Vietnam Veteran News

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U.S. Air Force Col. Ernest Leo De Soto

Episode 2552 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Vietnam War U.S. Air Force pilot COL Ernest Leo De Soto whose earthly remains were returned home after a 54 year absence. The featured story was recommended for inclusion on this podcast by Andy Pham, a good friend of this podcast.

The featured story appeared on KTVU FOX 2 of Oakland and was titled: Vietnam War pilot’s return to home after 54 years. It was submitted by Tom Vacar.

Vacar reported a missing Vietnam veteran was interred in his final resting place, having been missing for more than a half-century. His 90-year-old wife and their adult children welcomed him home at SFO Thursday and bid farewell Friday in a place of honor.

On April 12, 1969, De Soto was piloting an F-4D Phantom II assigned to the 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 336th Tactical Fighter Wing, alongside his navigator, Capt. Frederick M. Hall and another aircraft on a combat mission. As they returned from a cancelled strike mission near Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, both aircraft ascended into heavy cloud cover. The lead aircraft noticed De Soto and Hall’s plane wasn’t in sight and immediately began an aerial search.

A search and rescue airborne mission located De Soto’s crash site, with no sign of the crew. Unfortunately, the amount of hostile activity in the area prevented a ground investigation.

In March 2021, remains were recovered at the crash site by Defense POW/MIA-trained Vietnamese Recovery Teams. On March 23, 2023, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency identified the remains as belonging to De Soto and Hall.

U.S. Air Force pilot COL Ernest Leo De Soto was a brave American who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. RIP.

Listen to episode 2552 and discover more about the Vietnam War U.S. Air Force pilot COL Ernest Leo De Soto whose earthly remains were returned home after a 54 year absence.

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Episode 2551 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a look at the explosive report about the American war in Cambodia. The source for this look is the recently released paper by the Merry Band of Retires titled, United States Secret Wars in Cambodia: Long-Term Impacts and Consequences.

In this episode the following sections of the Paper will be featured:

5.0 Summary and Conclusions and Acknowledgements

The Merry Band of Retirees is an academic group of individuals who have gotten together to utilize their academic expertise to carry on studies of life activities related to their fields of study. The group is led by Professor Kenneth R. Olson.

In the past their papers have been featured on this podcast because they provide more learning about the American Vietnam War. This is critical because we do not want any more memorials in Washington D.C. with 58,281 names etched upon the surface of its black marble walls of Americans who gave their lives for their country in a foreign war.

Previous papers by The Merry Band of Retires featured on this podcast include ones about the war in Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.

This paper was submitted on behalf of the Merry Band of Retirees by Professor Kenneth R. Olson1 and David R. Speidel. Olson is associated with the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, USA, krolson@illinois.edu

Speidel is a USDA Resource Conservationist and Agricultural Consultant with Natural Resource Conservation Service and Foreign Agricultural Service, Benton, Missouri, USA.

Listen to episode 2551 and discover more about the explosive new look at the American war in Cambodia utilizing the recently released paper by the Merry Band of Retires titled, United States Secret Wars in Cambodia: Long-Term Impacts and Consequences

Episode 2550 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a look at the explosive report about the American war in Cambodia. The source for this look is the recently released paper by the Merry Band of Retires titled, United States Secret Wars in Cambodia: Long-Term Impacts and Consequences.

In this episode the following sections of the Paper will be featured:

4.10 1975–1993

4.11 Cambodian-Vietnam War

4.12 Cambodian Genocide

2.11 Removal from Power of Khmer Rouge

4.12 Killing Fields

They describe what happened in Cambodia after our invasion of and departure from Cambodia.

The Merry Band of Retirees is an academic group of individuals who have gotten together to utilize their academic expertise to carry on studies of life activities related to their fields of study. The group is led by Professor Kenneth R. Olson.

In the past their papers have been featured on this podcast because they provide more learning about the American Vietnam War. This is critical because we do not want any more memorials in Washington D.C. with 58,281 names etched upon the surface of its black marble walls of Americans who gave their lives for their country in a foreign war.

