The Shawn Ryan Show #260 Dale Hanson - Why MACV-SOG Had an 85% Casualty Rate and 1-in-4000 Odds
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Dec 8, 2025 
Dale Hanson, a highly decorated Vietnam War veteran and Green Beret, shares gripping tales from his time in MACV-SOG, where he faced an 85% casualty rate on perilous missions. He recalls the intense training and high-stakes recon missions, including capturing Chinese colonels at Lima 50. Hanson discusses the emotional challenges of reintegration into civilian life, his transition to a successful art career, and his commitment to sharing veterans' stories. His reflections urge a return to core values and highlight the importance of honoring those who served.
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Extreme Odds And Why Men Still Volunteered
- MACV-SOG missions were staggeringly lethal: organizers warned 85% casualty in three months and 1-in-4,000 odds to live a year.
- Dale Hanson says youthful confidence and willingness to accept high risk drove volunteers into that unit.
How SOG Counted A Mission
- Typical SOG intelligence missions lasted 7–10 days and were considered the real deep-penetration operations.
- Hanson notes many in-country missions weren't counted as SOG unless they penetrated denied territory like Laos or Cambodia.
First Recon: Finding Artillery That Ended A Siege
- On a recon near Ben Het, Hanson and Doni located enemy artillery and called it in, prompting massive strikes that ended the siege.
- That first recon success proved SOG intelligence could shape large-scale operations like B-52 bombardments.
