Ask A Vet Podcast

Paul Huber grew up in Mesa, Arizona, the son of an Army Air Corps officer, and went on to fly 220 combat missions in an F-4 Phantom during the Vietnam War. In this episode of Ask A Vet, Paul takes us inside the cockpit — from jungle survival school in the Philippines, to night bombing runs over the DMZ, to the morning in March 1968 when his aircraft was hit over Laos and he had to eject into the jungle.Paul shares what it was really like to fly one of the most iconic aircraft of the Vietnam era, what he was thinking as he floated down through the jungle canopy, and how he called his wife from a command post phone just hours after being shot down. He also reflects on his post-Vietnam career as an instructor pilot, his time flying F-111s in England during the Cold War, and what 23 years of service ultimately taught him about America.Subscribe so you never miss an episode.⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS 1:30 – Growing up in Arizona & deciding to fly4:00 – ROTC, Arizona State & getting commissioned6:30 – F-4 Phantom training11:00 – Jungle survival school in the Philippines14:00 – Arriving at Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam17:30 – Night bombing missions over the DMZ22:00 – What it was like to drop napalm and fly close air support27:00 – Getting shot down over Laos33:00 – The ejection, the jungle, and the rescue39:00 – Calling his wife hours after being shot down42:00 – R&R in Hawaii with his family46:00 – Returning to fly after being shot down48:30 – Distinguished Flying Cross & 220 combat missions52:00 – Life as an instructor pilot in Texas58:00 – Flying F-111s in England during the Cold War1:13:00 – The meaconing incident: nearly lured into East Germany1:16:00 – Final years, ROTC command at Utah State & retirement1:26:00 – Reflections on Vietnam and what service meantIf you or a Veteran you know has a story that should be heard, we'd love to hear from you at [email protected].🎖️ Curious Humanography is proud to partner with Utah Honor Flight, helping veterans visit memorials built in their honor. To learn more or support their mission, visit UtahHonorFlight.org and honorflight.org.If this story moved you, please consider liking, commenting, and subscribing — it helps us continue sharing stories that deserve to be heard.

Dick Van Allen dreamed of flying from the moment a B-24 roared over his small Ohio town when he was seven years old. What followed was a lifetime of aviation:  from propeller trainers in Georgia to jet fighters in Alabama, from combat rescue helicopters over Vietnam to a dam disaster in Idaho. In this episode, Dick takes us through it all: the engine failures in training, arriving in Vietnam to discover he was the only pilot on his base, flying 300+ days of combat, nearly being hit by falling flare parachutes while hovering over a crash in the dark, and the civilian rescues that gave him just as much satisfaction as the military ones.Dick served in the United States Air Force, flying multiple tours in Vietnam with the 20th Special Operations Squadron — the Green Hornets — and later as a combat rescue pilot flying on three-minute alert. He logged over 6,500 hours in the Huey alone and performed roughly 75 civilian rescues after his military career, including responding to the collapse of Teton Dam.If this episode moved you, please subscribe, leave a comment, and share it with someone who should hear this story.CHAPTERS:0:01:30 – Growing Up in Willard, Ohio: A Seven-Year-Old Decides to Fly0:11:00 – Propeller Training, the T-28, and Engine Failures Over the Okefenokee0:17:00 – First Jet Flight — Five Minutes of Pure Chaos0:22:00 – Formation Flying, G-Force Blackouts, and Close Calls0:29:00 – Choosing Helicopters Over the B-47 Back Seat0:36:00 – Helicopter School: Igor Sikorsky Said We Were Crazy0:41:00 – The Huey, SAC, and Moving Seven Times in Seven Years0:44:00 – Volunteering for Vietnam: The 20th SOS Green Hornets (1966)0:47:00 – Jungle Survival School and Arriving at Cam Ranh Bay0:53:00 – General Ryan and the Island Assignment0:57:00 – First Mission: Finding a Downed F-4 by a Dead Tree1:03:00 – Arriving at Takhli: The Only Pilot on the Base1:08:00 – Drying the Softball Field and Other Unusual Missions1:12:00 – Supporting President Johnson in Bangkok1:17:00 – Back to Shepherd: Training the F Troop Gunship Crews1:20:00 – Second Tour: Return to Thailand, Evacuation Planning That Never Started1:24:00 – The Scariest Night: C-141 Crash, Hovering in Jet Fuel and Falling Flares1:29:00 – Flying Asleep: Eight Scrambles in One Night1:35:00 – Combat Rescues, Hot LZs, and Fake Beacons1:41:00 – MAST Unit at Hill AFB and the Teton Dam Disaster1:50:00 – 19 Years of Helicopter Flying: What It All Meant1:53:00 – Closing Thoughts & Reflections ────────────────────────────🎙️ Ask A Vet is dedicated to documenting and preserving veterans' stories in their own words, on their own terms, before their stories are gone forever.🤝 Ask A Vet is proud to partner with Utah Honor Flight — part of the National Honor Flight Network — giving veterans a free trip to Washington D.C. to visit the memorials built in their honor. Learn more or donate: utahonorflight.org📋 Not getting the VA benefits you've earned? Click the link below — we've partnered with experts who help veterans build stronger claims and get the benefits they deserve. Free consultation: https://crm.zoho.com/bookings/YourFreeConsultationwithAskaVetMedGroup?rid=e9b38e78cb91065c1fe320a7ded78fbd8bba8f49d0461551777fc2994529c25a57fa5b8c5b5a0967c3c2b0d295b2b223gid8b25e599eed0bfe92c1438b980632c02b6ed9488ec5e11f8c6677be7ffc43cecDisclosure: This is a referral partnership with American Medical Experts. We may receive compensation if you book through our link.📲 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share — Your support helps us preserve the voices of those who served.#AskAVet #VietnamVeteran #MilitaryPodcast #CombatRescue #HelicopterPilot #VietnamWar #VeteranStories #HonorFlight #UtahHonorFlight