Previous papers by The Merry Band of Retires featured on this podcast include ones about the war in Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.

This paper was submitted on behalf of the Merry Band of Retirees by Professor Kenneth R. Olson1 and David R. Speidel. Olson is associated with the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, USA, krolson@illinois.edu

Speidel is a USDA Resource Conservationist and Agricultural Consultant with Natural Resource Conservation Service and Foreign Agricultural Service, Benton, Missouri, USA.

Listen to episode 2550 and discover more about the explosive new look at the American war in Cambodia utilizing the recently released paper by the Merry Band of Retires titled, United States Secret Wars in Cambodia: Long-Term Impacts and Consequences.

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Episode 2549 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a Fourth of July tribute to this great country. 247 years ago 56 brave men signed a document forever known as the Declaration of Independence. It was a brave act on their part because as soon as they put ink to the document they put their lives, families and fortunes at risk.

Thankfully for us all, they persevered and created the United States of America, a shining city on the hill to all mankind on this earth. The great philosopher and writer, Charles Krauthammer put this way: The United States of America is the greatest and most miraculous endeavor mankind has ever undertaken in its long quest to get politics right. America is founded on an idea, and the idea is liberty. This is probably the rarest phenomenon in the political history of the world.

Ron Mosbaugh in Vietnam

Ron Mosbaugh is a brave Vietnam Veteran who served thirteen months as a field corpsman in Vietnam with Hotel Company, Second Battalion, First Marines in the dangerous I Corps region of northern South Vietnam. He would have readily signed the Declaration of Independence had he been there in the day.

Like the signers of the Declaration of Independence, Ron’s bravery is unquestioned. He demonstrated that fact when he faced death on a daily basis yet he never shrank from doing his duty as a field corpsman saving lives under fire.

In this episode he will share a story he wrote titled, A Vietnam Veteran Worry Wart. He describes how his experiences on the battlefields and in the swamps of Vietnam left him with a serious case of PTSD which brought with it constant worries. He provides valuable advice on how handle worries in your life. If one follows his wise advice they should be better able to deal with worry.

Listen to episode 2549 and discover more about Vietnam Veteran Ron Mosbaugh’s advice for handling worry.

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ARVN Troops moving into Cambodia

Episode 2548 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a look at the explosive report about the American war in Cambodia. The source for this look is the recently released paper by the Merry Band of Retires titled, United States Secret Wars in Cambodia: Long-Term Impacts and Consequences.

In this episode the following sections of the Paper will be featured:

4.8 Between 29 April and 1 July 1970, ARVN and US Army Attacked Beyond Cambodian Borders to Seek Out Enemy Troops. and 4.9 The 1973 to 1975 Withdrawal from Cambodia

It describes our invasion of Cambodia.

The Merry Band of Retirees is an academic group of individuals who have gotten together to utilize their academic expertise to carry on studies of life activities related to their fields of study. The group is led by Professor Kenneth R. Olson.

In the past their papers have been featured on this podcast because they provide more learning about the American Vietnam War. This is critical because we do not want any more memorials in Washington D.C. with 58,281 names etched upon the surface of its black marble walls of Americans who gave their lives for their country in a foreign war.

Previous papers by The Merry Band of Retires featured on this podcast include ones about the war in Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.

This paper was submitted on behalf of the Merry Band of Retirees by Professor Kenneth R. Olson1 and David R. Speidel. Olson is associated with the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, USA, krolson@illinois.edu

Speidel is a USDA Resource Conservationist and Agricultural Consultant with Natural Resource Conservation Service and Foreign Agricultural Service, Benton, Missouri, USA.

Listen to episode 2548 and discover more about the explosive new look at the American war in Cambodia utilizing the recently released paper by the Merry Band of Retires titled, United States Secret Wars in Cambodia: Long-Term Impacts and Consequences.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Episode 2547 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a look at the explosive report about the American war in Cambodia. The source for this look is the recently released paper by the Merry Band of Retires titled, United States Secret Wars in Cambodia: Long-Term Impacts and Consequences.

