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Vietnam Vets Denny Kula and Bob Ogden

Episode 3411 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about what two Sarasota Vietnam Veterans had to say about their recent Honor Flight. The featured story appeared on the WWSB website and was titled: Heroes Among Us: Vietnam veterans reflect on sacrifice, survival and long-awaited recognition during Honor Flight. It was submitted by Ellie Davis.

Davis reported that More than 50 years after the Vietnam War, two American heroes, Denny Kula and Bob Ogden, experienced an unforgettable journey to Washington, D.C., with Southwest Florida Honor Flight’s 25th mission. Their visit was about much more than seeing the nation’s memorials. It was an opportunity to honor fallen comrades, remember the sacrifices of America’s Vietnam Veterans, and finally receive some of the appreciation they deserved.

For Army veteran Denny Kula, the trip carried a deeply personal meaning. Wounded in Vietnam in February 1970, Kula was removed from the field. A 20-year-old soldier named Galen Ludwig took his place as an armored personnel carrier driver. Just two months later, Ludwig was killed in action. For more than five decades, Kula carried the memory of this young soldier. Standing before the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, he finally located Ludwig’s name and made a rubbing with help from his Honor Flight guardian. It was a heartfelt tribute to a young American who gave his life defending his country.

Navy veteran Bob Ogden also experienced a long-awaited homecoming of sorts. After four years of service and two Western Pacific deployments off Vietnam, he remembered returning to America when many Vietnam Veterans were reluctant to wear their uniforms or discuss their military service. Some veterans suffered insults and mistreatment instead of the welcome they deserved.

More than half a century later, the Honor Flight gave Ogden an opportunity to experience the gratitude and recognition that so many Vietnam veterans were denied.

Both men shared a powerful message: Freedom comes at a tremendous cost, and those who never returned must never be forgotten.

Their journey reminds us that ALL Vietnam Veterans are American heroes. They answered their nation’s call, endured the hardships of war, and made sacrifices that deserve everlasting respect.

Our Vietnam Veterans are as great as any generation that ever answered the call of duty. Their courage, patriotism, and sacrifice must never be forgotten!

Listen to episode 3411 and discover more about what two Sarasota Vietnam Veterans had to say about their recent Honor Flight.

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Combat Vietnam Vet Joe Barrera.

Episode 3410 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Combat Vietnam Vet Joe Barrera. The featured story appeared on the Denver Gazette website and was titled Vietnam War memories shape Veterans Day reflections. It was submitted by Joe Barrera.

Barrera reported that Veterans Day is a time to remember the men and women who answered America’s call to duty and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who served in the Vietnam War. This powerful account comes from a combat infantryman who served in Vietnam during 1967–1968, one of the most intense periods of the war. His experiences included three major engagements: the Battle of Dak To in November 1967, the Tet Offensive of 1968, and the fierce fighting known as Mini-Tet along the Laotian-Cambodian border in May 1968.

Motivated by a desire to fight communism, he volunteered for the U.S. Army infantry and found himself fighting the professional soldiers of the North Vietnamese Army (NVA). He endured brutal combat, carrying an 80-pound rucksack through mountains, jungles, swamps, rivers, and dangerous rice paddies. His survival, as he humbly acknowledges, was largely a matter of luck.

One particularly inspiring part of his story is the contribution of Hispanic American Vietnam Veterans, including Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and other Latino soldiers. Many volunteered for combat duty, driven by patriotism and a desire to demonstrate their commitment to America. Some even hoped military service would help them earn U.S. citizenship. Regardless of their backgrounds, they fought shoulder to shoulder with Black and White Americans as brothers in arms.

This story also reminds us that America’s history must never forget the 58,000-plus Americans who died in Vietnam or the extraordinary courage of those who returned home.

The greatness of our Vietnam Veterans is found in their courage, patriotism, sacrifice, and determination. They came from different backgrounds but shared one commitment: serving their country. This Veterans Day, let us honor every Vietnam veteran, remember their fallen comrades, and ensure future generations understand the remarkable legacy of America’s Vietnam War veterans.

