Stay ConnectedThe Official Podcast of Kagan Dunlap
I’m Kagan Dunlap, and welcome to the Show! Storytelling is a huge part of our culture, and I want to enable people who have valuable stories, to share them with those who can benefit from them the most. You! Thank you for watching!
The Opinions and Views expressed in this podcast are personal and do not reflect the official DoW
Copyright: © Kagan Dunlap
William “Billy” Gallegos Is A United States Marine and during his tour of Active Duty, he was a Security Guard who was stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran when it was overrun during the Iran Hostage Crisis in 1979.
On November 4, 1979, in the midst of the Iranian Revolution, militant students stormed the embassy in Tehran, capturing American diplomats and Marines and igniting a 444-day international standoff that would reshape U.S. relations with Iran. Billy was among the 52 Americans held for the entirety of the crisis.
He recounts the moment the compound was breached, the chaos and uncertainty of those first hours, and the harsh reality of captivity that followed. Blindfolded, interrogated, and isolated, he and his fellow hostages relied on discipline, faith, and the unbreakable bond forged through Marine Corps training to survive mentally and physically.
This conversation goes beyond headlines and history books. It is a firsthand account of resilience under pressure, the psychological toll of prolonged captivity, and the strength required to endure when the world feels impossibly far away.
After 444 days in captivity, Billy finally returned home, but the experience would shape the rest of his life.
Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@KaganDunlapShowX - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Threads - https://www.threads.com/@kagandunlapshow?hl=enTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enWebsite - https://kagandunlapshow.com/
Colonel Ken Hopper (Retired) began his Marine Corps career in May 1979 and served 30 years before retiring in June 2009 as a Colonel in the United States Marine Corps. He earned his Naval Aviator wings in 1982 and primarily flew the KC-130 aircraft. He served in various roles up to the Joint Staff. He had multiple combat deployments, and a tour with the United States Naval Flight Demonstration Team, the “Blue Angels”, piloting the team’s C-130 aircraft “Fat Albert.” Ken is a graduate of The Citadel and holds a Master’s Degree from Troy State University in Management; and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from George Mason University. He has accumulated over 10,000 flight hours, qualifying to fly in six different aircraft. He is currently the President/CEO of the Marine Corps Reserve Association and the CEO of the National Marine Corps Coordinating Council.The Tun Legacy Foundation is a veteran-focused nonprofit built around restoring purpose after military service. Rather than traditional charity, it operates on a participation model, veterans engage in hands-on projects, mentorship, and shared responsibility inside a tight-knit community connected to The Tun Project.Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@KaganDunlapShowX - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Threads - https://www.threads.com/@kagandunlapshow?hl=enTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enWebsite - https://kagandunlapshow.com/
Colonel Ken Hopper (Retired) began his Marine Corps career in May 1979 and served 30 years before retiring in June 2009 as a Colonel in the United States Marine Corps.
He earned his Naval Aviator wings in 1982 and primarily flew the KC-130 aircraft. He served in various roles up to the Joint Staff. He had multiple combat deployments, and a tour with the United States Naval Flight Demonstration Team, the “Blue Angels”, piloting the team’s C-130 aircraft “Fat Albert.”
Ken is a graduate of The Citadel and holds a Master’s Degree from Troy State University in Management; and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from George Mason University. He has accumulated over 10,000 flight hours, qualifying to fly in six different aircraft.
He is currently the President/CEO of the Marine Corps Reserve Association and the CEO of the National Marine Corps Coordinating Council.
The Tun Legacy Foundation is a veteran-focused nonprofit built around restoring purpose after military service.