In this episode the following section of the Paper will be featured:

4.7 The1969Republic of Vietnam (RV) and United States Campaign to Eliminate the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) and the Viet Cong (VC) Bases in Cambodia

It describes how President Nixon came to the momentous decision to invade Cambodia.

The Merry Band of Retirees is an academic group of individuals who have gotten together to utilize their academic expertise to carry on studies of life activities related to their fields of study. The group is led by Professor Kenneth R. Olson.

In the past their papers have been featured on this podcast because they provide more learning about the American Vietnam War. This is critical because we do not want any more memorials in Washington D.C. with 58,281 names etched upon the surface of its black marble walls of Americans who gave their lives for their country in a foreign war.

Previous papers by The Merry Band of Retires featured on this podcast include ones about the war in Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.

This paper was submitted on behalf of the Merry Band of Retirees by Professor Kenneth R. Olson1 and David R. Speidel. Olson is associated with the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, USA, krolson@illinois.edu

Speidel is a USDA Resource Conservationist and Agricultural Consultant with Natural Resource Conservation Service and Foreign Agricultural Service, Benton, Missouri, USA.

Listen to episode 2547 and discover more about the explosive new look at the American war in Cambodia utilizing the recently released paper by the Merry Band of Retires titled, United States Secret Wars in Cambodia: Long-Term Impacts and Consequences

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Pol Pot, leader of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia

Episode 2546 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a look at the explosive report about the American war in Cambodia. The source for this look is the recently released paper by the Merry Band of Retires titled, United States Secret Wars in Cambodia: Long-Term Impacts and Consequences.

In this episode the following sections of the Paper will be featured:

4.1 Early History of Cambodia

This section examines the genesis of the communist party in Cambodia and the catastrophic consequences it brought to that small country. It shows why communism and socialism should never be allowed to stand anywhere.

The Merry Band of Retirees is an academic group of individuals who have gotten together to utilize their academic expertise to carry on studies of life activities related to their fields of study. The group is led by Professor Kenneth R. Olson.

In the past their papers have been featured on this podcast because they provide more learning about the American Vietnam War. This is critical because we do not want any more memorials in Washington D.C. with 58,281 names etched upon the surface of its black marble walls of Americans who gave their lives for their country in a foreign war.

Previous papers by The Merry Band of Retires featured on this podcast include ones about the war in Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.

This paper was submitted on behalf of the Merry Band of Retirees by Professor Kenneth R. Olson1 and David R. Speidel. Olson is associated with the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, USA, krolson@illinois.edu

Speidel is a USDA Resource Conservationist and Agricultural Consultant with Natural Resource Conservation Service and Foreign Agricultural Service, Benton, Missouri, USA.

Listen to episode 2546 and discover more about the explosive new look at the American war in Cambodia utilizing the recently released paper by the Merry Band of Retires titled, United States Secret Wars in Cambodia: Long-Term Impacts and Consequences

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Nixon and kissinger

Episode 2545 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a look at the explosive report about the American war in Cambodia. The source for this look is the recently released paper by the Merry Band of Retires titled, United States Secret Wars in Cambodia: Long-Term Impacts and Consequences.

In this episode the following sections of the Paper will be featured:

3.5 President Nixon’s Decision

This section examines the decision to take action made by President Nixon to put a stop to the attacks in Vietnam coming from NVA sanctuaries in the jungles of Cambodia and its consequences.

The Merry Band of Retirees is an academic group of individuals who have gotten together to utilize their academic expertise to carry on studies of life activities related to their fields of study. The group is led by Professor Kenneth R. Olson.

In the past their papers have been featured on this podcast because they provide more learning about the American Vietnam War. This is critical because we do not want any more memorials in Washington D.C. with 58,281 names etched upon the surface of its black marble walls of Americans who gave their lives for their country in a foreign war.

