Tracking Our History

Drivers, Drivers, Drivers.  Yep, without a good driver one was in a world of hurt.  Today is, by consensus, the best driver in Viet Nam.  At least during his tour.  This is part 1 of two parts and I believe you will enjoy both parts.  Music is performed by Billy Rae Cyrus and is used with permission from ASCAP and BMI.

This is Part I of two parts that describe some of the more unusual ways we spent our time.  The listener may even find it a continuation of a conversation that was begun one dark night close to the Demilitarized Zone.  Recordings are all used with permission from the owner/publisher.

Most everyone has heard of the siege Khe Sanh.  Did you know that before Khe Sanh there was the siege of Con Tien.  The siege of Con Tien took place on May 8, 1967 which was exactly 10 years after the siege of Dien Bien Phu - only this time the outcome was significantly different.  The North Vietnam lost several thousand soldiers this time.  Listen and learn about the tough and determined Marines and Marine Tankers  who sowed the NVA just how different the Marines are from the French.  Listen to one of the knowledgeable Marine Officers lay out the details of one of the most dangerous places in all of Vietnam. 

This interview is one of the most intriguing of all.  Here the audience gets a real glimpse of a close family and how they each dealt with to death of a brother.  As the audience will learn,  The death of Captain Wunsch has left a hole in each member's heart.  this is the story of how a family lives through conceivably the worst tragic event of anyone's life.

Music is Requiem for Vietnam Part 1/2 by Country Joe and the Fish.  The USMCVTA is most grateful for the use of this music and a heartfelt thank you to Joe McDonald.

This is the second in a continuing series about the Idaho Canyon Operation and the firefight between an NVA Regiment and Kilo Co. 3/3 with Alpha Co. 3rd Tanks.  Episode 12 spoke of a unique experience of one of the tankers.  Episode 13 speaks to the battle raging with Alpha 24.  Episode 14 will be the concluding episode with the family of Captain Michael Wunsch, the Company Commander of Alpha Co, 3rd Tanks.  The beloved commander of he company was killed almost immediately at the start of the firefight.  Music for the episode is a Vietnam standard, Paint It Black by the Rolling Stones.  ASCAP has licensed this song to the USMC Vietnam Tankers Association.  As the governing body of Tracking Our History all rights are reserved to the interviewee and the Association.  The right to copy, duplicate, record is prohibited without the writt3en permission of the USMCVTA.

Episode 12 with Dave Turner is a fascinating study into battlefield phenomenon.  An experience such as this is rare but not unheard of.  I believe the audience will be both intrigued and stunned by this unusual happening.  The music is Mourning Blues, donated to the VTA by Country Joe MacDonald.  We are pleased that the music from Joe's album, Vietnam Experience, is both fitting and appropriate for the work we are doing.  

Episode 11 is an interview with Bruce and Nancy Appeldoorn.  Bruce and Nancy have been married for over 50 years.  The story starts shortly before Vietnam.  This episode focuses on the time Bruce is in Vietnam and the correspondence between this couple during Bruce's time in Vietnam.  As you listen you will be convinced as I am that this is joyful side of a couple brought together by love, separated by war, and reunited in marriage.  The music is used by permission from ASCAP.  

This episode is a very far ranging episode with the Secretary of the USMC Vietnam Tankers Association.  We talk about Pete's experiences in Vietnam as a tank officer in yet another Company of the 3rd Tank Battalion.  We also talk about Pete's responsibilities as the Secretary of the VTA and the great work he has done in the area of documenting the experiences of Marine tankers in Vietnam in a wide range of media.  

The music is very recognizable, albeit in the background, from the Vietnam era.  In fact, Paint It Black by the Rolling Stones will usually bring to mind the many and varied memories of many a Vietnam veteran.  We thank ASCAP for the rights and privilege of presenting this song.  As always, used by permission.

This episode was recorded on November 10, 2020, the 245th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps.  We talk about an operation on January, 1967; drill instructors, and the lore of the Marine Corps.  Rick is a retired First Sergeant and the listening audience will find a bunch of information in this dandy little interview.  It includes three different versions, one of which is the original version.

WE all have our favorite tank platoon leaders.  Hank Fuller is mine.  In this episode Hank talks about his time in the grunts.  After his three months "pounding ground"  Lt. Fuller arrived at 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company, 3rd Tank Battalion.  Hank will also share some of his work as a notifications officer in and around New York.  A specially moving story appears towards the end of this episode. Be sure and listen through the  end,  Music for this episode is Strange Days by the Doors. It is used by permission from ASCAP.