From Florida kid to Desert Storm MP, Jesse Clifton's story is one of quiet duty, unshakable instinct, and a lifetime spent protecting others. In this episode of Ask A Vet, Jesse walks us through joining the Army as a Military Policeman, deploying to the Philippines in 1986, keeping the peace after Hurricane Hugo, conducting secretive security operations in Honduras, and finally heading to Saudi Arabia for Desert Shield and Desert Storm — where he manned an M60 from a Humvee turret, managed dozens of Iraqi POWs solo, and came within inches of an international incident at a desert checkpoint.After coming home, Jesse faced the quieter battles: a son who didn't recognize him, fellow veterans losing businesses and families, and the long shadow of invisible wounds. He eventually channeled every one of those experiences into a career in home health care — now spending his days listening to and advocating for aging veterans who need someone in their corner.This is an honest, unfiltered conversation about service, sacrifice, and what it really means to "protect and serve."EPISODE CHAPTERS: 01:45 – Growing Up in a Service Family & Deciding to Enlist04:30 – Basic Training at Fort McClellan, Alabama08:00 – MOS School & Becoming a Military Policeman10:00 – Deployment to the Philippines (1986) | Guard Duty & Special Reactions Team15:00 – Hurricane Hugo Disaster Relief | Charlotte, NC17:30 – Border Operations in California | Watching, Not Acting19:00 – Honduras | Security for Special Operations20:30 – Desert Shield / Desert Storm | Arriving in Saudi Arabia25:00 – MREs, Food in the Desert & Keeping Morale Up28:00 – Crossing Into Combat | Convoy Escort & Manning the M6030:00 – Managing Iraqi POWs | Compassion Under Pressure33:00 – The Checkpoint Incident That Almost Became International35:00 – Sandstorms, Scorpion Wars & Surviving the Monotony37:30 – The Hardest Part: Coming Home43:30 – Reflections on Service & Advice for Veterans If you or a Veteran you know has a story that should be heard, we'd love to hear from you at [email protected]. 👉 If you’re a Veteran struggling with VA benefits, click this link to schedule a free consultation: https://crm.zoho.com/bookings/YourFreeConsultationwithAskaVetMedGroup?rid=e9b38e78cb91065c1fe320a7ded78fbd8bba8f49d0461551777fc2994529c25a57fa5b8c5b5a0967c3c2b0d295b2b223gid8b25e599eed0bfe92c1438b980632c02b6ed9488ec5e11f8c6677be7ffc43cecDisclosure: This is a referral partnership with American Medical Experts. We may receive compensation if you book through our link.

What does it really cost to serve? In this episode of Ask A Vet, we sit down with Patrick Dillon — a Hell's Kitchen-born, Irish-immigrant-raised combat medic who volunteered for the U.S. Army the day after his draft number was called. What followed was a lifetime defined by war, service, survival, and an unrelenting drive to help others.Patrick shares the raw, unfiltered story of serving as a 91B Combat Medic with the 498th Army Air Force: flying surgical C-130 missions to recover the wounded as the Vietnam Peace Treaty was being signed, performing emergency C-sections in the jungle, carrying out acts of mercy no one talks about, and coming home to rejection, shame, and silence. His story doesn't end in Vietnam. It continues through the Irish Troubles, the Peace Corps in Southeast Asia, the crack baby crisis in Harlem, Somalia, Kosovo, Ground Zero on 9/11, Iraq before the bombs fell, Hurricane Katrina, the Haiti earthquake, and COVID-19.Patrick is also an artist, screenwriter, and filmmaker whose work has been shaped, and sometimes defined, by everything he witnessed. Ask A Vet is dedicated to documenting and preserving veterans' stories — in their own words, on their own terms, before their stories are gone forever.🎙️ If you believe these stories matter, please subscribe, like, comment, and share. Your support helps us preserve the voices of those who served.👉 If you’re a Veteran struggling with VA benefits, click this link to schedule a free consultation: https://crm.zoho.com/bookings/YourFreeConsultationwithAskaVetMedGroup?rid=e9b38e78cb91065c1fe320a7ded78fbd8bba8f49d0461551777fc2994529c25a57fa5b8c5b5a0967c3c2b0d295b2b223gid8b25e599eed0bfe92c1438b980632c02b6ed9488ec5e11f8c6677be7ffc43cecDisclosure: This is a referral partnership with American Medical Experts. We may receive compensation if you book through our link.✈️ Ask A Vet is proud to partner with Utah Honor Flight, part of the National Honor Flight Network — giving veterans a free trip to Washington D.C. to visit the memorials built in their honor. To learn more or donate, visit utahonorflight.org or find your local hub at honorflight.org.EPISODE CHAPTERS:00:52 – Growing Up in Hell's Kitchen09:00 – The Draft Lottery Night 14:00 – Volunteering & Becoming a Combat Medic 19:30 – Arriving in Okinawa: Stump Duty 22:00 – Flying Surgical Missions Over Vietnam 28:00 – Coming Home: San Francisco Airport 35:00 – The Peace Corps & Saigon Falling 43:00 – Somalia, Kosovo & Haiti 01:08:00 – Hitting Rock Bottom & Getting Sober 01:14:00 – The Babies of Harlem Hospital 01:40:00 – PTSD, Art & Finding a Reason to Stay

