MACV-SOG Veteran | Cliff Newman

SFC Clifford M. Newman, a decorated U.S. Army veteran and Special Forces operative, served in Vietnam, distinguishing himself in missions along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Newman remains dedicated to supporting the military community, contributing to organizations like the Special Operations Association and Special Forces Charitable Trust. His life is a testament to courage, leadership, and unwavering service.
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[@HarrisonFord11]

Never was a Green Beret but that WAS my end game when I joined. But I served 6 years in the 2/75 from 2009-2015. After 5, 110 day deployments each having roughly 100 combat missions sometimes multiple targets a night I was burnt out mentally and physically. The Ranger life can break you, it’s all the hardest, loudest, nonstop most Ranger way. I loved my time in the regiment and would do it over and over but after that last trip to Afghanistan I was done. Each time I went over there I left a little piece of me over there and I didn’t have much more to leave behind. I had to jump off the train and look out for me. That’s what people sometimes don’t realize. The military especially special operations is a giant train and it don’t stop for anyone either your on it or your not.

[@vincecavedog3219]

Respect 🙏

[@DLo336]

Hell yeah brother! You done MORE than enough. One more for the big Ranger in the sky!!! RLTW!!!

[@wafflefry18]

Any MACVSOG interview is 1,000,000 times better than a war movie!

[@skylerbowling3243]

Agreed. Cool guys doing cool guy shit

[@The2ndProtectsTheRest]

1000%

[@ralfhorne-g4s]

Had the pleasure of meeting Cliff at a gym here in Fayetteville N.C. One of the nicest guys I've ever met. I knew he was a S.F. but never knew he was SOG. Thank you sir for the pleasure and the honor of getting to know you even briefly.

[@joegregory2875]

I served with the Americal 23rd infantry division 1970 , 11b20, chu Lai 196th light infantry .marble mountain !!! This gentleman cliff Newman is the real deal and a true American hero. What a great interview

[@holleymoviestar]

Welcome home.

[@doodahman2995]

Welcome Home Brother 👍🇺🇸

[@elliottdubose5074]

My pops was 198th 69-70 and spoke of Chu Lai and LZ Bayonet from the handful stories I could get out of him. He wore a Americal Div pin in his cowboy hat every day. Tha ks for doing what ya did and I'm glad you made it home.

[@jimmyconway3814]

these vietnam interviews are outstanding mike. and this dude is one of the best looking 86 year olds ive ever seen

[@JakeVyle]

My grandfather served in both Korea and MACV SOG (1st SGT retired MSG)

[@lainehipp2289]

These are my favorite type of podcasts. My grandfather was in WW2, and my uncle was in Vietnam. My uncle would never talk about his experience in Vietnam. I wish we would've had the technology to interview WW2 veterans. My grandfather had some amazing stories, and I wish I would have written them down before he passed.

[@Sangsterga]

Unreal, this was one of if not my favorite interview to date from anyone. This was awesome, thanks for digging deep to get this level of detail out of Mr. Cliff. He is one of the baddest men this country ever produced, can't get enough of hearing about what they were doing in South East Asia in their early 20's.

[@daveowens8699]

I was a crewchief on a huey at Kontum in 1970. I was on the lead ship for the bright light that was aborted. If possible, I'd like to talk to a bright light team member.

[@brandonobaza8610]

Was this after SSG James Shorton took RT Illinois to Dak To? There's some information on the web about Bright Light missions. The better you can narrow down the timeframe, the more likely you'll find a surviving team member. I find this stuff incredibly fascinating. Thanks for your service.

[@tomd9562]

A powerful interview...on many levels. One of the best "SOG" interviews I've watched. Well done and deeply appreciate of both men's service to this nation.

[@FeWolf]

Thank you, Mike, from Sons of SOG

[@hankf616]

I could listen to Cliff narrate Winnie the Pooh, and still be enthralled. An incredible speaking voice.

[@user-sx2nq3kt3xTheresaDale]

God bless you men for your service, incredible stories of the history of SOG thank you ❤

[@zerogoat]

Thanks for getting this interview Mike, great history.

[@mikeforcepodcast]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@joshmajor8662]

That’s not Mike haha 😂 I’m legitimately shocked ANYBODY replied but glad to see it.

[@flyinglizards80]

Shout out to TILT John Stryker Meyer for bringing sog to us. Just another day in SOG

[@chriswourms4639]

I LOVE the MACVSOG eps

[@NiclasOttesen]

It is mportant to listen to and document our forefather warriors' experiences! Thank you guys in front of the camera and thanks to the rest of the production team! "Soldiering in our roots, warriors in our sprout... seeds of lead irrigated by the enemies loss of blood."

