Vietnam Veteran News

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Paul Schultz from Edgartown was drafted into the Vietnam War in 1968 and selected for the B Battery third battalion, sixth artillery unit.

Episode 2641 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Vietnam Vet Paul Schultz’s personal story. His story appeared in The MV Times and was titled: Voices of Veterans: Paul Schultz. The interview was conducted by Sam Houghton

Paul Schultz is another tremendous representative of the great Vietnam Veteran Generation – one as great as any that ever heeded the call of duty from its country. He served in Vietnam as an artilleryman and saw much hard combat.

After graduating from high school on the Vineyard in 1965, he tried to join the Army but was denied due to a knee injury. He tried again in 1966 and was denied entry again but in 1968, he was drafted.

After basic training and advanced training as an artilleryman, he was sent to Vietnam in January of 1969. He served a year in country one year with B Battery, Third Battalion, Sixth Artillery.

He said the two things he will always remember about Vietnam was the heat and the smell. It was 105°. And then there was the smell. With all the different things at the airport: the jets, the helicopters, the little forklifts and machinery, all the garbage — it knocked you off your feet.  He started out in Vietnam as the low man on the totem pole of a howitzer crew. He eventually became the section chief of a gun crew.

Summing up his thoughts on his time in Vietnam he said that in Vietnam, he found a lot of brave guys. If you got hurt, they would come to drag you out. They would help you fight off the enemy. He met a lot of great guys, and still likes to talk with them. One is in Arkansas, another in Minnesota and still another in Tennessee. So we stay in touch. Guys I served with.

Listen to episode 2641 and discover more about Vietnam Vet Paul Schultz’s personal story.

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Episode 2640 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the event in Indiana where Vietnam Veterans will be honored and thanked for their service to country. The featured story appeared in The Times of Noblesville titled: Welcome Home Vietnam Era Veterans Open House. It was submitted by The Times of Noblesville.

It was reported in the story that in gratitude of the service of Vietnam War Era veterans (1955-1975) an Open House Gift Event is being held on Wednesday, November 1 at the Noblesville Township Community Center (Corner of 8th and Division Streets) from 1:00-4:00 P.M. All branches of service, Reservists, & National Guard, whether stateside or deployed, are invited to attend. Everyone welcome!

A free gift of the Time to Honor book, DVD documentary, photos, refreshments, and various veterans’ organizations will be present, including Veterans Resource personnel, Pets for Vets, and the Honor Flight.

The event is sponsored by the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans organization  which has held more than 160 gift events throughout the state. The Horseshoe Prairie, Noblesville, and Jonathan Jennings, Carmel, DAR Chapters are co-hosting the open house.

Learn more about DAR membership by visiting www.dar.org or contact Shirley Hunter Smith at Shirley1776@yahoo.com.

The mission of the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans organization is to honor, remember & thank all of the men, women and their families who have served in the United States Armed Forces. We pay tribute, show gratitude and respect to all American troops. We stand behind, honor and support the families of fallen service members who made the ultimate sacrifice or died as a result of his/her service.

It would be wonderful is this type of events could be repeated across the nation.

Listen to episode 2640 and discover more about the event where Vietnam Veterans will be honored and thanked for their service to country in Indiana.

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Vietnam Vet Jack W. of Parkland, FL

Episode 2639 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the Vietnam Veteran who helps prove a point about the great Vietnam Generation. The featured story appeared in The TapintoParkland News and was titled: From the Farms of Pennsylvania to the Vietnam War to Wall Street; Parkland Resident Continues to Shine. The story was submitted by Andie Korenge.

Vietnam Vet Jack W. (he prefers to remain anonymous) is another tremendous representative of the great Vietnam Veteran Generation – one as great as any that ever heeded the call of duty from our country. He has spent a lifetime proving that point. He served his country in Vietnam as a trucker, one of the most dangerous positions in the War. He faced all the dangers of that War and came home safe and sound.

