Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Retired U.S. Army Captain Stephen Petty was inducted into the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame this week.

Episode 3178 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about how Vietnam Vet Steve Petty was honored at Ocala, FL. The featured story appeared in the Ocala News and was submitted by Jeremiah Delgado.

Delgado reported that Marion County is preparing to honor one of its most distinguished citizens while also shining a light on the enduring greatness of all Vietnam Veterans. The Marion County Board of County Commissioners will proclaim January 10 as “Steve Petty Day,” recognizing a man whose life exemplifies courage, sacrifice, and lifelong service. The proclamation follows Petty’s induction into the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame on November 6, 2025, one of the highest honors awarded to veterans in the state. The official presentation will take place at the commission’s January 20 meeting.

Retired Army Captain Steve Petty served as a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War, a conflict defined by extraordinary bravery under relentless conditions. His record includes some of the nation’s highest military honors: the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and the Air Medal with a “V” Device and 40 Oak Leaf Clusters. These awards reflect repeated acts of valor and mirror the heroism shown daily by countless Vietnam Veterans who flew, fought, treated the wounded, and supported their fellow soldiers under fire.

Like so many Vietnam Veterans, Petty carried his sense of duty home. After retiring from the Army, he dedicated himself to serving other veterans through leadership with Veterans Helping Veterans USA, Inc., the Marion County Memorial Honor Guard, and efforts to expand care through the Vet Resource Center.

The county’s proclamation encourages residents to recognize Petty’s extraordinary service, while also honoring the broader legacy of Vietnam Veterans—men and women whose resilience, sacrifice, and quiet strength continue to shape communities across America.

Listen to Episode 3178 and discover more about how Vietnam Vet Steve Petty was honored at Ocala, FL.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Air Force Master Sgt. James Henry Calfee, was declared missing in action in March 1968.

Episode 3177 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the plight of a Vietnam War MIA family. The featured story is titled: Oahu-based teams search for remains of missing troops from ‘Secret War’ in Laos. It appeared on the Garden Island website and was submitted by Kevin Knodell a writer for the Star-Advertiser.

Knodell reported that Debra Morris’s lifelong search for answers about her uncle, Air Force Master Sgt. James Henry Calfee, began with a haunting farewell. While home on leave from secret missions in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, Calfee told his family they might never see him again. In March 1968, he was declared missing in action after communist forces overran Lima Site 85, a clandestine U.S. and CIA base in Laos. The Air Force provided few details, instructing the family to remain silent, fueling decades of grief, frustration, and rumors about his fate.

For years, Calfee’s relatives pieced together fragments of information while questioning why the government withheld the truth. In August, scientists with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) identified a bone recovered from Laos as Calfee’s, finally confirming his death. Family members traveled to Hawaii to meet the team and see the remains, gaining a measure of closure, though many questions remain unanswered. Morris, who promised her grandmother she would uncover the truth, called the identification an important step after 57 years of searching.

The story of Calfee is tied to the “Secret War” in Laos, where U.S. forces covertly operated despite the country’s official neutrality. Lima Site 85 played a critical role in radar and rescue coordination before it was overrun in a brutal two-day battle. DPAA teams have spent decades navigating dangerous terrain and limited records to recover remains from the site, where erosion and secrecy complicate investigations.

Calfee’s family still seeks details about his mission and his vaguely worded Silver Star citation. Efforts to access records have been blocked by classification, a challenge even for DPAA historians. A newly introduced bipartisan bill, the Bring Our Heroes Home Act, aims to improve access to MIA records and accelerate declassification. For Morris, the fight is about dignity and truth: after decades of silence, having even one bone is proof her uncle has not been forgotten.

Listen to Episode 3177 and discover more about the plight of a Vietnam War MIA family.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Hugh Thompson – The true hero of My Lai

Episode 3176 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Hugh Thompson – the true hero of the My Lai Massacre. The featured story is from Wikipedia.

