Warriors In Their Own Words | First Person War Stories
Evergreen Podcasts | The Honor Project
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The unsanitized truth of what we have asked of those who defend this nation. From archived tapes of WWI veterans, to conversations with modern-day warriors, these are their stories, in their own words.
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6 days ago
2nd LT Harry Loftis: Gliding Over the Beaches of Normandy
2nd LT Loftis was a glider pilot during WW2, and participated in the D-Day invasion.
During WW2, glider planes were used to carry ground troops, and sometimes a jeep, into enemy territory. Regular planes dragged these gliders via a rope, which was cut over enemy territory at the release point. The glider kept flying, to hopefully find a clear landing zone behind enemy lines. Since the gliders were flimsy, designed for a single flight, and always sent into enemy territory, flying them was a notoriously dangerous job.
2nd Lieutenant Harry Loftis was one of these brave pilots. He flew many missions, and fought in the Normandy Invasion, Operation Market Garden, and Operation Plunder.
To learn more about glider pilots during World War Two, visit ww2gp.org.
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Mar 16, 2023
S/Sgt. Joe Longo: Combat Cameraman
Staff Sergeant Joe Longo served in the Army Air Force during WWII and the Korean War as a combat cameraman on bombing missions. It was his job to document the missions of the 13th Air Force, and his footage was used for both intelligence and newsreels. He later founded the International Camera Association.
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Mar 9, 2023
Lt Col R.K. Montgomery: The St. Nazaire Raid
In 1939, R.K. Montgomery attended the Royal Military Academy to become a Royal Engineer Officer in the British Army. He graduated right before World War II.
His interest in explosives prompted him to pursue additional special training to become a demolitions expert in the Commandos. The Commandos (or British Commandos) were an elite group that gained fame for their rigorous training and distinctive green berets.
In 1942, the Commandos launched Operation Chariot, a.k.a. the St. Nazaire Raid, to take out a dry dock that was crucial to the Germans. ‘Dry docks’ were docks that could be drained of water via a caisson in order to repair the hulls of ships. In order to destroy this dock, the Commandos traveled on the HMS Campbeltown, a ship that was made to look like a Möwe class German torpedo destroyer. LtCol Montgomery’s demolition teams packed the Campbeltown full of explosives, snuck it into the dock (only semi-successfully) and blew it up, taking the cassion with it.
During the Raid, Lieutenant Colonel R.K. Montgomery was injured by an explosion, and then caught by German forces. He spent three years as a POW in Germany, and was released at the end of the war.
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Mar 2, 2023
COL Gail S. Halvorsen: The Candy Bomber
After World War Two, Germany was split up and occupied by the United States, France, Britain and the Soviet Union. In June of 1948, the U.S., France, and Britain announced they were creating a unified West German currency. Joseph Stalin opposed this unification, and cut off land routes from Berlin to West Germany.
In order to bypass the land routes, bombers transported supplies (primarily food) and delivered them to West Berlin in what was called Operation Vittles. Colonel Gail S. Halvorsen was one of several pilots recruited to fly these missions.
One day, after sneaking out and flying to Berlin for some R&R, COL Halvorsen met some local children who were survivors of the war. Talking with them changed his life, and he decided he wanted to do something to help them. He returned to base, gathered as much candy and gum as he could, fashioned parachutes with handkerchiefs, and put all the goodies inside. The next day, he flew over West Berlin and dropped the parachutes full of candy out of his bomb bay.
The children were delighted. COL Halvorsen did this several more times, and gained international acclaim for his actions.
To learn more about COL Halvorsen, check out his book, The Berlin Candy Bomber.
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Feb 23, 2023
MOMM3 Norman Jensen: Combat Cameraman in a Submarine Part II
MOMM3 Norman Jensen served on submarines as a combat cameraman during WW2.
After attending diesel and submarine school, he served on the USS Proteus, which was stationed in Guam. Then, Jensen transferred to the USS Queenfish where he first started taking pictures. His photos grabbed the attention of some officers, and he was transferred to the USS Cod. There, he was a motor Machinist, but his unofficial duty was to serve as a combat photographer.
The Cod became famous after it rescued Dutch sailors aboard the O-19 which had gottens stuck in coral in the Ladd Reef. The Cod attempted to pull the O-19 free, but eventually the decision as made to welcome the Dutch sailors aboard the Cod and sink the O-19 to prevent it from being captured by the Japanese. Jensen documented the entire rescue.
Jensen continued to document on the Cod during several attacks, and once was nearly shot by a machine before he dove into the hatch to safety.