[@TheRagratus]

He mentions Lucious Delk as being an SF commander. I served with LTC (later Col) Delk in Germany in 1983-1985. At the time he was a Military Police officer in Command of the 709th MP Bn. After Nam he received his degree, got Commissioned, and went into the MP branch. Delk was harder than a woodpeckers lips. We did an FTX, in the German winter, in 4 ft of snow, in PUP TENTS, and he too used a pup tent just like a private. Everyone likes the "Apocalypse Now" surfing scene? WELL..... Delk water skiied down the Mekong River during Nam on a dare. LATER as a contractor teaching the Iraqi Police, he water skiied down the Tigres River. After his contracting days he became an ordained minister. He passed in 2019.

[@shackman1306]

Thank you for your service. God bless you and welcome home.

[@anthonycheaford1962]

Thanks to everyone involved in recording this fascinating history, especially Cliff Newman - incredible service & paid a high price paid, losing his leg, plus all the other scars I guess he must carry. I'm very happy he made it home and got to tell us so much about it. I knew Dave Dean, a 101st veteran of Hill 937 in 1969. Dave told me he was badly injured in Vietnam by a hard landing parachute training accident, when practicing jungle landing. He said he medically discharged then ran a bar by Clark air base for a few years. I've assumed Dave's parachute training was being run by Billy Waugh and I wondered if Mr Newman knew Dave? I worked with Dave from 1988-97, when I was a technician with a British engineering company that Dave was the US sales agent for. The last project we both worked on was in 1997 Yemen, setting up a printing factory in a hilltop compound 17-miles south of a town called Al Qaidah! Al Qaidah has a long and interesting history, first established as a military base in 1174 by Saladin's brother (hence the name) and much later was used as a sanctuary for Arab Mujahideen veterans returning from 19080s Afghanistan, an sanctuary setup & funded by the president's brother-in-law General Ali Mohsen and Osama bin Laden. Mohsen and OBL both helped recruit the Arab Mujahideen in the 1980s, so both of them helping to demobilise those veterans in Arabia after the Soviets were defeated in Afghanistan makes sense. Sorry to report Dave died Jan 8 2020, on Lake Hartwell.

[@Jam-vj8ig]

Love listening to SOG guys…. History lesson every time 🎉. Thank you Mike for keeping the memories alive🎉

[@natejackson4791]

Looking forward to this, thank you

[@65stang98]

my town is full of vets from every war from ww2, korea, vietnam, desert storm crazy the amount of stories ive been lucky to hear from them as they all come into the gunshop i work at. We have a couple mac v sog guys that come in they are some of the coolest guys that come in.

[@alanwilliams2251]

Great interview Mike! Appreciate all you do. God bless brother!

[@garrettd.6215]

Thank you, Mike!

[@acd2505]

Great interview of a great man. Thank you for doing it!

[@holleymoviestar]

Mr. Newman. Welcome home, sir.

[@thomasscharf5844]

🇺🇸ThankYou🇺🇸

[@falconmoose5435]

Excellent production. BUMP. God bless this man: A pro.

[@lonestarhomepro]

Thank you, sir! ❤

[@marcusg503]

I'M PROUD OF THE ENTIRE SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMUNITY. "AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC".

[@josephmumma6997]

To me, this is one AWESOME AMERICAN cataloging another GREAT AMERICAN historical story, for me it’s a WIN WIN. THANK YOU SIR!

[@Krazykripp.]

Jeez I thought this man was barely 70, he looks great and is very articulate! I tell everyone these are the real superhero's they should watch and read about!

[@matthewt3369]

Can we please be a MACVSOG documentary or real movie. I would rather have a macvsog documentary cause I love hearing their stories.

[@jakhaughton1800]

It never ceased to amaze me the continual use of helicopters to insert groups into hot areas. Surely the NVA and VietCong must’ve had enough prior knowledge what was on the way and be ready for it. The number of landing zones in the jungle must’ve been minimal. With advanced planning and considerable leg work the element of surprise could’ve been increased.

[@CandC68]

I wonder if Newman knew of a solo HALO mission that was targeting Hotel 9 in 68. I had heard of it, but never if it had gone off. A guy in FOB2 pointed the guy out and mentioned he was training for it. Just curious. These interviews are so better than history books. Folks can learn serious lessons. imho a 1-0 in SOG was pretty much the pinnacle. Deserving the highest respect.

[@garyhammond2213]

My son wanted to join the Marine Corp and my friend who was MC Force Recon VN (I Corp) tried to talk him out of it. He said, join the Army and go into SF or Rangers because they get better training and equipment. The MC gets the equipment the Navy doesn't want.

