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The Fog of War and Humanity | Ep. 654: Keith Godwin: A Marine Battles Addiction (Part 2) | HMTC

Marine Corps leaders did not always know whether Keith Godwin would return from liberty. Yet in the field, he was a skilled and dependable Marine. When senior communications personnel became unavailable during an exercise in Korea, Keith organized the unit’s entire communications operation. A colonel later called it the best setup he had seen.

In Part 2 of The Fog of War and Humanity, host Richard Acritelli continues his conversation with United States Marine Corps veteran Keith Godwin. Keith speaks candidly about using alcohol to socialize, becoming a functioning alcoholic, entering a military treatment program, and eventually progressing to harder drugs.

Despite his addiction, Keith took tremendous pride in his work as a field radio operator. He explains how Marines established secure communications, used encryption equipment, and trained alongside South Korean forces during the Cold War. He also shares stories from Camp Pendleton, Okinawa, the Philippines, Cherry Point, and a nighttime security incident involving an M60 machine gun loaded with blanks.

The conversation explores the military as a cultural melting pot, the lingering impact of World War II on Okinawa, the contrast between North and South Korea, and the lasting camaraderie among veterans. Keith reflects on visiting the National Museum of the Marine Corps with his son and the bond he shares with the Leathernecks motorcycle club.

Keith never experienced combat, but his service remained a defining part of his life. His story reminds us that military history belongs not only to those who fought in war. Every veteran served something larger than themselves, and every veteran has a story worth hearing.

The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv | Host: Richard Acritelli | Guest: Keith Godwin

Executive Producer and Director: Bernie Furshpan

A production of the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County

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─── CHAPTERS ───

0:00 Introduction
0:19 Welcome and Part 1 recap
1:01 Camp Pendleton and finding trouble
1:23 The military as a cultural melting pot
3:17 Using alcohol to socialize
3:45 Heavy drinking and harder drugs
5:03 Entering a military treatment program
5:28 A functioning alcoholic and capable Marine
5:52 Leading communications during a field exercise
7:10 Pride in performing under pressure
7:32 Rebuilding the American military
9:02 Veteran camaraderie and the Leathernecks
9:47 Visiting the National Museum of the Marine Corps
10:32 The lifelong pride of becoming a Marine
11:45 Serving as a field radio operator
12:42 Size, fights, and being challenged
13:33 Okinawa’s history and tensions with American forces
15:06 The continuing danger of nuclear weapons
15:24 Missing Okinawa’s history for its nightlife
16:32 Rest and recreation in the Philippines
17:21 Returning to America as the Cold War ended
18:37 Field exercises, MREs, and camaraderie
19:55 Training with South Korean forces
20:41 A nighttime security incident with an M60
22:44 Working alongside South Korean troops
23:25 The contrast between North and South Korea
24:25 Every veteran has a military story
24:39 Closing and Part 3 preview
25:05 hmTv outro

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