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Air Force Capt. Gerald Young, Medal of Honor recipient.

Episode 2721 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Air Force Lt. Col. Gerald Young and his Congressional Medal of Honor award. The featured story comes from The U.S. Department of Defense website and was titled: Medal of Honor Monday Army: Air Force Lt. Col. Gerald Young. It was submitted by Katie Lange, a writer for DOD News.

Lange, in her story, reported that Air Force Lt. Col. Gerald Young was not the first helicopter pilot to risk his life in combat, but he was the first of such men to receive the Medal of Honor. Young’s heroics during a mission-gone-wrong over the jungles of Vietnam helped save several stranded comrades who were directly in the path of enemy fighters

Lange added this about Young; he was born on May 19, 1930, in Chicago, just as the Great Depression was taking hold. He grew up during the World War II era, so by the time he was 17, he enlisted in the Navy to do his part to serve. Young was discharged in 1952 but, after a few years back in civilian life, he decided to reenlist in 1955. He served in the Navy for another year before being accepted into the Air Force aviation cadet training program, from which he earned his commission in 1958.

By 1967, the war in Vietnam was in full effect. Young deployed to the country as a rescue helicopter pilot with the 37th Air Rescue Service based at Da Nang Air Force Base. He was 37 and on his 60th combat mission as the pilot of an HH-3E Jolly Green Giant when he earned the Medal of Honor.

Listen to episode 2721 and discover more about Vietnam Vet Air Force Lt. Col. Gerald Young and his Congressional Medal of Honor award.

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Air Force Maj. Merlyn Dethlefsen earned the Medal of Honor during a mission over Vietnam in 1967.

Air Force Capt. Merlyn Dethlefsen kneels beside a board that says he completed 100 missions over North Vietnam.

Episode 2720 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Air Force Col. Merlyn Dethlefsen and his Congressional Medal of Honor award. The featured story comes from The U.S. Department of Defense website and was titled: Medal of Honor Monday Army: Air Force Col. Merlyn Dethlefsen. It was submitted by Katie Lange, a writer for DOD News.

Lange, in her story, reported that most fighter-bomber missions meant to knock out enemy defense systems during the Vietnam War only involved one fly-by — the pilots knew there were few chances of escaping enemy aircraft if you executed more than one pass. Air Force Col. Merlyn Dethlefsen knew that when he took charge of a daring raid over a North Vietnamese steel plant in 1967, but he ignored the status quo to make sure the mission was a success. For that, he earned the Medal of Honor.

Lange added this about Dethlefsen, he was born in Greenville, Iowa, on June 29, 1934. As the son of a farmer and a schoolteacher, he did well at academics, graduating with honors from high school in 1951 when he was just 16.

He went to Iowa State University for about two years before deciding to join the Air Force in 1953. He started aviation cadet training the following year and was commissioned as an officer by the time he was 20.

During his first few years in the field, Dethlefsen served as a navigator on C-124 Globemaster transports before earning his pilot’s wings in 1960. Next, he served as a fighter pilot in Germany for about five years before coming back to the U.S.

Dethlefsen later said this about his heroics: “All I did was the job I was sent to do.”

Listen to episode 2720 and discover more about Vietnam Vet Air Force Col. Merlyn Dethlefsen and his Congressional Medal of Honor award.

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Army Sgt. 1st Class Fred W. Zabitosky, Medal of Honor recipient.

Episode 2719 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Army Master Sgt. Fred W. Zabitosky and his Congressional Medal of Honor award. The featured story comes from The U.S. Department of Defense website and was titled: Medal of Honor Monday Army: Master Sgt. Fred W. Zabitosky. It was submitted by Katie Lange, a writer for DOD News.

Lange, in her story, reported that Special Forces soldiers serving during the Vietnam War often operated behind enemy lines during treacherous situations. Army Master Sgt. Fred William Zabitosky did this often with his team of Green Berets. During a 1968 helicopter crash, he refused to give up on the men around him. His efforts that day earned him the Medal of Honor. 

Lange added this about Zabitosky, Zabitosky was born Oct. 27, 1942, into a poor community in Trenton, New Jersey, to parents Cora and Fred T. Zabitosky. When Zabitosky was 15, his father left the family, forcing the teen to take responsibility for his mother, brother and three sisters. To earn money for the family, Zabitosky dropped out of high school after his junior year. At age 17, he realized that joining the military could offer better stability and support, so in 1959, he enlisted in the Army.

