What They Don’t Tell You About Vietnam Gunners

In this episode, we sit down with Marvin Hamilton, a Vietnam veteran whose story bridges courage, loss, grit, and a lifetime of perspective. From enlisting as a young man to carrying the weight of a machine gun in the thick of the Vietnam jungle, Marv shares what life was really like: the friendships, fear, humor, and moments that stay with you forever.

He opens up about:
What boot camp didn’t prepare him for
What it feels like to step into combat for the first time
The role of a machine gunner in Vietnam
The emotional aftermath of war
The resilience and gratitude that shaped the rest of his life

Chapters:
01:12 – Growing Up Military: Family Legacy and Early Life in Utah
03:45 – Hard Choicesand Enlisting in 1968
06:10 – Fort Ord: Basic Training, Discipline & Early Lessons
12:00 – Heading to Vietnam: The Flight, Fear, and First Impressions
17:20 – Welcome to the Firebases: Camp Radcliffe & Life as a New Guy
23:30 – Jungle Reality: Patrolling, Pot, Survival, and the Brother-hood
31:45 – First Combat: Sniper Fire, Cobras Overhead & Capturing the VC Scout
45:20 – Wounds, Hospitals & Watching the Moon Landing in Vietnam
55:10 – Coming Home: R&R in Sydney, The Freedom Bird, and the Hard Return to the U.S.

This conversation is honest, human, and we’re honored he trusted us with it.

If Marv’s story resonates with you, please leave a comment below. Your support helps us continue sharing stories that matter.

Marv’s Info:
Website: https://marvmusic.com/home
Download & Listen to Marv’s music: https://marvmusic.com/listen-to-or-do...

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