Ask A Vet Podcast

Randy Olea joined the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War and trained as an Air Policeman, a role responsible for guarding aircraft, securing the base perimeter, and defending against threats most people back home never heard about. In this episode, Randy shares what it was really like to serve in Vietnam, from basic training and Air Police school to guarding the flight line with an M-1...

At just 17 years old, Josh Cruze was drafted into the United States Marine Corps and sent to Vietnam as an M60 machine gunner. In this unfiltered conversation, Josh shares what war was really like: the moments no one prepares you for, the brothers he lost, the wounds he survived, and the lifelong battle of coming home from combat when the war never really ends. If you believe these stories matter,...

What was it really like flying Dust Off medevac missions in Vietnam? In this powerful oral history, Kerry Cunningham, a DustOff medevac crew chief, shares what he experienced flying wounded soldiers out of combat zones during the Vietnam War, often under fire, often at night, and often with no margin for error. From being shot at during a “possible broken arm” call, to night hoist rescues in tripl...

What was it really like to be an artillery sergeant in Vietnam? In this powerful episode, Paul Henderson shares an unfiltered account of his service during the Vietnam War, from volunteering for the draft in 1968, to leading a 105mm howitzer crew in some of the most dangerous areas of the war. Paul walks us through life on remote firebases, artillery raids deep into hostile territory, incoming roc...

In this episode, we sit down with Ben Thornal, a retired U.S. Army aviator who served in Vietnam flying OH-6 “Loach” helicopters during some of the war’s most intense operations, including Hamburger Hill. Ben takes us from the moment he received his draft notice, through flight school, combat reconnaissance missions, near-misses, loss, and the brotherhood that defined his service. He shares what i...

In this episode, Vietnam veteran and writer Brian Delate shares stories he’s carried for decades: from being drafted at 19, to flying into Vietnam on a commercial airline, to unexpectedly becoming the armorer for a helicopter company responsible for millions of dollars in weapons and equipment. Brian talks about what they don’t tell you about Vietnam: the heat and the smell when you step off the p...

Step inside a powerful conversation with Vietnam Veteran Jim McCauley , who served in Special Forces during the Vietnam War. From jungle reconnaissance missions along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, to the harsh realities of combat, to surviving illness and loss, Jim shares experiences from the war that few people ever hear about, including: ► His first time in combat,► Recon and hatchet force operations►...

In this episode, we sit down with Marv Hamilton, a Vietnam veteran whose story bridges courage, loss, grit, and a lifetime of perspective. From enlisting as a young man to carrying the weight of a machine gun in the thick of the Vietnam jungle, Marv shares what life was really like: the friendships, fear, humor, and moments that stay with you forever. He opens up about: What boot camp didn’t prepa...

Former fighter pilot Steve Murray joins us for one of the most captivating aviation conversations we’ve ever had. From pushing a Mirage to Mach 2, to navigating fuel warnings at 40,000 ft, to his first real combat strike over Mozambique — Steve shares the stories most people never hear about what it actually feels like to fly in war. We dive into:* How he was rejected from pilot training three tim...

In this episode of Curious Humanography, we sit down with Marine Corps veteran Richard Lemmons, who served two tours during the Vietnam War, including surviving a mortar blast during the Tet Offensive. Richard shares his journey from growing up in Utah, enlisting after his father’s passing, enduring boot camp, serving as a Fire Direction Control Marine, experiencing Operation Starlite, life at Chu...

Join us as we sit down with Vietnam-era Green Beret Rawland, who shares unforgettable stories from his first parachute jump, to Special Forces training, to working with fighter jets in Vietnam and beyond. His life is a powerful reminder of courage, humor, and service to country.

In this episode, we sit down with Ken McConnell, a Vietnam War veteran who shares his journey from growing up in California and working in radio, to being drafted in 1964 and serving as a combat photographer with the U.S. Army’s 1st Air Cavalry Division. Ken’s story is one of courage, luck, humor, and perspective. He opens up about the chaos of the war, close calls in combat, life on base, and the...

