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The Florida Medal of Honor Memorial on dedication day, December 12, 2024.

Retired Army COL Mike Borders who led the crusade to create the Florida Medal of Honor Memorial.

Episode 2942 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature an interview with Mike Borders. He is a retired Army officer who led the committee that created the tremendous Florida Medal of Honor Memorial.

Nestled within the serene grounds of Sebring, Florida, the Florida Medal of Honor Memorial stands as a testament to the valor and sacrifice of the nation’s most distinguished heroes. This memorial, unveiled in 2024, honors the 24 Florida recipients of the Medal of Honor, the highest military award for bravery in the United States. Designed as a place of reflection and reverence, it features plaques bearing the names of recipients and tells their stories of courage across generations.

The vision for the memorial came to life under the leadership of retired U.S. Army  Colonel Mike Borders. As the president of the Medal of Honor Memorial Program and a decorated veteran himself, Borders spearheaded the effort to create a space that would not only honor the heroes but also educate visitors about the values of duty, service, and sacrifice. Rallying a committee of local volunteers and veterans, he led a fundraising effort that garnered widespread community support. Through their dedication, the project came to fruition at an estimated cost of $1,00,000.

The Memorial is not merely a static tribute; it is a living reminder of the bravery that defines the Medal of Honor recipients. Visitors often remark on the profound emotional impact of the site, which stands as a beacon of gratitude for those who gave everything in defense of freedom. Thanks to Borders’ leadership and the community’s dedication, Sebring now holds a piece of history that ensures these stories will never be forgotten.

Listen to Episode 2942 and discover more about the Florida Medal of Honor Memorial located in Sebring.

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Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Army Sp4 Thomas J. McMahon.

Congressional Medal of Honor

Episode 2941 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Medal of Honor recipient Army Sp4 Thomas J. McMahon. Information featured in this episode comes from Wikipedia.

Army Specialist Fourth Class Thomas J. McMahon was a hero whose actions during the Vietnam War embodied selflessness and courage. Born in Maine in 1948, McMahon grew up with a strong sense of duty and a compassionate heart. His path led him to serve as a combat medic in the U.S. Army during one of the most turbulent times in American history.

On March 19, 1969, in Quang Tin Province, Vietnam, McMahon’s unit was ambushed by a heavily fortified enemy force. As bullets tore through the jungle and explosions shook the ground, McMahon’s instinct was not to seek cover but to save his comrades. Despite the overwhelming enemy fire, he repeatedly exposed himself to danger to assist the wounded.

During the chaos, McMahon spotted three soldiers immobilized and gravely injured in open terrain. Without hesitation, he braved enemy gunfire to reach the first soldier, providing medical aid and pulling him to safety. He then returned to rescue the second man, accomplishing the feat under relentless fire. Tragically, as McMahon attempted to save the third soldier, he was struck down by enemy fire, sacrificing his life in his unwavering mission to save others.

McMahon’s extraordinary bravery and ultimate sacrifice were recognized posthumously with the Medal of Honor. His citation honors him for his “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity” and reflects his enduring legacy of heroism. Today, his story serves as a reminder of the courage and compassion that define true service to others, inspiring generations to follow his example.

Listen to Episode 2941 and discover more about Medal of Honor recipient Army Sp4 Thomas J. McMahon.

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Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Army SGT Ray McKibben.

Congressional Medal of Honor

Episode 2940 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Medal of Honor recipient Army SGT Ray McKibben. Information featured in this episode comes from Wikipedia .

Army Sergeant Ray McKibben’s name resonates through the annals of heroism, forever etched in the memory of the Vietnam War. Born in Felton, Georgia, McKibben enlisted in the U.S. Army and became part of the 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment. His courage and selflessness shone brightest on December 8, 1968, near Song Mao, Vietnam.

On that fateful day, McKibben’s platoon was ambushed by a heavily armed and entrenched enemy force. As chaos erupted, McKibben, sprang into action. Realizing a machine gun position was pinning his comrades, he charged forward under relentless fire. With remarkable precision and unflinching resolve, he neutralized the position, saving countless lives.

