Doorsteps of Hell - a US Marine platoon commander in the Vietnam War (371)

Cold War Conversations

Ian Sanders

Society & Culture, Documentary, History

4.8 • 758 Ratings

🗓️ 25 October 2024

⏱️ 81 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

As Tom Williams fought the enemy, every day, without fail, he would record the day’s events in his diary. It is these diaries (which Tom has to this day), that enable him to tell the story of Vietnam in the late sixties/early seventies, like it really was. I talk with Tom about his book “Doorsteps of Hell” where he offers an honest, unembellished account of a new officer in the US Marines - fighting and surviving in the mud-sucking rice paddies and leech-infested jungles of Vietnam. In my conversation Tom brings to life the camaraderie, leadership, and the very essence of military expertise. Tom’s book is available at heartofamarineseries.com . Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode371 The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link. All our combat episodes in one convenient playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6j6YJmRWzt42kYiPGkcFfa?si=95e5366e4ad945a3 Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Cold War Conversations, the home of real stories of the Cold War.
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0:17.2	Search for Adobe Express to find out more.
0:27.6	So I look up and I see green and white and red tracers converging. Then I saw hand grenades going off.
0:30.6	And then I heard the Patoon commander calling.
0:33.6	And the next thing you know, there's no answer.
0:38.3	It's deadly quiet.
0:40.3	And I hear a lone voice, help, help.
0:44.3	They've killed us all.
0:46.3	This is Cold War Conversations.
0:51.3	If you're new here, you've come to the right place to listen to first-hand
0:55.2	Cold War history accounts. Do make sure you follow us in your podcast app so that you don't miss out
1:01.8	on future episodes. As Tom fought the enemy every day without fail, he would record the
1:09.2	day's events in his diary. It is these diaries which Tom
1:13.3	has to this day that enable him to tell the story of Vietnam in the late 60s and early 70s like it
1:19.7	really was. I talk with Tom about his book, Doorsteps of Hell, and he offers an honest, unbellished account of a new
1:29.1	officer in the US Marines, fighting and surviving in the mud-sucking rice paddies and
1:34.4	leech infested jungles of Vietnam. In my conversation Tom brings to life the camaraderie,
1:40.8	leadership and the very essence of military expertise in the US Marine Corps.
1:46.0	You can get Tom's book at heart of a marine.com.
	...

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