Hugh Clowers Thompson Jr. stands as one of the greatest moral heroes of the Vietnam War. Born in Atlanta in 1943, Thompson served as a U.S. Army warrant officer and helicopter pilot with the 23rd Infantry Division. On March 16, 1968, while flying an observation mission over the village of Sơn Mỹ, he and his crew—Lawrence Colburn and Glenn Andreotta—witnessed American soldiers killing unarmed civilians. Refusing to look away, Thompson chose conscience over compliance.

As the massacre unfolded, Thompson repeatedly radioed urgent warnings to headquarters and physically intervened on the ground. He landed his small OH-23 helicopter between fleeing villagers and advancing U.S. troops, ordering his own gunners to protect civilians—even if that meant firing on fellow Americans. He confronted officers who claimed they were “just following orders,” insisting that the victims were human beings. Through courage and quick thinking, Thompson and his crew evacuated civilians by air and rescued a young boy from a ditch filled with bodies. His actions directly halted further killing and led commanders to stop the operation.

Thompson’s integrity did not end that day. He reported the crimes, testified during investigations, and helped expose the truth of Mỹ Lai, despite being vilified, threatened, and ostracized. The personal cost was immense, including trauma and public hostility, yet he never recanted and continued serving his country until retirement.

Decades later, justice and honor finally caught up. In 1998, Thompson, Colburn, and Andreotta were awarded the Soldier’s Medal for extraordinary bravery. Thompson later returned to Vietnam to meet survivors, turning tragedy into reconciliation. Remembered at his death in 2006 with full military honors, Hugh Thompson’s legacy endures as a powerful reminder that true greatness in war is defined by humanity, courage, and moral truth.

Listen to Episode 3176 and discover more about Hugh Thompson – the true hero of the My Lai Massacre.

Recommended Reading

Buy Now

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Episode 3175 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about LTG William R. Peers. The featured story is titled: William R. Peers. It appeared on Wikipedia.

General William Ray Peers stands as one of the most distinguished and principled officers in United States Army history, exemplifying courage, intelligence, and moral integrity across decades of service. Born in 1914 and educated at UCLA, Peers quickly demonstrated leadership and versatility as a student-athlete, ROTC captain, and fraternity president before earning his Army commission in 1938.

During World War II, Peers emerged as a master of unconventional warfare in the Office of Strategic Services. As commander of OSS Detachment 101 in the China–India–Burma Theater, he led highly effective guerrilla operations against Japanese forces and later oversaw all OSS activities south of the Yangtze River. His bold leadership included securing Nanking with Nationalist Chinese forces, showcasing both tactical brilliance and strategic vision. After the war, he helped shape the future of American intelligence by establishing the CIA’s first training program and directing covert operations during the Korean War.

Peers’ expertise in counterinsurgency made him indispensable during the Vietnam War. Rising to lieutenant general, he commanded massive allied forces in the Central Highlands and led some of the most aggressive and effective U.S. and allied units in the conflict. His leadership in major battles such as Dak To and Duc Lap reflected determination under extraordinarily difficult conditions.

Perhaps Peers’ greatest legacy lies in his moral courage. Chosen to lead the investigation into the Mỹ Lai Massacre because of his unimpeachable fairness, he conducted a relentless and honest inquiry that exposed wrongdoing at the highest levels. His refusal to soften the truth cemented his reputation as a soldier who valued justice as much as victory. Peers’ life remains a powerful example of greatness rooted in both strength and integrity.

Listen to Episode 3175 and discover more about LTG William R. Peers.

General William R. Peers in Vietnam.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Napalm in Vietnam

Army veteran Robert Hendricks talks about his Vietnam War experience. (Photo from Central Oregon Daily News)

Episode 3174 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about why Vietnam Vet Robert Hendricks hates napalm. The featured story is titled: ‘I Never Want to See it Again.’ Vietnam Soldier Recalls Deadly Napalm, Tet Offensive. It appeared on the Military.com website and was submitted by Kevin Damask.

Damask reported that It’s been almost 58 years since Army veteran Robert Hendricks witnessed some of the worst moments of the Vietnam War, but those stark memories remained burned into his subconscious.