Moments later, McKibben noticed another squad trapped by enemy fire. Without hesitation,  he provided suppressive fire, enabling his comrades to regroup.

Despite sustaining severe wounds, McKibben refused evacuation. His final act of valor came as he assaulted yet another fortified position to protect his platoon. His relentless bravery inspired those around him, but tragically, it cost him his life.

For his extraordinary heroism and self-sacrifice, Ray McKibben was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. His story is a testament to the highest ideals of military service, embodying the spirit of duty, courage, and the ultimate sacrifice. To this day, McKibben’s legacy lives on as a beacon of honor and valor.

Listen to Episode 2940 and discover more about Medal of Honor recipient Marine CPT John J. McGinty III.

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Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Marine CPT John J. McGinty III.

Congressional Medal of Honor

Episode 2939 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Medal of Honor recipient Marine CPT John J. McGinty III. Information featured in this episode comes from Wikipedia and the USMC University.

Captain John J. McGinty III, a U.S. Marine, embodied courage and commitment during the Vietnam War. In July 1966, McGinty, a gunnery sergeant at the time, was serving with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, near the Demilitarized Zone. His unit, vastly outnumbered, was ambushed by a fierce North Vietnamese force. Under heavy fire, McGinty displayed extraordinary valor.

As chaos erupted, McGinty moved through the barrage of bullets and shrapnel to rally his men. When communication with higher command was severed, he assumed control of two platoons, positioning them for defense against overwhelming odds. Despite wounds to his hand and shoulder, McGinty refused evacuation. Instead, he traversed the perilous battlefield, braving sniper fire to personally assist and evacuate the wounded.

In one harrowing instance, McGinty single-handedly eliminated a North Vietnamese machine gun crew, neutralizing a critical threat to his Marines. His unyielding leadership and determination inspired his troops to hold their ground until reinforcements arrived.

For his heroism and selflessness, McGinty was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968. The citation lauded his “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.”

After the war, McGinty continued serving his country and fellow veterans, embodying the Marine Corps values of honor, courage, and commitment until his passing in 2014. His legacy remains a testament to the enduring spirit of those who serve in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Listen to Episode 2939 and discover more about Medal of Honor recipient Marine CPT John J. McGinty III.

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Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Army SFC Finnis D. McCleery.

Congressional Medal of Honor

Episode 2938 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Medal of Honor recipient Army SFC Finnis D. McCleery. Information featured in this episode comes from Wikipedia and Tara Ross.

Army Sergeant First Class Finnis D. McCleery was a man of quiet resolve, whose bravery under fire in the Vietnam War earned him the Medal of Honor. On May 14, 1968, McCleery’s unit, Company A, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry, was on a mission in Quang Tin Province when they encountered a heavily fortified enemy position. The North Vietnamese forces unleashed a deadly ambush, pinning the Americans down with machine gun fire and mortar explosions.

Amid the chaos, McCleery took action. Crawling through thick vegetation under relentless enemy fire, he moved closer to the enemy bunkers. Despite being wounded in the arm and hip by shrapnel, he refused to retreat. His determination inspired his comrades, many of whom were frozen by the overwhelming firepower.

Reaching the first bunker, McCleery lobbed a grenade, silencing the enemy gun inside. Without hesitation, he moved to a second bunker, eliminating its occupants in close combat. He was shot again, this time in the leg, but continued his assault, neutralizing a third bunker. His single-handed actions disrupted the enemy’s defensive line and allowed his unit to regroup and counterattack, ultimately driving the North Vietnamese forces back.

SFC McCleery’s selflessness and courage saved countless lives that day. Despite his injuries, he remained humble, attributing his heroics to duty and camaraderie. His Medal of Honor citation reflects the essence of his character: a soldier who placed the lives of others above his own, embodying the highest ideals of service and sacrifice.

