01:14:39 can you imagine being 15 years old and running point with legends like this man? 🤯 The caliber of soldier that young man was molded into is mind boggling.
@@CombatStory Yes, I was with 5th, 3rd SFG, SWC and the same squadron as Tom Satterly but before Mogadishu. (I think you interviewed him). I went thru OTC with Randy Shugart. However, I saw little action during military service. Consequently, I wouldn't be a good interview. I suggest interviewing Paul Howe, John Macejunas, Lee Van Arsdale, Norm Hooten. I'm not sure John would do it but the others are articulate and probably open to it.
Imagine the discipline and bravery of the NVA soldiers in getting up close to his team and taking the “death from above”from the close air support. Bravery on both sides
John Stryker Meyer is truly a national treasure. His stories and the stories of his fellow soldiers are a part of history that is essential to be shared and remembered. I love being able to hear the stories he has been able to share with us with his various podcasts and books. His historical storytelling is a gift to us all.
I read across the fence in one sitting. I didn't get up to piss, eat, talk to my girl nothing. I sat there smoking cigs in complete disbelief at the size of the sack on those MACV SOG boys. Unbelievable. All of them should be awarded the Medal of Honor. The fact only a few have is a damn shame.
John I’ve tried to find every podcast you’ve done. I’ve listened to them more than once. I’ve also read your books. Guys like you are what makes America so great! I’m not ex military but I’m drawn to reading and listening to all of your stories. You did us all a great service!
I was fortunate to have been born and raised literally 5 miles from FtBragg .I've met guys like Tilt,and Johnny McIntyre, and can I tell you that my Heroes wear dogtags,I was fortunate to hear the stories and Recieve training from these guys.I will never be able to repay my gratitude and thanks for these O.G.'s.True Warriors, Heroes.Love my Vietnam Veterans.
@Combat Story, Thank you for getting John Stryker Meyer on, your interview was top notch. My favorite thing about John is not just what he has done in the past, but rather, what he continues to do now. He is a national treasure.
William Waugh (born December 1, 1929) is a former United States Army Special Forces soldier and Central Intelligence Agency paramilitary operations officer who served more than 50 years between the U.S. Army's Green Berets and the CIA's Special Activities Division (renamed Special Activities Center in 2016 Waugh enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1948, completing basic training at Fort Ord, California, in August of that year. He was accepted into the United States Army Airborne School and became airborne qualified in December 1948. In April 1951, Waugh was assigned to the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team (RCT) in Korea. Shortly after the end of the Korean War, Waugh met two Special Forces members on a train in Germany, they informed him of openings for Platoon sergeants, shortly after he requested a transfer. He began training for the Special Forces. He earned the Green Beret in 1954, joining the 10th Special Forces Group (SFG) in Bad Tölz, West Germany. As U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War increased, the United States began deploying Special Forces "A-teams" (Operational Detachment Alpha, or ODA, teams) to Southeast Asia in support of counterinsurgency operations against the Viet Cong, North Vietnamese and other Communist forces. Waugh arrived in South Vietnam with his ODA in 1961, and began working alongside Civilian Irregular Defense Groups (CIDGs) there, as well as in Laos. In 1965, while participating in a commando raid with his CIDG unit on a North Vietnamese Army encampment near Bong Son, Binh Dinh province, Waugh's unit found itself engaged with much larger enemy force than anticipated. Expecting only a few hundred NVA, it was discovered that a force of Chinese regulars had joined the NVA Elite; combining for almost 4,000 soldiers. While he and his men attempted to retreat from the battle, Waugh received numerous severe wounds to his head and legs. Unconscious, he was taken for dead by NVA soldiers and left alone. Despite his injuries, with the assistance of his teammates Waugh was safely evacuated from the combat zone. He spent much of 1965 and 1966 recuperating at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C., eventually returning to duty with 5th Special Forces Group in 1966. He received a Silver Star and a Purple Heart (His 6th) for the battle of Bong Son. At this time Waugh joined the Military Assistance Command-Vietnam Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG). While working for SOG, Waugh helped train Vietnamese and Cambodian forces in unconventional warfare tactics primarily