Great job Mike interviewing SOG Legend Pat Watkins. He and Spider Parks saved our recon team more than once!! Absolute SOG stud and he helped young Green Berets learn tactics about running SOG missions across the fence. SALUTE. Thank you Mike.
If this is actually tilt I just wanna thank you for the sog cast.. I took a bullet to the torso and during my recovery I listened to you and your bad ass friends over and over to keep me sane..
@@JacksonWainwright-r3e - It is. Thank you for your note and kind words. More importantly, thank you for stepping up to the plate to serve our country. I hope your rehab is going well. Stay strong.
Thank you Tilt for helping get these men's stories out. For men like me that weren't "there", wherever "that" was, it inspires me to work harder and be grateful. I don't know adversity the way you and they do and I'm properly humbled. Thank you!
My dad served 30yrs 1950-80 first special forces group 1958 served in Korea 50-53 Vietnam 1954 on and off until 1973 after the eastertide offensive anyway he served for macv sog on and off from 66-69 he had crazy stories but he was most proud of delta force he trained the teams and served with delta I salute all vets I served 20yrs army airborne ranger 84-04 god bless usa
Ghostrider Don here; Mike as "Tilt" says thank you for interviewing SOG Legend Pat Watkins. They are great warriors who's story needs to be told. What Pat left out telling of his night at FOB 4 Da Nang the night of August 22, 23, 1968 is that the Dac Cong sapper attack was the largest combat loss of Special Forces life in history. Seventeen Green Berets lost their lives that night. Many more would have died if not for his heroics that night.
@hughescrechief836 I actually came across and made good friends with a few MAVSOG guys a few years back playing Arma on PC it was very interesting getting to toss spit with them as a much younger 0321 who put 16 years in from 94-2010. Still run with a few of them from time to time, they are all a no bullshit badass group hands down. The only arguments we have is us younger guys want to hear their stories and they all want to hear all of ours lol. Yeah us youngins are a bunch of sissy's cause some of what we did is still covered by the NSA paper and TS, while most NOT all of their stuff is declassified. But it's a blast grabbing a drink lighting a stoggie and playing some Arma with guys who where really there on the maps we play.
I agree. These guys are the real deal. They are a different breed. It's interesting that during the war they were some of the most quirky unconventional badass personalities, and in old age they all seem well adjusted, squared away and friendly/approachable. I always find that aspect interesting of the most elite warriors whether it be military, boxing, mma or those that were actual stone cold badasses, those who actually proved their bravery or skill to themselves and others, and actually lived that real lifestyle others try to pretend to be about. I'm not a psychologist but I keep wondering if it's about the fact that they know who they are as a person and were in the past, and feel they don't have to prove themselves to anyone at all. They know the battles they fought both mentally and physically, and have no insecurity about their own masculinity. It's interesting that those who were those who were true fearce warriors, they have that opposite existence in retirement being well adjusted and those that either have shame or regrets regarding their masculinity in their youth when older tend to be the ones to make up tales of their own badassery and heroism. It's almost as if it's true that the ones who are the most deadliest are the ones who tend to be the calmest and unassuming demeanors. I'm not a huge fan of wars being fought for the wrong reasons, but I do think it would be a good thing for mandatory service of two years, and more ability for men to test themselves and grow as men, so we aren't left with the male fragility and shame that leads to character flaws.
@@ericgibson2079 due to the political tension around their mission statement and current government policy that is written in stone/law, the studies and observation group Mac-v will never be glorified on film. These stories will never see the light of day. Sad but true.
I could listen to all of these SOG guys tell stories for days! They are just a different breed . I’m glad they are coming forward and telling their stories while we still have them around.
Yes, we're completely aware and fully understand that fact. Every book I've read about SOG tells how difficult that was behind enemy lines in Viet Nam. Things often went wrong. Way wrong. And to survive unintended contact 19 times when it always went wrong is badass. @@donaldzlotnik505
Yes we're fully aware and understand. However, all the books I've read about SOG tell how difficult that was. Things often go wrong. Way wrong. For things to go way wrong on 19 missions and survive every one is badass. @@donaldzlotnik505
I knew an Iraqi guy that said his brother tried to get into the Iraqi airforce but was denied because he had a chipped tooth! Compare that with our fighting soldiers in every branch.
I have the most esteemed, humbled, grateful honor to know a member of these ELITE MEN. He has been a customer of mine for years, then one day he walked into my business with a ballcap with the MACV-SOG insignia on the front. I recognized it, thanked him. He said," You know of this, as he pointed to his cap. I said yes sir I do. Just to be in this MANS presense & be privileged that he would even briefly speak of his service; I was truly honored. I dont know why he would speak/"let me in," the little he did, but he did. I have no military service, but I am.a "military brat?" I am truly blessed to have a number of SFO, Team members, EOD's...etc as clients. They truly do.walk amongst us, and I AM 1000% grateful they do. WITH COMPLETE.ADMIRATION, RESPECT, & GRATITUDE. THANK YOU. Bless each and everyone of you & your families with safety, protection, peace, healing, abundance, & love.
