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The Hero of Lang Vei Medal of Honor recipient SFC Eugene Ashley Jr.

A Lang Vei fighting bunker for local forces in 1967. (U.S. Army)

Episode 3188 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the attack on Lang Vei. The featured story is titled: North Vietnam’s first major tank battle overran a Special Forces outpost.  It appeared on the We Are The Mighty website and was submitted by Friedrich Seiltgen.

Seiltgen reported that In early 1968, as the Tet Offensive stunned American and South Vietnamese forces across Vietnam, a small Special Forces outpost near the Laotian border became the site of one of the war’s most brutal and consequential fights. Special Forces Camp Lang Vei, manned by just 24 Green Berets and roughly 500 CIDG troops, sat four miles west of Khe Sanh—directly in the path of a new and terrifying enemy threat: North Vietnamese tanks.

Built hastily after an earlier camp had been destroyed, Lang Vei was hardened but isolated. Despite warnings from a North Vietnamese deserter and survivors of a nearby armored assault in Laos, intelligence about an impending attack went largely unheeded. Shortly after midnight on Feb. 7, 1968, the North Vietnamese Army launched a coordinated assault using infantry, sappers, and nearly a dozen Soviet-made PT-76 tanks. Mortars and artillery softened the camp before tanks smashed through the wire, overrunning trenches and bunkers as defenders fought desperately with recoilless rifles, LAW rockets, claymores, and small arms.

As organized resistance collapsed and survivors fell back to the operations bunker, one man outside the perimeter repeatedly bent the battle through sheer will and courage. Sgt. 1st Class Eugene Ashley Jr., leading a small, improvised rescue force, launched five separate assaults through intense fire, mines, and artillery to reach the surrounded camp. Between attacks, he directed artillery and danger-close airstrikes to clear paths for the defenders. On his final assault, Ashley was mortally wounded, but his actions opened the way for survivors to escape.

Ashley’s extraordinary heroism earned him the Medal of Honor and saved lives. His selfless leadership did more than shape the outcome at Lang Vei—it helped blunt the North Vietnamese armored threat and stands as a timeless example of valor against overwhelming odds.

 Listen to Episode 3188 and discover more about the attack on Lang Vei.

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VVA Pickup Program

Episode 3187 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the Vietnam Veteran of America Pickup Program. The featured story is titled: How one donation pickup truck is fueling veterans’ support – The donation truck changing veterans’ lives.. It appeared on the WMAR – ABC Baltimore website and was submitted by Cyera Williams.

Williams reported that founded in 1978 by Vietnam-era veterans, the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) was created to address the lack of support many service members experienced after returning home from war. Guided by its enduring principle—“never again will one generation of veterans abandon another”—the organization has grown to serve veterans of all eras while remaining rooted in the values forged by Vietnam veterans.

A key benefit VVA provides is direct, hands-on assistance to veterans navigating the Department of Veterans Affairs system. Through trained veteran service officers, the organization helps veterans file claims, appeal denied benefits, and secure the services and compensation they have earned. This representation can be life-changing for veterans who might otherwise struggle to understand or challenge a complex claims process.

Much of this critical work is funded through VVA’s nationwide donation pickup program, which makes supporting veterans simple and accessible for the public. Donors can schedule free pickups of clothing, furniture, and household goods from their homes. These items are sold to retail thrift stores, generating revenue without requiring donors to write a check. By not operating its own thrift stores, VVA avoids costly overhead expenses and directs more funding straight into veteran-focused programs.

The donation program typically accounts for 65 to 70 percent of VVA’s annual revenue, making it essential to sustaining advocacy efforts, claims assistance, and outreach through state councils and local chapters nationwide. Beyond funding veteran services, the program also benefits communities by keeping usable items out of landfills and providing affordable goods to local shoppers.

Together, these efforts allow Vietnam Veterans of America to efficiently fulfill its mission—supporting veterans, strengthening communities, and ensuring no veteran is left behind.

Listen to Episode 3187 and discover more about the Vietnam Veteran of America Pickup Program.

Click here for more info on the VVA Pickup Program.

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Episode 3186 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Marine Vietnam Vet Elbert Wingfield. The featured story is titled: Serving Those Who Serve: Mobile restaurant owner and Vietnam War hero always helps area veterans.  It appeared on the Yahoo News website and was submitted by Peter Albrecht.

Albrecht reported that Elbert Wingfield is widely known as a successful businessman, beloved restaurateur, and master barbecue chef, but his life story reflects something even greater: the courage, sacrifice, and enduring spirit shared by all Vietnam Veterans. As a high school senior in 1967, Wingfield had college football within reach, but when Marine recruiters arrived at Mobile’s Central High School, the sight of their dress blues changed his life. He chose service over comfort, honor over ease, and joined the United States Marine Corps.

