Vietnam Veteran News

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Worth Mayor Mary Werner places a wreath at the Eternal Flame Monument during the Memorial Day Observance Sunday. She is joined by Worth Trustees (from left) Kevin Ryan, Rich Dziedzic and Brad Urban. (Photo by Joe Boyle)

Michaela Weaver puts her hand on her heart as she performs the National Anthem at the beginning of the Memorial Day Observance Sunday morning at 111th and Harlem in Worth. (Photo by Joe Boyle)

Episode 3050 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about how the good people of Worth, Illinois honored the service of all American veterans with emphasis on Corporal Charles McMahon and Lance Corporal Darwin Lee Judge, the last two American service members who died in Vietnam. The featured story appeared on SRP Local News and was titled: Worth service honors final victims of Vietnam War and was submitted by Joe Boyle.

Worth Mayor Mary Werner wanted to share some details about two U.S. servicemen who were the last victims of the Vietnam War.

“April 29 of this year marked the 50th anniversary of the death of the last two American soldiers to die on Vietnam soil,” Werner said during the annual Memorial Day Remembrance at the Eternal Flame Memorial at 111th and Harlem on Sunday morning. “In the final stage of the offensive against Saigon, a North Vietnamese rocket attack on Tan Son Nhut Air Base resulted in the death of two U.S. Marines, Corporal Charles McMahon and Lance Corporal Darwin Lee Judge.”

McMahon was just 11 days short of his 22nd birthday, Werner said. He was a resident of Woburn, Mass. Judge, 19, was an Eagle Scout from Marshaltown, Iowa.

Worth Mayor Mary Werner places a wreath at the Eternal Flame Monument during the Memorial Day Observance Sunday. She is joined by Worth Trustees (from left) Kevin Ryan, Rich Dziedzic and Brad Urban. (Photo by Joe Boyle)

The mayor also mentioned that McMahon and Judge were members of the Marine Security Guard Battalion at the U.S. Embassy in Saigon. They were providing security. McMahon had arrived in Saigon on April 18, just 11 days before the attack, Werner said.

Listen to Episode 3050 and discover more about how the good people of Worth, Illinois honored the service of all American veterans with emphasis on Charles McMahon and Lance Corporal Darwin Lee Judge, the last two American service members who died in Vietnam.

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MCARTHUR HAMBURG, U.S. Marine Corps, killed in Vietnam on March 18, 1968.

MCARTHUR HAMBURG, U.S. Marine Corps dedication.

Episode 3049 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the dedication of a road in Mississippi to honor the memory of Vietnam Vet Marine LCpl Mac Hamburger. The featured story appeared on the Mississippi DOT website and was titled: Lance Corporal Mac Hamburg, USMC, Memorial Highway dedicated in Clarke County

Mac Hamburg was born March 25, 1942, in Quitman, Miss., to Glade and Levy Collins Hamburg. In 1961, he graduated from Enterprise High School, where he was lauded for his athleticism and recognized as a Class Favorite. Hamburg attended Jones County Junior College where he played football and was named an All-State lineman in 1964.

After college, Hamburg enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1966. He trained at Camp LeJeune in North Carolina and was sent to Vietnam. On March 18, 1968, Lance Corporal Hamburg was involved in a fierce, 12-hour battle in the Quang Tri Province of South Vietnam. Hamburg was awarded the National Defense Medal, the Infantry Combat Badge, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Square Medal and the Purple Heart for his courageous actions that day.

On Friday, May 16, a segment of State Route 513 South located in Clarke County was designated as the “ Lance Corporal Mac Hamburg, USMC, Memorial Highway” in honor of Lance Corporal Mac Hamburg, a U.S. Marine Corps soldier who died while serving in the Vietnam War.

The ceremony was held at Enterprise Town Hall in Enterprise. Southern Transportation Commissioner Charles Busby; Rep. Troy Smith, R-Enterprise; Henry Cook and Roger Dale Hamburg were among the distinguished guests who spoke at the dedication ceremony.

Listen to Episode 3049 and discover more about the dedication of a road in Mississippi to honor the memory of Vietnam Vet Marine LCpl Mac Hamburger..

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Edward Nachel served on the USS Myles C. Fox, a destroyer, during the Vietnam War. His Navy veteran’s experience at sea continued to impact his health, which led to DAV stepping in to help.

Episode 3048 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about how Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veteran Edward Nachel was able to get help from the VA with help from the DAV. The featured story appeared on the DAV website and was titled: How a Navy veteran found new hope. It was submitted by an unnamed writer who did a good job.

According to the DAV website: There are nearly 16 million veterans as of 2023 in the U.S. Each one has been affected by their service. DAV helps veterans of every generation address their challenges and achieve personal victories, great and small, to better thrive in civilian life.