Heroes"?? You're not a hero by going to a country that did nothing to Americans and the USA. This guy was an invader and aggressor of someone else's country and allowed himself to interfere with their own independence issues. He did nothing for American safety, security and freedom by being there. He was a chump and a pawn of the US Government and the military/industrial complex. Whether he went willingly or unwillingly is totally irrelevant. These clowns do nothing but blame the politicians and unsupportive American public for their Vietnam failure. If they didn't go...there would have been no war that wasted and almost destroyed America for almost 11 years. If you want to make someone a "hero" then look at the Vietnam/Draft resisters, like myself, that resisted the dysfunctional and erroneous foreign policy of the Government. It was their resistance that eventually hastened the end of an American disaster, and saved American lives. That's patriotism.
I'm not even SF...former Cavalry Scout who served in a Divisional Recon Team. I could listen to Pat Watkins all day and night. Thank you Mike for bringing a True Hero on your show🙏🏼. ~Scouts Out!
@@johnmeyer2932 Well been rougher then usual last few years for me but when it rain it pours. One day at a time one foot in front of the other all we can do. 🫡
For A man who has a Medal of Honor to know your going to S.O.G and tell you that your gonna be ok because your good in the bush is like THE HIGHEST COMPLIMENT YOU COULD GET regarding your skill, ya it has a 100% causality rate and it’s takeing casualty’s like it’s going outta style but your gonna be fine you know how to be a soldier…. Damn this man has to be a BAD ASS
Who has the Medal of Honor AND ends up in SOG? The ONLY person I know who had the Medal of Honor and returned to Vietnam was Captain Drew Dix and he became a company commander in the field with the 101st.
Both of my parents served during Vietnam. My father was an aircraft mechanic on the USS Enterprise. I really enjoy listening to these podcasts. Their stories never get old and I find myself listening to the same podcasts over. 👍
Thank you, Mike for having this true American on the show. Growing up as a kid in the 80s and 90s, Vietnam vets were my hero as I dreamed about being a soldier.
This guy Pat, has really got his shit together!!! I'm a British and he fascinates me!!! If ever there was a man who deserved the MOH its this dude. He is smarter than a London shit-house Rat, but his superiors were scared of the fella and jealous, otherwise he would already be a recipient of the Honor!!! Bravo Sir, you are a Great Man. Respect.
It’s guys like Pat and JSM that make me so god damn proud to be an American, everytime I hear one of their interviews I always reflect and think what I can do in my own life to better myself for my family and country because there’s not a single thing in my life that I will ever go through that amounts to one day of stress across the fence. These men are just cut from a different cloth god bless all of them and god bless ya Mike for documenting these warriors stories for generations to come. We owe it to them to listen when they speak. Cheers from NorCal Mike and crew!
Non military guy here one of my greatest regrets, but my Grandfather did 3 tours to nam and spent 18 years in Germany as green beret sf guy and passed the year before I was born. All the stories pop would share with me about him , this interview made me hear his voice while telling it to me ... Thank you both for your service and for allowing my freedom theough your sacrifice... Pat Watkins , Welcome home.
It is really outstanding to see someone you've read about multiple times(Pat Watkins) in the flesh, speaking from his own perspective. Thanks for making this happen Mike and an even bigger thank you to Mr. Watkins for all the unbelievably entertaining stories!
@@johnmeyer2932 You sir, are a legend! Who the hell needs marvel when there is MACV-SOG. Between you, John Plaster, and the others, I've learned freely the lessons yall paid for in blood. Thank you sir!
Glad I caught this on Mike, great conversation and you can tell he is a strong tough man just by the sound of grit in his voice. True foundational figure of America. Thank you Mr. Pat Watkins.
I’m so glad we get to hear from men like this. It’s fuckin amazing and gives real perspective to what war is like to people that haven’t experienced anything of the sort
Mike: Thanks for interviewing Mr. Watkins. I used to follow the Vietnam war as a near draft age teenager. I had a National Geographic Map of North/ South Vietnam and Laos and Cambodia, figuring I' d wind up there which never happened. Those vietnamese towns and villages he mentioned came back to me. Pat Watkins is a national treasure. Finally: to whom shall we write, or is there a petition available to urge our Representatives to upgrade Mr. Watkins awards to the Medal of Honor?
