#260 Dale Hanson - Why MACV-SOG Had an 85% Casualty Rate and 1-in-4000 Odds
In this episode of the Shawn Ryan Show, Dale Hanson shares his experiences from early life through his service in Vietnam and beyond. Starting with his religious awakening at age five and his commitment to holistic self-development as a teenager, the conversation moves to his military service as a Green Beret in the Mac V SOG unit, where he conducted intelligence gathering and POW rescue missions despite facing severe odds against survival.
The discussion then covers Hanson's challenges transitioning to civilian life after Vietnam, including his time as a police officer in Sitka, Alaska. Hanson describes how he found new direction through woodcarving and religious leadership, establishing a successful carving business that supported his family for two decades while simultaneously serving as a Baptist pastor for 25 years.
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Hanson's Early Life and Religious Upbringing
Dale Hanson's Christian journey began at age five when a sermon about "dying to oneself" deeply impacted him. Though he initially misinterpreted the metaphor literally, wanting to jump off a bridge, the pastor's wife helped him understand the concept of salvation. This early spiritual awakening influenced his entire life, including the title of his first songbook.
As a young teenager, Hanson committed himself to holistic development, inspired by Luke 2:52's description of Jesus's growth. He focused on physical exercise, intellectual pursuits, and social development. At age 13, a near-death experience with an accidental rifle shot demonstrated his remarkable resilience, as he insisted on walking to the hospital and continuing church attendance despite his injuries.
Hanson's Vietnam War Green Beret Service
Driven by strong anti-communist beliefs, Hanson voluntarily enlisted in the military despite having a draft deferment. He distinguished himself in Special Forces training, becoming one of only three candidates out of 600 to pass selection at Camp Crockett.
In the Mac V SOG, Hanson served three tours conducting intelligence gathering and POW rescue missions. Despite facing 1-in-4,000 odds of survival, he successfully completed crucial missions, including gathering intelligence that helped end the Ben Het siege. Hanson formed close bonds with his indigenous teammates, particularly his Montagnard mercenaries and Chinese fighters who would inscribe "Han Sun" (never die) on his back for protection.
Hanson's Post-War Transition and Career
Hanson's return to civilian life proved challenging, marked by the stark contrast between the reception of Vietnam veterans compared to World War II veterans. After an unsuccessful attempt at becoming a pilot through the GI Bill, he became a police officer in Sitka, Alaska. His strict law enforcement approach led to life threats and eventually forced him to seek other employment.
Finding a new direction, Hanson established a successful woodcarving business that sustained his family for 20 years, sparked by a generous donation of ivory scraps from premier Alaskan carver Jim Fleschmann. Simultaneously, he began pastoring a Baptist church, where he has served for 25 years, focusing on scripture-based teaching and maintaining a dedicated congregation despite the church's secluded location.
1-Page Summary
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Actionables
- Reflect on personal metaphors by journaling about phrases or concepts that resonate with you and explore their deeper meaning in your life. For instance, if "planting seeds" strikes a chord, write about how you can nurture new skills or relationships daily.
- Adopt a holistic self-improvement plan by setting goals in four key areas: physical, intellectual, social, and spiritual. You might start a fitness routine, join a book club, volunteer in community service, and meditate regularly to achieve balanced growth.
- Create a resilience journal to document and reflect on challenging experiences and your responses to them. This can help you recognize your strengths and areas for growth, similar to how someone might analyze their reaction to a crisis.
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Hanson's Early Life and Religious Upbringing
Dale Hanson’s early life and religious journey deeply shaped his character and faith. His childhood experiences brought a resilient spirit and a decision to live as a devoted Christian, which influenced his life choices and the way he confronted challenges.
Hanson's Early Religious Experience Shaped His Christian Faith
Hanson embraced the Christian faith from as young as five years old, when a sermon about the need to "die to oneself" to become a new creature in Christ resonated deeply with him.
Hanson's Spiritual Awakening at 5: Embracing "Die To Oneself" and "Born Again" Christianity
After the sermon, he experienced a week of nightmares, interpreting the preacher's metaphor of diving off a bridge quite literally. The misunderstandings culminated with Hansen telling the pastor he was ready to be thrown off a bridge, demonstrating his early commitment without fully understanding the metaphor. It was the pastor’s wife who explained the concept of salvation to him, helping him to grasp the metaphor and guide him to accept Christianity. This spiritual milestone influenced the title of his first songbook as he referred to himself as "born again."
Hanson continued to refer back to this early spiritual awakening throughout his life, recognizing the influence it had on his Christian identity. The story of how he took a sermon's message so seriously at a young age speaks volumes about his earnest and literal engagement with faith.
Hanson's Childhood Focused On Holistic Growth
Hanson’s interest in religion at a young age wasn’t limited to spiritual matters; he also focused on personal development across various domains, as reflected in the Biblical model of Jesus Christ.
Hanson, a Young Teen, Aimed to Emulate Jesus Christ's Well-Roundedness in Four Areas
Inspired by the Bible verse Luke 2:52, which describes Jesus growing in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man, Hanson endeavored to develop holistically—physically, intellectually, socially, and spiritually. He exercised intensely to build his physique, indulged in classic ...
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Hanson's Early Life and Religious Upbringing
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Actionables
- Reflect on personal milestones to create a "spiritual autobiography" that tracks your growth and pivotal moments. Start by jotting down significant events in your life that have shaped your beliefs and character. This could be anything from a conversation that made you rethink your values, to a book that changed your perspective, to a challenge you overcame that strengthened your resolve. Use this autobiography as a living document to add new experiences and insights as they occur.
