When I first purchased Tilt's book years ago, I read this chapter several times before I advanced further. One of the most riveting and shit-your-pants battles I'd ever read about. Lynne, Cowboy, all of them were incredible warriors and every living indig should have been loaded up and given citizenship when they were done.
I work with a lot of immigrants and children of immigrants and they have such a deep sense of appreciation and patriotism for this country. It’s amazing to see. Their work ethic is like no other just like their hospitality. It makes me so proud to be a “blue collar” American and call them my friends despite how seemingly different our cultures are.
Here is some more context into Cowboy's life. I got these information from interviews he did with the Vietnamese American newspaper called Viet Bao in 2016. They did this interview in Vietnamese, so he was able to express himself coherently and gave more information regarding his life. His Vietnamese name is Đoàn Văn Khánh. He was born in Chương Nghĩa Đoài, near Bùi Chu, Phát Diệm (a location in North Vietnam). He is the only child of the family. When he was young, he was taught French in grade school. His family moved to South Vietnam in 1954. (During the interview with Jocko, he stated one of the reasons why they moved was because communists were killing everyone. He was alluding the communist revolution in North Vietnam where they implemented land reforms (known in Vietnamese as "Cải cách ruộng đất tại miền Bắc Việt Nam"), which essentially was a program focusing on nationalizing people private properties. People who opposed to these reforms (obviously, the landowners did not want their lands to be stolen) were executed, casualties estimated to have been around 50K people that were killed by the North Vietnamese communists. ) During full scale Vietnam War, he was actually excused from mandatory military service in the Army Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) due to having paper work proven that he's an ethic minority. He said he volunteered to be a commando because of the movie PT-109 and admired JFK heroism. Vietnamese commandos who served with MACV-SOG was were called Biệt Kích Lôi Hổ (BKLH), which was formed in 1964. BKLH members were largely young Vietnamese men, most were not married, and a majority were of the Nùng ethic minority men. He noted that Vietnamese commandos serving in MACV-SOG were not formerly recognized as being part of the ARVN. Therefore, he didn't have a military unit number assigned to him and were not considered to be a part of a combat unit. Therefore, they were not candidates for any ARVN military awards or medals. If they were captured, they would not get the benefits from the Geneva Conventions or other international amnesty organizations. He does not recall the specific event that led to him being called "Cowboy" by his American allies. In 1971, his team was operating near the Tchepone river in Laos. He was in a bomb crater and was wounded in the lower extremity. He was taken back by helicopter to the American Hospital 95 in Đà Nẵng. His foot wound became infected and he had high fever. The doctors told him that they need to amputation his foot or else he would die from the necrotic foot infection. At first, he hesitated with the suggestion because to him being a war fighter without a foot he may as well die. Then the medics who was taken care of him notified his team, who came in and convinced him to go through with the amputation. Afterward, his foot was amputated. He noted that his recovery took longer than expected. Not because the American doctors weren't doing a good job, but because of him not being a good patient. While in the wheel chair, his friends came to visit him and he would get up and walk to them for greetings. This would cause the stump of his amputated foot to open back up and had to be repaired. This occurred at least three times. He escaped the communist Vietnam during the 1980s using a small boat. During the 1990s, he volunteered to hep find American commando remains in Laos. His reason was he wanted to help rest the commandos who were KIA and haven't brought home. He noted that General Terry Tucker was appreciative of his help, especially that he was an amputee and still volunteered to help. He told a story where during a Memorial Day, he went to visit Kenneth Cryan's grave at Golden Gate, Bruno, California (a former green beret who he served with and was KIA.) Martha Cryan, who is Kenneth Cryan's sister, saw Cowboy in military fatigue kneeling at her brother's grave and she went and spoke to him. This was the first time that she met someone who served and fought together with Kenneth. He noted that this meeting brought comfort to Martha knowing that her brother had friend who still honor him. Around 2011 or prior, he was granted membership of the American Special Operative Association. During one of the meeting, an American member came up to him, tapped his shoulder and said, "Do you remember me, Cowboy? We were together at FOB1 (Tiền Doanh 1)." The American was Major General Eldon A. Bargewell. General Bargewell was very happy to see him and they took a picture together. Source: vvnm.vietbao.com/a246244/huyen-thoai-biet-kich-cowboy Of note: Regarding his concern about communism in America. Nearly all Vietnamese who escaped Vietnam and settled in America have a raging hatred for communism and socialism. For good reasons, of course. Therefore, for many decades the Vietnamese American community overwhelmingly voted for the Republican Party because the Democrat Party platform reminded them too much of the communist/socialist ideologies. With America increasingly talking about socialism and prominent politicians like Bernie Sanders or AOC endorsing socialism, of course, must be very scary to him. Also, many Americans have a very moronic idea of what socialism actually is as an ideology. Socialism is not the same as being a Social Democrat. Socialism here is the Maxist/Lenin/Mao socialism where they advocate for nationalizing the economy and all of their ungodly ideas. I find it sort of ironic too. It was the Americans that told the Vietnamese back in the day that Communism/Socialism was a bad idea. And now it seems like some Americans have forgotten that and the Vietnamese Americans now have to remind them that, with personal experience, Communism/Socialism is in fact a bad idea.
