Veteran Podcast What They Don't Tell You About Being a JAG Officer in Vietnam Combat

In EP 43 of Ask a Vet, Ron Holdaway shares a remarkable journey from growing up in Wyoming to serving as a senior Army lawyer involved in historic cases during Vietnam and beyond. Discover his perspectives on military justice, the Vietnam War, and the lessons learned from a lifetime of service.

CHAPTERS:

01:00 - Growing up in Wyoming & becoming a lawyer

02:37 - ROTC, JAG Corps & early military career

07:21 - First assignments & court-martial work

12:04 - Postings in Hawaii, Germany & Vietnam

14:39 - First war crime case & combat refusals

16:10 - Deployment to Vietnam

21:36 - Arrival & life in Vietnam

27:15 - Living under fire & shrapnel injuries

31:00 - Soldier shoots fellow soldier on drugs

33:01 - The 1st Cavalry Division

36:20 - War crimes, mutilation & drug enforcement

43:53 - The Mealy incident

45:07 - Lieutenant Calley's court-martial & media fallout

48:18 - Leaving Vietnam & anti-war sentiment back home

51:33 - Pentagon, Europe & promotion to Colonel

59:38 - Chief Judge & career reflections

63:43 - Final thoughts on Vietnam & life lessons

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