Paul Colliton grew up on Long Island in a military family, named after a B-24 bomber pilot who never came home. He was drinking since age six, working on Wall Street at 18, and heading to Harlem for drugs by noon. Then the draft letter arrived.In this episode of Ask A Vet, Paul shares what it was really like to become a Military Police officer in Vietnam in 1971. From being pulled out of basic training and told he had the highest IQ on base, to patrolling the city of Hue at 19 years old with zero instructions, to coming face to face with 15 enemy soldiers at twilight and choosing not to fire. He talks openly about heroin addiction in-country, racial tension on base, the 15-year-old Vietnamese girl he couldn't save, a gut-wrenching Dear John letter, and hitchhiking home from JFK in his dress greens after being spit on.But Paul's story doesn't end in Vietnam. It winds through a near-jump from a 31st-floor balcony, 39 years of sobriety, a chance encounter with Muhammad Ali, and the adoption of his autistic son Billy. EPISODE CHAPTERS: 01:45 Paul's Background & Getting Drafted09:00 Basic Training, MP School & Heading to Vietnam19:00 The Flight Over: Engine Falls Off Over Alaska21:00 Arriving In-Country: Cameron Bay, Da Nang & Hue27:30 Life on Patrol: Drugs, Racial Tension & the Enemy Up Close35:00 The Hardest Moment of the War49:30 Refusing an Order, Getting Busted & Coming Home1:01:00 The Welcome Home: JFK Airport & a Punch in the Face1:05:00 Europe & Building a Photography Career1:29:00 Rehab, AA & Starting Over at 361:37:00 Photographing Muhammad Ali & a Moment They Both Cried1:47:00 Adopting Billy 2:18:30 Final Reflections: What Vietnam Made Him🎙️ Ask A Vet is dedicated to documenting and preserving veterans' stories — in their own words, on their own terms, before their stories are gone forever.If you believe these stories matter, please subscribe, like, comment, and share. Your support helps us preserve the voices of those who served.👉 If you’re a Veteran struggling with VA benefits, click this link to schedule a free consultation: https://crm.zoho.com/bookings/YourFreeConsultationwithAskaVetMedGroup?rid=e9b38e78cb91065c1fe320a7ded78fbd8bba8f49d0461551777fc2994529c25a57fa5b8c5b5a0967c3c2b0d295b2b223gid8b25e599eed0bfe92c1438b980632c02b6ed9488ec5e11f8c6677be7ffc43cecDisclosure: This is a referral partnership with American Medical Experts. We may receive compensation if you book through our link.✈️ Ask A Vet is proud to partner with Utah Honor Flight, part of the National Honor Flight Network — giving veterans a free trip to Washington D.C. to visit the memorials built in their honor. To learn more or donate, visit utahonorflight.org or find your local hub at honorflight.org.

In this episode of Ask A Vet, we sit down with Dwight Moss, a Marine veteran who joined at 19, served in Vietnam in 1966, and survived what most men didn't. From watching his buddy get shot in a rice paddy, to nearly drowning on a river crossing, to stepping on a Bouncing Betty landmine that cut him from ankle to chest — Dwight's story is as raw and honest as they come. He also shares a remarkable out-of-body experience during a near-fatal bout of malaria, and what that moment meant for his faith, his life, and how he sees death itself.Now 80 years old, VFW Chaplain, Ironman-distance athlete, and soon-to-be published author, Dwight reflects on survival, forgiveness, and what he believes he owes to the men who didn't come home.EPISODE CHAPTERS2:00 — Dwight's Background: Born in Murphy, NC / Joining the Marines at 197:00 — Leaving for Vietnam9:00 — Arriving in Da Nang, 196611:00 — Life on Outpost: Sea Rations, Tony Vargas & Surviving Together24:00 — Near-Death #1: Almost Drowning in a River27:00 — The DMZ Mission: Every Man Dead31:00 — Breaking Down with Malaria (106.2 Fever)35:00 — Near-Death #2 & #3: Losing Vision + Leaving His Body39:00 — Stepping on the Bouncing Betty Landmine43:00 —Staying Calm While Bleeding Out46:00 — Officers Sent to His Mom's House Before They Knew He'd Survive48:00 — Helicoptered to Da Nang / The Flight Home Through the Philippines & Alaska51:00 — Recovery: Botched Skin Grafts, Nerve Damage & Learning to Walk Again54:00 — Swimming Back to Life: Ironman Distances After a Landmine59:00 — Heart Issues at 80 / "Do What You Can Do Today"1:02:00 — Dealing With the Trauma of What He Saw1:04:00 — Becoming VFW Chaplain / Unconditional Forgiveness1:07:00 — The Honor Flight to Washington D.C.1:10:00 — Take Away From VietnamAsk A Vet is dedicated to documenting and preserving veterans' stories — in their own words, on their own terms, before their stories are gone forever.#AskAVet #VietnamVeteran #MarineCorps #LandmineSurvivor #VeteranStories #PTSD #HonorFlight #MilitaryPodcast #VietnamWar #BountyBetty

