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Late Night History

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  • Summary

  • The Late Night History podcast is hosted by writer and oral historian Matt Fratus. Join Matt in his quest to uncover history told through the unmatched experiences and unequaled expertise of his world-class guests. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/late-night-history/support
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Episodes
  • Episode 44: Nick Betts

    Episode 44: Nick Betts
    Jun 14 2024
    Tonight's guest on the Late Night History podcast is Nick Betts. Nick mostly grew up in Tucson, Arizona, and had a full-ride golf scholarship to Arizona State University, but lost it all after a costly mistake following the state finals. He then enlisted in the US Army and served in the Global War on Terror between 2005 and 2013. He served two tours, first to Iraq, then Afghanistan, and worked as both a machine gunner and a sniper. Today, Nick is the creative director for URT, a lifestyle brand in San Diego, California, as well as the C4 Foundation, a nonprofit named after the late Chuck Keating IV, who was killed in action in Iraq fighting ISIS. The C4 Foundation supports active-duty Navy SEALs and their families by providing a refuge via a ranch retreat to decompress from military service. Reach out to Nick at his company Krupto Strategic Media.Episode 44 History Highlights: 1). The infamous dive bar in Tucson, Arizona, known as The Meet Rack. It made headlines for the debauchery that occurred there. However, all walks of life entered this seedy establishment, including students from University of Arizona, tourists curious to see if the hype read in newspapers was real, and sometimes, even celebrities like Arnold Schwartzenneger, Burt Reynolds, and Elvis. 2). Nick's first deployment to Iraq where his unit, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment (1/26) became the hardest hit unit — 36 casualties — since Vietnam. The 15-month tour supported the SEAL Teams, including SEAL Team 3 (the same platoon twice) and SEAL Team 5. Here, Nick tells us about providing security with a M249 SAW machine gun and a claymore on the ground level of a multi-story house where the SEALs engaged combatants from the roof. 3). SKTs or Small Kill Teams in Iraq. Two Army snipers on the roof, while Nick with the machine gun and claymore mine providing security. These missions emboldened Nick to become an Army sniper. 4). History of the term "sniper" as well as the origin of Ghillie suits. 5). Sniper operations in Afghanistan and stay behind teams. 6). Photographs Nick captured from Iraq that were published in Esquire, which would prove impactful later in life as a professional photographer. 7). A rip-the-band-aid-off look into Nick's difficult journey returning from war and the realities that veterans of the GWOT faced without a support system. 8). Nick's docuseries called "Let's Talk About The War." The docuseries discussed the taboo topics of the war. Listen to the full episode on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/late-night-history/id1553678075 This link is for other podcast platforms: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/late-night-history Ways to support the channel: Listener Support: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/late-night-history/support 10% Discount Code using MATTFRATUS at HR4K’s store. HR4K is a UK lifestyle brand founded by British SAS veteran, friend, and guest of the show (Episode 7) Ben Garwood. Follow the link here: https://www.hr4k.uk/?ref=MATTFRATUS Join 13K followers of Late Night History on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latenighthistory/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/late-night-history/support
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    1 hr and 34 mins
  • Episode 43: Bruce Norton

    Episode 43: Bruce Norton
    Jun 7 2024

    Tonight’s guest is Ret. Maj. Bruce “Doc” Norton served two tours to Vietnam as a member of USMC Force Recon. Much of the episode covers Doc’s experiences in Vietnam, which included conducting more than 25 long-range reconnaissance patrols. After Vietnam, he received his commission, and served as a Marine Infantry Officer until retirement in 1992.


    After the military, Doc worked as the Director of the Marine Corps’ Command Museum, has authored 13+ books, including his latest project, “Voices From Vietnam,” a book/playwright modeled after Tom Brokhaw’s “Greatest Generation Speaks.” Voices From Vietnam is scheduled to release this November on Veteran’s Day.


    History Highlights:


    1). Family military lineage that dates back to the American Revolution.