The writer, Andie Korenge reported ; as an inspiring and greatly accomplished war veteran, Aston Gardens resident Jack W. (to protect his identity) has lived a spectacular life. Over the course of the past 79 years, Jack has bravely served his country, married, started a family and grown old with the love of his life, and had a successful career on Wall Street. He lived through a war that so many others did not and came out on the other side, both able to tell the tale and move past it, in order to start the next chapter of his life.

Throughout his childhood in Pennsylvania, Jack was exposed to agricultural practices and raised in an environment that greatly valued agribusiness, as his father was a dairy farmer. Consequently, he developed a huge appreciation for the practice, influencing him to join a dairy club at the age of 10. This club was called the Four H Dairy Club and consisted of about 20 other boys who met once a month. Its integral role in his life is evident in the fact that he can still recall its pledge today.

Listen to episode 2639 and discover more about the Vietnam Veteran who helps prove a point about the great Vietnam Generation.

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Ron Verini

Episode 2638 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the one man who served and the two who ran away. The featured story came from the Argus Observer of Ontario, Oregon and was titled:  Ron Verini: The Draft: Three stories, one nation. It was submitted by Ron Verini.

Ronald Verini is a local veteran’s advocate who writes a weekly column for The Argus Observer. He can be contacted at (541) 889-1978, help@veteranadvocates.org or 180 W. Idaho Ave., Ontario, OR 97914. The views and opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily represent those of The Argus Observer.

Verini started his story with this: Throughout the years I had the opportunity to interview some interesting individuals. Some have made the decision that military service was not for them. Here are two that decided the Vietnam War draft was not their cup of tea and what they thought of that decision today. My interest in talking with them was to find out how they perceived the Vietnam War and how they perceive things now and did they think they made a mistake.

Today I write about two men that did not serve and they both ended up with interesting stories and what they think now. I am sure you might know of someone that avoided the draft and the stories might also have some interesting twists to them.

This last story is about the last Active Duty, enlisted draftee retiring. I did not interview him but gathered his story from the website of www.veteranadvocates.org.  Command Sergeant-Major Jeffrey Mellinger was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1972, during the Nixon/Vietnam era. He was, according to the Army records, was the last draftee remaining on active duty without a break in service after serving for nearly forty years.

Listen to episode 2638 and discover more about the one man who served and the two who ran away.

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Hmong Vietnam Vets on Old Glory Honor Flight.

Episode 2637 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the Old Glory Honor Flight out of Appleton, Wisconsin that included Hmong Vietnam Veterans for the first time. The featured story comes from Next Shark and  is titled: Overlooked Hmong vets honored in final Old Glory Honor Flight of the year. It was submitted by Ryan General who is a Senior Reporter for Next Shark and has written 6444 articles.

Ryan General reported in his story that this year’s final Old Glory Honor Flight recognized 20 Hmong veterans, alongside other vets, underscoring their significant contributions to the U.S. during the Vietnam War.

Old Glory Honor Flight was founded in 2009 by a loyal group of volunteers based in Appleton, WI. They are dedicated to their mission of “Honoring Our Local Veterans One Mission at a Time” which includes now all veterans who served prior to May 7, 1975.

The Old Glory Honor Flight missions are completely free of charge to the veteran; they believe it’s a meaningful way to say ‘Thank You’ for their service. Every detail of their day-long trip has the vets’ best interest in mind to ensure they have a safe, memorable trip and one that conveys appreciation and admiration from our community. On each flight, they travel with trained volunteers who act as guardian escorts, a volunteer medical team, professional photographers and a host of others like the D.C. Park Police who ensure the veterans get the ‘red carpet’ treatment.

Diane MacDonald, the executive director of Old Glory Honor Flight, expressed her excitement, stating, “Hosting the Hmong Vietnam Vets on a flight is one way to recognize their service to our country.

Listen to episode 2637 and discover more about the Old Glory Honor Flight out of Appleton, Wisconsin that included Hmong Vietnam Veterans for the first time.

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Episode 2636 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall making a stop at the Veterans Healing Farm in Hendersonville, NC. The featured story comes from The Blue Ridge Now and Times-News and is titled: How to see the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall as it makes a stop in Hendersonville. It was submitted by Dean Hensley, a writer for the Hendersonville Times-News. He has been with the Hendersonville Times-News since 1996 and has been in the sports department since 1997. He is now the news editor, a position he’s held since 2021.

