Episode 40: Bob Charest

In Episode 12, Bob discusses his Hall of Fame Army Special Forces career. Tonight, Bob tells us about how he was awarded the Silver Star with MACV-SOG; his extensive experiences with Detachment-A; and his time with the CIA in Thailand. 

Episode history highlights:

1). B-56 Project Sigma, explanation of MACV-SOG’s Recon and Hatchet Teams, and Bob’s Silver Star (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwXYgQ4tvYE&t=22s)

2). Lodge Act soldiers — Eastern Europeans who volunteered for Army Special Forces and in return would receive their US citizenship. Note: Some of these soldiers would become Distinguished Members of the Regiment i.e. the Green Beret Hall of Fame.

3). Detachment-A in Berlin — https://detachment-a.org/ — the Cold War clandestine unit tasked with “stay behind” operations in Berlin in the event of a Soviet Union invasion.

4). Fascinating tradecraft used throughout the 1960s like invisible ink, how to blend in as an American in Germany, and use of tabletop 3D models stashed in ceilings, which were miniature replicas of real targets. Additionally, Bob talks about OSS/CIA-developed cigarette lighters that fired a .22 bullet. 

5). Sketchy nature of locking-out of a WWII-era submarine in Greece.

6). CIA in Thailand in the 1970s and Air America.

7). Driving a flatbed truck on fire and loaded with ammunition off a CIA base in Thailand. Bob received the Soldier’s Medal, which is a life-saving medal awarded for non-combat action. 

Please subscribe on Apple and Spotify. This action might not seem like much, but the support allows Late Night History to continue interviewing world-class guests.

Join 13K followers of Late Night History on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/latenighthistory/⁠

10% Discount Code using MATTFRATUS at HR4K’s store. HR4K is a UK lifestyle brand founded by British SAS veteran, friend, and guest of the show (Episode 7) Ben Garwood. Follow the link here: ⁠https://www.hr4k.uk/?ref=MATTFRATUS