We have some very exciting news about where the podcast Tracking Our History is headed. Listen to this "short commercial" and find out.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/francis-remkiewicz/message

A New Age

Dec 25th, 2023 1h 21m

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 car

WAR - Vietnam Style

Nov 20th, 2023 1h 27m

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 th

Grunts To Tankers Part 3 (3 of 3)

Oct 29th, 2023 37m 8s

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 Ri

Grunts To Tankers Part 2 (of3)

Oct 26th, 2023 1h 20m

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 Ri

Grunts To Tankers Part 1

Oct 22nd, 2023 2h 44m

This is Part 1 of a 3 part Podcast featuring 3 tank officers that first spent 30 days or more leading a grunt (Marine Infantry) Platoon before transferring back to tanks. This is a fascinating look at three Marine Officers that brougt a unique

Harry Christensen - The Silver Star

Oct 5th, 2023 34m 24s

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 t

Episode 51 Rick Curtis

Sep 12th, 2023 1h 4m

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 f

Episode 44 Alonzo Jacobs: A Different Perspective

Aug 1st, 2022 1h 46m

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 oth

Episode 43 with Dennis Fresch

Jun 23rd, 2022 1h 37m

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 Ah

Episode 34 Ron Colucci

May 16th, 2022 1h 17m

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 tha

Episode 33 Mike Belmesserri The 'Tweeners'

May 12th, 2022 1h 48m

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

Episode 40 Jan Scruggs

Mar 7th, 2022 41m 16s

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 Memori

Episode 32 Gerry Hearne Part 2

Feb 13th, 2022 1h 8m

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.

Episode 32 Gerry Hearne Part 1

Feb 13th, 2022 56m 40s

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 mo

Episode 40 Jan Scruggs and the Wall

Feb 11th, 2022 40m 13s

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

Episode 28 Virgil Melton 2ND Platoon Sergeant

Feb 5th, 2022 1h 4m

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 an

Episode 31 Ben Cole, Water Buffalos and Mud

Feb 2nd, 2022 1h 18m

This is episode 31 with Ben Cole. Once again a thoroughly entertaining history of a Viet Nam Tanker in RVD from 1966-1968/ Ben talks of cruises, artillery and water buffalo(not the kind you may be thinking about right now) and the infamous r

Episode 26 Praying for Slack Part 2 Bob Peavey

Dec 28th, 2021 1h 3m

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://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/francis-remkiewicz/message

Episode 26 Praying For Slack Part 1 Bob Peavey

Dec 28th, 2021 1h 3m

In part 1 of Episode 26 Bod talks about operation Allenbrook, Goi Noi Island and his entry in both the Marine Corps as well as his arrival in-Country.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/francis-remkiewicz/me

Episode 27 Roger Luli

Dec 6th, 2021 56m 35s

Episode 27 is with Roger Luli. He commanded both a Tank Platoon and an Ontos Platoon. His story begins with his time at Penn State University right through his full tour of duty in Viet Nam,--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.

Episode 24: Harry Schossow and the Blade Tank

Nov 26th, 2021 1h

This is another of those special episodes in which we discuss a specialty tank, that of a blade tank. To find out what a blade tank is I hope you will listen in on this great discussion. Harry Schossow, currently in a hospital due to primary

Episode 19 Hue/Dai Do/Typhoons

Sep 8th, 2021 1h 23m

This is an extensive discussion with John Wear. John just arrived in country and was shipped to Hue in the early stages of the battle. His descriptions of Hue and Typhoon Bess are absolutely fascinating. The music is used with permission fro

Episode 18 Part 2 Wally Young

Sep 6th, 2021 1h 20m

This episode is a continuation of the multiple firefights in which Wally was involved. You will learn new names of places you may not have heard of before. While you will hear about dozens of firefights this portrayal by Wally is fairly preci

Episode 18 Wally Young

Aug 12th, 2021 1h 15m

Drivers, Drivers, Drivers. Yep, without a good driver one was in a world of hurt. Today is, by consensus, the best driver in Viet Nam. At least during his tour. This is part 1 of two parts and I believe you will enjoy both parts. Music is