JanscruggsVietnamWarstories@buzzsprout.com

Sometimes America experiences  terrible tragedies  which threaten our way of life  in the good old USA.  Thankfully there is not now a major war involving US troops.  Yet Selective Service can be used with groups like Americorps to help worthy endeavors.  Who gets drafted?  President Nixon got rid of the draft in 1970.  As the Vietnam War ended  so did the Draft.  Unexpectedly The draft soon was preparing to get ready for a what would be a new draft in a place known as Afghanistan.  The Russians were on the move.   Yet tensions ended as the Soviet Army went back to "Mother Russia".The leader of Selective Service is a great innovative leader.  He is a graduate of the US Naval Academy and deeply committed to our country. The Draft is known as the " Fire Extinguisher at the Door".

Rusty has had a great and ongoing career in Radio and in life.He is well known and respected for his humor and quick wit!Enjoy Rusty Humphries!!! 

Col Gadson was a foot ball hero.  This excellent athlete was send to fight in Iraq where he barely survived an IED, which took his legs away.   He shares his wisdom with Jan Scruggs who also received the Purple Heart in an earlier war in a place called Vietnam!! 

 Newsletter that covers US intelligence, on Substack, is SpyTalk.....Jeff is  the founding Editor In Chief of SpyTalk on Substack. 

Enjoy the life of a draftee in Vietnam.  Medics help the wounded....

RANDY ARK WAS A MEDIC IN VIETNAM.  ENJOY HIS STORY!!! Bravery was every where in Vietnam..

James Pierce was Wounded in Afghanistan in 2012 by a Suicide bomber.   He came back to the USA determined to help others.   He now helps 2000 volunteers on the Mall in Washington DC

In 2012 James Pierce was bloody from a Suicide Bomber in Afghanistan.    There were other Wounded US Soldiers and Afghanistan Civilians.  James came back determined to do what he could help others and found the Perfect Job helping to coordinate over 2000 volunteers on The Mall....He has really done brilliantly arranging for people to wash the VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL! Enjoy ......

Great work  from the Peace Corps

Andrew Pope is a Volunteer at The Wall...

Cathy Gorn is a respected American Historian.  

Doyle Glass is an amazing lawyer, historian,  writer and sculptor ...  Enjoy the Podcast!!!!

Sheehan is multitalented and a successful American leader.  He is a graduate of Catholic schools in Washington DC.   After College he became a US Marine Officer and saw heavy Combat in Vietnam!

Terry O'Donnell continues to practice law after a challenging career.  He served in Vietnam as an Air Force Officer identifying targets that were firing rockets and mortars on US forces.  He was also General Counsel for Textron, a defense company. Terry was also General Counsel for the Defense Department..He played a crucial role in the War and The Wall om1981-1985.  He is highly respected..

Jim Rothblatt was a courageous medic in Vietnam.    He helped US soldiers who were wounded. Not all survived   He was, at times, under enemy fire.From Vietnam he drove a bus loaded with Vietnamese refugees who settled in California.  Many ended up in Orange County at "Little Saigon".Many remain his friends.   Jim had a career in education where he now lives in Palm Springs.

Major Major ( not his real name)   is an Air Force Veteran who, in 1962 was prepared to use nuclear weapons if ordered to do so by  President Kennedy.  The crisis passed.   He resumed duty which included delivering ammo and other supplies while his aircraft was under enemy fire in Viet Nam.  These missions included Khe Sahn where US Marines were under heavy fire as were the aircraft supplying them with Ammo..

                               A TIME TO HEALIan Berry is a veteran of Afghanistan and a graduate of West Point.  He contacted me months ago to share his vision of finding Positive Outcomes for the city of Richmond with implications for, maybe, healing  Wounds of War on a wider scale.  Divisiveness and the cultural words of War/Civil unrest are deep in the heart of America.   Last year an divisive symbol was removed from places like Richmond, reminders of slavery and a war that cost 700,000 lives.   The symbol was the statue of Robert E Lee. It  has been removed.  A new symbol is needed in the space known as Lee Circle.  What should it be?   We need symbols that create unity instead of division,  The symbol being planned is a place to honor the recipients of the Medal of Honor.     I hoped that the Memorial to Vietnam Vets would help heal the nation.     I have the same hope for Richmond with this endeavor... 

Tom Munley is a respected Judge in Scranton Pennsylvania.   He was a teacher who volunteered for the draft to serve his country.  He expected the US Army to send him to a place such as Paris, France.  This brief Podcast tells the story of how a teacher ended up in the Infantry in Vietnam.