Rather than traditional charity, it operates on a participation model, veterans engage in hands-on projects, mentorship, and shared responsibility inside a tight-knit community connected to The Tun Project.Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@KaganDunlapShowX - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Threads - https://www.threads.com/@kagandunlapshow?hl=enTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enWebsite - https://kagandunlapshow.com/
Cody Cohen is a United States Marine Corps veteran, former law enforcement officer, and defense-industry professional currently working with Genesis Arms, a manufacturer known for its 12-gauge AR-platform firearms. Following his military service, Cohen continued his career in public service in law enforcement, where daily responsibility, accountability, and decision-making under pressure reinforced the same mission-focused mindset developed in the Marines.He later transitioned into the firearms industry, bringing with him real-world operational experience from both military and policing environments. In his role, he works directly with customers, dealers, and industry partners, helping explain equipment purpose, proper application, and practical performance expectations. His perspective is shaped by having relied on gear professionally, giving him a grounded approach to reliability, ergonomics, and usability rather than purely theoretical specifications.Cohen also serves as a bridge between manufacturers and end users — translating feedback from professionals and civilians into clearer communication and meaningful product understanding. His background across service, enforcement, and industry places strong emphasis on safety, responsibility, and equipment that performs when it truly matters.Driven by a service-oriented mindset, he focuses on practical function over hype, ensuring the tools he represents are understood in the context they were designed for.Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@KaganDunlapShowX - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Threads - https://www.threads.com/@kagandunlapshow?hl=enTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enWebsite - https://kagandunlapshow.com/
Cody Cohen Links:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cody_cohen_actual/?hl=en
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-cohen-562849342/
Cody Cohen is a United States Marine Corps veteran, former law enforcement officer, and defense-industry professional currently working with Genesis Arms, a manufacturer known for its 12-gauge AR-platform firearms. Following his military service, Cohen continued his career in public service in law enforcement, where daily responsibility, accountability, and decision-making under pressure reinforced the same mission-focused mindset developed in the Marines.He later transitioned into the firearms industry, bringing with him real-world operational experience from both military and policing environments. In his role, he works directly with customers, dealers, and industry partners, helping explain equipment purpose, proper application, and practical performance expectations. His perspective is shaped by having relied on gear professionally, giving him a grounded approach to reliability, ergonomics, and usability rather than purely theoretical specifications.Cohen also serves as a bridge between manufacturers and end users — translating feedback from professionals and civilians into clearer communication and meaningful product understanding. His background across service, enforcement, and industry places strong emphasis on safety, responsibility, and equipment that performs when it truly matters.Driven by a service-oriented mindset, he focuses on practical function over hype, ensuring the tools he represents are understood in the context they were designed for.Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@KaganDunlapShowX - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Threads - https://www.threads.com/@kagandunlapshow?hl=enTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enWebsite - https://kagandunlapshow.com/
The “Lionheart” tank crew was a four-man United States Marine Corps team from Charlie Company, 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Augmented to Alpha Company 1st Tanks deployed to Al Anbar Province, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.On May 8, 2005, Mothers Day, their M1A1 Abrams tank, callsign Lionheart, was struck by a massive improvised explosive device (IED). The blast was catastrophic, completely destroying the tank and marking the first Abrams tank lost to an IED during Operation Iraqi Freedom.Against all odds, every member of the Lionheart crew survived.This is a story about modern armored warfare, the evolving threat of IEDs, and the resilience, training, and brotherhood of U.S. Marines operating in one of the most dangerous combat environments of the Iraq War.It’s also a reminder of the thin line between life and death in combat and the warriors who continue the mission, even after surviving what should have been impossible.Their Names Are:Staff Sergeant Chad Brumpton – Tank commanderLance Corporal Joseph Lowe -- GunnerLance Corporal Mitch Ehlke – LoaderLance Corporal Fernando Lazalde (later Sergeant) – DriverPlease leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@KaganDunlapShowX - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Threads - https://www.threads.com/@kagandunlapshow?hl=enTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enWebsite - https://kagandunlapshow.com/#USMC #OperationIraqiFreedom #M1A1Abrams #TankCrew #CombatStories #MilitaryHistory #AlAnbar #Marines #WarStories
The “Lionheart” tank crew was a four-man United States Marine Corps team from Charlie Company, 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Augmented to Alpha Company 1st Tanks deployed to Al Anbar Province, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
On May 8, 2005, Mothers Day, their M1A1 Abrams tank, callsign Lionheart, was struck by a massive improvised explosive device (IED). The blast was catastrophic, completely destroying the tank and marking the first Abrams tank lost to an IED during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Against all odds, every member of the Lionheart crew survived.This is a story about modern armored warfare, the evolving threat of IEDs, and the resilience, training, and brotherhood of U.S. Marines operating in one of the most dangerous combat environments of the Iraq War.
It’s also a reminder of the thin line between life and death in combat and the warriors who continue the mission, even after surviving what should have been impossible.
