Vietnam Veteran News

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The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Oriskany (CVA-34) on fire, Oct. 26, 1966.

Episode 3358 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the day the USS Oriskany caught fire. The featured story is titled: The USS Oriskany fire, the first of three aircraft carrier fires that occurred during the Vietnam War. It appeared on the Aviation Geek Club website and was submitted by Dario Leone.

Leone reported that the USS Oriskany fire of October 26, 1966, remains one of the most tragic and heroic episodes of the Vietnam War and a powerful reminder of the courage displayed by Vietnam Veterans who served aboard America’s aircraft carriers. At 7:28 a.m., a magnesium flare accidentally ignited inside a locker containing hundreds of Mark 24 flares and rocket warheads, unleashing a devastating fire aboard the carrier.

With the USS Oriskany preparing to launch combat aircraft, sailors immediately sounded General Quarters and rushed to battle the flames. The danger was enormous. The ship was loaded with fully fueled aircraft, aviation fuel, bombs, rockets, and explosive ordnance. Sailors bravely moved armed aircraft away from the fire and onto the flight deck in an extraordinary effort to prevent an even greater catastrophe.

The flames and thick smoke quickly spread into the forward berthing areas where many naval aviators and Vietnam War pilots were sleeping. Tragically, 24 pilots and 20 other officers and sailors lost their lives, resulting in 44 casualties. Some men were trapped in smoke-filled passageways and staterooms, while others fought desperately to survive.

Stories of individual bravery stand out. One trapped pilot used soaked sheets and blankets to protect himself from the heat and smoke before receiving a fire hose and breathing equipment. Commander Richard “Dick” Bellinger, despite being trapped in his stateroom, forced his way through a porthole and reached the flight deck, where he helped organize firefighting teams.

The USS Oriskany was ultimately forced out of action and sent to Subic Bay before returning to the United States for extensive repairs.

The tragedy demonstrates the extraordinary courage, determination, sacrifice, and brotherhood of Vietnam Veterans. These men answered the call of duty under some of the most dangerous conditions imaginable. Their service and sacrifice deserve our deepest respect, gratitude, and remembrance. The Vietnam Veteran generation truly represents American courage and military service at its finest.

Listen to episode 3358 and discover more about the day the USS Oriskany caught fire.

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Vietnam Veteran and Army Nurse Vicki Strevey.

Episode 3357 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about how Vicki Strevey served in Vietnam and for President Eisenhower. The featured story is titled: From service during the Vietnam War to taking care of a former US President, a remarkable life for a Leander woman It appeared on the KVUE website and was submitted by Bob Buckalew.

Buckalew reported that Retired U.S. Army Captain Vicki Strevey represents the courage, dedication, and extraordinary service of the Vietnam Veteran generation. A young nursing school graduate in the 1960s, Strevey volunteered to serve as an Army nurse in Vietnam, stepping into a dangerous environment where she cared for American soldiers facing not only combat injuries but also the deadly tropical diseases of Southeast Asia.

At just 21 years old, Strevey arrived in Vietnam as a newly graduated nurse and was assigned to a tropical disease unit. She treated soldiers suffering from malaria and other tropical diseases, confronting an invisible enemy of mosquitoes, parasites, contaminated water, and dangerous bacteria. Her story demonstrates the incredible professionalism and compassion of the Vietnam War nurses and medical personnel who served alongside America’s fighting men and women.

After returning from Vietnam, Strevey continued her distinguished military medical career at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. There, she was given the remarkable responsibility of caring for former President Dwight D. Eisenhower during the final year of his life. Her memories of Eisenhower reveal not only his historic stature but also his warmth and sense of humor.

Today, Captain Strevey continues to represent the strength and greatness of Vietnam Veterans and the women who served during the Vietnam War. Through Honor Flight Austin, she will join fellow veterans on an expense-paid journey to Washington, D.C., where they will visit the nation’s memorials honoring their service.

Among the most meaningful stops will be the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, which honors approximately 11,000 women who served in Vietnam, many of them nurses.

Captain Vicki Strevey’s remarkable journey is a powerful reminder that the Vietnam Veteran generation deserves our deepest respect, gratitude, and honor. Their courage, sacrifice, compassion, and unwavering commitment to duty helped write an important chapter in American military history that should never be forgotten.

Listen to episode 3357 and discover more about how Vicki Strevey served in Vietnam and for President Eisenhower.