Within a year, Wingfield found himself outside Da Nang during the Tet Offensive of 1968—one of the fiercest and most dangerous periods of the Vietnam War. On his very first night in country, he was sent on patrol, enduring exhaustion, flooded terrain, and constant danger. Like so many Vietnam Veterans, Wingfield faced not only the enemy, but hidden booby traps and unimaginable loss. A close friend was killed in an explosion that also severely injured Wingfield, damaging his chest and ultimately costing him vision in one eye. The experience changed him forever.

Yet, like countless Vietnam Veterans, Wingfield carried on with quiet strength. After returning home, he built a life of service, running Saucy Q Bar-B-Q and opening its doors—and his heart—to fellow veterans. He fed them freely, supported their causes, and never stopped giving back. His story reflects the greatness of all Vietnam Veterans: brave in war, resilient in peace, and generous beyond measure. Their sacrifices shaped lives, communities, and a nation that owes them lasting gratitude and respect.

Listen to Episode 3186 and discover more about Marine Vietnam Vet Elbert Wingfield.

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Battle Ground man’s new book recounts his time in Vietnam as U.S. Marine, photographer Scott Hewitt

Episode 3185 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Marine Vietnam Vet Dennis Fisher and his new book Then All Hell Broke Loose. The featured story is titled: Battle Ground man’s new book recounts his time in Vietnam as U.S. Marine, photographer.. It appeared on the Columbian, Washington website and was submitted by Scott Hewitt [scott.hewitt@columbian.com].

Hewitt reported that U.S. Marine Cpl. Dennis Fisher’s memoir, Then All Hell Broke Loose, offers an intimate and powerful account of his experiences during the Vietnam War, blending his gripping narrative with the photographs he took on the front lines. Serving from 1966 to 1968, Fisher began as an infantry rifleman before being transferred to the 1st Marine Division Combat Photo Section. His photographs, many depicting harrowing moments of violence and death, serve as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by Vietnam veterans. Fisher’s lens captured the brutal reality of war, offering an unflinching view of the chaos he witnessed.

His book is not just a personal reflection but a tribute to all Vietnam veterans, whose courage and sacrifices often went unrecognized. Fisher, who was wounded in action, underscores the immense toll of war and the lasting impact it has on soldiers. His photographs, now featured in a permanent exhibit at The National Archives, preserve the stories of those who fought and sometimes died without the recognition they deserved.

Through his work and memoir, Fisher brings attention to the Vietnam War experience, allowing future generations to understand the pain, heroism, and brotherhood of those who served. His photos, once shared with only a few, now speak to the broader public, honoring the legacy of all Vietnam veterans and ensuring their stories are never forgotten.

 Listen to Episode 3185 and discover more about Marine Vietnam Vet Dennis Fisher and his new book Then All Hell Broke Loose.

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A Marine fires a Minigun mounted in the door of a UH-1Y helicopter.

Episode 3184 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the future of miniguns use in the U.S. Military. The featured story is titled: New Common Minigun Variant To Replace All Existing Versions Eyed By U.S.. It appeared on the TWZ website and was submitted by Joseph Trevithick [joe@twz.com].

Trevithick reported that the U.S. military is considering replacing all existing variants of the iconic Minigun with a single standardized model designated the GAU-24/A. The six-barrel, electrically powered 7.62x51mm Gatling-style machine gun has been in service since the 1960s and currently exists in numerous versions across the Department of Defense, creating logistical and supply chain challenges due to non-interchangeable parts.

The U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), through its Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons, recently issued a request for information to identify manufacturers capable of producing the GAU-24/A using a government-owned technical data package. The goal is to determine an acquisition strategy for a common replacement weapon. Under a tentative plan, five initial GAU-24/A guns would be delivered to Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane for testing within 12 months of contract award, with broader efforts potentially beginning in fiscal year 2027 and lasting three to five years.

While no specific technical requirements have been disclosed, standardization would simplify maintenance and sustainment for the thousands of Miniguns still in service. Originally developed by General Electric, the Minigun saw extensive combat use during the Vietnam War on helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and gunships, and has since evolved into lighter, more reliable, and maritime-optimized variants produced by multiple manufacturers.

Today, Miniguns remain widely employed on aircraft, vehicles, and watercraft, especially by special operations forces, for suppression and close-in defense. Though alternative calibers have been discussed, the weapon’s continued use of standard 7.62mm ammunition and proven effectiveness suggest it will remain a staple—potentially in a single, unified form—for years to come.

Listen to Episode 3184 and discover more about the future of mimigun use in the U.S. Military.

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Keith Lawrence, a member of the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame, writes for the Messenger-Inquirer in Owensboro.