Alan Hoe comes from a tradition of warriors going all the way back to wars between the Chieftains of Hawaii prior to the arrival of the Europeans and Americans.   this was dramatic warfare as early as the 11th Century.Alan got drafted into the US Army at age 19.   He  saw heavy combat in Vietnam as a Medic.  He tells the story of his talented son who was Killed In Action in Mosul and offers advice to others who must face tragedy.  Allen is an American hero.  Lawyer, Judge, Combat Medic! 

Pat Pellerin is a well known expert on public relations and media relations. Pat was an Army Captain in Vietnam who got involved in the effort to build the Memorial which had many challenges from the media, Congress and the public.He spends considerable time at the Memorial  welcoming visitors and answering questions about the Memorial and its related elements

In 1968 Don Yost found himself in Vietnam as a rifleman.   He was planning a career as a writer and thought the Army would send him to Germany as an officer.    After being wounded he applied to be an Army Combat Reporter.   His devotion to duty is inspiring.   He notes that almost everyone has a Vietnam in their life.   We all need to help those with empathy and compassion.I suggest you buy his books.  His book, Henry, is a sequel to Red Badge of Courage.  Blessings Transforming My Vietnam Experience is a book you should read.  Don Yost is a great writer and thinker!                www.Founderofthewall.com  

John Fenzel is a 30 year US Army Special Forces Veteran.  After a  deployment in the Balkans he found a  way to help prosecute War Criminals in The Hague.    For a decade, starting in 1991, there was a bloody Civil War between the Serbs, Croats and Albanians.  All sides had committed war crimes.  John found a way to build trust and prevail ultimately testifying at The Hague.         Some times you can win without bloodshed.

Manny Santayana is a Veteran of Wall Street.  Too young to serve in Vietnam,  he felt compelled to visit Vietnam.  A drama unfolded involving some of America's most interesting characters in the media,  the Pentagon and elsewhere.  This is an amazing American  Adventure!

A talented pilot, speaker and author gives career and leadership advice...He has written eleven (11) books and is a great champion of thoughtful patriotism and dedication.   GREAT INTERVIEW

      DR QUANG ESCAPED FROM VIETNAM ARRIVING IN USA WITH NOT A PENNYHer father was imprisoned for 3 years for fighting alongside US troops.The family escaped on a fishing boat and lived in poverty.  But things turned around for the talented Dr Quan.She was a Dr in the US Army and now practices in Texas.Her book Soldier On is available on Amazon...She has both Courage and Determination.                  A Real American!!!!

A special USMC unit was established to be helicoptered into areas where Americans were heavily engaged and under fire.  The casualties were heavy since the enemy was expecting reinforcements.  This small group of 50 Marines knew their chances of survival were not good.The  book- On Full Automatic: Surviving 18 months in Vietnam- is excellent.   This book will show you how a young Marine got PTSD.  Author Bill Taylor tells it all in graphic detail.  He also notes problems with the early M16 Rifles which jammed and sometimes were not repairable while under fire. Go To Amazon and buy the book!!

She needs your help.Back in 1992 I met Janna Hoene.  She lives in Maui and and was deeply impacted by a visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington.  She saw a name and make another visit. That was just the beginning.Despite years of work there were thousands of photos of the fallen from the Vietnam War still missing.  In 2011 I visited her in Maui.  She decided that to find a way to get the photographs..Thanks to Janna there are now only TWENTY FIVE Photographs needed to have a photo of every Veteran on The Wall....  She started a movement.Here is her story.....Can You Assist??Persistent, inspiring Janna finds the 42 | News, Sports, Jobshttps://www.lahainanews.com › columns › 2012/05/03May 3, 2012 — LAHAINA - Some 50 years ago, 42 members of the armed forces from Maui lost their lives in the jungles of Vietnam.

Unlike watching the movies,  not all stories have happy endings.This is the story of a decorated Viet Vet who wanted to take his life.  Yet  an unexpected romance began when he attended the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in November 1982.

Peter Prichard is well known and respected as an author and editor.  He raised hundreds of millions of dollars for the the Newseum.  He was senior editor for USA TODAY.Peter ended up as a USA Soldier in Vietnam due to an amazing set of circumstances.  In this interview he explains how the news has changed now that major corporations have taken advertising revenue. 

