#227 Henry Dick Thompson - MACV-SOG Operator, Codename "Dynamite"

Henry Dick Thompson's military aspirations began in his childhood. His natural interest and the skills he acquired during his upbringing laid the foundation for his journey in the military.

Farm-Grown Thompson Fascinated by Military

Thompson's affinity for military life began in his formative years. He was not only involved in playing army games but also in forming a structured playgroup that resembled a military unit.

Formed a "Ranger" Company Playing Army Games As a Child

At about seven years of age, Thompson decided to create an "Army" by forming the 69th Ranger company, with himself as the General. The initiative began with his cousin Carl and expanded to include other family members and eventually outsiders. Even as a child, Thompson managed to keep detailed records of his company's operations, complete with names and notes in a logbook, which even included records of a court-martial for insubordination, showcasing his dedication to mimicking military structure and order.

Learned Weapons, Tactics, Tracking From Hunting

Thompson grew up in a family that enjoyed hunting. This environment familiarized him with weapons, shooting, and tracking from a young age. He devoted time to practicing invisibility in the woods, striving to be undetected in all senses. Alongside his cousin, they engaged in make-believe Ranger missions, reflecting their imaginations of Ranger activities, including hunting with a BB gun and roasting their game, emulating what they believed Rangers ate and did.

Thompson Pursued Military Training, Volunteering For Specialized Roles

As Thompson's fascination with the military deepened, he took proactive steps toward a career path that challenged and engaged his interests in the armed forces.

Army Enlistment: Volunteered For Airborne, Ranger, Special Forces Training

Thompson's enjoyment of the Army grew with his participation, part ...

Henry Dick Thompson recalls the daunting yet transformative experiences of belonging to the secret MACV SOG unit during the Vietnam War. His vivid accounts throw light on the intensity and challenges faced during covert operations.

Thompson Joined Secretive Macv Sog Unit In Vietnam

Initially, Thompson was asked to volunteer for SOG, but was given little information about the group. After signing a nondisclosure agreement, he was flown on a classified aircraft to a secret training location, eventually being picked up by a bullet-ridden SOG bus. Upon joining, Thompson was struck by the group's hardened and deadly demeanor, and he was assigned to the team because of his qualifications instead of going to a training school. The fact that a friend disappeared after volunteering for SOG reinforced the grave danger involved, which Thompson had been warned against.

Underwent Training and Missions With His Sog Team

Thompson began as an assistant team leader with RT Alabama before taking over RT Michigan. Collaborating with well-known SOG figures, he partook in over 20 cross-border recon and direct impact missions into Laos, Cambodia, and North Vietnam. He learned quickly on the job, with his team teaching him what he required rather than traditional schooling.

Thompson Detailed Sog Operation Challenges and Intensity

Thompson's first mission was into the Mygia Pass, a super top-secret operation. Insertions were perilous, often amid hostile forces requiring immediate action such as intense close-firefights. Extracting teams from hot zones was fraught with risk. His team was prepared to face enemies in an overwhelming force, akin to "kicking the top off of an anthill," with firefights erupting into chaos, revealing the tactically difficult, dangerous, and unpredictable nature of SOG operations.

Thompson Developed Tactics and Techniques to Improve Survivability

He emphasized the importance of ammo optimization and quick access to weaponry, making modifications such as add ...

Veteran Henry Dick Thompson sheds light on the harsh realities of combat and their profound effects on soldiers' psychological and emotional well-being.

Thompson Faced the Moral and Psychological Toll of Combat

Difficulty Of Killing Enemy Combatants At Close Range

Thompson recounts the visceral and brutal nature of combat experienced by SOG operators. He discusses using weapons like the silencer-equipped .22 caliber pistol, nicknamed "little hush puppy," for quiet close-quarters kills. He describes how he had to think more about the drastic action of killing at such proximity, especially when the targets weren’t directly shooting at him.

Guilt and Intrusive Thoughts From Close-Quarters Kills

The psychological toll of such intimate killing is hinted at when Thompson notes the enduring mental imprint these acts leave on a person. Although he doesn’t explicitly address guilt or intrusive thoughts, the detailed recollections of close-quarters kills suggest how these memories are potentially distressing and haunting.

SOG Operators Often Addicted To Adrenaline

Thompson discusses the addiction to the adrenaline rush experienced in combat, leading him to make over 1200 halo jumps seeking similar thrills. He reflects on the stress levels incurred by SOG operators and the necessity of having breaks to heal, as well as the reluctance to seek help for fear of being sidelined.

Thompson Used Psychology to Help Veterans Process Experiences

Value Of Talking To Someone With Experience

Throughout the anec ...

Vietnam veterans like Henry Dick Thompson faced a difficult transition when returning to civilian life in the United States. The hostile reception from the public, challenges in readjusting to society, and the necessary search for a new sense of purpose defined their experience.

Thompson Faced a Hostile Reception From the Public

Upon his return, Thompson endured confrontational behavior and outright hostility. He recalls being spat at and called derogatory names like "baby killer" by those who opposed the war while they kept a safe distance. Thompson recognized that he could easily retaliate but chose restraint. The treatment by the public extended to a broader mistrust and negative sentiment, leading him to not to disclose his military service during his job search after he left the military.

Faced Verbal Abuse From Vietnam War Opponents

The verbal abuse Vietnam veterans suffered was so severe that it left many of them angry. Thompson notes that even decades later, some may still react negatively to being thanked for their service, reflecting the deep wounds caused by the lack of appreciation they felt upon their return.

Opted to Hide Military Background in Job Search

When Thompson started a consulting company after his military service, he avoided mentioning his military background to clients, highlighting the pervasive negative attitudes towards veterans at the time. A CEO's skepticism over Thompson's potential to provide business advice, given his military background, illustrates the common misconceptions civilians held about veterans' abilities to readapt to civilian roles.

Struggled to Reintegrate and Find Purpose Post-Combat

Difficulty Adjusting To Ordered Society

After serving in wartime conditions with immense freedom and responsibility, Thompson found it challenging to adjust to the relatively structured and law-abiding society of the United States. This contrast between the "Wild West" of combat zones and the more orderly American society was stark for many returning veterans.

Activities Replicating Combat ...