True Fiction Project – Season 5, Episode 13: "Swift Sword"

Release Date: December 17, 2024

Introduction

In Season 5, Episode 13 of the True Fiction Project, host Renita Hora delves into the harrowing experiences of the Vietnam War through the lens of Doyle Glass, a former criminal prosecutor and author. This episode, titled "Swift Sword," offers a profound exploration of true stories from the battlefield, transforming them into compelling narratives that honor the legacy of Vietnam veterans.

Guest Introduction: Doyle Glass

Renita Hora warmly welcomes Doyle Glass, highlighting his unique background and contributions:

Renita Hora [02:08]: "He is a former prosecutor. He is, interestingly enough, a sculptor of two military masterpieces... And most importantly, relevant to today. He is the author of Swift Sword, and I'm going to let him explain what his book is about."

Doyle Glass introduces himself with humility:

Doyle Glass [02:28]: "Swift Sword is the story of 24 hours in Vietnam, the terror of combat that our soldiers faced back then in the war."

From Prosecutor to Author: Doyle's Journey

Renita inquires about Doyle’s transition from law to writing, emphasizing his passion for history and art:

Renita Hora [03:13]: "Now, you're a former prosecutor. You've done these military sculptures. What led you to writing in general?"

Doyle explains his career shift, driven by a need to tell deeper stories:

Doyle Glass [03:25]: "I needed to make the change. I'm also a creative person, so art was very important to me... I need to tell stories and I need to tell true ones and with a creative bent. So that led me to Swift Sword."

He further elaborates on his inspirations, referencing seminal works like Band of Brothers and Saving Private Ryan, and his desire to document Vietnam veterans' experiences:

Doyle Glass [04:30]: "I said, we need to do that for Vietnam. This is my time in my generation... we have movies with political bent, but no real stories, legacy, true stories about what happened."

The Significance of "Swift Sword"

The conversation shifts to the essence of "Swift Sword", emphasizing its role in preserving authentic veteran narratives:

Doyle Glass [02:28]: "Swift Sword is the story of 24 hours in Vietnam... I conducted close to 50 interviews of veterans of the battle..."

Renita probes the scarcity of true Vietnam stories compared to World War II narratives:

Renita Hora [05:38]: "Why do you think there were movies but no documented true stories about Vietnam?"

Doyle attributes this gap to the collective desire to forget the painful memories of the Vietnam War:

Doyle Glass [06:02]: "The Vietnam War was very, very painful time for our country... We wanted to forget it and we wanted to move on."

He contrasts this with the celebratory remembrance of World War II, highlighting the urgent need to document Vietnam veterans' experiences before their stories are lost:

Doyle Glass [06:02]: "These men are passing. When they pass, their stories go with them. And that legacy is not safeguarded and preserved for future generations."

Research and Writing Process

Renita admires the depth of Doyle’s research and inquires about his methodology:

Renita Hora [08:16]: "How did you consolidate this very big project?"

Doyle likens his research to assembling a three-dimensional puzzle, emphasizing the challenges of capturing fragmented and often painful memories:

Doyle Glass [08:16]: "Building a three-dimensional puzzle with pieces that you don't have... Finding where they fit."

He discusses the technical aspects of his research, from conducting interviews to transcribing them, and the emotional toll it took:

Doyle Glass [08:16]: "A lot of the men would not talk because their experiences were too painful... It took both books several years to find all the veterans, interview them."

Doyle reveals the evolution of "Swift Sword", transitioning from its first edition to a more comprehensive second edition after a decade of life changes:

Doyle Glass [10:50]: "Swift Sword is a second edition... It took 20 years, really, with a big break in the middle, to create what it is."

Audience and Legacy

Renita is impressed by the extensive reach of Doyle’s work, with a newsletter subscription exceeding 340,000:

Renita Hora [11:05]: "Who are these readers, do you know?"

Doyle explains that his audience primarily consists of the Vietnam generation, their families, and those eager to preserve these critical stories:

Doyle Glass [11:34]: "A lot of the readers are the Vietnam generation. The men that were there, the women, their families... People are very concerned about losing these stories."

He underscores the importance of these narratives in understanding both personal and national history:

Doyle Glass [11:34]: "The stories are the legacy... we need to safeguard them for future generations."

Reading from "Swift Sword"

In a poignant segment, Doyle reads an excerpt from "Swift Sword", vividly depicting a Marine unit’s ambush by the North Vietnamese Army (NVA):

Doyle Glass [12:40]: "...This battle occurred in September of 1967 in the Khe Sanh Valley of South Vietnam... Mike Company 3/5, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines received an emergency call to rescue another company being ambushed by the NVA."

He narrates the chaos and bravery of the Marines as they face overwhelming odds:

Doyle Glass [12:40]: "...A Marine unit of a little over 100 men... suddenly surrounded by thousands... North Vietnamese soldiers expertly camouflaged... ambush... rang like a beehive."

The excerpt captures the intensity of combat and the resilience of the soldiers:

Doyle Glass [15:41]: "...chaotic, confusing situation... gallantry, the bravery in the instance of these young men as they fought for their comrades."

Preserving the Legacy

As the episode nears its conclusion, Renita and Doyle emphasize the critical need to honor and remember Vietnam veterans:

Renita Hora [15:53]: "Such an important piece of history... a contribution to the legacy of so much of what has happened in this country."

Doyle expresses his gratitude towards the veterans who entrusted him with their stories:

Doyle Glass [15:53]: "I truly want to thank these veterans who trusted me to tell their story."

Connecting with Doyle Glass

Before wrapping up, Renita invites listeners to engage with Doyle’s work and upcoming events:

Renita Hora [16:20]: "Let our listeners know and our viewers, of course, where they can find your work."

Doyle provides his contact information and announces a special honor week for Vietnam veterans:

Doyle Glass [16:33]: "My website, doyleglass.com... December 16th through the 21st, we're going to honor these men... run a special on the book... to preserve their legacy."

Renita encourages the audience to support and share Doyle’s mission:

Renita Hora [17:13]: "Do listen to this episode, do look out for his further stories, do go to his website and do send us some comments and tell us what you think."

Conclusion

Season 5, Episode 13 of the True Fiction Project masterfully intertwines true historical accounts with creative storytelling. Through Doyle Glass’s meticulous research and heartfelt dedication, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the Vietnam War's profound impact on those who served. This episode serves as a vital reminder of the importance of preserving personal narratives to honor the legacy of veterans and educate future generations.

Engage with the True Fiction Project

At the end of the episode, Renita Hora invites listeners to contribute their stories or collaborate with the project:

Renita Hora [23:13]: "If you have a great story or know somebody who does, or if you are a writer who would like to contribute, then please do get in touch with us at renita.com forward/contact."

For more inspiring stories and to subscribe to the newsletter, visit www.TrueFictionProject.com.

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