Fantastic interview of a humble hero. I enlisted in 79 and remember how even battle-hardened SF Vietnam vets showed deference and obviously deep respect for the SOG guys. The generation of vets that served as my mentors were these very SF, Ranger, & SOG guys and they will have my unwavering respect and gratitude as long as I can draw a breath. I hope I was able to pass some of that wisdom & knowledge on to the generation of vets that followed me and have served throughout our longest sustained conflict. Thank you, brother!
MG thank you for recording this for history. I don’t know if you can understand how much Vietnam affected the nation. I will take a chance to say it was so much more than GWOT. Not to lessen your contribution. But the entire culture of America was changed or broken at home. God Bless all vets.
Thanks for doing this interview Mike. These guys are a national treasure that is sadly going away. We need to make sure their stories and experiences are recorded.
Amen Mike and Pat. Tremendous Interview; the give and take was priceless. That was more than a human interest feature; more like a human survival triumph. Thank you both!
Mr. Watkins, I truly hope you see this comment. May God bless yourself and your family. May God bless you for your service and sacrifice to my beautiful country. There are many of us that look up to men like you as HEROES. Thank you for who you are.
Good to hear Pat Watkins SOG, I did several opps missions inserting and extracting these guys when I was with the 57th AHC when I was door gunner in 71&72. His stories bring back a lot of memories. All of these guys should be highly honored.
Love the sog interviews keep up the great work Mike the sog guys are so awesome the to hear their interviews and it’s sad. They weren’t recognized for what they did. 🇺🇸
Thank you 💛 for sharing your experience and knowledge with us. You, Sir, are a hero, brave and true to yourself and your country. You can be proud to call yourself a true warrior and an American! Thank you 💛
This was so awesome! Mr Watkins is so comfortable in Mike’s presence and forum. His candidness was almost intoxicating. I’m glad these guys have a forum in which to be heard, Much Obliged! Mr Glover.
Great interview/discussion. Around 27:00 Pat mentions Hotel 9. These days I don't hear many mention that target area. BUT back then Hotel 9 was the hardest. All previous attempts to get in, had failed, when I heard of it. I don't recall perfectly, but I believe Hotel 9 was to be attempted by a solo HALO drop. Someone in FOB2 pointed out one guy, and said that he was training for that HALO mission. I never heard if it went off. At 30:30 he mentions "ticket punched." Back then SF was not one of the check boxes for career advancement. To the old school Army, SF were the black sheep. Lessons from the SF effectiveness during the Vietnam war, later changed that view. For me, I was saddened when there became a Special Forces tab. i felt SF had become a training tab, not the unit. Like old school Rangers, became a course of instruction tab. Not the unit. Though all that changed back to units. At 57:47 Pat has some photos of CCN after the attack, Aug 23, 68. Have any of these been posted? Like on the couple private(or public) SOG Facebook sites. At 1:06:46 Augusst 68, I was in the transient barracks, also under my mattress, at first. (When I got back there a few days later I noticed bullet and frag holes in all the walls, from one end to the other. The other transients and I were all unarmed, ungeared and on the floor.) Standing was not healthy.
As a son of a SoG BadA$$. I am humbled by the boys who became men. These Men did so much. And for my father who’s not been able to tell his story do to the velocity of his code of Honor to never speak of the things he went through. He will carry it to the grave. #sonofaSoG
Great interview Mike. When I was in the Marines all my leadership were Vietnam veterans. My time in the Army all the officers were getting bronze stars as a candy award.
Just ran across your channel, 2nd view, loved em both. Hit subscribed. Love hearing these guys from Viet Nam. Had an uncle that was there 68 - 69 in LRRP's. Lost a second cousin there that was a tunnel rat. Had several other relatives there. Lost a friend that grew up across the street . So these stories are very special. Just like the ones that are out from the WW II vets. Get these stories before they are gone. Thank ya'll so much for what you're doing and for your service.
What a guy I love listening to these old guys stories thanks Mike for taking the time out to talk about it I really appreciate it.good luck to you and your family 😊
This is as real as it gets. It's like sitting in a room with my Dad with his buddies from the Air Cav from Vietnam. No filter and a lot of swearing about the high-ranking officers hiding in the rear while they were out in the field in combat.
Great video.Funny just yesterday I was telling the DR women who was cutting my hair about the 82 an airborne fighting in DR. Lost my best friend SSgt Robert Preiss mia 28 yes killed in Loss 2 and tour month to go was 5th SF Macsog.
Love hearing Vietnam vets cussing up a storm. Reminds me of my passed grandpa, who was a Korean War artillery first sergeant who would cuss up a hurricane. Pretty sure he taught me how to cuss someone before I knew my own name.
Best damn podcast I've seen this year, easily, hands down. Total respect & admiration for Pat Watkins, and my sincerest thanks for his OUTSTANDING service to our awesome republic!
