User:Bad Motherfucker/Jangles (chimpanzee)

Jangles
Jangles pictured during the Battle of Hue
Born	Unknown
Died	April 30, 1975 Saigon, South Vietnam
Buried	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	United States Army
Years of service	1968–1975
Rank	Corporal Sergeant (posthumously)
Unit	101st Airborne Division 5th Special Forces Group
Battles / wars	Vietnam War Tet Offensive Battle of Huế Battle of Ben Het Cambodian campaign Operation Tame the West (WIA) Operation Apache Snow Battle of Hamburger Hill (WIA) 1975 spring offensive Fall of Saigon (KIA)
Awards	Medal of Honor Silver Star Soldier's Medal Bronze Star Purple Heart (2x)

Jangles was a United States soldier and chimpanzee in the Vietnam War. Jangles was found outside of the city of Saigon in late 1967, assumed to have escaped his enclosure at the Saigon Zoo. Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division took Jangles and cared for him. Eventually, their company commander jokingly sent Jangles off to the United States Army Airborne School, where he passed at the top of his class. Jangles then served as an infantryman with the 101st Airborne Division, and briefly with the 5th Special Forces Group, earning the Special Forces tab. He fought in numerous battles during the Vietnam War.

Jangles was killed in action during the Fall of Saigon, when he attempted to toss away an enemy grenade that had landed near him and other service members. After the city fell, North Vietnamese troops paraded his corpse throughout Saigon and celebrated their victory.

Military career

Jangles was found on the outskirts of Saigon, and was cared for by soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division. Jangles was loved by the unit and significantly boosted morale. He was issued a rifle and learned to use it, but not very well. Jangles was involved in a friendly fire incident after he accidentally discharged his M16 rifle in the barracks, shooting his platoon sergeant in the foot. However, Jangles proved to be very effective at throwing hand grenades. He would throw them with pin-point accuracy and speed.

One day, his company commander jokingly sent a request to send Jangles to the United States Army Airborne School. The request was accepted, much to his shock. The commander had forgot to mention that Jangles was a chimpanzee, and not a regular soldier. Jangles arrived at airborne school and began training. Despite being a chimpanzee, the higher-ups at the airborne school let Jangles continue the school. Jangles did surprisingly well during his airborne training, graduating at the top of his class.

After airborne school, Jangles was sent back to the 101st Airborne Division and deployed to Vietnam in January 1968. Within a week of arriving, Jangles fought in the Battle of Hue, the bloodiest battle of the Vietnam War. Jangles distinguished himself during this battle, earning a Bronze Star. Jangles helped carry wounded soldiers to safety, bring ammo and supplies to the frontline, and load wounded soldiers on helicopters for medevacs, where he would stay in the helicopter and help stabilize soldiers. During the battle, Jangles had made his own personal living quarters, which was a small circle of sandbags where he would sleep and eat. He would invite other soldiers to eat with him and enjoyed spending time with soldiers. He was particularly fond of being read books and stories. When he visibly saw a soldier distressed, Jangles would try to comfort them.

After the Battle of Hue, Jangles was temporarily transferred to the 5th Special Forces Group via special request. With the 5th Special Forces Group, Jangles took part in the only tank battle between the United States and North Vietnam in the war, known as the Battle of Ben Het. His actions during the battle earned him the Silver Star, and he would sometimes wear a little tanker cap which looked adorable on him.

Fragging incident

Jangles was transferred back to the 101st Airborne Division after the battle. When him and his platoon were assigned a new platoon leader, they immediately disliked him. The new lieutenant would berate Jangles and would ignore the other soldiers. Jangles occasionally tossed his own shit at the lieutenant, much to his chagrin. After one shit-throwing incident that splattered all over the lieutenants food, he stood up and pointed a rifle at Jangles, threatening to kill them. After being calmed down by the platoon sergeant, the lieutenant stormed off. Later that night, Jangles practiced the fine art of fragging. While the lieutenant was showering, Jangles rolled a grenade underneath the stall door, instantly killing him. Jangles was never apprehended or court-martialed for his actions.

Friendly fire incident

On a Saturday night, several soldiers were hanging out with Jangles, giving him bananas and beer while watching him do tricks. One of the soldiers suggested they should give him an M60 machine gun and see what would happen. They ran off, grabbed an M60 from the armory, put an ammo belt in it, and gave it to Jangles. Jangles immediately began firing it off, spraying bullets everywhere. The soldiers ran off, and an inebriated Jangles had possession of a machine gun. Jangles was running around continuously firing the M60 off while loudly doing the classic chimpanzee hoots and screams. The company commander stepped outside to see what was going on, and was shot in the leg by Jangles. Multiple soldiers began tossing tear gas in an attempt to discombobulate him, but this only made it worse. Two soldiers who threw the tear gas were shot by the machine gun wielding chimp. Eventually, the machine gun ran out of ammo and his act of terror had concluded. Instead of a severe punishment, all of the soldiers, including the higher ranking officers found the incident humorous and awarded Jangles the Army Commendation Medal.