Tres Smith spent a career flying helicopters as a USMC Officer.   In 2010 Tres was on an emergency mission to deliver  food to marines surrounded in Afghanistan.   Tres was shot several times with a machine gun.  He survived thanks to 12 pints of blood and sheer will to live.   To the surprise of those present, Tres woke up.  He had a deep spiritual experience The Marines he saved were able to fight their way back to safety thanks to the supplies of ammunition.    The Taliban faced heavy losses.  Tres sprang back to life.He has given his talents to others including the Vietnam War Commemoration at the Department of Defense.

The Vietnam War was costly for the USA in many ways.  We lost many troops.  Brave citizens did what the nation's leaders asked.      We lost troops and a lot of equipment.   The main work house of that war was the UH 1 Helicopter known as a “Huey” flown by American pilots who seemed fearless as they were in danger daily.  We sent about 12,000 of them to Vietnam.  Mended Wings , by Colin Cahoon, was just released on Amazon.  This is a powerful interview delving into how American pilots found the courage to do many amazing rescues of wounded GIs in Vietnam.  A well aimed bullet or two could disable a Huey or hit the crew of the chopper.  And there were a lot of bullets flying through the jungle in Nam.  Helicopters delivered supplies, reinforcements, evacuated wounded GIs and provided close air support in combat firing rockets and automatic weapons. Colin Cahoon spend over 1000 Hours flying Hueys for the Army and has written this inspiring book profiling ten American Helicopter pilots who were badly wounded in Vietnam.  He is now a patent lawyer in Texas.     Mended Wings is inspiring.

Bill Kupper is an amazingly successful person.  He was publisher / CEO  of Business Week.During  Vietnam  he was willing to do his part and saw action with the 1st Cavalry Division.    While training as a rifleman, he was injured,  yet reported to Officer Candidate School.  He had a lot of extra time while waiting for his injuries to heal.Bill decided that he would start a business by making Glazed Donuts.  It was fun and successful.  When he got to Vietnam he once again started with the Donuts.  In rear areas US troops loved them.  Don't we all love Donuts?  Bill was often traveling to 1st Cavalry HQ.  While on guard duty a soldier announced his name,.   He was  Benteen.  Captain Benteen was a  soldier famous for not being able to rescue Custer at the Little Big Horn.    Since Bill is a lifetime student of the Battle of Little Big Horn, he figured this would be the last day of his life.  Yet , Bill  survived without a scratch!Kupper lives in  Florida and Cape Cod....

Ron Milam  saw  a lot of action in Vietnam.  He was deeply impacted by the war.  He harnessed his energy to study and teach about the Vietnam War.   He now trains a new generation of scholars and students.  He also teaches Military History and is a Fulbright Scholar.  He is a recognized expert on  Vietnam and the Vietnam War.  He   travels there often to learn more and to find Vietnamese who study at Texas Tech.Honored to help support him and the students/ faculty at Texas Tech.

Zack Earp is a distant relative of lawman Wyatt Earp.  Zack fought gallantly as a Marine in Vietnam until badly wounded by a landmine.  He talks about his injuries, The Wall, PTSD and Agent Orange.  He is very involved as a leader with Vietnam Veterans of America in California.

Sharon Deane is the daughter of a MIA U.S. Army Officer.  His aircraft was shot down in 1973 during heavy fighting in the Quang Tri Province of Vietnam.  At the time the family was living in Germany.Sharon discusses the impact of this loss.  Thanks to the US military, his remains were found in 2000.   Colonel William Deane  is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.Sharon used to work for me when I was CEO at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund helping us design the Education Center, which ended in failure once I retired. She has worked at the Vietnam War Commemoration for the Secretary of Defense.   She now works at the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC.   She is highly talented at creating curriculum guides and educational materials.She has had an ongoing career and a life with impact on others.   Sharon is also a serious student of the Bible and has a Masters Degree in History.

He joined the  USMC in 1961 and received a commission as an officer in the Marine Corps upon graduation from college. He was a Naval Aviator flying helicopters and left active duty with the rank of Captain. He also flew the Presidential helicopter for three and a half years.He retired from the Marine Corps Reserves as a Colonel after 30 years of service. He saw considerable combat in Vietnam, earning 34 Air Medals and 2 Purple  Hearts.    He was recalled to active duty for Desert Storm. John C. Astle was a popular and influential Maryland State Senator.    He was elected to the State Senate in 1994.  He is semi retired and lives in Annapolis.

