

Combat Story
Ryan Fugit
Real combat stories from the military's elite. This podcast highlights the courageous, outrageous, crazy, and surreal experiences veterans recall from their toughest days in the foxhole, cockpit, and front lines. We interview JTACs, Special Operators (Delta), Special Forces, Jet Pilots, Combat Aviators, Infrantrymen, Marines, and vets from over 50 years of combat experience.Interviews touch on the toughest missions these vets faced, how they handled them, their first combat experiences, how they found their way to the military, and how they managed after leaving the combat behind.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 30, 2022 • 44min
CS#72: Fighting Russia in Ukraine | Ukrainian Special Forces | Territorial Defense Force | Sergey Dyadkin
Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! Today we hear a very different Combat Story from Sergey Dyadkin, a Ukrainian patriot, Special Forces and Territorial Defense Force soldier fighting in Ukraine against Russia today. Help support Combat Story on Patreon. We have a special segement from this interview only available on our Patreon at www.patreon.com/combatstory Sergey fought back some of the first Russian incursions into Kiev and was in the city of Schastia in eastern Ukraine just 20 miles from the Russian border when the shelling, tanks, and invasion began. He captured some of the first Russian prisoners of the war and, you'll note in the discussion, treated them humanely, which we've seen is not the case for both sides in this war. We found Sergey thanks to Ryan Hendrickson, who many will recall from two previous Combat Story episodes where Ryan described having his leg mangled by an IED only to return to combat and earn a Silver Star. In true Ryan fashion, he voluntarily left the US and his life to help the people in Ukraine. While in Kiev, Ryan met Sergey and they connected over a shared Special Forces background. Sergey's Special Forces operational tempo was so high that he was sent to the Territorial Defense Forces to escort humanitarian aid efforts as a break! I hope you enjoy this important and unique insight into the experiences of a frontline soldier fighting against Russia who, at such a young age, can differentiate between the Russian people and a Russian tyrant, who can already forgive, and who just wishes people could go back to a peaceful co-existence. You'll notice we're using a translator. Sergey speaks English but I wanted him to be able to express himself more in his native language. We've also got Ryan Hendrickson just off-screen for most of the interview helping provide some additional context as his and Sergey's paths are now intertwined. For those listening and who aren't watching the video on YouTube or Spotify, Sergey is sitting at his Army base and wearing his military fatigues with his weapon slung throughout the interview, reminding us that when the interview ended and we all go back to our lives, he went back to war. This is one I'll never forget and I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. Find Ryan Online: Patreon Community Combat Story Merch Ryan's Linktree Instagram @combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial Send us messages Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro 0:51 - Guest Introduction (Sergey Dyadkin) 3:21 - Interview begins 4:27 - The role of the Territorial Defense Forces in the war in Ukraine 6:27 - Sergey as a kid growing up in Ukraine 12:40 - Training process to become Special Forces in Ukraine 16:12 - Combat Story #1 - First time in combat with a reconnaissance unit 20:55 - Combat Story #2 - Capturing some of the first Russian prisoners of the war 29:47 - What Sergey you like people to know about the experiences Ukrainian people 32:14 - What he thinks of President Zelensky 33:35 - We hear from Ryan Hendrickson 38:35 – Organizations that are helping and how to get involved 41:57 – Closing and special clip available on Combat Story Patreon

Apr 23, 2022 • 1h 38min
CS#71: Dutch Commando Corps Officer (KCT) | Dutch General Intelligence Service (AIVD) | Triangular Group CEO | Ray Klaassens
