In this episode, hosts Mike Nelson and Stephen Willet talk with Joe Dalton, a Vietnam veteran with plenty of stories to tell! You’ll hear about Joe’s service, his helping the civilians, his views on the war’s political side, and much more in this spectacular interview!
04:40 – A Brief History of Joe’s Service in Vietnam – From ’63 to ’67
06:12 – Marble & Monkey Mountain, and a Little Photography
10:29 – Adopting Fertilizer Use
12:13 – Winning Over an Enemy… By Helping Their Little Girl
13:37 – The Buddhist Caves of Marble Mountain
15:12 – A Brief History of Vietnam: French Indochina, Japanese Occupation, Presidential Screw-Ups
17:51 – Robert McNamara and His Cheap, Faulty Munitions
19:01 – LBJ’s Complacency: How the Red Tape Got in the Way
20:06 – A Quick Correction
20:41 – Returning From Vietnam: Dealing With the Reception of the American Public
23:22 – Why Did Soldiers Get the Blame and Not the Politicians?
25:26 – The Tet Offensive: Misinformation Abound
26:59 – An Old Story: The People Didn’t Want a War, Those in Power Did
28:29 – Blue-Collar Workers: A Consistent Ally
29:11 – What Does the Word “Service” Mean to Joe?
30:49 – The “War Fought by African-Americans” Myth
32:11 – Respect in America and its Military on the Decline
35:15 – What Does Joe Miss the Most – and Least – About His Time in the Military?
36:35 – Politicians Ruin Everything: From Vietnam to the Present Day
38:36 – It Spreads Deep: High-Ranking Officers are Corrupt Too!
40:33 – What Would Joe Tell Young Recruits Before They Join Up?
44:07 – Camaraderie: The Most Valuable Thing to Many Servicemen
48:10 – The Prestige Within Joe’s Own Basic Class: Medal of Honor, Silver Stars!
49:24 – Closing Thoughts: Don’t Forget to “Contribute” to McNamara’s Grave!