With your support, DAV and our nearly million members are keeping the promise to America’s veterans. Here’s our impact in 2024 at a glance. $30.4 billion in earned benefits received – 235,000 rides to medical appointments 561,358 claims filed in 2024.

Edward Nachel had been a rideshare driver for five years before a chance encounter changed his life. Two DAV national service office supervisors were catching a ride from the airport to the DAV national service office in Salt Lake City when one noticed a disabled placard.

It’s never too late for veterans to get the benefits they’ve earned, even decades after. So Nachel began to receive assistance from DAV and justice for his service and sacrifice, and what started as a coincidental meeting on the job became a pivotal moment in his life.

Nachel was thrilled to learn that his claims were approved. The new benefits DAV secured mean Nachel no longer has to drive for a living. The long, arduous journeys he had become accustomed to are a thing of the past. As a result, his back isn’t bothering him as much, and he can fill his days by going to coffee shops and operating his amateur ham radio.

Listen to Episode 3048 and discover more about Blue Water Navy Vietnam Vet Edward Nachel got help from the Va with help from the DAV.

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Americal base at Chu Lai

Episode 3047 – Vietnam Vet Bill Curwick helped close down Chu Lai baseListen to Episode 3047 and discover more about Vietnam Vet Bill Curwick of Marshall, MN. He served with D Company, 26^th Engineer Battalion, the Americal Division at Chu Lai, South Vietnam. A story about Bill is featured in this episode. The story appeared in the Independent of Marshall. It was titled The Vietnam War – Bill Curwick – Shutting down Chu Lai and was submitted by Bill Palmer, a writer for the Independent.

Bill Curwick grew up in Marshall, graduated from Marshall High School in 1968, and attended some college before enlisting in the Army and training as a combat engineer. He deployed to Vietnam in November 1970 where the Army assigned him to Company D, 26th Engineer Battalion, 23rd Infantry Division at Chu Lai.

Bill was working to detonate a suspected mine at his platoon’s road construction side when a sniper’s rifle round detonated the mine and Bill’s plastic explosive charge only ten feet away. His uniform and boots were shredded and his helmet was dented from gravel thrown out from the explosion. Bill listed his limited injuries as painfully-embedded gravel in his arms and legs and hearing loss for a couple weeks.

Other members of the unit were not as fortunate when they encountered sniper fire, mines, or booby-traps.

The Vietnam War was often grim business and lots of hard work in lousy living conditions, but it also offered up the occasional, unexpected moments of amazement.

“One day a Huey came out to our worksite and we were stunned to see two Playboy bunnies as passengers. The first question we asked them revealed our priorities of the day, ‘Did you bring any hot food with you?’ They hadn’t, but I’m sure we were able to hide our disappointment because it was pretty amazing to see them in the field. We enjoyed the music they brought and danced with them. They must have gone through through a tube of lipstick before they left because we all had lipstick on our faces.”

Listen to Episode 3047 and discover more about Vietnam Vet Bill Curwick of Marshall, MN.

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Marine COL Gerry Berry

Episode 3046 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about retired Marine COL Gerry Berry explaining how he ended the Vietnam War. The featured story appeared on WHO Channel 13 in Des Moines and was titled: Iowa veteran credited with ending the Vietnam War 50 years ago shares his story. The story was submitted by Jannay Towne.

Colonel Gerry Berry, a highly decorated United States Marine Corps officer, emerged as a pivotal figure in one of the most divisive conflicts in American history — the Vietnam War.

After serving two brutal combat tours in Vietnam, Gerry Berry was no stranger to the realities of guerrilla warfare. He had earned a reputation for bravery, strategy, and unshakable loyalty to his men. But in 1975, as Saigon teetered on the brink of collapse, Berry’s most critical mission wasn’t on the battlefield — it was on a rooftop.

As a retired Marine Corps Colonel, Gerry Berry would often reflect on the day that defined his legacy — April 29, 1975. At the height of Operation Frequent Wind, the largest helicopter evacuation in history, then Major Gerry Berry piloted the final CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter to land on the rooftop of the U.S. Embassy in Saigon. With chaos erupting below and North Vietnamese troops closing in, Berry made the split-second decision to load as many evacuees as possible, cramming desperate civilians, diplomats, and Marines into the aircraft.

The images of Berry’s helicopter lifting off that rooftop became a symbol of the war’s end — a haunting and heroic moment captured in history. But what few knew was that Berry had disobeyed a direct order to leave several civilians behind. His defiance saved dozens of lives and forced policymakers in Washington to acknowledge the urgency of a complete withdrawal.