Listen to episode 3410 and discover more about Combat Vietnam Vet Joe Barrera telling his story.

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Ray Boomhower

Matt Delmont

Marc Leepson, Author of The Unlikely War Hero.

Episode 3409 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a discussion about the life and contributions of Wallace Terry. Andy Pham, a good friend of this podcast has brought three distinguished writers and historians to the podcast for the discussions.  They are Marc Leepson, Matt Delmont and Ray Boomhower.

Ray E. Boomhower is an Award-winning biographer. He  tells the story of a journalist who spent his life smashing barriers, from his childhood in Indiana and his Ivy League education at Brown to his reporting on the Civil Rights Movement in the Deep South in the 1960s and, finally, covering what he described as “the biggest story in the world” of his time, the Vietnam War.

Delmont, author of the book is the Sherman Fairchild Distinguished Professor of History at Dartmouth College. A Guggenheim Fellow and expert on African American history and the history of civil rights, he is the author of five books, most recently Half American: The Epic Story of African Americans Fighting World War II at Home and Abroad. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and several academic journals, and on NPR. Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Delmont earned his BA from Harvard University and his MA and PhD from Brown University.

Marc Leepson presently is a Senior Writer, Arts Editor, and columnist for the VVA Veteran, which is the magazine published by the Vietnam Veterans of America.

In the past Marc served as a staff writer the Congressional Quarterly and has written for many newspapers and magazines, including Preservation, Smithsonian, Military History, Civil War times, the Washington Post, New York Times, New York Times Book Review, the Wall Street Journal, Baltimore Sun, Chicago Triune, Dallas Morning News, New York Newsday and USA Today and for the Encyclopedia Britannica, The Encyclopedia Americana and the Dictionary of Virginia Biography.

Listen to episode 3409 and discover more about Wallace Terry.

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Buy by Phone – 800-733-3000

Episode 3408 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature the book Until the Last Gun is Silent and its author. Andy Pham, a good friend of this podcast has brought two distinguished writers to the podcast. One is the author of the book, Matt Delmont and the other is notable writer Ray Boomhower.

Matthew F. Delmont, is the Sherman Fairchild Distinguished Professor of History at Dartmouth College.

Delmont, author of the book is the Sherman Fairchild Distinguished Professor of History at Dartmouth College. A Guggenheim Fellow and expert on African American history and the history of civil rights, he is the author of five books, most recently Half American: The Epic Story of African Americans Fighting World War II at Home and Abroad. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and several academic journals, and on NPR. Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Delmont earned his BA from Harvard University and his MA and PhD from Brown University.

Ray E. Boomhower is the acclaimed author of twenty books, including biographies about some of the country’s finest war correspondents such as Ernie Pyle, Richard Tregaskis, and Malcolm W. Browne.

Ray E. Boomhower interviewed Delmont about his latest book. Boomhower is the acclaimed author of twenty books, including biographies about some of the country’s finest war correspondents such as Ernie Pyle, Richard Tregaskis, and Malcolm W. Browne.

Listen to episode 3408 and discover more about the book Until the Last Gun is Silent and its author.

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Vietnam Vet Jeff Webber

BRIAN BREHM – Writer for the Winchester Star

Episode 3407 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the Vietnam Vet Jeff Webber story of service. The featured story is titled: Shenandoah Valley to the Valley of Death: Vietnam War veteran reflects on his time in Southeast Asia.  It appeared on the Winchester Star website and was submitted by Brian Brehm.

Brehm reported that in November 1968, Jeff, a young man from Winchester, Virginia, arrived in Vietnam as a member of the legendary 101st Airborne Division, the Screaming Eagles. Drafted into the U.S. Army, he was trained as a mortar man and paratrooper before being sent into the dangerous A Shau Valley, known as the Valley of Death.

