An Emotional Return: Larry Trimble Revisits Vietnam
Larry Trimble Revisits Vietnam
In January 2024, a powerful story of legacy and healing unfolded in the hills of Vietnam. Hayden from our Wyld Peak team joined forces with Rob from Savage Game Designs and Bruce from SOG Military Collectibles for a mission unlike any other, a return not of combat, but of remembrance. They traveled to Da Nang, Vietnam, to accompany and document Larry Trimble, also known as "Gambler" from Recon Team Asp and Spike Team Rattler, both under the legendary MACV-SOG.
This wasn’t just a trip, it was a deeply personal pilgrimage. Larry stepped back onto Vietnamese soil for the first time since the war. The weight of the years and memories accompanied him, yet so did a quiet strength and the brotherhood that defines veterans of his caliber.
Larry served with distinction as part of the covert Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG), a top-secret Special Forces unit that conducted some of the most dangerous missions of the war. Few people outside of the military community understand the legacy of MACV-SOG, and even fewer have the chance to witness its veterans return to the places that shaped their stories. This journey was captured through the lens of those who truly understand what service, sacrifice, and storytelling mean.
The Wyld Peak team was honored to support and stand beside Larry. For Hayden, walking through the jungles and battle-worn paths with someone who lived it brought history into stark focus. For Rob and Bruce, it was a continuation of their commitment to preserving the untold stories of elite warriors, stories often overshadowed or forgotten.
Over the course of several days, the team retraced steps, met with locals, and reflected on how much has changed and how much still lingers. Da Nang, once a hotbed of military activity, now pulses with daily life and growth. Yet among the noise and movement, the past speaks quietly, and sometimes powerfully, to those willing to listen.
This documentary effort isn’t just about military history. It’s about honoring real people who made real sacrifices. It's about helping a veteran confront the ghosts of the past while being supported by those who understand his journey. It’s about legacy, not just Larry’s, but the legacy of every soldier who served and sacrificed in silence.
Where to follow the story
This trip was not something anyone took lightly.
For Larry, it was a return to ground that carried more than history. For the rest of us, it was a chance to stand beside him, listen, document what we could, and help make sure the story was treated with the respect it deserved.
Some moments do not need to be polished. They need to be remembered properly.
To see more from the trip, follow Savage Game Design for photos, behind-the-scenes footage, and field notes from Rob and the team. Savage has done a lot to keep MACV-SOG history alive through careful storytelling, research, and community, and this journey sits right inside that mission.
You can also visit SOGsite / SOG Military Collectibles for more MACV-SOG history, memorabilia, and preservation work connected to the men, teams, and stories behind the unit.
For more context around the wider veteran community behind this legacy, our Visit to the SOA Reunion is a natural next read. The Special Operations Association continues to honour and support the Special Operations community, and their work helps keep these stories from fading into the background.
We are proud to have been there for this chapter, not because it was easy to document, but because it mattered.
Some stories stay with you.
This was one of them.