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Gary Scott – Vietnam War Hero

Gary Scott Memorial Highway

Episode 3322 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the road in New York being dedicated to a fallen Vietnam Veteran Lt. Gary Scott. The featured story is titled: Governor signs legislation to designate Gary Scott Memorial Highway. It appeared on the Daily News website and was submitted by Ben Beagle.

Beagle reported that Lieutenant Gary A. Scott’s story stands as a powerful reminder of the extraordinary courage and sacrifice displayed by the Vietnam Veteran generation. New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s signing of legislation creating the Lt. Gary A. Scott Memorial Highway ensures that this American hero’s name and legacy will never be forgotten. The designated stretch of Route 19 in Le Roy, Scott’s hometown, will forever honor a young officer who willingly placed the lives of his fellow soldiers above his own.

Scott, a Distinguished ROTC graduate from Syracuse University, deliberately chose the infantry because he believed true leaders served beside those facing the greatest danger. During a fierce ambush in Thua Thien Province on March 29, 1968, the 22-year-old second lieutenant crawled through intense enemy fire to assist Army medic Bruce Brattain as they cared for wounded soldiers. After calmly assuring the medic, “I will cover you,” Scott exposed himself to enemy fire and was mortally wounded. His selfless heroism earned him the Silver Star for valor.

The memorial highway is more than a tribute to one remarkable officer. It symbolizes the gratitude owed to all Vietnam Veterans who answered their nation’s call under incredibly difficult circumstances. These brave men and women demonstrated unwavering devotion, remarkable resilience, and extraordinary courage while serving far from home. Their sacrifices helped protect their fellow service members and upheld the highest traditions of military service.

The dedication of the Lt. Gary A. Scott Memorial Highway will inspire future generations to remember not only Scott’s heroic actions but also the countless Vietnam Veterans whose courage, honor, and selfless commitment continue to define one of America’s greatest generations of warriors.

Listen to episode 3322 and discover more about the road in New York being dedicated to a fallen Vietnam Veteran Lt. Gary Scott.

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Narrabri, NSW location

Richard Barry in Vietnam

Australian Vietnam Vet Richard Barry today

Episode 3321 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about what Aussie Vietnam Vet Richard Barry is doing to help insure the recognition of all Australian Vietnam Vets. The featured story is titled: Push for Vietnam War recognition continues. It appeared on the Courier of Narrabri, NSW website and was submitted by Dylan Smith.

Smith reported that Australian Vietnam veterans represent one of the bravest and most dedicated generations in the nation’s military history, and Richard Barry’s determined campaign highlights the ongoing effort to ensure every deserving veteran receives the recognition they have earned. A Vietnam veteran himself, Barry has spent years advocating for approximately 2,500 National Service veterans who were denied the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM) simply because they served fewer than the traditional 181-day requirement. Many of these soldiers, sailors, and airmen were ordered home through no fault of their own after completing their lawful conscription period.

Barry’s work helped bring about an important breakthrough in 2022 when the Australian Government accepted recommendations recognizing certain psychological injuries, including PTSD, under the medal’s eligibility criteria. This historic decision demonstrated that courage, sacrifice, and service cannot be measured solely by the number of days spent in a combat zone.

His advocacy also reminds Australians that many young servicemen made the ultimate sacrifice shortly after arriving in Vietnam, with several receiving the RVCM posthumously despite serving well under 181 days. Their stories prove that valor is defined by commitment and sacrifice, not by the calendar.

The Returned and Services League (RSL NSW) has strongly supported Barry’s campaign, noting the broad backing it has received from former Governors-General, Prime Ministers, military leaders, veterans’ organizations, and Australia’s Vietnamese community. Together, they argue that these National Service veterans endured the same dangers, hardships, and emotional burdens as their comrades.

The unwavering courage, loyalty, and selfless service of Australian Vietnam veterans remain a source of immense national pride. Their legacy deserves lasting gratitude, equal recognition, and the respect of all Australians for generations to come.

Listen to episode 3321 and discover more about what Aussie Vietnam Vet Richard Barry is doing to help insure the recognition of all Australian Vietnam Vets.