After basic training, Zabitosky was sent to Germany for three years, where he served with distinction before coming home and rejoining civilian life. He got a job working construction, but he wasn’t happy with that, so he decided to reenlist in 1963, this time to join the Special Forces. After much training, he became a Green Beret with the 5th Special Forces Group.  In 1964, Zabitosky married his girlfriend, Carrie Mae, before being sent to Vietnam.

Listen to episode 2719 and discover more about Vietnam Vet Army Master Sgt. Fred W. Zabitosky and his Congressional Medal of Honor award.

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Marine Corps Pfc. Robert C. Burke, Medal of Honor recipient.

Episode 2718 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Marine Corps Pfc. Robert C. Burke and his Congressional Medal of Honor award. The featured story comes from The U.S. Department of Defense website and was titled: Medal of Honor Monday: Air Force Col. William A. Jones IIIs. It was submitted by Katie Lange, a writer for DOD News.

Lange, in her story, reported that When you’re stuck in a bad situation, someone has to take the lead. That’s what Marine Corps Pfc. Robert C. Burke did in 1968 when his unit was pinned down by intense enemy fire in Vietnam. Burke didn’t make it out alive, but his actions earned him the Medal of Honor.

Lange added this about Burke, he was born Nov. 7, 1949, in Monticello, Illinois, and lived with his parents, four sisters and two brothers. As a teen, he worked after school helping his dad build fences for area farmers. His mother told reporters later that he had dreamed of being a Marine since he was a young boy.

Burke made that dream a reality when he enlisted in the Marine Corps at 17 before graduating from Monticello High School in 1967. By the fall of that year, he had completed basic and individual combat training and earned the rank of private first class.

His first few months as a Marine were spent as a vehicle mechanic at Camp Pendleton in California. By February 1968, he joined the 3rd Battalion, 27th Marines, 1st Marine Division, as a machine gunner in Vietnam.

On May 17, 1968, the group set out again in the early morning, with Company I in the lead. As Burke’s unit approached a dry riverbed near a dense line of trees bordering the small village of Le Nam, they were ambushed by a large force hidden in the tall grass and woods.

Listen to episode 2718 and discover more about Vietnam Vet Marine Corps Pfc. Robert C. Burke and his Congressional Medal of Honor award.

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Medal of Honor recipient Air Force Lt. Col. William A. Jones III

Air Force Lt. Col. William A. Jones III’s damaged cockpit, taken shortly after he landed back at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base in Thailand.
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Episode 2717 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Marine Corps Vietnam Air Force Col. William A. Jones III and his Congressional Medal of Honor award. The featured story comes from The U.S. Department of Defense website and was titled: Medal of Honor Monday: Air Force Col. William A. Jones IIIs. It was submitted by Katie Lange, a writer for DOD News.

Lange, in her story, reported that pain can often cloud your judgment, especially under extreme duress, but not for Air Force Col. William A. Jones III. As a pilot in Vietnam, he remained in control of his charred plane long enough to fly nearly 90 miles to relay information that would help save another pilot’s life. For his valiant effort, despite his many injuries, he earned the Medal of Honor.

Lange added this about Jones, Jones was born May 31, 1922, in Norfolk, Virginia. He grew up in the town of Warsaw before his family moved to Charlottesville at age 7. Jones’ mom was a teacher, his dad was an attorney and his grandfather, the senior William Jones, had been a U.S. representative who authored the bill that granted independence to the Philippines.

Jones finished high school early and went to the University of Virginia, where he graduated at age 19 with a degree in Spanish. From there, he entered the U.S. Military Academy in 1942. At West Point, he was known to be determined, confident and a scholar who competed on the school’s fencing team.

Jones was commissioned into the Army Air Corps in 1945, eventually transitioning to the Air Force when it became its own service in 1947.

Listen to episode 2717 and discover more about Vietnam Vet Air Force Col. William A. Jones III and his Congressional Medal of Honor award.

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Army Spc. 5th Class Edgar McWethy Jr., Medal of Honor recipient.