Thank you so much for your relaying the story. When you have a conversation with someone who doesn’t speak a fluent language it takes hours to get a simple concept. The 3 hrs of Jockos podcast just scratched the bare surface of understanding. Thanks for the link
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your thoughts and shed some more light on this amazing Man's Heroism!! He who forgets history is doomed to repeat it!! Stay Well My Friend👊 RP
Because the mainstream narrative is that we shouldn't have been there. They dont want to admit how many Vietnamese wanted us there to help them against the NVA
We have a similar issue in the UK but with common wealth soldiers who are not recognised for their efforts in WW2. My grandfather was an officer in the British Indian army back when the British raj was around. He fought in Burma and North Africa for Queen and Country along side thousands of other common wealth soldiers and they don't get the recognision they deserve tbh. In recent times however there has been a push for this and the UK is starting to recognise and understand the number of common wealth soldiers that gave their lives along side British soldiers for the greater good.
These MACV-SOG episodes are by far my favorite ones. What these men did, and just the shit they survived with all the odds stacked against them gives me chills and goosebumps. Cowboy is so humble about it too, I just do my job.
@@xbeast133 Chieu Hoi - 56:29 - totally a molon labe moment bless 'em for being brave when they were between the hammer and the anvil. they were struck hard, but would not break, so they struck back
This has to be the first time a Vietnamese National who fought with h the special forces in Vietnam has appeared on any podcast. This is superb. Well done jocko , cowboy and Mr Myer.
I been in the U.S. 25 years. I was born in Saigon. I'm now a company commander at an aviation battalion. It is such a pleasure that Jocko has a Vietnamese voice on to tell about the war experience, and God bless Tilt for making it happen. I love these SOG chronicles. Keep 'em up, these histories really need to be preserved for posterity.
I never get tired of "Tilt" and all of his friends. I could listen to their stories every day. These men are national treasures of both the United States and Vietnam.
These guys are Band of Brothers bad ass mother fuckers. Is hey do not get enough recognition for what they did all because of the reason we did it. I always heard stories about these guys but the stories were not even close to reality. They deserve public recognition and to be respected as they should be by all. Thank you gentlemen. 🫡
@@damiandiaz5498 Dick Thompson! That guys story of repelling out of a helicopter while under heavy fire was one of the craziest and most badass stories I’ve ever heard!
@@willcallbeck0709 dude that was not only ridiculously insane but it really freak n happened!! Just looking at Jocko response listening to Swinging Dick Thompson's story was priceless man!:) I listen to those 3 episodes along with Meyers, and whats his name man that Jar-head that rode over a big-ass IED and flew like 30' in the air in his Humvee and lived to tell about it shit I have such bad Long term memory dude!!:(
"One hand grenade, one magazine" needs to be on a shirt or something. Amazing to hear Cowboys story firsthand after hearing about him so much in previous podcasts!
Jocko's humility is wonderful here. He gives Cowboy all the time he needs to overcome any emotion, language barrier or the time for him to look to his friend John, for unspoken support. I have the three books that John has wriiten and I still am amazed at the fact these soldiers were so young. Incredible life experience amongst these three men.
@@northeastohio5150 Yeah, they were or at least most of them... on my both side of the family, my grandfather and uncles fought with the US Army so after the war was over, America put them and their family on a flight over to Hawaii, then over to main land United States (California). Now I understand why so many of my cousins are in California, but eventually some of us would move to Florida which is where I was born. It was a very interesting tale to know how Vietnamese ended up in the United States.
Historic for sure... Very interesting to hear about this man and his story, it's insane how close these two guys became fighting for their family and their freedom... Hope they have some peace and good times together while they are both still healthy! The Western World should be very proud of these guys
So glad to see “Cowboy” and hear his story. Thank you for making this happen. What an amazing man and story. Imagine how many people he saved because of all he did. I’m in awe of his courage, dedication, and sacrifice.
