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KC-135 towing an F-111

B-52 refueling.

Episode 3397 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the KC-135 role in the Vietnam War. The featured story is titled: KC-135 navigator recalls his Stratotanker towing damaged F-111 Fighter through the skies of North Vietnam back to Thailand. It appeared on the Aviation Geek Club website and was submitted by Dario Leone.

Leone reported that The KC-135 Stratotanker was one of the most important aircraft supporting American military operations during the Vietnam War. Developed by The Boeing Company, the aircraft extended the range of U.S. bombers and fighter-bombers, allowing American aircrews to strike enemy targets and return safely to base. Its remarkable service represents the courage, ingenuity, and dedication of the Vietnam Veteran generation.

Based on Boeing’s Model 367-80 design, the KC-135 first entered Air Force service in the 1950s. Originally designed to refuel Strategic Air Command bombers, the U.S. Air Force aerial refueling tanker became indispensable during the Vietnam conflict, supporting combat aircraft across Southeast Asia.

One extraordinary mission involved a damaged F-111 Aardvark fighter-bomber over North Vietnam. After the fighter crew transmitted a desperate Mayday call reporting a missile strike, retired Maj. Jim Hickman and his KC-135 crew immediately responded. They located the stricken aircraft and began transferring fuel. When they discovered fuel spilling from the damaged fighter, the tanker crew used a technique called locking the toggles, allowing the KC-135 to tow the F-111 through the skies toward Thailand while continuing to provide fuel. The fighter eventually disconnected and glided to a safe landing, saving the lives of its two crew members and potentially preventing their capture as prisoners of war.

The KC-135 Stratotanker also played a vital role in supporting B-52 Stratofortress bombers flying grueling 16-hour missions from Guam. Without aerial refueling, these strategic bombers could not have completed many of their missions against enemy supply lines, weapons arsenals, and military resources.

Retired Maj. Wendell Skinner emphasized that B-52 crews depended on KC-135 tankers to reach their targets and return home safely.

These remarkable missions highlight the teamwork, sacrifice, and professionalism of the American servicemen who served during the Vietnam War. From tanker crews and bomber pilots to fighter aircrews and ground forces, our Vietnam Veterans demonstrated extraordinary courage and commitment to one another. Their stories deserve recognition, respect, and preservation for future generations.

Listen to episode 3397 and discover more about the KC-135 role in the Vietnam War.

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Submitted photo Pictured is Norman Teigen, right, beside his brigade chaplain, Lt. Col. (Chaplain) Reginald Huebner, and the chaplain’s beloved Jeep outside their office at Long Binh Base, Vietnam.

Episode 3396 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about a Vietnam War chaplain assistant’s story. The featured story is titled: Vietnam War – Norman Teigen – Working with Chaplain Huebner in Vietnam. It appeared on the Independent website and was submitted by Bill Palmer.

Palmer reported that Vietnam Veteran Norman Teigen served his country during the Vietnam War as a chaplain assistant with the 1st Aviation Brigade at Long Binh Post, Vietnam. His story highlights the dedication, compassion, and quiet courage of the men and women who served during one of America’s most challenging conflicts.

Raised on the Bethany College campus in Mankato, Minnesota, Teigen graduated from Mankato State College in 1964 and became an English teacher at Marshall High School. When his draft notice arrived in 1968, he enlisted in the United States Army, eventually deploying to Vietnam in October 1970.

There, he supported Lieutenant Colonel Reginald Huebner, brigade chaplain to the 1st Aviation Brigade. Chaplain Huebner provided religious services, confidential counseling, spiritual guidance, and support for soldiers facing the emotional pressures of war. Teigen helped manage the chaplain’s office, prepare Protestant services, and assist with administrative duties.

His responsibilities also included maintaining the chaplain’s Jeep. Despite having little mechanical knowledge, Teigen learned to repair punctured inner tubes, keeping the vehicle operational despite shortages of tires and supplies.

