Tracking Our History

This is Part 1 of a 3 part Podcast featuring 3 tank officers that first spent 30 days or more leading a grunt (Marine Infantry) Platoon before transferring back to tanks. This is a fascinating look at three Marine Officers that brougt a unique experience with them when they arrived at their respective tank plaoons. Take a listen and see what you think.

All music is officially licensed under contract with the appropriate owner/publsher in compliance with all copyright laws.

Folks, this is an amzing episode. This podcast focuses on a Tank Commander who through his heroic actions, was awarded the Silver Star. The Silver Star is third only to the Distinguished Service Medal and the Medal of Honor.

Folks, listen to the whole podcast, it is amazing!

The music used is by permission from the author and writr of the song, Sean Householder and Tom Reynolds. I thank them for their generosity.

This episode is a departure from our usual. Today we interview Rick Curtis, a DesertShield/Desert Storm Marine warrior. And in a further departure Rick's MOS is 352. That work will become clear as you listen to the podcast.

However, the most fascinating part of Rick's life comes after his discharge from the Corps. Listen and be both informed and entertained. As always the music used is granted by the copyright holder.

Tracking Our History is podcasting a Desert Shield/Desert Storm Marine Warrior. A close friend of "Blues" (Roger Unland), Rick Curtis has a fascinaing story as a warrior as well as after his discharge fromthe Corps.

Take a listen and tell me what you think. Should ther be more of these stories on our podcasts?

Our next Episode, 53 will be a cery special one. Dedicated to Pete Ritch and featuring Roert Skeels, Hank Fuller, and John Heffernan.

Alonzo Jacobs was a motor transport Marine assigned to First Tanks.  "Heavy Duty" brings a different perspective to our podcasts.  Assigned to First Tanks as a Motor T guy, Alonzo talks about many of the firefights and incidents reported by others assigned to First Tanks but from the perspective as a witness as much as a participant. Listening to Alonzo weave a story is a great joy.

The music is used by license from the owners.

As with so many of our tanker friends, Dennis today is deeply involved and quite successful in the automobile racing experience.  This episode takes him back to his time in First Tanks and the fire fights in and around Goi Noi Island and Hoi Ahn.

Episode 34 with Ron Colucci is another in our series of tankers who are providing the true stories behind the Viet Nam War.  I have included the post Viet Nam discussion to provide some additional flavor of the kinds and types of discussion that routinely take place between Marine Tankers. There are  couple of noteworthy notes in this part of the interview.  First and foremost is the exceptionally fascinating assignments Ron had after Viet Nam.  You will also hear a little about the upcoming Wyoming mini-reunion in DuBois, Wyoming.  The primary goal of this trip is to get a bunch of "old farts" back behind the wheels of and M48-A3 tank one more time.  Shortly after the trip to DuBois there will be a podcast detailing the trip and the experience of the M48 one last time.  That is one podcast you will not want to miss.

a note bout the picture for this podcast.  The hole you see was made by and rocket propelled grenade.  The damage on the outside is minimal compared to the horrific shattering of the inside wall of the tank.

The music is licensed to the United States Marine Corps Viet Nam Tankers Association by the various organizations that own the rights.

Episode 33 is a unique podcast in that our main interviewee is a unique individual.  Mike represents the transition from Viet Nam to Stateside.  Mike has experienced the strong need to get to Viet Nam to fight with his comrades-in-arms and the disappointment of being denied that opportunity.  And the experiences  Mike has since his time in the Corps is also relatively unique in that he has stayed in very close contact with the Marine Corps through the Marine Corps League.  In the city in which he resides he has had opportunities that are rare even for non-military persons.  For example, he has been in close contact with such noteworthy people as George Schultz, former Secretary of State, Dianne Feinstein, current California US Senator, and Jackie Speier, current US Congresswoman.  You will hear that and much more in this long podcast.  It is well worth your time to listen.

We are so very fortunate to have on our podcast the creator and builder of the Vietnam Memorial Wall.  This is a terrific podcast where Jan goes from his own experiences in Viet Nam to the creation and then the completion of the Viet Nam Memorial Wall.  There is a very special introduction to this podcast.  We all have heard of Margaritaville have we not?  For you young-uns' it is Jimmy Buffett's most notable song.  Turns out that Jan Scruggs and Jimmy Buffett are good friends.  While Jan was in the hospital Jimmy Buffett wrote a little song for Jan.  With permission, that song is the intro to our podcast tonight.  All music used by permission of copyright/owners.

After the cliff hanger in part 1 you will want to hear how Gerry was extracted from the battle site.  This great story-teller weaves a fascinating conclusion to his time in Viet Nam and his life since that time.

All music is used by permission.  The USMC Viet Nam Tankers Association wish to gratefully acknowledge Country Joe McDonald and the donation of his music from the album the Viet Nam Experience.