Butch Underwood was just 17 years old when he enlisted in the U.S. Army and volunteered to serve as a tank driver in Vietnam.In this unfiltered conversation, Butch shares what it was really like fighting in one of the most dangerous roles in the war—riding inside a 52-ton tank through jungles, minefields, and ambushes. From his very first firefight to being wounded in combat, his story reveals the harsh realities young soldiers faced daily.But the war didn’t end when he came home. Butch opens up about PTSD, opioid addiction, and the long road to recovery—losing friends, family struggles, and ultimately finding peace later in life. His story is one of survival, accountability, and redemption.If you believe these stories matter, please like, subscribe, and share to help preserve the voices of those who served.👉 If you’re a Veteran struggling with VA benefits, click this link in to schedule a free consultation: https://crm.zoho.com/bookings/YourFreeConsultationwithAskaVetMedGroup?rid=e9b38e78cb91065c1fe320a7ded78fbd8bba8f49d0461551777fc2994529c25a57fa5b8c5b5a0967c3c2b0d295b2b223gid8b25e599eed0bfe92c1438b980632c02b6ed9488ec5e11f8c6677be7ffc43cec⏱️ CHAPTERS:1:45 – Growing up in poverty & losing his father4:30 – Enlisting at 17 & choosing tanks6:00 – Training on the M60 tank8:00 – Arriving in Vietnam & first impressions10:30 – First firefight & free fire zone mistake13:30 – Life on a tank: missions, ambushes, and survival16:30 – Landmines & the dangers of being a driver18:30 – Final mission & getting wounded21:00 – Hospital experience & meeting General Abrams23:00 – Opioid addiction begins25:30 – Coming home & silence after the war27:30 – PTSD, breakdown, and losing control30:00 – 20+ years of opioid addiction32:30 – Losing friends to overdoses & quitting cold turkey34:30 – Divorce, family loss, and personal rock bottom36:30 – Finding love again & rebuilding life38:00 – Honor Flight & finally feeling welcomed home40:00 – Advice for veterans struggling with PTSD & addictionIf you or a Veteran you know has a story that should be heard, we'd love to hear from you at [email protected].

In this episode of Ask A Vet, we sit down with Vietnam Veteran Ernest, whose two back-to-back tours as a Huey door gunner took him from avoiding the draft… to becoming the man everyone in his unit depended on.Ernest shares unbelievable stories: being shot down four times, falling 100 feet from a helicopter into a rice paddy, saving his pilot’s life, living 50 yards from the South China Sea, water-skiing in a war zone, and fighting in some of the most chaotic conditions imaginable.Ernest’s perspective on service, survival, friendship, and finally being honored decades later on an Honor Flight is something every American needs to hear. If this episode impacted you, please subscribe and help us continue documenting the stories of the heroes who served.Chapters:01:10 – Background & Avoiding the Draft06:30 – Basic Training at Fort Jackson10:05 – Arriving in Vietnam12:00 – MOS Changed Overnight After Base Attack13:35 – Becoming a Door Gunner16:15 – Building a Hooch by the Sea18:00 – Water-Skiing in a War Zone20:25 – Shot Down Multiple Times23:40 – Saving His Pilot’s Life27:50 – Missions Across Vietnam31:00 – Falling Out of a Helicopter 34:45 – First Combat Mission & Melting the Gun38:00 – Daily Life45:00 – Re-upping & Serving a Second Tour48:30 – Coming Home to Hostility50:20 – The Honor Flight That Finally Healed Something54:40 – Life After the War & Reflections

In this episode of Ask A Vet, we sit down with Korean War Navy Veteran John Llewellyn, who shares what it was really like serving aboard a destroyer, or what sailors called a “tin can.”From joining the Navy at 18 on a whim… to working deep in the engine room under extreme heat… to surviving typhoons in the Pacific… John gives a raw, honest account of life at sea during the Korean War.He talks about the moments that shaped him: watching combat from offshore, facing fear and opportunity, turning down life-changing decisions, and ultimately finding purpose after service. This is a story about growth, perspective, and what service truly gives back.If you want to understand what the Korean War was like from someone who lived it, not from a textbook, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.🇺🇸 Thank you to all Veterans for your service.Chapters: 02:15 – Growing up in Utah & Joining the Navy05:30 – Boot Camp Experience (San Diego)08:00 – Machinist Mate School & First Assignment10:00 – Getting Assigned to the USS Stembel (“Tin Can”)12:30 – Life Aboard a Destroyer15:00 – Journey to the Pacific & First Deployment18:30 – Escorting Aircraft Carriers (Task Force 77)21:00 – Close Call: Carrier Plane Crash23:30 – Patrolling North Korea & Combat Conditions26:00 – Volunteering for Shore Duty (and Regret)28:30 – The Day the War Ended40:00 – Opportunities in the Navy (and Turning Them Down)44:00 – Life in the Engine Room & Dangerous Conditions48:00 – Typhoons at Sea + Injuries, Close Calls & Deaths on Board56:00 – Returning Home & Transition to Civilian Life59:00 – Career in Law Enforcement01:02:00 – Final Reflections

In this episode of Ask A Vet, we sit down with Vietnam War Veteran Mike, who shares a raw, unfiltered account of his journey from childhood in Detroit to the front lines of Vietnam.Mike opens up about volunteering for the draft, enduring brutal training conditions, and the shocking moment when war became real, just days after arriving in-country. As a Pathfinder, he was tasked with some of the most dangerous missions: rescuing downed pilots, navigating hostile terrain, and surviving situations where one mistake could cost lives. Chapters 1:15 – Growing up in Detroit & Volunteering for the draft6:45 – Boot camp & early Army experiences10:00 – What Vietnam was really like (expectations vs reality)13:30 – Brutal training at Camp Crockett18:45 – Becoming a Pathfinder22:00 – Arrival in Vietnam26:30 – Life at a Special Forces camp30:00 – First mission & being left behind34:30 – Combat realities & dangerous rescues40:00 – The psychological toll of war44:30 – Close calls, fear, and survival instincts48:00 – Malaria, illness, and daily hardships52:00 – R&R in Hong Kong & going AWOL56:30 – A shocking incident within his own unit1:00:00 – Reflections on war and responsibility

