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Jared Quinn and Vietnam Vet Barry Holm.

Episode 3278 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the Vietnam Vet and the high school student who went on a Michigan Honor Flight. The featured story is titled: Chance pairing on UP Honor Flight sparks lasting bond between veteran and Gladstone senior.The story appeared on the WLUC Website and was submitted by Griffin Weinberg.

Weinberg reported that: the Vietnam Veteran generation once again showed America the meaning of sacrifice, honor, and mentorship during U.P. Honor Flight Mission XXVIII to Washington, D.C. Seventy-six veterans traveled to the nation’s capital to be recognized at the memorials built in tribute to their service and the brothers they lost. Among them was Navy veteran Barry Holm, whose actions reflected the enduring character of those who served during the Vietnam War.

Holm, who served in the United States Navy from 1972 to 1976 on active duty and later in the inactive reserve, chose not to bring a family member as his Honor Flight guardian. Instead, he invited high school senior Jared Quinn, a young man preparing for military service in the National Guard. In doing so, Holm demonstrated what makes the Vietnam Veteran generation so remarkable — their commitment not only to country, but to guiding the next generation.

The bond between Holm and Quinn became a powerful symbol of patriotism being passed forward. Holm wanted Quinn to understand the true cost of freedom by walking among the memorials honoring those who sacrificed everything for America. He even paid Quinn’s guardian fee himself, showing the generosity and selflessness that have long defined Vietnam veterans.

Quinn, inspired by veterans in his own community, now hopes to serve as a U.S. Army nurse anesthetist officer. Holm pledged to continue mentoring him “like the son I never had.”

From battlefields to memorials, the Vietnam Veteran generation continues to lead with courage, humility, and love of country, inspiring future Americans to serve with pride.

Listen to Episode 3278 and discover more about the Vietnam Vet and the high school student who went on a Michigan Honor Flight.

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Replica of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall at Watertown, WI

Installing the Wall

Episode 3277 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a Watertown press release about the permanent placement of a Moving Wall at Watertown, WI. The featured story is titled: Watertown to Permanently Install Mobile Replica of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.The story appeared on the City of Watertown.

It was reported that: The City of Watertown is preparing to dedicate a permanent replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial this Memorial Day, creating a lasting tribute to the brave Americans whose names are forever etched into the black granite wall of honor. The ceremony at Aero Park will celebrate not only the memorial itself, but the extraordinary generation of Vietnam veterans whose sacrifice, courage, and devotion to duty helped shape American history.

The replica, recognized as the largest Midwestern version north of St. Louis, transforms a traveling exhibit into a permanent sanctuary of remembrance. Every name on the wall represents a life of service, a family forever changed, and a hero who answered the nation’s call during one of America’s most difficult wars. Those names are more than inscriptions—they are symbols of valor, loyalty, and sacrifice that continue to inspire future generations.

The dedication ceremony will feature an F-35 flyover led by Lieutenant Colonel Zachary Krueger, Blackhawk helicopter displays, and patriotic music performed by Natalie Popp, Miss Wisconsin Teen 2025. Veterans advocates and community leaders, including The American Legion Past National Commander Daniel J. Seehafer, will honor the enduring legacy of Vietnam veterans and the importance of preserving their stories.

Open year-round and illuminated overnight, the memorial ensures that the heroes whose names cover the wall will never be forgotten. It stands as a powerful reminder that the Vietnam veteran generation served with honor, courage, and unwavering dedication to America.

Listen to Episode 3277 and discover more about the permanent placement of a Moving Wall at Watertown, WI.

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The South Carolina Combat Veterans Group Honored Vietnam Vets at Columbia, SC

Episode 3276 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the South Carolina Combat Veterans Group event that honored Vietnam Vets at Columbia, SC. The featured story is titled: “We haven’t forgotten those guys”: Midlands continues to remember Vietnam War veterans.The story appeared on the WACH Fox 57 website and was submitted by Michael White.

White reported that: For more than two decades, the South Carolina Combat Veterans Group has carried on a powerful tradition of remembrance, honor, and pride for the men who served during the Vietnam War. Their annual Vietnam Survival and Remembrance Day is far more than a ceremony — it is a tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and enduring spirit of the Vietnam Veteran generation.

The morning began with a police-escorted motorcycle convoy departing from the Dorn VA Medical Center and traveling through Columbia, South Carolina. Veterans, families, supporters, and community members joined together to honor the more than 58,000 Americans who lost their lives in Vietnam, including over 900 South Carolinians whose names are engraved on the Vietnam Memorial in Columbia.

