Veteran Spotlight: Barry Funfar

Wayne Soares — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 08:19:10 -0400

I have been so privileged to meet such outstanding people since writing my Veterans Spotlight column and this week is certainly an exception. An honor to feature Barry Funfar. Although his intense humility would prohibit him from admitting it, he is a true American Hero. Mr. Funfar served his country in the United States Marine Corps. from 1966 – 1970, (including 19 months during the Vietnam War), retiring as a Sergeant. He would fly an amazing (127) missions as a Door Gunner on the classic Huey Helicopter. Growing up in Lidgerwood, ND Sergeant Funfar speaks with immense pride when talking about his humble beginnings and family. “I grew up on a farm….was a farm boy…..worked (10) hour days with no O.T. and got $3.00…..left and went to The University of North Dakota….worked at The Student Union for 90 cents an hour….had (4) brothers and we all did well…..I always tried to be a good example to my brothers….guess you could say we were an American success story” he recalled.

He was sent to basic training at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, CA and received his first assignment as a member of the VMO – 2 Marine Corps. Air Wing at Marble Mountain Air Facility, about 3 miles from Da Nang. “It was a hot base....we got mortared and shot at constantly…..was there from February ’68 – October ‘69” he recalled. He continued, “Initially, I was in charge of the Vietnamese people. They were reinforcing our bunkers…..had a tremendous amount of respect for them” he said. I asked Sergeant Funfar about the holidays; “Christmas, 1968, I volunteered to work….another work day for me….we were trained to do a job and we did it……I do remember, Bob Hope came in and did a huge show for us…..never forget it….they had speakers set up…..the applause, the laughter was unbelievable….could hear it way off in the distance…..never forget that…..I have always had the greatest respect for Bob Hope” he remembered. When I asked him if he was ever afraid, Sergeant Funfar responded, “I really don’t remember being afraid….the adrenaline takes over…..you do what you’re trained to do…..I loved to fly….the landscape of Vietnam, despite the napalm and bomb craters, was really gorgeous…..but when you have 51-caliber shells coming at you the size of footballs….well that’s when reality sets in (over 12,000 helicopters got shot down during the Vietnam War). He continued. “We did a variety of missions, night flying, extractions, Medivac, guys would tell us they just loved seeing us come and get them…had real empathy for the “ground pounders”, the “guys on the ground.

Ya know, the life expectancy of a Door Gunner in combat was (5) minutes. There was always a lot of talk about drugs & alcohol in Vietnam…..we didn’t have drugs in my unit….Marines couldn’t even have hard liquor….if you were on flight, no way you could be on drugs….I played chess a lot in the off hours…..read a great deal, even played hand ball……had to be ready at all times” he remembered. When asked of a mentor Sergeant Funfar didn’t hesitate one second and said, “Gunnery Sergeant Black….great mentor….think of him often…..always tried to dissuade me from flying.”

Thoughts on his service? “I would do it again, and again…..I was very proud of the job I did…when I was discharged, they flew us into San Francisco…..told us not to wear our uniforms….that was so devastating….simply devastating” he recalled. Sergeant Funfar conveyed that he suffers from extreme PTSD. “When I came home….all the protests, insults…..that hurt me more than combat….was filled with anger and depression…..I was one of those that came home and didn’t say a word to anyone…..bringing back memories took a lot of time….lots of pain, lots of sessions……I’ve gone back to Vietnam for therapy several times…..the war NEVER goes away…..those of us that were in war (he paused, emotionally) it never leaves. My interview was time, extremely well spent and I am so grateful. Sergeant Barry Funfar, thank you for your service to our great country and welcome home.

Response by LTC Tom Jones made Aug 31 at 2021 8:43 AM

LTC Tom Jones — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 08:43:21 -0400

A lot to identify with here. Thanks for sharing.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Aug 31 at 2021 9:59 AM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 09:59:32 -0400

Door gunner...that takes courage in spades!

Response by SSG Samuel Kermon made Aug 31 at 2021 10:20 AM

SSG Samuel Kermon — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 10:20:58 -0400

Thank you for his story. OohRah, Sgt Funfar. Thank you for your dedication and service.

Response by PO3 Rick Lewis made Aug 31 at 2021 10:39 AM

PO3 Rick Lewis — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 10:39:01 -0400

Coming home was hard but being able to share with fellow comrades in arms is what made it so much easier. Thanks for sharing Sarg.

Response by MSG Kevin Elliott made Aug 31 at 2021 10:53 AM

MSG Kevin Elliott — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 10:53:58 -0400

Another American hero, who was "just doing his job." Great share!

Response by SPC Lyle Montgomery made Aug 31 at 2021 11:43 AM

SPC Lyle Montgomery — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 11:43:56 -0400

Great article. I was an Army grunt in 1970 in viet nam and carried a m60 the whole time so I can relate to lots of what you are saying. Although I was in the Army I have a great deal of respect for the Marine Corps.We were both grunts and did the same crappy job

Response by SPC Joseph Kopac made Aug 31 at 2021 12:28 PM

SPC Joseph Kopac — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 12:28:32 -0400

A squad mate of mine volunteered to be a door gunner. Extreme PTSD. Said the clicking sound when you turn your car off reminded him of rounds hitting his bird. He recently passed. Rest In Peace Morrie.

Response by SSG Richard (Rick) Dana made Aug 31 at 2021 12:42 PM

SSG Richard (Rick) Dana — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 12:42:25 -0400

Great story, thanks for sharing.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Aug 31 at 2021 1:45 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 13:45:04 -0400

In the Army door gunner was a TDY duty. People would volunteer from their regular job and do it for 15 days. It wasn't considered very dangerous

Response by GySgt Edward Reagle made Aug 31 at 2021 6:31 PM

GySgt Edward Reagle — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 18:31:47 -0400

Welcome Home Sgt Barry Funfar from a grateful Marine after you and thank you for securing my freedom. Door gunners dang I would not envy that job but it is an important job.

Semper Fi
GySgt USMC Retired

Response by SPC Jim M. made Aug 31 at 2021 9:17 PM

SPC Jim M. — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 21:17:18 -0400

Thanks for a damn fine job, Sgt. Funfar.

Response by LTC David Brown made Sep 1 at 2021 3:31 AM

LTC David Brown — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 03:31:37 -0400

Thank you for a great share!

Response by SSgt Christopher Spaulding made Sep 1 at 2021 9:15 AM

SSgt Christopher Spaulding — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 09:15:13 -0400

Thank you for this story, and thank you for your service Sgt.Funfar. You really are a hero.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Sep 1 at 2021 7:53 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 19:53:49 -0400

I was the Exec O of 167 post VN and they provided me with cover in country. A good unit. Coincidentally, the only crewman I had wounded during my year was one of my gunners. They loved to shoot. One gunner in my unit caught a 51 cal in the chest. Fortunately, he wasn't strapped in and the bullet bouncer kept the round from fully penetrating, but it did throw him all the way across the cabin. Carried a small wound where the point of the round did penetrate and a bruise covering his chest where the bullet bouncer was driven against him.

Response by 1st Lt Padre Dave Poedel made Sep 2 at 2021 2:39 PM

1st Lt Padre Dave Poedel — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 14:39:28 -0400

Door gunners had slightly less life expectancy than Fleet Marine Hospital Corpsman did about that time, or so I was told (as I changed my enlistment -plans from Navy to Air Force).