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Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial, Canberra, ACT, Australia

Episode 3356 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Battle of Long Tan Expose. The featured story is titled: The lessons of Long Tan It appeared on the Pearls and Irritations website and was submitted by Andrew Fraser.

Fraser reported that sixty years after the Battle of Long Tan, Vietnam Veterans Day 2026 provided an opportunity to remember one of the most significant battles involving Australian forces during the Vietnam War. The 60th anniversary commemoration in Canberra honored the 18 young Australians who gave their lives at Long Tan, while also recognizing the enormous human cost suffered by the Vietnamese people and soldiers on all sides.

The service highlighted the courage, mateship, selfless sacrifice, and extraordinary service of Vietnam Veterans. These men answered their nations’ call during a difficult and controversial period in history. Whatever the political debates surrounding the Vietnam War, the greatness of the Vietnam Veteran generation can never be measured simply by battlefield statistics or political outcomes. Their service, sacrifice, and willingness to face danger deserve lasting respect and remembrance.

The Canberra ceremony also encouraged a deeper examination of the myths and realities of the Battle of Long Tan. Brigadier Kevin O’Brien’s research challenges long-repeated claims about enemy numbers and casualties, demonstrating why historical events must be examined carefully and honestly. His work does not diminish the intensity or courage displayed by Australian troops; instead, it provides a clearer understanding of what actually happened.

Long Tan also raises important questions about the broader Australian involvement in Vietnam from 1962 to 1973. The battle may have been considered a military victory, but the larger war demonstrated that military strength alone could not determine the ultimate outcome.

Most importantly, the 60th anniversary remembrance emphasized that Vietnam Veterans Day is about remembering people—not simply battles or victories. It is about honoring the fallen, respecting veterans, remembering civilians who suffered, and learning from history.

As conflicts continue around the world, the message from Canberra remains powerful: remember our Vietnam Veterans, honor their sacrifice, cherish their service, and work toward peace. The legacy of the Vietnam Veteran generation deserves our enduring gratitude and respect.

Listen to episode 3356 and discover more about the Battle of Long Tan Expose.

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South Vietnamese soldiers in Saigon during the Tet Offensive, 1968
[via Wikimedia Commons]

Episode 3355 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the Tet Offensive. The featured story is titled: The Tet Offensive: What Were They Thinking?. It appeared on the JSTOR website and was submitted by Matthew Wills.

Wills reported that the Tet Offensive of 1968 stands as one of the most dramatic and consequential events of the Vietnam War, forever changing the course of the conflict and the way Americans understood the war in Vietnam. Beginning on January 30, 1968, North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong forces launched a massive, coordinated assault across South Vietnam, striking provincial capitals, villages, military installations, and even the U.S. Embassy in Saigon.

Some of the fiercest fighting occurred in Hue, where weeks of brutal combat devastated much of the city. At Khe Sanh, U.S. Marines and other American forces endured a prolonged siege. Throughout these battles, American and South Vietnamese forces fought with extraordinary courage, determination, and sacrifice.

Militarily, the Communist forces suffered enormous casualties, and the hoped-for popular uprising in South Vietnam never occurred. Yet Tet became a major political and psychological turning point in America. The offensive challenged the belief that victory was close and profoundly influenced American public opinion and U.S. political leadership.

Historian Liên-Hang T. Nguyen has examined the offensive from the perspective of North Vietnam, revealing deep political debates within the Vietnam Workers’ Party. Moderates favored strengthening North Vietnam and negotiations, while more militant leaders pushed for an intensified armed struggle in the South. The Sino-Soviet split further complicated North Vietnam’s strategy.

Ultimately, Tet demonstrated that the Vietnam War could not be measured solely by battlefield victories. Most importantly, the story of Tet must never overshadow the greatness, courage, sacrifice, and service of our Vietnam Veterans. American veterans faced some of the most difficult combat conditions imaginable and served their country with honor, bravery, and dedication. Their legacy remains an essential part of Vietnam War history and American history, and their service deserves our enduring respect and gratitude.

Listen to episode 3355 and discover more about the Tet Offensive.

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Parked fighter planes with their wings folded on the deck of US aircraft carrier USS Constellation while on patrol in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War, November 26th 1968.
Getty

Episode 3354 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Vietnam War logistics. The featured story is titled: The Logistics That Powered the Vietnam War. It appeared on the JSTOR website and was submitted by Matthew Wills.