Jangles visited the two soldiers and his commander in the field hospital, and gave them kisses on the forehead.

Cambodian expedition failure

Jangles and his platoon were sent on a highly classified mission into Cambodia. While flying to the landing zone, Jangles' helicopter crashed. Jangles selflessly went back into the wreckage and pulled all of the soldiers out of the helicopter, saving two of their lives and allowing the bodies of the deceased to be recovered. For his heroic actions while not involved in active conflict with the enemy, Jangles was awarded the Soldier's Medal.

Missing in action

After dragging the soldiers to a nearby riverbank and using a smoke grenade to signal a medevac, Jangles went behind the wrecked helicopter, where gunshots, explosions, and chimp screams were heard. Despite a search, Jangles could not be located.

Jangles was missing in action for three days until he showed back up at the Battle of Hamburger Hill, where he earned the a Bronze Star with a "V" device for valor. It is unknown what happened during the three days Jangles was missing in action.

Jangles pictured after the Battle of Hamburger Hill

Prisoner of war

During the Battle of Hamburger Hill, Jangles was taken as a prisoner of war, and was sent to Hoa Lo Prison in Hanoi, North Vietnam. He spent three years here, before starting a revolt and escaping back into South Vietnam to continue fighting.

Capture

On the last day of the Battle of Hamburger Hill, Jangles used himself as a distraction so the rest of his unit could push up the hill and completely take it over. Armed with hand grenades, Jangles took a long route behind the enemy and started throwing hand grenades and fecal matter at NVA troops. In the process, Jangles was shot and taken prisoner by the NVA troops, who then started retreating. He was sent to Hoa Lo Prison, also known as "Hanoi Hilton". Jangles remained here for three years, unsuccessfully attempting to escape multiple times.

Unsuccessful escape attempts

In the first month of being a prisoner of war, Jangles simply tried to walk right out of the prison, but was beaten senselessly by the guards who spotted him in an unauthorized area. Over the next week, Jangles saved up his fecal matter to throw at the guards and make a run for it. He successfully blinded three guards before running out of chimp shit. Jangles was thrown in solitary confinement for a month, and also beaten senselessly.

While in solitary confinement, Jangles tried to dig his way out using a spoon he stole from his dinners. When this proved to be ineffective, Jangles ate the spoon in frustration, which resulted in him being sent to the infirmary. Jangles then tries to escape by sneaking off in the night and trying to steal an ambulance. Jangles is almost successful, but he crashes the ambulance into a wall since he does not know how to drive.

After about a year, Jangles is allowed out of solitary confinement. His first day out of solitary confinement, Jangles is following a guard that was escorting him to the cafeteria, when he noticed an open window and jumped out of it, landing in a bush. He runs off and tries to climb a gate, but gets caught in barbed wire and shot in the arm. He is beaten senselessly and thrown back into solitary confinement.

Escape

After two years of good behavior and no escape attempts, Jangles finally escapes in a spur of the moment plan.

While Jangles and a group of prisoners were being escorted to their cells, Jangles lunges at a prison guard and mauls his face off. As the prisoners look on in horror, Jangles points to the guard's weapon. One of the prisoners picks it up and they begin their revolt. They come across two armed guards, who are then shot. After grabbing enough weapons to defend themselves, they run to the warden's office.

Battle of Hanoi Hilton

After they reach the warden's office, they hold him hostage. Jangles is given an AK47 and commits yet another negligent discharge, as when he is handed the rifle, he accidentally shoots the warden in the foot. Negotiations are held between the prisoners and the prison guards. The prisoners receive medical supplies to treat the warden.

After a few more negotiation attempts, the prisoners start violently fighting their way out of the prison. Jangles grabs a piece of cloth nearby and steals a bottle of whiskey from the warden's desk, and makes a molotov. After they have left the main building, Jangles tosses the molotov into it, and sets it ablaze, as well as the prison warden. Jangles and the other prisoners run as fast as they can. Jangles is split off from the group after machine gun fire and is forced to run into the jungle, where he finds himself on a riverbank.

Captured by pirates and ransom

While Jangles is at the riverbank, Jangles is recognized by a group of fishermen, who allow him to travel with them. After a week of travelling with them, they are attacked by Vietnamese pirates and Jangles is kidnapped by the pirates. However, they also recognize Jangles and they ransom him off to the United States Army.

Final years

By the time Jangles is ransomed off, the year is 1973 and the United States have entirely left Vietnam. Jangles is sent to a rehabilitation clinic in Fort Campbell, Kentucky and is reassigned back to the 101st Airborne Division.

