Ask A Vet Podcast

Curious Humanography
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Ask A Vet Podcast is a long-form conversation where veterans share their service experiences in their own words, with respect and control over what they choose to talk about.

  1. EP 30: What They Don’t Tell You About Being a Door Gunner in Vietnam

    2D AGO

    EP 30: What They Don’t Tell You About Being a Door Gunner in Vietnam

    In this episode of Ask A Vet, we sit down with Vietnam Veteran Ernest, whose two back-to-back tours as a Huey door gunner took him from avoiding the draft… to becoming the man everyone in his unit depended on. Ernest shares unbelievable stories: being shot down four times, falling 100 feet from a helicopter into a rice paddy, saving his pilot’s life, living 50 yards from the South China Sea, water-skiing in a war zone, and fighting in some of the most chaotic conditions imaginable. Ernest’s perspective on service, survival, friendship, and finally being honored decades later on an Honor Flight is something every American needs to hear. If this episode impacted you, please subscribe and help us continue documenting the stories of the heroes who served. Chapters: 01:10 – Background & Avoiding the Draft 06:30 – Basic Training at Fort Jackson 10:05 – Arriving in Vietnam 12:00 – MOS Changed Overnight After Base Attack 13:35 – Becoming a Door Gunner 16:15 – Building a Hooch by the Sea 18:00 – Water-Skiing in a War Zone 20:25 – Shot Down Multiple Times 23:40 – Saving His Pilot’s Life 27:50 – Missions Across Vietnam 31:00 – Falling Out of a Helicopter 34:45 – First Combat Mission & Melting the Gun 38:00 – Daily Life 45:00 – Re-upping & Serving a Second Tour 48:30 – Coming Home to Hostility 50:20 – The Honor Flight That Finally Healed Something 54:40 – Life After the War & Reflections

    48 min
  2. What They Don’t Tell You About Serving on a Navy Destroyer During the Korean War

    5D AGO

    What They Don’t Tell You About Serving on a Navy Destroyer During the Korean War

    In this episode of Ask A Vet, we sit down with Korean War Navy Veteran John Llewellyn, who shares what it was really like serving aboard a destroyer, or what sailors called a “tin can.”From joining the Navy at 18 on a whim… to working deep in the engine room under extreme heat… to surviving typhoons in the Pacific… John gives a raw, honest account of life at sea during the Korean War. He talks about the moments that shaped him: watching combat from offshore, facing fear and opportunity, turning down life-changing decisions, and ultimately finding purpose after service. This is a story about growth, perspective, and what service truly gives back.If you want to understand what the Korean War was like from someone who lived it, not from a textbook, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. 🇺🇸 Thank you to all Veterans for your service. Chapters: 02:15 – Growing up in Utah & Joining the Navy 05:30 – Boot Camp Experience (San Diego) 08:00 – Machinist Mate School & First Assignment 10:00 – Getting Assigned to the USS Stembel (“Tin Can”) 12:30 – Life Aboard a Destroyer 15:00 – Journey to the Pacific & First Deployment 18:30 – Escorting Aircraft Carriers (Task Force 77) 21:00 – Close Call: Carrier Plane Crash 23:30 – Patrolling North Korea & Combat Conditions 26:00 – Volunteering for Shore Duty (and Regret) 28:30 – The Day the War Ended 40:00 – Opportunities in the Navy (and Turning Them Down) 44:00 – Life in the Engine Room & Dangerous Conditions 48:00 – Typhoons at Sea + Injuries, Close Calls & Deaths on Board 56:00 – Returning Home & Transition to Civilian Life 59:00 – Career in Law Enforcement 01:02:00 – Final Reflections

