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Navy F-4 Fighter in combat in Vietnam

Episode 2787 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about why the kill ratio between American and North Vietnamese in Vietnam fighter aircraft was so different from the Korean War The featured story appeared on the Aviation Geek Club website and was titled, Here’s why before TOPGUN, Navy F-4 Phantom II fighter crews in Vietnam managed only a 2.5:1 kill ratio versus Soviet-built MiG-17 and MiG-21 fighters. The story was submitted by Donald Auten.

It was reported that by the end of the Korean War, Navy, Marine, and Air Force pilots had demonstrated their air combat prowess over Korean and Chinese fighter pilots by racking up an exchange rate of over ten-to-one. In spite of its horror, the war provided iron-clad proof that by developing better tactics and maneuvers, providing better training, and applying innovative concepts to the battlefield, U.S. airmen could reign triumphantly, even when confronting opponents with superior equipment. This lesson would have significant influence on Navy, Marine, and USAF fighter crews in the air war over Vietnam.

The F-4 Phantom II entered the fleet in 1962, nine years after the Korean War. Early in the Vietnam War, the Navy and USAF discovered they were using the right airplane in the wrong battle environment. Kill ratios were in the vicinity of two- and one-half enemy aircraft shot down for each U.S. airplane lost, a far cry from the ten to one kill ratio experienced during the Korean conflict.

There was much concern over blue-on-blue engagements in Vietnam. The rules of engagement written to avoid fratricide were complex and restrictive. Prior to firing missiles at another aircraft, U.S. fighter crews were required to have one of two conditions met: a positive visual identification (VID) or clearance from an intercept controller with positive radar identification.

Listen to episode 2787 and discover more about why the kill ratio between American and North Vietnamese fighter aircraft was so different from the Korean War.

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U.S. Air Force Capt. Atis Karlis Lielmanis

Bucks County bridge dedication,

Episode 2786 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the renaming of a bridge in Bucks County, PA to honor the memory of fallen Vietnam Vet U.S. Air Force Capt. Atis Karlis Lielmanis. The featured story comes from Bucks County website and was titled, Upper Bucks Bridge Renamed for First Bucks Resident Killed in Vietnam War.

It was reported that the County of Bucks renamed county-owned Bridge #361 in Tinicum Township for U.S. Air Force Capt. Atis Karlis Lielmanis, the first Bucks County resident killed in action during the Vietnam War.

Lielmanis was serving as an Advisor-Navigator aboard a B-26B Marauder bomber aircraft on Nov. 24, 1963, when it was purposely exposed during a low-level flight above hidden Viet Cong machine gun installations. His bomber took fire and crashed, but in the process revealed enemy positions, leading to their destruction by cover aircraft and saving friendly lives.

“As we come up on Memorial Day, we think about the over one million Americans, from all walks of life, who have given the ultimate sacrifice so that we may be here as the strongest and proudest and most successful country on Earth,” said Commissioner Vice Chair Bob Harvie.

It was further reported tant Lielmanis was born Jan. 2, 1939, in Latvia, and came to the United States with his family in 1950. They settled in Quakertown, where he attended and graduated from Quakertown High School seven years later. In high school, Lielmanis played on the volleyball, basketball, cross-country and chess teams, and was also the art editor for the school magazine. He attended Lehigh University before enlisting in the Air Force in 1958.

Listen to episode 2786 and discover more about the renaming of a bridge in Bucks County, PA to honor the memory of fallen Vietnam Vet U.S. Air Force Capt. Atis Karlis Lielmanis.

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A Navy Douglas A-3 Skywarrior in attack mode over North Vietnam.

Episode 2785 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about The Navy A-3 Skywarrior in Vietnam and how it got a reputation as the most accurate dive bomber in the War. The featured story comes from The Aviation Geek Club website and was titled: Did you know that even though the A-3 Skywarrior didn’t have a bombsight was the most accurate dive bomber during the Vietnam War? It was submitted by Dario Leone, of the Aviation Geek Club Website.

Dario was born in 1984, since his youth he has always been interested in every kind of aeronautical subjects from die-cast models to books. After having written for several media outlets, his unique fascination with aircraft led him to launch his website.

Built from a true aviation geek for true aviation geeks, this blog is aimed to create a community of people who can read and talk about every aviation topic, from never told stories to latest news.

