Late Night History

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Episode 16: Phil Marshall Aug 12, 2022

Show notes

Phil Marshall is the author of 18 and counting books about the history and heroism of Dustoff huey pilots in the Vietnam War. He is also a Dustoff pilot himself who was wounded during a daring nighttime mission sent to rescue three seriously wounded Americans.

Dustoff was the callsign for the green Huey helicopters with the Red Cross often painted on the nose or the side of the aircraft to signify its role as a medical emergency platform. They’d fly day and night, unarmed without door guns and without night vision, into hot landing zones to rescue wounded soldiers, civilians, children, and even animals. Sometimes they were shot down or crashed. If the pilots and aircrew survived death and weren’t rescued, they were either executed on the spot or taken to a prisoner of war camp to endure brutal interrogation techniques and torture.

Despite this possibility, Dustoff teams always answered the call.

Phil is planning to open the world's first Huey Museum in Indiana, United States.

Buy Phil's books on Amazon

Episode 15: Vito Cellini and Mick Prodger Aug 05, 2022

Show notes

This episode is pretty remarkable. I interviewed author and publisher, Mick Prodger, alongside Vito Cellini — who has lived a TV-series-worthy life. Vito was born in New York City and raised in Italy. He became street tough as a gangster by the time World War II kicked off and was conscripted into the Italian Army. Upon learning the Italians would fight against the Americans, Vito had deserted, and went to join the now legendary Tito’s Partisans in Yugoslavia to fight against the Nazis.

Towards the end of the war, Vito worked as a fixer for the Office of Strategic Services or OSS — the precursor to the CIA — as well as the British Special Operations Executive or SOE. During this period, Vito says he carried out “dirty work” — which meant taking out criminals operating the sophisticated black markets that stole and resold war supplies like weapons, vehicle parts, medicine from Allied shipments near Italian ports.

After the war, Vito moved back to the US, where he became a prolific inventor and gun manufacturer with 19 patents to his name, including Cellini Stabilizers, which according to Vito, “made shooting a .45 feel like shooting a .22.” His clients and friends were Army Delta Force legends like Walter Shumate and Dick Meadows.

Vito has been involved in some pretty crazy and shady events throughout history.

In the 70s and 80s, Vito’s life reads like a spy novel. He was embroiled in the assassination of a high profile journalist while advising Nicaragua's President; he negotiated deals with the Italian Mafia in Naples on behalf of the US government; and he carried a machine gun on hunting trips to Mexico alongside Ruben Zuno, a very powerful member of the Guadalajara cartel who was later believed to be involved in the murder of a DEA agent.

Vito turns 99-years-old on August 14th and Mick tells me he is still driving — like an Italian — plays poker and goes hunting.

We couldn’t possibly cover everything in this interview. So treat this next hour or so to hear the man himself share his story. And if you’re curious in the finer details, you can read about Vito’s extraordinary life in his book Cellini: Freedom Fighter
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Episode 14: Jim Hawes Jul 29, 2022

Show notes

Episode 14 of the Late Night History podcast, your host Matt Fratus interviews former Navy SEAL officer Jim Hawes. About a year and some change ago, I interviewed Jim while he was in Botswana on business. The connection was spotty at best, so we re-recorded this episode here and mostly discuss Jim's career where he had a cup of coffee at SEAL Team 2 before he took an assignment with MACV-SOG during the Vietnam War. We touch on going through BUD/S — then called UDT/R with class 29 on the East Coast — and early SEAL history. We also briefly covered smokejumpers in Vietnam who were recruited by the CIA to perform resupply missions.

Afterward, we go into Jim's unique role in the Congo during the Cold War. While working with the CIA, Jim had the difficult task of recruiting a mercenary navy. He pulled prime talent from brutal British soldiers of fortune underneath the famed Mike Hoare. He also received assistance from the heroic Cuban veterans from Brigade 2506 who participated in the failed Bay of Pigs. This mission ultimately chased Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara out of Africa.
Jim is the first Navy SEAL officer to appear on the Late Night History podcast — although he certainly won't be the last.
For 50 years, Jim never spoke publicly about his time in the Congo as the mission remained classified until the 2010s. In 2018, he authored Cold War Navy SEAL: My Story of Che Guevara, War in the Congo, and the Communist Threat in Africa.
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For kickass history content visit www.latenighthistory.com

Episode 13: Brendan Whittington-Jones Jul 22, 2022

Show notes

In May 2003, Brendan Whittington-Jones, a South African game reservist, joined other volunteers in Iraq to rescue stranded wild animals at the Baghdad Zoo. In the middle of the Iraq War and without any zoo experience, Brendan spent more than a year rehabilitating malnourished tigers, conducting rescue missions around the city to save bears and horses, and even took care of the lions belonging to Saddam Hussein's sons Uday and Qusay. Brendan wrote a book about his adventures called The Accidental Invasion of the Baghdad Zoo.

I also wrote an article about the ordeal based off conversations I had with Brendan and Rob Garnett (episodes 2 and 3). That story can be read here — Don't Feed The Lions: The Unbelievable Rescue at the Baghdad Zoo.