What was it really like to be a “Donut Dollie” in Vietnam?In this episode of Ask a Vet, we sit down with Vietnam Red Cross Donut Dollie Diane Thornal to hear her remarkable story serving on the front lines of the Vietnam War.Diane was one of just 627 women who volunteered with the American Red Cross Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas (SRAO) program. Known affectionately by the troops as “Donut Dollies,” these women traveled by helicopter to remote firebases and combat outposts bringing games, conversation, and a brief reminder of home to soldiers in the middle of war. Diane shares how she volunteered to go to Vietnam at just 22 years old, flew by helicopter to visit units across the country, and even found herself pinned down overnight by an entire North Vietnamese battalion while visiting a firebase in the A Shau Valley. She also tells the unforgettable story of meeting her future husband, Army helicopter pilot Ben Thornal, at Camp Eagle — a wartime romance that began with a can of deodorant and a jar of olives.For more of Diane and the Donut Dollies' story, watch the documentary:“The Donut Dollies: 627 Women Who Also Served in Vietnam.”EPISODE CHAPTERS: 01:05 Red Cross Involvement & Discovering the Donut Dollie Program08:55 Training with the Red Cross in Washington D.C.11:40 Flying to Vietnam for the first time16:40 Assigned to Da Nang and the center explosion18:40 Traveling by helicopter to visit troops20:10 The games that boosted soldier morale22:15 Being pinned down by a North Vietnamese battalion25:20 Visiting wounded soldiers on hospital ships27:40 Life on bases and interactions with troops29:45 Meeting helicopter pilot Ben Thornal34:10 Rocket attacks at Camp Eagle43:30 R&R trips to Hong Kong and Bangkok45:30 A wartime proposal sealed with olives47:40 Coming home early from Vietnam49:40 Reflecting on the Donut Dollies’ impact52:20 The Donut Dollies Documentary54:40 Final reflections on serviceIf you or someone you know has a story that should be heard, reach out to us at [email protected]

In this episode of Ask a Vet, Dustoff pilot Tom Hall shares the reality of flying medical evacuation missions during the Vietnam War. Tom entered the Army’s helicopter flight program and eventually flew Dustoff missions in the UH-1 Huey, rescuing wounded soldiers under intense enemy fire. In this conversation, he recounts what training was really like, the shocking moment he realized he was headed to Vietnam, and the missions that nearly cost him his life.From helicopter crashes and night rescue missions to the emotional toll of war, Tom reveals the parts of combat that history books rarely talk about. These are the untold stories of Dustoff pilots in Vietnam, the men who flew straight into danger to save others.If you enjoy hearing firsthand accounts from veterans, consider subscribing and sharing this episode so these stories are never forgotten. And if you or someone you know has a story that deserves to be heard, reach out to us at [email protected]:12 Drafted During the Vietnam War05:10 Basic Training at Fort Polk09:45 Learning to Fly Army Helicopters28:30 Preparing to Deploy to Vietnam33:50 First Days in Vietnam37:45 First Medevac Mission Shock45:10 Flying Into Heavy Combat1:03:30 Night Medevac Hoist Mission Under Fire1:18:00 Being Shot Down1:25:30 The Reality of War1:32:00 Reflections on Service

Randy Olea joined the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War and trained as an Air Policeman, a role responsible for guarding aircraft, securing the base perimeter, and defending against threats most people back home never heard about. In this episode, Randy shares what it was really like to serve in Vietnam, from basic training and Air Police school to guarding the flight line with an M-16, living under constant tension, and navigating the emotional weight of coming home. This conversation is honest, grounded, and deeply human. It’s about service, responsibility, brotherhood, and the things they don’t tell you before you go.If you value preserving veteran stories, please like, comment, and share- it truly helps these stories reach more people.Ask A Vet is dedicated to putting as many veterans’ stories into the world as possible before they’re gone forever. If you or someone you know is a veteran with a story to share, we would be honored to hear from you. Please reach out to us at [email protected] Chapters 06:00 – Basic Training & Air Police School12:00 – Arriving in Vietnam18:00 – What an Air Policeman Actually Did26:00 – Guarding the Perimeter & Flight Line34:00 – Carrying an M-16 & Constant Readiness42:00 – The Brotherhood & Daily Life50:00 – The Emotional Toll58:00 – Coming Home & Reflections 

At just 17 years old, Josh Cruze was drafted into the United States Marine Corps and sent to Vietnam as an M60 machine gunner. In this unfiltered conversation, Josh shares what war was really like: the moments no one prepares you for, the brothers he lost, the wounds he survived, and the lifelong battle of coming home from combat when the war never really ends.If you believe these stories matter, please subscribe, like, comment, and share. Your support helps preserve the voices of our veterans before they’re gone forever.Episode Chapters: 01:05 – Growing up in Brooklyn & being drafted at 1704:45 – Convincing his parents to let him join the Marines08:30 – Boot camp shock, fear, and earning the title “Marine”13:40 – Infantry training & becoming an M60 machine gunner17:30 – The Tet Offensive & being sent to Vietnam21:15 – Arriving in Vietnam & first moments of real fear24:40 – First firefights and learning how fast things change29:00 – Losing friends and seeing war’s true cost33:10 – Operation Allenbrook & the explosion that nearly killed him36:45 – Being wounded, medevac, and field hospital memories41:00 – Purple Heart, Guam, and coming home injured46:30 – Returning to a divided America50:10 – PTSD, marriage, and silent struggles after the war55:30 – Finding healing through education and acting59:40 – How theater changed his life foreverAsk A Vet is dedicated to putting as many veterans’ stories into the world as possible before they’re gone forever. If you or someone you know is a veteran with a story to share, we would be honored to hear from you. Please reach out to us at [email protected].