Hensley reported in his story that from Nov. 9-12, the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall will be at the Veterans Healing Farm, which is located at 38 Yale Road. Yeck said everyone at the farm is excited about the traveling wall being there, especially since it’s particularly hard to book it for Veterans Day.

The mission of the Veterans Healing Farm is to enhance the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of our nation’s Veterans and their families. They accomplish this through the creation of a safe, peaceful environment that fosters healing and camaraderie. Their programs focus on brain health and includes agritherapy (organic farming, beekeeping, medicinal herbs) as well as a variety of other therapies / therapeutic activities, workshops, and live events.

The main focal point of the Nov. 9-12 Veterans Healing Farm event will of course be the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall. It is a three-fifths replica of the actual Vietnam Wall that is a part of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C.

CLICK HERE For more information about the Veterans Healing Farm in Hendersonville, NC or call them at 828-595-6111.

Listen to episode 2636 and discover more about the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall making a stop at the Veterans Healing Farm in Hendersonville, NC.

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Senator Marco Rubio

Episode 2635 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a press release about the legislation recently introduced into the Senate by Senator Marco Rubio to honor Air America Employees. The featured story appeared in the Floridian website and was titled: Rubio Files Legislation to Honor Airline that Provided Support to U.S. Special Forces during Vietnam War. The press release was submitted by Jackson Bakich. He was born in Orlando but raised in Lake County, Florida, Jackson Bakich is currently a senior at Florida State University. Growing up in the sunshine state, Bakich co-hosted the political talk radio show “Lake County Roundtable” (WLBE) and was a frequent guest for “Lake County Sports Show” (WQBQ). Currently, he is the Sports Editor of the FSView and the co-host of “Tomahawk Talk” (WVFS), a sports talk radio program covering Florida State athletics in Tallahassee.

According to Bakich, Senator Marco Rubio of Florida introduced bipartisan legislation that would honor the employees of Air America for their service to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) between 1950 and 1976.

According to Sen. Rubio, employees of the airline have not received full Federal retirement civil service benefits.

Moreover, the CIA has already memorialized their efforts at their headquarters honoring the Air America employees who lost their lives in China and Laos. The airline offered support to U.S. Special Forces during the Vietnam War.

Rubio stated that “The brave men and women of Air America deserve an immense token of appreciation for their service to our nation. I am proud to lead this bipartisan bill to ensure our fellow Americans who honorably served our great nation receive the recognition they deserve.”

Bakich reported that Senator John Cornyn of Texas joined the effort as well. He announced that those who sacrificed their safety “deserve to be fairly compensated.”

Listen to episode 2635 and discover more about the legislation recently introduced in the Senate by Senator Marco Rubio to honor Air America Employees.

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Kenna Clay Jordan with his book “A Lighter Side of Too-Damn-Scared”

Episode 2634 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the newest book added to the Podcast Recommended Reading List. The featured story comes from The News-Review of Roseburg, Oregon and is titled: No apologies: A young soldier’s perspective of the Vietnam War. It was submitted by Drew Winkelmaier [dwinkelmaier@nrtoday.com].

The story tells about Vietnam Veteran Kenna Clay Jordan and his new book “A Lighter Side of Too-Damn-Scared.”  Jordan self-published the book in 2019 aimed at telling his point of view as a 19-year-old who volunteered for the Army at the height of the Vietnam War.

This podcast encourages Vietnam Veterans to write about their experiences before, during and after the War. Kenna Clay Jordan has followed that encouragement to a tee. His book is an excellent description how a wrecker truck driving mechanic survived the War.

His book begins with a short story about his father confronting police on their family ranch outside of Las Vegas. The deputies came to arrest him. Jordan was a young child and watching his father being confronted he felt he had to do something about the situation. He went inside their home and returned with a pistol and handed the gun to his father. His father shot at the deputies leaving two holes in the passenger side door.

This is what to expect when reading Jordan’s book — an unapologetic, unrestrained story of a young soldier, half a world away, doing his best to survive.