The ceremony highlighted the deep bonds shared by Vietnam veterans, many of whom still carry the memories of friends who never made it home. Yellow roses were presented in honor of the fallen, families received heartfelt tributes, and the haunting sound of taps reminded everyone of the heavy price paid for freedom.

What makes the Vietnam Veteran generation truly remarkable is their resilience. Many returned home to a country that offered little appreciation or recognition for their service. Yet despite that painful reception, they continued to serve their communities, support one another, and preserve the memory of those who sacrificed everything.

This event stands as a moving reminder that the Vietnam Veteran generation represents courage, loyalty, brotherhood, and an unbreakable commitment to America.

Listen to Episode 3276 and discover more about the South Carolina Combat Veterans Group event to honored Vietnam Vets at Columbia, SC.

An unidentified U.S. soldier looks out over the perimeter of FSB Ripcord, July 15, 1970. (Christopher Jensen/Getty Images)

Episode 3275 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the battle at FSB Ripcord. The featured story is titled: Historian’s nearly two decade quest to piece together America’s last major offensive in Vietnam. The story appeared on the Army Times website and was submitted by Claire Barrett.

Barrett reported that: The Battle of Fire Support Base Ripcord stands as one of the most intense and courageous chapters of the Vietnam War, showcasing the grit and sacrifice of the American soldiers who fought there. Historian James Smither uncovered the largely forgotten story after receiving a call in 2007 from veteran Jeffrey Wilcox, who insisted Ripcord was a battle few Americans truly understood. That conversation led Smither on a nearly twenty-year journey researching what became The End of the Rope: The Ripcord Campaign and American Disengagement in Vietnam.

From March to July 1970, soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division fought to regain control of the strategically vital A Shau Valley, a major North Vietnamese Army stronghold. Facing nearly 25,000 entrenched enemy troops, the Americans endured relentless attacks, difficult terrain, and constant danger. The men at Ripcord were also burdened by leadership rotations that placed inexperienced officers into combat during critical moments of the campaign.

Despite these obstacles, the soldiers displayed extraordinary bravery. Many were young draftees who never wanted war, yet they fought with determination to protect one another and complete impossible missions under horrific conditions. Even when under devastating rocket and ground assaults, they continued to hold their positions and support their fellow troops.

The battle became one of the deadliest engagements for American forces in Vietnam, costing 139 American lives. Heroes such as Lt. Col. Andre Lucas, later awarded the Medal of Honor, gave everything in the struggle. Though overlooked for decades, the story of FSB Ripcord remains a powerful testament to the courage, endurance, and brotherhood of the soldiers who fought there.

Listen to Episode 3275 and discover more about the battle at FSB Ripcord.

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Gina Pittman, the daughter of Medal of Honor recipient Richard Pittman, reflected in front of the names of her father’s dear comrades, who died when his platoon was ambushed in 1966.

The Moving Wall at night

Episode 3274 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the Moving Wall appearance at Stockton, CA. The featured story is titled: Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica visits Stockton: “We say their names so they won’t be forgotten”. The story appeared on the CBS Stockton website and was submitted by Charlie Lapastora.

Lapastora reported that: the Moving Wall Vietnam Memorial’s arrival in Stockton became a powerful reminder of the courage, sacrifice, and enduring legacy of the Vietnam Veteran generation. Families, veterans, and community members gathered around the half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall to honor the 58,221 Americans who gave their lives during the Vietnam War. Open day and night, the memorial created a sacred place where names were read aloud, ensuring that the fallen would never be forgotten.

Among those reflecting at the wall was Gina Pittman, daughter of Medal of Honor recipient Richard Pittman. She remembered the men who died beside her father during a brutal 1966 ambush. Her father’s determination to keep fighting, even using enemy weapons after exhausting his own ammunition, symbolized the bravery and selflessness that defined so many Vietnam veterans. Pittman expressed gratitude that her father survived while honoring those who never came home.

Vietnam veterans Gwendell Holloway and Adrian Sandoval also reunited at the memorial, remembering fallen brothers-in-arms whose sacrifices still weigh heavily on their hearts. Their reflections highlighted the deep bonds forged in combat and the lifelong emotional burdens many veterans carried in silence.

The memorial also reminded visitors that many Vietnam veterans returned home without the respect they deserved. Despite facing criticism and rejection, this generation answered their nation’s call with courage, honor, and unwavering loyalty. Today, Americans increasingly recognize the greatness of the Vietnam Veteran generation — men and women who endured hardship, defended freedom, and carried the memory of their fallen comrades for decades with dignity and pride.

