This week on DANGER CLOSE, Jack Carr is joined by Eugene H. Pugh, a Vietnam veteran and former member of MACV-SOG’s elite Recon Team Asp.

Born in Colón, Panama, Gene began his military journey in 1966, volunteering for Special Forces and serving as a communications sergeant, assistant medic, and intelligence specialist. In 1968, he deployed to Vietnam with the 5th Special Forces Group and was assigned to the highly classified MACV-SOG. His recon team, RT-ASP, was uniquely comprised of former North Vietnamese soldiers—an extraordinary advantage in conducting prisoner snatches, wiretaps, and deep reconnaissance behind enemy lines.

Following Vietnam, Gene taught school in Washington, D.C., became a pilot, and later worked as a private investigator in Texas. Now retired, he is an author, screenwriter, and co-founder of both Impact Studios and Veterans Mortgage of America. His novels include SURRENDER NOT AN OPTION and THE DIPLOMAT.

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The Jack Carr Book Club June 2025 selection is POINT OF IMPACT by Pulitzer Prize–winning author Stephen Hunter.

POINT OF IMPACT introduces readers to legendary Marine Corps sniper Bob Lee Swagger, a war hero turned recluse who is lured out of retirement for one final mission—only to find himself framed as the patsy in a high-level assassination plot. With the country hunting him down, Swagger must rely on instinct, skill, and raw grit to uncover the truth and bring the real conspirators to justice.

A modern classic of the thriller genre, the novel blends precision marksmanship, deep psychological tension, and breakneck pacing. POINT OF IMPACT was adapted for both television and film as SHOOTER.

Stephen Hunter is the author of over 20 novels and was the chief film critic for The Washington Post, where he earned the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Distinguished Criticism. His fiction is known for its authentic detail, razor-sharp prose, and unflinching portrayals of American warriors.

In this episode, Jack and Stephen dive into the roots of the Bob Lee Swagger character, the cultural legacy of the Vietnam War, the evolution of the modern thriller, and what it means to write with authenticity, precision, and heart.

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Website - https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Stephen-Hunter/1485163 

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This week on DANGER CLOSE, Jack Carr is joined by military historian and national security expert Dr. Mark Moyar.

Dr. Moyar is the Director of the Center for Military History and Strategy at Hillsdale College, where he holds the William P. Harris Chair of Military History. A summa cum laude graduate of Harvard with a Ph.D. from Cambridge, he served in the Trump administration as Director of Civilian–Military Cooperation at USAID and has advised across government and military institutions. He is the author of eight books, including his most recent and widely discussed work, TRIUMPH REGAINED: THE VIETNAM WAR, 1965–1968.

In this episode, Dr. Moyar and Jack explore the Vietnam War through the lens of revisionist history, challenging the conventional wisdom that has shaped public perception for decades. From the early influence of French colonialism and the flawed assumptions that guided U.S. foreign policy, to the critical decisions of Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon, Moyar offers a clear-eyed reassessment of America’s involvement.

They examine the Domino Theory, the role of media figures like David Halberstam and Neil Sheehan, and the controversial legacy of the Phoenix Program—often mischaracterized in pop culture and politics alike. The conversation also delves into the 1963 Buddhist protests, the assassination of President Diem, and the missed strategic opportunities that could have changed the trajectory of the war.

Dr. Moyar draws compelling parallels between the U.S. exit from Vietnam and more recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, connecting lessons from history to modern military and diplomatic challenges. He also speaks to the cultural forces—films like JFK and distorted media narratives—that continue to shape the American understanding of Vietnam to this day.

This is a powerful discussion about the weight of history, the cost of misinformation, and the importance of revisiting the past with intellectual honesty.

FOLLOW MARK

X: @MarkMoyar

Website: https://markmoyar.com/

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This week on Danger Close, Jack Carr is joined by two pivotal figures behind the hit Amazon Prime Video series THE TERMINAL LIST: former Navy SEAL Jared Shaw and Executive Producer and Showrunner, David DiGilio.