My wife's grandfather fought alongside the US during the Vietnam war. Unfortunately, he missed literally the last helicopter out of Saigon, though some of my wife's aunts and uncles were able to make it out. Her grandfather spent the rest of his life in a North Vietnam prison camp. He was released a few years before his death, which was caused by decades of malnourishment and torture. So many forget the huge price paid by the Vietnamese fighting alongside the US for their freedom and the freedom of their families. Thank you Khanh Doan.
Those guys & their families should’ve been on first chopper rides out. Sad story but for what it’s worth an American hero. Keep his name and story alive so the rest of us don’t forget
My neighbor growing up was a vietnamese refugee. His old man was an RVN Ranger. When you walked into their house they had more american flags, battle patches, Pictures of the constitution, pictures of past presidents, and old US service rifles than I have ever seen. They lived in a museum of US History. Even though they had only been in the US since the 1970's. That family had a huge flag pole erected in front of their house and the largest American flag I had ever seen (in private hands) attached to it. Their family had the best 4th of july celebrations.
😆 Sounds like my family. My old man was a Capt with the ARVN Ranger. Spent 7 years in labor camp after the war. Been here since ‘92. You’re not going to find a group of refugees/immigrants more patriotic than the Vietnamese. We love this country. It’s unfortunate we lost to the Commies but being here in the US is a blessing and we don’t take that for granted.
The Vietnamese are so based. I had a buddy in my unit who's family came here after the war in the 70s. Goofy as hell and reliable as could be. Solid people
Did the U.S. Govt. do the right thing and treat him as a disabled U.S. war veteran? Or, did they screw him? This man deserves all the benefits of a medically retired war hero. He is amazing.
No. South Vietnamese Vietnam War Veterans (ARVN) do not receive any benefits from the U.S. Government as far as I can tell. American Vietnam veterans are taken care of by the U.S. Government. The Vietnam NVA/Viet Cong veterans are taken care of by the Socialist Government of Vietnam. The South Vietnamese Vietnam War (ARVN) veterans take care of themselves.
Irregardless if Vietnam does not recognize these men as soldiers or awards them benefits, who cares. What I do care about, and I think Barry Rose does as well, of our OWN government, the US Government recognizes these warriors as soldiers who fought FOR the United States military. Because it would be a great shame if we don’t. These men did things that 90% of our own military at the time would not have even agreed to do. In fact, these “indigs” should of been awarded the MOH and valor awards just like their fellow SOG brothers got. These guys like Cowboy should be getting 100% full benefits from our Government, period.
South Vietnamese/Indig attached to MACV-SOG were all paid and supplied by the US Government, so the South Vietnamese Government did not have jurisdiction on them until after the Americans left in 1973. They did not have a troop dog tag ID from the South Vietnamese Military, it was provided by the US Military.
There is a sitcom from the 1980s called Tour of Duty. Twords the end of season 2 and season 3 they start to get into MACV SOG stuff. Based off of true story type of stuff.
So let me understand what I just listened to. Most of the Green Berets did 1 or 2 tours. Cowboy did these insane missions for 6 years. He must have a thousand kills. His guardian angel must have been shot to shit. It must be a miracle for him to have made it out alive. And of course it’s the Agent Orange that’s killing him now, just like the Frenchman. Whoever made that shit should be paying millions to the men affected by it.
Did Dow chem make Round Up ? Or maybe DuPont ? A MIT researcher was studying the cause of Down Syndrome and she thinks the active ingredient in Round Up is the cause. That’s what the damages in the mice are telling her.
@Jackson P. Storm thanks. I’m guessing that they got a pass from liability from the federal government. I did work for a guy that sprayed that stuff. He said that they all bathed in it. That was the way he explained their exposure to it during the process of having the planes loaded with the material and application of the defoliant. In recent court cases of the Round Up exposure Du Pont Corp has been ordered to pay hundreds of millions to victims of the herbicide. Of course courts cases are not science.
My old neighbour was a Marine LC and has cancer from his exposure to agent Orange in Nam. Its hard to watch, It's like in Game of Thrones when Arya says that loyalty killed her father....
Jesus. I have chills listening to this man speak! Total hero. SOG warriors are legends. Thank you Jocko! Thank you Tilt, Frenchman, blackjack, spider, Watkins, and everyone else!
Lord have mercy! Cowboy has balls like church bells. Jocko, someone on your team needs to start a “Go fund Me” page for this American Hero! I am ready to donate now, and I bet a 1,000 other folks are too!! Cowboy is the best.