Listen to Episode 2938 and discover more about Medal of Honor recipient Army SFC Finnis D. McCleery.

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Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Marine Cpl Larry L. Maxam.

Congressional Medal of Honor

Episode 2937 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Medal of Honor recipient Marine Cpl Larry L. Maxam. Information featured in this episode comes from Wikipedia,

Marine Corporal Larry L. Maxam was a hero who embodied selflessness and courage in the face of overwhelming odds. Born on January 9, 1948, in Glendale, California, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 18, determined to serve his country during one of its most tumultuous periods.

On February 2, 1968, during the height of the Tet Offensive, Maxam’s unit was engaged in brutal combat at a critical defensive outpost at Cam Lo. The enemy launched a fierce and unrelenting assault, bombarding their position with mortar fire and overwhelming waves of attackers. As the chaos unfolded, Maxam found himself in a critical position within the perimeter, a target of the enemy’s concentrated fury.

Despite being gravely wounded, Maxam refused to leave his post. Bleeding and in excruciating pain, he fought with unyielding resolve, engaging the enemy at close quarters to protect his fellow Marines. He recognized that his position was the linchpin of their defense. With complete disregard for his own safety, he continued to fire his weapon, rallying his comrades and holding back the attackers long enough for reinforcements to arrive.

Maxam’s actions that day saved countless lives but cost him his own. He succumbed to his wounds, his final moments marked by an extraordinary act of valor. In recognition of his bravery, Maxam was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Cpl Larry L. Maxam’s legacy lives on as a testament to the courage and sacrifice of those who serve. His story reminds us of the profound cost of freedom and the enduring spirit of the Marine Corps.

Listen to Episode 2937 and discover more about Medal of Honor recipient Marine Cpl Larry L. Maxam.

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Professor Mark A. Lawrence, University of Texas.

Episode 2935 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Professor Mark Atwood Lawrence who talks about his new book End of Ambition. He is an eminent who is currently serving as the head of the History Department of the University of Texas at Austin and the LBJ Presidential Library which is located on the UT campus.

The End of Ambition: The United States and the Third World in the Vietnam Era is a groundbreaking new history of how the Vietnam War thwarted U.S. liberal ambitions in the developing world and at home in the 1960s.

At the start of the 1960s, John F. Kennedy and other American liberals expressed boundless optimism about the ability of the United States to promote democracy and development in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. With U.S. power, resources, and expertise, almost anything seemed possible in the countries of the Cold War’s “Third World”—developing, postcolonial nations unaligned with the United States or Soviet Union. Yet by the end of the decade, this vision lay in ruins. What happened? In The End of Ambition, Mark Atwood Lawrence offers a groundbreaking new history of America’s most consequential decade. He reveals how the Vietnam War, combined with dizzying social and political changes in the United States, led to a collapse of American liberal ambition in the Third World—and how this transformation was connected to shrinking aspirations back home in America.

The result is an original new perspective on a war that continues to haunt U.S. foreign policy today.

Listen to Episode 2935 and discover more about Professor Mark Lawrence and his latest outstanding book End of Ambition.

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Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Marine PFC Gary W. Martini.

Congressional Medal of Honor

Episode 2936 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Medal of Honor recipient Marine PFC Gary W. Martini. Information featured in this episode comes from Wikipedia, Frontier Media and the West Virginia Culture website.

In the thick of the Vietnam War, amid the dense jungle and relentless enemy fire, Marine Private First Class Gary W. Martini demonstrated extraordinary bravery. It was April 21, 1967, in the Quang Ngai Province, during Operation Union. Martini’s platoon was ambushed by a well-entrenched North Vietnamese force, leaving many of his comrades wounded in an open rice paddy, pinned down under withering fire.

With no regard for his own safety, Martini crawled across the exposed terrain to reach two wounded Marines. Using his body as a shield, he dragged one Marine back to safety, bullets striking all around him. Determined to save the second, he ventured back into the kill zone. Despite being struck twice by enemy fire, Martini pressed on, retrieving his wounded comrade and ensuring his safety.