directed against the North Vietnamese Army operating along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Prior to retirement from U.S. Army Special Forces service, Waugh was senior NCO (non-commissioned officer) of MACV-SOG's Command & Control North (CCN) based at Marble Mountain on the South China Sea shore a few miles south of Da Nang, Vietnam. Waugh held this Command Sergeant Major role during the covert unit's transition and name change to Task Force One Advisory Element (TF1AE). SGM Waugh conducted the first combat High Altitude, Low Opening (HALO) jump, a parachuting maneuver designed for rapid, undetected insertion into hostile territory. In October 1970, his team made a practice Combat Infiltration into the NVA owned War Zone D, in South Vietnam, for reassembly training, etc. Waugh also led the last combat Special reconnaissance parachute insertion by American Army Special Forces HALO parachutists into denied territory which was occupied by communist North Vietnamese Army (NVA) troops on June 22, 1971. Waugh retired from active military duty at the rank of Sergeant Major (E-9) on February 1, 1972. Prior to retirement, Waugh worked for the CIA's elite Special Activities Division, starting in 1961. After Waugh retired from the military, he worked for the United States Postal Service until he accepted an offer in 1977 from ex-CIA officer Edwin P. Wilson to work in Libya on a contract to train that country's special forces. This was not an Agency-endorsed assignment and Waugh might have found himself in trouble with U.S. authorities if it weren't for the fact that he was also approached by the CIA to work for the Agency while in Libya. The CIA tasked him with surveilling Libyan military installations and capabilities - this was of great interest to U.S. intelligence as Libya was receiving substantial military assistance from the Soviet Union at the time. This additional assignment quite possibly protected Waugh from prosecution after Wilson was later indicted and convicted in 1979 for illegally selling weapons to Libya. In the 1980s he was assigned to the Kwajalein Missile Range in the Marshall Islands to track Soviet small boat teams (Naval Spetsnaz: Dolfin) operating in the area and prevent them from stealing U.S. missile technology. Some of his more critical assignments took place in Khartoum, Sudan during the early 1990s, where he performed surveillance and intelligence gathering on terrorist leaders Carlos the Jackal and Osama bin Laden with Cofer Black. At the age of 71, Waugh participated in Operation Enduring Freedom as a member of the CIA team led by Gary Schroen that went into Afghanistan to work with the Northern Alliance to topple the Taliban regime and Al Qaeda at the Battle of Tora Bora. Waugh was in-country from October to December 2001. Waugh spent many years being both a "Blue Badger" (employee) and a "Green Badger" (contractor). He continues to work as a "Green Badger". It is unknown how many missions Waugh was involved in during his career. In 1985, Waugh was again requested by the CIA for clandestine work. Before he took the offer, he decided to further his education, earning bachelor's degrees in Business and Police Science from Wayland Baptist University in 1987. He also earned a master's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a specialization in criminal justice administration (MSCJA) in 1988 from Texas State University (formerly Southwest Texas State), in San Marcos, TX. Awards and decorations Combat Infantryman Badge (two awards) (United States) Master Parachutist Badge US Military Master Freefall Parachutist Badge with gold Combat Jump Device Military Freefall Jumpmaster Badge with gold combat jump star (5 or more combat jumps). Silver Star x 8 Legion of Merit Bronze oak leaf clusterBronze oak leaf clusterBronze oak leaf cluster Bronze Star with three oak leaf clusters Silver oak leaf clusterBronze oak leaf clusterBronze oak leaf cluster Purple Heart with seven oak leaf clusters Air Medal VBronze oak leaf clusterBronze oak leaf clusterBronze oak leaf cluster Army Commendation Medal with valor device and three oak leaf clusters Bronze oak leaf cluster Presidential Unit Citation (United States) with olc (one award in 2001, Studies and Observations Group) Good Conduct Medal (7 awards) Army of Occupation Medal Bronze star National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star Bronze starBronze starBronze star Korean Service Medal with three campaign stars Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ArrowheadSilver starBronze star Vietnam Service Medal with Arrowhead device and six service stars Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Civil Action Unit Citation Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation United Nations Service Medal (Korea) Vietnam Campaign Medal Republic of Korea War Service Medal 7 Service stripes.
