In this heartfelt episode, Tina Ripperda shares her story with 1st Battalion 9th Marines veteran Michael Saxton, exploring the extraordinary bond shared by the Marines and the lasting impact of their sacrifices. Tina recounts the devastating news of her son, Corporal Aaron Ripperda, who tragically lost his life in a training accident in Hawthorne, Nevada, on March 18, 2013, and reflects on her journey as a Gold Star family member navigating grief and healing. Together, they discuss the unwavering support of the Marine Corps community, from somber homecomings to enduring friendships that keep memories alive.

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In this powerful conversation, Navy Corpsman Rod Fink and Marine Rich Lissy reflect on their experiences at Hill 64 during the Battle of Khe Sanh. They recount the relentless bombardment by NVA forces, with over 360 rounds raining down each day, while three B-52 bombers carpet-bombed enemy positions every 90 minutes. On February 8th, Alpha Company's 1st platoon, holding Hill 64, was hit at around 3 a.m. Outnumbered and surrounded, they were locked in hand-to-hand combat, calling for help over the radio. Rich remembers the screams and the chaos as his 2nd platoon, under Capt. Radcliffe, moved to assist. By dawn, they fought their way into the trench line, where the NVA left behind small squads to continue the attack. At one point, a Marine's grenade was thrown back by the NVA, tragically killing two Marines nearby. Rod recalls crawling through the trenches, searching for wounded amid bodies piled high, ultimately working to save the lives of Marines like Sammy Lucas, who later credited Rich with saving his life. After the battle, with over 150 NVA dead and 28 Marines lost, Rod reflects on the grim aftermath and the hope that medevac had for survival.

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In this episode, we sit down with Ray Linebaugh and Rod Fink to hear their gripping stories from the Battle of Con Thien during the Vietnam War. Ray shares his transition from squad leader to chaplain’s assistant, a shift that altered the course of his military experience. Rod reveals how he unexpectedly became the lead corpsman after others fell in battle, and how the constant expectation of death weighed on him. Rod reflects on the psychological toll of surviving when so many others did not, a burden he carried long after the war. He also opens up about his battles with cancer, his survival of Agent Orange, and how these experiences inspired him to write a book about resilience. Together, their stories capture the harrowing realities of war and the challenges of surviving both during and after the battlefield.

Join us as we explore courage, loss, and the profound impact of war on the human spirit.

Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to support us, please visit our website at www.19walkingdead.org and consider making a donation. Your support means the world to us!