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Episode 12: Bob Charest Jul 15, 2022

Show notes

Episode 12 of the Late Night History podcast welcomes a true living legend: Bob Charest. Bob Charest is a distinguished member of the US Army Special Forces Regiment aka the Green Beret Hall of Fame. Charest served in the US Army between 1956 and 1981 and completed two tours during the Vietnam War; the first with Army Special Forces and the second with MACV-SOG.

He ran Recon and Hatchet Teams. Recon Teams typically had two Americans and four indigenous troops, while Hatchet Teams were much larger assault forces consisting of about 19 people. On one of these missions, Charest was nominated for the Silver Star. Although the nomination was downgraded to the Bronze Star with Valor, Bob recently received news that his "missing Silver Star" was approved and his service record corrected.

In his hall of fame career, Charest also notably served two stints with a previously classified Cold War stay-behind unit in Berlin called Detachment-A. We briefly discussed this, but will do a more in-depth dive covering this unit's history in a stand-alone episode. Please visit Bob's website to learn more about Detachment-A: https://detachment-a.org

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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

Episode 11: Chris Fettes Jul 08, 2022

Show notes

Late Night History podcast returns with a brand new episode with former Navy SEAL and ice cream mad scientist Chris Fettes. We discuss what it was like bringing a fancy ice cream machine on combat deployments to make ice cream for his teammates in his hooch at various hot spots around the world including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Somalia.

We also dive into the intersection between ice cream and military history. Other highlights from this episode include how DEVGRU almost became public enemy #1 in New England after Hall of Fame QB Tom Brady was accidentally bit by a K9 following a hostage rescue training exercise at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts; the non-profit work Chris is involved in to help build orphanages for children impacted by the war in Ukraine; and Chris's Be Free Craft Ice Cream brand where he is providing a refreshing take to make ice cream cool again, notably honoring his fallen teammates with their own ice cream flavors. Make sure to follow Chris Fettes @BeFreeCraftIceCream on Instagram and support his new ice cream company. Also be on the lookout for an episode clip on YouTube and Instagram featuring my conversation with Chris as we discuss the Tom Brady story.

Episode 10: Joe Downey Dec 30, 2021

Show notes

Joe Downey, a 36-year firefighter and battalion chief of FDNY's Rescue Battalion in Special Operations Command, joins episode 10 of the Late Night History podcast to discuss the legacy of his father, Ray Downey, a former Marine and one of the most decorated firemen in FDNY history.

Ray Downey was a founding father and national representative for 28 Task Forces of the Urban Search and Rescue program. Because of his broad experience he earned many nicknames including "Master of Disaster" and "God."

He was tragically killed on 9/11 and Joe essentially has followed in his father's footsteps as a leader in technical rescue operations around the country.

Every Father's Day, the Deputy Chief Raymond Downey Scholarship Fund hosts a 5K race in his honor. The details can be found here: https://www.chiefraymonddowney.com

As promised, an article I had written about how the New York Rangers honored Ray Downey after 9/11 can also be found here: https://coffeeordie.com/fdny-ray-downey/

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Episode 9: Kirby Horrell Dec 17, 2021

Show notes

Kirby Horrell joins the podcast to discuss his 47 year career in the US Navy (1967-1975 active-duty, 1975-1990 reserves, 1990-2014 active-duty). We did this interview outside on a park bench in Coronado, California. The outside noises of wind, voices, and birds can be heard, but don't let this distract from the interview where Kirby discusses his life and exciting tour to Vietnam as a Navy SEAL. Kirby explains his experience going through BUD/S in class 49 and 50, his time with SEAL Team 1, and his involvement in the Phoenix Program.

Episode 8: Mike Vining Dec 03, 2021

Show notes

Retired SGM Mike Vining joins the show to discuss his legendary career as an EOD Vietnam veteran, graduate of the US Army Delta Force's first Operator Training Course (OTC-1), and his role as a master breacher, operator, and consultant for JSOC.

This episode explores his experience working with the US Secret Service and the tragedy that followed. Mike shares some of the historic operations he participated in, including some of Delta Force's first missions. From Operation Eagle Claw (the military option to the Iranian Hostage Crisis), the air assault against Richmond Hill prison in Grenada, and assisting a former Navy SEAL Medal of Honor recipient-turned FBI Hostage Rescue Team commander during a prison riot in Atlanta, Georgia.
Towards the end of the episode, we discuss Mike's experiences traveling the world and what he recommends for others feeling a sense of wanderlust.
Surprisingly, as much as we cover in this episode, I invited Mike to join me on another episode covering the stories we didn't venture into. So stay tuned for that.

Episode 7: Ben Garwood Nov 26, 2021

Show notes

Ben Garwood joins the show to discuss his career within elite units of the British military including the Parachute Regiment, the Pathfinders, the REME, and the Special Air Service, otherwise known as the SAS. We dive into the history of these units and discuss how assessment and selection for the SAS served as a blueprint for US special missions units and allied nations. Ben even shares an awesome beer story after completing jungle phase of the arduous training.

We then transition into his life as an entrepreneur. He is the founder and owner of his community lifestyle brand HR4K based in Hereford, England. Make sure to checkout Ben's YouTube TV show called OWN IT — a series I'm declaring a MUST-WATCH.

Support Ben's business and get 10% off by following this link https://www.hr4k.uk/?ref=MATTFRATUS

Follow them on Instagram @HR4K_ (https://www.instagram.com/hr4k_/)

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