Tracking Our History

On May 18, 1968, the PAVN (NVA) decided to give to Ho Chi Minh a birthday present. Learn about the surprise "Uncle Ho" got instead. All music is used with copyright permission of the author/owner.

This is Part 3 and the final Chapter of Hank Fuller, Jay Heffernan and Bob Skeels. All the music used is used by permission. Contracts are available upon request.

This is a public service announcement to all Marine Track vehicle veterans. if ou have not done a podcast or if you have done a podcast and you would like to do another- contact me

Mark Creighton, a 2141 Tank Mechanic from Alpha Company, 1969, is writing a very poignant book on Veterans' Suicide. Mark was replaced by Steve Dowdell the fateful night of July 28, 1969. This was the operation in which Captain Wunsch, Corpsman Colton, and Steve were KIA. While the book is in progress, you can read some on Mark's website forgottenfiles.net. This episode carries an "ex...

Every United States Marine stands on the shoulders of those Marines who came before us. It is our proud legacy. In this episode you will learn of the "giants" known as the Montford Point Marines. Ambassador Theodore Rosevelt Britton. Jr. Is one of those Marines. He, along with a little over 14,000 Black Marines integrated the United States Marine Corps in 1942. Listen as Ambassador Britton shares...

This episode is one of seven episodes that can be listened to individually or all at once. Grunts to Tankers (3 parts), John Heffernan, Pete Ritch, Hank Fuller, and Bob Skeels are a matched set. Together, they are a group of grunt platoon commanders who made their mark on Mutters Ridge. These men fought on Mutters Ridge at the same time as Karl Marlantes and Ollie North, and though less known were...

Episode 60 is a study in one tanker. A Canadian by birth, an American by choice, and a Marine by character, Burt was one of a kind. Burt was the choice of tankers "up north" to go into the field with. Hard as nails but the tank commander many of us trained under. He certainly taught your moderator how to survive in Vietnam. Listen as Lt. Jim Coan, Roger "Blues" Unland, and your...

This was originally a video designed to encourage members of the United States Marine Corps Vietnam Tankers Association to participate in any number of ways to share their unique stories with the rest of the world. It originally debuted at the VTA Reunion in St. Louis. If you are a member of the VTA and have not contributed to your own legacy, please do so as quickly as you can. If you have contri...

Joe Sanders entered the Marine Corps in 1954. An accomplished author, Joe was one of the first Marines to hit the beach in DaNang. This is a fascinating story of the early years of Marine Tankers in Vietnam.

This is the episode that will explain all the others. 1st Sgt. Rick Lewis (retired) shares his intimate knowledge of the tank that was the backbone of every story on this podcast. Rick takes us from turret to track and from amor plate to drive sprocket as you find out why every Marine Corps tanker was so proficient a warrior in Vietnam. Once you listen to this podcast, you will want to go back and...

The story of the most valuable Marines in the Corps. These are the unheralded Marines that toil in the base camps to keep those of us in the bush supplied/resupplied. Without ammunition, food, parts, clothes, boots, etc. we could not do our work.

We have some very exciting news about where the podcast Tracking Our History is headed. Listen to this "short commercial" and find out.

In Episode 57 Tracking Our History explores the differences between the Vietnam War tankers and the more modern Marine Corps. A fascinating interview with Eirik Gohl leads into a discussion of tactics, the new MEU and the modern Marine that carries on with the legacy of the Vietnam Marine. All music is licensed by and for the Vietnam Tankers Association by way of continuing contracts.

This episode has 4 of the most tested Marine Tankers of 1967-68. It covers the 4 tankers overlapping tours of duty including their time in country during the first Tet Offensive. The listener will be informed, shocked, and entertained all at the same time. As all episodes this one is marked explicit as well. In the background you will hear music from the Byrds, Arlo Guthrie, Dire Straits and John...

In this Episode we wrap up the interview with Hank Fuller, John Heffernan, and Bob Skeels. All three were Marine Infantry Officers before they were assigned to Alpha Company 3rd Tanks. These officers one and all led Grunt Platoons on Mutters Ridge, one of the most dangeous places in all of I Corps, South Vietnam. All the music is licensed under cotract with ASCAP, BMI, Universal Music, SEASAC, and...

We are in the middle of a fascinating story of three tank officers who began their career in Vietnam as Marine Infantry Platoon Commanders. John Heffernan, Hank Fuller, and Bob Skeels continue their discussion including their time on Mutters Ridge. Mutters Ridge was a ridgeline overlooking the DMZ and was cause for deep concern anytime the Marines were headed there. For further reading see Matterh...

Folks, this is an amzing episode. This podcast focuses on a Tank Commander who through his heroic actions, was awarded the Silver Star. The Silver Star is third only to the Distinguished Service Medal and the Medal of Honor. Folks, listen to the whole podcast, it is amazing! The music used is by permission from the author and writr of the song, Sean Householder and Tom Reynolds. I thank them for t...

This episode is a departure from our usual. Today we interview Rick Curtis, a DesertShield/Desert Storm Marine warrior. And in a further departure Rick's MOS is 352. That work will become clear as you listen to the podcast. However, the most fascinating part of Rick's life comes after his discharge from the Corps. Listen and be both informed and entertained. As always the music used is gra...

Alonzo Jacobs was a motor transport Marine assigned to First Tanks.  "Heavy Duty" brings a different perspective to our podcasts.  Assigned to First Tanks as a Motor T guy, Alonzo talks about many of the firefights and incidents reported by others assigned to First Tanks but from the perspective as a witness as much as a participant. Listening to Alonzo weave a story is a great joy. The...

As with so many of our tanker friends, Dennis today is deeply involved and quite successful in the automobile racing experience.  This episode takes him back to his time in First Tanks and the fire fights in and around Goi Noi Island and Hoi Ahn.

Episode 34 with Ron Colucci is another in our series of tankers who are providing the true stories behind the Viet Nam War.  I have included the post Viet Nam discussion to provide some additional flavor of the kinds and types of discussion that routinely take place between Marine Tankers. There are  couple of noteworthy notes in this part of the interview.  First and foremost is th...

Episode 33 is a unique podcast in that our main interviewee is a unique individual.  Mike represents the transition from Viet Nam to Stateside.  Mike has experienced the strong need to get to Viet Nam to fight with his comrades-in-arms and the disappointment of being denied that opportunity.  And the experiences  Mike has since his time in the Corps is also relatively unique in...

We are so very fortunate to have on our podcast the creator and builder of the Vietnam Memorial Wall.  This is a terrific podcast where Jan goes from his own experiences in Viet Nam to the creation and then the completion of the Viet Nam Memorial Wall.  There is a very special introduction to this podcast.  We all have heard of Margaritaville have we not?  For you young-uns' it...

After the cliff hanger in part 1 you will want to hear how Gerry was extracted from the battle site.  This great story-teller weaves a fascinating conclusion to his time in Viet Nam and his life since that time. All music is used by permission.  The USMC Viet Nam Tankers Association wish to gratefully acknowledge Country Joe McDonald and the donation of his music from the album the Viet...

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 strengt...