Wills reported that the Vietnam War was far more than a battlefield conflict. It was also an extraordinary demonstration of military logistics, transportation, infrastructure, engineering, and human endurance. Behind every American soldier, Marine, sailor, and airman stood an enormous logistical system moving troops, equipment, supplies, food, fuel, and countless other necessities thousands of miles across the Pacific.

When combat troops arrived in Vietnam in 1965, the American military presence expanded at an astonishing pace. Within months, the force grew from approximately 3,500 Marines to 125,000 combat troops. By 1968, more than 536,000 American service members were serving in Vietnam. One general compared the buildup to transporting an entire American city across 10,000 miles.

Massive airfields, deep-water ports, warehouses, roads, and distribution centers were constructed to support the war effort. Private contractors and thousands of workers from Vietnam, South Korea, the Philippines, and other countries became part of this enormous logistical machine. Yet these workers often faced difficult conditions, discrimination, and labor conflicts, leading to strikes, protests, walkouts, and resistance.

Through it all stood the great Vietnam Veterans—men and women who served their country during one of the most challenging and controversial periods in American history. Whether serving in combat, flying missions, maintaining aircraft, driving convoys, loading ships, treating wounded troops, or supporting military operations, Vietnam Veterans carried an enormous burden with courage, sacrifice, and dedication.

Their service deserves our deepest respect, gratitude, and honor. The Vietnam Veteran generation answered America’s call and endured hardships that many Americans could never fully understand.

Today, remembering the Vietnam War means remembering not only the battles and politics, but also the extraordinary people who served. Our Vietnam Veterans are heroes of American history, and their sacrifice and service must never be forgotten.

Listen to episode 3354 and discover more about Vietnam War logistics.

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A memorial at Sunset Veterans Memorial Park to victims of Agent Orange during the Vietnam War is partially complete and should be done in a matter of weeks. The July 8, 2025, photo shows Larry Kerr, who’s pushed the initiative, with a model of the memorial at his home in Syracuse. (Photo: Tim Vandenack, KSL.com)

The memorial at Sunset Veterans Memorial Park to victims of Agent Orange during the Vietnam War is partially complete and should be done in a matter of weeks. It’s pictured Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (Tim Vandenack, KSL.com)

Episode 3353 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the new Agent Orange Memorial coming to Utah. The featured story is titled: Sunset memorial coming together to honor Vietnam War victims of Agent Orange. It appeared on the KSL-TV website and was submitted by Tim Vandenack.

Vandenack reported that plans are moving forward for a powerful Agent Orange Memorial at Sunset City Veterans Memorial Park, creating what could become one of the largest memorials of its kind in the United States. At the heart of the project is Vietnam Veteran Don Kerr, 78, a former U.S. Air Force veteran who continues to battle the effects of Agent Orange exposure from his service in Vietnam.

Kerr launched the memorial effort with the Utah Agent Orange Veterans Foundation to honor the thousands of American service members whose lives were forever changed by toxic exposure during the Vietnam War. Much of the memorial is already taking shape, including a large orange structure designed to hold black granite informational panels describing the history and devastating legacy of Agent Orange.

During Operation Ranch Hand, the U.S. military sprayed millions of gallons of Agent Orange in Vietnam between 1962 and 1971 to destroy vegetation and enemy crops. In the years following the war, many Vietnam Veterans began suffering from serious illnesses they believed were connected to their exposure. Their courage, perseverance and determination helped bring national attention to the long-term consequences of toxic military service.

This memorial stands as a lasting tribute to Vietnam Veterans, including those who suffered silently from what are often called the invisible wounds of war. It also recognizes veterans exposed to toxic substances during later conflicts, including the Persian Gulf War and Afghanistan War.

Sunset Mayor Scott Wiggill praised Kerr and everyone involved, calling the project marvelous and expressing excitement about its future. The goal is to have the memorial completed in time for a possible Veterans Day dedication on November 11.

The Agent Orange Memorial will serve as a powerful reminder of the sacrifice, courage, patriotism and greatness of America’s Vietnam Veteran generation. Their service must never be forgotten, their stories must never be silenced, and their sacrifices must always be honored. Vietnam Veterans deserve our deepest respect, gratitude and remembrance.

