When serving during the Vietnam War, many of us were unaware of the real names of our fellow soldiers in the bush; the exception being those extremely close to us. Our fatigues were severely worn and without unit patches, rank and name tags – no identities. Nicknames were easier to remember so that was how we referred to one another; some names were scribed with magic markers on helmet covers to let others know. Soldiers had arrived in country with existing nicknames – either having the moniker since childhood or inherited one in basic training. Those without, were quickly dubbed by their peers, using their looks, stature, home state, last name and occupation before the service as possible criteria to consider. These names stayed with us during our entire tour – and for some of us – ever since.
This is how we knew one another. Unfortunately, this practice caused problems for many of us later in life when trying to locate old friends and/or identifying lost brothers on the Vietnam Memorial Wall. Many vets were successful in their search…others are still trying to find them.
This is a list of nicknames that I’ve compiled from memory. I know it’s not all-inclusive and I’m looking to add to it. If your nickname is not mentioned, please let me know and I’ll make the changes. I’m not certain if call signs are appropriate for this list unless it’s the only alternative name you were known by at the time. Looking forward to your feedback…thank you in advance…Welcome Home to all!
Ace
Aftershock
Alphabet
Alpine
Asshole
Babe
Baby Huey
Bahstin
Baldy
Bam-Bam
Bama
Batman
BB
Bear
Beetle
Big Al
Big Daddy
Big Ears
Bigfoot
Bird Man
Bizo
BJ
Blondie
Blood
Blue
Bonzo
Boom-Boom
Bowser
Bozo
Brother Man
Buck
Bud
Buddah
Bug
Bugs
Bull
Bunny
Butch
Calico
Cap
Cat
Charlie Brown
Charlie Sierra
Cherry
Chief
Chink
Click
Cool Hand Luke
Cotton Top
Country
Cowboy
Deadeye
Dero
Dewey
Dizzy
Doc
Dock
Dog Boodie
Doo Rag
Duser
Dutch
Fearless Freddy
Fish
FNG
Fragman
Fred
Freddy
Frenchie
Frisco Kid
Frog
Fuge
Fuzzy
GI
Ghost
Gomer
Grasshopper
Green Mountain
Grits
Grumpy
Grunt
Guns
Ham
Hammer
Hardcore 54
Hawk
Hawkeye
Head
Hero
Hick
Higgi
High Pockets
Hillbilly
Hippie
Hippy
Hobo
Hollywood
Hound Dog
Huey
Indiana Brown
Irish
Jammer
Jock
Joe Shit
Joker
Jumbo
Junior
Kid
Killer
Killer Niner
Krazy Ken
Lifer
Little Brother
LT
Lucky
Lurch
Mack
Mad Dog
Mad Mike
Magoo
Maggot
Magnet Ass
Monday
Monk
Monster
Moon
Moose
Mop
Mouse
Muleagain
Old Man
Ollie
Outlaw
Pa
Pal
Papa
Peckerhead
Pigpen
Pill
Pineapple
Polack
Polecat
Pops
Preacher
Precious
Professor
Radar
Rat
Rebel
Red
Road Dawg
Rock Ape
Rock Star
Rubber Duckie
Sandy
Scooby
Scout
Sgt. Marty
Sgt. Bird Shit
Sgt. Bull
Sir James
Shit Head
Short Round
Shorty
Sixpack
Ski
Skippy
Smiley
Smitty
Smoke
Snake
Snag
Snoopy
Spanky
Sparky
Speed
Spider
Spiderman
Spooky
Stake
Stack
Stoner
Stoney
Stube
Stud
Sunshine
Sully
Super Jew
Superman
Surfin’ Lou
Swede
Sweden
Tack
TC
Tennessee
Tex
Thor
Tick
Tiger
Tiny
Too Tall
Top
Trail Spike 23
Trung Si Ski
Radar
Vulture
Whore
Wild Bill
Wild man
Wizard
Wop
Note: All new entries added since publication are in italics.
Did I miss yours? Please list it below under comments.
If you enjoyed this article and want to learn more about the Vietnam War – subscribe to this blog and get each new post delivered to your email or feed reader. A directory to the right of each article, lists my published posts in chronological – links are live – click and read. If you’d rather sample every post by scrolling through the many pages, then click on the Cherries title at the top of this page and be redirected to the blog’s main page…most recent posts are first – a navigation bar at the bottom helps move between pages.
I am trying to determine my website audience – before leaving, would you please click HERE then choose the one item best describing you. Thank you in advance!
Tagged: book sites, books war, cherry soldier, combat, Combat Infantry, digital books, firefights, Grunts, Hispanic, Historical fiction, jungle warfare, Military, novels, Strength and honor, The vietnam war, The Vietnam war story, Veteran