Cold War Conversations Podcast

Vietnam War draftee to US Army Rangers (216)


Listen Later

Bob Wallace joined the US Army in 1968 as a reluctant conscript. He describes the draft process, and his attempts to avoid conscription. 

After basic training, Bob is assigned to a long range reconnaissance unit and ambush unit in five or six man teams in the Mekong delta.

We hear of the reconnaissance and ambush tactics as well as some poignant memories of those that didn’t make it back.

This podcast relies on listener support to enable me to continue to capture these incredible stories and make them available for free. You can support my work and help to preserve Cold War history via one off or monthly donations

Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ for more details.

Do join our Facebook discussion group where the cold war conversation continues between episodes. Just search Cold War Conversations on Facebook.

I am delighted to welcome Bob Wallace to our Cold War conversation…

There’s further information on this episode here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode216/

0:00 Introduction and request for donations

1:03 Introduction to guest, Bob Wallace, Vietnam War Veteran

3:21 Bob Wallace's early life and journey to the US Army

13:25 Bob's arrival in Vietnam and military training experiences

21:21 Bob's leadership experiences and decision to turn down promotions

24:54 Discussion on Bob's deployment to Vietnam and role in a Ranger reconnaissance team

35:43 Bob's experiences in identifying hostile targets and ambush operations

40:51 Bob's first time under fire and personal reflections on combat

42:38 Bob's visit to the Vietnam War Memorial and remembering fallen comrades

46:02 Introduction of Bob's book, "9 from the 9th", and discussion on shared experiences

49:18 Acknowledgment of patrons and call to donate

50:54 Closing remarks and promotion of the Cold War Conversations store

Table of contents powered by PodcastAI✨


Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/

Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Cold War Conversations PodcastBy Ian Sanders

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

436 ratings


More shows like Cold War Conversations Podcast

View all
History Extra podcast by Immediate Media

History Extra podcast

3,221 Listeners

The WW2 Podcast by Angus Wallace

The WW2 Podcast

1,245 Listeners

SpyCast by SpyCast

SpyCast

1,533 Listeners

Dan Snow's History Hit by History Hit

Dan Snow's History Hit

4,797 Listeners

Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage | Global Issues | Current Affairs by Secrets & Spies

Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage | Global Issues | Current Affairs

273 Listeners

WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk by Goalhanger

WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk

1,427 Listeners

True Spies: Espionage | Investigation | Crime | Murder | Detective | Politics by SPYSCAPE

True Spies: Espionage | Investigation | Crime | Murder | Detective | Politics

1,954 Listeners

Warfare by History Hit

Warfare

528 Listeners

The Rest Is History by Goalhanger

The Rest Is History

15,502 Listeners

SPYCRAFT 101 by Justin Black

SPYCRAFT 101

347 Listeners

Short History Of... by NOISER

Short History Of...

2,833 Listeners

School of War by Nebulous Media

School of War

479 Listeners

Battleground by Goalhanger

Battleground

335 Listeners

The Spy Who by Wondery

The Spy Who

594 Listeners

The Rest Is Classified by Goalhanger

The Rest Is Classified

988 Listeners