What was it really like flying Dust Off medevac missions in Vietnam?In this powerful oral history, Kerry Cunningham, a DustOff medevac crew chief, shares what he experienced flying wounded soldiers out of combat zones during the Vietnam War, often under fire, often at night, and often with no margin for error.From being shot at during a “possible broken arm” call, to night hoist rescues in triple-canopy jungle, to the emotional toll of carrying the wounded and dying at just 19 years old, Kerry takes us inside the realities of Vietnam medevac missions.🎖️ Curious Humanography is proud to partner with Utah Honor Flight, helping veterans visit the memorials built in their honor.Chapters:03:05 – Drafted at 19 years old06:40 – Boot camp & early training10:15 – Aircraft mechanic school13:40 – Arriving in Vietnam15:30 – Volunteering for DustOff18:45 – What a DustOff crew chief actually does22:30 – First medevac mission27:10 – Night hoist rescues in the jungle32:50 – Being shot at over a “broken arm”37:40 – Losing friends in the air42:15 – Carrying wounded enemy soldiers46:50 – Agent Orange exposure51:30 – The medics who saved lives56:10 – Why Dust Off missions were different01:00:45 – Leaving Vietnam (and going back)01:07:20 – Coming home to protests01:17:50 – Final reflections

What was it really like to be an artillery sergeant in Vietnam? In this powerful episode, Paul Henderson shares an unfiltered account of his service during the Vietnam War, from volunteering for the draft in 1968, to leading a 105mm howitzer crew in some of the most dangerous areas of the war. Paul walks us through life on remote firebases, artillery raids deep into hostile territory, incoming rocket and mortar attacks, and the night his life nearly ended in a devastating gun pit explosion.But this episode goes far beyond combat stories; Paul opens up about coming home to a country that didn’t want to hear about Vietnam, struggling silently with PTSD, addiction, guilt, and eventually finding a path toward healing. His perspective on empowering veterans is one of the most honest and insightful conversations we’ve had on the podcast.This episode is about courage, brotherhood, trauma, accountability, and what real healing can look like when veterans are finally allowed to tell their stories.🇺🇸 Thank you to Paul for his honesty, courage, and willingness to share his story.CHAPTERS: 01:05 – Volunteering for the Draft (1968)05:00 – Instant NCO School & Preparing for Combat08:20 – Flying to Vietnam & First Impressions10:00 – 101st Airborne & Life on a Mountain Fire Base15:00 – Inside a 105mm Howitzer Crew19:30 – Tet 68 & Covering the A Shau Valley22:15 – Artillery Raids Behind Enemy Lines24:30 – When the Sappers Hit the Wire27:30 – The First Rocket Attack (Freezing in Fear)30:00 – Brotherhood, Responsibility & Growing Into Command33:30 – The Explosion That Changed Everything36:30 – Medevac & The Reality of War Hospitals39:45 – The Burn Ward in Japan42:30 – Leaving Vietnam: Relief, Guilt & Something Unspoken46:00 – Coming Home to an Unpopular War49:00 – Skiing, Drinking & Detoxing Vietnam52:00 – PTSD, Darkness & Nightmares55:00 – Why I Went Back into Special Forces58:00 – What Vietnam Really Did to Me

In this episode, we sit down with Ben Thornal, a retired U.S. Army aviator who served in Vietnam flying OH-6 “Loach” helicopters during some of the war’s most intense operations, including Hamburger Hill.Ben takes us from the moment he received his draft notice, through flight school, combat reconnaissance missions, near-misses, loss, and the brotherhood that defined his service. He shares what it was really like flying low and slow over hostile terrain, calling in gunships, surviving being shot down, and witnessing extraordinary courage — including a Dustoff rescue that still stays with him decades later.But this conversation isn’t just about combat. It’s also about love, memory, and what comes after war. Ben reflects on meeting his wife Diane in Vietnam, coming home, living with PTSD, and why telling these stories still matters.Ben Thornal also appears alongside his wife, Diane, in the documentary "The Donut Dollies: 627 Women who Also Served in Vietnam", where they share their remarkable love story that began during the Vietnam War. To hear more of Ben and Diane’s story, watch the amazing documentary here:    • The Donut Dollies: 627 Women who Also Serv...  If you or someone you know has a story that should be heard, we'd love to hear from you at [email protected]. CHAPTERS: 02:10 – Getting the Draft Notice06:45 – Officer Candidate School (OCS)11:20 – Flight School: Learning to Fly16:40 – Assigned to the OH-6 “Loach”20:55 – Arriving in Vietnam25:10 – What a Recon Mission Really Looked Like30:45 – Hamburger Hill36:30 – Being Shot Down & Dustoff Rescue47:20 – Life Between Missions52:30 – The 4th of July Incident56:40 – Donut Dollies & Meeting Diane1:01:30 – Coming Home from Vietnam1:11:30 – Why These Stories Still Matter🎖️ Curious Humanography is proud to partner with Utah Honor Flight, helping veterans visit memorials built in their honor. To learn more or support their mission, visit UtahHonorFlight.org and honorflight.org.If this story moved you, please consider liking, commenting, and subscribing — it helps us continue sharing stories that deserve to be heard.