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Feb 16, 2023
MOMM3 Norman Jensen: Combat Cameraman in a Submarine Part I
Motor Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class Norman Jensen served on submarines as an unofficial combat cameraman during WW2.
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After attending diesel and submarine school, Norman Jensen served on the USS Proteus, which was stationed in Guam. Then, Jensen transferred to the USS Queenfish where he first started taking pictures. His photos grabbed the attention of some officers, and he was transferred to the USS Cod. There, he was a motor Machinist, but his unofficial duty was to serve as a combat photographer.
The Cod became famous after it rescued Dutch sailors aboard the O-19 which had gottens stuck in coral in the Ladd Reef. The Cod attempted to pull the O-19 free, but eventually the decision was made to welcome the Dutch sailors aboard the Cod and sink the O-19 to prevent it from being captured by the Japanese. Jensen documented the entire rescue.
Jensen continued to document on the Cod during several attacks, and once was nearly shot by a machine gun before he dove into the hatch to safety.
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Feb 14, 2023
Medal of Honor Podcast: Eddie Rickenbacker – Ace fighter pilot
Today, we're sharing an episode from our other show, the Medal of Honor Podcast, as a bonus episode. Episodes of the Medal of Honor Podcast are short – just a few minutes each, and every week, Ken highlights a different service member who has distinguished themself through an act of bravery, earning our nations highest award for valor. The Medal of Honor Podcast is a great companion to Warriors in their Own Words. Follow The Medal of Honor Podcast wherever you get your shows.
This episode is about Captain Eddie Rickenbacker. Rickenbacker served as a pilot in WWI, and was awarded the Medal of Honor for destroying two enemy aircraft in a one-versus-seven dogfight behind enemy lines. He also was awarded eight Distinguished Service Crosses for his other aerial victories.
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Feb 9, 2023
CMSGT Doug Morrell Part II: “The Legend” in Vietnam
CMSGT Morrell rode along on bomber missions over Europe as a combat cameraman in order to document them. He was called upon several times to replace gunners after they had been killed, and was shot down three times during his service.
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Doug Morrell joined the Army Air Corps two years before World War Two as a combat cameraman. He completed glider pilot training, and was sent to the University of Southern California for a year to study film and photography.
Once the war started, Morrell accompanied crews on various missions all over Europe and Africa. It was his job to document the mission with film or photos so that the operation’s execution could be evaluated afterwards. He almost exclusively flew on bomber missions, and was called upon several times to replace gunners mid-fight after they had been killed. As a result, he was provided with the gunner’s wings despite never going to gunnery school.
On one mission, Morrell’s aircraft was shot down over the “Iron Gates” of Romania. As a navigator was bailing Morrell and a gunner out, he made a mistake that sent them miles away from where the rest of the crew landed. The two of them spent twenty-six days evading capture and walking across the mountains of modern day Kosovo and northern Albania. Eventually they reached the Adriatic Sea, where they paid a fisherman to take them to Italy where they could meet up with allied forces.
Morrell was later shot down in Romania again, but this time he was captured by German forces. He was kept in a prison camp for four and a half months before being rescued by the Russians. After that, he was sent back to the States.
These two incredible stories earned him the nickname “The Legend,”, but his adventures were far from over. He was redeployed to Europe during the Cold War, spent five years in Panama documenting civic actions, and served in Korea and Vietnam.
In Vietnam, Morrell would be shot down for a third and final time, where he shattered a bone in his ankle on landfall. He landed in hostile territory, and radioed for help. Nine hours and one firefight later, Morrell was air evaced to safety. You can learn more about this story here.
After being shot down over enemy lines for the third time and escaping, Chief Master Sergeant Doug Morrell truly cemented himself as “The Legend. He was later awarded the Combat Camera Lifetime Achievement Award and the AIr Force Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award.
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Feb 2, 2023
CMSGT Doug Morrell Part I: “The Legend” in WWII
CMSGT Morrell rode along on bomber missions over Europe during WWII as a combat cameraman. He was called upon several times to replace gunners after they had been killed, and was shot down three times during his service.
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Doug Morrell joined the Army Air Corps two years before World War Two as a combat cameraman. He completed glider pilot training, and was sent to the University of Southern California for a year to study film and photography.
Once the war started, Morrell accompanied crews on various missions all over Europe and Africa. It was his job to document the mission with film or photos so that the operation’s execution could be evaluated afterwards. He almost exclusively flew on bomber missions, and was called upon several times to replace gunners after they had been killed. As a result, he was provided with gunner’s wings despite never going to gunnery school.