For the next couple years, Jangles is paraded around in the United States and is considered a national hero.

The Dick Cavett Show incident

When on an episode of The Dick Cavett Show, Jangles became increasingly hostile throughout the episode, and threw fecal matter into the face of Dick Cavett, and started mauling him. Brutally. Jangles had to be pepper sprayed in order to stop the mauling. It was later revealed that Dick Cavett had tried to molest Jangles backstage before the show, resulting in Jangles' outburst.

Fall of Saigon and death

After the talk show incident, Jangles volunteered for Operation Frequent Wind. Jangles was sent to the city of Saigon, where he was originally found. While guarding the building at 22 Gia Long Street, Jangles and a few other soldiers and Marines came under enemy fire. In the ensuing fire fight, Jangles paid the ultimate sacrifice when he attempted to throw an enemy grenade away from himself and the soldiers. As he was throwing it, the grenade exploding, instantly killing him. Due to the overwhelming number of enemy troops, Jangles' corpse was left behind and after the Saigon fell, his body was paraded throughout the streets and burnt in front of the United States embassy.

Awards and decorations

Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:

Corporal Jangles distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy force in the city of Saigon, South Vietnam, on April 30, 1975. As an infantryman of the 101st Airborne Divison, Corporal Jangles was assigned to support Operation Frequent Wind. While guarding the building on 22 Gia Long Street, Corporal Jangles and several other soldiers came under enemy fire. Corporal Jangles was immediately shot twice: once in the thigh, and once in the stomach. Despite his wounds, Corporal Jangles ran to cover. He then engaged the enemy with a hand grenade, providing suppression as another soldier moved to his position. The enemy quickly responded by maneuvering closer and throwing grenades. The first enemy grenade explosion knocked his two fellow soldiers to the ground and wounded both with shrapnel. Corporal Jangles threw another grenade, killing three NVA soldiers. A second enemy grenade was thrown over the wall, and landed only a few feet away from them. Instantly realizing the danger, Corporal Jangles, unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his safety, deliberately and selflessly moved forward, picked up the grenade, and in an effort to clear the immediate threat, threw the grenade away from his fellow soldiers. As he was releasing the grenade; it detonated, instantly killing him. Although picking up and throwing the live grenade fatally wounded Corporal Jangles, his gallant act undeniably saved his fellow soldiers from being severely wounded or killed. Corporal Jangles' extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service, and reflect great credit upon himself, 101st Airborne Division, and the United States Army.

Silver Star citation

Corporal Jangles distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity in action with an armed enemy force in Ben Het Special Forces Camp, Kon Tum Province, South Vietnam, on the 3rd and 4th day of March, 1969. While sleeping in his bunk, North Vietnamese armored troops attacked Ben Het Special Forces Camp. Corporal Jangles immediately sprung into action, and rushed to a nearby M48 Patton tank. Corporal Jangles supported the tank crew by loading, unloading, and firing off rounds. Corporal Jangles and his crew held off the NVA assault for over three hours, until his tank was directly hit by a round fired by an enemy tank. Corporal Jangles was uninjured after the blast, however he noticed the two other men in his crew were wounded. Disregarding his own safety, he dragged each soldier out of the tank and into a medical tent one by one, undoubtedly saving their lives. While running towards another M48 Patton, Corporal Jangles noticed a group of four NVA soldiers in the tree line. Corporal Jangles engaged the enemy with hand grenades, killing all four of them. After finally reaching the tank, he noticed a wounded soldier laying next to it. Corporal Jangles immediately dragged the soldier to a medical tent. He ran back to the tank and climbed in, helping the short-staffed crew successfully push back the last remaining NVA troops, destroying two enemy tanks and killing numerous enemy infantry. Corporal Jangles' extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service, and reflect great credit upon himself, 5th Special Forces Group, and the United States Army.

Soldier's Medal citation

Corporal Jangles distinguished himself by exemplary heroism not involving actual conflict with an armed enemy in Se San, Cambodia, while serving as an infantryman of the 101st Airborne Division. On that day, Corporal Jangles and his squad were being transported via helicopter to Se San, Cambodia, to support Operation Tame the West. While a few miles out from the landing zone, the helicopter suffered a severe malfunction and crashed near the Se San River in Cambodia. Corporal Jangles freed himself from the mangled and burning helicopter. Despite suffering lacerations and burn wounds on his body and legs, and with exemplary selflessness and total disregard for his own safety, Corporal Jangles dragged each soldier out of the burning helicopter, and to a nearby riverbank to await a medevac. Corporal Jangles' heroic actions saved the lives of two soldiers, and allowed the bodies of the deceased to be recovered. Corporal Jangles' extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service, and reflect great credit upon himself, 101st Airborne Division, and the United States Army.

See also

• Vietnam War
• We Were Soldiers