mucholderthandirt Thursday #43