Previous papers by The Merry Band of Retires featured on this podcast include ones about the war in Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.

This paper was submitted on behalf of the Merry Band of Retirees by Professor Kenneth R. Olson1 and David R. Speidel. Olson is associated with the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, USA, krolson@illinois.edu

Speidel is a USDA Resource Conservationist and Agricultural Consultant with Natural Resource Conservation Service and Foreign Agricultural Service, Benton, Missouri, USA.

Listen to episode 2545 and discover more about the explosive new look at the American war in Cambodia utilizing the recently released paper by the Merry Band of Retires titled, United States Secret Wars in Cambodia: Long-Term Impacts and Consequences.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Agent Orange results on children.

Episode 2544 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a look at the explosive report about the American war in Cambodia. The source for this look is the recently released paper by the Merry Band of Retires titled, United States Secret Wars in Cambodia: Long-Term Impacts and Consequences.

The Merry Band of Retirees is an academic group of individuals who have gotten together to utilize their academic expertise to carry on studies of life activities related to their fields of study. The group is led by Professor Kenneth R. Olson.

In the past their papers have been featured on this podcast because they provide more learning about the American Vietnam War. This is critical because we do not want any more memorials in Washington D.C. with 58,281 names etched upon the surface of its black marble walls of Americans who gave their lives for their country in a foreign war.

Previous papers by The Merry Band of Retires featured on this podcast include ones about the war in Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.

This paper was submitted on behalf of the Merry Band of Retirees by Professor Kenneth R. Olson1 and David R. Speidel. Olson is associated with the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, USA, krolson@illinois.edu

Speidel is a USDA Resource Conservationist and Agricultural Consultant with Natural Resource Conservation Service and Foreign Agricultural Service, Benton, Missouri, USA.

In this episode the following sections of the Paper will be featured:

3.4 Veteran Affairs Benefits for Dioxin Affected American Veterans. This section deals with problems encountered by Vietnam Veterans who served in Cambodia when they seek help from the VA for Agent Orange related medical conditions.

Also covered in this section is how the Cambodian people who suffer from Agent Orange exposure are being ignored.

Listen to episode 2544 and discover more about the explosive new look at the American war in Cambodia utilizing the recently released paper by the Merry Band of Retires titled, United States Secret Wars in Cambodia: Long-Term Impacts and Consequences

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The killing fields of Cambodia

Episode 2543 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a look at the explosive report about the American war in Cambodia. The source for this look is the recently released paper by the Merry Band of Retires titled, United States Secret Wars in Cambodia: Long-Term Impacts and Consequences.

The Merry Band of Retirees is an academic group of individuals who have gotten together to utilize their academic expertise to carry on studies of life activities related to their fields of study. The group is led by Professor Kenneth R. Olson.

In the past their papers have been featured on this podcast because they provide more learning about the American Vietnam War. This is critical because we do not want any more memorials in Washington D.C. with 58,281 names etched upon the surface of its black marble walls of Americans who gave their lives for their country in a foreign war.

Previous papers by The Merry Band of Retires featured on this podcast include ones about the war in Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.

This paper was submitted on behalf of the Merry Band of Retirees by Professor Kenneth R. Olson1 and David R. Speidel. Olson is associated with the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, USA, krolson@illinois.edu

Speidel is a USDA Resource Conservationist and Agricultural Consultant with Natural Resource Conservation Service and Foreign Agricultural Service, Benton, Missouri, USA.

In this episode the following sections of the Paper will be featured:

3.1 – Use of Thailand Air Force Bases to Spray and Bomb the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Cambodia and Laos.

3.2 – Targeted Tactical Herbicide Spraying in Cambodia

3.3 – Use of Tactical Herbicides in Southeast Cambodia

Listen to episode 2543 and discover more about the explosive new look at the American war in Cambodia utilizing the recently released paper by the Merry Band of Retires titled, United States Secret Wars in Cambodia: Long-Term Impacts and Consequences