[@donaldanderson7410]

Look up a friend of mine, Mark “Doc” Nelson. He was in Nam with the Rangers as a corpsman. Hence his nickname name Doc. He later was in one of the choppers in Iran that got knocked down by a sandstorm. They group marched the 75 mile or back to Turkey, but along the way he got “zippered” across his belly by a 50 cal. Running from then on as a retired, medical discharged musician. Traveled with David Allen Coe, Allen Jackson and many others. He is the last of his group alive. I only want to see him and his buddies honored properly. Thanks

[@christopher302]

It’s a wonder that their helicopters were able to lift off the ground with the balls of these MACV-SOG recon guys

[@Ja_s-per]

🇺🇲"God Bless Our Veterans and Active Warrior's!!!"🇺🇲

[@Coppersaguaro]

Interview all these Vietnam vets you can now. They will be like the ww2 vets soon enough. Get their story before it’s gone. Heros. 🇺🇸

[@vincecavedog3219]

One zeros the hardcore of the hardcore!!

[@charlesmullins3238]

Stepped out at 17k in a storm at 2am….im tryin to wrap my head around this…I keep running into something though and it’s 2 big round hangy things….solid steel

[@charlesmullins3238]

No o2 btw..

[@austinmccullough7521]

God bless you mike.

[@leooneill1693]

Hi Mike and guests. Do you think you could find one of a team of MACVSOG warriors, that camped out on a big metal disc set up in the tree tops in Laos for a week. They were flown in by a 2nd helicopter after the first one set the disc down in the treetop. Sounds crazy and unbelievable I know. I've got a book with this mission in it, but I've just moved to Finland (Europe) and my gear is still in the port which is where this book is. Maybe another viewer can verify the book before my gear arrives.

[@teddycadle3387]

American badass

[@RealismAndHonor]

For the algae-rhythm

[@thomasbixby1305]

Crazy how these guys were getting ARCOMs for stuff guys would get DSC’s for now

[@Gunnumn]

If a drafted private was akin to a house cat, than the sog guys are Tigers

[@matthewfaulkner9042]

👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏❤❤❤❤

[@michaelrobbins9679]

'75. Nah... It was not over. I know

[@jedtaylor3551]

The kind of nads sitting in that chair are not too prevalent in our history Political right now I wish for the old Sparta model You don't fight You don't vote or hold office Would change the direction our country is headed

[@SohelRana4-m5c]

Moore John Martinez Ronald Miller Sharon

[@KateHall-e6j]

White David Hernandez Barbara Perez Scott

[@MrNcgy]

MacVSog was disbanded in '72. I'm not sure this guy remembers things accurately. He speaks in too many generalities, and with too much vagueness.

[@terrancecomey2732]

Amazing

[@Michelle-g9f2k]

how many f**king commercial ads is sh1t tube gonna throw in this video. i couldn't take it. i moved on after about 37 minutes and 5 interruptions.

[@TEM1]

No.

[@HarringtonDuke]

5273 Ahmed Key

[@VinceFlynn-xy7fp]

Why are you wearing a garbage bag for the interview

[@tompeacock6674]

How many of the five friends made it home

[@JesseJohnson-y8c]

Dear Mr Glover. My name is Jesse. I always wanted to be a marine growing up. But I was expelled from highschool and got involved with alcohol and drugs. Ive been in multiple treatments and detoxes. I would get sober for awhile then fall down. Them sober and fall again. My last treatment they showed a video called make your bed by admiral mccraven. That's what saved my life. I could relate to everything he said to life and also recovery. I watch your podcast. Jocko podcast and many other military based podcasts. You special forces guys don't quit! So I started a military recovery. Just like in boot camp and training they break you down. So.... I started to break myself down with therapy, dual diagnosis program, more therapy and forgave myself. I then built myself up to what i wanted to be. I then wanted to start helping others in recovery so i now work in the recovery field. All of these podcasts I watch gave me the never quit attitude to keep staying sober even though I might be having a bad day. But i learned just because im having a bad day doesn't mean im having a bad life so just stay in the fight because tomorrow will be better. I just wanted to thank you and jocko and andy stumpf and many other heroes that keep me fighting everyday. So basically I stayed sober through the military and never served a day in uniform. But... Im giving service everyday to others who need help with addiction. I would love to meet you guys one day and personally thank you for helping me and thank you for keeping this country safe. Yours sincerely... Jesse

[@FlapjackKalanchoe]

Keep it up, dude! You are doing some hard work, but no one can do it for you!

