Manchu: A Brotherhood of Sacrifice is a new documentary film that chronicles the Vietnam War through the eyes of the U.S. Army’s 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division – a unit nicknamed the “Manchus.” The film, directed by Matt Wilcox, is scheduled to premiere on KMOS-PBS on April 29, marking 50 years since the war’s end​. It recounts the story of the Manchus in Vietnam and pays tribute to all who served and tracks harrowing experiences of combat and the enduring bonds formed between soldiers.

The documentary’s narrative follows the journey of the “Manchus” from their arrival in Vietnam on April 29, 1966 to the challenges they faced on the battlefield. The 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment landed at Vũng Tàu in 1966 and joined the 25th Infantry “Tropic Lightning” Division at Củ Chi Base Camp near Saigon​. The unit’s rich history dates back to 1799, and in Vietnam it quickly became immersed in intense combat. By late 1968, just before Thanksgiving, the Manchus endured a devastating battle that left 18 Manchu soldiers and 6 helicopter crew members dead, with over fifty wounded​. One of those wounded was Missouri soldier David Hosenfelt, who eventually returned to duty despite his injuries​.

Fellow Missourian Stan Adams arrived as part of the unit’s replacement troops after that battle​. Although both men served in the same battalion, they did not actually meet during the war – they finally connected years later back home in Fulton, Missouri​. This poignant detail underscores the film’s emphasis on brotherhood: even decades later, the shared experience of war forged a bond among veterans that time and distance could not diminish. The film also recounts how the Manchus built and defended an underground patrol base known as “Mole City” near the Cambodian border​ exemplifying the unit’s resilience and tenacity in the face of relentless enemy pressure.

The creation of Manchu: A Brotherhood of Sacrifice is itself an inspiring story of dedication and collaboration. The project began as a passion piece by filmmaker Matt Wilcox when he was still a high school student with a keen interest in history​. Wilcox’s shop class teacher, Steve Knowlton – a Vietnam veteran who served with the Manchus – became the first interviewee, sparking the initial concept for the film​. Years later, Wilcox revisited the idea and expanded it significantly. He partnered with Stan Adams, one of the featured veterans and author of the memoir Mokane to Mole City, A Manchu Vietnam Memoir and Adams’s wife, Rita, to develop the documentary​. Together, they organized interviews with scores of veterans from Missouri and beyond, conducting extensive research to capture accurate details of the Manchus’ experiences​. The finished film features on-camera stories from over a dozen Vietnam War veterans, whose personal accounts form the emotional core of the narrative​.

In May 2024, the documentary was previewed at a red-carpet screening event held at William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri, drawing over 400 attendees​. Many of the veterans featured in the film, including those from Callaway County, were honored during the event. The city of Fulton used the occasion to pay tribute to all local Vietnam veterans and specifically recognized the 428 Manchus who lost their lives in the war​.

While the documentary centers on the Vietnam War, it also provides context about the larger history of the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment. Known as the “Manchus,” this unit’s lineage stretches back to the 18th century​, and it earned its nickname from a storied past (long before Vietnam, the regiment served in 19th-century China, inspiring the moniker). In Vietnam, the Manchus became part of the 25th Infantry Division and were involved in pivotal operations during the late 1960s. Their legacy is marked by valor and heavy sacrifice – in addition to the 428 Manchus killed in action, countless others were wounded, and many received commendations for bravery. The documentary illuminates this legacy by weaving historical footage and background information with personal recollections.

Ultimately, Manchu: A Brotherhood of Sacrifice is a powerful tribute to a group of ordinary Americans thrust into extraordinary circumstances. It reminds viewers of the courage it takes to endure war and the unbreakable brotherhood that arises from shared hardship. This documentary not only commemorates a specific Army unit’s contributions during the Vietnam War, but also resonates as a timeless story of honor, loyalty, and the enduring human capacity to overcome adversity together.