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Vietnam Vet and Author, Steven Hyde

Episode 3242 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Vietnam Vet Steven Hyde and his new book Blood, Sweat and Mothballs. The featured story is titled: Marshalltown veteran Steven Hyde details journey from enlistment to Vietnam in ‘Blood Sweat and Mothballs’. It appeared on the Times-Republican website and was submitted by Robert Maharry.

Maharry reported that Steven Hyde’s story stands as a powerful testament to the courage, resilience, and enduring greatness of the Vietnam Veteran generation. Enlisting in the U.S. Army as a teenager in the mid-1960s with little understanding of the political forces at play, Hyde answered his country’s call with quiet determination. What followed was a remarkable military journey that spanned decades, beginning in the jungles of Vietnam where he served as a helicopter mechanic and endured the brutal realities of war.

During his 15-month deployment, Hyde survived three helicopter crashes—two caused by enemy fire—and was wounded twice, ultimately earning the Purple Heart. Despite injury, infection, and the ever-present danger of combat, he returned to duty time and again, embodying the grit and selflessness that defined so many who served in Vietnam. These young men, often barely out of high school, carried immense responsibility under unimaginable conditions, asking little in return.

Hyde’s memoir, Blood Sweat and Mothballs, captures not only the physical hardships of war but also the emotional journey of a soldier coming of age in a divided era. Unlike many veterans, he was spared the hostility that greeted others upon returning home, but he never forgot the struggles faced by his fellow servicemen.

His continued service—over 30 additional years, including deployment to Afghanistan—reflects a lifelong commitment to duty. Like countless Vietnam veterans, Hyde represents a generation that served honorably despite controversy at home. Their legacy is one of sacrifice, brotherhood, and unwavering dedication—an enduring reminder of what it means to serve something greater than oneself.

Listen to Episode 3242 and discover more about Vietnam Vet Steven Hyde and his new book Blood, Sweat and Mothballs.

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Vietnam Veteran Harold J. McDonald

Harold McDonald can be seen seated in the front row, first on the right

Episode 3241 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the remembrance of Vietnam Veterans Harold J. McDonald at Ashland, Ohio. The featured story is titled: “Once a Black Lion, Always a Black Lion”: Vietnam Veteran Doug Miller Remembers Fallen Comrade Harold McDonald. It appeared on the ACP News website and was submitted by Joe Lyons.

Lyons reported that Vietnam War veteran Doug Miller offers a deeply personal tribute to fallen comrade Harold McDonald as part of his ongoing “This Day in History” reflections. Marking April 2, 1970, Miller recalls the day McDonald, just 22 years old, was killed in action during a search-and-destroy mission in Tay Ninh Province near the Cambodian border—an area known for heavy combat during the war.

McDonald was serving with Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Air Cavalry Division at the time of his death, having been reassigned after the 1st Infantry Division redeployed to the United States. Before that transition, he had spent eight months alongside Miller in the 1st Platoon, Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Regiment—the famed “Black Lions.” In Miller’s memory, McDonald was far more than a fellow soldier; he was a trusted M-60 machine gunner and a dependable friend whose presence brought strength and confidence to those around him.

Miller reflects on a platoon photograph taken shortly before the unit’s departure from Vietnam, where McDonald sits in the front row—a lasting image of a young man whose life was cut tragically short. His reassignment in late February 1970 ultimately led him back into active combat, where he would lose his life just over a month later.

Through heartfelt words and vivid remembrance, Miller honors McDonald not only for his service, but for his character and camaraderie. His message is clear and enduring: those who served together are forever bound—“Once a Black Lion, always a Black Lion.”

Listen to Episode 3241 and discover more about the remembrance of Vietnam Veterans Harold J. McDonald at Ashland, Ohio.

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Stuart Cook, organizer of Sunday’s Vietnam Veterans Day at the City Hall courtyard, listens to Mayor Ken Tedford’s remarks.
Photo by Steve Ranson.

The American Legion ceremonial team listens to remarks at Sunday’s Vietnam Veterans Day Ceremony held at Fallon City, NV.

Episode 3240 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the Vietnam Veterans Day celebration at Fallon, NV. The featured story is titled: Music defined the Vietnam War. It appeared on the Nevada Appeal website and was submitted by Steve Ranson.

Ranson reported that The Vietnam War Remembrance ceremony held behind Fallon City Hall was a powerful tribute to one of America’s most resilient and often underappreciated generations—the Vietnam veterans. Surrounded by the unmistakable sounds of the 1960s and ’70s, including music from Creedence Clearwater Revival, Jimi Hendrix, and Steppenwolf, attendees were transported back to a time when young Americans answered the call to serve in a distant and dangerous land.