Thank you all for the service you gave! I have to ask any of you service members from the SOG if you knew my oldest cousin, Eddie Neville? He was a Green Barrett and served in Viet Nam in late 60's or early 70's. I dont know much about his service other than he spent months behind enemy lines in Laos and Cambodia.
This hardcharger makes me miss my Gramps. They do NOT make 'em like they used to. Thank you for all that you've done for this great country sir. God Bless.
My dad did the same thing, started as a Marine in early years of Nam and then ended up becoming Green Beret. Sad though after Q course and earning his beret his wife left him and was upset so he requested back to Nam and only thing they could give him was a shitty posting with an infantry platoon at firebase Mary Ann and was there when it got overrun. RIP dad “I’ll see you at sundown”.
Godspeed Mr Walkkins i was Canadian armoured recon I got posted to germany 78.went to GRAFENWIER FOR TRAINIG AND CAT COMP WHEN THERE SOME OF YOUR GUYS TRAINED ADVANCE MINES AND BOOBY TRAPS .AT THE TIME 19 AND had no idea what they went through, good instructors still remember everything ,It was an honour to hare your experience
Great job Mike interviewing SOG Legend Pat Watkins. He and Spider Parks saved our recon team more than once!! Absolute SOG stud and he helped young Green Berets learn tactics about running SOG missions across the fence. SALUTE. Thank you Mike.
If this is actually tilt I just wanna thank you for the sog cast.. I took a bullet to the torso and during my recovery I listened to you and your bad ass friends over and over to keep me sane..
Tilt, they need to make a movie about you and your buddies
@@davidoftheforest - I agree, but hollyweird doesn't care. I'm biased. If we had raped, pillaged, plundered, they'd want it.
@@JacksonWainwright-r3e - It is. Thank you for your note and kind words. More importantly, thank you for stepping up to the plate to serve our country. I hope your rehab is going well. Stay strong.
Thank you Tilt for helping get these men's stories out. For men like me that weren't "there", wherever "that" was, it inspires me to work harder and be grateful. I don't know adversity the way you and they do and I'm properly humbled.
Thank you!
My dad served 30yrs 1950-80 first special forces group 1958 served in Korea 50-53 Vietnam 1954 on and off until 1973 after the eastertide offensive anyway he served for macv sog on and off from 66-69 he had crazy stories but he was most proud of delta force he trained the teams and served with delta I salute all vets I served 20yrs army airborne ranger 84-04 god bless usa
Please forward a salute to your father! 30 years is a long haul. God bless him.
Story time pretty pls?
@@TDrewBR - SOGCast # 043 was posted yesterday. It's the latest SOGCast on Apple/Spotify.
Who's your dad? Cause that's ultra based
Respect.. #BOHICA
Ghostrider Don here; Mike as "Tilt" says thank you for interviewing SOG Legend Pat Watkins. They are great warriors who's story needs to be told. What Pat left out telling of his night at FOB 4 Da Nang the night of August 22, 23, 1968 is that the Dac Cong sapper attack was the largest combat loss of Special Forces life in history. Seventeen Green Berets lost their lives that night. Many more would have died if not for his heroics that night.
Maybe Mike will bring him back!!
God damn
Copy that!
!q!a a a a!! A A0@TheOleOtter
@hughescrechief836 I actually came across and made good friends with a few MAVSOG guys a few years back playing Arma on PC it was very interesting getting to toss spit with them as a much younger 0321 who put 16 years in from 94-2010. Still run with a few of them from time to time, they are all a no bullshit badass group hands down. The only arguments we have is us younger guys want to hear their stories and they all want to hear all of ours lol. Yeah us youngins are a bunch of sissy's cause some of what we did is still covered by the NSA paper and TS, while most NOT all of their stuff is declassified. But it's a blast grabbing a drink lighting a stoggie and playing some Arma with guys who where really there on the maps we play.
Keep the SOG warriors and their stories coming Mike! It's so important to capture the history of these men's experiences while we still can.
I agree. These guys are the real deal. They are a different breed. It's interesting that during the war they were some of the most quirky unconventional badass personalities, and in old age they all seem well adjusted, squared away and friendly/approachable. I always find that aspect interesting of the most elite warriors whether it be military, boxing, mma or those that were actual stone cold badasses, those who actually proved their bravery or skill to themselves and others, and actually lived that real lifestyle others try to pretend to be about. I'm not a psychologist but I keep wondering if it's about the fact that they know who they are as a person and were in the past, and feel they don't have to prove themselves to anyone at all. They know the battles they fought both mentally and physically, and have no insecurity about their own masculinity.