Listen to episode 3353 and discover more about the new Agent Orange Memorial coming to Utah.

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Scum bag scammer

Scammed Vietnam Veteran

Episode 3352 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Vietnam Veteran scam warnings. The featured story is titled: The 6 Scams Every Veteran Should Know About. It appeared on the NCOA website and was submitted by Jessica Johnston, NCOA Senior Strategist for Economic Well-Being.

Johnston reported that Our Vietnam Veterans are among the most courageous, honorable, and deserving Americans in our nation’s history. Yet today, many veterans are being targeted by criminals who see their VA benefits, pensions, disability payments, savings, and trust as opportunities for financial exploitation. The stories are heartbreaking—and they are a warning to every veteran and military family.

A 78-year-old Washington man was recently sentenced to 30 months in federal prison after stealing a Vietnam veteran’s identity and using it to obtain VA benefits, carrying out the deception for decades. In another case, a New Hampshire man was indicted for allegedly defrauding an older veteran of $225,000.

These are not isolated incidents. The FTC reported approximately $584 million in fraud losses involving servicemembers, veterans, and their families in 2024. Scammers use phone calls, emails, text messages, social media, fake job offers, and phony veterans charities to exploit those who served our country.

Common threats include VA benefit scams, pension poaching, VA home loan scams, job scams, romance scams, VA overpayment scams, and charity fraud. Warning signs include demands for immediate payment, requests for personal information, promises of guaranteed benefits, and payment requests involving gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.

Our Vietnam Veterans deserve respect—not exploitation. The best defense is awareness. Verify anyone claiming to represent the VA or a veterans organization, never surrender your VA account credentials, resist high-pressure demands, and trust your instincts when something seems wrong.

Our Vietnam Veterans served America with courage and sacrifice. Now it is our responsibility to protect them from those who would steal from them.

Listen to episode 3352 and discover more about Vietnam Veteran scam warnings.

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Bronze sculptor Pamela Harr gets a look at her latest work, “Letter from Home”, before it was lifted and placed at Veterans Memorial Park on Aug. 15.
Darren Frey/Glendive Ranger Review

Sculptor Pamela Harr, left, watches as a crew carefully lowers her bronze sculpture, “Letters from Home,” into position during its installation at Veterans Memorial Park Saturday.
Jamie Crisafulli/Glendive Ranger Review

Episode 3351 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the new Vietnam Veteran Memorial in Glendive, MT. The story is titled: ‘Letter from Home’: New sculpture in Glendive honors Vietnam veterans. It appeared on the Bozeman Daily Chronicle website and was submitted by Darren Frey, a writer for the Glendive Ranger-Review (dfrey@rangerreview.com).

Frey reported that at Veterans Memorial Park in Glendive, Montana, a powerful new bronze sculpture is honoring the courage, sacrifice and greatness of Vietnam veterans. Created by sculptor Pamela Harr, Letters from Home depicts a soldier reading a letter from a loved one—a deeply emotional tribute to the men and women who served during the Vietnam War.

Harr’s inspiration was both personal and patriotic. Her first husband, Gerry Harr, was killed in Vietnam and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. While visiting his grave, she made a promise to herself to someday create a lasting tribute to Vietnam veterans. Decades later, that dream became reality.

The 1.2-times-life-size bronze soldier was inspired partly by photographs Harr had seen of Vietnam-era soldiers. Local veterans also helped ensure the sculpture accurately represented the equipment of the era, including utility belts, canteens, patches and weapons. Modern 3D-printing technology was used to create the M16 rifle, while the sculpture itself was completed through the painstaking lost-wax bronze casting process.

Community support played a major role. Harr created smaller versions of the sculpture to raise funds, with donations and purchases coming from across the country. Local veterans and volunteers also helped prepare the memorial site and install the finished sculpture.

The letter held by the soldier contains donor names and a message thanking the Glendive community for its support.

Letters from Home is more than a work of art—it is a lasting memorial to Vietnam veterans, their families, their sacrifices and their service to America. It reminds us that behind every uniform was a person who left loved ones behind and answered the call of duty.

We owe our Vietnam veterans a debt of gratitude that can never truly be repaid. Their courage, honor, sacrifice and perseverance will never be forgotten.

Listen to episode 3351 and discover more about the new Vietnam Veteran Memorial in Glendive, MT.

