Dale Hanson - Why MACV-SOG Had an 85% Casualty Rate and 1-in-4000 Odds | SRS #260
MACV-SOG Operator Dale Hanson: Resilience, Critical Gear Innovation, and Morality in Combat
Discover the foundational principles—spiritual, intellectual, and physical—that enabled a Green Beret to survive three tours in MACV-SOG, and learn how his personal initiative engineered a critical battlefield equipment improvement adopted by the military.
Short Summary
- Hanson credits his character to early foundations, including becoming a Christian at age five and adopting the principle of holistic growth (physical, intellectual, social, spiritual).
- He entered the Vietnam War voluntarily and achieved the highest levels of Special Forces selection, knowing the odds of surviving three tours were extremely low (1 in 4,000 per year).
- His team specialized in high-stakes reconnaissance and Prisoner of War (POW) recovery, executing missions deep behind enemy lines in Laos and Cambodia.
- Hanson pioneered the adoption of the 30-round magazine after witnessing the disadvantage 20-round magazines created during firefights against AK-47 equipped forces.
This interview profiles Dale Hanson, a highly decorated MACV-SOG operator, author, and current pastor. He details the intense operational environment of combat reconnaissance, including harrowing close calls and landmark intelligence gathering missions that effectively ended major enemy sieges. Furthermore, Hanson discusses his challenging reintegration into civilian life, his subsequent career as a sculptor and police officer, and his philosophical justifications for taking human life in conflict.
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Top Comments (10)
These SOG boys are fucking weapons
When I started in law enforcement in 1983, I was lucky enough to work with several Vietnam War combat veterans. My K9 mentor was a Ranger and LRRP, his ability to appear calm under duress was almost mystifying to me. He and another Nam Vet became hunting buddies of mine and let me sometimes into their inner circle of stories........Both have passed on now, but their memories are priceless. May their souls find the peace they deserve.
My uncle survived. Three Purple Hearts. Wounded three times. MacV-SOG ❤
This man is the real deal Green Beret operator. He and his unit is legendary and his reads are a must. Right on Shawn! Mad respect.
This guy is the man that inspired me to join. I’m retired 18D spent 22 years in the army. I’m proud to call him my friend and I have the utmost respect for him and the men like him that paved the way for the rest of us.
I wish my dad would have lived long enough to see vets from his era talking about the sh*t they went through. I know that it would have helped him come to grips with his own issues. I love and miss you pops.
Three green berets out of six hundred people who basically volunteered for a suicide mission MACV SOG the bravery is hard to comprehend. Great interview Shawn! Thank you both for your service.
Vietnam vets have been the best interviews yet. Watched this on early access and loved it. God bless this real man !!!!
Dale came and talked to my class on Veterans Day back when I was about ten. He was one of the reasons I joined.
Some of my instructors at Signal School during the early 80’s were Special Forces operators who served in Vietnam and they were amazing,fearless and humble men . I’ll never forget them and what they invested in me . Thank you to each and everyone of them .
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Top Comments (10)
These SOG boys are fucking weapons
When I started in law enforcement in 1983, I was lucky enough to work with several Vietnam War combat veterans. My K9 mentor was a Ranger and LRRP, his ability to appear calm under duress was almost mystifying to me. He and another Nam Vet became hunting buddies of mine and let me sometimes into their inner circle of stories........Both have passed on now, but their memories are priceless. May their souls find the peace they deserve.
My uncle survived. Three Purple Hearts. Wounded three times. MacV-SOG ❤
This man is the real deal Green Beret operator. He and his unit is legendary and his reads are a must. Right on Shawn! Mad respect.
This guy is the man that inspired me to join. I’m retired 18D spent 22 years in the army. I’m proud to call him my friend and I have the utmost respect for him and the men like him that paved the way for the rest of us.
I wish my dad would have lived long enough to see vets from his era talking about the sh*t they went through. I know that it would have helped him come to grips with his own issues. I love and miss you pops.
Three green berets out of six hundred people who basically volunteered for a suicide mission MACV SOG the bravery is hard to comprehend. Great interview Shawn! Thank you both for your service.
Vietnam vets have been the best interviews yet. Watched this on early access and loved it. God bless this real man !!!!
Dale came and talked to my class on Veterans Day back when I was about ten. He was one of the reasons I joined.
Some of my instructors at Signal School during the early 80’s were Special Forces operators who served in Vietnam and they were amazing,fearless and humble men . I’ll never forget them and what they invested in me . Thank you to each and everyone of them .