Hendricks, who was drafted into service in 1967, was in Vietnam when the infamous Tet Offensive began in January 1968 and saw firsthand the damaging effects of napalm.

Listen to Episode 3174 and discover more about why Vietnam Vet Robert Hendricks hates napalm.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

LTG Peers led the My Lai Inquiry

Episode 3173 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the My Lai Massacre. The featured story is titled: MY LAI, AND ITS OMENS. It appeared on the Substack website and was submitted by Seymour Hersh.

Hersh reported that The account recounts the tragic events surrounding the massacres at My Lai 4 and My Khe 4 in March 1968, while also revealing broader failures in military leadership and training during the Vietnam War. On that morning, elements of Task Force Barker’s Charlie and Bravo Companies entered Vietnamese hamlets expecting enemy forces but instead encountered civilians. In two separate locations, unarmed women, children, and elderly men were killed, resulting in hundreds of civilian deaths. Subsequent investigations led to secret testimony, limited prosecutions, and ultimately the conviction of only one officer, William Calley, while most senior commanders escaped serious punishment.

The Army’s Peers Panel acknowledged that troops involved were poorly trained in the Geneva Conventions and unclear about how to report war crimes. A deeper problem, however, had already been identified months earlier in a suppressed Pentagon report ordered by Defense Secretary Robert McNamara. That study found that many young, inexperienced soldiers lacked realistic instruction about the laws of war and did not fully understand their responsibilities in the brutal conditions of counterinsurgency combat. Crucially, the report also emphasized that the great majority of American troops in Vietnam were humane, restrained, and did not mistreat prisoners or civilians, even when exposed to intense danger.

This contrast is central to understanding the war. The atrocities were real and devastating, but they were not representative of most American soldiers, many of whom served honorably under extreme stress with inadequate guidance from higher authorities. The failures at My Lai and My Khe reflected breakdowns in leadership, training, and accountability—not the character of the average U.S. serviceman. Overall, the story underscores both the moral cost of war and the fundamental decency shown by most American troops who fought in Vietnam.

Listen to Episode 3173 and discover more about the My Lai Massacre.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

B-52 dropping 500 lb bombs in Vietnam

Episode 3172 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the thirty weapons from the Vietnam War that revolutionized future warfare. The featured story is titled: 30 Vietnam-Era Weapons That Changed Warfare Forever. It appeared on the 24/7 Wall Street website and was submitted by Chris Lange.

Lange reported that The Vietnam War exposed the limits of traditional military doctrine in ways few conflicts before it had. Incredibly dense terrain, guerrilla tactics, and a prolonged fight forced rapid adaptation on the battlefield. In response, a new generation of weapons came forth that reshaped mobility, firepower, and coordination. Here, 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at the weapons from the Vietnam War that reshaped modern combat.

The following is a list of 30 Vietnam-era weapons that permanently changed how wars are fought. Spanning infantry weapons, aircraft, sensors, and artillery, each system was introduced or widely adopted during the Vietnam era and forced lasting tactical or doctrinal change. Their influence extends well beyond Vietnam, shaping modern battlefields in conflicts that followed.

M16 Rifle

The M16 changed infantry combat by prioritizing lightweight ammunition and high-velocity fire, influencing assault rifle design worldwide.

AK-47 / AKM

The AK-47 proved that simplicity and reliability could dominate irregular warfare, reshaping global small-arms doctrine.

M60 Machine Gun

The M60 emphasized mobility and firepower at the small-unit level, shaping modern infantry tactics.

RPD Light Machine Gun

The RPD showed how lightweight automatic weapons could sustain guerrilla operations.

M79 Grenade Launcher

The M79 changed infantry tactics by giving squads immediate explosive capability.

RPG-7

The RPG-7 empowered infantry to counter vehicles and aircraft, reshaping battlefield balance.

Claymore Mine (M18)

The Claymore transformed defensive tactics with command-detonated area denial.