Jeff spent nearly his entire Vietnam tour patrolling some of the most dangerous territory in the war, including areas near the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail and Hamburger Hill. As a platoon member and later a Radio Telephone Operator (RTO), he faced extraordinary dangers. Carrying an 80- to 90-pound radio and equipment, he helped keep his platoon connected while enemy forces constantly threatened their lives.

On August 10, 1969, Jeff’s courage and determination were tested when a grenade explosion wounded him with shrapnel throughout his body. Despite his injuries, he called for a mortar strike and requested a medical evacuation helicopter for himself and another wounded soldier. Their rescue helicopter came under enemy fire, but both men eventually made it to safety.

After treatment aboard the USS Sanctuary and in Okinawa, Jeff recovered and returned home. He faced the difficult challenges experienced by many Vietnam Veterans, including the psychological scars of combat. Through determination, hunting, education under the GI Bill, and hard work, he rebuilt his life and established a successful real estate business.

Jeff’s story represents the courage, sacrifice, patriotism, and resilience of America’s Vietnam Veterans. These men answered their country’s call, endured unimaginable hardships, and stood beside their brothers in arms.

Every Vietnam Veteran deserves honor, respect, and recognition. They were not losers. They were American warriors who demonstrated the greatness of a generation that never abandoned its duty.

Listen to episode 3407 and discover more about the Vietnam Vet Jeff Webber story of service.

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BRIAN BREHM – Writer for the Winchester Star

Episode 3406 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about what the Vietnam War was all about. The featured story is titled: Shenandoah Valley to the Valley of Death: Vietnam War veteran reflects on his time in Southeast Asia.  It appeared on the Winchester Star website and was submitted by Brian Brehm.

Brehm reported that In the years leading up to Veterans Day, we must never forget the extraordinary courage, patriotism, and sacrifice of the young Americans who answered our nation’s call during the Vietnam War. Many of these brave men were little more than teenagers when they were handed a rifle and sent thousands of miles from home to defend their country. Their stories remind us why all Vietnam Veterans deserve our deepest respect, gratitude, and recognition.

One of those young Americans was Jeff Webber, a Winchester, Virginia, native who graduated from Handley High School in May 1966. Coming from a poor family, Jeff went straight to work after graduation, first selling rubber and later driving a delivery truck for Rob’s Supply Company. Little did he know that his life was about to change dramatically. The streets of Winchester would soon be replaced by the dangerous battlefields of Vietnam.

To understand Jeff’s journey, we must understand the history behind America’s involvement in Southeast Asia. Following the 1954 Geneva Accords, Vietnam was divided at the 17th parallel into communist North Vietnam, led by Ho Chi Minh, and South Vietnam, supported by the United States. America’s commitment was driven largely by the Domino Theory, the fear that communism would spread throughout Southeast Asia.

Under Presidents Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Lyndon B. Johnson, American involvement steadily increased. The Gulf of Tonkin incidents in August 1964 led Congress to pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving President Johnson authority to expand military operations. In February 1965, Operation Rolling Thunder began, followed by the arrival of American combat troops in South Vietnam the following month.

What followed was eight years of direct American military involvement in one of our nation’s most controversial wars.

Behind these historical events were ordinary American men who performed extraordinary acts of service. Our Vietnam Veterans were young Americans who answered the call of duty, demonstrated incredible courage, and sacrificed far more than most Americans will ever understand.

They were heroes then, and they are heroes today. Never forget our Vietnam Veterans!

Listen to episode 3406 and discover more about what the Vietnam War was all about.

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USMC Vietnam Vet Bernie Burrack

Episode 3405 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about USMC Vietnam Vet Bernie Burrack’s service to his country. The featured story is titled: Burrack spent year in Vietnam fighting war.  It appeared on the News Media website and was submitted by Lynn Zaffrann

Zaffrann reported that the story of Bernie Burrack, a United States Marine Corps Vietnam veteran from Shawano, Wisconsin, is another powerful reminder of the courage, dedication, and greatness of the Vietnam Veteran Generation. His military service, experiences in Vietnam, and lifelong commitment to public service represent the very best of the men and women who answered America’s call to duty.

