Tracking Our History

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.

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, Harr...

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...

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.

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...

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 f...

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 Commande...

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 fittin...

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 toget...

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...

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...

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 toward...

Clyde Hoch was assigned to 1st Tanks, south of Da Nang. An experienced and knowledgeable tanker clyde covers the watershed on M48 tanks and on Ontos. There is a great story on the Veterans Brotherhood. Music is War Within (PTSD Song) graciously donated by Tom Byrne.

Music graciously donated by Country Joe MacDonald and Bob Belmont.  Intermissions a brief explanations of material that has been published but may need further explanation.  These are unscheduled and may be published at any time.

Episode 5 is an interview with Thomas "Sparrow" Moad .  Sparrow was the most junior grade Flame Tank Commander in Vietnam.  As a PFC (Private First Class) he was given command of a Flame Tank he nicknamed Aftermath, a reference to the Rolling Stones.  This is a fascinating walk in the boots of a warrior in a unique and frightening weapon of war that was equipped with napalm and a ma...

Episode 6 interview is with Jan Wendling, AKA “Turtle”. Jan’s memory is excellent and his stories are many. Our thanks to BMI for Stand By Me copyright privileges.

Episode 4 of Tracking Our History is a talk with J ohn Wear, President of USMC Vietnam Tankers Association. This is all the "hot scoop" on the USMC Tankers Association, founding, reunions, work, and membership.  Music is graciously provided by Mutt Cooper, writer/performer, and made available through one of our own, Wally Young.

This will be a unique listening opportunity.  Throughout the Vietnam War the focus, justifiably, has always been on the military.  In this interview we will hear from a family member whose brother was killed in Vietnam, the brothers experiences at the time of the incident, and how it has affected his life since.  This is a remarkable look into the heart and soul of a relative of a V...

Come along with Roger "Blues"  Unland as he drives up to Con Thien and back to Dong Ha.  Along the way we will learn a lot about the Marine who was among the best tank drivers in Vietnam.  Listen in as he salutes another driver who "Blues" considers one of the best drivers as well.  Once again our thanks to Country Joe MacDonald and Bill Belmont for the music they so graci...

Overview of the Vietnam Tankers Association and our goals and objectives for this podcast. Music is used by permission from Bill Belmont and Joe MacDonald