Episode 3183 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about how Vietnam Era Vet Keith Lawrence is helping remember lost Vietnam Vets. The featured story is titled: 5 decades can’t relieve all pain from Vietnam era. It appeared on the Grayson County News website and was submitted by Keith Lawrence [klawrence@messenger-inquirer.com].

Lawrence reported that the story is a quiet, haunting remembrance that turns a single February morning in 1970 into a lasting meditation on duty, loss, and the extraordinary character of the Vietnam Veteran generation. It begins in the predawn hours at a rural draft board, where two young men sit on cold metal chairs, watching the final minutes of their civilian lives slip away. At 6 a.m., a bus will carry them toward Memphis and into the U.S. Army, while half a world away another deadly day in Vietnam grinds to a close.

That ordinary day would claim 27 American lives — men ranging from an 18-year-old barely two weeks in-country to a 41-year-old career soldier. They left behind wives, parents, and families forever changed. Their names are listed with reverence, not as statistics, but as individuals whose lives mattered. The author insists the reader pause and acknowledge them, underscoring the human cost paid by a generation asked to fight an unpopular, unresolved war.

Woven through the remembrance is survivor’s guilt. Though the author expected to go to Vietnam, his path led instead to service stateside, leaving him safe but burdened by the sense that another man may have died in his place. That feeling has not faded in five decades.

Above all, the piece honors the Vietnam Veteran generation — young Americans who answered the call without certainty, gratitude, or applause. They bore the weight of war, loss, and moral complexity with quiet resilience, and their sacrifice remains a testament to courage, responsibility, and enduring loyalty to one another.

Listen to Episode 3183 and discover more about how Vietnam Era Vet Keith Lawrence is helping remember lost Vietnam Vets.

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Medal of Honor recipient Army SGT Dwight H. Johnson.

President Lyndon B. Johnson wraps the Medal of Honor around the neck of Army Spc. 5th Class Dwight Johnson during a ceremony at the White House on November 19, 1968. (Lyndon B. Johnson President Library)

Episode 3182 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Vietnam hero Dwight Johnson. The featured story is titled: The Vietnam tank driver who ran into a burning tank to pull his friends out. It appeared on the We Are the Mighty website and it was submitted by Stephen Ruiz.

Ruiz reported that this account of Dwight Hal Johnson’s combat experience captures not only a single act of extraordinary heroism, but also the deep psychological stress borne by the Vietnam Veteran generation. In January 1968, Johnson believed his yearlong tour in Vietnam was nearly over when a routine transfer placed him on a different M48 Patton tank. That last-minute change altered his fate. Within days, he saw combat for the first time during a fierce battle near Dak To, where enemy rockets struck two tanks in his platoon, including the one he had just left. As his friends burned inside, Johnson charged forward, pulling one badly wounded soldier from the wreckage before it exploded, an image that haunted him for the rest of his life.

Johnson had never wanted to fight. Raised in poverty in Detroit by a single mother, he was taught to avoid violence and run from conflict. Vietnam offered no escape. When his own tank was disabled, Johnson fought relentlessly, emerging into heavy fire and using every weapon available—machine guns, pistols, and even an empty submachine gun used as a blunt instrument. For over thirty minutes, he faced overwhelming odds, killing up to 20 enemy soldiers in close combat.

Though he suffered no major physical wounds, the psychological toll was immediate and severe. Witnesses recalled Johnson becoming uncontrollable after the battle, nearly attacking prisoners and requiring restraint, morphine, and hospitalization. His Medal of Honor recognized his bravery, but his breakdown revealed the invisible wounds carried by many Vietnam veterans—young men thrust into extreme violence, praised for valor, yet left with shattered innocence and lifelong emotional scars.

Listen to Episode 3182 and discover more about Vietnam hero Dwight Johnson.

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This rendering shows what the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Myrtle Beach will look like.
Terry Massey/Staff

An enthusiastic crowd of more than 500 turned out for the Jan. 7 groundbreaking ceremony of the city’s Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial at Warbird Park in The Market Common.
Terry Massey/Staff

Episode 3181 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial being built at Myrtle Beach, SC. The featured story appeared in the Post and Courier of Myrtle Beach and is titled: ‘For all that they went through’: Myrtle Beach begins building Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial. It was submitted by Terry Massey [tmassey@postandcourier.com]

Massey reported that more than fifty years after the Vietnam War ended, the enduring strength and sacrifice of the Vietnam Veteran generation were powerfully honored during a Jan. 7, 2026 groundbreaking ceremony for Myrtle Beach’s Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial at Warbird Park in The Market Common. An enthusiastic crowd of more than 500 gathered not only to mark the start of construction, but to deliver a long-overdue message to those who served: welcome home.

