FPP204 - The Adventures of a Vietnam War Crusader Pilot

Fighter Pilot Podcast

E. Vincent "Jell-O" Aiello, Retired U.S. Navy Fighter Pilot

History, Personal Journals, Technology, Society & Culture, Government, Leisure, Aviation

4.9 • 2K Ratings

🗓️ 3 November 2025

⏱️ 81 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

November 10, 2025 marks the U.S. Marines' 250th birthday and to celebrate, we are dedicating the entire month to the Corps, beginning with this discussion featuring Jim "Bullet" Markel.

Bullet, who flew the Vought F-8 Crusader, describes flight training, meeting the love of his life, and flying combat operations over Vietnam—including a harrowing mission for which he was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

Transcript

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0:00.0	The Fighter Pilot podcast is proudly sponsored by L3 Harris throughout the month of November
0:04.8	as we honor veterans and salute the brave service members dedicated to defending our freedoms.
0:10.5	L3 Harris proudly supports the military aviator community, both active and veteran, not just today,
0:16.3	but every day.
0:17.8	Explore their cutting-edge technologies designed for today's fighter pilots by visiting
0:22.3	L3Harris.com. L3 Harris, dependable technology for safer skies. I'm no hero. I was just doing what I was
0:33.6	trained to do, modifying it a little bit to fit the situation, but I was worried about those seven or eight guys down there. I think I was the only guy of the squad that ever got recommended for a DFC by someone outside the squad. And I've tried to find who that is ever since. And I haven't. You know, anybody can fly the F8, if you can fly it well. You better pay attention every minute. Sam Lach.
0:55.0	North Carolina.
0:56.0	Go ahead.
0:57.0	Five, long.
0:58.0	Number two, five, one.
1:00.0	Over Samlo.
1:01.0	Number seven.
1:02.0	Same location.
1:03.0	Right to that.
1:04.0	Go ahead.
1:05.0	Wait, somebody got a hit on row.
1:07.0	No hundred matches.
1:08.0	Get out of here.
1:09.0	Go ahead.
1:10.0	Don't find it, me, boys. November 2020. Get out of here. Derek, got me in this. Target. Don't sign it, boys.
1:13.6	November 2025 marks the United States Marine Corps' 250th birthday.
	...

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