Their Names Are:
Staff Sergeant Chad Brumpton – Tank commander
Lance Corporal Joseph Lowe -- GunnerLance Corporal Mitch Ehlke – Loader
Lance Corporal Fernando Lazalde (later Sergeant) – Driver
Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@KaganDunlapShowX - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Threads - https://www.threads.com/@kagandunlapshow?hl=enTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enWebsite - https://kagandunlapshow.com/
#USMC #OperationIraqiFreedom #M1A1Abrams #TankCrew #CombatStories #MilitaryHistory #AlAnbar #Marines #WarStories
Sergeant Major Mike R. Vining enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1968 and completed Basic Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Following his completion of Advanced Individual Training at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama in the Ammunition Renovation Course, he attended the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Course and the Nuclear Weapons Disposal Course at Indian Head, Maryland.Following his training, SGM Vining deployed to Vietnam with the 99th Ordnance Detachment (EOD) where he was awarded the Bronze Star in 1971 for his meritorious service in ground operations and EOD duties. In 1973, he joined the 543rd Ordnance Detachment (EOD) at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, during which time he was awarded for heroism as an EOD specialist during a series of terrorist bombings in Quincy, Illinois.In 1978, SGM Vining volunteered for a new unit being formed, the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment – Delta, where he served until 1985 as the unit’s first EOD specialist. During his assignment, he participated in Operation Eagle Claw in Iran and Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada.Following an assignment with the 176th Ordnance Detachment (EOD) at Fort Richardson, Alaska, he returned to Delta Force where he served as Chief EOD Technician, Research and Development Sergeant Major, and Breaching Sergeant Major from 1986 until 1992. During this assignment, he deployed in support of Operation Pocket Planner and Operation Desert Storm.Sergeant Major Vining culminated his Army career as the Special Plans Sergeant Major for U.S. Special Operations Command and Joint Special Operations Command. During this tour, he served as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Joint Special Operations Task Force during Operation Uphold Democracy and as the Explosives Expert on the Downing Assessment Task Force, which investigated the Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia in 1996.Sergeant Major Mike R. Vining retired in 1999.Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@KaganDunlapShowX - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Threads - https://www.threads.com/@kagandunlapshow?hl=enTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enWebsite - https://kagandunlapshow.com/Sergeant Major (Ret) Mike Vining Links:X - https://x.com/BlastingThrough
Sergeant Major Mike R. Vining enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1968 and completed Basic Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Following his completion of Advanced Individual Training at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama in the Ammunition Renovation Course, he attended the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Course and the Nuclear Weapons Disposal Course at Indian Head, Maryland.Following his training, SGM Vining deployed to Vietnam with the 99th Ordnance Detachment (EOD) where he was awarded the Bronze Star in 1971 for his meritorious service in ground operations and EOD duties. In 1973, he joined the 543rd Ordnance Detachment (EOD) at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, during which time he was awarded for heroism as an EOD specialist during a series of terrorist bombings in Quincy, Illinois.In 1978, SGM Vining volunteered for a new unit being formed, the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment – Delta, where he served until 1985 as the unit’s first EOD specialist. During his assignment, he participated in Operation Eagle Claw in Iran and Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada.Following an assignment with the 176th Ordnance Detachment (EOD) at Fort Richardson, Alaska, he returned to Delta Force where he served as Chief EOD Technician, Research and Development Sergeant Major, and Breaching Sergeant Major from 1986 until 1992. During this assignment, he deployed in support of Operation Pocket Planner and Operation Desert Storm.Sergeant Major Vining culminated his Army career as the Special Plans Sergeant Major for U.S. Special Operations Command and Joint Special Operations Command. During this tour, he served as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Joint Special Operations Task Force during Operation Uphold Democracy and as the Explosives Expert on the Downing Assessment Task Force, which investigated the Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia in 1996.Sergeant Major Mike R. Vining retired in 1999.Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@KaganDunlapShowX - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Threads - https://www.threads.com/@kagandunlapshow?hl=enTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enWebsite - https://kagandunlapshow.com/Sergeant Major (Ret) Mike Vining Links:X - https://x.com/BlastingThrough
Leighton Willhite is a distinguished World War II veteran and former U.S. Marine Corps tank driver whose courage and service are woven into the history of the Battle of Iwo Jima. At just 19 years old, Cpl. Willhite landed on the black sands of Red Beach II with C Company, 5th Tank Battalion, driving an M4A3 Sherman tank nicknamed “Lucky” during one of the fiercest and most iconic battles of the Pacific Theater.During the brutal campaign on Iwo Jima in 1945, Willhite and his crew supported infantry units under intense combat conditions. In one notable act of valor, he assisted in a rescue under fire to save another Marine tank crew at Hill 362A, earning him the Bronze Star with “V” device for heroism.Decades after the war, in August 2025—on the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender—100-year-old Willhite experienced a remarkable reunion with Lucky, the very tank he operated in battle. The event, held at the National Museum of the Marine Corps’ support facility in Dumfries, Virginia, brought together his family across generations and offered a powerful, living connection to history that few veterans ever get to see.Leighton Willhite’s story is one of bravery, resilience, and enduring legacy. His service in the Marines and his bond with Lucky remind us of the sacrifices made by the Greatest Generation and the importance of preserving their stories for future generations.Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@KaganDunlapShowX - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Threads - https://www.threads.com/@kagandunlapshow?hl=enTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enWebsite - https://kagandunlapshow.com/
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