Ep 72: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and guest Dan Guida P2 on hmTv

Episode 72 | The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and Guest Lieutenant Dan Guida (Part 2)

In this powerful continuation of The Fog of War and Humanity, host Richard Acritelli sits down with Vietnam War veteran Lieutenant Dan Guida to explore the harrowing final days of his combat tour, his emotional return home, and his lifelong dedication to advocating for fellow veterans.

From a chaotic Christmas morning firefight in 1967 to an unexpected visit from “Santa” via helicopter, Dan shares stories that are as unforgettable as they are revealing. He opens up about the difficult transition back to civilian life, the long fight for recognition of Agent Orange-related illnesses, and how the Vietnam generation helped pave the way for better treatment of today’s veterans.

Dan also reflects on the portrayal of Vietnam in Hollywood — including his surprising connection to Forrest Gump — and how films like We Were Soldiers and Platoon helped reframe public perception of Vietnam veterans. As the quartermaster of one of New York’s most active VFW posts, Dan continues to serve by mentoring younger veterans, educating students, and ensuring that the legacy of his generation is never forgotten.

This episode is a moving tribute to resilience, service, and the enduring fight for justice and dignity for all who wear the uniform.

Transcript

Episode 72 | The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and Guest Lieutenant Dan Guida (Part 2)

Richard Acritelli:
Welcome back here on hmTv. I’m Rich Acritelli and I’m here with Dan Guida, an armored officer — also known as Lieutenant Dan. In Part 1, we talked about Dan’s early service in Vietnam. Now we’re entering the final moments of his deployment and his return home. Dan, are there any stories that stand out to you from your final days in South Vietnam?

Dan Guida:
Oh, definitely. The craziest day of my life was Christmas morning, 1967. Like I said before, I used to go out with just my platoon. We got into a firefight that morning with Viet Cong. We chased them, and not long after, we were sucked into a minefield. One of our armored personnel carriers hit a mine. I had three men wounded and lost the track. I had to call in a medevac, and shortly after, a helicopter came in for the wounded, and another one came to pick up the destroyed vehicle.

Five minutes later, I get a call from headquarters: “Watch for a helicopter, call sign Reindeer.” It was Christmas morning, remember. So, we look up and here comes this chopper, decked out with lights, blasting Christmas music. I get the call: “Alpha 16, pop smoke — this is Reindeer.” We pop smoke, the helicopter lands, and out comes Santa. So in two hours, I lose a vehicle, have three guys wounded, call a medevac, and get a visit from Santa Claus. You don’t forget a day like that.

Richard:
No, I imagine not. That’s a wild emotional swing — chaos followed by Christmas cheer. You said you finally left Vietnam in November of ’68?

Dan:
Yeah, November 8th, 1968. I flew out of Vietnam to Japan, then to Fort Lewis, Washington. That’s where we were processed out. I was there for a couple of days, and then I flew back to New York — to Kennedy Airport, which wasn’t far from my home in Inwood.

Richard:
Did you encounter protests or hostility upon returning?

Dan:
Not really in my town. The American Legion and VFW were the center of everything there. But if you went into New York City, you’d definitely see the demonstrations. It was a tough time. Most of us weren’t political — we were just doing our jobs. I was drafted. We didn’t ask to go.

Richard:
And now, all these years later, you’re deeply involved in veteran advocacy — the VFW, the Long Island State Veterans Home. Did those early negative experiences push you to do more?

Dan:
Absolutely. Vietnam veterans got a raw deal. But we’ve made sure the veterans who came after us didn’t have to go through what we did. We helped reform how the VA works. Back then, we got a piece of paper and were sent home. Now, there’s training and reintegration support. Our generation made that possible.

Richard:
It took decades for many Vietnam veterans to receive any recognition or benefits, especially related to Agent Orange exposure.

Dan:
That’s right. Most of us didn’t get benefits until 2010 or so. I’m a cancer survivor — prostate cancer caused by Agent Orange. In ’67 and ’68, it was sprayed everywhere. We’d drive our vehicles right through it minutes after it was dispersed. It’s caused a lot of suffering. At the VA in Northport, I’d show up for radiation treatments and most of the guys in the waiting room were Vietnam vets with Agent Orange-related cancers.

Richard:
Are the services at the VA good?

Dan:
They’ve improved a lot. Northport has been excellent for me. I’ve had radiation and chemotherapy there. They’ve really come a long way.

Richard:
After you came home, you went back to school?

Dan:
Yes, through the GI Bill — one of the greatest pieces of legislation ever. I went to Nassau Community to make up some credits, then Hofstra. It paid for everything. I became a CPA and eventually started my own firm.

Richard:
Did you use your skills to help other veterans?

Dan:
Yes, I help vets at my VFW post however I can. Taxes, benefits — whatever they need. It’s part of giving back.

Richard:
Let’s shift gears a bit. You’re nicknamed Lieutenant Dan — made famous by Forrest Gump. That role resonated with many. What’s your connection?

Dan:
Funny enough, I was actually interviewed for the film. They had the character developed and interviewed three of us real Vietnam “Lieutenant Dans” for depth. My little contribution? The Tiparillo he smokes — I used to chew those in Vietnam.

Richard:
What about films like We Were Soldiers?

Dan:
That one is very accurate, especially in depicting combat and air support. There’s a scene where they call in an airstrike too close — that brought back memories. I was in a battle where I had to do the same. Fortunately, the enemy was on a hill, which made it easier to read the map. Still, calling in napalm — it’s a lot of pressure. You better know where you’re dropping it.

Richard:
Other films you think captured it well?

Dan:
Platoon did a pretty good job, though a bit dramatized. The series Tour of Duty is also fairly accurate with combat, though some parts are clearly Hollywood. But those films helped change the narrative. When we got back, we just wanted to forget. No one talked about service — I worked three years at a company and it never came up.

Richard:
Did those movies in the ‘80s and ‘90s help?

Dan:
Yes. They started shifting public opinion. We weren’t the villains — we were just doing our duty. Slowly, people began to understand that and show some respect.

Richard:
Today, what are your responsibilities with your VFW post?

Dan:
I’m the quartermaster at Post 6249 — I handle the books. It’s one of the most active posts in the state. We run a 5K, a golf outing, and raise a lot of money for veterans and causes. It helps keep the mission going, even decades after the war.

Richard:
And you still do outreach at schools?

Dan:
Yes, I visit about eight classes a year at places like Ward Melville and Wading River. Students are assigned papers on Vietnam, and I come in for discussions. It’s important. If we don’t teach it, it’ll be forgotten. The Korean War’s already mostly forgotten — we can’t let that happen with Vietnam.

Richard:
Dan, thank you so much. Your service, your advocacy, and your willingness to keep the conversation alive are incredibly important. We’re honored to have you on hmTv.

Dan Guida:
Thank you, Rich. It’s been a pleasure.

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