Jared Shaw, a longtime friend and SEAL teammate of Jack’s, played a crucial role in bringing THE TERMINAL LIST to life — handing the manuscript to Chris Pratt before the book was even published. That single act set the project in motion and laid the foundation for what would become a powerhouse creative team.

David DiGilio entered the story after reading the novel and immediately connecting with its authenticity, psychological complexity, and emotional depth. As showrunner, he helped shape the tone, structure, and cinematic vision of the series alongside director Antoine Fuqua and star Chris Pratt.

Jared came on board as a technical advisor and producer and was later cast as “Boozer,” training alongside fellow SEALs and contributing to the show’s realism, tactical authenticity, and emotional weight. David guided the production through the unique challenges of the COVID era, with writers’ rooms, casting, and collaboration taking place entirely over Zoom.

Together, Jared and David worked closely with Jack at every stage — from script development and character arcs to tunnel fight choreography and post-production editing. Their combined efforts helped ensure that The Terminal List remained grounded in truth, honoring the brotherhood and sacrifices of those who serve.

This episode pulls back the curtain on how a bond forged in the SEAL Teams — and a shared commitment to authentic storytelling — helped create one of the most compelling and accurate military thrillers ever brought to screen.

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Instagram: @digiliofilms

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Jim Hawes, a Navy SEAL and CIA paramilitary officer, whose covert maritime missions in the 1960s helped shape the early fight against communism in Vietnam and Africa.

In 1964, Jim became the first SEAL Team 2 officer permanently assigned to MACV-SOG in Vietnam, where he led maritime operations into North Vietnam - operations initially run by the CIA and unknown to most outside a tight circle of operatives. From a remote base outside Da Nang, Jim conducted coastal raids and intelligence-gathering missions behind enemy lines. 

These formative missions, including involvement in what was to become known as the Gulf of Tonkin incident, laid the groundwork for the Navy’s involvement in the larger SOG effort. 

Following Vietnam, Jim brought his maritime expertise to Africa, joining the CIA’s paramilitary ranks during the height of the Cold War. On Lake Tanganyika, he helped run one of the most successful clandestine operations in Agency history - intercepting weapons, disrupting communist movements, and tracking Che Guevara’s insurgency in the Congo.

Jim is the author of Cold War Navy SEAL: My Story of Che Guevara, War in the Congo, and the Communist Threat in Africa. Today, six decades after BUD/S, he lives in Africa - now telling the stories that shaped a generation.

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The Jack Carr Book Club May 2025 selection is GATES OF FIRE by New York Times bestselling author Steven Pressfield.

GATES OF FIRE is a modern classic of historical fiction that immerses readers in the grit, blood, and brotherhood of the Battle of Thermopylae. Told through the eyes of a wounded Greek survivor, the novel chronicles the heroism and sacrifice of the 300 Spartans who stood against the Persian Empire in one of history’s most iconic last stands.

With visceral detail and timeless insight, Pressfield captures the warrior ethos in its purest form—duty, honor, courage, and the deep bonds forged in combat. The book has become required reading in military circles across the globe, revered for its authenticity and emotional depth.

Steven Pressfield is a former Marine and the bestselling author of The War of Art, The Legend of Bagger Vance, The Afghan Campaign, and numerous other acclaimed works of fiction and nonfiction. His writing blends historical precision with philosophical reflection, earning him a devoted readership among writers, warriors, and leaders alike.

In this episode, Jack and Steven discuss the timeless code of the warrior, the craft of writing, and the enduring power of storytelling.

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Instagram - @steven_pressfield

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Clint Smith is a Marine Corps veteran, Vietnam combat veteran, former law enforcement officer, and the founder of Thunder Ranch—one of the most respected firearms and tactical training facilities in the country. Since its founding in 1993, Thunder Ranch has set the standard for innovative, practical firearms instruction, training students from all walks of life with an emphasis on safety, discipline, and mindset.