It's interesting that those who were those who were true fearce warriors, they have that opposite existence in retirement being well adjusted and those that either have shame or regrets regarding their masculinity in their youth when older tend to be the ones to make up tales of their own badassery and heroism. It's almost as if it's true that the ones who are the most deadliest are the ones who tend to be the calmest and unassuming demeanors.
I'm not a huge fan of wars being fought for the wrong reasons, but I do think it would be a good thing for mandatory service of two years, and more ability for men to test themselves and grow as men, so we aren't left with the male fragility and shame that leads to character flaws.
These SOG guys are in a class of their own…Salute Brother
Our best Vietnam War movies are still ahead of us.
@@ericgibson2079 due to the political tension around their mission statement and current government policy that is written in stone/law, the studies and observation group Mac-v will never be glorified on film. These stories will never see the light of day. Sad but true.
@@xprettylightsxthe stories are out , what are you talking about
Too much killing and CIA attached to that? You are right this will just fuel liberal agendas.
@@xprettylightsx there is a bunch of books and podcasts made already though…
I could listen to all of these SOG guys tell stories for days! They are just a different breed . I’m glad they are coming forward and telling their stories while we still have them around.
They are some of, if not THE, toughest warriors in all of history
Great interview. My father, CSM Stephen Joseph, was in MAC V SOG, CCC, in 67-68.
Did he get trapped in the corner of Hue City during the Tet Offensive? They singlehandedly kept Hue from being totally taken over.
You know, I don’t know. He never spoke of it. 😢
@@tomjoseph6420 you want info there a web page ran by robert noe will have all his info on it
This is my uncle and I'm thankful see him finally get to share on video for all of us to have. TY
Ultimate uncle lore
Ur uncle is a legend!! Funny as hell!! Tough as nails!!
Right On……. These Men were MANimals tougher than a 2$ steak
19 missions across the fence, contact on every one. Ultimate badass.
Good RECON does NOT make contact with the enemy...every time they go on patrol. The idea is to infiltrate, observe and leave UNDETECTED.
Yes, we're completely aware and fully understand that fact. Every book I've read about SOG tells how difficult that was behind enemy lines in Viet Nam. Things often went wrong. Way wrong. And to survive unintended contact 19 times when it always went wrong is badass. @@donaldzlotnik505
@@donaldzlotnik505 well i replied 2 days ago but don't see my reply...? whats up yt?
@@donaldzlotnik505they have limited support lmao. While being formed for plausible deniability by the United States government. Also it was the 1960s😂
Yes we're fully aware and understand. However, all the books I've read about SOG tell how difficult that was. Things often go wrong. Way wrong. For things to go way wrong on 19 missions and survive every one is badass. @@donaldzlotnik505
My father was MACVSOG 68-69 David Gilmer RT Texas CCC. He set up an ambush to capture a prisoner. Super interesting to hear his stories
That’s super neat. Hope you guys are doing well
Did he tell you anymore stories? Tell him we thank him for his service!
My husband was in 5th PSYOPS Special Forces in Vietnam 68 to 69.
I knew an Iraqi guy that said his brother tried to get into the Iraqi airforce but was denied because he had a chipped tooth! Compare that with our fighting soldiers in every branch.
Thank you Mike for having Pat on. It was a real honor to get to hear his story.
Damn I love how sharp his mind still is
I have the most esteemed, humbled, grateful honor to know a member of these ELITE MEN. He has been a customer of mine for years, then one day he walked into my business with a ballcap with the MACV-SOG insignia on the front. I recognized it, thanked him. He said," You know of this, as he pointed to his cap. I said yes sir I do. Just to be in this MANS presense & be privileged that he would even briefly speak of his service; I was truly honored. I dont know why he would speak/"let me in," the little he did, but he did. I have no military service, but I am.a "military brat?" I am truly blessed to have a number of SFO, Team members, EOD's...etc as clients. They truly do.walk amongst us, and I AM 1000% grateful they do. WITH COMPLETE.ADMIRATION, RESPECT, & GRATITUDE. THANK YOU. Bless each and everyone of you & your families with safety, protection, peace, healing, abundance, & love.
This is a REAL HERO. Thank you Sir for your Service.
Heroes"?? You're not a hero by going to a country that did nothing to Americans and the USA. This guy was an invader and aggressor of someone else's country and allowed himself to interfere with their own independence issues. He did nothing for American safety, security and freedom by being there. He was a chump and a pawn of the US Government and the military/industrial complex. Whether he went willingly or unwillingly is totally irrelevant. These clowns do nothing but blame the politicians and unsupportive American public for their Vietnam failure. If they didn't go...there would have been no war that wasted and almost destroyed America for almost 11 years. If you want to make someone a "hero" then look at the Vietnam/Draft resisters, like myself, that resisted the dysfunctional and erroneous foreign policy of the Government. It was their resistance that eventually hastened the end of an American disaster, and saved American lives. That's patriotism.
