Combat Story #65: Surviving Near Death with Marines in Vietnam | Silver Star | FBI Agent | Jim Horn

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more.
Today we hear the Combat Story of Jim Horn, former Marine Corps Platoon and Company Commander and 25 year FBI Agent.
[NOTE: We're launching on Patreon soon. Register to get notified at www.combatstory.com/patreon]
Jim did two tours in Vietnam surviving near death experiences on several occasions. He earned a Silver Star in a company on company-level battle on remote hilltops fighting suicide attackers, recoiless rifles, rockets, and calling in danger close rounds and air strikes.
After the Marine Corps, Jim went onto a fascinating career in the field as an FBI Agent that included work with SWAT, a violent crime profiler, and leading the Bureau’s trauma program.
Jim doesn’t hold back when sharing the special bonds he experienced with his fellow Marines holding the line in these profound but common battles so far from home and I hope you enjoy these down-to-earth and Oklahoman stories as much as I did.
Special thanks to Combat Story listener Terry B for suggesting Jim as a guest on the show.
#military #veteran
Find Ryan online:
Ryan’s Linktree linktr.ee/combatstory
Merch www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
Instagram @combatstory / combatstory
Facebook @combatstoryofficial combatstoryofficial
Send us messages at m.me/combatstoryofficial
Email [e-mail]
Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Show Notes
0:00 - Intro
0:40 - Guest introduction (Jim Horn)
1:31 - Interview begins
1:58 - How his dad’s guilt over not serving in World War II influenced his decision fight in the Vietnam War
18:57 - Shipping out to Vietnam and immediately becoming a platoon leader
35:01 - Combat Story #1- First time in combat and taking in the arm from friendly fire
38:27 - The three things that you need to lead Marines
44:42 - A tough first tour and survivor’s guilt
50:22 - The incredible leadership and Marines he fought with
1:00:57 - Combat Story #2 - Silver Star event
1:16:35 - The perceptual distortion that happens in combat
1:31:13 - Jim’s time in the FBI and what makes a great profiler
1:45:48- What did you carry into combat/interrogations?
1:48:30 - Would you do it all again?
1:55:16 - Listener comments and shout outs

[@allenculbertson8170]

All Military veterans should be given the respect they deserve. To all Vietnam Veterans God bless you and thank you for your service. All of you are true American Heros

[@jn8601]

I love how this man gave us so much detail about the men he lost. Truly honoring his men speaking the way he does of them.

[@charlesvenangojr.3513]

Thanks Mr Horn for risking your life for our freedom, great story teller. Thank you Ryan for knowing how to conduct an interview, you always ask the questions I’m thinking about and letting the guys tell their stories. Excellent as always.

[@raverwater1]

Great interview! The interviewer let him talk, without interruption. Thank you both❤️🇺🇸

[@dog68north36]

I love Mr. Horn's attitude and concern with Ukraine and the lack of total support by the US. 🇺🇲🇺🇦 Slava Ukraini

[@tonykeast9966]

The man is a legend. Amazing story from a sharp man who's stayed sharp. 2 hours just flew by, get him back on for a part 2 about the FBI days!

[@christopherhickner4673]

Great job Ryan !! Thank you Jim Horn for your service!!!

[@garyluck8502]

Thanks for your service!! Everyone please remember the ones that didn’t make it back home!! Thanks

[@martyhatchard9949]

Fantastic interview!! Fantastic interviewee Fantastic interviewer God bless. This interviews keep my faith that our country. Our freedom is going to be Ok.

[@DaleBernardoQueLio]

Many strange intersections with Mr. Horn's story and my interests, influences, and outlook. I had Vietnam Veteran senior leadership in my basic training battalion and company (S.F. Lt. Colonel Kennedy, his CSM, and my 1SG). I recall my visit to Dealy Plaza and trying conceive 'who would really carry out a presidential assassination?' Even Roald Dahl's "Danny the Champion of the World" springs to mind. Marine SSG Clark did a great job with us in my AIT. We had a Boston too.🤌🏻 Very nice to hear perspective from a service member of the Vietnam era👍🏻

[@hootis8]

after all these years, he's still pro vietnam war... pro US involvment... pro south vietnam? That is the most amazing thing about the interview.