Listen to Episode 3274 and discover more about the appearance of the Moving Wall at Stockton, CA.

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Ron Mosbaugh in Vietnam

Episode 3273 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Ron Mosbaugh’s story Killing, Maiming and Destroying.

Ron’s compelling story shares this: the story “Killing, Maiming and Destroying” reveals the brutal emotional and psychological burdens carried by many Vietnam veterans long after the war ended. During a routine search-and-destroy mission near a hostile village, a Marine was suddenly killed by enemy fire. His death shattered the emotional control of his closest friend, a fellow Marine who had enlisted through the “buddy system” and served beside him since boot camp. Overcome with rage and grief, the Marine charged into the village firing wildly, while others followed in a deadly wave of anger, fear, and adrenaline.

What followed became a nightmare that haunted the corpsman narrator for the rest of his life. Villagers, animals, and homes were destroyed in the chaos. He vividly recalls witnessing an elderly Vietnamese man repeatedly shot at close range, a horrifying memory that echoed in his mind for decades. The Marines left the village in total silence, emotionally stunned by what had occurred. No one spoke of the mission afterward, but the trauma never disappeared.

The account powerfully highlights the unseen wounds of Vietnam veterans. Many returned home suffering from grief, depression, emotional numbness, and what is now recognized as PTSD. Some turned to alcohol, drugs, or dangerous lifestyles to replace the adrenaline of combat. Others isolated themselves or relived horrific memories through nightmares. Unlike previous generations of warriors, many Vietnam veterans returned to an ungrateful and divided nation, carrying invisible scars that outsiders could neither see nor understand. The story reminds us that while medals and Purple Hearts honor physical sacrifice, the deepest wounds of war are often the ones carried silently in the mind and soul forever.

Listen to Episode 3273 and discover more about Ron Mosbaugh’s story Killing, Maiming and Destroying

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The Thomas S. Foley United States Courthouse. (JESSE TINSLEY/The Spokesman-Review)

Episode 3272 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the long con against a Vietnam Veteran. The featured story is titled: 78-year-old man sent to prison for stealing Vietnam veteran’s identity to obtain $860K in federal benefits over 25 years. It appeared on The Spokesman-Review website and was submitted by Garrett Cabeza.

Cabeza reported that a federal judge has sentenced 78-year-old Raymond K. Musgrove to 2½ years in prison after uncovering a shocking fraud scheme that lasted more than 25 years. According to federal prosecutors, Musgrove stole the identity of a real Vietnam War veteran and used it to unlawfully collect Veterans Affairs benefits, healthcare services, and other government funds totaling more than $860,000. The court also ordered him to pay over $1 million in restitution to the U.S. government.

Investigators said Musgrove began impersonating the Marine Corps veteran as early as 1997, using the victim’s Social Security number and personal information to obtain benefits intended for those who honorably served the nation. Prosecutors revealed that Musgrove maintained the deception for decades by submitting false statements and fraudulent documentation to federal agencies.

Even after the veteran died in 2018, Musgrove continued the scam. Authorities said he falsely claimed the death had been reported in error and successfully convinced agencies to restart benefit payments. The fraud finally unraveled in 2023 when additional benefit requests triggered closer scrutiny.

Musgrove pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges, including wire fraud, false representation of a Social Security number, and theft of government funds. He was also convicted of aggravated identity theft during a bench trial.

U.S. District Court Judge Rebecca Pennell called the scheme “very troubling,” stating Musgrove had been “living a lie for decades.” Federal officials emphasized that the sentence reflects the seriousness of exploiting a veteran’s identity and abusing public trust for personal gain.

Listen to Episode 3272 and discover more about the Long Con Against a Vietnam Veteran.

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USNS Corpus Christi Bay

USNS Corpus Christi Bay departing Feb 1966 US Highway 181 bridge

Episode 3271 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the final reunion of the USNS Corpus Christi Bay Army Crew. The featured story is titled: America 250: Veterans of the USNS Corpus Christi Bay Return to South Texas for Their Final Reunion. It appeared on KRISTV and was submitted by Bryan Hofmann.

Hofmann reported that the USNS Corpus Christi Bay holds a unique and honorable place in American military history. During the Vietnam War, this remarkable ship became one of the most important support vessels in the South China Sea, even though it carried no fighter jets or heavy weapons. Originally launched as the seaplane tender USS Albemarle, the ship was transformed in 1965 into the world’s first floating aircraft repair depot. Staffed by hundreds of Army technicians and equipped with dozens of specialized repair shops, the vessel played a critical role in keeping American helicopters flying during combat operations in Vietnam.

