Episode 43: Bruce Norton

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

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

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