[@JesseJohnson-y8c]

Thanks! Appreciate it. They help inspire me

[@richardclary6267]

Don't get a big head like you have it beat....worst possible shit you could post....10 years..sober after GWOT....you acting like that monster is beat....Pink Cloud ☁️

[@ProTexTV]

I've been down the road you're traveling. This man changed my life. Hang in there and fight the good fight. AIrborne! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oquaanuoiKaDp9Esi=pF5DPVoEnXa86-Ms

[@JesseJohnson-y8c]

Complacency kills. I make sure I stay humble. Sorry you took it as I have it beat. ​@@richardclary6267

[@tomroberts9794]

The interview of Cliff is very good. I appreciate you, Mike, giving Cliff the space to get his story out, without interrupting and talking over him. Your service is much appreciated.

[@damonsmith71712]

Thanks for interviewing these SOG warriors Mike. I used to read books on these guys back in the 80’s. We need to hear their experiences and give them the respect they deserve.

[@brucehansbrough9075]

Love seeing the Mac v sog interviews. Keep it up Mike these guys have awesome stories to tell. 🇺🇸

[@jonc4050]

Any macv sog interviews i see, i watch. Better than any movie. Thank you. And thanks the those crazy sog guys, thank you.

[@timrieben8930]

These guys are great! Newman, Meyer, Brockhausen, et al...their stories are priceless.

[@realplatinum]

Another great guest

[@riftraft2015]

Absolutely Excellent interview. 👍 Mr. Newman. Thank you for sharing your story. Welcome home Sir. Mike. Thank you for bringing this story to us. Thank you both for your service to our country. 🇺🇸 SALUTE 🇺🇸

[@leveraction3]

I want to thank you for this interview together, having 3 family members serve in Vietnam, my mother two brothers, and my dad, all in the US Army, and losing my uncle in 1/ 15/1970, , my dad was in the army before they went to Vietnam and left in 69 after 20 years, he wouldn't speak about, and my other uncle is only in Vietnam for a short while and then was restation to Germany, for the duration of his enlistment, he was also a volunteer, 1966/1970,

[@pkthurk21]

What an absolute badass man! True warrior. Mike, thanks for bringing these stories to us as a way to respect their service and enthrall us with their memories...

[@tankish1529]

My grandfather was a green beret in first group I think as he was sationed in Okinawa. My aunt was born there. I don’t know if he was apart of SOG, but it wouldn’t surprise me. He had some wild stories. Eventually he retired as a full bird Colonel but served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Died in 2009 aged 77.

[@qwertyuio905]

Pretty amazing stuff. Thanks for sharing.

[@oldveteran7992]

Thank you from an old Cold War Vet.

[@StanJones-f6o]

Your an outstanding interviewer mike...keep up the great work...

[@aaronepping3408]

Jesus fucking christ enough commercials already

[@BillyStone-j2o]

Allen Carol White Joseph Garcia Mary

[@dannyghent9087]

Great show Mike! Thank you both for bringing this to us. I still love the History channel dangerous missions episode with a younger Phil and some other noted SOG men.🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@dannyghent9087]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6Oofouej6-AeZIsi=KqDYeCarXiA7wIxB

[@saulayala4970]

Always riveting

[@michaellee2652]

Mr. Newman....thank you!

[@JavierRamirez-wu5ru]

Cauliflower ear..hes been in a scrap or two.

[@pickititllneverheal9016]

Damn good men.

[@ZenaidaPosey-f1z]

Coty Summit

[@carolannejames-s3j]

Tomas Gardens

[@sombra6153]

Thank you Cliff and Mike for this interview. I’d heard mention of SOG when I was playing army as a peacetime reservist in the 80s but never heard any details. I have read John Plaster’s accounts. I don’t think very many people understand what it takes to walk or crawl slow and quietly, or hide for hours, days on end. Or have the attention span to employ those techniques while controlling the anxiety certain to build up. Thanks for your sacrifices. Only in SF are E6/7s qualified to lead battalions and brigades in ours and every other army in the world.

[@dogbuggy32]

I think my pops was there helping out. Thank you sir.

[@teddyrex1963]

wouldn't being in a helicopter at higher latitude cause blood to move more freely because of the atmosphere?

[@jackchristie4408]

Thank you to all vets that served around the world for my freedoms.

[@KINGME11A]

What is the name of the song at the end of the podcast?

[@raymccumstie1439]

A lot of time spent in hell these men were and are incredible.

