​We invite veterans of Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance (Force Recon) to talk about their service in Vietnam. Bill Barber and Bruce “Doc” Norton both have stories about conducting deep reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and direct action missions behind enemy lines.

Unlike conventional infantry units, Force Recon operated in small teams, often just six to eight men, inserted by helicopter, boat, or foot deep into enemy-controlled territory. Their primary mission was to locate and observe North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and Viet Cong movements, determine enemy strength, and call in airstrikes or artillery on enemy positions. They also conducted raids, prisoner snatches, ambushes, and battle damage assessments. The nature of their work meant they frequently engaged in brutal, close-quarters combat, often fighting their way out of overwhelming enemy forces.

Force Recon’s training and operational methods set them apart from standard Marine infantry. They were trained in airborne operations, scuba diving, long-range patrolling, and survival in enemy territory. Their missions required a high level of stealth, endurance, and mental toughness, as they could be alone in the jungle for days, surviving on limited rations while avoiding detection. In Vietnam’s dense terrain, Force Recon teams had to move silently, leaving no trace, and blend into the jungle to observe enemy troop movements. They carried suppressed weapons, radios for calling in fire support, and often had to break contact with superior enemy forces using a combination of speed, deception, and well-planned extraction procedures.

Bill Barber served with the First Force Reconnaissance Company, Third Reconnaissance Battalion in I Corps Vietnam in 1965-1966. He stayed in the Marine Corps after returning from Vietnam and went on to serve in Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Panama Invasion.

Bruce “Doc” Norton, a Navy Corpsman who served with Marine Force Recon in Vietnam, later became an author and historian, documenting the experiences of these elite Marines. Norton’s writings provide firsthand insight into the brutal and relentless nature of Force Recon missions. His accounts describe the grueling conditions of operating in triple-canopy jungle, where visibility was limited, and the ever-present danger of ambushes, booby traps, and enemy patrols made every step a potential death trap. He wrote about the intense firefights that would erupt when a recon team was compromised, often requiring rapid extraction by helicopter under heavy enemy fire. In these situations, the ability to call in airstrikes and artillery with precision was the difference between survival and annihilation.

Norton’s experiences also highlight the bond among Force Recon Marines and their dedication to each other. As a corpsman, he was responsible for treating wounded Marines under fire, sometimes having to perform life-saving procedures while rounds cracked through the jungle around them. His books detail moments of heroism, loss, and the sheer physical and mental toll that these missions took on the men who conducted them. Unlike the large-scale battles of conventional Marine units, Force Recon’s war was often fought in the shadows, a relentless cycle of stealth, violence, and survival.

Marine Force Recon’s impact on the Vietnam War was significant. Their intelligence-gathering efforts helped shape Marine operations in I Corps, allowing commanders to anticipate enemy movements and strike before the NVA or Viet Cong could. Their direct action missions disrupted enemy logistics, eliminated key targets, and kept pressure on enemy forces in areas where large Marine units could not operate effectively. Despite their small numbers, Force Recon Marines were a force multiplier, striking fear into the enemy and providing invaluable battlefield intelligence.

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​Glenn Flickinger leads a conversation with experts and historians on the final push into Germany in World War II, including the crossing of the Rhine at Remagen 80 years ago in March.

By March 1945, World War II in Europe was reaching its final phase. The Allies had advanced deep into Germany, and the last major natural barrier between them and the heart of the Reich was the Rhine River. The unexpected capture of the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen by the U.S. Army on March 7, 1945, was a turning point, allowing American forces to establish a bridgehead on the east side of the Rhine. This surprise victory accelerated the collapse of Nazi Germany.

The Rhine River had long been considered a critical defensive line for Germany. Adolf Hitler and his generals believed that by destroying the bridges spanning the river, they could slow the Allied advance and mount a more effective defense. Most of the Rhine crossings had already been demolished by retreating German forces, but at Remagen, the Ludendorff Bridge remained standing, albeit rigged with explosives.

On March 7, 1945, elements of the U.S. 9th Armored Division approached Remagen, expecting to encounter a destroyed bridge. To their astonishment, the Ludendorff Bridge was still intact, albeit heavily damaged. German engineers had attempted to demolish it, but faulty detonators prevented the charges from fully going off.

Recognizing the opportunity, Brigadier General William M. Hoge ordered an immediate assault. A force of infantrymen and engineers rushed the bridge under intense German fire. Despite casualties from machine guns, artillery, and collapsing sections of the bridge, the Americans managed to seize control. Engineers quickly began defusing remaining explosives and reinforcing the structure to support heavy traffic.

The fall of the Ludendorff Bridge was a severe blow to Hitler, who ordered immediate countermeasures. The Germans launched fierce artillery barrages and airstrikes, including attacks by jet-powered Me 262 fighters and V-2 rockets. They even attempted to destroy the bridge with frogmen and a last-ditch commando raid, but none of these efforts succeeded.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Army worked frantically to expand the bridgehead, pushing more men, tanks, and supplies across the Rhine. Within days, pontoon bridges were constructed alongside the damaged structure, ensuring a steady flow of troops into the German heartland.

