To even attempt Special Forces training, Flaherty had to gain six pounds and get another height waiver. But I went home, got on the computer and looked him up, and it checked out.. [8], https://blog.theveteranssite.greatergood.com/smallest-beret-vet/, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, https://www.facebook.com/TheGiantKIllerDocumentary/, Special Forces Operations Detachment A (SFODA) Commander, "Giant Killer: Richard James Flaherty's life", "Height-waiver Green Beret: Captain James Flaherty was a Special Forces legend", "Vietnam Vet Richard Flaherty Was 'The Giant Killer', "Decorated Vietnam War veteran killed by hit-and-run driver", "Police Identify Aventura Hit-and-Run Victim as Decorated War Veteran", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Richard_J._Flaherty&oldid=1142406371, This page was last edited on 2 March 2023, at 05:58. He agreed to cooperate, but said that once we got started, I had to promise to finish the project, Yuzuk said. With a passion for historical learning and historical education, her writing interests include social history, and war history, especially researching obscure facts about the Second World War. lkunl/Shutterstock. Communist soldiers would attach one side of the string to a stake in the floor, and the other to the safety pin in the grenade. This network connected villages, cities, and districts. It helped give them the experience and confidence to cope with gas, should they encounter it in combat. . In his death, however, he found his home next to the woman he had loved, Lisa Anness Davis. *The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. Captain Flaherty is the shortest man to have served in the Army's Special Forces Regiment. Both known as the shortest soldiers in their units, each would serve in numerous battles as soldiers. Somewhere along his path, Flaherty became homeless. The Giant Killer: Directed by David Yuzuk. 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. Not only was he the shortest Green Beret to serve in Vietnam, he was also the shortest US serviceman in history. short-timer's stick. They harnessed their newfound abilities to help them with survival because unlike their enemies, they lacked experience in these small dark tunnels. Thank you! 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 began to eat and stay in fighting shape, as he was an avid sportsman in high school, especially good at martial arts. But it wasnt until 2015 that Flaherty first spoke of his time as a platoon leader and Green Beret in Vietnam. Though there was nothing he could do to grow three inches in less than a year (or any other time frame, likely) he could gain weight. The idea, of course, was to scare the men so much that they did not continue to search the rest of the tunnel. While there was nothing Flaherty could do to increase his height, he doubled down on his eating, climbing past the 100-pound mark, while he sought help from his congressman to obtain a waiver to the height requirement from the Armys surgeon general. Tiger traps were also particularly violent. That month, his platoon came under heavy automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fire from a North Vietnamese Army force. She also worked as a teaching assistant in the History Department. Since completing her degrees, she has decided to take a step back from academia to focus her career on writing and sharing history in a more accessible way. Winds light and variable.. Cloudy with occasional rain after midnight. 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. Phil Bucklew: The Father of US Naval Special Warfare. So for a combat soldier, there was about a 10% chance of being killed in action. It was only after a determined effort, which included the involvement of his local Congressman, that he managed to acquire a waiver. This required him to put on even more weight and get another waiver signed to excuse him from the height requirements. At 4 9 and 97 pounds, Richard J. Flaherty was the smallest and most unconventional man to serve in the U.S. military and needed a congressional waiver just to join the Army. He had a story to tell. Most likely a member of the 12th SS Panzer Division "Hitlerjugend" which sustained 43% casualties during the Normandy campaign. He was killed in a hit-and-run accident in 2015. Overall, tunnel rat soldiers received little, if any, specific training. 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. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. On the other hand, combat troops had nearly an even chance of getting wounded, roughly 50%. Finding out about him and what he had done since graduating from high school has put me through a roller coaster of emotions. Even if they could deal with the claustrophobic conditions, air and artillery support had not prepared them for the type of old-fashioned combat that relied on savage behavior, individual strength, guts, and cunningness. After his service in Vietnam, Richard Flaherty applied for Special Forces training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. Capt. Today, the mistreatment of American POWs and the suffering they endured remains a powerful legacy of the Vietnam War. 