- Develop a balanced self-improvement plan inspired by the concept of holistic growth. Break down your goals into four categories: physical, intellectual, social, and spiritual. For each category, set achievable objectives, like joining a fitness class for physical growth, enrolling in an online course for intellectual stimulation, attending social gatherings to improve interpersonal skills, and participating in meditation or spiritual study groups for spiritual development.
- Practice making quick, thoughtful ...
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Hanson's Vietnam War Green Beret Service
Dale Hanson reflects on his service as a Green Beret during the Vietnam War, marked by anti-communist beliefs, exceptional performance in Special Forces training, and high-stakes reconnaissance missions. With compelling recollections, he highlights the intelligence achievements and camaraderie that characterized his time in the Mac V SOG, amidst the daunting odds of survival.
Hanson Joined the Military In College to Serve In Special Forces
Dale Hanson chose to enlist in the military voluntarily, despite having a deferment from the draft, driven by his strong anti-communist sentiments and a belief in the Vietnam War. Reading about the mounting casualties, Hanson left his college ministerial studies to serve, insisting on the chance to try out for Special Forces.
Hanson Enlisted Despite Deferment, Driven by Anti-Communist Views
Hanson cited communism in the United States during the Vietnam War era as a substantial issue, reflecting an anti-communist stance that fueled his desire to enlist in Special Forces.
Hanson Excelled In Special Forces Training, Being 1 of Only 3 Out of 600 Candidates to Pass Selection
Hanson was unyielding in his determination to excel and aimed only for the best—the Special Forces. He underwent challenging training at Camp Crockett, designed for those intending to serve in commando or airborne roles. Out of 600 candidates, Hanson distinguished himself as one of only three to pass the demanding selection test, showcasing his singular focus and competence.
Hanson's Green Beret Missions in Macv-Sog
Hanson served three tours with the secret Mac V SOG at command and control central, focusing on intelligence gathering and POW snatches. He vividly recounts a mission during the Ben Het siege, wherein his team identified enemy NVA battalions and gathered crucial intelligence about enemy headquarters and artillery without direct engagement—contributing significantly to ending the siege.
Hanson's Mission Ended the Ben Het Siege With Intelligence
With 1-in-4,000 odds of surviving a year in Macv-Sog, Hanson and his ...
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Hanson's Vietnam War Green Beret Service
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Actionables
- Explore your convictions by volunteering for a cause you believe in, similar to how someone might enlist for service due to strong beliefs. You can find local organizations that align with your values and offer your time or skills. For example, if you're passionate about environmental conservation, you could volunteer with a local park cleanup group or wildlife preservation society.
- Build resilience through physical and mental challenges by setting up a personal boot camp routine. This could involve a mix of endurance exercises, strength training, and problem-solving activities that you do weekly. For instance, you might start with a run, followed by a circuit of bodyweight exercises, and finish with a puzzle or brain teaser to sharpen your mental agility.
- Foster teamwork and trust in you ...
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Hanson's Post-War Transition and Career
Dale Hanson’s narrative outlines a tumultuous transition from military service in Vietnam to a fulfilling career as a woodcarver and pastor.
Hanson's Tough Reintegration Into Civilian Life Post-Vietnam
Hanson Found Vietnam Veterans' Reception Disheartening Compared To WWII Veterans
Upon returning from the Vietnam War, Dale Hanson spoke about the stark contrast between the way World War II veterans were celebrated and the reception that Vietnam veterans like himself received. Hanson described an encounter where someone tried to steal his beret at an airport, highlighting the disrespect and chaotic climate that faced veterans of his era.
Hanson's Post-War Struggle For Purpose
He also shared his sense of uncertainty upon re-entering civilian life, with the question "What now?" resonating as a symbol of the confusion and aimlessness many servicemen experienced post-war.
Hanson Became an Alaska Police Officer Post-War
Hanson's GI Bill Pilot Training Thwarted by Tragic Instructor Accident
After his military service, Hanson decided to use the GI Bill to pursue a career as a pilot, with aspirations of becoming an airline pilot. However, his ambitions were curtailed when his flight instructor tragically died in a plane crash, leading to unreliability in finding a replacement.
Hanson's Career Drew Controversy For Strict Law Enforcement, Leading To Life Threats
As a police officer in Sitka, Alaska, Hanson was known for his strict enforcement of the law, an approach that was not universally welcomed and led to severe backlash. He became "politically hot" within the department and was advised to seek other employment after multiple contracts were taken out on his life. He barely escaped a shooting attempt when a bullet missed him thanks to his dog's bark. Despite these challenges, his commitment to law enforcement was reinforced when he managed to intervene in a shootout, stopping a threatening individual who was shooting at people in cars.
Hanson Found Fulfillment As a Woodcarver and Pastor
Hanson's Woodcarving Business Supported His Family and Gave Him Purpose After Military Service
Following his tenure as a police officer, Hanson turned to woodcarving as a means to support his family, especially as potential employers were fearful of hiring him due to risks of boycotts or violence. He began carving soapstone and ivory, eventually recognizing the monetary value of his work, which became a sustainable source of income f ...
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Hanson's Post-War Transition and Career
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Actionables
- You can explore new career paths using available educational benefits, similar to how veterans use the GI Bill. Research local community colleges or online courses that offer certifications or training in fields you're interested in. For example, if you've always wanted to learn graphic design, look for a short-term course that provides the foundational skills needed to start freelancing or creating your own projects.
- Create a side business based on a hobby or skill you already possess, as Hanson did with woodcarving. Start by identifying what you enjoy doing in your free time that could be monetized, such as knitting, painting, or woodworking. Then, set up a simple online store on platforms like Etsy or create a social media page to showcase and sell your creations.
- Volunteer in community services that ...
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