I'm not even SF...former Cavalry Scout who served in a Divisional Recon Team. I could listen to Pat Watkins all day and night. Thank you Mike for bringing a True Hero on your show🙏🏼. ~Scouts Out!
Me too. He's an amazing man. My son was a Scout attached to 3rd ID '05. Thank you for your service to our great country.
Fellow 19D OIF&OEF here but this man is the real deal
~ Scouts Out ~
@@backwoodssurvivalist1779 - Real deal for sure. Hope all is well in your AO.
@@johnmeyer2932 Well been rougher then usual last few years for me but when it rain it pours. One day at a time one foot in front of the other all we can do. 🫡
Me too. He's a remarkable man.
For A man who has a Medal of Honor to know your going to S.O.G and tell you that your gonna be ok because your good in the bush is like THE HIGHEST COMPLIMENT YOU COULD GET regarding your skill, ya it has a 100% causality rate and it’s takeing casualty’s like it’s going outta style but your gonna be fine you know how to be a soldier…. Damn this man has to be a BAD ASS
Indeed!!
Who has the Medal of Honor AND ends up in SOG? The ONLY person I know who had the Medal of Honor and returned to Vietnam was Captain Drew Dix and he became a company commander in the field with the 101st.
Watch the video and listen . There's your answer.@@donaldzlotnik505
How are you a grown adult and still don’t know the difference between your and you’re?
He was the man
Both of my parents served during Vietnam. My father was an aircraft mechanic on the USS Enterprise. I really enjoy listening to these podcasts. Their stories never get old and I find myself listening to the same podcasts over. 👍
Thank you, Mike for having this true American on the show. Growing up as a kid in the 80s and 90s, Vietnam vets were my hero as I dreamed about being a soldier.
This guy Pat, has really got his shit together!!! I'm a British and he fascinates me!!! If ever there was a man who deserved the MOH its this dude. He is smarter than a London shit-house Rat, but his superiors were scared of the fella and jealous, otherwise he would already be a recipient of the Honor!!! Bravo Sir, you are a Great Man. Respect.
It’s guys like Pat and JSM that make me so god damn proud to be an American, everytime I hear one of their interviews I always reflect and think what I can do in my own life to better myself for my family and country because there’s not a single thing in my life that I will ever go through that amounts to one day of stress across the fence. These men are just cut from a different cloth god bless all of them and god bless ya Mike for documenting these warriors stories for generations to come. We owe it to them to listen when they speak. Cheers from NorCal Mike and crew!
Non military guy here one of my greatest regrets, but my Grandfather did 3 tours to nam and spent 18 years in Germany as green beret sf guy and passed the year before I was born. All the stories pop would share with me about him , this interview made me hear his voice while telling it to me ... Thank you both for your service and for allowing my freedom theough your sacrifice... Pat Watkins , Welcome home.
It is really outstanding to see someone you've read about multiple times(Pat Watkins) in the flesh, speaking from his own perspective. Thanks for making this happen Mike and an even bigger thank you to Mr. Watkins for all the unbelievably entertaining stories!
Don't forget, he is on SOGCast # 023 and 024 on Apple, Spotify and YouTUbe.
@@johnmeyer2932 You sir, are a legend! Who the hell needs marvel when there is MACV-SOG. Between you, John Plaster, and the others, I've learned freely the lessons yall paid for in blood. Thank you sir!
Glad I caught this on Mike, great conversation and you can tell he is a strong tough man just by the sound of grit in his voice. True foundational figure of America. Thank you Mr. Pat Watkins.
I’m so glad we get to hear from men like this. It’s fuckin amazing and gives real perspective to what war is like to people that haven’t experienced anything of the sort
This Man is amazing and listening to him tell all these stories is something everyone should listen to. What a Brave person he is.
Mike: Thanks for interviewing Mr. Watkins. I used to follow the Vietnam war as a near draft age teenager. I had a National Geographic Map of North/ South Vietnam and Laos and Cambodia, figuring I' d wind up there which never happened. Those vietnamese towns and villages he mentioned came back to me. Pat Watkins is a national treasure.
Finally: to whom shall we write, or is there a petition available to urge our Representatives to upgrade Mr. Watkins awards to the Medal of Honor?
The best of SOG and I’m amazed at all SOG’s their sacrifices they made for our country. Thanks for sharing Pat’s missions.
Fantastic interview of a humble hero. I enlisted in 79 and remember how even battle-hardened SF Vietnam vets showed deference and obviously deep respect for the SOG guys. The generation of vets that served as my mentors were these very SF, Ranger, & SOG guys and they will have my unwavering respect and gratitude as long as I can draw a breath. I hope I was able to pass some of that wisdom & knowledge on to the generation of vets that followed me and have served throughout our longest sustained conflict. Thank you, brother!