In the aftermath, Berry’s actions drew both criticism and acclaim. While some viewed his insubordination as reckless, others hailed it as the moral compass that steered the U.S. out of a failing war. His heroism helped shift public perception and spurred Congress to accelerate efforts for a final exit strategy, effectively bringing America’s involvement in Vietnam to a close.

Though he humbly denies it, many historians credit Colonel Gerry Berry with playing a decisive role in ending the Vietnam War — not through firepower, but through courage, compassion, and the conviction to do what was right, even in the face of chaos.

Listen to Episode 3046 and discover more about  Vietnam Vet Colonel Gerry Berry

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Bobby Barrett

Episode 3045 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Bobby Barret, the Vietnam Dustoff pilot who received the Congressional Gold Medal honor.  The featured story appeared in the Monroe Journal of Mississippi and was titled: Former Vietnam War Dustoff pilot shares in Congressional Gold Medal honor and was submitted by Ray Van Dusen.

A local hero and Vietnam War veteran, former Army Dustoff pilot Bobby Barrett, was recently recognized with one of the nation’s highest civilian honors — the Congressional Gold Medal. This prestigious award celebrates the bravery and selflessness of Reynolds and his fellow helicopter medevac pilots who risked their lives daily to rescue wounded soldiers from the front lines of battle during the Vietnam War.

Known as “Dustoff pilots,” these courageous aviators flew unarmed helicopters into active combat zones, often under heavy enemy fire, to evacuate the injured and provide urgent medical aid. Reynolds, a native of Monroe, flew hundreds of these daring missions between 1969 and 1971, earning a reputation for valor, calm under pressure, and dedication to his comrades.

The Congressional Gold Medal ceremony, held in Washington, D.C., honored the Army Medical Evacuation Units who served during the Vietnam era. It marks national recognition of their extraordinary sacrifice and humanitarian service. Reynolds expressed gratitude, saying the award represents “the countless lives saved, not just the pilots, but the whole Dustoff team.”

Local veterans’ groups and the Monroe community have rallied to celebrate Barrett’s achievement. His story has reignited conversations around the critical role of medevac pilots in wartime history and the importance of honoring military service.

Barrett’s legacy as a Vietnam Dustoff pilot stands as a powerful reminder of courage, service, and the enduring impact of those who risk everything to save others.

Listen to Episode 3045 and discover more about Vietnam Dustoff pilot Bobby Barrett.

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The Grand Century Mall of San Jose

Episode 3044 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the vibrant Vietnamese community of San Jose. This episode is inspired the contributions to this podcast by a good friend, Andy Pham. The featured story appeared on the M-A Chronical website and is titled: San Jose’s Long Vietnamese Roots. It was submitted by D’Anjou Paul Libunao.

D’Anjou is a junior in his second year of journalism at M-A High School. He enjoys writing movie reviews and about gaming culture. Outside of journalism, he competes in Street Fighter 6 tournaments around the Bay Area.

The M-A Chronicle is a student-managed public forum, dedicated to objective and comprehensive reporting. As the online newspaper of Menlo-Atherton High School, we seek to celebrate the successes of our high-performing school as well as highlight the voices of those living on the margins. Written, produced, and edited entirely by students, we present a variety of stories about our diverse school community in a factual and unbiased manner.

Just over two miles southeast of the modern skyscrapers and trendy shops of downtown San Jose lies a more familiar setting of sprawling strip malls, wide parking lots, and large retail stores. Within this classic American backdrop lies the Grand Century Mall, the heart of San Jose’s Little Saigon. While Vietnamese-American communities exist across the United States, San Jose’s Vietnamese ethnic enclave holds a rich history tracing back to the fall of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, known as Saigon.

2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, a moment to reflect on and honor the lives lost during the perilous journeys of the ‘boat people.’ While around 130,000 refugees made it to the United States, an estimated  400,000 Vietnamese refugees died along the way.

Listen to Episode 3044 and discover more about the San Jose Vietnamese community.

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Linwood Riddick, who turns 80 on Monday, accepts his bachelor’s degree at South Carolina State University on Friday May 9th.
Sam Watson/South Carolina State University

Episode 3043 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Vietnam Veteran Linwood Riddick who recently graduated from college as he celebrated his 80^th birthday. The featured story appeared on NPR radio and was titled: He graduated from college at age 79. A campus tragedy inspired him to enroll. It was submitted by Jennifer Ludden.

Linwood Riddick’s journey to a college diploma at age 79 is a powerful story of perseverance, purpose, and transformation. As reported by NPR News, Riddick defied age stereotypes and societal expectations, walking across the graduation stage with pride after earning his degree from South Carolina State University. His decision to pursue higher education later in life wasn’t just about personal achievement—it was driven by a deeply emotional catalyst.