Episode 2716 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Army Specialist 5th Class Edgar McWethy Jr. and his Congressional Medal of Honor award. The featured story comes from The U.S. Department of Defense website and was titled: Medal of Honor Monday: Army Specialist 5th Class Edgar McWethy Jr. It was submitted by Katie Lange, a writer for DOD News.

Lange, in her story, reported that Medics have one of the toughest jobs in the military — saving wounded comrades despite the danger they may face on the battlefield. Army Spec. 5th Class Edgar McWethy Jr. understood that commitment; he gave his own life while trying to save several of his fellow platoon members in Vietnam. For his sacrifice, he earned the Medal of Honor.

Lange added this about McWethy Jr., McWethy was born Nov. 22, 1944, in Leadville, Colorado, to Edgar and Martha. Growing up, he was active in the Boy Scouts and enjoyed being a member of the Baptist church.

McWethy was 19 and working at the Leadville post office when he was drafted into the Army in 1964. He received training as a medical specialist and was attached to Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. His unit was sent to Vietnam on Sept. 21, 1966.

After hearing another call for help, McWethy got up again and ran through the exposed area. He was wounded in the head and knocked down, but he got up and kept going, only to be hit again in the leg. In pain, he continued pushing forward until he reached more injured comrades.

For his courage, the 21-year-old earned the Medal of Honor. President Richard M. Nixon presented the medal to McWethy’s family at the White House on Oct. 16, 1969.

Listen to episode 2716 and discover more about Vietnam Vet Army Specialist 5th Class Edgar McWethy Jr. and his Congressional Medal of Honor award.

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Marine Corps Sgt. Rodney M. Davis, Medal of Honor recipient.

The USS Rodney M. Davis, a guided-missile frigate, leaves port on Aug. 18, 1992.

Episode 2715 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Marine Corps Vietnam Vet Sgt. Rodney Davis and his Congressional Medal of Honor award. The featured story comes from The U.S. Department of Defense website and was titled: Medal of Honor Monday: Marine Corps Sgt. Rodney Davis. It was submitted by Katie Lange, a writer for DOD News.

Lange, in her story, reported that Marine Sgt. Rodney M. Davis had planned to make a career out of the Corps before the war in Vietnam started. Unfortunately, he never came back from his Southeast Asia deployment, but the bravery Davis showed there earned him the Medal of Honor and a legacy that wouldn’t be forgotten.

Lange added this about Davis, he was born April 7, 1942, in Macon, Georgia. His father, Gordon, served in the Navy during Davis’ childhood, so Davis often helped his older brother take care of their two younger brothers and sister.

Davis graduated from Peter G. Appling High School in May 1961. By the end of that summer, he had enlisted in the Marine Corps. He initially served as a rifleman at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, before doing a three-year tour of duty in England.

At some point during the early days of his military career, Davis married Judy Humphrey. They had two young girls by the time he was sent to serve with the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division in Vietnam in August 1967.

In early September 1967, the 1st Marine Division was tasked with protecting locals in the southern part of the Que Song Valley from intimidation during upcoming elections. When one of its companies was attacked by a much larger North Vietnamese force, Davis’ unit, Company B, was called in to help fight the enemy.

Listen to episode 2715 and discover more about Vietnam Vet Marine Corps Sgt. Rodney Davis and his Congressional Medal of Honor award.

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Army Staff Sgt. Robert J. Pruden, Medal of Honor recipient.

Army Staff Sgt. Robert J. Pruden takes a minute to rest while serving in Vietnam.

Episode 2713 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Vietnam Vet Army Staff Sgt. Robert Pruden and his Congressional Medal of Honor award. The featured story comes from The U.S. Department of Defense website and was titled: Medal of Honor Monday: Army Staff Sgt. Robert Pruden.  It was submitted by Katie Lange, a writer for DOD News.

Lange, in her story, reported that Army Staff Sgt. Robert Pruden volunteered to join the Army as the Vietnam War raged because he’d told his family he wanted to make a difference there. Pruden never returned from war, but he did make all the difference to the men in his unit who were able to come home because of him. For that selfless sacrifice, he earned the Medal of Honor.