I don’t know if you have seen, but cowboy and his family have covid and he has been in the hospital. Jocko did in fact post a go fund me for cowboy on his Instagram page and maybe his other social media platforms but if your interested it would definitely be a good cause to donate too.
The fact that this podcast happened, is astounding in many ways. I can't get enough of the SOG podcasts but I also realize how much of a gift these are. Thank you.
After the war, my friends dad spent 10 years in a jail. He was beaten so much he was blind in 1 eye. The communist took all there home, forced his family to live in the streets. The way they were made to suffer... Yeah, well thanks to Reagan they were brought to America. My friend came with $20, no English.. He is worth millions now, and to this day he works 7 days a week still. To this day, his mom is my second mom
I will always think of this episode when I hear “cowboy up”. Much respect and appreciation for all you guys have been through. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
Before I found out about John Stryker Meyer I had read John Plaster's book about SOG. Finally listening to old recordings of recon teams declaring a Prairie Fire was quite chilling; it must be absolutely insane to be flying Covey and dealing with a Prairie Fire call from your old recon team. These SOG teams were patrolling deep behind enemy lines, 4-12 men vs hundreds and sometimes thousands of NVA/VC in double and triple canopy environments. Unbelievable heroics. I wonder how many of these warriors are still around. One, Gary Michael Rose, an SF medic, received the MoH in 2017. The homecoming for many Vietnam War veterans was really quite bitter, my father-in-law being one of them. Honoring them really is well past due. And don't forget the Montagnards, either. In my second year of moving to this beautiful country, we as a family took a trip to Magic Kingdom. When I found out that they have a daily Flag Retreat ceremony during which veterans are honored, I signed up my father-in-law without his knowledge. It was great to see him standing there and holding the Flag, being applauded by the crowd. Not exactly what he deserved but at least something.
I have listened to most of these podcasts and at no time has jocko really discussed politics particularly relating to the current situation in the USA. He doesn’t need to. He brings these fantastic guests on and they do the talking. The one conclusion is that the USA is a great country and has accepted some magnificent migrants over the decades with many being survivors of war. Most have contributed to the country in spades. Cowboy is one such example. Bravo Willink and Echo.
Joe Blincoe especially now with what could potentially happen with the court, in the Biden WH. There talking so much shit. Reparations, Critical Race Theory, 5 more Justices, limitations-on free speech, elimination of 2nd amendment. It will take a huge effort but these are all areas that they have said they want to fix.
I just introduced my friend tonight on these SOG heroes. Hes down the wormhole of respecting and loving these men. We are two proud US men living in Cali. Mad respect to out serving troops and our troops that have served. You all are men and women with "balls" and patriotism. Me heart and us in this shitty state heart goes out to you.
You guys should get former SR-71 Blackbird pilot Brian Shul on the podcast. Shot down over Vietnam, rescued by SF, told he’d never fly again because his body was burned so badly. Recovered from his injuries, flew F-4’s, A-10’s, became a top gun instructor and then went on to fly the Blackbird. The man has a great story.
Stryker is the best guest. He’s a great guy and you’d never know the horrors he’s seen. He always makes a great story teller and he has the guests to give other perspectives. Amazing. I whole series couldn’t capture all of his story.
God bless Cowboy and all the American lives he saved. It’s too bad the world can’t take a lesson from him about socialism. He should speak at high schools. So glad the Embassy in Malaysia took him seriously and he got out. Too many did not.
The Vietnamese people have an inner strength and humility that is so beautiful!! My wife is Vietnamese from Huế! Khanh Doan is a beautiful representation of the beauty and quiet strength of these people! And diametrically, a people who can be very strong adversaries!
So grateful for people like Cowboy, ugh these brave souls, his story, sacrifice, going into the fray, geez.... fighting with Americans... I know I am a civilian millennial, but people like him.... brings tears to my eyes. So grateful...
As an Asian guy, what this humble old man said was just like the words of wisdom from one of my old drill instructors. Even the way he speaks English sounded the same! Lol. Legendary, man. Legendary.
@@lynneblack9231 im really glad you made a book about your experiences. Im sure it was difficult to relive some of those experiences. Future generations will benefit from these stories. If you have any colleagues thinking about putting out books, please encourage them. Please do the podcast lynne, we need to hear your side too.
@@bobby5139a lot of people are deceiving themselves and don’t care enough about themselves or the world to do the right thing. Some people just get so deceived that bringing them back to decency and morality isn’t likely. I definitely agree with you though.
Jocko, what a fantastic episode! Mr Meyer and Cowboy are unflappable. Nerves of steel and grit for days. We owe so much to these fellas and others just like them regardless of the conflict. Thank you for getting these stories heard and hearing the personal testimony of these guys. Truly humbling for all of us.