One of Teigen’s most memorable experiences involved flying with Chaplain Huebner aboard UH-1 Huey helicopters to Army units throughout Vietnam. From the air, he witnessed bomb craters left by B-52 strikes, flattened forests, and tracks marking earlier battles. Although he never encountered the enemy in combat, a visit to Pleiku brought him near enemy soldiers performing civilian drainage work.

Another unforgettable experience came during a visit to an Army field hospital. Teigen remembered a wounded, delirious American soldier calling for his mother while an Army nurse comforted him. The heartbreaking scene deepened his appreciation for the courage and compassion of military medical personnel.

Teigen also performed additional barracks duties and made relief trips to a nearby orphanage, demonstrating that service extended beyond military assignments.

Norman Teigen’s Vietnam War story reminds us that greatness takes many forms. Our Vietnam veterans served as combat soldiers, helicopter crews, chaplains, medical personnel, and support specialists. Every role mattered. Their sacrifices, humanity, and dedication deserve lasting respect and recognition. We honor all our Vietnam veterans and the proud generation that answered America’s call to duty.

.Listen to episode 3396 and discover more about a Vietnam War chaplain assistant’s story.

Oklahoma History Center

Episode 3395 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a press release about the Vietnam War documentary to be shown at the Oklahoma History Museum. The featured press release is titled: Documentary on Vietnam War and South Vietnam to be Shown at Oklahoma History Center. It appeared on the Einwire website.

It was reported that A powerful new documentary, “Vietnam War: Untold Stories from the South — Trials, Triumphs, & Tragedies,” will be screened at the Oklahoma History Center Museum in Oklahoma City on Saturday, November 7, from 1 to 3 p.m. This important historical film examines the Vietnam War through the often-overlooked experiences of South Vietnamese civilians, soldiers, political prisoners, refugees, and families whose lives were forever changed by the conflict.

Drawing on archival materials, extensive historical research, and firsthand testimony, the documentary explores the human cost of the Vietnam War, including communist land reform, wartime violence, political persecution, reeducation camps, media bias, and the mass exodus of Vietnamese refugees. It also examines the lasting consequences of the war for South Vietnam and the Vietnamese diaspora around the world.

The film challenges familiar historical narratives and presents the argument that Hồ Chí Minh and the Vietnamese Communist Party began their campaign to conquer South Vietnam by force years before American combat troops arrived. By sharing these untold stories, the documentary encourages viewers to reconsider the complex history of the Vietnam conflict and recognize the suffering, courage, and sacrifices of the Vietnamese people.

For our Vietnam veterans, preserving these stories is especially important. The men and women who served during the Vietnam War deserve lasting respect for their courage, dedication, and willingness to answer their country’s call to duty. America’s Vietnam veterans are a generation of honorable patriots whose service, sacrifices, and experiences must never be forgotten. Their stories, alongside those of South Vietnamese allies and civilians, are essential to understanding the full history of the war.

The screening is free and open to the public, although museum admission is required to visit the galleries. The event coincides with the “Our Journeys” traveling exhibit, presented by Vietnamese Boat People, which remains on display through January 4, 2027.

Visit the Oklahoma History Center at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive in Oklahoma City. Learn more at okhistory.org/historycenter and help preserve the history, sacrifice, and legacy of the Vietnam War generation.

Listen to episode 3395 and discover more about the Vietnam War documentary to be shown at the Oklahoma History Museum.

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Vietnam veterans gather to talk about their experiences during and after the war on Monday, Oct. 19 at American Legion Post 119 in Estes Park. (Jeffrey Bear / Trail-Gazette)

Episode 3394 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Vietnam Veteran memories from Colorado. The featured story is titled: From heat and war to coming home, Vietnam veterans remember at Estes Park event. It was in the Trail Gazette of Estes Park, CO. It was submitted by Jeffrey Bear

Bear reported that at American Legion Post 119 in Estes Park, Colorado, three Vietnam War veterans shared unforgettable stories of military service, sacrifice, and resilience during the nation’s 250th anniversary and Colorado’s 150th anniversary celebration speaker series on October 19.

