23 - Guerilla War I The 82nd Airborne in Vietnam




All American Legacy | The History of the 82nd Airborne Division show

Summary: <p>Today we move forward in the chronology of All American history to a dark period for our country: the Vietnam War.  This was a time of domestic strife; the war was unpopular, anti-war protests were held all over the country, and there was national opposition to the draft instituted to support the conflict.  In February, 1968, against this backdrop of turmoil, a brigade of Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division was ordered to Vietnam as an emergency measure in response to the Communist Tet Offensive.  Our Paratroopers were attached to the 101st Airborne Division marking the first time these two famed divisions fought together since D Day.<br><br>This was a brutal, confusing conflict against guerilla forces that hid in jungles and villages; Vietnam was a very different kind of combat than that experienced by the 82nd in World Wars I or II.<br><br>In this episode of the All American Legacy podcast we give voice to the All American Paratroopers who fought in Vietnam.  We spoke with a number of Vietnam veterans and here they tell their stories of friendship, grit, and ferocious combat.  We also tell the story of Staff Sergeant Félix Conde Falcón, the only member of the Division awarded the Medal of Honor for service in Vietnam, from men who fought with him.<br><br>The All American Legacy Podcast is produced by the 82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs Office. A new episode on the legacy, culture, and history of the 82nd Airborne Division is released every <span class="aBn"><span class="aQJ">Tuesday</span></span>.<br><br>Please subscribe on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, YouTube, or where ever you listen to podcasts. Leave a rating and a review - they help others find the All American Legacy Podcast - and share this podcast with your friends.</p>