More than 100 people, many of them veterans, gathered to honor the sacrifices of the over 58,000 Americans who lost their lives. The ceremony highlighted not only the hardships of the war but the extraordinary courage, duty, and brotherhood that defined the Vietnam Veteran Generation. Speakers reflected on the significance of National Vietnam War Veterans Day, established to ensure these warriors receive the recognition they were long denied.

Despite facing hostility and disrespect upon returning home, these veterans endured with quiet strength. Stories like that of Ray Alcorn, who survived years as a prisoner of war, exemplify the unwavering bravery that defines this generation. Others, like Stuart Cook, shared personal memories of service, reminding all in attendance of the youth and resolve of those sent into harm’s way.

The ceremony served as both remembrance and redemption—an affirmation that the Vietnam Veteran Generation stands among the greatest in American history. Their sacrifices preserved freedom, their perseverance restored honor, and their legacy continues to inspire future generations to serve with courage and pride.

Listen to Episode 3240 and discover more about the Vietnam Veterans Day celebration at Fallon, NV.

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Chico the Gunfighter

Episode 3239 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about F-4 Chico the Gunfighter performance during the Spring Offensive in South Vietnam. The featured story is titled: The story of Chico the Gunfighter, the Gun-Podded, Stormy Fast FAC F-4E Phantom II of the Vietnam War. It appeared on the Aviation Geek Club website and was submitted by Dario Leone.

Leone reported that the F-4 Phantom II emerged in 1958 as a carrier-based fleet defense interceptor for the U.S. Navy, entering service in 1961 before being adopted by the U.S. Air Force as the F-4C. Over time, it evolved into the highly capable F-4E variant, which incorporated improved engines, advanced avionics, and—most notably—an internal cannon that corrected earlier air-to-air combat limitations. By the Vietnam War, the Phantom had become one of the most versatile and heavily armed aircraft in the U.S. arsenal.

During the intense North Vietnamese offensives of spring 1972, a unique and innovative mission concept arose within the Da Nang-based 366th Tactical Fighter Wing. Under the leadership of James D. Pewitt, a single F-4E—nicknamed “Chico”—was configured as a free-roaming strike and reconnaissance aircraft operating near the DMZ. Officially designated under Fast FAC protocols, Chico was able to fly unescorted, rapidly engaging targets of opportunity such as troop movements, supply depots, and river traffic.

Its specialized loadout included SUU-23/A gun pods, Mk 20 Rockeye II cluster bombs, Sparrow missiles, and electronic countermeasures, making it exceptionally lethal against dynamic battlefield targets. This configuration allowed Chico to deliver devastating firepower with remarkable flexibility, outperforming more conventional bombing approaches.

Flown by a select group of only five pilots, Chico proved highly effective, particularly during a May 21, 1972 mission in the A Shau Valley, where Pewitt and his weapons systems officer earned Silver Star nominations for repeated strafing runs under heavy fire. Despite its success, Chico remained a one-of-a-kind innovation, discontinued when operational conditions changed.

Listen to Episode 3239 and discover more about F-4 Chico the Gunfighter performance during the Spring Offensive in South Vietnam.

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Houston Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Club Creek Basin Park, located on Club Creek Drive, near U.S. 59 and Bissonnet.

Episode 3238 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the Vietnam Veterans Day event in Houston, Texas. The featured story is titled: National Vietnam War Veterans Day: Memorial tells story of Houstonians who served and it appeared on KTRK, ABC Channel 13 Eye Witness News.

It was reported that The National Vietnam War Veterans Day Remembrance Ceremony held in southwest Houston stood as a powerful tribute to one of America’s most resilient and underappreciated generations—the Vietnam veterans. Gathering at Club Creek Basin Park near the Houston Vietnam Veterans Memorial, veterans, families, and community members honored nearly three million Americans who answered their nation’s call during a deeply challenging era.

These men and women embodied courage, sacrifice, and unwavering duty, often returning home without the gratitude they deserved. This ceremony helped right that historic wrong, ensuring that today, they are recognized with the honor befitting their service. As Houston City Council Member Edward Pollard emphasized, the memorial itself represents a promise to never forget their contributions and sacrifices.

The event blended solemn remembrance with heartfelt celebration. The playing of Taps by Marine veteran Nick Miller and moving musical tributes by Skyler Derrington created moments of reflection and unity. Powerful stories, like that of refugee Darrien Bui and Air Force veteran Judy Harwell, highlighted both the global impact of the war and the diverse strength of those connected to it—including the more than 11,000 women who served.