[@RockyMountainWest13]

I was thinking the same thing and I agree with you. I came to the comment section to see if anyone else noticed this. All due respect to this man, but why in gods name does he want the US to get involved in the Ukraine? Why would he want another round of young Americans to go die in another country for corrupted politicians?

[@trumanmiller94]

Because the only job he has ever had in his whole life is with the government. The civilians made his paycheck

[@clintcoop5717]

@@RockyMountainWest13 money$$$$$$$$

[@edwinsalau150]

@@trumanmiller94 civilians, travel, back-and-forth to the bank and their homes in their cars! Lately it has become difficult and dangerous in some places in this country, because they are defunding people like him! Priorities have been readjusted! Well, the civilians are making their money who is standing on the walls?

[@Rollercoaster555]

@@edwinsalau150 ?

[@Nicedesk]

Amazing! Thank you for your candor in recounting your experiences. I think your relatable accounts will help many.

[@falconmoose5435]

Outstanding questions put forward. Prost!

[@ddjsta]

I live approximately 50 miles from Jim . What a interview. A colorful life for sure with our added bonus FBI tales. Thanks Ryan. Keep up the good fight.

[@richardmarkham3540]

Thank you for your service sir.

[@Cool_boy258]

We need Mac V Sog

[@jayvonbargen3618]

This is history. Thank you.

[@allenculbertson8170]

God bless you and thank you for your service 🙏

[@user-mp9rd4hg8b]

Awesome interview. I'm really surprised this channel doesn't have more subscribers.

[@Jackson-gv9xw]

Hey Ryan, any chance you could get an FBI HRT operator on? They’re called domestic delta for a reason, plus they deploy with JSOC all the time. Thanks all you do, your podcast is amazing.

[@Headykrill]

I would like to see this point of view as well

[@TCFan25]

In the interim check out Chris Whitcomb - Hostage Rescue Agent Rates 10 Hostage Scenes in Movies...Might not be as in depth as these podcasts, but still very interesting!

[@TheRockyraccoon]

i actually prefer the "normal" (not that this mans achievements/experiences aren't incredible) soldier stories vs. the tier 1/elite/delta/sealz/black ops classified doods. with the tier 1 guys everythings just so classified and too limited in what they can talk about the stories get a bit repetitive and boring imo. usually just intro/childhood/selection/training/generic mission stories they can't talk too much about and then whatever business they're doing now. just my 2c and one big exception, Shrek is a fckin great interview

[@maxrosenberg1167]

Welcome Home Hero !

[@bloop6812]

I was in Golf Co. 2/9. Was there on Feb 5th on 1175. Was weapons Platoon leader as a Lance Corporal . Was senior enlisted in weapons Platoon at the time I believe Lt. Horn was our Exec Officer, When the NVA tried to over run our Arti-Base lost one of my machine gunners from a direct hit from an RPG. The sapper attack the LT, is referring to that night I remember mortar rounds where landing in the perimeter and the Gunny picked up an AK~47 and was firing it right above our M-60 gun position we thought The NVA had overrun our position so we turned the gun around and pointed up the hill thinking they would be coming down on us any second. NOTE: When I was Weapons Platoon Leader which normally is a 2nd LT. Billet or of higher rank it was right after Operation Dewey Canyon and the attrition rate on that Operation was very high. It was great seeing LT. Horn again

[@marcclement7396]

Great man. God bless

[@jamesgunnyreed]

Semper FI!

[@falconmoose5435]

My Barber is Vietnamese too! DaNang REMF 1971.

[@DJF1985]

Semper Fi, the best leaders I’ve ever come across were all in the Marines. The Marine Corps, especially in the infantry, really know how to build and develop leadership. I try to emulate all the best leaders I’ve had the pleasure to serve under every day. God Bless The United States Marine Corps!!!

[@collingalbraith4343]

The shoopman story is a heavy one

[@williesmom3863]

Another great interview, Ryan. I look forward to every one! This guy is something special! Tough guy, indeed! No snowflake here!

[@JimDMarines]

Semper Fi Skipper!