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MIA – Maj. Paschal (Pat) Boggs

U.S. Navy Grumman A-6 Intruder

Dick Yarbrough

Episode 3320 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a column about the consciences surrounding Vietnam MIA Maj Pat kBoggs. The featured column is titled: Dick Yarbrough: A letter, a bracelet, and God’s anonymous hand. It appeared on the Walker County Messenger and The Catoosa County News website and was submitted by Dick Yarbrough.

Yarbrough reported that the story of Major Paschal “Pat” Boggs is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary courage, sacrifice, and professionalism displayed by all pilots who served during the Vietnam War. These aviators willingly climbed into their aircraft knowing that every mission could be their last. Flying through hostile skies filled with anti-aircraft artillery, surface-to-air missiles, and enemy fighters demanded exceptional skill, unwavering discipline, and remarkable bravery.

Pat Boggs served as the navigator aboard a U.S. Navy Grumman A-6 Intruder during a nighttime combat mission over North Vietnam in August 1967. His aircraft struck a limestone karst formation, and both crew members were lost in service to their country. Like thousands of other Vietnam War pilots, Boggs accepted tremendous risks in defense of freedom, fully aware that success often required flying into the most dangerous airspace on Earth.

Decades later, an incredible series of coincidences reunited Boggs’ memory with a POW/MIA bracelet that had been carefully preserved for 53 years by Catherine Kennedy. As a child, she faithfully wore the bracelet in hopes that the missing airman would someday return home. Though life carried her across the country, she never discarded it. After discovering a newspaper column detailing Boggs’ fate, she returned the bracelet to the author’s care, providing another chapter in a remarkable story of remembrance and honor.

This moving account highlights the enduring legacy of Vietnam War pilots and aircrews. Their courage inspired generations of Americans, while families, friends, and grateful citizens ensured their sacrifices would never be forgotten. Every Vietnam pilot—whether Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Army—answered the call with unmatched dedication. Their heroism, professionalism, and devotion to duty remain an enduring source of pride and a lasting testament to the greatness of America’s Vietnam Veteran generation.

Listen to episode 3320 and discover more about the consciences surrounding Vietnam MIA Maj Pat Boggs.

You can reach Dick Yarbrough at dick@dickyarbrough.com; at P.O. Box 725373, Atlanta, Georgia 31139; online at dickyarbrough.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dickyarb.

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Ishpeming Ceremony

Arizona Patriot Guard Riders

Terry Millimaki Ashes

Episode 3319 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about how a Vietnam Veteran remains were returned home. The featured story is titled: Arizona Patriot Guard Riders help return deceased Ishpeming veteran’s ashes. It appeared on the TV6 Live Stream Marquette website and was submitted by Julia Seitz

Seitz reported that the story of Terry Millimaki’s final journey home is a powerful reminder of the honor owed to America’s veterans and especially to the men and women of the Vietnam Veteran generation. Millimaki, who served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, passed away in February, but his return to his beloved hometown of Ishpeming became a remarkable tribute carried out by the Arizona Patriot Guard Riders. Over 150 motorcyclists participated in a 2,000-mile Pony Express relay that transported his ashes with dignity, care, and unwavering respect.

Captain Bill Wooster explained that veterans are never left alone during these missions. Each transfer is handled with solemn ceremony, reflecting a simple but profound promise: America does not abandon those who served her. Along the route, volunteers devoted their time, resources, and hearts to ensure that a fellow veteran was brought safely home.

The homecoming ceremony conducted by American Legion Post 44 highlighted a truth understood by many communities across the nation: Vietnam veterans deserve to be welcomed home with gratitude, honor, and remembrance. For decades, many returned from war without the recognition they had earned. Today, organizations such as the Patriot Guard Riders help correct that history by standing beside veterans and their families in moments of both sorrow and pride.

Terry Millimaki’s journey was more than a transfer of ashes. It was a national salute to the greatness, sacrifice, and enduring legacy of Vietnam veterans—Americans whose courage and service continue to inspire generations.

Listen to episode 3319 and discover more about how a Vietnam Veteran remains were returned home.