I'm honored to be alive and hear your story coybow. I will never forget this podcast. Your closing remarks are pure wisdom. Thank you for being a great example of a free man's will to fight tyranny. God bless you and your family. I stand with jocko when he says it will not happen here! Prayers are with you cowboy
It’s so nice to see this title. For awhile I always loved SOG podcasts. I thought it would be so interesting to find some indigenous characters from the time. It’s just kind of so interesting hearing it from the guys who fought it and permanently well lived in it. Awesome work on making all these connections Jocko.
Jocko, FANTASTIC interview with Khanh and John, thank you very much!! I cannot emphasize how fearless these men are!! Thank you Khanh and John Stryker Meyer for being available for this interview!!
Cowboy is more of a man and a warrior than 99% of all tough guys today... seeing him tell his perspective humbles me to me core... so amazed by the "little people" and their dedication to our boys
@@kevinh9110 more combat missions and personally inflicted EKIA than chris kyle with 1/10 the training and personally responsible for saving his team on a number of occasions. You have a problem with indigenous counterparts?
@@zach105 What are you talking about? It's not the best use of your energy to be so susceptible to get offended or defensive over small statements. I meant, if you want to draw a comparison between a man as extremely tough as him to what tough people there are in America, then compare him to people in America who are actually tough, instead of the lower end of not-so-tough "toughness" if you're going to make a comparison, of course this guy is as American and badass as they come, thats the point. It's easy to misinterpret anything.
@@kevinh9110 well "its not the best use of your energy" to make obviously misdirecting statements especially when there are heavy convictions involved. If you're surprised that anyone would respond like I did than you misinterpreted your own statement. BUT my bad bro i thought you were talking shit on cowboy for absolutely no reason
Thank you Cowboy and Tilt, you guys are heros and we love you. Cowboy, we will heed your message and do everything in our power to keep this nation free to honor you and your grandchildren. Liberty or Death brother!
I’ve read many books about LRRP’S and MACV SOG operations, and it was just awesome to finally hear the stories from one of the indigenous troops that went out with our guys! Six years of running operations with SOG! Unbelievable!! From one soldier to another, I just wanted to thank you for you and your family’s sacrifice for this country! Just incredible!!
@@benyoung552 if you haven't already, please check out Lynne Black's book "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot". It has a masterful rendition of the 5 Oct mission - using a higher HQ debrief and Lynne's "inner thoughts" as a vehicle to tell the tale.... Jocko/Tilt did a podcast on it, but Blackjack's writing skill is amazing and something you can't put down once you start reading it.
@@alvarocoronel67 I know there aren't any interviews with Black, but he did write the book... maybe in a setting with another war fighter from this era he would be more comfortable talking, but then again maybe not. He has to be close to 80 by now- and if there's a way to petition Congress to award him with the MoH, I'd sign it yesterday. 🇺🇸
Tilt seems so proud of cowboy. You can tell how much respect he has for him as an ally in battle. Loved this podcast, SOG themed jocko casts are the best!
Thank you Mr Doan. So glad to have your wisdom and experience, and honored to call you an American. I hope that your parting thoughts wake Jocko up a little bit.
Thank you so much for giving these men their due ! They are hero’s to me !!! I remember reading the black jack story in SOF many many years ago . It was great to hear the story from cowboy!!!!
Cowboy is an incredible human being. He goes to show that heroes come in all packages. What an absolute warrior of mind and body. His humbleness is unsettling as the war hero he is. Few people on the planet have risked and done as much as he has. God bless you sir, and god bless the USA.
Ty jocko, Your doing something very important here, we need to remember these brave mens sacrifices, and hard times they have went through, or else we WILL repeat them.
This episode is so underrated and unreal... What an absolute honor to have people like this in history. This is a real person who is still alive and an absolute hero. What a fucking time to be alive.
An early Christmas present! I wish Jocko would make it his mission to have Tilt get every former SOG vet on his podcast and the sooner the better. They're not getting any younger. Most if not all of their stories have not been told due to being classified for so long. Nick Brokhausen is who I really want to see. John Plaster. Keep them coming Jocko!
I'm an adopted/naturalized Thai and was in the USN submarine fast attack force during the late 80's. I heard the "G" word used a lot in my ranks and growing up in Alabama. Met some very cool folks from South Vietnam going to Phở restaurants in San Diego!😎
I feel honored to have access to this podcast! Wow, the patriotism and as Cowboy said as a kid he just wanted to be a hero, incredible!! Thanks for posting stuff like this Jocko!