This guy is a great storyteller! I could listen to these guys all day long. Great interview, Mike!
MG thank you for recording this for history. I don’t know if you can understand how much Vietnam affected the nation. I will take a chance to say it was so much more than GWOT. Not to lessen your contribution. But the entire culture of America was changed or broken at home. God Bless all vets.
This man and you both are more badass than I ever dreamed of being and twice as humble. It was a pleasure to watch this interview!
Wow.
Legend. Guys like Pat Watkins set the bar high for all who dare follow, and those who dared confront him. 💪🏻🇺🇲💪🏻
Thanks for doing this interview Mike. These guys are a national treasure that is sadly going away. We need to make sure their stories and experiences are recorded.
My father was infantry in Vietnam 68\69 I wish this generation of boys could meet these real men and learn from them
Awesome interview. Glad their stories are coming to light finally.
Thank you for your service. And welcome home with all honor.
My Gosh , That is by far the best Special Forces interview I have ever seen. Amazing ! Thank you both ! What an amazing man , hope he gets that MOH !
Absolutely amazing interview guys. Thanks you so much for your service. God Bless American
THIS WAS A GREAT,GREAT,GREAT SHOW.HE IS A HARD CORE WARRIOR.
Mr. Watkins, I'm deeply grateful for you and to you ❤️
Guys like Watkins are really humble
Love these SOG stories. Thanks you Jocko, Tilt, Mike and everyone that gets these stories out.
Thank you both. Absolutely amazing interview
A complex historical Narrative. A tremendous accomplished soldier, one of so many. Thank you for releasing this.
Amen Mike and
Pat. Tremendous Interview; the give and take was priceless. That was more than a human interest feature; more like a human survival triumph. Thank you both!
Mr. Watkins, I truly hope you see this comment. May God bless yourself and your family. May God bless you for your service and sacrifice to my beautiful country. There are many of us that look up to men like you as HEROES. Thank you for who you are.
Good to hear Pat Watkins SOG, I did several opps missions inserting and extracting these guys when I was with the 57th AHC when I was door gunner in 71&72. His stories bring back a lot of memories. All of these guys should be highly honored.
This was a great show! I love listening to these great men who served our country.
Love the sog interviews keep up the great work Mike the sog guys are so awesome the to hear their interviews and it’s sad. They weren’t recognized for what they did. 🇺🇸
Thank you 💛 for sharing your experience and knowledge with us. You, Sir, are a hero, brave and true to yourself and your country. You can be proud to call yourself a true warrior and an American! Thank you 💛
This was so awesome! Mr Watkins is so comfortable in Mike’s presence and forum. His candidness was almost intoxicating. I’m glad these guys have a forum in which to be heard, Much Obliged! Mr Glover.
I love hearing these stories SO much. MAC V SOG was a BAD ASS unit! They don’t make men like this anymore!
This. We need to hear more from these legends.
Mike what a great interview this Vet is so sharp and has the best stories 👍👍
Thank you Pat for your brave service of excellence and Mike for the same! Well done all around!
Amazing interview 👏 well done Mike!
Thank you to both of you and your service!!!!
Great interview/discussion. Around 27:00 Pat mentions Hotel 9. These days I don't hear many mention that target area. BUT back then Hotel 9 was the hardest. All previous attempts to get in, had failed, when I heard of it. I don't recall perfectly, but I believe Hotel 9 was to be attempted by a solo HALO drop. Someone in FOB2 pointed out one guy, and said that he was training for that HALO mission. I never heard if it went off.
At 30:30 he mentions "ticket punched." Back then SF was not one of the check boxes for career advancement. To the old school Army, SF were the black sheep. Lessons from the SF effectiveness during the Vietnam war, later changed that view. For me, I was saddened when there became a Special Forces tab. i felt SF had become a training tab, not the unit. Like old school Rangers, became a course of instruction tab. Not the unit. Though all that changed back to units.
At 57:47 Pat has some photos of CCN after the attack, Aug 23, 68. Have any of these been posted? Like on the couple private(or public) SOG Facebook sites.
At 1:06:46 Augusst 68, I was in the transient barracks, also under my mattress, at first. (When I got back there a few days later I noticed bullet and frag holes in all the walls, from one end to the other. The other transients and I were all unarmed, ungeared and on the floor.) Standing was not healthy.
As a son of a SoG BadA$$. I am humbled by the boys who became men. These Men did so much. And for my father who’s not been able to tell his story do to the velocity of his code of Honor to never speak of the things he went through. He will carry it to the grave. #sonofaSoG
Same. Son of a
Phoenix Team Operative/ Soldier here. Will never know the / his story.
I could listen to Pat forever. I love these interviews.