Dario, in his story, reported that The Douglas A-3 Skywarrior was designed as a strategic bomber for the United States Navy and was among the longest serving carrier-based aircraft in history. It entered service in the mid-1950s and was retired in 1991. Throughout its service, it was the heaviest operational aircraft to operate from aircraft carriers, earning its nickname, “The Whale.” Its primary function for much of its later service life was as an electronic warfare platform, tactical air reconnaissance platform, and high capacity aerial refueling tanker.

The last combat mission flown by the Skywarrior involved the Navy’s first attempt to mine the river approaches to Haiphong Harbor in May 1967.

Listen to episode 2785 and discover more about The Navy A-3 Skywarrior in Vietnam and how it got a reputation as the most accurate dive bomber in the War.

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Medal of Honor recepient Air Force Maj. Leo K. Thorsness

Maj. Leo K. Thorsness and the F-105 he flew on Apr. 19, 1967 over North Vietnam.

Episode 2784 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Air Force Maj. Leo K. Thorsness and his Congressional Medal of Honor award. The featured story comes from The Aviation Geek Club website and was titled: The F-105 pilot who glided his Thud to a safe landing with the fuel gauge reading “empty” after He directed a tanker to another F-105 dangerously low on fuel during a CSAR mission over North Vietnam. It was submitted by Dario Leone, the chief of the Aviation Geek Club Website.

Dario was born in 1984, since his youth he has always been interested in every kind of aeronautical subjects from die-cast models to books. After having written for several media outlets, his unique fascination with aircraft led him to launch his website.

Built from a true aviation geek for true aviation geeks, this blog is aimed to create a community of people who can read and talk about every aviation topic, from never told stories to latest news.

Dario, in his story, not only describes the exploits of Air Force Maj. Leo K. Thorsness that earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor, he also shares details about the type F-105 aircraft Thorsness flew on that fateful day.

Dario reported that in 1951 Republic Aviation began a project to develop a supersonic tactical fighter-bomber to replace the F-84F. The result was the F-105 Thunderchief, later affectionately nicknamed the “Thud.” A total of 833 Thunderchiefs of all types were built, including 610 F-105Ds.

He continued with this about the heroic actions of a brave American aviator, on Apr. 19, 1967, Maj. Leo K. Thorsness, a veteran 357th TFS Weasel pilot, led a flight of four F-105F Thunderchiefs on an Iron Hand mission in support of a raid against the Xuan Mai army barracks and storage supply area, roughly 37 miles south west of Hanoi.

Listen to episode 2784 and discover more about Air Force Maj. Leo K. Thorsness and his Congressional Medal of Honor award honors.

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Col. (Ret.) Ralph Puckett Jr., Medal of Honor recipient, poses with members of the 75th Ranger Regiment at the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, Ga. on Aug. 10, 2021. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Garrett Shreffler).

Episode 2783 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about how Army Ranger and Vietnam Vet COL Ralph Puckett was honored at the U.S. Capitol. The featured story appeared on the Task and Purpose website and was titled: Ranger legend COL Ralph Puckett honored at U.S. Capitol.It was submitted by Patty Nieberg.

She is a senior staff writer for Task & Purpose. She has covered the military and national defense for five years, including embedding with the National Guard during Hurricane Florence and covering legal proceedings for a former al Qaeda commander at Guantanamo Bay. Her previous bylines can be found at the Associated Press, Bloomberg Government, Washington Post, The New York Times, and ABC.

In this story, Nieberg reported that Sen. Joni Ernst is one of the lead lawmakers crafting legislation that directly impacts American service members and veterans, but she found herself choking up Monday, April 29, 2024 remembering how her own military service had been shaped by the mentorship and friendship with Col. Ralph Puckett.

Ernst told Task & Purpose Monday, as her voice occasionally caught with emotion. “You would think he was a librarian. He was so quiet and so humble and he was such a good man,” For decades, Puckett was a mentor and example to generations around the 75th Ranger Regiment.

On Monday, April 29, 2024, Puckett became just the second Medal of Honor recipient to lie in honor, meaning his remains were accorded a public audience in the rotunda of Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. so that lawmakers and the public could pay personal respects. Ernst was among the Senators who arranged for the honor.

Listen to episode 2783 and discover more about how Army Ranger and VietnamVet COL Ralph Puckett was honored at the U.S. Capitol for his service to his country.