Steve Irish, a U.S. Air Force veteran, served at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Saigon beginning in 1968. As a photo interpreter with the 460th Reconnaissance Technical Squadron, he analyzed aerial reconnaissance photographs to identify enemy positions, transportation routes, and supply movements. His work supported Operation Commando Hunt, an effort to disrupt North Vietnamese supplies moving along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Irish described the extraordinary challenges American forces faced fighting an enemy that relied on jungle trails, mountains, caves, and bicycles carrying hundreds of pounds of supplies.

Terry Rizzuti, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, arrived in Vietnam in October 1966 and spent much of his 13-month tour conducting dangerous infantry patrols through jungles and rice paddies. Wounded in combat, he returned to duty and eventually came home to a nation that often failed to welcome its Vietnam veterans with the respect they deserved. He recalled painful encounters with protesters and people who rejected him because of his military service.

Anya Kirvan, an Army nurse who cared for wounded American servicemen near the Demilitarized Zone, witnessed the terrible physical and emotional consequences of the Vietnam War. Many of her patients were only 18 or 19 years old. After returning to Colorado, she helped establish an innovative amputee ski program that gave wounded veterans opportunities to rebuild their strength, confidence, and hope.

Together, these powerful accounts reveal the courage, patriotism, dedication, and humanity of our Vietnam veteran generation. Their experiences remind Americans that military service involves tremendous sacrifice, both on the battlefield and after returning home.

By sharing their stories publicly, these remarkable veterans help preserve Vietnam War history, honor those who served, and ensure future generations understand the greatness of all our Vietnam veterans. Their legacy deserves lasting gratitude, recognition, and respect.

Listen to episode 3394 and discover more about Vietnam Veteran memories from Colorado.

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The first museum in Australia to commemorate the Vietnamese refugee experience will be built in Melbourne’s western suburbs. (Supplied)

Episode 3393 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the Vietnamese Museum coming to Australia. The featured story is titled: Vietnamese Museum Australia breaks ground in Melbourne. It was from ABC and was submitted by Max Walden

Walden reported that the Vietnamese Museum Australia, the first museum in Australia dedicated to the Vietnamese refugee experience, is becoming a reality in Melbourne’s western suburbs. This historic project honors the extraordinary courage, resilience, and sacrifices of Vietnamese refugees while recognizing the greatness of our Vietnam War veterans who served with honor, bravery, and unwavering dedication.

Marking 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, the groundbreaking ceremony in Sunshine represents a powerful milestone for the Vietnamese Australian community. More than 60,000 Australian service personnel served in Vietnam, and 521 Australian troops made the ultimate sacrifice. These brave Vietnam veterans deserve our deepest gratitude, respect, and recognition for their service, sacrifice, and commitment to freedom.

Following the communist victory in Vietnam, approximately two million Vietnamese people fled their homeland, many risking dangerous journeys across the sea. Tragically, estimates suggest that as many as 10 percent died during these perilous escapes. Thousands of Vietnamese refugees found a new home in Australia, helping shape the nation’s multicultural identity and strengthening the bonds between Vietnamese Australians and Australian Vietnam War veterans.

The Victorian government has committed an additional $2 million to the museum, building on previous state funding of $6.67 million. Federal government grants and community fundraising have also helped bring this historic vision closer to completion.

For Vietnamese Australians, the museum will preserve the stories of Vietnamese boat people, South Vietnamese soldiers, refugee families, and fallen heroes. It will also serve as a place of remembrance for those who sacrificed their lives in pursuit of freedom and those still awaiting proper recognition and burial.

Most importantly, Vietnamese Museum Australia stands as a lasting tribute to our Vietnam veterans, their courage, their sacrifices, and their enduring legacy. Their service must never be forgotten. By preserving history, honoring fallen soldiers, and educating future generations, Australia can ensure that the extraordinary contributions of Vietnam War veterans and the Vietnamese refugee community remain forever part of our national story.