To get a copy of the book send a letter to P.O. Box 72, Roseburg, OR 97470. Jordan asks that you include an email address with your letter. The book costs $48 plus $5 for shipping and handling.

Listen to episode 2634 and discover more about the newest book added to the Podcast Recommended Reading List.

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Episode 2633 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about an unexploded 500 lb bomb from the Vietnam War that was found in a suburb of Phnom Penh. The featured story comes from the Khmer Times titled: Vietnam War era U.S. aerial bomb safely removed in Cambodian capital’s NW suburb.

According to Yale University, between 1965 and 1973, the United States dropped 230,516 bombs on 113,716 sites in Cambodia.

A Cambodian government report showed that from 1979 to June 2023, landmines and explosive remnants of war explosions had killed 19,821 people and injured or amputated 45,205 others in the Southeast Asian country.

This could be one of the factors that cause the country of Cambodia is not openly welcoming to American tourists. It is a terrible thing that the little country of Cambodia was used a staging area for war by the North Vietnamese during the American Vietnam War. Unfortunately to this day, Cambodian people are suffering from unexploded ordnance from the Vietnam War.

The Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) is Cambodia’s leading demining organization, working in the key areas of Survey and Land Release, Mine and UXO Clearance, Mine and UXO Risk Education and Training, Research and Development. CMAC currently has 1,715 staff across Cambodia, including a national office in Phnom Penh, six provincial demining units and a Training Centre in Kampong Chhnang, working towards the mission of “Saving lives and Supporting Development for Cambodia”.

CMAC was established during the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) in 1992, in order to assist the safe return of thousands of refugees to their homelands across the country. Recognizing that the large number of landmines and UXO across Cambodia was a significant threat to post conflict reconstruction and continuing development, CMAC became an autonomous national organization in 2000 and developed a series of programs including landmine awareness, landmine field information, landmine and UXO clearance and training in landmine clearance to achieve the safe transition to peace and security for the people of Cambodia.

Listen to episode 2633 and discover more about an unexploded 500 lb bomb from the Vietnam War that was found in a suburb of Phnom Penh.

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Soil tunnel shaft used to access a tunnel 10 meters below the soil surface. the drug packages are lifted by a pulley system.

Episode 2632 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature the conclusion and recommends of an academic paper on the history of tunnels in North America. The featured paper was created by Kenneth R. Olson and David R. Speidel. It is titled: Review and Analysis: Successful Use of Soil Tunnels in Medieval and Modern Warfare and Smuggling.

Professor Olson [krolson@illinois.edu] is associated with the Department of Natural Resources, College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, USA. David R. Speidel is associated with the Foreign Agricultural Service, Washington DC, USA.

Tunnels were a significant factor for allied troops in the American Vietnam War. Professor Olson and his Merry Band of Retirees associates have produced another academic paper about tunnels. This paper deals with the historical use of tunnels throughout history.

Previously, Professor Olson produced a paper about the tunnels of the Vietnam War. That paper was so well received; he decided he decided to expand on the subject with this paper which will be featured on this podcast.

According to the abstract of the paper:

For more than 2500 years, soil tunnels have been used in warfare and smuggling. Initially tunnels were utilized to attack fortresses that were underlain by unconsolidated (non-bedrock) soil materials. Later tunnels provided housing and served as smuggling corridors. The medieval warfare undermining technique involved digging soil tunnels with wooden or beam props to hold up the soil ceilings. Then flammable material, such as hay or straw, was put in the tunnel and set on fire. The fire burnt the support beams which collapsed the soil tunnel ceilings and undermined the overlying perimeter wall. Later gunpowder and dynamite replaced fire when attempting to collapse a tunnel, fortress or perimeter defense. Modern warfare soil tunnels were the pathways used to move troops, weapons and supplies to the other side of a border or wall for surprise attacks. Most of the soil tunnels were placed in easy-to-dig unconsolidated soil materials that had a low water table and were not subject to flooding. Eventually, machinery was used to drill through bedrock permitting deeper and longer tunnels for troop movement or smuggling.

Listen to episode 2632 and discover more about the history of tunnel warfare.