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Marine Vietnam Vet LTC Harlan Chapman then and now.

Episode 2782 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Marine Vietnam Vet Harlan Chapman and his life dedicated to honor and integrity. The featured story appeared on the Task and Purpose website and was titled: The Marine who was held longest as a Vietnam POW has passed away.

It was submitted by Jeff Schogol. He is a senior staff writer for Task & Purpose. He reports on both the Defense Department as a whole as well as individual services, covering a variety of topics that include personnel, policy, military justice, deployments, and technology. His apartment in Alexandria, Va., has served as the Task & Purpose Pentagon bureau since the pandemic first struck in March 2020. The dwelling is now known as Forward Operating Base Schogol.

In this story, Schogol reported that when Lt. Col. Harlan Chapman arrived in Hawaii  after his release from seven years in North Vietnamese prisoner of war camps,  Marine Lt. Gen. Louis Wilson was there to meet him. “Welcome back to the Marine Corps,” Wilson told Chapman. “Thank you, general,” Chapman replied, “But I never left.”

Chapman spent more time as a prisoner of war than any other Marine held in captivity during the Vietnam War, according to an official Marine Corps history of the conflict.

“Despite extreme cruelties during interrogation periods and severe maltreatment on a continual basis, Lieutenant Colonel Chapman distinguished himself by his indomitable spirit and dogged tenacity,” his Silver Star citation reads. “Refusing to provide the enemy with information, even that of a biographical nature, he aroused the increased wrath of his captors.”

Chapman’s wife Fran said this about her husband: throughout Chapman’s life, honor, integrity and family were his guiding principles,

Listen to episode 2782 and discover moreabout Marin Vietnam Vet Harlan Chapman and his life dedicated to honor and integrity.

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A soldier poses for a photo.
Hurley Haywood in 1971.

Episode 2781 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Vietnam Vet Hurley Haywood and the two points he verifies about the War. The featured story appeared on the DOD website and was titled: Sports Heroes Who Served: Famous Race Car Driver Also Served in Vietnam. It was submitted by Dave Vergun & T. Anthony Bell, writers for the DOD.

 In the story it was reported that: Harris “Hurley” Haywood is a world-class race car driver and a Vietnam veteran. Haywood, born in 1948, said he got his ambition for automobiles when he was young. The Chicago native spent summers working on his grandparents’ farm west of the city, sometimes driving a pickup truck to help out. He was later given a car that he drove on the property.

Hurley said “I started driving a full-sized car around the farms when I was 12 years old. So by the time I got to be 16, I was pretty well-versed on how to handle an automobile.”

It was further reported in the story: he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1977 (Porsche 936), 1983 (Porsche 956) and 1994 (Dauer 962 Le Mans) and is tied as the most successful driver at the 24 Hours of Daytona with 5 wins (1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, and 1991).

He won the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1973 and 1981. He also drove in the 1980 Indianapolis 500 finishing 18th. He represented the International Motor Sports Association four times in the International Race of Champions (1986, 1989, 1992, 1995).

Haywood said this: “People say to me, ‘What trait does a racing driver need to have?’ I say it’s the ability to adapt to change because the environment was constantly changing in a race car, and if you don’t adapt to those changes, you’re going to go to the back of the pack.”

Listen to episode 2781 and discover more about Vietnam Vet Hurley Haywood and the two points he verifies about the War.

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Airmen from the 60th Air Mobility Wing Honor Guard conduct a funeral for U.S. Air Force Col. Ernest L. De Soto at Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, Calif., June 30, 2023. De Soto was accounted for by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency on March 23, 2023, and returned to his family for burial with full military honors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexander Merchak)

Episode 2780 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about U.S. Air Force pilot Col. Ernest Leo De Soto and his remains that were returned home after a 55 year delay. The featured story appeared on the U.S, Air Force website and was titled: Vietnam War pilot returns home. It was submitted by the Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs.

 In the story it was reported that: after 54 years, the remains of U.S. Air Force pilot Col. Ernest Leo De Soto, who went missing during the Vietnam War, have finally come home.

De Soto’s remains arrived at the San Francisco International Airport June 29 from Pearl Harbor, where his family was escorted by military personnel to the tarmac in a solemn procession. A memorial service was held June 30 at Our Lady of Angels Church in Burlingame, California, followed by full military honors at the Golden Gate National Cemetery.

