To confirm and validate my experience as an Army Officer, after OCS at Fort Benning, I became an infantry platoon leader, airborne qualified, with special training in the Army’s Jungle School in the Panama Canal Zone at Fort Sherman. During seven months of field combat, I was awarded three Bronze Stars, including two for Valor and one for service excellence. I also was awarded an Army Commendation Medal for Valor. Promoted to Headquarters and Headquarters Company Commandant for the 2nd Battalion/1st Infantry of the 196th LIB, I was stationed at Hawk Hill, northwest of Chu Lai, earning another Army Commendation medal for service. Other awards included the Air Medal for 27 Combat Assaults by Helicopter, the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB), the Vietnam Ribbon, and the Purple Heart.

SCROLL DOWN TO READ MY TRUE ACCOUNTS OF SMALL UNIT COMBAT IN VIETNAM

Blog #41 Army Blackhawks without Pilots??
John Shoemaker John Shoemaker

Blog #41 Army Blackhawks without Pilots??

The weapons for war are changing dramatically. Advances in satellite, missile, small arms, and drones has changed the battlescape forever. Now we have all types of autonomous vehicles, including helicopters.

The H-60Mx Black Hawk helicopter has been extensively modified to fly with or without a pilot at the controls. (Army)

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Blog #38 Where do the Cartels get their Military Weapons?
John Shoemaker John Shoemaker

Blog #38 Where do the Cartels get their Military Weapons?

A six-week nationwide gang operation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) concluded this weekend with arrests across the United States – the largest gang surge conducted by HSI to date. The operation targeted gang members and associates involved in transnational criminal activity, including drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, human smuggling and sex trafficking, murder and racketeering.

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Bog #34 Drone War: Venezuela and Iran!
John Shoemaker John Shoemaker

Bog #34 Drone War: Venezuela and Iran!

The capture of Maduro was not just a “crash and grab”. The geopolitical and military implications are enormous. So many points can be made, but one subtlety is the use of drones by Venezuela in support of Iran and Russia.
Drones have changed the battlefield forever.

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Bog #33 Vietnam was a Military Victory for the US
John Shoemaker John Shoemaker

Bog #33 Vietnam was a Military Victory for the US

Many people think the US lost the Vietnam War. Not so. It was a military victory after the Tet Offensive failed miserably for the enemy. But the Congress and US were tired of the war and spirit was lost to continue it. Here are some facts about the cost North Vietnam paid.

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Blog #33 Drones are the New Game Changer for Warfare
John Shoemaker John Shoemaker

Blog #33 Drones are the New Game Changer for Warfare

Drones are the new weapon of choice on the battlefield as proven in the Ukraine/Russia War. The lethality is incredible for force protection and/or offensive operations. It is a game changer. Secretary of War Hegseth is focused on the Drone Strategy.

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Blog #31 Women in Combat Arms? No.
John Shoemaker John Shoemaker

Blog #31 Women in Combat Arms? No.

As a Platoon Leader in Vietnam, see the picture of one of my soldiers as we moved to a new location and in foxholes at LZ Judy. Women should not be allowed in the combat arms. This article from a Marine confirms all that I have said in the past decades.

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Blog #30 Warfighting and Secretary of War Hegseth’s Speech
John Shoemaker John Shoemaker

Blog #30 Warfighting and Secretary of War Hegseth’s Speech

Secretary of War Hegseth called a few hundred generals and admirals to a meeting with him and President Trump. He outlined a new culture of warfighting at the War Dept. No more nonsense. Here are two Veterans speaking to the value of his speech.

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Blog #29 Who is Likely to Die in War? Survive?
John Shoemaker John Shoemaker

Blog #29 Who is Likely to Die in War? Survive?

War means death. As a Lieutenant in the Army and leading a platoon in the rice paddies and jungles of Vietnam, we get a perspective on those who are likely to die and those who survive. This is done by giving real life war stories to illustrate the life/death challenges.

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Blog #27 Real Life Story of a Russian Deserted from War.
John Shoemaker John Shoemaker

Blog #27 Real Life Story of a Russian Deserted from War.

If you want to know what it is like in Russia to be forced into fighting a war in Ukraine going on right now, read this story. It should reinforce the view Trump has that so many are dying every day, week, month, for political nonsense. Human life has NO value.

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Blog #26 All About Courage
John Shoemaker John Shoemaker

Blog #26 All About Courage

An excellent essay on courage. I relate closely to this well written essay with perspectives on what courage is really about. I have known those in the Army in the Vietnam War who demonstrated real courage over and over.

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Blog #25 Brothers: A Reunion 45 Years Later
John Shoemaker John Shoemaker

Blog #25 Brothers: A Reunion 45 Years Later

Two brothers in arms during a really tough war found each other 45 years after surviving the battles. It is a reunion that speaks to the camaraderie of brothers who took the life risk and fought the enemy on their territory.

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War Story #24 Honoring our Veterans
John Shoemaker John Shoemaker

War Story #24 Honoring our Veterans

Veterans Day and every day is a time to honor Veterans for their service, sacrifices, and commitment to our Country and all Americans. As a Combat Veteran, I continue to find ways to serve our country and to bring recognition to our military in all branches.

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War Story #23 “Cheating Death”
John Shoemaker John Shoemaker

War Story #23 “Cheating Death”

There are five true episodes in a short story when a young platoon leader escapes the Grim Reaper and survives combat in Vietnam. It covers those most notable times during a one-year commitment to combat for America, for self-discovery, and for patriotism.

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