By my calculations, John is around 76 years old now. I find it amazing just how articulate and quick he still is at this point in his life. I flew with an ex SOG guy who talked about a (failed) POW attempted grab mission that ended with them being compromised and running to the extraction point several klicks away. BTW He carried a hammerless S&W revolver in an ankle holster under his flight suit.
In one of the Arma 3 DLC interviews, John said they've tried to get a MACV SOG movie - but they decided against it because of the hoops "Hollyweird," were trying to make them jump through.
No, Tracers from a spectre gatling cannon would look too much like star wars, It would look fake www.historynet.com/strange-gunship-operations-in-the-vietnam-war.htm
Check out "the odd angry shot", That is as close as it comes, Don't expect action, it's more of a low budget drama/comedy +John Jarratt (wolf creek) Bryan Brown Graham Kennedy John Hargeaves all great actors!
I have always enjoy John's interviews. I can't wait to hear his podcasts with other SOG members. His podcasts with Jocko are excellent and come highly recommended.
I was obsessed with the Vietnam war growing up, I can't believe the way hero's were treated back then! I'm glad people like you and Jocko are letting them finally open up about and get the honor they most definitely deserve! Thank you Ryan I'm super happy I found this today
Outstanding, a sogcast. Just what this country needs to be reminded of where it came from, what it was, what it is, what it always will be. oorah amen.
I figured that know if anyone will ever see this ! But I wish I would have . My heart and memory has me writing to say thank you for your service Sir and what you said . My father was a Korean war vet that finally got help when he was 68 years old for what he went through in Korea about the things he went through there . Was happy to hear what you said !
Tilt, Spyder Parks, The Frenchman, Bear Mayfield, etc.. these guys from the Korean and Vietnam era make all who came after look like Posers. My Pop flew with 2 units in the Vietnam era that are still classified as far as I know and I’m sure he and Tilt & Company chewed some of the same ground. All these/those Men are in a Class all their own and for a multitude of reasons will never be seen again much less equaled. Airborne!
Thank you John for sharing! Thank you Ryan for the platform and all the work involved! Most of all Thank you-and all who served-for your service! 🇺🇸 Welcome Home! 🇺🇸
It’s just hard for me to imagine this level of intense combat, for twelve + months, amazing. And Ryan, your interviewing is fantastic, you keep things moving beautifully and ask questions where the momentum of the interview continues the pace without a hiccup, much appreciated.
John is a HERO, definitely my personal hero, and a hero to America. I’ve read 2/3 of his books and about to start the last one. What these men did, what they saw, the odds against them always…I just don’t think you can fully describe how courageous and brave and smart and deadly these men actually were
Classic! I started listening to Mr Myer’s SOGCASTs first! I’ve been listening to interviews when possible for a year or so and his was the first time I heard interviews BY a serviceman. It takes the interviews to a deeper level and when it’s only one or two hours for an individual it’s important to make the most of it. Bloody love your work
Ryan Fugit. . . . . . . . Excellent interviewing. I HOPE that many of you ex-service personnel. Can Network TOGETHER [better] and combine your skills with 3 types of "soldiers" that come back from combat. *1 Some go on to be motivational speakers. *2 Many are traumatised and can not get Work. *3 While others return with "survivor's guilt" and feel that they do not deserve to be anywhere but the STREETS !!!
I've read everything I can find on SOG and can't understand how these stories haven't been produced in film. Netflix are you listening? R rated for sure!
Such a great interview!! I've heard your name many times listening to other interviews!!! So glad you made it home!! Thank you for sharing, for serving and welcome home!!!💓
Yeeeessss!!! Was hoping you'd bring Tilt on here!!!! So glad you did... I just re-watched all the MACV-SOG episodes on Jocko for the 5th or 6th time. Lol. Literally, just finished up about 2 hours ago. 😆 But this is awesome getting to hear Tilt on a different podcast... And especially this podcast in particular!!!