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Vietnam veterans who once served aboard the ship gathered in Corpus Christi for what was believed to be their final official reunion. The gathering included memorial ceremonies aboard the USS Lexington Museum and visits to the Corpus Christi Army Depot, where many had trained before deployment. The reunion celebrated not only the ship’s groundbreaking mission, but also the lifelong friendships forged during war.

Veterans proudly recalled how the ship helped return more than 4,000 damaged helicopters to service, dramatically reducing repair times and saving countless lives. Crew members also remembered humanitarian medical missions that brought aid to Vietnamese civilians. Though age and health challenges are ending official reunions, the veterans emphasized that the brotherhood they formed aboard the Corpus Christi Bay

Listen to Episode 3271 and discover more about the final reunion of the USNS Corpus Christi Bay Army Crew.

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A photo from John’s time in Vietnam. He is standing in front of his armored personnel carrier, holding a captured AK-47 rifle.

Vietnam Vet John Morrison today

Episode 3270 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a press release about the adventures of Vietnam Vet John Morrison. The featured press release is titled: John Morrison Reflects on His Time in Vietnam. It was issued by VFW Post 2207.

John Morrison’s story reflects the courage, sacrifice, and resilience that defined the Vietnam Veteran generation. Born in Glendale, California, Morrison entered the U.S. Army in 1968 after receiving his draft notice during one of the most turbulent years of the Vietnam War. At 23 years old, he was considered an “old man” among soldiers who were often still teenagers, yet he answered his country’s call without hesitation.

After training at Ft. Ord and Ft. Lewis, Morrison deployed to Vietnam as an 11C light weapons infantryman with the 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Serving in the dangerous Mekong Delta aboard armored personnel carriers equipped with mortars, he witnessed the harsh realities of war firsthand. Though many around him were wounded or killed, Morrison considered himself fortunate to return home without serious physical injury. His service earned him the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and promotion to Sergeant.

Like so many Vietnam veterans, Morrison returned to a divided America, marching in a parade where anti-war protesters mixed insults with flowers. Yet his generation carried on with dignity and determination. He later became an infantry instructor, served briefly as a Deputy Sheriff, and built a successful 43-year career in electronics distribution.

Today, Morrison reflects on Vietnam not with bitterness, but with gratitude for the lessons it taught him. His life embodies the quiet strength, patriotism, and perseverance of the Vietnam Veteran generation — Americans who endured extraordinary hardship, served honorably, and continued building meaningful lives long after the war ended.

Listen to Episode 3270 and discover more about the adventures of Vietnam Vet John Morrison.

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Donut Dollies in Vietnam

Episode 3269 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a press release about how the U.S. Senate honored the Donut Dollies. The featured press release is titled: Senators Gillibrand And Tillis Pass Resolution To Honor “Donut Dollies” For Wartime Service. It was issued by Senator Gillibrand’s office.

It was reported that The Vietnam War Donut Dollies were among the most courageous and compassionate women to serve during wartime, bringing hope, comfort, and humanity to American troops stationed far from home. Recently, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Thom Tillis honored these remarkable women through a Senate resolution recognizing their patriotic service and extraordinary contributions to troop morale. The Donut Dollies, who served through the American Red Cross Supplemental Recreational Activities Overseas program, traveled directly into dangerous combat zones during World War II, the Korean War, and especially Vietnam.

From 1965 to 1972, more than 600 Donut Dollies served in Vietnam, often flying by helicopter or riding in convoys to remote firebases and frontline locations. These brave volunteers provided games, refreshments, emotional support, laughter, and conversation to exhausted service members facing the daily realities of war. More importantly, they offered soldiers a precious reminder of home, family, and normal life during some of the darkest moments of combat.

The Donut Dollies followed in the footsteps of the World War I “Doughnut Lassies” of the Salvation Army, continuing a proud tradition of serving those who served America. Military leaders credited their efforts as essential to maintaining troop morale and emotional well-being. Despite facing danger themselves, these women carried out their mission with courage, kindness, and unwavering dedication. Their service left a lasting impact on generations of veterans, and the Senate resolution ensures that the heroism and sacrifice of the Vietnam War Donut Dollies will never be forgotten.

Listen to Episode 3269 and discover more about how the U.S. Senate honored the Donut Dollies.