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U.S. Navy A-4 Shyhawk

Episode 3318 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the amazing A-4 Skyhawk and its service in Vietnam. The featured story is titled: The A-4 Skyhawk: Heinemann’s Hot Rod That Refused to Retire. It appeared on the MiGFLUG website and was submitted by Max Grünwald.    .

Ed Heinemann — designer of the A-4 Skyhawk, Douglas Aircraft

Grünwald reported that the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk became one of the greatest naval attack aircraft in history, and its remarkable combat record is inseparable from the courage and professionalism of the U.S. Navy pilots who flew it during the Vietnam War. Designed by the brilliant Ed Heinemann, the Skyhawk proved that simplicity, light weight, and outstanding engineering could outperform larger and more complicated aircraft. Nicknamed the “Scooter” and “Heinemann’s Hot Rod,” it combined speed, agility, and reliability into a compact package that became the backbone of Navy carrier aviation.

Throughout the Vietnam War, Navy pilots launched from aircraft carriers day after day into some of the world’s most heavily defended airspace. Flying the A-4 Skyhawk, they conducted thousands of dangerous strike missions against enemy targets, often facing intense anti-aircraft artillery, surface-to-air missiles, and enemy fighters. Their skill, determination, and unwavering commitment to duty helped sustain America’s air campaign under extraordinarily hazardous conditions. Among those who flew the Skyhawk was future Senator John McCain, whose shootdown over Hanoi became one of the war’s most well-known stories of sacrifice and endurance.

The Skyhawk’s agility and dependability earned the admiration of generations of naval aviators. After Vietnam, it continued serving with distinction in conflicts around the world, with the Blue Angels, and as an adversary aircraft at TOPGUN, demonstrating the timeless excellence of its design.

Above all, the A-4 Skyhawk symbolizes the greatness of America’s Navy pilots in Vietnam. Their extraordinary bravery, precision, and resilience under fire reflected the highest traditions of naval aviation. Flying from crowded carrier decks into combat and returning to do it again and again, these aviators displayed exceptional courage and professionalism, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire future generations of naval officers and military pilots.

Listen to episode 3318 and discover more about the amazing A-4 Skyhawk and its service in Vietnam..

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Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, presents Robert Haywood with new copies of his medals alongside Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins and Eaton County Commissioner Nicole Christensen. (David Sackrider/WLNS)

Episode 3317 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about how Vietnam Vet Robert Haywood recovered his stolen Purple Heart. The featured story is titled: After his Purple Heart was stolen, postal worker helps Vietnam veteran get replacement. It appeared on the WLNS website and was submitted by David Sackrider.   .

Sackrider reported that the story of Marine veteran Robert Haywood is a powerful reminder of the courage, sacrifice, and enduring spirit of the Vietnam Veteran generation. Haywood proudly served his country as a United States Marine sergeant during the Vietnam War, earning numerous military honors, including an Expert Marksman Badge, a Good Conduct Medal, and, after years of waiting, the Purple Heart for wounds received in service. These decorations represent not only his personal bravery but also the extraordinary commitment displayed by millions of Americans who answered their nation’s call.

When thieves broke into Haywood’s Lansing home and stole the medals he had only recently received, it was more than a property crime—it was an attack on symbols of honor earned through sacrifice. Yet the response from his community demonstrated that the service of Vietnam veterans will never be forgotten. Postal carrier Adrienne Burns, deeply moved by Haywood’s loss, rallied support through social media. Her efforts, joined by Eaton County Commissioner Nicole Christensen, Congressman Tom Barrett, and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins, led to a heartfelt ceremony where replacement medals were presented to Haywood.

The emotional event restored more than medals; it reaffirmed the nation’s gratitude for those who served during one of America’s most difficult wars. Haywood’s quiet humility and the compassion shown by those around him reflected the very best of America.

Every Vietnam veteran deserves the same respect and recognition. Their courage under impossible conditions, unwavering dedication to duty, and lifelong sacrifices helped preserve the freedoms Americans enjoy today. Their legacy is one of honor, resilience, and patriotism, and it continues to inspire future generations to appreciate the true cost of freedom.