    2). The legend of Clover “Bucky” Coffman — He received a Battlefield Commission to 1st Lieutenant … When Doc met him, Bucky had earned the Navy Cross, 3x Silver Stars, 5x Bronze Stars, and 7x Purple Hearts…


    3). Discussion about setting up Harbor Sights in the bush — which sometimes included making coffee with C-4 explosives in the mornings.


    4). Jungle penetrators, ladders, and SPIE rigs used to evacuate recon troops from the jungle quickly.


    5). Gurkha-style ambushes to capture a HVT on a trail and a real close-call.


    6). Story of a Force Recon Marine tragically killed by a tiger.


    7). Voices From Vietnam book/playwright and Doc’s other history books.


    8). Favorite galleries and exhibits at the US Marine Corps’ Command Museum.


    Buy Doc Norton's books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00F5CSNE8/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=45ac1fa8-f8c1-42d4-ba71-3d9a0637d3c9


    Listen to the full episode on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/late-night-history/id1553678075


    Listen to the full episode on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7qWvBOyBvlK7yJ9SAZa8m2?si=9cef1a38625e4708


    This link is for other podcast platforms: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/late-night-history


    Ways to support the channel:


    Listener Support: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/late-night-history/support


    10% Discount Code using MATTFRATUS at HR4K’s store. HR4K is a UK lifestyle brand founded by British SAS veteran, friend, and guest of the show (Episode 7) Ben Garwood. Follow the link here: https://www.hr4k.uk/?ref=MATTFRATUS


    Join 13K followers of Late Night History on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latenighthistory/


    #History #USMC #Marines #ForceRecon #LateNightHistory #OralHistory #VoicesFromVietnam

    --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/late-night-history/support
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    2 hrs and 2 mins
  • Episode 42: Danny O'Neel

    Episode 42: Danny O'Neel
    May 31 2024

    Tonight’s guest on the Late Night History podcast is my friend Danny O’Neel. Danny is a former US Army forward observer, serial entrepreneur, and nonprofit founder doing great things for the military and first responder communities.


    Danny and I first met many years ago when I was writing profiles for One More Wave, a nonprofit founded by former Navy SEALs that provides veterans customized surf equipment and community. Since then, we became fast friends for our shared passions of sports, tacos, and history.


    History Highlights Episode 42:


    1). Danny’s military family lineage that dates back to the American Revolution.


    2). 9/11 experiences and how that event changed the trajectory of his life.


    3). Remembering Jared Monti, who served as a US Army forward observer with the 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan, and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Country music singer, Lee Brice, later sang “I Drive Your Truck,” about Monti’s dad, Paul. The song became so popular it was voted Song of the Year at the Country Music Awards in 2013.


    4). The Korean Axe Murder Incident between North Korea and the US military.


    5). 1st tour to Iraq during the ‘03 invasion and living out of Saddam Hussein’s palace.


    6). 2nd tour to Sadr City, Iraq. Danny’s combat experiences in ‘05-’06, a grenade discussion, movies during downtime, food experiences, culture surrounding TBI/PTS at that time.


    7). Transitioning out of the US military and asking for mental health help.


    8). Surf therapy and how One More Wave has helped Danny’s recovery.


    9). Entrepreneur for Kinetic Ink Tattoo — where we discuss storytelling in tattoos — and Danny’s nonprofit Warfighter Overwatch (military and first responders and their families).


    Please subscribe on ⁠Apple⁠, Spotify⁠, and YouTube. This action might not seem like much, but the support allows Late Night History to continue interviewing world-class guests.


    Join 13K followers of Late Night History on Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/latenighthistory/⁠⁠


    10% Discount Code using MATTFRATUS at HR4K’s store. HR4K is a UK lifestyle brand founded by British SAS veteran, friend, and guest of the show (Episode 7) Ben Garwood. Follow the link here: ⁠⁠https://www.hr4k.uk/?ref=MATTFRATUS⁠

    --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/late-night-history/support
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    1 hr and 55 mins
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