    1h 13m
  3. What They Don't Tell You About Being a Pathfinder in Vietnam

    MAR 19

    What They Don't Tell You About Being a Pathfinder in Vietnam

    In this episode of Ask A Vet, we sit down with Vietnam War Veteran Mike, who shares a raw, unfiltered account of his journey from childhood in Detroit to the front lines of Vietnam. Mike opens up about volunteering for the draft, enduring brutal training conditions, and the shocking moment when war became real, just days after arriving in-country. As a Pathfinder, he was tasked with some of the most dangerous missions: rescuing downed pilots, navigating hostile terrain, and surviving situations where one mistake could cost lives.  Chapters 1:15 – Growing up in Detroit & Volunteering for the draft6:45 – Boot camp & early Army experiences10:00 – What Vietnam was really like (expectations vs reality)13:30 – Brutal training at Camp Crockett18:45 – Becoming a Pathfinder22:00 – Arrival in Vietnam26:30 – Life at a Special Forces camp30:00 – First mission & being left behind34:30 – Combat realities & dangerous rescues40:00 – The psychological toll of war44:30 – Close calls, fear, and survival instincts48:00 – Malaria, illness, and daily hardships52:00 – R&R in Hong Kong & going AWOL56:30 – A shocking incident within his own unit1:00:00 – Reflections on war and responsibility

    1h 28m
  4. What It Was Really Like Being a Donut Dollie in Vietnam

    MAR 15

    What It Was Really Like Being a Donut Dollie in Vietnam

    What was it really like to be a “Donut Dollie” in Vietnam?In this episode of Ask a Vet, we sit down with Vietnam Red Cross Donut Dollie Diane Thornal to hear her remarkable story serving on the front lines of the Vietnam War.Diane was one of just 627 women who volunteered with the American Red Cross Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas (SRAO) program. Known affectionately by the troops as “Donut Dollies,” these women traveled by helicopter to remote firebases and combat outposts bringing games, conversation, and a brief reminder of home to soldiers in the middle of war. Diane shares how she volunteered to go to Vietnam at just 22 years old, flew by helicopter to visit units across the country, and even found herself pinned down overnight by an entire North Vietnamese battalion while visiting a firebase in the A Shau Valley. She also tells the unforgettable story of meeting her future husband, Army helicopter pilot Ben Thornal, at Camp Eagle — a wartime romance that began with a can of deodorant and a jar of olives. For more of Diane and the Donut Dollies' story, watch the documentary:“The Donut Dollies: 627 Women Who Also Served in Vietnam.” EPISODE CHAPTERS: 01:05 Red Cross Involvement & Discovering the Donut Dollie Program 08:55 Training with the Red Cross in Washington D.C. 11:40 Flying to Vietnam for the first time 16:40 Assigned to Da Nang and the center explosion 18:40 Traveling by helicopter to visit troops 20:10 The games that boosted soldier morale 22:15 Being pinned down by a North Vietnamese battalion 25:20 Visiting wounded soldiers on hospital ships 27:40 Life on bases and interactions with troops 29:45 Meeting helicopter pilot Ben Thornal 34:10 Rocket attacks at Camp Eagle 43:30 R&R trips to Hong Kong and Bangkok 45:30 A wartime proposal sealed with olives 47:40 Coming home early from Vietnam 49:40 Reflecting on the Donut Dollies’ impact 52:20 The Donut Dollies Documentary 54:40 Final reflections on service If you or someone you know has a story that should be heard, reach out to us at humanographyproject@gmail.com

    1h 1m
  5. What They Didn’t Tell Me About Being a Dustoff Pilot in Vietnam

    MAR 11

    What They Didn’t Tell Me About Being a Dustoff Pilot in Vietnam

    In this episode of Ask a Vet, Dustoff pilot Tom Hall shares the reality of flying medical evacuation missions during the Vietnam War. Tom entered the Army’s helicopter flight program and eventually flew Dustoff missions in the UH-1 Huey, rescuing wounded soldiers under intense enemy fire. In this conversation, he recounts what training was really like, the shocking moment he realized he was headed to Vietnam, and the missions that nearly cost him his life. From helicopter crashes and night rescue missions to the emotional toll of war, Tom reveals the parts of combat that history books rarely talk about. These are the untold stories of Dustoff pilots in Vietnam, the men who flew straight into danger to save others. If you enjoy hearing firsthand accounts from veterans, consider subscribing and sharing this episode so these stories are never forgotten. And if you or someone you know has a story that deserves to be heard, reach out to us at humanographyproject@gmail.com. Chapters 01:12 Drafted During the Vietnam War 05:10 Basic Training at Fort Polk 09:45 Learning to Fly Army Helicopters 28:30 Preparing to Deploy to Vietnam 33:50 First Days in Vietnam 37:45 First Medevac Mission Shock 45:10 Flying Into Heavy Combat 1:03:30 Night Medevac Hoist Mission Under Fire 1:18:00 Being Shot Down 1:25:30 The Reality of War 1:32:00 Reflections on Service