Mathew Brennan has some great reading also. He spent 2 years with a 1st Cav blue team and saw a lot of combat up close and personal in 65-67. Doc Norton navy corpsman who became a team leader for Marine Recon is also great reading. Craig Jorgenson also was with a 1st Cav Blue team and saw a lot of combat and is a great writer.
Loving all these war stories, i miss my grandfather’s stories about his battles in WW2 with 7th Armored Div. Some amazing souviners he came home with including a drawing booklet he pulled off a deceased german that he had killed, it still has coffee and blood stains on it to this day! Many great stories and many pictures came home with him!
Thanks so much for your service and professional services it’s men like you that makes the difference for our freedom that most people take for granted 👍
Bunch of great stories. But the Johns( Tilt Myers & Shrek McPhee) are far and away the best. Love your channel and hat tip for allowing great warriors to recall and share funny, harrowing, and tragic history.
Agreed!! Shrek is a trip for real. He is case and point why I tell people to be careful with the road rage or being chesty in a bar. You never know who the dude you are fucking with may be.
Jocko and Tilt working on a video game together? Sign me up!! Also, I’m really enjoying your podcasts. There’s a lot of great stuff out there in the same genre. I think yours is a cut above, keep it up!
I absolutely fucking love John "Stryker" Meyer!! To do what those guys did then without half of the equipment that our guys have today is unfathomable.. The guys from World War I & ll, Korea, Vietnam were a special breed. I'm so happy to see "Tilt" getting his recognition, along with all his other team mates that are still with us, they're just warriors in every sense of the word. God Bless you Mr. Meyer, you're a GREAT American, and THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!! And thank you Ryan for doing what you did for our country as well!!!! 🇺🇲💪🏽🇺🇲💪🏽🇺🇲💪🏽🇺🇲
My hat goes off to you sir (I'm 47 and don't call many folks sir) , you are a true American Hero . Your family MUST be VERY PROUD to call you family . God Bless You AND God Bless America !!! What a gentleman !
One of my good buddies looks like John - Freaky like him. He was born January 1970 in NC to a lady named Patricia S. I never thought he looked like his dad and when I saw John's face my jaw dropped.
Awesome interview. Another good veteran you should consider interviewing is Joe Cordileone. He was a Marine in Vietnam who received the silver star and Purple Heart. He overcame many personal demons and became a lawyer and now helps to mentor vets through veterans court 👍 I can personally attest to him helping get my life back on track.
This is seriously the best one I've heard yet!! Amazing story and a man of steal. There was multiple points during this where my jaw dropped and I was in disbelief. I enjoyed this one very much
Hey Ryan, great work here, these podcasts and the people you interview are incredible and what we come expect from these specialists, this is coming from a former British Royal Marine Commando, ex contractor with 10 years in Iraq from 03, and time in Afghan, in some cases working alone. Keep up the incredible work, Jonny S.
It truly amazes me hearing combat stories and in the back of my mind, wondering how these hero’s made it out of their alive and return home to tell all! The stories my Grandfather told about landing on the beach and making it thru the battle of the bulge, in the Ardennes.
My great uncle landed at Anzio beach in Italy during WWII. Had his backpack blown off his back there. Ended up walking from Italy all the way to Germany. I guess his unit still holds the record for most consecutive days in combat?
I love Tilt , so glad he picked up the torch on telling the story of SOG and the men that fought and died . Read all his books and damn near all those related to SOG. I hope one day we get to here from Sal or Hiep .
This is awesome, love Tilt! It would be cool to see Nick Brokhausen on the pod! His books on MACVSOG are intense but funny and I only know of one interview on YT he's done so it would be cool to see more of him. Great show!
These stories are case and point why I tell young guys to be careful with that chesty road rage shit. You never know who that "oldman" in the car may be. There are some seriously rough dudes among us. THANK YOU JOHN MEYER!!!!!
Good Lord man you are getting some f****** pipe hitters on your show I had listen to John on jacko's podcast but man I got to tell you you were just lining em up bro. One pipe hitter after the next
Lucky man to have had so many experienced teammates ( little guys, and pilots included) around him during his tours in SOG. Those guys were the Best of the Best but it also took a lot of luck to survive what they went though. Excellent interview.