In this episode, Harold Alston shares his extraordinary journey from Salt Lake City to the skies of Vietnam, flying some of the fastest jets ever built. From dodging SAM missiles and dropping napalm at 100 feet to flying Mach 2 in an F-104 “missile with a man in it,” Harold’s story captures the thrill, danger, and humanity of a true fighter pilot. He reflects on 36 years in the Air Force, 156 comb...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Vietnam veteran Ed, who enlisted in the Marines in 1965 with a mission to “save the people of South Vietnam from the communists.” What followed was a journey that changed his life forever. Ed shares vivid stories from his time in Vietnam: life on the fire base, surviving a midnight attack, and the inner conflict between his faith and the realities of war....

Craig Flores shares his powerful story of leaving behind life in Guam, joining the military later in life, and becoming one of the oldest recruits at boot camp. From the challenges of basic training to deployment in Iraq, Craig's journey is a raw and inspiring look at service, resilience, and brotherhood.

From wrenching on cars in small-town South Texas to fixing tanks in war zones, David Garza’s life is a story of grit, knowledge, and survival. In this episode, we sit down with David to unpack his journey from a young mechanic to an Army turret technician, National Guard instructor, and Iraq convoy driver who built his own armor and kept driving after an IED blast. David's humor, wisdom, and “keep...

In this episode, we sit down with veteran Colin Noble to hear his incredible story of resilience, service, and transformation. We follow his path through basic training at Fort Knox, deployment to Saudi Arabia and Iraq, and his firsthand experiences in pivotal moments like the Thunder Run into Baghdad. From re-enlisting after 9/11 to serving in multiple deployments, becoming a tank and weapons rep...

In this episode, retired Navy pilot Fred Lewis shares his incredible journey from learning to fly a Cessna at BYU to launching jets off aircraft carriers during the Vietnam era. Fred takes us inside the high-pressure world of naval aviation—night landings on carriers, hair-raising near misses, aerial refueling, and dogfighting drills. Beyond the cockpit, Fred reflects on the camaraderie of his squ...

In this episode, we sit down with Carl Parkhurst to hear his journey from Sarasota, Florida, to more than two decades in the U.S. Army. Carl opens up about growing up with a father who carried the scars of Vietnam, the unlikely way he found himself enlisting, and the transformation that took him from a 330-pound teenager to an artillery mechanic. With humor, honesty, and grit, Carl recounts everyt...

In this episode, we sit down with Don DeVoe, a Vietnam veteran with an unforgettable story. From childhood to his decision to join the Navy Reserve, Don takes us on a journey through the unexpected twists that carried him into the heart of the Vietnam War. With vivid recollections of boot camp, life at sea, combat, and the unbreakable bonds of brotherhood, he paints a raw and powerful picture of s...

From a young boy with big dreams to a soldier on the frontlines of the Gulf War, Jamie Willis’s journey is one of courage, sacrifice, and survival. In this episode, Jamie relives the realities of combat in Iraq: the fear, camaraderie, and moments that left lasting scars. With raw honesty, he shares the battles that continued long after he came home: the weight of PTSD, the strain on his family, an...

Warrior. Survivor. Grunt by Choice. Ronny Bruce first joined the Marines hoping to serve on the front lines, but found himself stuck in a quiet role. Years later, at 32, he made a bold choice: re-enlist as an Army infantryman, this time determined to see real combat. What followed was a journey through the heart of war that would change him forever. In this raw and unfiltered episode, Afghanistan...

What does it really take to survive 26 years on the frontlines of American law enforcement? In this gripping full-length interview, retired San Jose Police Officer Alan pulls no punches as he shares the unfiltered truth about life behind the badge. From his early days patrolling the streets in the dead of night, to leading high-stakes SWAT operations and solving violent homicides, Alan opens up ab...

Make no mistake: Jerry was a Top Gun. As a med evac helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War, Jerry flew over 1,100 life-or-death missions in just one year. Under fire. Into chaos. Without hesitation. He didn’t drop bombs, he rescued the wounded. When others said it was too dangerous, Jerry said, “I’ll go.” In this unforgettable conversation, Jerry shares his story, from volunteering to fly Dustoff mis...

In this episode, we hear from veteran Tom Bercher as he recounts his time in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Bosnia as a PSYOP Solider. From the challenges of navigating treacherous terrain to the emotional toll of combat, this episode offers a raw and honest look at the realities of war. Join us as we explore bravery, brotherhood, and the ongoing struggle with PTSD.