969 - Bo Gritz Part One - The Dollop with Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds

Episode Summary: The Dollop with Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds - Episode 969: Bo Gritz Part One

Release Date: August 12, 2025
Podcast: The Dollop with Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds
Hosts: Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds
Topic: Bo Gritz – A Controversial American Military Figure

1. Introduction to Bo Gritz

The episode kicks off with Dave Anthony introducing the concept of The Dollop, where he narrates intriguing and often obscure stories from American history to Gareth Reynolds, who remains unaware of the subject beforehand.

Dave Anthony [04:43]: “In World War II, there were fairies and they needed people to pilot them.”

Gareth humorously engages with Dave, setting a lighthearted tone for the deep dive into Bo Gritz’s life.

2. Early Life and Military Aspirations

Bo Gritz was born on January 18, 1939, in Enid, Oklahoma. His childhood was marked by the disappearance of his father during a World War II mission, leaving his mother, a wartime ferry pilot, often absent. Raised primarily by his grandparents, Bo developed an early obsession with the military, influenced by his grandmother's fictional war hero stories.

Gareth Reynolds [05:04]: “Well, there we go. So there it is.”
Dave Anthony [05:04]: “Grandma sent him on nightly make-believe missions with the ghost of his dead father.”
Timestamp: [05:04]

Bo's relentless pursuit of military greatness led him to enlist in the Army, bypassing traditional staff roles to rise through the ranks via active combat and special operations.

3. Military Career and Hyperbolic Achievements

Bo Gritz's military career is embellished with numerous accolades, many of which are contested. He claims to have received over 60 medals, including distinctions like the Distinguished Flying Cross and multiple Purple Hearts. However, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests reveal discrepancies, suggesting he may have awarded himself multiple medals, potentially even duplicating some.

Dave Anthony [17:16]: “But a Freedom of Information act request later seemed to show that Bo basically gave himself many of the medals.”
Gareth Reynolds [17:22]: “Oh, my God.”
Timestamp: [17:16]

His heroics reportedly include leading a daring raid to recover a lost U2 spy plane's black box in Cambodia, although accounts from fellow soldiers vary, with some asserting minimal or no confrontation during the mission.

Gareth Reynolds [14:13]: “Bo said he led his team behind enemy lines to the crash, but the box was gone.”
Timestamp: [14:13]

4. Post-War Struggles and Moral Conflicts

After the Vietnam War, Bo experienced significant moral turmoil, grappling with the lives he ended during his service. This internal conflict propelled him into advocacy for missing in action (MIA) soldiers, though his methods and credibility came under scrutiny.

Dave Anthony [17:01]: “I think if people like you, you get those easier.”
Gareth Reynolds [17:03]: “Yeah, Yeah, you do.”
Timestamp: [17:01]

His attempts to assist MIA families were marred by questionable operations and alleged fabrications, leading to skepticism from both the military establishment and the public.

5. Operation Velvet Hammer: A Misguided Rescue Mission

In a bid to rescue alleged POWs in Laos, Bo Gritz orchestrated Operation Velvet Hammer. The mission was characterized by its lack of proper planning, reliance on unverified intelligence, and incorporation of unconventional team members like psychics and hypnotherapists.

Dave Anthony [36:00]: “Operation Velvet Hammer. Soft Hammer.”
Gareth Reynolds [36:02]: “I'm gonna hit you with a soft Hammer so soft.”
Timestamp: [36:00]

The operation, fueled by Bo's determination and dubious funding sources—including supposed support from Federal Express—fell apart almost immediately. Miscommunications, logistical failures, and the absence of any real intelligence led to an ambush where Bo's team, ill-equipped and underprepared, faced significant setbacks.

Gareth Reynolds [74:03]: “He just goes straight to Reagan.”
Timestamp: [74:03]

The mission ultimately failed to locate any POWs, revealing the depth of Bo's misconceptions and the inefficacy of his covert operations.

6. Controversial Public Persona and Media Exploits

Despite the failures, Bo Gritz managed to cultivate a controversial public image. He appeared on national TV shows, asserting he had proof of POWs still held in Laos. However, media inquiries into his claims often resulted in vague responses, such as undeveloped film rolls that he promised to reveal later.

Dave Anthony [87:06]: “So that's the end of part one.”
Timestamp: [87:06]

His theatrical antics and persistent assertions kept him in the public eye, ironically reinforcing his status as a "hero" despite the lack of substantive evidence supporting his missions.

7. Conclusion of Part One

The episode concludes with Bo Gritz facing mounting pressure from governmental bodies and skepticism from the media. As his missions consistently falter, his reputation as a military icon continues to deteriorate, leaving listeners eager for the continuation in Part Two.

Gareth Reynolds [89:15]: “We are so incapable of anything. Yeah. I mean, it is shocking.”
Dave Anthony [89:17]: “Yeah.”
Timestamp: [89:15]

Dave Anthony [89:26]: “America, we did it.”
Timestamp: [89:26]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

Dave Anthony [04:43]: “In World War II, there were fairies and they needed people to pilot them.”
Gareth Reynolds [05:04]: “Well, there we go. So there it is.”
Dave Anthony [17:16]: “But a Freedom of Information act request later seemed to show that Bo basically gave himself many of the medals.”
Gareth Reynolds [17:22]: “Oh, my God.”
Gareth Reynolds [36:02]: “I'm gonna hit you with a soft Hammer so soft.”
Dave Anthony [87:06]: “So that's the end of part one.”
Gareth Reynolds [89:15]: “We are so incapable of anything. Yeah. I mean, it is shocking.”

Final Thoughts

This episode delves into the enigmatic and controversial figure of Bo Gritz, presenting a narrative filled with ambition, moral conflict, and questionable endeavors. Through humorous banter and critical analysis, Dave and Gareth unravel the complexities of a man who straddled the line between heroism and delusion, setting the stage for an intriguing continuation in the subsequent episode.