Importantly, the ceremony reinforced the need to preserve the legacy of this great generation. Leaders like Barack Obama and Donald Trump helped formalize this recognition nationally, but events like this bring it to life locally.

Above all, the Vietnam Veteran generation stands as a testament to honor under adversity—heroes whose greatness continues to inspire future generations.

Listen to Episode 3238 and discover more about the Vietnam Veterans Day event in Houston, Texas.

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Marc Leepson, Author of The Unlikely War Hero.

Episode 3237 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature an interview with Marc Leepson who talks about his book The Unlikely War Hero. Leepson is a journalist, historian and the author of eleven books including the afore mentioned title. He is a Vietnam Veteran and is still working today. He presently is a Senior Writer, Arts Editor, and columnist for the VVA Veteran, which is the magazine published by the Vietnam Veterans of America.

In the past Marc served as a staff writer the Congressional Quarterly and has written for many newspapers and magazines, including Preservation, Smithsonian, Military History, Civil War times, the Washington Post, New York Times, New York Times Book Review, the Wall Street Journal, Baltimore Sun, Chicago Triune, Dallas Morning News, New York Newsday and USA Today and for the Encyclopedia Britannica, The Encyclopedia Americana and the Dictionary of Virginia Biography.

Obviously Marc is a well qualified historian. His demonstrates his expertise in this interview as he talks about the subject of his book The Unlikely War Hero, A Vietnam War POW’s Story of Courage and Resistance in the Hanoi Hilton.

The hero in Marc’s book is Doug Hegdahl. In 1967 Doug was serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Canberra that was at the time located three miles off the coast of North Vietnam when he was knocked overboard by what was believed to be a gun blast.

After a few hours of treading water, Doug was picked up by a Vietnamese fisherman and turned over to the North Vietnamese authorities. He was immediately taken to the “Hanoi Hilton” Prison for POW’s and checked in for a long stay. Upon his arrival at the prison, Doug used inborn wiliness to hoodwink his North Vietnamese captors into thinking he was mentally retarded. This opened the door to one of the most amazing stories of bravery and resourcefulness to come out of the Vietnam War.

Listen to Episode 3237 and discover more about Marc Leepson and his book The Unlikely War Hero.

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CH-47 Chinook Helicopter

Army veteran Sam Robinson wearing his Chinook veteran baseball cap. (Submitted)

Episode 3236 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the Chinook Helicopter name controversy. The featured book review appeared on the Military.com website and is titled: Battle over the Chinook: a Proud Tribe Fights for Federal Recognition. The story was submitted by Kevin Damask.

Damask reported that For decades, the CH-47 Chinook helicopter has stood as a powerful symbol of American military strength, known for transporting troops and equipment across some of the world’s most challenging environments. Its reputation as a reliable workhorse has earned admiration at the highest levels, even drawing praise from Donald Trump during a State of the Union address. Yet behind the helicopter’s iconic name lies a deeper story that many Americans have never heard.

The Chinook helicopter is named after the Chinook Indian Nation, a historic and resilient Native American nation rooted in the Pacific Northwest. Army veteran and Chinook Councilmember Sam Robinson is working to bring awareness to this connection while fighting for something far more significant—federal recognition of his people. Despite their longstanding history, including their role in aiding the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Chinook Nation remains unrecognized by the U.S. government.

Robinson’s personal journey—from a young soldier inspired by family tradition to a respected leader in both the military and civilian workforce—mirrors the perseverance of his people. His pride in serving, and in flying aboard a Chinook helicopter bearing his nation’s name, underscores the emotional weight of this issue.

Although the Chinook Nation briefly gained federal recognition in 2001, it was rescinded just 18 months later, leaving lasting consequences. Today, through the Chinook Justice Movement, Robinson and others continue to push for legislative change, seeking not just acknowledgment, but the rights, resources, and respect their nation deserves.

This memoir stands as a powerful testament to resilience, faith, and the enduring pursuit of freedom.

 Listen to Episode 3236 and discover more about the Chinook Helicopter name controversy.

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Brian Thuan Luu

Episode 3235 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Brian Thuan Luu and his escape from communism. The book review by Mike McLaughlin appeared on The VVA Veteran magazine’s Books in Review II webpage and is titled

The book review reported that in Flashlight in the Ocean, Brian Thuan Luu offers a deeply personal and moving memoir of survival, sacrifice, and hope in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. Set against the turbulent period following the fall of Saigon in 1975, the book paints a stark picture of life under communist rule, where promises of prosperity quickly gave way to hardship, poverty, and oppression. Like nearly two million other Vietnamese who fled between 1975 and 1992, Luu’s story is part of the larger “Boat People” exodus—one marked by peril, uncertainty, and immense courage.