Burrack enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on July 30, 1969, and arrived in Vietnam on February 8, 1970. He was assigned to 7th Engineer Battalion, Charlie Company, where he worked in headquarters platoon driving a dump truck and helping build roads. His first days in Vietnam were anything but peaceful. Mortar attacks near battalion headquarters at Dog Patch, outside Da Nang, and a deadly grenade incident on Hill 37 quickly introduced him to the dangers of the Vietnam War.

After serving with Charlie Company, Burrack transferred to 1st Medical Battalion, where he performed hospital security duties until returning home in February 1971. Like many Vietnam veterans, coming home was not an easy experience. He initially wanted little involvement with military organizations, but that changed when he joined Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 206 in Shawano in 2005.

There, he discovered something important: the friendship, understanding, and brotherhood that only fellow Vietnam veterans can truly share.

Burrack’s service to America continued long after his Marine Corps career. He joined the Shawano Police Department in 1975, serving for 28 years. He helped establish its K-9 program, worked alongside his dog Marco for nearly 10 years, and served as a firearms instructor for approximately 23 years.

His story represents the extraordinary character of America’s Vietnam veterans. They served in difficult circumstances, faced dangers most Americans will never understand, returned home, and continued serving their communities.

Bernie Burrack is a shining example of the courage, sacrifice, dedication, and greatness of all our Vietnam veterans. They are patriots, heroes, and a generation of Americans deserving of our everlasting respect and gratitude.

Listen to episode 3405 and discover more about USMC Vietnam Vet Bernie Burrack’s service to his country.

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Vietnam War veteran Terry Cain, a Bergholz native, reflects on his time serving with the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division and his experiences returning to civilian life as Veterans Day approaches. Thomas Clapper

Episode 3404 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Vietnam Vet Terry Cain’s service to his country. The featured story is titled: Vietnam veteran Terry Cain reflects on service, life after war.  It appeared on the Your Ohio News and was submitted by Thomas Clapper.

Clapper reported that when Terry Cain, a proud American and Vietnam War veteran, looks back on his military service, he considers himself fortunate. But his story is an important reminder of the courage, sacrifice, and greatness of an entire generation of Vietnam Veterans.

A native of Bergholz, Ohio, Terry was just 19 years old when he arrived in Vietnam in 1968. He served with the legendary 101st Airborne Division, performing essential duties at Landing Zone Sally. From transporting food, water, and supplies to serving as an armed convoy escort and night baker, Terry helped keep American soldiers supplied and supported during a dangerous time in our nation’s history.

His 13 months in Vietnam brought exhausting shifts, sleepless nights, uncertainty, and the constant awareness of combat dangers. Although he was not directly involved in major battles such as Hamburger Hill, he witnessed the realities of war and understood the sacrifices made by those fighting in the jungle.

After returning home, Terry faced the difficult transition many Vietnam veterans experienced. He remembers the lack of recognition and understanding that greeted some returning servicemen. For years, he kept his military experiences to himself and put away his Army cap.

Today, Terry proudly acknowledges his service and encourages younger generations to recognize, respect, and talk with America’s veterans.

His message is simple: Never forget the men and women who answered our nation’s call.

All Vietnam Veterans deserve our gratitude, respect, and recognition. They were an extraordinary generation of American heroes, and their service and sacrifices must never be forgotten.

Listen to episode 3404 and discover more about Vietnam Vet Terry Cain’s service to his country.

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Vietnam Vet Dan Cheney at home in th4 Keys

Episode 3403 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Vietnam Vet Dan Cheney’s service to his country. The featured story is titled: Local Vietnam veteran Dan Cheney survived fireball explosion in combat.  It appeared on the Keys News website.

It was reported that the story of Dan Cheney is a powerful example of the courage, determination, and greatness of our Vietnam Veterans. At just 19 years old, Dan answered America’s call to duty, enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1968. After completing basic training at Fort Bragg and advanced individual training at Fort Leonard Wood, he deployed to Vietnam with the legendary 101st Airborne Division, 326th Engineer Battalion, serving near Hue at Camp Eagle and Phú Bài.