    2h 42m
  6. What They Don’t Tell You About Being Under Fire on Pleiku AirBase

    MAR 9

    What They Don’t Tell You About Being Under Fire on Pleiku AirBase

    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-16, living under constant tension, and navigating the emotional weight of coming home. This conversation is honest, grounded, and deeply human. It’s about service, responsibility, brotherhood, and the things they don’t tell you before you go. If you value preserving veteran stories, please like, comment, and share- it truly helps these stories reach more people. Ask A Vet is dedicated to putting as many veterans’ stories into the world as possible before they’re gone forever. If you or someone you know is a veteran with a story to share, we would be honored to hear from you. Please reach out to us at humanographyproject@gmail.com Episode Chapters  06:00 – Basic Training & Air Police School 12:00 – Arriving in Vietnam 18:00 – What an Air Policeman Actually Did 26:00 – Guarding the Perimeter & Flight Line 34:00 – Carrying an M-16 & Constant Readiness 42:00 – The Brotherhood & Daily Life 50:00 – The Emotional Toll 58:00 – Coming Home & Reflections

    1h 39m
  7. What They Don’t Tell You About Being a Machine Gunner in Vietnam

    FEB 26

    What They Don’t Tell You About Being a Machine Gunner in Vietnam

    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, please subscribe, like, comment, and share. Your support helps preserve the voices of our veterans before they’re gone forever. Episode Chapters: 01:05 – Growing up in Brooklyn & being drafted at 17 04:45 – Convincing his parents to let him join the Marines 08:30 – Boot camp shock, fear, and earning the title “Marine” 13:40 – Infantry training & becoming an M60 machine gunner 17:30 – The Tet Offensive & being sent to Vietnam 21:15 – Arriving in Vietnam & first moments of real fear 24:40 – First firefights and learning how fast things change 29:00 – Losing friends and seeing war’s true cost 33:10 – Operation Allenbrook & the explosion that nearly killed him 36:45 – Being wounded, medevac, and field hospital memories 41:00 – Purple Heart, Guam, and coming home injured 46:30 – Returning to a divided America 50:10 – PTSD, marriage, and silent struggles after the war 55:30 – Finding healing through education and acting 59:40 – How theater changed his life forever Ask A Vet is dedicated to putting as many veterans’ stories into the world as possible before they’re gone forever. If you or someone you know is a veteran with a story to share, we would be honored to hear from you. Please reach out to us at humanographyproject@gmail.com.

    1h 33m
  8. What They Don’t Tell You About Being a DustOff MedEvac Crew Chief in Vietnam

    FEB 19

    What They Don’t Tell You About Being a DustOff MedEvac Crew Chief in Vietnam

    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 triple-canopy jungle, to the emotional toll of carrying the wounded and dying at just 19 years old, Kerry takes us inside the realities of Vietnam medevac missions. 🎖️ Curious Humanography is proud to partner with Utah Honor Flight, helping veterans visit the memorials built in their honor. Chapters: 03:05 – Drafted at 19 years old 06:40 – Boot camp & early training 10:15 – Aircraft mechanic school 13:40 – Arriving in Vietnam 15:30 – Volunteering for DustOff 18:45 – What a DustOff crew chief actually does 22:30 – First medevac mission 27:10 – Night hoist rescues in the jungle 32:50 – Being shot at over a “broken arm” 37:40 – Losing friends in the air 42:15 – Carrying wounded enemy soldiers 46:50 – Agent Orange exposure 51:30 – The medics who saved lives 56:10 – Why Dust Off missions were different 01:00:45 – Leaving Vietnam (and going back) 01:07:20 – Coming home to protests 01:17:50 – Final reflections

    1h 55m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Ask A Vet Podcast is a long-form conversation where veterans share their service experiences in their own words, with respect and control over what they choose to talk about.

Information

  • Creator
    Curious Humanography
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Curious Humanography
  • Show Website
    Ask A Vet Podcast

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