[@MattDaymunFanClub]

JIM HORN AMERICAN LEGEND

[@budgibson185]

Ryan did you say you trained here at Rucker or was that your dad? Live by the base was curious about yours or his experience down here! Love the show , I started interviewing and taking down vets stories as well 🇺🇸⚔️

[@kevinpeterson3830]

Agree brother spent 24 years FBI former USMC. Too much time in bad places in the world but interacting with HRT. Should get some time

[@gaoxiaen1]

My mother told me this story when I was a kid. I'm 65, so I'm lacking details. Her childhood friend was in the Army during the Korean war. He got a broken jaw in a barroom brawl right before deployment and couldn't go. Everyone in his unit got killed. His enemy most likely saved his life. I imagine that he had survivor's guilt.

[@coopermoisey3115]

if I was to get a nickel every time Ryan said damn I be a millionaire

[@majorronaldmandell7835]

The Marine officer told the interviewer quite clearly the reason his father was unable to serve in WW2, yet a couple of minutes later, the interviewer asks him just that question!

[@spencercarney3481]

Hearing his view about fighting for another country’s freedom is surreal. I fought in Iraq for that same thing and never really could put a finger on the ACTUAL reason we were there. Not the WMD, “oil”, etc it was to get that dictator out of power and liberate the country. Our villagers were very grateful we were there for THEM! New outlook for my war.

[@wildbill60]

👍💯🇺🇲

[@rueridge7597]

Certainly an interesting career but he started losing me after the repeated references to Audie Murphy and sergeant Alvin York. But us Texans are used to Okies trying to embellish themselves. Would really like to know his thoughts about the current day FBI. That organization and its members were heroes to lots of us through the years and now half of America doesn’t trust them or anything they say.

[@terrenceb.9860]

The reference to York and Murphy referred to growing up hunting, fishing, and shooting.🤠

[@michaelsinclair7253]

Get tested for AADD and autism. It’s more prevalent than we’ve been led to believe.

[@budgibson185]

What unit was he with ? My father was Mike 3/5 attached to 3rdMarDiv 68-69

[@jameshorn4986]

Hi Bud, When I was in 3rd Mar Div, I was with Golf Company, 2/9. Jim Horn

[@budgibson185]

@@jameshorn4986 oh wow!! Thank you for replying. It was great to listen to you story. I try to chat with as many vets as h can. Lost my dad about 6 years ago sadly

[@lonnieharrison6380]

@@jameshorn4986 Wow I was in Golf 2/5 1969 Semper Fi

[@jameshorn4986]

@@lonnieharrison6380 I had a good friend who was a fishing and hunting guide in Soldatna, AK, who was in Golf 2/5, but I believe he was there in 67 or 68. His name was Bill Gavin and he passed away several years ago.

[@lonnieharrison6380]

@@jameshorn4986 Did you know a Mustang Captain name Pulah or Finlayson ( sp). They were my Co's in 69

[@garypiont6114]

Remember the coal minor , the low class labor folk who actually fought the wars. Came home and were crapped on.

[@slickwatts0354]

Appreciate your service in Vietnam. Brave man. However, totally lost me with his take on Ukraine and his view on Nam in hindsight. I don’t how the FBI was during his time, but now they’re arguably the biggest threat to patriotic Americans today.

[@vivahernando1]

😂 If you think Hoover's FBI was better than todays, I don't know what to tell you other than get educated. You're a Trumper I bet. Never thought we'd see an American President owned by Russia

[@rebelwithoutaclue8164]

This guy was in the rear with the gear.

[@jameshorn4986]

Sorry, but A Shau, Mutters Ridge, Route 9, Cua Viet, etc. are anywhere but in the rear. Suggest a better map in order to get a clue.

[@boondocker7964]

@@jameshorn4986 I wonder how the Rebel knows anything about where you were? I did RVN '66-'67, E/2/1, what unit were you in?

[@jameshorn4986]

@@boondocker7964 I was in Golf 2/9, 3rdMarDiv Rebel obviously didn't listen to much of the interview.

[@roaddog7793]

9 th Marines in the rear? You must not be a vet rebel go hump somebody else's leg dude

[@williamdunn1422]

Your professional now send them them.the stuff...the would mail it forward to next guy....he'll even upgrade the internet service dor that month...but this was rough...fucked it up