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Crom­well RSA Sec­ret­ary Peter Svens­son (left) and Viet­nam War Vet­eran Lewis Pagan stand out­side the Crom­well Memorial Events Centre, fol­low­ing the wreath-lay­ing ser­vice mark­ing the 60th anniversary of the battle of Long Tan.

Episode 3350 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about how New Zealand honored one of its Vietnam Veterans. The story is titled: Viet­nam vet hon­oured dec­ades on. It appeared on the Central Otago News website and was submitted by Carys Trotter.

Trotter.reported that at 77 years old, Vietnam War veteran Lewis Pagan stood at the Cromwell War Memorial Gardens and laid a wreath during a powerful service honoring the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. For Mr. Pagan, the moment carried deep meaning. Like so many Vietnam Veterans, he had returned from war to a nation that often wanted its soldiers to “put away their medals and forget about it.” Decades later, their service and sacrifice are finally receiving the recognition they deserve.

The Battle of Long Tan, fought on August 18, 1966, remains one of the defining battles of the Vietnam War. Just 108 Australian and New Zealand soldiers faced a vastly larger Viet Cong and North Vietnamese force in a rain-soaked rubber plantation. Their survival depended in part on the extraordinary courage and skill of New Zealand’s 161 Field Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery, which fired more than 1,000 rounds under brutal monsoon conditions to help hold the line until relief arrived. Eighteen Australians were killed and 24 wounded.

Mr. Pagan served in Vietnam in 1969 after intensive military training in New Zealand, Fiji and Malaya. As a member of Whiskey Company, based largely at Nui Dat, he experienced the harsh realities of jungle warfare, tropical disease, snakes, difficult terrain and the constant uncertainty of combat. He remembers his fellow soldiers as “such good mates,” united across backgrounds and cultures.

His story also reflects the painful homecoming experienced by many Vietnam War Veterans, who were met by protesters and often returned to civilian life without the recognition they had earned.

Today, honoring veterans like Lewis Pagan is more important than ever. The Vietnam Veteran Generation demonstrated extraordinary courage, loyalty, brotherhood and resilience. Their service must never be forgotten. We honor all our Vietnam Veterans for their courage, sacrifice, patriotism and unwavering dedication to their comrades and country.

Listen to episode 3350 and discover more about how New Zealand honored one of its Vietnam Veterans..

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Never forgotten: Lynne Moore, with her son Craig Moore, lays roses in
memory of her husband, Ray Moore, at Croydon war memorial

Episode 3349 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about how Australian Vietnam War widows were treated. The story is titled: The knock on the door: 57 years on, a Vietnam War widow tells her story. It appeared on the City Life website and was submitted by Carolyn Webb.

Webb reported that the Vietnam War left a lasting mark on countless families, and the story of Private Ray Moore reminds us of the tremendous courage, sacrifice, and dedication of the Vietnam Veteran Generation. Ray Moore, only 23 years old, was killed in action by a Viet Cong sentry on July 24, 1969, leaving behind his young wife, Lynne, and their three small children.

For Lynne Moore, the famous 1969 moon landing is not a memory of human achievement. Instead, it brings back the painful memory of military officials arriving at her mother’s home with news that changed her life forever. Yet decades later, Lynne is determined that Ray’s service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Historian Anthony McAleer addresses the crowd at the Croydon service.

At a Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony at the Croydon war memorial, Lynne, her son Craig, and grandson Brendan placed roses in Ray’s memory. His story is featured in the book Vietnam – Long Hard Years Not Forgotten, written by Anthony McAleer, documenting the experiences of Lilydale region Vietnam veterans and their families.

Ray’s story also connects with fellow soldier Michael Hannaford, who was killed in December 1968 when his tank struck a mine. Their widows endured unimaginable hardship, including the painful treatment of veterans’ families after their husbands’ deaths.

These stories remind us that the Vietnam War Veterans were not simply soldiers—they were husbands, fathers, sons, and members of their communities. 523 Australians died in Vietnam, approximately 2,400 were wounded, and thousands returned home to a divided nation.

As Australia remembers the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, we honor every Vietnam veteran for their bravery, service, sacrifice, and patriotism. We can disagree about the politics of war while always honoring the men and women who courageously wore the uniform. Vietnam Veterans deserve our lasting respect, gratitude, and remembrance.

Listen to episode 3349 and discover more about how Australian Vietnam War widows were treated.