On one mission, Morrell’s aircraft was shot down over the “Iron Gates” of Romania. As a navigator was bailing Morrell and a gunner out, he made a mistake that sent them miles away from where the rest of the crew landed. The two of them spent twenty-six days evading capture and walking across the mountains of modern day Kosovo and northern Albania. Eventually they reached the Adriatic Sea, where they paid a fisherman to take them to Italy where they could meet up with allied forces.
Morrell was later shot down in Romania again, but this time he was captured by German forces. He was kept in a prison camp for four and a half months before being rescued by the Russians. After that, he was sent back to the States.
These two incredible stories earned him the nickname “The Legend,” but his adventures were far from over. He was redeployed to Europe during the Cold War, spent five years in Panama documenting civic actions, and served in Korea and Vietnam.
In Vietnam, Morrell would be shot down for a third and final time, where he shattered a bone in his ankle on landfall. He landed in hostile territory, and radioed for help. Nine hours and one firefight later, Morrell was air evaced to safety. You can learn more about this story here.
After being shot down over enemy lines for the third time and escaping, Chief Master Sergeant Doug Morrell truly cemented himself as “The Legend. He was later awarded the Combat Camera Lifetime Achievement Award and the AIr Force Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award.
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Jan 26, 2023
CPT Shad Meshad: Psychiatric Teams in Vietnam Part II
After earning his masters in psychiatric social work and completing basic training, Shad Meshad worked at Fort Leavenworth Military Prison as a mental health officer. Most of the prisoners were Vietnam veterans, and he provided them with treatment and a means to reintegrate into society.
After hearing the stories of veterans at Fort Leavenworth, Meshad decided he had to serve himself. He volunteered to serve in a KO team, which were the first psychiatric teams in American warfare. For five years, Captain Meshad was flown all around Vietnam to help evaluate and assist soldiers dealing with mental health issues.
When he returned home, Meshad founded and directed the Vietnam Veterans Re-Socialization Unit at the VA Hospital in Los Angeles, California. It was his job to reshape the VA in a way that better served Vietnam vets. It was during this time that CPT Meshad would become one of the first people to study the disorder now known as PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).
In 1979, Meshad founded the Vet Center Outreach Program, which created satellite centers that provide social and psychological services to any Veteran in order to help them transition back into civilian life.
Now, Meshad is the president of the National Veterans Foundation, which he founded in 1985. The NVF helps veterans that are unable to reach a Vet Center with financial problems, mental health issues, VA benefits, employment, housing, and more.
To learn more about Captain Shad Meshad, check out his memoir, Captain for Dark Mornings. You can also watch a short documentary about his work after Vietnam titled The Mad Man.
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Jan 19, 2023
CPT Shad Meshad: Psychiatric Teams in Vietnam Part I
Warning, this episode mentions violence, racism, sex, and self-harm. Listener discretion is advised.
After earning his masters in psychiatric social work and completing basic training, Shad Meshad worked at Fort Leavenworth Military Prison as a mental health officer. Most of the prisoners were Vietnam veterans, and he provided them with treatment and a means to reintegrate into society.
Meshad heard countless stories of Vietnam from the vets there, and decided he had to serve himself. He volunteered to serve in a KO team, which were the first psychiatric teams in American warfare. For five years, Captain Meshad was flown all around Vietnam to help evaluate and assist soldiers dealing with mental health issues.
When he returned home, Meshad founded and directed the Vietnam Veterans Re-Socialization Unit at the VA Hospital in Los Angeles, California. It was his job to reshape the VA in a way that better served Vietnam vets. It was during this time that CPT Meshad would become one of t…
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Jan 12, 2023
Maj James Dunning Part II: The Dieppe Raid
In this episode, Maj James Dunning describes the infamous Dieppe Raid and becoming an instructor at Achnacarry Castle.
At 20 years old, James Dunning volunteered for the new special force that would become the Commandos (or British Commandos). The Commandos quickly became famous for their rigorous training, elite status, and their green berets.
Dunning fought with the Commandos during World War Two, most notably during the Dieppe Raid. Known as Operation Jubilee, the Dieppe Raid was an amphibious landing on the shores of Dieppe, France on August 19th, 1942. It was considered a failure due to the loss of almost 75% of their troops, but it gave the British valuable knowledge and experience that would contribute to the success of the D-Day Invasion.
After Dieppe, Dunning trained to become an officer. He was sent to Achnacarry Castle in the Scottish Highlands, which served as a training ground primarily for the Commandos. He went on to become an instructor there.