Born in 1962 in the Mekong Delta, Luu was just a young teenager when the war ended and his world changed dramatically. After years of struggling under the new regime, his family made the painful decision to send him away alone in search of a better future. At just 12 years old, he embarked on a dangerous journey by sea in 1979. His voyage nearly turned tragic when his overcrowded boat ran aground on a coral reef, leaving passengers stranded for ten grueling days with scarce food and water before they were finally able to continue.

Luu eventually reached a refugee camp in the Philippines, where he spent months awaiting sponsorship. With determination, faith, and a love of music sustaining him, he ultimately found a new home in the United States. Reunited with his family years later, he built a successful life as both a financial planner and musician.

This memoir stands as a powerful testament to resilience, faith, and the enduring pursuit of freedom.

Listen to Episode 3235 and discover more about Brian Thuan Luu and his escape from communism.

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Three Donut Dollies are seen preparing to leave Camp Eagle

Episode 3234 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Vietnam War Donut Dollies. The featured story appeared on the Virginia Public Media website and is titled: New VPM PBS documentary explores the ‘Donut Dollies’ history. It was submitted by Phil Liles and Kimberly Strother

It was reported in the story that between 1962 and 1973, 627 young, college-educated American women volunteered with the Red Cross’s Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas (SRAO) program during the Vietnam War. Known affectionately as the “Donut Dollies,” these women served a unique but vital role: boosting troop morale. Unlike earlier eras—such as World War I and World War II—when women provided coffee and donuts near the front lines, the Vietnam-era Dollies focused on interactive “programs,” including games and conversations designed to offer soldiers a brief emotional escape from the պատերազմի hardships.

Selected through a competitive process, these women—aged 21 to 24 and unmarried—underwent brief training before deploying to Vietnam for year-long tours. They lived on firebases and frequently traveled by helicopter or convoy to remote and often dangerous locations, where they faced threats like rocket attacks and sniper fire. Despite the risks, their presence brought comfort and a sense of home to soldiers stationed far from loved ones.

Filmmaker Libbie Hegvik, whose mother served as a Donut Dollie, created a PBS documentary to shed light on their largely overlooked contributions. Motivated in part by her mother’s exclusion from an honor flight due to non-military status, Hegvik sought to preserve these stories and highlight the courage of the women involved. The film also shares her parents’ love story, which began at a firebase in Vietnam.

Though the program disbanded in 1972, the Donut Dollies’ legacy endures as a powerful reminder of the importance of morale and human connection during wartime.

 Listen to Episode 3234 and discover more about Vietnam War Donut Dollies.

The Donut Dollies Documentary

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Kentucky Vietnam Veteran Memorial

Episode 3233 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about how Kentucky is honoring its Vietnam Veterans. The featured story appeared on the pmg-ky1 website  and is titled: Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial receives lighting upgrade.

It was reported in the story that The Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial has received a meaningful and timely enhancement thanks to the generosity of Polymershapes, a Winchester-based business. For nearly four decades, the Memorial’s iconic ring of illuminated bollards has honored the 1,110 Kentuckians who gave their lives in the Vietnam War. Over time, however, the lighting system had deteriorated, with dim bulbs and hard-to-find replacement lenses threatening the clarity and dignity of the tribute.

Stepping in to help, Polymershapes—whose team includes several veterans—designed, fabricated, and installed new custom lenses at no cost. Their work went beyond simple replacement; each lens was carefully engraved with the Memorial’s logo, depicting a soldier in a solemn salute. Using advanced techniques, the lenses were precision-cut from durable polycarbonate, heat-formed, and bonded for long-lasting performance. The result is a renewed brilliance that restores the Memorial’s visual impact while ensuring its preservation for years to come.

This upgrade arrives just ahead of National Vietnam War Veterans Day, when the Memorial will host a commemorative event honoring the 2.7 million Americans who served in Vietnam. Additional ceremonies, including a POW/MIA recognition, will further underscore the enduring legacy of sacrifice and service.

Through craftsmanship, respect, and generosity, this effort not only revitalizes a physical space but strengthens a sacred place of remembrance for veterans, families, and future generations.

Listen to Episode 3233 and discover more about how Kentucky is honoring its Vietnam Veterans.

Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial

VFW Post 4075 Auxiliary. Contact Edna Taylor at 502-320-8255.

Charging Forward for America. Contact Kelly Shehan at 859-619-8158.