Mark Byford had a long and successful career with BBC.  He began his career there after graduating from law school at Leeds England in 1979.  He ended his 30 year career at BBC and moved on to other pursuits.While visiting Washington DC he went to see the Vietnam Veterans Memorial one morning.   As the sun was shining brightly  he saw a name glistening of Larry Byford.      This was his father's name, who fought in World War II and became a decorated policeman in England.  He wrote a fantastic book- A Name On The Wall, Two Men, Two Wars, Two Destinies which took him to Texas where Larry Byford's Family was still grieving. Larry died  in 1967 trying to rescue a wounded West Point Army Officer in a battle with Viet Cong.  His next book  -The Annunciation: A Pilgrims Quest-   looks at the spiritual meaning of Luke's biblical story.  He interviewed over 300 theologians and clerics.  Mark is a Lay Cannon at the famed Winchester Cathedral.  He is involved with many charitable pursuits including Lifeboats, a group whose volunteers include lifeguards and boats to rescue people stranded at sea in the waters of the United Kingdom.

Marshall N Carter has a significant Legacy of Service in his family.  His grandfather graduated from West Point in 1899.   His father, a West Point Grad became a 3 Star Army General. After Marsh  graduated from  West Point in 1962,  he decided to be a Marine Officer.  In Vietnam   he received the Navy Cross for heroism while evacuating wounded Marines in a day long battle. He held off enemy troops by tossing hand grenades.   He methodically ordered air support to create enemy casualties allowing evacuation of the Marines.  I took Marsh Carter to Vietnam in 2000 where he agreed to fund a very nice library for the people of Quang Tri. After he left the Marine Corps he was unemployed - sending out dozens of resumes.  Finally he found employment with Chase Bank where he learned the business of  banking. In 1991  he became Chairman and CEO of State Street Bank in Boston which grew 6 fold under his leadership.   He was asked to postpone retirement and became Chairman of the New York Stock Exchange.He was always financially generous and helpful to me while CEO of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.  He remains active lecturing at MIT and elsewhere.    He is an exceptional person -  always cool, calm and thoughtful.  He is also a Retired Marine Colonel in the Reserves.Contact me if you have any messages for Marsh Carter at : JANSCRUGGS1982@GMAIL.COM

Morton Dean wanted to see a MedEvac.  He and his crew landed under enemy fire and left the same way!  Years later he met up with the wounded soldiers he risked his life to evacuate.His Documentary American MedEvac is excellent!!

Tom Shull was a US Army Captain working in the White House for President Reagan.  He played a key role in getting the groundbreaking permit despite opposition from some people very dedicated to bringing an end to the now very popular design by Maya Lin.Tom is CEO of AFEES which has stores world wide to serve our military.   He is a graduate of West Point and Harvard.  In 1981 a national controversy took place in which Tom Shull played a major role in bringing the unpleasantness to an end.  He was able to get  ground broken in March 1982 which allowed for construction to take place.

Bill Jayne was at KheSahn when the siege began in January 1968 as a Marine Squad Leader.  The Marines were surrounded by thousands of North Vietnamese troops who were equipped with weapons including Mortars and Artillery.   The base was hit nearly every day as the enemy dug trenches closer to the base at higher elevations for an expected attack.The fighting was intense resulting in 10,000 enemy deaths and about 500 Americans Killed in Action.  US Aircraft flew over 24,000 missions  bombing  enemy positions and resupplying the Marines.  I met Bill in 1980.  He tells the story of his crucial assistance as we worked our way out of a bitter national controversy over the design by Maya Ying Lin. Later Bill spent a career administering  the Veterans Administration Cemetery Program.He tells the fascinating story of how and why he rejoined the Catholic Faith.

   Since 1982 hundreds of thousands of items have been left at what veterans call "The Wall".  This National Memorial has the names of those American troops who gave their lives fighting in Vietnam and is visited by 5 million people annually.   Jan Craig Scruggs, Esq.Founder, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington DCChairman, Selective Service National Appeals Board    www.janscruggs.com

Jan Scruggs, a  Vietnam veteran,  is the person who started the popular Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC  - dedicated in 1982.  This sacred place gets over 5 Million visitors annually and has had a deep impact on many veterans and families of those who served.Jan met Jimmy Buffett while on a trip to California in 2009.   Jimmy was helpful to Jan when he had a 2012 ceremony at which the Secretaries of Defense and Interior spoke as well as then Second Lady Jill Biden.   Jimmy entertained the audience with God Bless America at the  event which also had family members of Fallen US Troops from Iraq and elsewhere.In November 2017 Jan was in a Coma expected to die.   Burial arrangements were being made at Arlington National Cemetery.   Jimmy sent a song to a film producer in Maryland who got the song to Jan's wife,  Becky.  She made contact since it was widely known that the life of Jan Scruggs would soon come to an end.   This song ended with a line that encourages Jan to " Hang In There, Jan".   The Buffett song was played for Jan over and over - day after day.  To the shock of everyone Jan awoke from the Coma in December!    Within a few weeks he was walking.  Last year he had his heart valves replaced at the Cleveland Clinic.   He is active at Skiing,  Golf and exercises daily.   Jan feels that the song helped him get out of the coma.  Maybe you will agree when you hear the voice of Jimmy Buffett.   www.janscruggs.com.          Thank You, Jimmy !!