Listen to episode 3317 and discover more about how Vietnam Vet Robert Haywood recovered his stolen Purple Heart.

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Springfield-area residents form a receiving line to honor Vietnam War veterans upon their return from their Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

Episode 3316 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the recent Ozarks Honor Flight report. The story is titled: Vietnam veterans welcomed home to Springfield after Honor Flight. It appeared on the Springfield News-Leader website and was submitted by Chris Meglio.

Meglio reported that more than five decades after returning from the Vietnam War, 81 Ozarks Vietnam veterans finally received the heartfelt homecoming many never experienced. As part of an Honor Flight, they traveled from Springfield to Washington, D.C., where they visited memorials honoring those who served in Vietnam, Korea, World War II and Iwo Jima, and witnessed the solemn Changing of the Guard at Arlington National Cemetery. The journey stirred deep emotions, with some veterans reflecting quietly while others shed tears as they remembered their service and sacrifice.

The most powerful moment came when they returned to Springfield-Branson National Airport. Hundreds of grateful supporters lined the terminal, greeting the veterans with applause, flowers, hugs, handshakes and heartfelt expressions of thanks. The overwhelming reception symbolized a long-overdue recognition for a generation of Americans whose courage was too often overlooked when they first came home.

Vietnam veterans answered their nation’s call during one of the most difficult and divisive periods in American history. They endured the hardships of combat, lost friends, and many returned to face rejection instead of gratitude. Despite those challenges, they continued serving their communities through organizations that help fellow veterans, proving their commitment to service never ended.

The Honor Flight was more than a day of sightseeing—it was a powerful tribute to extraordinary men whose sacrifice helped preserve the freedoms Americans enjoy today. Their resilience, humility and dedication embody the highest ideals of military service. America is stronger because of Vietnam veterans, and honoring their legacy ensures their courage, sacrifice and unwavering patriotism will never be forgotten.

 Listen to episode 3316 and discover more about the recent Ozarks Honor Flight report.

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The new headstone honoring Lance Cpl. Rionald Dean Rogers stand at Tower Heights Cemetery in West Frankfort. [Paul Wilcoxen]

Episode 3315 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about how Vietnam Vets were honored at West Frankfort, Illinois. The story is titled: Ceremony gives Vietnam veterans long-overdue recognition. It appeared on the Southern Illinoisan website and was submitted by Paul Wilcoxen.        .

Wilcoxen reported in his story that the upcoming memorial ceremony in West Frankfort is far more than the dedication of a headstone—it is a heartfelt tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and enduring legacy of America’s Vietnam veterans, especially the United States Marines who served with extraordinary valor. What began as an effort to place a permanent marker on the grave of Lance Cpl. Ronald Dean Rogers has grown into a community-wide expression of gratitude for all local service members who fought in Vietnam and for those who never returned.

Lance Cpl. Rogers, a 1968 West Frankfort Community High School graduate, gave his life in Quang Tri Province on August 31, 1969, at just 19 years old. Like thousands of Marines who fought in Vietnam, he answered his nation’s call without hesitation. Marines earned a reputation throughout the war for their relentless determination, fierce combat skills, and unwavering commitment to one another. Whether defending remote outposts, battling through dense jungles, or enduring brutal engagements near the Demilitarized Zone, they embodied the Marine Corps’ proud tradition of honor, courage, and commitment.

Inspired by longtime friend Danny Ramsey’s determination to provide Rogers with the headstone he deserved, community members rallied together through fundraisers and generous donations. Their efforts expanded into a larger ceremony honoring every West Frankfort resident who died in Vietnam while also recognizing the veterans who returned home, many of whom never received the welcome they deserved.

The ceremony serves as a reminder that the Vietnam generation, now in their later years, deserves lasting respect and gratitude. By honoring these Marines and all Vietnam veterans, West Frankfort ensures their sacrifices will never be forgotten, preserving their legacy for future generations who will remember the price they paid for freedom.

Listen to episode 3315 and discover more about how Vietnam Vets were honored at West Frankfort, Illinois.