As he attempted to return to his unit, Martini was mortally wounded by a third round. Though gravely injured, he continued to fight, firing his weapon and encouraging his fellow Marines to persevere. His courageous actions inspired his platoon to counterattack and ultimately repel the enemy.

Gary W. Martini’s selfless heroism saved the lives of multiple Marines and exemplified the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps. For his extraordinary valor, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, a testament to his unwavering courage and sacrifice. Today, his legacy endures as a reminder of the profound cost of freedom and the indomitable spirit of those who fight to protect it.

Listen to Episode 2936 and discover more about Medal of Honor recipient Marine PFC Gary W. Martini.

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Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Army COL Walter Joseph Marm Jr.

Congressional Medal of Honor

Episode 2934 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Medal of Honor recipient Army COL Walter Joseph Marm Jr. Information featured in this episode comes from Wikipedia and the Army Heritage Center Foundation  website.

November 14, 1965, marked a day of extraordinary courage. Army Second Lieutenant Walter Joseph Marm Jr., a platoon leader in the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, was thrust into the chaos of the Battle of Ia Drang. Surrounded by enemy forces, the battle tested the resolve of every soldier—but Marm’s actions stood apart.

Under relentless fire, Marm’s unit was pinned down, unable to advance or retreat. Recognizing the peril, Marm decided to act. Armed with a rifle and boundless determination, he charged across an open field, exposing himself to withering enemy fire. The North Vietnamese entrenched ahead were well-prepared, but Marm’s singular mission was to save his men.

As he reached the enemy position, Marm lobbed grenades, neutralizing multiple machine gun nests. Despite being wounded in the process, he pressed on, engaging in close combat to silence the enemy’s hold. His actions created a crucial breach, allowing his unit to advance and turn the tide of the battle.

For his extraordinary gallantry and selflessness, Marm was awarded the Medal of Honor, becoming the first soldier in the Ia Drang campaign to receive the nation’s highest military decoration. Throughout his career, he continued to inspire with his humility and dedication to service.

COL Walter Marm Jr.’s bravery in Vietnam epitomizes the spirit of the Medal of Honor: an unyielding commitment to duty, a willingness to sacrifice, and a legacy that reminds us of the valor inherent in those who serve.

Listen to Episode 2934 and discover more about Medal of Honor recipient Army COL Walter Joseph Marm Jr.

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Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Army SGT Allen James Lynch.

Congressional Medal of Honor

Episode 2933 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Medal of Honor recipient Army SGT Allen James Lynch. Information featured in this episode comes from Wikipedia and the Pritzker Military Museum & Library website.

On December 15, 1967, in the jungles of Vietnam, Army Sergeant Allen James Lynch’s courage would define him as a hero. At 22 years old, he served as a radio telephone operator with Company D, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. That day, his unit came under a relentless enemy attack. Amid the chaos, Lynch saw three wounded comrades stranded in an open field under heavy fire.

Without hesitation, he left his covered position, crossing exposed ground to reach the soldiers. With extraordinary determination, he carried each one to safety, shielding them with his own body. As enemy forces pressed closer, Lynch established a defensive position to protect his injured comrades, holding off repeated assaults. His actions bought critical time for reinforcements to arrive.

When his unit withdrew, Lynch refused to abandon the wounded men. Armed with a rifle, he stood his ground, fending off enemy fighters alone for several hours. His bravery ensured the survival of his comrades and allowed them to be evacuated safely.

For his valor and selflessness, Allen James Lynch was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1970 by President Richard Nixon. But Lynch’s heroism extended beyond the battlefield. After the war, he dedicated his life to helping veterans, working for the Department of Veterans Affairs and supporting military families through his nonprofit foundation.

SGT Allen James Lynch’s story is a testament to extraordinary courage and enduring service—a legacy that continues to inspire.

Listen to Episode 2933 and discover more about Medal of Honor recipient Army SGT Allen James Lynch.

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