After ten days of heavy use and constant bombardment, the Ludendorff Bridge finally collapsed on March 17, killing 28 U.S. engineers. However, by this point, its purpose had been fulfilled. The Allies had established a firm foothold on the eastern side of the Rhine, shattering Germany’s last major defensive position. Within weeks, U.S. and British forces surged deep into Germany, encircling the Ruhr industrial region and cutting off the last remnants of the Wehrmacht’s effective resistance.

The capture of the bridge at Remagen hastened the end of the war in Europe. With the Rhine crossed, German defenses crumbled rapidly. By April, American and Soviet forces were racing toward Berlin. On May 7, 1945, Germany surrendered unconditionally.

The events at Remagen remain one of the most dramatic moments of World War II, a testament to battlefield initiative and the importance of seizing opportunities in war. The bravery of the U.S. 9th Armored Division helped bring the conflict to a swifter conclusion, saving countless lives in the process.

We’re grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!

​During the Vietnam War, American civilians played pivotal roles in supporting both military operations and humanitarian efforts, working through government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Thousands of these civilians were women, and we talk with several of them tonight!

Ann Kelsey was a UCLA graduate when she volunteered for the Army Special Services to serve in Vietnam as a civilian librarian. ​In Vietnam, Kelsey managed the U.S. Army Headquarters Area Command Library in Saigon before overseeing four libraries across Cam Ranh Bay, the Sixth Convalescent Center, Dong Ba Thin, and Nha Trang. These libraries functioned much like small-town public libraries, providing soldiers with access to books, records, and movies. They served as crucial sanctuaries, offering soldiers a respite from the war and a connection to the familiar comforts of home.

Kelsey’s role extended beyond managing library resources; she assisted soldiers with correspondence courses, helping them pursue educational goals amidst the chaos of war. Her dedication to supporting the troops highlighted the importance of intellectual engagement and morale-boosting activities during the conflict.

After her service in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970, Ann continued her career in library science, working in various libraries and specializing in automation planning and system procurement. She remained actively involved in veterans’ organizations and efforts to document the oral histories of veterans, ensuring that the experiences of those who served are preserved for future generations. ​wliw.org+2oralhistory.rutgers.edu+2news.ucr.edu+2

Ann’s experiences in Vietnam not only exemplify the critical role of civilian support during wartime but also underscore the profound impact such service can have on both the individuals who serve and those they support.​

René Johnson similarly felt a compelling need to understand the U.S. involvement in the war firsthand. In 1969, after graduating from Florida State University, she joined the American Red Cross’s Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas (SRAO) program, becoming one of the esteemed “Donut Dollies.” ​

René was initially stationed at Chu Lai with the Americal Division and later at Cu Chi with the 25th Infantry Division. Her primary role involved traveling to remote fire support bases via helicopter, where she and her colleagues organized morale-boosting activities for the troops. A typical day entailed boarding a helicopter around six in the morning, visiting one or two firebases, conducting programs for at least five hours, serving lunch, and then returning to base to prepare for the next day’s activities. ​

The challenges were significant. René  recounted that visiting soldiers in hospitals, especially those with severe injuries, was particularly taxing. She grappled with finding the right words to comfort those who had sustained critical wounds, such as lost limbs or disfigured faces, and endeavored to reassure them about their futures. ​

Despite the hardships, René found her work deeply fulfilling. After completing her one-year tour as a Donut Dollie, she felt a profound connection to Vietnam and its people. This bond led her to return with the U.S. Army Special Services in the Service Club division, further supporting the troops and local communities.

We’ll also talk with other women who served in Vietnam with the US Agency for International Development , Non-governmental organizations, and the American Red Cross. ​

We’re grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!

We welcome back Major General William M. Matz Jr., a distinguished retired U.S. Army officer, whose new book, My Toughest Battle: A Soldier’s Lifelong Struggle with Polio, chronicles his journey of overcoming polio and his distinguished military career.

Commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1962, Matz embarked on a military career that spanned over three decades. As an infantryman, he served in Korea and Panama, and as a company commander with the 9th Infantry Division in Vietnam, where he was wounded during the 1968 Tet Offensive. His service extended to multiple tours with the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, and he held the position of executive secretary to Secretaries of Defense Caspar Weinberger and Frank Carlucci. Matz also served two years with Navy/Marine Corps amphibious forces in the Pacific during a second tour in Vietnam and deployed with the 7th Infantry Division to Panama during Operation JUST CAUSE in 1989.

Upon retiring from the Army in 1995, Matz transitioned to the defense industry, holding positions such as Vice President of Army Programs at Raytheon Company and General Manager for Vinnell/Northrop Grumman’s Saudi Arabian National Guard Modernization Program in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In 2005, President George W. Bush appointed him to the Veterans’ Disability Benefits Commission, where he served until 2008. He also served as President of the National Association for Uniformed Services, advocating for service members, veterans, and their families.

In January 2018, President Donald Trump appointed Matz as the Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), a position he held until March 2021. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing America’s overseas commemorative cemeteries and memorials, honoring the service of U.S. armed forces.

Throughout his career, Matz received numerous military awards and decorations, including the Distinguished Service Cross, Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star for Valor, Purple Heart, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

We’re grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!