Great interview Mike. When I was in the Marines all my leadership were Vietnam veterans. My time in the Army all the officers were getting bronze stars as a candy award.
An amazing interview. I was attached to the 82 at Bragg at the end of the war and there were some amazing SF guys as part of the group there.
Could listen to Pat all day every day. True Hero and Legend. Massive respect.🙏
What an incredible American. Thanks for your service and for sharing your experiences with us.
Just ran across your channel, 2nd view, loved em both. Hit subscribed.
Love hearing these guys from Viet Nam.
Had an uncle that was there 68 - 69 in LRRP's.
Lost a second cousin there that was a tunnel rat. Had several other relatives there. Lost a friend that grew up across the street .
So these stories are very special.
Just like the ones that are out from the WW II
vets. Get these stories before they are gone.
Thank ya'll so much for what you're doing and for your service.
What a guy I love listening to these old guys stories thanks Mike for taking the time out to talk about it I really appreciate it.good luck to you and your family 😊
Heck yeah. Another great show. Keep up the good work brother.
God bless you and yours and God bless America 🇺🇸.
Man mr watkins you are the man your experience is so captivating thank you Mike for doing your due diligence as pertains to this man and his stories
Legend man needs to write a book
This is as real as it gets. It's like sitting in a room with my Dad with his buddies from the Air Cav from Vietnam. No filter and a lot of swearing about the high-ranking officers hiding in the rear while they were out in the field in combat.
Great interview! Love that these guys stories are being documented through the written word and through these podcasts!
Great video.Funny just yesterday I was telling the DR women who was cutting my hair about the 82 an airborne fighting in DR.
Lost my best friend SSgt Robert Preiss mia 28 yes killed in Loss 2 and tour month to go was 5th SF Macsog.
Love hearing Vietnam vets cussing up a storm.
Reminds me of my passed grandpa, who was a Korean War artillery first sergeant who would cuss up a hurricane.
Pretty sure he taught me how to cuss someone before I knew my own name.
Great interview Mike! I was in the 10th in 76 to 83. Men like him were mentors for me, thank you both for your service.
Men like pat watkin come once every 200-300 hundred years if that. What a great interview. God bless
Thank you for your service sir
Best damn podcast I've seen this year, easily, hands down. Total respect & admiration for Pat Watkins, and my sincerest thanks for his OUTSTANDING service to our awesome republic!
Welcome home and thank you for your service, brother
How did I miss this?
Your Mac-v series interviews are my favorite portion of any of your channels.
Thanks guys...........S/Sgt Army 65-71
Thank you all for the service you gave! I have to ask any of you service members from the SOG if you knew my oldest cousin, Eddie Neville? He was a Green Barrett and served in Viet Nam in late 60's or early 70's.
I dont know much about his service other than he spent months behind enemy lines in Laos and Cambodia.
This hardcharger makes me miss my Gramps. They do NOT make 'em like they used to. Thank you for all that you've done for this great country sir. God Bless.
Thanks for this coverage Mike. We need to continue to document these warriors of the Vietnam Era.
OMG! You know who you should bring on to your Podcast, MrBallen! He was a Navy Seal! Love the Pod!
Thanks mike for always having great guests.best wishes always
My dad did the same thing, started as a Marine in early years of Nam and then ended up becoming Green Beret. Sad though after Q course and earning his beret his wife left him and was upset so he requested back to Nam and only thing they could give him was a shitty posting with an infantry platoon at firebase Mary Ann and was there when it got overrun. RIP dad “I’ll see you at sundown”.
Thank you and all who serve for your service
My dad was one of the first green berets. I have a picture of him there in 58.
Great job. Thank you both for your service!!
Thank You. There are no words.
This is awesome, Pat's experience and stories are next level
Awesome getting the old timers in!
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Grew up dreaming of these giants.
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Hooyah Mike Force!
Godspeed Mr Walkkins i was Canadian armoured recon I got posted to germany 78.went to GRAFENWIER FOR TRAINIG AND CAT COMP WHEN THERE SOME OF YOUR GUYS TRAINED ADVANCE MINES AND BOOBY TRAPS .AT THE TIME 19 AND had no idea what they went through, good instructors still remember everything ,It was an honour to hare your experience
Thanks for sharing your podcasts and keep them coming.
Thank you for this interview. It really opens your eyes to what these guys went through. He is a true hero.
Im so glad you do these interviews, keep going
My brother was 5th SF and talked about his time working with SOG (he wasn't SOG) in the highlands with Montagnards. He had some stories.
Never been in the military but I am so thankful for gents like these
Great interview. Thank you for sharing all of your knowledge & experiences. Thank you for your service!!!!
My husband was a green beret, he served in Vietnam with 5th special forces 1968 during tet offensive.