Nathan Phillips – “Vietnam Times” Veteran

This Aint Hell ^ | January 21, 2019 | Steve Balm

[LouieFisk]

By now you have all seen the images and read about the controversy surrounding the encounter at a rally in Washington, D.C. involving some high school students and a Native American – Nathan Phillips.

Nathan is a tribal elder and has often been put forth as a Marine Corps Vietnam veteran.

We have filed for his military records but the point of this article is that there are stories all over the place about what Phillips’ status is and to do this right takes time.

But in the media’s rush to get a story out — what “facts” rise to the surface and what did Phillips actually say about his military service?

As a good example, in this CNN newscast, Phillips states that he is a “Vietnam Times Veteran” while CNN runs the label below him quoting him as saying “I am a Vietnam Veteran…” which is not what he said.

[zeestephen]

Is that a copy of his Facebook page at the link?

It clearly says “Vietnam Veteran” on that page.

In any event...

According to Google, the last Marine Corps unit left Vietnam in June 1971.

Also, it's my recollection that by the late 1960s, ground troops got 12 months of training and acclimation before being sent to Vietnam.

So, if the Chief was a Vietnam Veteran, he definitely lied about his age to get into the Marine Corps.

[Nifster]

The Omaha tribe hasn’t had a chief elder for over a hundred years. Just because he says he’s one doesn’t make it so

Born in Ypsilanti. Very unusual Natove name

Is this just another Ward Vhurchill??

[zeestephen]

Re: He could have been one of the last Marines to serve a six month tour of duty in Vietnam.

According to Google, the last Marine Corps unit in Vietnam was pulled out in June 1971.

[LouieFisk]

“Is that a copy of his Facebook page at the link?”
—
No, it’s “Indigenous Life Movement”s (whatever that is) FB page.

[MacNaughton]

15 I realize that the Vietnam Era is defined as being from 1961 to 1975 but I’ve known plenty of Vietnam vets and not a one ever called themselves a Vietnam Era vet.

Correct. Just like my father was a Korean War era vet who served (1950-1953) in the 508th ARCT while stationed stateside the whole time at Ft. Benning.

[Widget Jr]

Last U.S. Marines to leave Saigon describe chaos of Vietnam War's end

There may not have been any Marine units in the South after 1971. There were still Marines in South Vietnam until the end. One of them, Lance Cpl. John Stewart, was 18 at the time.

[Slyfox]

Nathan Phillips is a Vietnam Vet just like Bill Clinton is a Vietnam Vet.

[21twelve]

Years ago I called my brother on Veteran’s day to say thank you.

“Well thanks, I guess. But I don’t consider myself a “vet” as I never served in combat.”

“Yeah - but you were still in the army.”

“I guess so. And I must say, we did a darn good job of keeping those V.C. from invading New Jersey!”

[zeestephen]

Thanks for the update.

I just focused on combat units, which I thought was what he claimed.

The Marine Corps defends all US Embassies, so there were definitely Marines in Vietnam until the very last hour.

[MacNaughton]

28 … “Well thanks, I guess. But I don’t consider myself a “vet” as I never served in combat.” …

Did he ever avail himself of healthcare from the VA?

[reg45]

Yes. But he could not keep the Communists from taking over New Jersey.

[razorback-bert]

Yes, a friend of mine was on the skid of one the last out.

[grundle]

I’m going to wait for the military records to be released before I have any opinion on this.

[21twelve]

I don’t think so. But he’s pretty healthy still.

[faucetman]

“Phillips states that he is a “Vietnam Times Veteran”

So he’s a urinalist who worked for “The Veteran Times” /s

[Laslo Fripp]

I think the Vietnam era began in 1959. That’s the earliest date on the Wall.

[basalt]

hmmmm...pretty sure Rangers are Army...not Marines....

[Ann Archy]

I will BET he wasn’t even in the military!

[crz]

So he is a Potawatomi?

That explains a lot.

[Hot Tabasco]

A vietnam era veteran is a Vietnam vet.

I have no problem with that but personally I only refer to myself as a Vietnam Era vet.

The controversy with this guy is based his stated age. In the interview he gave in Nov. of 2000, he said he was 45 but he also went on to say he had a drinking problem and following his discharge from the Marines, he had numerous run ins with the law and was jailed multiple times.

I would like to know what kind of a discharge he received. Based on his actions after his service, it wouldn't surprise me that he received a less than honorable discharge.......

Hopefully the writer of this article will be able to get the DD-214 he is looking for......

And another thing, that alleged incident he had with the frat boys at Eastern Michigan, I'd like to know what the university found out after claiming they would investigate the incident......