In his continuing series of SOG interviews, Bud Gibson has one-zero Dick Thompson on to talk about his time running SOG missions. Mr. Thompson( no relation) is always one of the best interviews with his memory and details.
Category Archives: Armed Conflicts Worldwide
Vietnam Era OG107 Uniform
In the early days of the Vietnam war, the standard issue field uniform was the OG-107 uniform. A medium heavy all cotton simple uniform like most issued before it. It is the longest serving uniform the Army had. The pants are four pockets and the shirt has two breast pockets. Boots where the standard blackContinue reading “Vietnam Era OG107 Uniform”
Today in History: The Battle of Chosin Reservoir
Beginning on the 27th of November 1950 and lasting seventeen days it would become one of the most famous battles of the 20th century and a key point in Marine Corps lore. On the night of 27 November, the PVA 20th and 27th Corps of the 9th Army launched multiple attacks and ambushes along theContinue reading “Today in History: The Battle of Chosin Reservoir”
The Wilderness 1864
The horrific fighting of the wilderness in the US civil war
HIroo Onoda
Discussion about Hiroo Onoda came up the other day on BARFCOM or Facebook, I forget which. Some one mentioned his rifle and what it must have looked like after all that time int he jungle. In case you didn’t know about this man’s story, he was a Japanese soldier that escaped into the jungle ofContinue reading “HIroo Onoda”
Lt Col Frank W. Speir (1910-1956)
The late “Formerly Famous Gunwriter” Dean Speir was justifiably proud of his father Frank W. Speir. If anything, Dean was too humble about him. Born 3 September 1910, Frank Speir graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1932, receiving his US Army Reserve commission in the Corps of Engineers. Upon being called to active dutyContinue reading “Lt Col Frank W. Speir (1910-1956)”
WWII “Mae West” Life Preserver
An iconic, although often over looked, piece of WWII equipment is the B3/B4 Life Preserver. Better known as the “Mae West.” Externally the B3 and B4 look almost identical but the main difference is the earlier one was a nylon exterior over a rubber bladder while the later was just solid rubber. Really more ofContinue reading “WWII “Mae West” Life Preserver”
SEAL Sniper With M40
This is a pretty interesting picture from the Vietnam war. It’s one you don’t see very often. There are a few things that make it interesting to me. First, it is reported to be a SEAL. I have no interest about SEALS and their very tiny impact on the war but it is interesting toContinue reading “SEAL Sniper With M40”
Ed Wolcoff on the RPD
From talks down with Bud Gibson Courtesy of LTC Ed Wolcoff:“When I carried the RPD. I also carried 500 rounds of ammo. 100 rounds were in a drum magazine attached to the weapon. 200 rounds were carried in two additional drums in purpose-built pouches on my belt- I retained the pouch straps to supplement theContinue reading “Ed Wolcoff on the RPD”
Battlefield Luck Charm For Two Generations
Guest post by Jack Broz In 1969 I was a Navy Corpsman assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines in Vietnam. The week of March 25th 1969, Alpha was ordered to assist Delta 1/4 which had captured LZ Argonne near the border with Laos. Delta was being sniped at by an NVA .51 caliberContinue reading “Battlefield Luck Charm For Two Generations”
Scattered Shots 