Dunning later publ…
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Dec 29, 2022
Happy Holidays!
Hi, I’m Ken Harbaugh, host of Warriors In Their Own Words. I just wanted to let you know that the team and I are taking some time off during the holidays. We’ll return to our normal release schedule on January 12th.
In the meantime, we’ll be sharing an episode of our other show, the Medal of Honor podcast, here on this feed. Think of it as our holiday gift to you as thanks for your support. Happy holidays, and have a great new year!
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Dec 22, 2022
Maj James Dunning Part I: British Commando in WW2
At 20 years old, James Dunning volunteered for the new special force that would become the Commandos (or British Commandos). The Commandos quickly became famous for their rigorous training, elite status, and their green berets.
Dunning fought with the Commandos during World War Two, most notably during the Dieppe Raid. Known as Operation Jubilee, the Dieppe Raid was an amphibious landing on the shores of Dieppe, France on August 19th, 1942. It was considered a failure due to the loss of almost 75% of their troops, but it gave the British valuable knowledge and experience that would contribute to the success of the D-Day Invasion.
After Dieppe, Dunning trained to become an officer. He was sent to Achnacarry Castle in the Scottish Highlands, which served as a training ground primarily for the Commandos. He went on to become an instructor there.
Dunning later published a book about his experiences called The Fighting Fourth.
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Dec 15, 2022
COL Douglas C. Dillard: Paratrooper in the Battle of the Bulge
COL Douglas C. Dillard describes fighting in WWII as an Army parachute regiment sergeant during the Battle of the Bulge. He also discusses the cold, harsh environment they faced, and how he almost lost both of his legs because of it.
During the interview, Dillard describes an encounter he had with a captured German soldier:
“We caught a German there in that field. And we were all really infuriated and I looked at the guy and he had a breast full of ribbons on this tunic. And I don't know why I did it and I still have them today, but I reached up and grabbed those ribbons and just ripped them off his uniform and stuck them in my pocket. And why I did it, I still don't know. But there was never any thought in my mind of shooting him. It's the furthest thought because we weren't raised that way. But in a rage of passion, in a firefight, then you would do it.”
Dillard would later serve Korea and Vietnam, and retire in 1977 after earning the Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Me…
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Dec 8, 2022
Sgt. J. Edward ‘Swede’ Pearsall: The Surrender of Wake Island
On this day (December 8th) in 1941, Japanese forces attacked Wake Island. After the Americans surrendered, Sgt. Pearsall and his fellow Marines were taken as prisoners of war, and spent 3 ½ years at a prison camp in China during WWII.
Sergeant John Edward ‘Swede’ Pearsall served in the Marines as a part of the 1st Defense Battalion, D Battery on Wake Island in 1941.
Wake Island is located 2,458 miles west of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. The U.S. knew a Japanese attack was coming, so men were stationed on the island to protect it.
On December 8th, 1941, the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese attacked Wake Island. The Battle of Wake Island lasted for a little over two weeks until American forces surrendered in order to protect civilian lives.
After the surrender, Sgt. Pearsall and his fellow Marines were almost executed before the Japanese decided to take them as prisoners. They would eventually be taken on a prison ship to Yokohama Harbor, and then trans…
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Dec 1, 2022
CPT Le Roy Torres: The Burn Pits
In this special episode, Captain Torres explains how landfill-like burn pits in Iraq gave him a chronic lung injury and a toxic brain injury.
Captain Le Roy Torres served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 24 years, and spent a year on duty in Balad, Iraq. While there, Torres lived and worked in close proximity to a burn pit. These burn pits act as landfills, where everything from trash, to jet fuel, to medical waste was burned. They were extremely large, and the one near CPT Torres was approximately 10 acres in diameter. It burned 24/7, pumping toxic chemicals and smoke into the air, and into the lungs of soldiers.
As a result of breathing in these fumes, CPT Torres developed chronic lung and brain injuries, which forced him to visit the hospital over 400 times in 10 years.
Burn Pits 360 was founded by Torres and his wife in an attempt to improve post-deployment health outcomes for veterans, especially those caused by the burn pits. Recently, they helped pass the PACT Act, which expan…
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Nov 24, 2022
MGen Roger Rowley: Missing D-Day
MGen Roger Rowley describes his experiences fighting as a ground forces officer in the days following the invasion of Normandy, and how he missed the D-Day invasion.
