Show notes
At just 17 years old, Josh Cruze was drafted into the United States Marine Corps and sent to Vietnam as an M60 machine gunner. In this unfiltered conversation, Josh shares what war was really like: the moments no one prepares you for, the brothers he lost, the wounds he survived, and the lifelong battle of coming home from combat when the war never really ends.If you believe these stories matter, please subscribe, like, comment, and share. Your support helps preserve the voices of our veterans before they’re gone forever.Episode Chapters: 01:05 – Growing up in Brooklyn & being drafted at 1704:45 – Convincing his parents to let him join the Marines08:30 – Boot camp shock, fear, and earning the title “Marine”13:40 – Infantry training & becoming an M60 machine gunner17:30 – The Tet Offensive & being sent to Vietnam21:15 – Arriving in Vietnam & first moments of real fear24:40 – First firefights and learning how fast things change29:00 – Losing friends and seeing war’s true cost33:10 – Operation Allenbrook & the explosion that nearly killed him36:45 – Being wounded, medevac, and field hospital memories41:00 – Purple Heart, Guam, and coming home injured46:30 – Returning to a divided America50:10 – PTSD, marriage, and silent struggles after the war55:30 – Finding healing through education and acting59:40 – How theater changed his life foreverAsk A Vet is dedicated to putting as many veterans’ stories into the world as possible before they’re gone forever. If you or someone you know is a veteran with a story to share, we would be honored to hear from you. Please reach out to us at [email protected].
