Tracking Our History

This is an absolutely fascinating interview with Gerry Hearne.  Gerry did three tours in Viet Nam all with 1st Tank Battalion. n part 1 we get a look at Gerry's background before he entered the Marine Corps and a birds-eye view of one of the most harrowing first days in country you will ever her about.  Gerry is a great story teller.  Within the story you will find the inner strength of not just Gerry, but every Marine in our Association. Listen closely as he discusses his background and up-bringing.

The music is, as always, paid for under the copyright rules to the appropriate  parties.  The music from Country Joe and the Fish has been graciously donated to the Association for our expressed use by Joe McDonald.  The USMC Viet Nam Tankers Association is most grateful for his contribution.

The USMCVTA is very fortunate to present to our listening audience a podastr featuring the creator and founder of the Viet Nam Memorial Wall,  Jan Scruggs.  This podcast takes Jan back to his in-country days and the forward trhough some  tough PTSD times and onto the final goal of building the "Wall".

This episode you are all going to like.  Virgil Melton is a tanker from Texas who covers a lot of experiential ground.  Great family guy he talks about his time in country as well as brings us up to date on what he is doing today. 

All music and sound effects are used with permission. 

This is episode 31 with Ben Cole.  Once again a thoroughly entertaining history of a Viet Nam Tanker in RVD from 1966-1968/  Ben talks of cruises, artillery and water buffalo(not the kind you may be thinking about right now)  and the infamous red clay mud.  Give it a listen.

Music is used with copyright permission.

Continuing on with Bob Peavey as he goes into some detail as to recon by fire and some interesting experiences when he did that.

In part 1 of Episode 26 Bod talks about operation Allenbrook, Goi Noi Island and his entry in both the Marine Corps as well as his arrival in-Country.

Episode 27 is with Roger Luli.  He commanded both a Tank Platoon and an Ontos Platoon.  His story begins with his time at Penn State University right through his full tour of duty in Viet Nam,

This is another of those special episodes in which we discuss a specialty tank, that of a blade tank.  To find out what a blade tank is I hope you will listen in on this great discussion.  Harry Schossow, currently in a hospital due to primary progressive multiple sclerosis, shares his experiences in Viet Nam as a Blade Tank commander.  A  fascinating blade tank commander, Harry spent over 20 straight moths i Viet Nam without so much as a single R&R.

This is an extensive discussion with John Wear.  John just arrived in country and was shipped to Hue in the early stages of the battle.  His descriptions of Hue and Typhoon Bess are absolutely fascinating.  The music is used with permission from the writer and performer, Sailor Jerri.

This episode is a continuation of the multiple firefights in which Wally was involved.  You will learn new names of places you may not have heard of before.  While you will hear about dozens of firefights this portrayal by Wally is fairly precise and graphic.  The music this time is a rather unusual singer for Viet Nam vets.  But if you listen to the words closely you will find that Arlo has moderated his position and it is the first "folk singer from the 60's" to actually begin to understand the Viet Nam vet.  Nobody seems to notice when a soldier makes it home has taken on a renewed meaning since Afghanistan was abandoned.  The audience ought not to be fooled by the hype and press now or then.  Marines are warriors and warriors go where they are told to go and fight who they are told to fight.  There is an old adage that seems to conveniently slip peoples minds.  "Old men make wars that young men must fight."

Music is used by permission. ASCAP licensing.