Today we hear an international Combat Story from Ray Klaassens, a Dutch Special Operator in the Commando Corps (KCT) and former Dutch General Intelligence Service (or AIVD) officer who spent years in combat zones fighting our very same enemies alongside American counterparts. [Join us on Patreon and become part of the Combat Story community at www.patreon.com/combatstory] Ray comes from very humble origins and the other side of the "canal" as he likes to say, overcoming so much to reach the pinnacle of intelligence and military units. Both KCT and AIVD, if you ask any American who served alongside them (including myself), are elite units that many of us would happily go down range with. Since leaving the service, Ray overcame even greater odds to create his company, Triangular Group, that provides de-risking and intelligence services for clients globally. I hope you enjoy this international Combat Story from humble roots to true success in military, intel, and business as much as I did. Find Ray Online: Ray's Linktree Instragram @rayklaassens Find Ryan Online: Patreon Community Combat Story Merch Ryan's Linktree Instagram @combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial Send us messages Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro 1:22 - Guest Introduction (Ray Klaassens) 2:21 - Interview begins 5:11 Growing up poor in the Netherlands 17:47 The process for becoming an officer in the Dutch military 24:44 About the different Dutch Special Forces and the KCT 33:07 What it was like in the Netherlands on 9/11 and how his commando training changed 38:14 Leading a team down range with very little intel 54:01 Story of engaging with a drunk guy in Afghanistan in order to get some information 56:37 Leading a team to find someone placing IEDs on the full moon 1:05:45 Switching from Special Forces to Intel Services AIBD as a secret service 1:20:50 Exiting Intel Services, starting the Triangular Group, and what they are doing today 1:33:47 - What did you carry into combat? 1:35:01 - Would you do it all again? 1:36:17 - Listener comments and shout outs

Apr 9, 2022 • 1h 33min
CS#69: Tanks and Bradleys in Iraq | Death Dealers | 2nd Infantry Division | OIF | Travis Norby
Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! Today we hear the Combat Story of Travis Norby, who commanded a mechanized infantry company in Iraq early in the war. [NOTE: We're launching on Patreon NEXT WEEK. Register to get notified at https://www.combatstory.com/patreon] Travis is a long-time Combat Story listener who reached out to see if his non-special ops story would be worth our listener's time. As many of our most dedicated listeners know, as you write to me about this, we get many requests to share the stories of conventional soldiers and officers and what life was like for them while the Tier 1 and 2 units were running raids at night. This combat story delivers on what I believe is a very common experience for so many infantry officers in terms of how you lose soldiers and still show up, how you motivate people to keep going in the face of unending days of attacks, and how you lead with the soldier in mind and not your own career advancement. Travis' stories of leadership and loss give us unique insight into the world of an Infantry officer fighting in the post-9/11 era and I hope you enjoy this raw and very real Combat Story as much as we did. Find Travis Online: Instagram @travisjnorby Find Ryan Online: Combat Story Merch Ryan's Linktree Instagram @combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial Send us messages Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro 1:34 - Guest Introduction (Travis Norby) 2:33 - Interview begins 5:45 - Growing up on a farm in Montana 12:11- How the military entered the picture for Travis 22:18 - Joining and early days pre 911 32:41 - Where he was when 911 happened 37:37 - Going over to Iraq from Korea and being a staff guy on the FOB 43:38 - What changed his mind when he was ready to get out of the army but took company commander position instead 51:46 - The company structure and equipment at his disposal 54:03 - Combat Story #1 - First combat experience and having to take over for prior leadership 1:02:22 – Combat Story #2 - A goose chase 1:06:29 Combat Story #3 - Emotional story losing one of his guys 1:24:11 - The historic significance of his deployment from Korea to Iraq and the importance of conventional officers 1:28:23 - What did you carry into combat? 1:30:17 - Would you do it all again? 1:30:55 - Listener comments and shout outs

Apr 2, 2022 • 1h 39min
CS#68: Army Ranger | Afghan Female Tactical Platoon (FTP) Special Ops Trainer | Patrick Kinsella
Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! Today we hear the Combat Story of Patrick Kinsella and his five deployments with 1st Ranger Battalion to Iraq and Afghanistan. [NOTE: We're launching on Patreon soon. Register to get notified at https://www.combatstory.com/patreon] Not only do we get to hear of Patrick's first hand combat experience, which includes nighttime raids on HVTs and Mi-17 crashes, but he also gives us a glimpse into one of the most interesting and relatively unheard of group of special operators in the war: the Afghan Army's Female Tactical Platoons (FTP). Patrick spent years fighting in Afghanistan but found his time training and leading the brave women of the FTPs to be the most rewarding. The FTPs were Afghan women who volunteered to go through special operations training and selection programs, from basic marksmanship to fast roping to explosives training and more, and who would go out in the darkness with US Special Operations Forces on target. Patrick continues to support the women of the FTPs who were evacuated from Afghanistan in 2021 to help them find a place in the US and share their incredible stories. We'll share some resources to help these women who sacrificed so much for us to make a life here in the US now. I hope you enjoy this selfless Combat Story about so much more than just one man as much as I did. If you'd like to support these brave and selfless women of the FTP, you can go to www.sistersofservice.org. Find Patrick Online: Instagram @pkins175 https://www.instagram.com/pkins175/ Sisters of Service https://sistersofservice.org/ Find Ryan online: Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/ Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 0:57 - Guest introduction (Patrick Kinsella) 2:17 - Interview begins 6:26 - Growing up on military bases and an early love of wildlife 9:52 - Becoming interested in joining the military and choosing the Army 20:47 - Funny story of Patrick's first operation downrange with 1st Battalion 29:02 - What the Ready Room was like where he was located 31:08 - Combat Story #1 - An ambush at an Iraqi checkpoint and feeling like someone was watching over them 39:49 - First deployment to Afghanistan working with a Delta team and the scariest thing that happened to him in his military career 52:08 - Combat Story #2 - A gunfight and a chase with dogs employed in Afghanistan 1:02:55 - The call to get out and knowing when you are not going to re-enlist 1:04:41 - Afghan Army's Female Tactical Platoons (FTP) - Patrick's experience fighting alongside and then later recruiting and training the women 1:17:10 - Why this experience was so rewarding for him 1:24:08 - How people can help and make a positive impact on these women's lives today 1:29:05 - What did you carry into combat? 1:30:33 - Would you do it all again? 1:37:07 - Listener comments and shout outs

Mar 26, 2022 • 52min
CS #67: The Battle of Actium and the Fight for the Roman Empire w/ Barry Strauss
Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! Today we take a historical look at the Battle of Actium, a huge naval battle off the coast of Greece that determined the future of what we know as the Roman Empire. We welcome Cornell University's Professor Barry Strauss back to the podcast to bring another epic battle to life (listeners will remember him from our deep dive into the life of a well known Spartan warrior named Brasidas). Barry is a Professor of History and Classics at Cornell University, Series Editor of Princeton's Turning Points in Ancient History, author of eight books, and a military and naval historian and consultant. Professor Strauss is a recognized authority on the subject of leadership and the lessons that can be learned from the experiences of the greatest political and military leaders of the ancient world (Caesar, Hannibal, Alexander among many others). This particular battle and the lead up to it involved some of the iconic names we've all heard from history like Cleopatra, Mark Anthony, Octavian Cesar, and Julius Cesar. We also learn about Rome's most decorated Naval Commander, Admiral Agrippa and how he defeats a numerically superior force. Barry's newest book "The War that Made the Roman Empire" brings this battle and the personalities to life. Those who appreciate our combat stories will enjoy hearing about how battles were fought on the open sea at this time and some of the tactics that each side had to use. While some of the military tactics have changed, the overarching military, political, and diplomatic strategy have not, to include the use of information warfare. I hope you enjoy this combat story from history as much as I did. Find Barry Online: Website https://barrystrauss.com/ Author of The War that Made the Roman Empire: Antony, Cleopatra, and Octavian at Actium Facebook Twitter @barrystrauss Podcaster, ANTIQUITAS: Leaders and Legends of the Ancient World Find Ryan Online Combat Story Merch Ryan's Linktree Instagram @combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial Send us messages Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro 0:19 - Guest and topic introduction (Barry Strauss) 1:33 - Interview begins 2:27 - Working at Cornell and how this book came to be 4:25 – Background on the time period, the Roman Empire, and the part of the world the battle takes place 10:51 The historical personalities – Cleopatra, Mark Antony, and Octavian 26:12 - Can we trust the history books? 27:51 - The important military figure, Admiral Agrippa 31:09 - The naval battle and strategy of Naval warfare 38:16 - Tactical decisions made by both sides 40:26 - How the battle evolved and happened in just one day 46:52 -Surprising findings while doing research 51:04 - Listener comments and shout outs

Mar 12, 2022 • 2h 19min
CS #66: Bill Ostlund and The Burden of Commanding the Most Decorated Unit Post-9/11 | 3 x MOH Recipients
Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! Today we hear a special Combat Story of one of the military's most revered leaders who many have never heard of (but should). This is the experience of retired Colonel Bill Ostlund, a beloved mentor and leader developer who served 35 years in the Army working his way up from a private and growing into combat command in some of the bloodiest fighting of any unit in the post-9/11 era. [NOTE: We're launching on Patreon soon. Register to get notified at https://www.combatstory.com/patreon] Bill's command in Kunar Province, recounted countless times in dozens of books including Sebastian Junger's War and the documentary Restrepo, resulted in over 400 awards for valor and three Medals of Honor (all living honorees). This episode is an embarrassment of riches for those who want to know what real leadership looks like; what the Burden of Command actually means; how you show up after losing a soldier six hours into a 15 month deployment; or leading joint SpecOps task forces with Delta, DEVGRU, 160th, and other Tier 1 elements over thousands of operations. Bill Ostlund will remind so many listeners of Todd Opalski in how he cared for and treated his soldiers and explains why, so many years later, his soldiers and officers still seek his advice as they step into greater roles of responsibility in the military and their personal lives. I'm honored to have had a chance to spend this time with what so many think of as the pinnacle of battlefield leadership and hope you enjoy this Combat Story on leadership as much as I did. Find Ryan Online Combat Story Merch Ryan's Linktree Instagram @combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial Send us messages Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro 0:40 - Guest introduction (Bill Ostlund) 1:31 - Interview begins 3:44 - The jump into Iraq in March 2003 with almost 1000 paratroopers 12:09 - Bill's perspective on the current conflict in Ukraine 17:32 - Childhood and getting into the military 42:19 - Combat Story #1 - Lightning in the Storm Air Assault and leadership lessons learned 1:06:49 - Instilling expectation in his soldiers and his love of soldiers 1:26:57 - Combat Story #2 – Troops in Contact 6 hours into 15 month mission after just taking command 1:37:08 - Awards process and how combat provides a unique opportunity for leaning and growth 1:49:30 Combat Story #3 - Battle of Wanat 2:08:48 – Feeling about now having a son in the military 2:10:09 - What did you carry into combat/interrogations? 2:11:41 - Would you do it all again? 2:15:23 - Listener comments and shout outs

Mar 5, 2022 • 1h 57min
Combat Story #65: Surviving Near Death with Marines in Vietnam | Silver Star | FBI Agent | Jim Horn
Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! Today we hear the Combat Story of Jim Horn, former Marine Corps Platoon and Company Commander and 25 year FBI Agent. [We're launching on Patreon soon. Register to get notified at https://www.combatstory.com/patreon] Jim did two tours in Vietnam surviving near death experiences on several occasions. He earned a Silver Star in a company on company-level battle on remote hilltops fighting suicide attackers, recoiless rifles, rockets, and calling in danger close rounds and air strikes. After the Marine Corps, Jim went onto a fascinating career in the field as an FBI Agent that included work with SWAT, a violent crime profiler, and leading the Bureau's trauma program. Jim doesn't hold back when sharing the special bonds he experienced with his fellow Marines holding the line in these profound but common battles so far from home and I hope you enjoy these down-to-earth and Oklahoman stories as much as I did. Special thanks to Combat Story listener Terry B for suggesting Jim as a guest on the show. Find Ryan Online Combat Story Merch Ryan's Linktree Instagram @combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial Send us messages Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 0:40 - Guest introduction (Jim Horn) 1:31 - Interview begins 1:58 - How his dad's guilt over not serving in World War II influenced his decision fight in the Vietnam War 18:57 - Shipping out to Vietnam and immediately becoming a platoon leader 35:01 - Combat Story #1- First time in combat and taking in the arm from friendly fire 38:27 - The three things that you need to lead Marines 44:42 - A tough first tour and survivor's guilt 50:22 - The incredible leadership and Marines he fought with 1:00:57 - Combat Story #2 - Silver Star event 1:16:35 - The perceptual distortion that happens in combat 1:31:13 - Jim's time in the FBI and what makes a great profiler 1:45:48- What did you carry into combat/interrogations? 1:48:30 - Would you do it all again? 1:55:16 - Listener comments and shout outs

Feb 26, 2022 • 2h 36min
CS#64: Interrogating Terrorists | HUMINT | Best Selling Author | Veteran Mentor | James Rosone
Today we hear the Combat Story of James Rosone, best known as a bestselling author but who also interrogated terrorists in Iraq on the frontlines before picking up the pen. [NOTE: We're launching on Patreon soon. Register to get notified at https://www.combatstory.com/patreon] James was "inside the booth" conducting tactical interrogations down range and feeding intel on dangerous routes, IED makers, and High Value Targets to coalition forces (up to Tier 1) on a daily basis. Like so many vets, he dealt with the deep regret of feeling like he didn't do enough and, for years, accepting the blame when an American lost an arm breaching a target he developed or worse, losing a life on the objective. After leaving the service, James found his calling as an author, in part as a way to handle his PTSD. We talk about his experiences with psychedelics and other treatment options he used to keep his demons at bay. He's gone on to write 26 books ranging from a memoir titled Interview with a Terrorist to his well known military and espionage thrillers like the Monroe Doctrine. He's now sharing his writing experience with other vets to help them become successful authors. I hope you enjoy this deep dive into the world of an interrogator at the height of the surge to becoming a wildly successful author as much as I did. Find James online: Books by James Rosone Facebook Rosone and Watson Find Ryan online: Ryan's Linktree Instagram @combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial Send us messages Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 1:18 - Guest introduction (James Rosone) 2:30 - Interview begins 11:20 - Early experience in the Guard and the moment after 9/11 he knew he would go active duty 23:57 - The interrogation opportunity comes and training experience 39:09 - Traits that make a really good interrogator 41:46 - What happens after an interrogation 48:59 - What an interrogator does to prep 54:50 - First interrogation experience 1:02:55 - The responsibility felt to people outside the wire 1:17:19 - The dynamic on the FOB 1:22:23 - The biggest case he ever had and false flag interrogation 1:30:23 - His toughest case interrogating a 15 year old kid 1:44:43 - Facing demons and PTSD after coming home 1:51:43 – His first book and how pouring himself into writing helped 2:02:21 - Trying alternative treatments like psychedelics for PTSD 2:17:02 - What James is working on now 2:22:51- What did you carry into combat/interrogations? 2:25:00 - Would you do it all again? 2:34:23 - Listener comments and shout outs

Feb 19, 2022 • 2h 3min
CS#63: Sniper Shots at Night in Combat | 20+ Years Green Beret | Tactical Rifleman | Karl Erickson
Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! Today we hear the Combat Story of Karl Erickson, a long time Green Beret, expert sniper, and retired Sergeant Major, who deployed pre- and post-9/11, including into Afghanistan just after the Twin Towers fell to hunt Bin Laden. [NOTE: We're launching on Patreon soon. Register to get notified at https://www.combatstory.com/patreon] After the military, Karl took his decades of teaching as a Green Beret into the civilian world and has a huge online following for his Tactical Rifleman brand and I can see why. In this episode, we dive into the deep, deep details of being a sniper in combat, to include taking a sniper shot at night just before breaching a target (scopes, windage, aerodynamics, countdowns for simultaneous shots, round selection, and more), which is just a glimpse of what he shares with his followers online. Karl is a natural born storyteller and I know you'll enjoy this hilarious and deeply technical Combat Story as much as I did. Find Karl online: Instagram @tactical_rifleman Twitter @TacRifleman Facebook TacticalRifleman.com Find Ryan online: Ryan's Linktree Merch Instagram @combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial Send us messages or email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 0:38 - Guest introduction (Karl Erickson) 1:30 - Interview begins 6:15 – Making Sergeant Major and being an Operator at Headquarters 15:38 - Childhood as self-proclaimed "juvenile delinquent" and when he knew he wanted to be a Green Beret 30:3 - How the lack of mentor influenced his career path 40:31 - What makes a good sniper 44:15 - Feelings in Desert Storm 53:58 - Combat Story #1 - Gunfight in Afghanistan 1:07:20 - Technical description of shooting with a suppressor 1:10 - Shooting in the dark 1:14:38 - First time having somebody in a scope for real 1:20:42 - Combat Story #2 1:39:28: - About Tactical Rifleman project 1:55:11- What did you carry into combat? 1:56:24 - Would you do it all again? 2:01:14 - Listener comments and shout outs

Feb 12, 2022 • 2h 19min
CS#62: Flying into Enemy Fire ala We Were Soldiers | DFC | Silver Star | Aviator | Diplomat | Ed Fugit
Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! Today we hear a special Combat Story of Edward Fugit, my old man, who flew Hueys in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia just after the Tet Offensive. [NOTE: We're launching on Patreon soon. Register to get notified at https://www.combatstory.com/patreon] This is a special edition for me personally as long time listeners have heard me refer to my old man and his stories and our similar career paths on several occasions. I wasn't sure I'd be able to do this interview given how close it was to home and I'm so glad I did. From a very young age I remember hearing these stories of my dad in the cockpit and vividly remember looking at his Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross on the mantle, wearing his green flight suit when I played Army, and then hugging him before I shipped out to my own war as a combat aviator. His experiences in Vietnam will sound like something from Hollywood's We Were Soldiers where green but determined young aviators flew into hot LZs time and again risking everything for their ground brethren. We also touch on what it was like flying SOG into combat zones on operations nobody would hear about for decades and what it was like to be at the negotiating table as a diplomat with Kissinger at the height of the Cold War in Moscow. I really hope you enjoy this close to home Combat Story with a real hero of mine that was then edited by his grandson. Find Ryan online: Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 1:06 - Guest introduction (Ed Fugit) 2:22 - Interview begins 2:59 - Growing up in NJ and early interest in political science 7:43 - A family history in the military 12:31 - When and how aviation came into the picture 20:10 - A "never quit anything" mentality 22:12 - Flight school experience 27:57 - Feelings going in to Vietnam within the units and that moment in American history 36:36 - Differences in how the Army was structured at that time vs. today 47:37 - The three kinds of missions in Vietnam 53:23 - Combat Story #1 - Silver Star operation in Vietnam 1:09:02 - Intense Special Ops missions with SOG and 1st Airmobile Division 1:31:12 - Combat Story #2 – Incident that made the front of the New York Times 1:50:08 - Combat Story #3 - DFC event 1:58:35 - Stories from time in state department 2:05:48 - Going back to Vietnam in 2017 and thoughts about sons joining the 2:13: - What did you carry into combat? 2:14:16 - Would you do it all again? 2:17:11 - Listener comments and shout outs


