I Couldn't Save Him...

About this video

Ritland’s guest recounts a harrowing combat experience involving an IED strike on a road they were required to patrol. The guest describes how two stacked 155mm artillery shells detonated, creating a massive crater and killing his gunner, Shaw, in the vehicle turret. The guest reflects on the traumatic details of the incident and honors Shaw’s service and sacrifice.

Key takeaways

• The guest describes a route that had a one-in-three chance of containing an IED but was required on the patrol map
• According to the guest, two stacked 155mm shells created a large crater and penetrated their vehicle’s armor, killing the gunner Shaw
• The guest shares the lasting impact of traumatic memories while honoring his fallen teammate’s commitment to defending the Constitution

Episode details: published August 31, 2026 · 54.3K views · 1:10 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. Stories told by Mike Ritland’s podcast guests are the guests’ own accounts, attributed to them — not independently verified. Commentary is Ritland’s, presented as his analysis.

← Previous: The Veteran In Jail Because Of PTSD* · Next: Navy SEAL: Kicked Out of the Naval Academy — Then Earned His Way Into the SEAL Teams | Ep. 307 →

All Mike Ritland videos · Mike Ritland profile · Mike Drop (official site)