Ram Chavez lives in beautiful Corpus Cristi Texas.   He had a successful band, The Impalas, until he was drafted into the US Army.  He was trained as a Combat Medic and saw intense fighting during Tet.  When his replacement was Killed in Action - he again volunteered to save wounds US GIs.  He survived numerous encounters with death in Vietnam, but had luck on his side as he kept American Soldiers alive.   His life has revolved around music education and forming the Veterans Band of Corpus Cristi.   He is a proud Mexican American and active with his church, his community and is a respected leader in the Great State of Texas!! 

Jimmy Mosconis was wounded while fighting in Vietnam.  He was an accomplished leader of soldiers as a Non Commissioned Officer.  In May 1969 he organized US troops to rescue Jan Scruggs, Founder of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, who was badly wounded and unable to continue firing his rifle  at the North Vietnamese soldiers.Jimmy has become a great success in business and owns the famous Bay City Lodge in Apalachicola Florida.   He has fishing guides and acomodations for fishing enthusiasts and their family.

Jimmy Mosconis was wounded while fighting in Vietnam while an accomplished leader of soldiers as a Non Commissioned Officer (NCO).  In May 1969 he organized US troops to rescue Jan Scruggs, Founder of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, who was badly wounded and unable to continue reloading his rifle  to fire at the North Vietnamese soldiers.  Jimmy tells the story of being a senior NCO late in the Vietnam War.Jimmy became a great success  and owns the famous Bay City Lodge in Apalachicola Florida, a place for fishermen and families to relax and catch fish!  

The son of Ann Wolcott gave his life in November 1969 at age 18.   Rex Sherman  fought gallantly engaging the enemy troops.   He was awarded the Silver Star for his aggressive actions.     He was a 173rd Brigade paratrooper attached to the 75th Rangers.Rest In Peace, Rex  --  as we all pray for peace.The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal [then Private First Class] Rex Marcel Sherman, United States Army, for gallantry in action. Private First Class Sherman distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while engaged in military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 19 November 1969, while serving as a senior observer for a Ranger patrol with Company C (Ranger), 75th Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate). On that date; Private Sherman's team effected an ambush of approximately thirty enemy soldiers, killing eight of them out right. The remaining enemy began delivering a hail of small arms and automatic fire on the team, threatening to overrun the friendly position. At one point during the contact, the enemy attempted to overrun the patrol from the rear by utilizing a human wave attack. Private Sherman, with complete disregard for his own safety, exposed himself to the assault, enabling the team to thwart the charge. He then maneuvered his team into a position where they could lay down an effective base of fire on enemy positions while Private Sherman unhesitatingly left the relative security of his team to recover enemy weapons and documents from the dead enemy soldiers in the area, withstanding withering hostile fire as he proceeded. As supporting elements began arriving, Private Sherman dashed across a nearby clearing attempting to deliver the captured documents and weapons to a waiting helicopter, but was mortally wounded by enemy fire. Private First Class Sherman's heroic devotion to duty unswerving determination in the face of a numerically superior enemy force were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and United States Army.General Orders: Headquarters, I Field Force Vietnam, General Orders No. 15 (January 7, 1970)Action Date: November 19, 1969Rank: CorporalCompany: Company C (Ranger)

Dennis Haines was drafted.  He was   assigned to Infantry training and ended up with the 199th Light Infantry Brigade in Vietnam.   In 1968 he was a combat trooper -- helicoptered in to fight enemy soldiers were they were discovered.   He tells what combat was like and the day when a Viet Cong shot him in the head.  He has been in a wheelchair since 1968 due to bullet wounds from an AK 47 rifle.   Yet, when you talk to him,  he is not bitter or angry.  He did his duty as an American.  Dennis stays busy helping at the Veterans Administration hospital assisting other veterans in Pennsylvania.                                                                             Freedom Is Not Free                                      Dennis Haines