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. The CIA? If you are squeamish or hate thinking about claustrophobic conditions, take this as a warning: gruesome facts lie ahead! The US army now sought alternate measures. Tunnel rat soldiers often used flashlights to guide the way and thus warned the enemy of their presence. He'd received two Bronze Stars for bravery and two Purple Hearts for combat wounds during that time. Later that year, he was reassigned to the 10th Special Forces Group at Fort Devens. In many ways, Yuzuk became Flahertys friend. Tragically, he was killed in a hit and run during the early hours of May 9, 2015. I didnt know.. Once in, he was able to qualify both for Special Forces training and for Officer Candidate School (OCS). [But] They were the ones you never killed. The Vietnam War was the longest military battle in the history of the United States. He was later reassigned to the 10th Special Forces Group at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. Flaherty would be considered a dwarf in medical terms, meaning that his height was less than 4 10.. All of that ends when hes arrested for possession of gun silencers. A cemetery employee said the appropriate relatives have been contacted and a marker has been ordered and is expected to be set in place early next year. Flaherty, who had to obtain a waiver to join the Army during the Vietnam War because of his size, was a paratrooper and platoon leader with the 101st and received a Silver Star for leading his platoon on a flanking assault of an enemy bunker. Capt. 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. There is an average of five names per line. You just backed out and told them up above the tunnel was cold.. He enlisted that same year, finishing basic training, qualifying for Officer Candidate School, and deploying to Vietnam as a second lieutenant. This way, they smelled the same as the GIs and the dogs became unable to locate the enemy. It's an exclusive offer for our viewers! You have permission to edit this article. [5] Fifteen years before Flaherty's death, he was befriended by Miami Police officer David Yuzuk after Flaherty became homeless. He had been the victim of a hit-and-run car accident. Later he's assigned to command Recon's Echo Platoon. The 'Hanoi Hilton' Is No Trump Hotel. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. However, only about 20 percent of those served in generally recognized 'combat' roles. . Generally, while underground tunnel rat soldiers employed a shoot first, ask questions later method. An Army Infantryman (MOS 11B) currently has the shortest amount of time in AIT at four weeks. It was a horrendous ordeal to face and brought even the toughest of men to tears. The bombs caused earthquakes that destroyed the tunnels and their ventilation shafts. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Once the Viet Cong caught on to what was happening, they began to use the same soap the Americans used. Looking for Irish book recommendations or to meet with others who share your love for Irish literature? Similarly, Operation Ceder Falls attempts to uncover and destroy the tunnel system. Capt. 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. Lauri Trni (Larry Thorne) in his three military uniforms. Already well-adapted to subterranean life, many insects and animals of the Vietnamese jungle found the underground tunnels to be a worthy living environment. Growing up, Flaherty was sensitive about his height (4'9"), therefore he tried to achieve the best physical fitness and learned martial arts. He returned to Vietnam in 1969 and was stationed there until 1971. The healthy soldier/worker effect gradually subdued over time. Short in size he might have been, but short in courage he wasnt. But due to the Vietnam draft they would have likely taken him anyway if that was his only disqualifier from serving. John Zander in Chu Lai, Vietnam in 1965. 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. The incompatibilities in the blood caused hormonal imbalances and stunted his growth. As you may have guessed, life expectancy was low. Got the VC screaming "we said no Oddjob! Flaherty was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant after attending Infantry Officer Candidate School on 31 August 1967. Due to his small stature (he was just 4feet 9inches (1.45m) tall), he was known as "The Giant Killer". Next, the Viet Cong would dig a pit and jam the punji stakes upright in it. Pararescue. This is similar to the selection effect of underwriting requirement provision in the insurance industries. U.S. Air Force pararescuemen and a simulated 'survivor' watch as an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter comes in for a landing. What it also doesn't mention in the video is how absolutely ruthless this dude was. 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 Two inches thick, each plank . He met Flaherty as a homeless man in 2000. Flaherty began to open up and talk to Yuzuk about his life only a few weeks before his tragic and lonely death as a hit-and-run victim last May. In Britain, during the Nap. David Yuzuk directed, co-produced and co-wrote a biographical documentary film about the life of Flaherty, The Giant Killer, which was released in 2017. He was discharged in October 1971 as a Captain. Retired, David enjoys writing, walking on hikes, and spending time with his dog Simon. More from us: Phil Bucklew: The Father of US Naval Special Warfare. T he man in the picture keeps his eyes to the ground. Be Proactive. 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. When Flaherty was born, hed been deprived of oxygen, due to a rare blood condition his mother had, which stunted his growth. Team Mighty. Like Liked by 1 person He eraned the Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars, and 2 Purple Hearts -smallestsoldier.com . 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