Lest We Forget. Honor Our Vietnam Veterans. Remember Their Sacrifice. Celebrate Freedom.

Listen to episode 3393 and discover more about the Vietnamese Museum coming to Australia.

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Frederick Wallace Smith, Vietnam Veteran, Silver Star recipient, business magnate, investor and philanthropist

Episode 3392 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature the reasons why Fred Smith is a tremendous representative of the Vietnam Veteran generation.

Frederick Wallace Smith, the remarkable Vietnam War veteran and founder of Federal Express (FedEx), lived a life defined by courage, leadership, determination, and service to America. Born on August 11, 1944, in Marks, Mississippi, Smith overcame a childhood bone disease and developed a passion for aviation while still a teenager. After earning an economics degree from Yale University in 1966, he answered the call to serve his country by joining the United States Marine Corps.

Smith served two tours of duty in South Vietnam, working as a platoon leader and forward air controller aboard an OV-10 aircraft. His military service placed him in dangerous combat situations where courage, quick thinking, and decisive leadership meant the difference between life and death.

On May 27, 1968, during a fierce engagement on Gò Nổi Island in Quảng Nam Province, Smith demonstrated extraordinary bravery. Under intense enemy fire, he rescued wounded Marines, encouraged his men, directed artillery and air strikes, and led an aggressive attack that helped defeat the opposing North Vietnamese force. His actions earned him the Silver Star for gallantry, along with the Bronze Star Medal and two Purple Hearts. He was honorably discharged in 1969 as a Marine Corps captain.

Fred Smith’s story also illustrates the determination and ambition that helped transform American business. In 1971, he founded Federal Express, pioneering an integrated air-and-ground delivery system that revolutionized overnight shipping and global logistics.

Although widely recognized as a business visionary, Smith’s legacy extends far beyond commerce. His service represents the courage, sacrifice, and greatness of Vietnam veterans who faced extraordinary challenges while serving their nation.

Frederick Wallace Smith died on June 21, 2025, at age 80, and was laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

Vietnam Veteran Fred Smith deserves recognition not only as the founder of FedEx but also as a decorated Marine officer whose battlefield bravery exemplifies the honor, sacrifice, and enduring legacy of America’s Vietnam veterans.

Listen to episode 3392 and discover more about why Fred Smith is a tremendous Vietnam Veteran

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Jerry Ewen, of Greybull, was recently honored with an interim Congressional Gold Medal for his service as an air ambulance pilot in the Vietnam War.

Episode 3391 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the awarded Wyoming Vietnam War medevac pilot. The featured story is titled; Greybull man receives Congressional Gold Medal.  It appeared on the Newsbreak website and was submitted by Avery Howe.

Howe reported that Jerry Ewen of Greybull, Wyoming, has received long-overdue recognition for his extraordinary service as a Vietnam War air ambulance pilot. Ewen was honored with an interim Congressional Gold Medal for his life-saving work evacuating wounded American soldiers from Vietnam’s dangerous battlefields.

Serving from 1968 to 1969 with the 498th and 54th Medical Companies, Ewen flew the UH-1H Huey helicopter as part of a four-man Dustoff crew. Under the motto “So Others May Live,” these courageous Vietnam veterans risked their lives flying into hostile territory to rescue wounded troops, often under enemy fire.

During his service, Ewen participated in 1,123 medical evacuation missions, helping rescue approximately 2,300 patients. Across the Vietnam War, air ambulance crews flew nearly five million combat missions and rescued approximately 900,000 wounded personnel.

One unforgettable mission involved rescuing a young girl who had suffered traumatic injuries from a Claymore mine. The heartbreaking experience stayed with Ewen for decades, illustrating the emotional burdens carried by Vietnam veterans long after returning home.

Unfortunately, many Vietnam veterans returned to America without the appreciation and respect they deserved. The Congressional Gold Medal represents an important step toward recognizing the sacrifices of Dustoff and Medevac crews. Following years of advocacy and more than 5,000 letters and emails supporting the effort, Congress passed the U.S. Army Air Ambulance Crews of the Vietnam War Congressional Gold Medal Act in 2024.