Stoner 63

The Stoner 63 introduced modularity concepts still present in modern weapons.

UH-1 Huey

The Huey revolutionized troop mobility and reshaped ground warfare through vertical envelopment.

AH-1 Cobra

The Cobra established the attack helicopter as a core battlefield asset.

CH-47 Chinook

The Chinook proved helicopters could sustain large-scale operations.

CH-54 Tarhe

The Tarhe demonstrated precision aerial heavy-lift capability in combat zones.

OH-6 Cayuse

The OH-6 shaped modern reconnaissance helicopter tactics.

A-1 Skyraider

The Skyraider highlighted the value of endurance over speed in close air support.

A-37 Dragonfly

The A-37 showed that light attack aircraft could thrive in irregular warfare.

F-4 Phantom II

The F-4’s limitations reshaped air combat training and fighter design.

AC-47 Spooky

The AC-47 introduced the gunship concept that transformed CAS.

B-52 Stratofortress

B-52 dropping 500 lb bombs in Vietnam

Vietnam proved the B-52’s adaptability across mission types.

Igloo White Sensors

Igloo White laid groundwork for networked surveillance systems.

FAC Aircraft

FAC operations permanently changed how airpower supports ground forces.

M102 Howitzer

The M102 supported air-mobile forces with rapid artillery support.

BM-21 Grad

The Grad reshaped indirect fire doctrine through saturation tactics.

M72 LAW

The LAW made anti-armor capability organic to infantry units.

PBR (Patrol Boat, River)

The PBR established modern riverine combat concepts.

Swift Boat (PCF)

Swift Boats reshaped coastal patrol operations.

Napalm

Napalm reshaped discussions around airpower and warfare ethics.

Agent Orange

Agent Orange altered perceptions of environmental warfare consequences.

Laser-Guided Bombs (Early)

Early LGBs in Vietnam paved the way for modern precision strike.

AN/PVS-2 Starlight Scope

The Starlight Scope transformed night combat into a decisive advantage.

Listen to Episode 3172 and discover more about the thirty weapons from the Vietnam War that revolutionized future warfare.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Hmong fighters in Vietnam

Episode 3171 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Hmong Vietnam Veterans, what they did for us in the Vietnam War and how they are being treated by us today. The featured story is titled: Hmong Vietnam Veterans, what they did for un in the Vietnam War and how they are being treated by us today. It appeared on the KMSP website and was submitted by Panhia Yang

Yang reported that during the Vietnam War era, the United States conducted a covert conflict in neighboring Laos known as the Secret War. Although Laos was officially neutral, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency recruited tens of thousands of Hmong soldiers—many as young boys—to fight against North Vietnamese and Pathet Lao forces and to help protect American interests in Southeast Asia. These Hmong fighters were organized into Special Guerrilla Units (SGU) and undertook dangerous missions such as scouting enemy positions, engaging in frontline combat, rescuing downed American pilots, and defending U.S. facilities. Former CIA Director William Colby credited the Hmong with saving thousands of American lives by disrupting enemy advances and supply lines. It’s estimated that 30,000–40,000 Hmong soldiers died in this covert campaign.

When the U.S. withdrew in 1975, many Hmong were left behind and faced severe persecution. Thousands fled to Thailand, and many died from disease, starvation, or violence during the exodus. Those who made it eventually resettled in the United States as refugees, especially in Minnesota where large Hmong communities now exist.

Today, SGU veterans continue to seek formal recognition and benefits from the U.S. government. Because they were technically under CIA authority—not U.S. military command—they are not currently recognized as U.S. veterans by the Department of Veterans Affairs and do not qualify for typical VA benefits. However, they were granted honorary citizenship in 2000, and some burial benefits were later established. Minnesota has recently become the first state to provide SGU veterans with rights and services similar to American veterans, including veteran designation on IDs, burial privileges, and other honors.