[@donaldzlotnik505]

Sadly, they let a lot of unqualified men into SF during the Vietnam Era. That group took over the SF Association and aggrandized each other into heroes. Thankfully, Colonel Howard raised the standards after Vietnam and today's SF are fully qualified and represent the regiment at a high standard. WHEN A RECON TEAM MAKES CONTACT WITH THE ENEMY...IT IS A FAILED MISSION! As for the HALO mission...there is a LOT to say about that and the male bovine excrement runs deep! Basically, SMG Billy Waugh tried to form a HALO Team for a special mission. Please note, HALO is NOT just parachuting, there is a LOT more to it and you just do NOT pull men out of the ranks and throw free fall gear on them ! LORDY! He could not get fully qualified HALO men to volunteer, so he selected a team and lead it. If everyone who claims to have been on that team were assembled on a parade field, it would surpass a BATTALION! Major Donald E. Zlotnik, LOGISTICS OFFICER at CCN 1969-70 (Please note, as the "supply guy" was was well informed as a member of the primary staff at CCN...above the male bovine excrement!)

[@donaldzlotnik505]

We had SOME very fine men at CCN and those few set the reputation for the unit. They were always well prepared for difficult missions and ALWAYS were truthful and honorable men.'''ARRUGGHHHH...enough! The truth gets lost in a war story.

[@roberthubbard5008]

You were a remf that nobody liked. Bitter and jealous that nobody is asking for your story or something. You always talk down on everyone. How can anyone recon when missions are compromised? They still tried regardless. I think your own male bovine excrement must be up around your hips by now

[@roberthubbard5008]

In other words you were a "remf"

[@donaldzlotnik505]

@@roberthubbard5008 I hold two valor awards and a gunshot Purple Heart. EVERY Special Forces man served time as a REMF. So what is your point? The difference between your kind and mine is we did the BEST job we could in whatever position we were assigned.

[@roberthubbard5008]

The men you talk about didn't do the best they could? A lot got killed doing the best they could

[@ChrisJohnston-b6f]

My uncle taught me jiu jitsu and I am trying to find someone who knew him. He served in Germany, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Shield. His records were sealed for 63yrs. Lester Otto Johnston, aka, sgt Otto. last rank I saw was command sergeant major (three up three down with a wreath in the middle) at one time was top sgt on ft Hood. He was always overseas. He had a scar on his left cheek 1/2 wide in the shape of a question mark drawn down to the center of his chest.

[@Russellsagecline]

63 years? Like Cliff said, MACV-SOG records were declassified in the 90s. There's no record of Otto Johnston in the database. Sorry you were misled by your grandfather..

[@TEM1]

Did he kill his wife?

[@jamesgeorge9467]

Hell yeah

[@dustyoberg6687]

nick brockhousens books are my favorite so far. good mix of humor, missions, and shenanigans. "we few" and "whispers in the grass" "vagabonds" cover post war exploits, and is awesome too.

[@DLo336]

Yeah he had a very interesting career after the absolute badass kill fest that was his Vietnam tours

[@Steveoh1983]

Jesus couldn’t listen to him…

[@tedsmith3061]

Listened to every word. Thanks Cliff for the excellent work you performed. I'm speechless. I have lots of friends who were there. One of them was my stepfather. I knew my biological father, but he didn't have a thing to do with my life. However Staff Seargent Harold (Hank) Frank Smith USMC did. He did two combat tours in 'Nam. Door gunner on the evac missions. Shot down at least once i think twice. Purple Heart...that guy made a man out of me just by being who he was. I put his ashes in the wall in Coronado. So much to say...who do we tell? I don't know. However as a survivor of a carreer Marine i have a special place in my heart for all the folks who were there. I have even been a "chaparone" for a friend who was 101st Airborne. Richard Metsiou from Brooklyn. 100% PTSD. He was a lone survivor of an entire platoon blasted to hell on Hamburger Hill. He could'nt go out in the general public without a chaparone. I was that guy for him, had to tell a bar bouncer to stand down once because Rick got emotional at a bar in Lake Elsinore re-living the shit that happened to him over there and when he came back home once. Dude wanted to be rough with him, I told the bouncer, "you even so much as touch Richard and i'm gonna touch you and you'll pull away a bloody stump". He knew i meant it cuz i sure as hell did. Richard was badly abused by folks when he came home who wanted to call him a baby killer and shit like that. I wasn't going to let anyone abuse him again...not on my watch. Like i said after listening to your story i feel like i know you somehow and have a special place in my heart for the guys that were there. Now you too as well. You spoke of Utah, are you LDS? i am... Anyhow brother Cliff if i don't see you in this life...i'll be looking you up in the next. Keep your shooter locked and loaded. Ted out.

[@KennithAllen]

81009 Keeling Lodge