Story of the Week with Joel Stein
May 27, 2026 · 31 min · 20 segments
In 1968, in the dense jungles of Vietnam, a team of Green Berets was pinned down by an overwhelming North Vietnamese Army force. Their last hope was a young Air Force pilot named James Fleming…
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There was thick jungle on both sides of the riverbank, bright green against the rushing brown water.
It was November 26th, 1968, and that river separated Cambodia from South Vietnam.
The pilot of the chopper followed its path, heading towards the sound of gunfire, towards the battle.
The mission had started with five helicopters, but three of them were already gone.
He knew exactly how dangerous the situation was, and as he got closer, shots started coming at him from both sides of the river.
He was supposed to touch down in the middle of this mess, but even if he could get to the riverside without being shot, he knew there wasn't enough space for him to land.
There were seven soldiers down in that jungle who were about to be captured or killed by the North Vietnamese Army.
They had fought their way to the riverbank, and Jim was their only chance to get out of there alive.
Jim remembered what he told those same guys just a few hours earlier when he dropped them there.
It's awarded for gallantry and bravery in combat at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.
Each candidate must be approved all the way up the chain of command, from the supervisory officer in the field to the White House.This show is about those heroes, what they did, what it meant, and what their stories tell us about the nature of courage and sacrifice.
There was thick jungle on both sides of the riverbank, bright green against the rushing brown water.
It was November 26th, 1968, and that river separated Cambodia from South Vietnam.
The pilot of the chopper followed its path, heading towards the sound of gunfire, towards the battle.
The mission had started with five helicopters, but three of them were already gone.
He knew exactly how dangerous the situation was, and as he got closer, shots started coming at him from both sides of the river.
He was supposed to touch down in the middle of this mess, but even if he could get to the riverside without being shot, he knew there wasn't enough space for him to land.
There were seven soldiers down in that jungle who were about to be captured or killed by the North Vietnamese Army.
They had fought their way to the riverbank, and Jim was their only chance to get out of there alive.
Jim remembered what he told those same guys just a few hours earlier when he dropped them there.
It's awarded for gallantry and bravery in combat at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.
Each candidate must be approved all the way up the chain of command, from the supervisory officer in the field to the White House.This show is about those heroes, what they did, what it meant, and what their stories tell us about the nature of courage and sacrifice.
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3 of 6
Hovering Under Fire
Fleming describes the rescue's most harrowing seconds.
I'll Go Get Them
He volunteers for an almost impossible pickup.
Last Man Jumps Aboard
The mission's commander becomes the final passenger.
+3 more clips · 4 min of audio in all
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