Listen to Episode 3171 and discover more about Hmong Vietnam Veterans, what they did for un in the Vietnam War and how they are being treated by us today.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

(L-R) Mike Belkin, Curt Reilly, President GLVFA [Photo by Sarah Nachin]

Episode 3170 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about 25^th Division Vietnam Vet Mike Belkin. The featured story is titled: Vietnam War Veteran and Bronze Star Winner Addresses Glen Lakes Veterans & Friends. It appeared on the Hernando Sun website and was submitted by Sarah J. Nachin

Nachin reported that The Glen Lakes Veterans and Friends Association (GLVFA) continues its tradition of honoring service and community through its monthly meetings at Glen Lakes Country Club, where guest speakers address topics meaningful to veterans. The December meeting was especially powerful, featuring Mike Belkin, a Vietnam War veteran and Bronze Star recipient whose life reflects the enduring greatness of the Vietnam Veteran Generation.

Belkin enlisted in the U.S. Army at just 19 years old and served with the 25th Infantry Division during one of the most dangerous periods of the war, including the Tet Offensive. Like so many Vietnam veterans, he faced unimaginable challenges with courage, humility, and resolve. His Bronze Star stands as recognition not only of individual valor, but of a generation that answered the nation’s call without hesitation and served honorably, often without the recognition they deserved upon returning home.

A defining influence during his service was a fellow soldier who mentored him and shared his faith, leaving Belkin with words that shaped his life: to do the right thing for God and country. That message guided Belkin through decades of public service after the war—as a Suffolk County police detective, a probation officer, and a Child Protective Services worker.

Even in retirement, his commitment has never wavered. Through veteran organizations, civic groups, the Citrus County Honor Guard, and his recent election as Florida State Committeeman, Belkin exemplifies the lifelong service ethic of Vietnam veterans. His presentation reminded all in attendance that the Vietnam Veteran Generation is defined by sacrifice, resilience, and a quiet, lasting devotion to others—values that continue to strengthen communities across America.

Listen to Episode 3170 and discover more about 25^th Division Vietnam Vet Mike Belkin.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Jim Fredrick, author of Opening Weekend.

Episode 3169 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature an interview with movie marketing expert Jim Fredrick and his career work and Andy Pham, a good friend of this podcast.

In a world where movie marketers are the stars of the story, Opening Weekend: An Insider’s Look at Marketing Hollywood’s Hits and Flops recounts Jim Fredrick’s journey through the realm of movie marketing. Fredrick offers readers exclusive access to behind-the-scenes anecdotes and firsthand accounts of working with studio executives and navigating relationships with famous movie stars and directors.

After starting his career in 1983 as a trailer editor and producer at famed advertising boutique Intralink, Jim Fredrick went on to serve as president of marketing at Castle Rock Entertainment; senior vice president of creative advertising at Warner Bros.; and executive vice president of marketing at Sony Screen Gems. In 2011, he founded his own company, Jim Fredrick Motion Picture Marketing.

Across a span of thirty-five years, Fredrick’s roles as a trailer maker and studio executive allowed him to craft advertising campaigns for a range of movies, from such iconic cinematic gems as The Shawshank Redemption to the widely beloved Harry Potter franchise, to commercial failures like The Adventures of Pluto Nash and Fired Up! Opening Weekend explores the intricacies of the lesser-known business of film distribution and marketing, unraveling the complex mechanisms through which movies are sold to discriminating audiences. Replete with triumphs, setbacks, and the relentless spirit that drives the creation and promotion of cinematic masterpieces, Opening Weekend promises an enthralling glimpse into the previously untold world of Hollywood movies.

“Opening Weekend is for anyone who ever wondered how they were convinced to see a terrible movie. Jim takes us behind the curtain revealing the inspiration, desperation, and pure fun of marketing movies. Insightful and full of juicy details—if you love movies, you must read Opening Weekend.“

– Barbara Glazer, film marketing executive

Listen to Episode 3169 and discover more about movie marketing executive Jim Fredrick and his work.

Recommended Reading

Buy Now

Purchase by Phone at 800-737-7788

Book merchant will be closed from December 23, 2025 thru January 5, 2026