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 music is used by license from the owners. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/francis-remkiewicz/message ..read more

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/francis-remkiewicz/message ..read more

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 the exceptionally fascinating assignments Ron had after Viet Nam.  You will also hear a little about the upcoming Wyoming mini-reunion in DuBois, Wyoming.  The primary goal of this trip is to ..read more

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 that he has stayed in very close contact with the Marine Corps through the Marine Corps League.  In the city in which he resides he has had opportunities that are rare even for non-military pers ..read more

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 is Jimmy Buffett's most notable song.  Turns out that Jan Scruggs and Jimmy Buffett are good friends.  While Jan was in the hospital Jimmy Buffett wrote a little song for Jan.  With pe ..read more

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 Nam Experience.   --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/francis-remkiewicz/message ..read more

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 strength of not just Gerry, but every Marine in our Association. Listen closely as he discusses his background and up-bringing. The music is, as always, paid for under the copyright rules to the appropriate ..read more

The USMCVTA is very fortunate to present to our listening audience a podastr featuring the creator and founder of the Viet Nam Memorial Wall,  Jan Scruggs.  This podcast takes Jan back to his in-country days and the forward trhough some  tough PTSD times and onto the final goal of building the "Wall". --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/francis-remkiewicz/message ..read more

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.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/francis-remkiewicz/message ..read more

Continuing on with Bob Peavey as he goes into some detail as to recon by fire and some interesting experiences when he did that. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/francis-remkiewicz/message ..read more