In 1968, a tragic campus shooting at South Carolina State University  deeply affected Riddick. The senseless act of violence, which took the life of a student, compelled him to turn grief into action.

Riddick’s NPR story highlights not only the impact of lifelong learning but also the significance of community, resilience, and civic responsibility. His graduation at 79 years old serves as a testament to the idea that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams or contribute meaningfully to society. By transforming tragedy into motivation, Linnwood Riddick became a beacon of hope and a symbol of intergenerational wisdom.

NPR’s coverage of Riddick’s story continues to inspire readers across South Carolina and beyond, proving that education, healing, and purpose have no age limit. His path from grief to graduation reminds us that even in the face of adversity, it’s possible to create a legacy of impact, compassion, and courage.

Listen to Episode 3043 and discover more about Linwood Riddick and his college degree.

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Oregon Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Nate Brushe, a recovery noncommissioned officer, wet-screens material during a Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) recovery mission in Vietnam, April 11, 2025. The DPAA mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. This is the first time the Oregon National Guard has supplemented a DPAA mission.

Episode 3042 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the Oregon National Guard Soldiers Who go on a Recovery Mission for Missing Vietnam War Service Member

In a powerful display of dedication and national pride, Oregon National Guard Soldiers, Sgts. 1st Class Nathan Brushe and Brian Miller, are leading a mission to locate and return the remains of a missing Vietnam War service member. Collaborating with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), these Citizen-Soldiers are deployed to Southeast Asia to help bring closure to families still waiting for their loved ones to come home.

Tasked with a solemn yet vital responsibility, the Oregon National Guard is using advanced archaeological recovery techniques to search crash sites, identify personal effects, and recover potential remains. The mission reinforces the military’s unwavering commitment to its creed: “Never Leave a Comrade Behind.”

Operating in challenging terrain and remote areas, the Guard’s efforts reflect not only a commitment to historical accountability but also to international humanitarian cooperation. The mission highlights how military service extends beyond combat—it includes restoration, remembrance, and repatriation.

“This is more than a mission,” said a participating Oregon Guardsman. “It’s a promise to a fallen brother and to his family. We won’t stop until he’s brought home.”

Currently, over 1,500 Americans from the Vietnam War remain unaccounted for. Through missions like this, the Oregon National Guard plays a pivotal role in honoring that legacy and fulfilling the U.S. military’s ongoing efforts to locate and recover every missing hero.

As the Oregon National Guard continues this mission, it not only strengthens the bond between soldiers and communities—it also brings hope to the families of the fallen and ensures that the sacrifices of Vietnam War veterans are never forgotten.

Listen to Episode 3042 and discover more about the Oregon National Guardsmen search for Vietnam War MIA remains.

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Fighterworld general manager, Air Commodore (retd) Jack Fanderlinden, right, listens as Wing Commander (retd) Hugh Holt recalls flying Hercules aircraft with him in 37 Squadron during the Vietnam War. Photo: Leading Aircraftman Kurt Lewis

Episode 3041 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the last ANZAC aircraft to leave Saigon just before it fell to the North Vietnamese. The featured story appeared on the Australian Government Defense website and was titled: Fighter World recalls last RAAF boots on ground in Vietnam and submitted by Flight Lieutenant Julia Ravell.

In a powerful tribute to Australia’s military history, Fighter World has unveiled a moving exhibit honoring the last Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) personnel who served in the Vietnam War. The exhibit, rich in historical artifacts and first-hand accounts, commemorates the final RAAF boots on the ground before Australia’s official withdrawal in 1972.

Located in Williamtown, Fighter World is a museum dedicated to preserving the legacy of Australian military aviation. The new Vietnam War section highlights the critical role of RAAF No. 2 Squadron, which flew Canberra bombers during intense combat missions, and the RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam, which provided essential logistics and evacuation support.

Central to the story is the personal journey of Flight Lieutenant Jack Fanderlinden among the last to leave Tan Son Nhut Air Base. His account provides a vivid picture of the war’s closing days—marked by uncertainty, rapid withdrawal, and emotional farewells.

Interactive displays showcase RAAF aircraft, uniforms, and personal gear, bringing to life the sacrifice and service of Australian airmen. Veterans, historians, and aviation enthusiasts alike are drawn to the museum’s commitment to authenticity and storytelling.

Fighter World’s exhibit not only recalls the end of Australia’s air force involvement in the Vietnam conflict but also educates new generations on the enduring legacy of those who served. With keywords like RAAF Vietnam War, last boots on ground, Fighter World museum, and Australian military aviation, the exhibit stands as a poignant reminder of courage, duty, and history.

Listen to Episode 3041 and discover more about the last ANZAC aircraft out of Saigon in 1975..