Pruden was born Sept. 9, 1949, in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was the second son to Lawrence and Marlys Pruden, who went on to have 11 more kids – four more boys and seven girls. As one of the elder children, Pruden helped out around the house, but he also had time to enjoy life, playing baseball, football and hockey.

Not long after Pruden graduated from Harding High School in 1967, he joined the Army. He went on to complete Ranger school and joined the Rangers of the 75th Infantry Regiment. His unit, Company G, was sent to Vietnam in early February 1969.

On Nov. 29, 1969, Pruden, a reconnaissance team leader, was on duty in the Quang Ngai Province of South Vietnam. His six-man team had been inserted by helicopter into Viet Cong-controlled territory. Their mission was to gain intelligence on enemy movements and set up an ambush position.

Listen to episode 2713 and discover more about Vietnam War Army Staff Sgt. Robert Prude and his Congressional Medal of Honor award.

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Army Spec 5th Class Clarence Sasser, Medal of Honor recipient.

Episode 2713 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Vietnam Vet Army Spec 5 Clarence Sasser and his Congressional Medal of Honor award. The featured story comes from The U.S. Department of Defense website and was titled: Medal of Honor Monday: Army Spec 5 Clarence Sasser.  It was submitted by Katie Lange, a writer for DOD News.

Lange, in her story, reported that Sasser was born Sept. 12, 1947, and grew up in the small town of Rosharon, Texas, near Houston. He had a brother, a sister and four step-siblings that all lived on a farm with Sasser’s mother and his stepfather, a church deacon who helped raise him.

Sasser went to Marshall High School and was in one of the school’s last segregated classes. He played football and did well academically, graduating in 1965 near the top of his class.

Sasser enrolled at the University of Houston to study chemistry. He eventually switched to part-time so he could work to pay for classes, causing him to become eligible for the draft. So, when his number came up, instead of trying to gain college deferment, he joined the Army in June 1967.

Sasser trained as a medical aid man and knew pretty quickly that he would be going to Vietnam. He arrived in the country in late September 1967 when he was barely 20 years old.

Sasser hadn’t been in Vietnam for more than four months when he was put to the ultimate test as a medic with the 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division.

Sasser was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service with the 9th Division. He said this about the award, “I don’t think what I did was above and beyond. I never have, and for a long time I had a problem with that,” Sasser said. “But finally … a friend helped me reconcile it to the point that it meant, ‘Hey, you did your job.'”

Listen to episode 2713 and discover more about Vietnam Army Spec 5 Clarence Sasser and his Congressional Medal of Honor award.

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Army Master Sgt. Charles E. Hosking Jr., a Green Beret and Medal of Honor recipient.

Episode 2712 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Vietnam Vet Army MSG Charles Hosking Jr.and his Congressional Medal of Honor award. The featured story comes from The U.S. Department of Defense website and was titled: Medal of Honor Monday: Army MSG Charles Hosking Jr..  It was submitted by Katie Lange, a writer for DOD News.

Lange, in her story, reported that according to DoD documents, Army Master Sgt. Charles E. Hosking Jr. was on his third deployment to Vietnam during his 24th year of service when he was killed in action saving his fellow Special Forces soldiers. He unhesitatingly gave his life for theirs, and for that, he earned the Medal of Honor.

Throughout World War II, Hosking served with the famed 82nd Airborne Division in its 509th Parachute Battalion, including during the Battle of the Bulge, where he was wounded in the leg. He was lucky to be alive, though. According to the (Ridgewood, New Jersey) Sunday News newspaper, by the time the battalion disbanded, only 30 men of the initial 1,500 had survived.

Military records show Hosking remained in the service through Korea but never deployed to the conflict zone because of serious injuries he suffered during a bazooka training accident. After he recovered, he joined the newly created Special Forces and became a Green Beret. He served as a demolition expert and, after going to language school, became proficient in several languages.

On March 21, 1967, Army Sgt. 1st Class Hosking was serving as a company adviser for the III Corps Civilian Irregular Defense Group Reaction Battalion. At the time, his company was in the Don Luan District, west of Saigon, about 4 kilometers east of a Special Forces camp. While he was waiting to link up with another group of soldiers, disaster struck.

Listen to episode 2712 and discover more about Vietnam Vet Army MSG Charles Hosking Jr. and his Congressional Medal of Honor award.

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