The memorial, featuring an eight-foot multi-sided wall, reflecting pool, statues, engravings, and illuminated presidential quotes, is designed as a space for remembrance, reflection, and education. Organizers hope to have much of it completed by Memorial Day weekend, underscoring the community’s commitment to honoring veterans whose service was too often met with silence or hostility when they returned.

Retired Air Force Col. Thomas “Buddy” Styers, a Vietnam veteran himself, gave voice to the shared experience of that generation—men and women who served with courage abroad and endured misunderstanding at home. His emotional recollection of returning through a hostile airport captured the resilience of a generation that bore its burdens quietly and continued to serve their communities afterward. Styers later played a key role in transforming the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base into The Market Common, ensuring military history was preserved for future generations.

The memorial’s rapid progress—from planning to groundbreaking in just one year—reflects a unified community effort, supported by city leaders, veterans’ groups, volunteers, and donors. As city officials noted, this memorial is a small but meaningful way to honor a great generation whose service, sacrifice, and perseverance helped shape the nation and deserve lasting recognition.

Listen to Episode 3181 and discover more about the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial being built at Myrtle Beach, SC.

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US 50 bridge over Tanners Creek in Lawrenceburg.

Episode 3180 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a press release about how two Vietnam Veterans are being honored in Lawrence, Indiana.  It is titled: State Rep. Garrett Bascom Authors Resolution to Honor Fallen Vietnam Soldiers. It was submitted by State Rep. Garrett Bascom (R-Lawrenceburg).

The press release reported that State Rep. Garrett Bascom (R-Lawrenceburg) has introduced a resolution honoring not only two fallen hometown heroes, but also the enduring legacy of all Vietnam Veterans whose courage, sacrifice, and service continue to shape the nation. House Concurrent Resolution 5 proposes renaming two bridges in Lawrenceburg to memorialize Lary D. Fogle and Thomas G. Denning, Lawrenceburg natives and 1965 graduates of Lawrenceburg Consolidated High School who gave their lives during the Vietnam War.

Pvt. Lary D. Fogle served as an Army airborne paratrooper and became the first Dearborn County resident killed in Vietnam. Only 18 years old at the time of his death, Fogle embodied extraordinary bravery and selflessness. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart, and his name is permanently inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., a testament to his sacrifice and to all who served.

Lance Cpl. Thomas G. Denning served with the U.S. Marine Corps’ 3rd Marines at Quang Tri. He was killed in action while leading an assault, demonstrating exceptional leadership and valor under fire. Denning received two Purple Hearts, and his name also stands proudly on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Bascom emphasized that these men represent the countless Vietnam Veterans who answered their nation’s call, often at great personal cost. The resolution would rename the eastbound U.S. Highway 50 bridge over Tanners Creek the Lary D. Fogle Memorial Bridge and the westbound flyover the Thomas G. Denning Memorial Bridge. Having advanced from committee, the measure now heads to the House floor, serving as a lasting reminder of the greatness, sacrifice, and honor of all Vietnam Veterans.

Listen to Episode 3180 and discover more about how two Vietnam Veterans are being honored in Lawrence, Indiana.

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Enemy bunker in Vietnam

Bunker clearing by soldiers of the 2/28 Inf.

Episode 3179 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Vietnam Vet Doug Miller and his toughest challenge in Vietnam. The featured story appeared in the Ashland County News and was submitted by Joe Lyons.

Lyons reported that as each January arrives, Vietnam veteran Doug Miller is pulled back more than half a century to the jungles of Vietnam and to January 9, 1970—a date that symbolizes the relentless danger and sacrifice faced by an entire generation of Americans who served. Miller, a member of Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry, the famed “Black Lions,” recalls a war where every mission carried risk, but few were as deadly as clearing enemy base camps.

These operations exposed the extraordinary courage of Vietnam infantrymen. Enemy forces were masters of concealment, blending bunkers seamlessly into the terrain. Soldiers often realized they had entered a base camp only when sudden, close-range gunfire erupted. In those moments, survival depended on discipline, trust in fellow soldiers, and the ability to act under unimaginable pressure. Casualties mounted quickly, and Delta Company suffered more killed and wounded during base camp clearing than any other type of engagement.

Even when camps appeared abandoned, danger never disappeared. Booby traps left behind turned routine movement into life-or-death gambles. Miller remembers a December 30, 1969 incident in which one soldier was killed and three wounded—proof that vigilance was required every second. After contact ended, soldiers still faced the painstaking task of clearing each bunker individually, demanding nerve, patience, and resolve.

More than 50 years later, Miller’s memories stand as a testament to the greatness of the Vietnam Veteran Generation. These men fought under brutal conditions, far from home, often without recognition, yet they endured with honor. Their bravery, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment remain a powerful reminder of a generation defined by resilience and courage.

Listen to Episode 3179 and discover more about Vietnam Vet Doug Miller and his toughest challenge in Vietnam.