In this raw and powerful conversation, Clint shares hard-won lessons from his time in Vietnam, offers honest reflections on combat, and pulls no punches when it comes to modern misconceptions about war and the warrior mindset. From early firefights and booby traps in the triple-canopy jungle to post-war perspective and a lifetime of training others, Clint’s insights are forged from experience and rooted in humility.

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Larry Serra is a former Naval Intelligence Liaison Officer whose covert missions along the Vietnam-Cambodia border placed him at the heart of one of the Vietnam War’s most dangerous fronts.

From 1967 to 1970, Larry served as an officer in the United States Navy, spending nearly two years operating in Vietnam and Cambodia’s combat zones. In 1969, he volunteered for the critical intelligence post at Ha Tien, where he ran spy networks, crossed into Cambodia for clandestine missions, and exposed communist supply routes into South Vietnam. 

His work uncovered Soviet communications intercepts and revealed vulnerabilities at the port of Sihanoukville, a key hub of communist weapons smuggling. In early 1970, Larry brokered a top-secret weapons agreement between the U.S. and the Cambodian Navy - approved by the White House - as Cambodia teetered on the brink of civil war.

For his actions, Larry received the Bronze Star, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V," Air Medal, and other decorations. After Vietnam, he built a distinguished legal career and played a pivotal role in helping rebuild Cambodia’s legal system following the fall of the Khmer Rouge. 

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Larry Serra is a former Naval Intelligence Liaison Officer whose covert missions along the Vietnam-Cambodia border placed him at the heart of one of the Vietnam War’s most dangerous fronts.

From 1967 to 1970, Larry served as an officer in the United States Navy, spending nearly two years operating in Vietnam and Cambodia’s combat zones. In 1969, he volunteered for the critical intelligence post at Ha Tien, where he ran spy networks, crossed into Cambodia for clandestine missions, and exposed communist supply routes into South Vietnam. 

His work uncovered Soviet communications intercepts and revealed vulnerabilities at the port of Sihanoukville, a key hub of communist weapons smuggling. In early 1970, Larry brokered a top-secret weapons agreement between the U.S. and the Cambodian Navy - approved by the White House - as Cambodia teetered on the brink of civil war.

For his actions, Larry received the Bronze Star, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V," Air Medal, and other decorations. After Vietnam, he built a distinguished legal career and played a pivotal role in helping rebuild Cambodia’s legal system following the fall of the Khmer Rouge. 

FOLLOW JACK

Instagram: @JackCarrUSA 

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THE SIGs of Jack Carr:

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The Jack Carr Book Club April 2025 selection is THE UNVANQUISHED by bestselling author Patrick K. O’Donnell.

THE UNVANQUISHED pulls back the curtain on a little-known shadow war that raged alongside the Civil War’s better-known battles. At its center: Lincoln’s special forces, the Jessie Scouts—Union soldiers who disguised themselves in Confederate uniforms to carry out daring raids, intelligence gathering, and high-risk missions behind enemy lines.

Through vivid storytelling and never-before-published firsthand accounts, O’Donnell shines a light on the Scouts' deadly cat-and-mouse game with Mosby’s Rangers, uncovering espionage operations, plots to kidnap Abraham Lincoln, and a postwar proxy fight in Mexico. 

Patrick K. O’Donnell is a combat historian, public speaker, and the bestselling author of 13 critically acclaimed books spanning from the American Revolution to Iraq. He is a leading authority on special operations and irregular warfare, having embedded with troops in Fallujah and advised on projects like BAND OF BROTHERS and MEDAL OF HONOR. His research blends archival discovery with thousands of oral history interviews, bringing lost stories back to life with intensity and precision.

FOLLOW PATRICK

Facebook - @patrickkodonnell

X - @combathistorian

Website - https://patrickkodonnell.com/index.html 

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THE SIGs of Jack Carr  P365 Collection: P365XL with Red Dot Optic, P365, P365X-Macro, P365 Custom with True Precision, and P365 Legion.

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