The Rock Apes of Vietnam: Global Bigfoot

The Mystery of Vietnam’s Rock Apes: A Frightening Encounter and a Cryptid Legend

From Global Bigfoot: The Vietnam War was a time of immense fear and hardship for soldiers on all sides. But for Marine Jackie Moore, one encounter in 1968 stands out as the most frightening moment of his deployment. Amidst the chaos of a war that claimed 40% of American casualties that year, Jackie found himself face-to-face not with an enemy soldier but something far more mysterious—a creature known to soldiers as a "rock ape."

Jackie, stationed on point in an ambush, was bracing for an intense battle when rocks began striking him from behind. His instincts, honed for survival, took over as he swung around with his rifle ready, expecting an enemy combatant. Instead, he found himself staring at what he later described as a 5 to 5 ½-foot tall, black creature with an ape-like face.

This was no ordinary animal. Vietnam has no native apes, a fact Jackie himself only learned later. What he encountered that day remains part of the enduring mystery of the “rock apes,” creatures that soldiers claimed to encounter frequently during the war.

The Rock Ape Legend

The term “rock ape” became a part of Vietnam War lore, with countless veterans recounting their own chilling encounters or those of their comrades. These creatures, described as ape-like and highly elusive, were said to roam the jungles, often throwing rocks at soldiers or making strange, unsettling noises.

Jackie’s story, told many times to family members over the years, is one of countless similar accounts. Veterans recalled figures darting swiftly through the trees, movements too agile and erratic to be attributed to humans. In some cases, soldiers described being attacked—rocks hurled from the darkness or strange screams piercing the night.

One of Jackie’s comrades even earned the nickname "Rock Ape" for his solid, ape-like build, further cementing the creature’s legend in the lore of war stories.

Cryptids or Misidentified Animals?

Rock ape stories intrigue cryptozoologists and skeptics alike. Despite the frequent sightings, rock apes have never been formally recognized by science. They are categorized as cryptids—creatures whose existence is rumored but unproven.

Vietnam’s dense jungles, however, have revealed many previously unknown species over the years, lending some credibility to the idea that rock apes might be a yet-undiscovered primate. The region’s biodiversity has surprised scientists before, with discoveries like the saola, an elusive antelope-like animal found in 1992. Could rock apes be another such discovery waiting to happen?

War Stories and the Search for Answers

For Jackie and others who encountered these mysterious creatures, the rock apes were a brief distraction from the horrors of war. While terrifying at the moment, spotting one brought relief when it turned out not to be an enemy soldier.

Stories like Jackie’s have become an enduring part of Vietnam War lore, fueling speculation and curiosity. Were these encounters hallucinations brought on by the stress of war? Misidentified known animals? Or could rock apes truly exist, hidden deep within Vietnam’s jungles?

Share Your Stories

The mystery of Vietnam’s rock apes remains unsolved, but the accounts of soldiers like Jackie Moore continue to captivate those interested in the unexplained. Were you a soldier during the Vietnam War? Did you encounter or hear stories of rock apes?

We’re investigating this fascinating phenomenon and want to hear from you. Share your stories or insights by emailing us at globalbigfoot@gmail.com

The enigma of the rock apes is just one of the mysteries we explore at Global Bigfoot. Stay tuned as we dive deeper into the unexplained and uncover the stories that lie beyond the ordinary.