In this episode, Vietnam veteran and writer Brian Delate shares stories he’s carried for decades: from being drafted at 19, to flying into Vietnam on a commercial airline, to unexpectedly becoming the armorer for a helicopter company responsible for millions of dollars in weapons and equipment.Brian talks about what they don’t tell you about Vietnam: the heat and the smell when you step off the plane, the pressure of leadership at a young age, the loyalty forged between soldiers, and the psychological weight that lingers long after the war ends.He reflects on boot camp at Fort Bragg, flying into Cam Ranh Bay, trying (and failing) as a door gunner, and eventually being trusted to run weapons and supplies in a combat zone,  all while still a teenager.Beyond the battlefield, Brian shares how those experiences shaped his later life as an actor, writer, and advocate for veterans, and how storytelling became a way to process trauma, honor fallen friends, and help others feel less alone.This is a conversation about war, responsibility, memory, loyalty, and the things veterans are rarely asked but always remember.🎖️ Thank you to Brian for trusting us with his story.Brian Delate: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0216507/Guardianangelsfilm.comGUARDIAN ANGELS ~ reveals how the human angels on and of this world and those entities from another realm can guide and direct us. In 1973, a profound event in the form of a dream transformed Brian Delate’s life. Was it a close encounter? An Out-Of-Body experience? Or a visit from “The Great Beyond”? You decide.After having served in the Vietnam War, the path after coming home was destructive, but real-life guardian angels intervened to guide him in a life-affirming direction. The dream came later, but its impact on his thinking and behavior would be forever. Especially, with the aftermath of the war and the suicide ideation that followed. So, Guardian Angels contains a life-affirming message, which is about living.

Step inside a powerful conversation with Vietnam Veteran Jim McCauley, who served in Special Forces during the Vietnam War. From jungle reconnaissance missions along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, to the harsh realities of combat, to surviving illness and loss, Jim shares experiences from the war that few people ever hear about, including:► His first time in combat,► Recon and hatchet force operations► Life inside SOG (Studies and Observations Group)► Montagnard soldiers and cross-border missions► The trauma and danger of “friendly fire"► The emotional toll of losing teammates► Coming home after Vietnam► His reflections on politics, purpose, and what the war meant.This episode goes far beyond history, it’s a first-hand perspective on courage, loss, survival, and the human cost of conflict.

In this episode, we sit down with Marv Hamilton, a Vietnam veteran whose story bridges courage, loss, grit, and a lifetime of perspective. From enlisting as a young man to carrying the weight of a machine gun in the thick of the Vietnam jungle, Marv shares what life was really like: the friendships, fear, humor, and moments that stay with you forever.He opens up about:What boot camp didn’t prepare him forWhat it feels like to step into combat for the first timeThe role of a machine gunner in VietnamThe emotional aftermath of warThe resilience and gratitude that shaped the rest of his lifeDownload & Listen to Marv’s music.

Former fighter pilot Steve Murray joins us for one of the most captivating aviation conversations we’ve ever had. From pushing a Mirage to Mach 2, to navigating fuel warnings at 40,000 ft, to his first real combat strike over Mozambique — Steve shares the stories most people never hear about what it actually feels like to fly in war.We dive into:* How he was rejected from pilot training three times* What it’s really like to dogfight at supersonic speeds* The unspoken “code” between fighter pilots* Life in the air squadron during the Rhodesian conflict* His transition from military jets to commercial airline flying* The passion for flying that’s carried him through every season of lifeIn this episode, Steve talks about his experiences flying some of the most iconic aircraft ever built, including:* Mirage III and Mirage F1 combat missions* Hawker Hunter operations and high-speed low-level flying* Supersonic runs at Mach 2* Helicopter work in the Alouette III during real wartime ops* Training and dogfighting in the SF-260* Airline flying on the 747, 707, and moreIf you love aviation, military history, or simply great storytelling from someone who’s lived an extraordinary life in the cockpit, this is an episode you won’t forget. Check out Steve’s book: The Joy of Flyinghttps://www.amazon.com/Joy-Flying-Steve-Murray-ebook/dp/B091L5R7PR

In this episode of Curious Humanography, we sit down with Marine Corps veteran Richard Lemmons, who served two tours during the Vietnam War, including surviving a mortar blast during the Tet Offensive. Richard shares his journey from growing up in Utah, enlisting after his father’s passing, enduring boot camp, serving as a Fire Direction Control Marine, experiencing Operation Starlite, life at Chu Lai and Phu Loc, being wounded in 1968, and the long-term impacts of PTSD and recovery.

Join us as we sit down with Vietnam-era Green Beret Rawland, who shares unforgettable stories from his first parachute jump, to Special Forces training, to working with fighter jets in Vietnam and beyond. His life is a powerful reminder of courage, humor, and service to country.

In this episode, we sit down with Ken McConnell, a Vietnam War veteran who shares his journey from growing up in California and working in radio, to being drafted in 1964 and serving as a combat photographer with the U.S. Army’s 1st Air Cavalry Division. Ken’s story is one of courage, luck, humor, and perspective. He opens up about the chaos of the war, close calls in combat, life on base, and the emotional return home. He also reflects on what the experience taught him about life, loss, and gratitude.

In this episode, Harold Alston shares his extraordinary journey from Salt Lake City to the skies of Vietnam, flying some of the fastest jets ever built. From dodging SAM missiles and dropping napalm at 100 feet to flying Mach 2 in an F-104 “missile with a man in it,” Harold’s story captures the thrill, danger, and humanity of a true fighter pilot. He reflects on 36 years in the Air Force, 156 combat missions, the loss of friends in the air, and what it meant to come home. This is the raw truth about flying fighters in Vietnam.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Vietnam veteran Ed, who enlisted in the Marines in 1965 with a mission to “save the people of South Vietnam from the communists.” What followed was a journey that changed his life forever.Ed shares vivid stories from his time in Vietnam: life on the fire base, surviving a midnight attack, and the inner conflict between his faith and the realities of war. He opens up about his battle with PTSD, his path to healing through service at the VA, and the meaning he’s found in helping fellow veterans.

Craig Flores shares his powerful story of leaving behind life in Guam, joining the military later in life, and becoming one of the oldest recruits at boot camp. From the challenges of basic training to deployment in Iraq, Craig's journey is a raw and inspiring look at service, resilience, and brotherhood.