During the Vietnam War, Dan survived a terrifying fireball explosion that left him with second- and third-degree burns. After medical evacuation to Japan, his courage and commitment brought him back to Vietnam to complete his tour of duty. He later served in Germany with the 237th Engineer Company before receiving an Honorable Discharge as a Specialist Five (SP5) in 1974.

Dan’s service didn’t end with his military career. He built an extraordinary career in satellite communications and electronic engineering, supporting government agencies, INTELSAT, and MARISAT. His work took him across six continents and around the world 11 times, constructing essential satellite earth stations. In the Florida Keys, he supported military operations at Naval Air Station Key West, Boca Chica, Truman Annex, and the Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) site in Cudjoe Key. He retired in 2016 after working with the famous Fat Albert radar balloon.

Dan also dedicated years to fellow veterans as Judge Advocate for VFW Post 3911. After a 50-year journey, he finally secured his VA disability rating for injuries sustained during the Vietnam War, crediting the Monroe County Office of Veterans Affairs and Key West VA Medical Clinic.

Dan Cheney represents the greatness of the Vietnam Veteran generation. His story reminds us that courage, sacrifice, patriotism, and service do not end when a soldier comes home. We salute Dan and ALL our Vietnam Veterans, whose dedication and sacrifices deserve lasting recognition, honor, and respect.

Listen to episode 3403 and discover more about Vietnam Vet Dan Cheney’s service to his country.

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F-4 and two F-103’s

Episode 3402 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about what happened when two F-102’s were ordered to shoot down an F-4 over North Vietnam. The featured story is titled: USAF ATC recalls directing 2 F-102s to shoot down fully laden F-4 flying towards China after crew ejected.  It appeared on the Aviation Geek Club website and was submitted by Dario Leone.

Leone reported that During the Vietnam War, American military aviators faced extraordinary dangers, and their courage, skill, and dedication helped define the greatness of an entire generation of Vietnam Veterans. One remarkable story from the skies over Southeast Asia involved an F-4 Phantom fighter jet that continued flying after its crew had successfully ejected.

Ejection seats became one of the most important lifesaving innovations in military aviation. Before their introduction, pilots had to manually remove their aircraft canopies and bail out, often under extremely dangerous conditions. Modern ejection seats use explosive charges and guiding rails to propel aircrews safely away from damaged aircraft, giving pilots and navigators a fighting chance to survive.

But one incident during the Vietnam War demonstrated that ejecting from an aircraft did not necessarily mean the danger was over.

Former U.S. Air Force controller Marc Santacroce, who directed American strike aircraft during the war, recalled an extraordinary encounter involving a battle-damaged F-4 Phantom. The aircraft could not release its bombs or lower its landing gear. After consulting headquarters, the decision was made to have the crew eject and allow the fighter to run out of fuel over the Gulf of Tonkin.

The crew successfully ejected, but the fully armed, unmanned F-4 continued flying! Even more alarming, the Phantom turned northeast toward Hainan Island, China, raising fears that it could enter Chinese airspace and potentially trigger an international military crisis.

Santacroce scrambled two American F-102 Delta Dagger interceptors from Da Nang with orders to destroy the runaway fighter before it crossed into Chinese territory.

The interceptors raced toward the unmanned Phantom with afterburners blazing. Fortunately, the F-4 ran out of fuel and crashed into the Gulf of Tonkin before the F-102s could engage it.

The greatest news was that the F-4 crew survived and was successfully rescued.

This incredible Vietnam War aviation story reminds us of the dangers American military pilots faced every day. We must never forget the courage, professionalism, sacrifice, and greatness of ALL our Vietnam Veterans, including the pilots, navigators, aircrews, controllers, and rescue personnel who served our country.

Vietnam Veterans are an extraordinary generation of American heroes whose service and sacrifices deserve everlasting respect!

Listen to episode 3402 and discover more about what happened when two F-102’s were ordered to shoot down an F-4 over North Vietnam.