When asked about how it feels for Ernest to finally be home, his wife Joyce said it was a miracle.

He is one of more than 1,060 service members who have been identified through Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency efforts to recover the remains of service members lost in the Vietnam War.

On April 12, 1969, De Soto was piloting an F-4D Phantom II assigned to the 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 336th Tactical Fighter Wing, alongside his navigator, Capt. Frederick M. Hall and another aircraft on a combat mission. As they returned from a cancelled strike mission near Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, both aircraft ascended into heavy cloud cover. The lead aircraft noticed De Soto and Hall’s plane wasn’t in sight and immediately began an aerial search.

Listen to episode 2780 and discover more about U.S. Air Force pilot Col. Ernest Leo De Soto and his remains that were returned home after a 55 year delay.

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C-130 delivering supplies to the Marines at Khe Sanh

Episode 2779 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the Battle of Khe Sanh as told by Marine Ronald Echols who was there. The featured story comes from The U.S. Marine website and was titled: Veteran Remembers Battle of Khe Sanh. It was submitted by 1st Lt. Isaac Lamberth and MC1 Pedro Rodriguez.

In the featured story it was reported that this year the U.S. Marine Corps commemorates 55 years since the Battle of Khe Sanh, which lasted from January 21 to March 31, 1968.

In early 1968, Khe Sanh Combat Base gained world-wide attention as the roughly 6,000 Marines defending the base were encircled and besieged by three North Vietnamese Army regiments of about 20,000 troops. For 77 days, the Marines and their South Vietnamese counterparts, with support from an element of U.S. Army soldiers and U.S. Air Force bombers, would endure one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War.

Among the Marines defending the base was U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Ronald Echols, who was serving with Company M, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines, 3rd Marine Division on Hill 881 South.

After the battle, Echols said this. “You get a bond with your fellow Marines that’s indescribable. I’ve got two brothers, but I’ve never had with them the bond I had with the guys I was in combat with. They were my brothers.”

Echols received a battlefield commission and a Bronze Star for his actions during the Battle of Khe Sanh. According to his Bronze Star Medal citation, “on numerous occasions, Staff Sgt. Echols served as a platoon commander, a billet normally assigned to a commissioned officer, and repeatedly disregarded his own safety to maneuver his unit against the enemy.

Listen to episode 2779 and discover more about the Battle of Khe Sanh through the eyes of Marine Ronald Echols who was there.

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Two U.S. military policemen aid a wounded fellow MP during fighting in the U.S. Embassy compound in Saigon, Jan 31, 1968, at the beginning of the Tet Offensive. A Vietnam Cong suicide squad seized control of part of the compound and held it for six hours before they were killed or captured. (AP Photo) [the Respository.]

Episode 2778 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the Tet Offensive from an eyewitness Vietnam Vet. The featured story comes from The U.S. Department of Defense website and was titled: Highlighting History: How “Tet” Began the End of Vietnam. It was submitted by Katie Lange, a writer for the DOD.

Lang, in her story, reported that Some may know the Tet Offensive had something to do with Vietnam, but that’s about it. Jan. 30 marks the anniversary of the start of that campaign, so what better time than now to learn a little about it, right?

 She further reported that The Tet Offensive was a big deal because it marked the peak of U.S. involvement in the war. Before then, U.S. forces had been on the ground for more than three years, fighting with South Vietnam’s democratic government to try to expel the communist north. After Tet, however, U.S. troops’ numbers — and public support — started to erode.

Although the U.S. had better trained troops, more air power and more artillery than the North Vietnamese government, both sides were at a stalemate in early 1968. So, the leader of the north, Ho Chi Minh, set about a plan to break that.

On Jan. 30, 1968, in a wave of coordinated surprise attacks, Ho Chi Minh sent 70,000 of his troops and members of the Viet Cong — guerilla allies from the south — to overrun military bases, towns and cities in South Vietnam, including the capital, Saigon.

The two primary goals set by the North Vietnamese leadership for the Tet Offensive were:

1. To cause South Vietnamese troops to collapse and its communities to turn against Saigon’s leaders.
2. To drive a wedge between U.S. and South Vietnamese troops.

Listen to episode 2778 and discover more about the Tet Offensive from an eyewitness Vietnam Vet.