Tommy was my boss at FOB Danger in Tikrit Iraq back in -04/05 and in '06 in Baghdad. I never seen anybody with the charisma of Tommy Shook. No kidding, we would walk into a security brief at D-Main and even General Officers would stop what they were doing and approach Tommy to introduce themselves to him. It was amazing to witness. He is that kind of a man!. What a privilege and honor it was to have worked with him. Thank you for having him on your show! It's always great to see Tommy, I hope to see him at SOAR next Oct in Vegas. I love you Tommy!
Hey Chuck ... this is Chad from Kirkuk ... I had no idea Tommy was involved with all of this, WOW honored to have been in his presence. He is a great no nonsense guy; no gray area in communication or guidance and clear who was in charge at all times.
VERY PROUD to have been a young PFC when Tommy Shook was our First Sergeant in B CO 1/75. I was one of those wind dummies he is laughing about when explaining helocasting ! He was an incredible leader and he truly took care of his men and cared. What a great guy ! PROUD to still be in touch with him and to have worked with him. - MANY thanks TEAMHOUSE !
Tommy is my grandfather and i was glued to the screen the whole interview! I understand him and his life story alot better now, i didnt know much about his story growing up besided he was a soldier and a damn good one at that, his dedication to the army and our county is amazing. I feel honered to be his family, thank you for this interview!
Guys - I thought your questions this episode were particularly masterful. I don’t know if you are just leveling up or if it was in part due to this gentleman’s character. Always love your content, but this was great 👍
Great show, great guest! Where do you find these guys, each one better than the last. I never knew there was a pathfinder unit, just thought it was another school like JM.. Keep up the good work!
Brah....this guy makes me feel like a wimp. That being said, this is exactly the kind of thing I need to listen to to keep me putting one foot in front of the other.
The interviewer used the most beautiful and most cherished shoulder insignia that we have. I wanted it also but never got to serve in the 101st. The reason the 101st was a part of this story is, one of the 327 Battalions got into a bad battle near Tuy Hoa Vietnam and asked for assistance. We were tagged for the task and with the 1st CAV BN that went to help were four 1st CAV Pathfinders. We were in that fight for a few days, maybe five days. At this time Bill Carpenter of the 502d of the 101st figured his unit was gone and to take some of the enemy with him he called Napalm in on his on unit. The 1st CAV was tagged to go help the 502d in Dak To Vietnam. Another Pathfinder and I were sent by Huey's for that 150-mile flight with a BN or part of a BN to help the 502d of the 101st. Actions at that time were so fast and confused we did not even know what units we were with at times. We assaulted into near them, created a corridor to get their wounded and survivors out and then cleaned up the battlefield. These two actions addressed the 101st, That 101st shoulder insignia was and is wanted by everyone but the 101st does not have near the battle records of other divisions. I am sure you know this. The 1st CAV will never go away because it may be the most famous division in the US. It was famous and sometimes infamous in the Indian wars, all other wars, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and all of the desert wars. It was the first army division into Vietnam and the last to leave. In WWII the 82d had been fighting for two years before the 101st got there. The 101st made two combat jumps. The 505th of the 82d made four combat Jumps, the 509th made four combat jumps, the 11th Airborne Division made four combat jumps and has now, for the second time, been reactivated as an airborne division. The 17th Airborne Division made one jump. The 173rd has made two combat jumps, Special Forces and the Rangers have made many and the Pathfinders have made many. The 101 was deactivated after WWII and the 11th was at Fort Campbel. The 101st is not a parachute division today. One more thing that you probably know as to why it is dangerous to deploy the 82d Airborne Division which was famous in WW1 and WWII. The 82d is America' strategic reserve and has all the responsibility for the entire Caribiean, South and Central America. So, the 82d just cannot be thrown into something that would tie up the entire division unless it is something very serious. Vietnam was not serious enough to send all of the 82d over there. I hope this helps a little.
@@TommyShook thank you for your service I enjoyed watching this video I learned a lot about your life something I always wanted to know more about hope you are doing well