From wrenching on cars in small-town South Texas to fixing tanks in war zones, David Garza’s life is a story of grit, knowledge, and survival.In this episode, we sit down with David to unpack his journey from a young mechanic to an Army turret technician, National Guard instructor, and Iraq convoy driver who built his own armor and kept driving after an IED blast.David's humor, wisdom, and “keep it simple” philosophy remind us that applied knowledge is power, and sometimes the strongest armor is your mindset.

In this episode, we sit down with veteran Colin Noble to hear his incredible story of resilience, service, and transformation. We follow his path through basic training at Fort Knox, deployment to Saudi Arabia and Iraq, and his firsthand experiences in pivotal moments like the Thunder Run into Baghdad. From re-enlisting after 9/11 to serving in multiple deployments, becoming a tank and weapons repair specialist, and eventually transitioning into retirement, Colin reflects on what he learned about leadership, sacrifice, and life after service.

In this episode, retired Navy pilot Fred Lewis shares his incredible journey from learning to fly a Cessna at BYU to launching jets off aircraft carriers during the Vietnam era. Fred takes us inside the high-pressure world of naval aviation—night landings on carriers, hair-raising near misses, aerial refueling, and dogfighting drills.Beyond the cockpit, Fred reflects on the camaraderie of his squadron, the sacrifice of fellow service members, and the lessons he carried into family life and beyond. From his first solo flight to serving aboard the USS Kitty Hawk, his stories reveal the grit, danger, and humor of life as a military aviator.

In this episode, we sit down with Carl Parkhurst to hear his journey from Sarasota, Florida, to more than two decades in the U.S. Army. Carl opens up about growing up with a father who carried the scars of Vietnam, the unlikely way he found himself enlisting, and the transformation that took him from a 330-pound teenager to an artillery mechanic.With humor, honesty, and grit, Carl recounts everything from the chaos of basic training and life overseas to the sobering realities of combat and the challenges of transitioning home. He shares candid stories of family, brotherhood, sacrifice, and resilience, reminding us of both the hardships and the lasting bonds of military life.

In this episode, we sit down with Don DeVoe, a Vietnam veteran with an unforgettable story. From childhood to his decision to join the Navy Reserve, Don takes us on a journey through the unexpected twists that carried him into the heart of the Vietnam War. With vivid recollections of boot camp, life at sea, combat, and the unbreakable bonds of brotherhood, he paints a raw and powerful picture of service and sacrifice. Don also opens up about the challenges of returning home and finding his place again, reminding us of the resilience of the human spirit and the strength found in community.

From a young boy with big dreams to a soldier on the frontlines of the Gulf War, Jamie Willis’s journey is one of courage, sacrifice, and survival. In this episode, Jamie relives the realities of combat in Iraq: the fear, camaraderie, and moments that left lasting scars. With raw honesty, he shares the battles that continued long after he came home: the weight of PTSD, the strain on his family, and the search for peace beyond the battlefield. This is more than a story of war, but a testament to resilience, brotherhood, and the fight to reclaim life after trauma.

Warrior. Survivor. Grunt by Choice.Ronny Bruce first joined the Marines hoping to serve on the front lines, but found himself stuck in a quiet role. Years later, at 32, he made a bold choice: re-enlist as an Army infantryman, this time determined to see real combat. What followed was a journey through the heart of war that would change him forever.In this raw and unfiltered episode, Afghanistan veteran Ronny Bruce opens up about the brutal realities of combat. The chaos. The brotherhood. The impossible choices. And the invisible wounds that linger long after the last bullet is fired.From firefights in the desert to sleepless nights back home, this is a story of survival, trauma, and resilience. If you’ve ever wondered what war really does to a person — mentally, emotionally, spiritually.Watch until the end. You’ll walk away changed.

What does it really take to survive 26 years on the frontlines of American law enforcement?In this gripping full-length interview, retired San Jose Police Officer Alan pulls no punches as he shares the unfiltered truth about life behind the badge. From his early days patrolling the streets in the dead of night, to leading high-stakes SWAT operations and solving violent homicides, Alan opens up about the brotherhood, the brutality, the bureaucracy — and the price that comes with wearing the uniform.This is not your average cop story. Alan lived through the golden age of gritty, proactive policing. His stories are filled with real danger, raw emotion, and a powerful dose of reality. He talks about chasing down robbers, arresting drug dealers, escorting presidents, and even facing off with the murderer of his wife’s best friend.

Make no mistake: Jerry was a Top Gun.As a med evac helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War, Jerry flew over 1,100 life-or-death missions in just one year. Under fire. Into chaos. Without hesitation. He didn’t drop bombs, he rescued the wounded. When others said it was too dangerous, Jerry said, “I’ll go.”In this unforgettable conversation, Jerry shares his story, from volunteering to fly Dustoff missions, to being shot at, shot, and still returning to save lives.This is the real story of Vietnam’s Dustoff elite. This is Curious Humanography.

In this episode, we hear from veteran Tom Bercher as he recounts his time in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Bosnia as a PSYOP Solider. From the challenges of navigating treacherous terrain to the emotional toll of combat, this episode offers a raw and honest look at the realities of war. Join us as we explore bravery, brotherhood, and the ongoing struggle with PTSD.

In this episode, we hear the extraordinary story of John Hastings, a Vietnam veteran who shares his experiences from war. John recounts tales of bravery, loss, and the deep bonds formed with fellow soldiers amidst the chaos of combat. He reflects on his life after Vietnam, the struggles with PTSD, and the unexpected blessings that followed. Join us for a heartfelt journey exploring courage, patriotism, and the enduring impact of war on a soldier's life.