The medal honors veterans whose courage, dedication, and sacrifice helped save countless lives. With an estimated 30% attrition rate among air ambulance crews from those wounded or killed in action, their service came at an enormous cost.

Ewen believes the greatest reward was bringing wounded soldiers home to their families. His story represents the courage, compassion, patriotism, and greatness of our Vietnam veterans.

Vietnam veterans were heroes who answered their country’s call to duty. Their sacrifices deserve lasting recognition, gratitude, and respect for generations to come.

Listen to episode 3391 and discover more about the awarded Wyoming Vietnam War medevac pilot.

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Jorge Otero Bareto: The Legendary “Puerto Rican Rambo” and Vietnam War Hero

Episode 3389 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the reason the Puerto Rican Rambo, Jorge Otero Barreto should be awarded the Medal of Honor. The featured story is titled; Veterans call on Congress to award the ‘Puerto Rican Rambo’ the Medal of Honor. It appeared on the Yahoo website and was submitted by Blake Stilwell.

Stilwell reported that Jorge Otero Barreto, known as the “Puerto Rican Rambo,” stands among the most extraordinary American Vietnam War veterans in military history. Born in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, in 1937, Barreto enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1959, choosing military service over a potential medical career. During five tours in Vietnam, he participated in more than 200 combat and aerial missions, was wounded five times, and earned 38 military decorations, including five Purple Hearts, two Silver Stars, and five Bronze Stars with Valor.

One of his most remarkable acts of courage occurred on February 17, 1968, during Operation Jeb Stuart near Quảng Trị, Vietnam. Serving with the 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), Staff Sergeant Otero Barreto faced a devastating Viet Cong ambush. When the machine-gun crew was incapacitated, he took control of the weapon and delivered suppressive fire to protect his fellow American soldiers. Even after being struck by a rocket-propelled grenade, he continued fighting until his ammunition ran out. His extraordinary bravery earned him the Silver Star.

On May 1, 1968, during Operation Carentan II near Hue, Barreto again demonstrated exceptional battlefield leadership. As North Vietnamese Army forces attacked American positions, he led his men directly into intense enemy fire, assaulting fortified machine-gun positions and helping his company advance against determined resistance.

Today, many veterans and supporters believe his actions on May 1 deserve consideration for the Medal of Honor, America’s highest military decoration. Legislation introduced in Congress in July 2026 sought to waive statutory time limits to permit a posthumous award.

After retiring as a Sergeant First Class, Barreto returned to Puerto Rico and dedicated himself to helping fellow veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress and substance abuse.

Jorge Otero Barreto represents the courage, sacrifice, leadership, and patriotism of our Vietnam veterans. His remarkable story reminds America that the men and women who served during the Vietnam War deserve lasting respect, recognition, and gratitude. Their greatness lives on through their service, their sacrifices, and their unwavering commitment to one another.

Listen to episode 3390 and discover more about the reason the Puerto Rican Rambo, Jorge Otero Barreto should be awarded the Medal of Honor.

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U.S. Army Specialist 4th Class Ronald Anthony Longfellow (Pennsylvania Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund)

Army Specialist 4th Class Ronald Anthony Longfellow

Episode 3389 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the bridge dedication for a fallen Vietnam Vet in Bucks County, PA. The featured story is titled; CB Graduate To Be Remembered With Bridge Dedication In Chalfont. It appeared on the Patch website and was submitted by Jeff Werner.

Werner reported that the greatness of America’s Vietnam veterans will be remembered as Bucks County, Pennsylvania, honors U.S. Army Specialist 4th Class Ronald Anthony Longfellow, a brave American soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War. The Pennsylvania Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and Bucks County will dedicate a bridge over Neshaminy Creek in Chalfont in his memory, preserving his legacy of courage, service, and sacrifice for future generations.