F-105 Thuds

Episode 3314 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about how the F-105 Thuds  performed in the Vietnam War. The story is titled: Thud Ridge: The Bloody Road to Hanoi. It appeared on the MigFlug website and was submitted by Joseph Duncan.       .

Duncan reported in his story that the story of Thud Ridge is one of extraordinary courage, sacrifice, and determination by the U.S. Air Force’s F-105 Thunderchief pilots during the Vietnam War. Flying one of the most dangerous combat missions in aviation history, these men repeatedly attacked heavily defended targets around Hanoi through the infamous Tam Dao mountain range, forever known as Thud Ridge. Using the ridge to shield themselves from enemy radar, they descended into a deadly gauntlet of anti-aircraft artillery, SA-2 surface-to-air missiles, and hostile MiG fighters, knowing every mission could be their last.

Originally designed as a high-speed nuclear strike aircraft, the F-105 was thrust into the role of carrying massive conventional bomb loads deep into North Vietnam. Despite not being built for such a campaign, the Thunderchief became the backbone of Operation Rolling Thunder, flying roughly three-quarters of the U.S. Air Force’s strike missions against the North. The cost was staggering. Nearly half of all F-105s ever built were lost, making it one of the most heavily attrited American combat aircraft in history.

The bravery of the Thud pilots was remarkable. They flew the same hazardous routes day after day, often requiring 100 combat missions to complete a tour, even though the odds of surviving unscathed were frighteningly low. Their greatest enemy was usually the relentless wall of anti-aircraft fire rather than enemy fighters. Compounding the danger were restrictive rules of engagement that prevented them from striking key enemy airfields, allowing MiGs to launch attacks with impunity.

Colonel Jack Broughton

Colonel Jack Broughton immortalized the experiences of these aviators in his classic memoir Thud Ridge, preserving the voices and heroism of the men who risked everything over North Vietnam. Their courage was measured not only in medals, but in every bombing run they completed through overwhelming fire. The legacy of the F-105 pilots remains one of the finest examples of valor, professionalism, and unwavering dedication in American military aviation history.

Listen to episode 3314 and discover more about how how the F-105 Thuds  performed in the Vietnam War.

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Designed to break apart in midair, cluster bombs delivered up to 600 bomblets, each smaller than a fist, to contaminate an area of several football fields. It is estimated that 270 million of these submunitions — known locally as “bombies” — were dropped on Laos, but 30% failed to detonate.

Episode 3313 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about how Vietnam War UXOs are still a challenge for Laos. The story is titled: Weapons of long-ago conflicts still haunt people of Laos. It appeared on the DW website and was submitted by Julian Ryall.      .

Ryall reported in his story that more than fifty years after the Vietnam War ended, Laos continues to suffer from one of the conflict’s deadliest legacies: millions of unexploded bombs scattered across its countryside. Between 1964 and 1973, the United States dropped more than two million tons of ordnance on Laos in an effort to disrupt North Vietnam’s use of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Among the most dangerous weapons were cluster bombs, which released hundreds of small bomblets known locally as “bombies.” An estimated 30% failed to explode and remain hidden beneath fields, forests, and villages.

The human toll is illustrated by the story of Thong Phet, who lost his left arm and severely injured his right hand after accidentally striking an unexploded bomb with a machete as an 18-year-old novice monk. Today, he watches demining teams painstakingly search his farmland, hoping it will finally be declared safe for farming.

UXO Laos teams continue the dangerous work of locating and destroying these hidden explosives, but the task remains enormous. Entire provinces are still contaminated, restricting agriculture, infrastructure development, and economic growth while forcing farmers to risk their lives simply to cultivate their land. Public education programs now teach children how to recognize and avoid unexploded ordnance, while organizations such as COPE provide prosthetic limbs and rehabilitation for survivors.

Although casualties have declined dramatically thanks to decades of clearance efforts and risk education, unexploded ordnance continues to claim lives each year. As Laos prepares to host the Third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, the nation hopes to highlight both the progress achieved and the immense work still required to eliminate this deadly legacy of war and ensure a safer future for generations to come.

Listen to episode 3313 and discover more about how Vietnam War UXOs are still a challenge for Laos.