Born September 22, 1951, Ronald Longfellow grew up in a family of 10 children. His brother Jerry remembered him as a compassionate man who loved helping others. Whether giving neighborhood children motorcycle rides or volunteering at church bingo, Ronald demonstrated the kindness and generosity that characterized his life.

After graduating from Central Bucks High School in Doylestown, Longfellow was drafted into the United States Army in April 1971. Six months later, he deployed to Vietnam, serving as an infantryman with the Air Cavalry Troop of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, the legendary Blackhorse Regiment.

On December 28, 1971, while serving as point man on a dismounted patrol in Bien Hoa Province, South Vietnam, Longfellow was seriously wounded when a booby trap detonated. He died from his wounds on January 19, 1972.

For his honorable military service, Longfellow received the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, and other military decorations recognizing his bravery and sacrifice.

His legacy continues through the Ronald Anthony Longfellow Memorial Scholarship, established to honor fallen Blackhorse troopers and support future generations. The Pennsylvania Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund has also worked to preserve the memory of Bucks County servicemen and women who died in Vietnam.

This bridge dedication represents more than a memorial. It is a lasting tribute to Ronald Longfellow and to all Vietnam veterans who answered America’s call to duty. Their courage, patriotism, and sacrifice deserve our enduring gratitude and respect. We must never forget these American heroes or the families who carried the burden of their loss.

Honor our Vietnam veterans. Remember their sacrifice. Preserve their legacy.

Listen to episode 3389 and discover more about the bridge dedication for a fallen Vietnam Vet in Bucks County, PA.

Pennsylvania Vietnam Veterans

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VFW member Ken Rodgers, along with his wife, Betty, scout shooting locations for their 2021 documentary I Married the War on Nov. 3, 2016, on the coast of Sonoma County, Calif. After completing their award-winning 2011 documentary Bravo! Common Men, Uncommon Valor, the couple wanted to expand on the stories of the wives of combat veterans.

Ken and Betty Rodgers.

Episode 3388 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about one hell of a story. The featured story is titled; One Hell of a Story. It appeared on the VFW website and was submitted by Danny Cook.

Cook reported that on April 1, 1968, Marine veteran Ken Rodgers looked back toward Khe Sanh Combat Base in Vietnam after surviving one of the most brutal battles of the Vietnam War. The 77-day Battle of Khe Sanh left 274 Marines and other military personnel dead and approximately 2,500 wounded. Rodgers himself suffered a head wound from a mortar blast, and fragments of shrapnel remain in his head to this day. His story represents the extraordinary courage, sacrifice, and resilience of our Vietnam veterans.

Determined to preserve the experiences of the men who fought at Khe Sanh, Ken and his wife, Betty Rodgers, created the award-winning 2011 documentary Bravo! Common Men, Uncommon Valor. The film features 14 Marine veterans and one Navy veteran recounting their combat experiences, daily struggles under siege, heroic actions, and heartbreaking losses, including the tragic ambush of the Ghost Patrol on February 25, 1968.

Through interviews, photographs, historical recordings, and archival footage, the documentary ensures that the voices of these American Vietnam War veterans will not be forgotten. At a 2011 reunion screening, surviving veterans expressed deep appreciation for finally having their stories heard and acknowledged after years of feeling misunderstood and mistreated upon returning home.

Rodgers believes the film’s greatest achievement is giving these courageous servicemen a platform to share the truth about their experiences. Their stories demonstrate that Vietnam veterans were not losers, but American patriots who endured extraordinary hardships and demonstrated uncommon valor.

In 2016, Bravo! received the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Founders Medal for Patriotism. Ken and Betty later produced I Married the War (2021), documenting the experiences of 11 military wives and the challenges families face because of PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and combat-related injuries.

The Rodgers family’s work honors the greatness of all Vietnam veterans, preserves military history, and reminds future generations of the courage, sacrifice, and humanity behind the Vietnam War. Their mission ensures that these American heroes receive the recognition, respect, and gratitude they have always deserved.

Listen to episode 3388 and discover more about one hell of a story.