MGen Rowley served in World War Two as ground forces officer in the Canadian Army. For months he and his unit prepared for the invasion of Normandy, but when the fateful day came, no orders arrived, so they weren’t sent to France. Instead they arrived on the beaches of Normandy two days after D-Day.
In this interview, Rowley describes his whole D-Day story, as well as Allied and German equipment, the destruction he witnessed, the controversy over Falaise, Operation Totalize, and the taking of Caen.
During the episode, Rowley recounts his feelings after finally arriving on the beaches of Normandy:
“I was very exhilarated. I keep saying that. I was very excited about this thing. It was going fine, and I was kind of... Well, I shouldn't say this I suppose, but it's truly true: I think I was sort of... Couldn't w…
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Nov 18, 2022
Introducing: It Was Said Season 2
It Was Said, the 2021 Webby Award winner for Best Podcast Series, returns with a new season to look back on some of the most powerful, impactful, and timeless speeches in history. Written and narrated by Pulitzer Prize winner and bestselling author-historian Jon Meacham, this documentary podcast series takes you through another season of ten generation-defining speeches. Meacham, along with top historians, authors and journalists, offers expert insight and analysis into the origins, the orator, and the context of the times each speech was given, and they reflect on why it’s important to never forget them.
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Nov 17, 2022
Navy Corpsman Jack Hessman: The Battle of the Chosin Reservoir
Jack Hessman was a Navy Corpsman who served in the Korean War. He was assigned to the Marine Corps, and fought in the famous battle of the Chosin Reservoir. During the battle, he faced freezing cold conditions, and at one point had to play dead in order to avoid being killed by Chinese soldiers.
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Nov 11, 2022
SSG David Bellavia: Medal of Honor in Iraq
In this bonus Veterans Day episode, we hear from Medal of Honor recipient David Bellavia.
Staff Sergeant Bellavia served in the Army and deployed to Iraq in 2004. During the Second Battle of Fallujah, Bellavia cleared a house filled with 5 insurgents in order to save his squad. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at a White House ceremony in 2019.
In Bellavia’s new book, Remember the Ramrods, he reflects back on the events that earned him the Medal of Honor.
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Nov 10, 2022
SPC Rocky Bleier: From Vietnam to the Super Bowl
After a grenade injured both his legs and sent him home from Vietnam, Army Specialist Robert Patrick "Rocky" Bleier made a full recovery and went on to win four Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh steelers.
In college, Bleier played for Notre Dame and was a part of the ‘66 National Championship team. He was the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 16th round draft pick, but was drafted by the US Army after the 10th game of the season.
Bleier was sent to Vietnam, where he patrolled the Hiep Duc Valley as a grenadier. During a firefight, he was shot, and then a grenade exploded right by his feet. Bleier had this to say about being evacuated by a sister platoon:
“All of a sudden a fellow soldier reaches down and picks me up and throws me over his shoulder and starts carrying me to the helicopter. And the helicopter was still a far way away. And so he would put me down, my blood all over him and he'd catch his breath and pick me up again and continue on until he got me onto that chopper. And I never sa…
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Nov 3, 2022
Specialist Nathan Dowds: Paratrooper in Iraq & Afghanistan
Specialist Nathan Dowds discusses his training, the moments when his life was on the line, and the hazy morality of the conflict.
Dowds served as an Army paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. He deployed to Afghanistan twice, in 2002 and in 2004, and once to Iraq in 2003.
During the episode, he says this about his struggles:
“The world is full of pain and suffering, and has been since the beginning of time. And for me to expect my brief moment in this world to be different than every other moment is kind of naive”
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Oct 27, 2022
BGen Sydney Radley-Walters (Part II): A Tank Ace on D-Day
Brigadier General Sydney Radley-Walters was a tank commander in the Canadian Army and was the Western Allies leading tank killer during WWII.
In the final part of his interview, Radley-Walters finishes his recount of the D-Day invasion, including the battle of Buron, Operation Totalize, and capturing Caen, and more. He also talks about the booby traps he encountered, air support, the smell of death, his tactics as a tank commander, and how he, without knowing it, killed Michael Wittmann, the Black Baron, an infamous German tank commander and tank Ace.
Radley-Walters is credited with destroying 18 German tanks and many other armored vehicles, and he was awarded an Order of Military Merit, the Distinguished Service Order, the Military Cross, and a Canadian Forces Decoration.
During the episode, Radley-Walters describes the aftermath of death inside the tanks:
“The smell of death, it sticks on you. And if you take a body and bury it or pick up a person who's dead and move th…
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Oct 20, 2022
BGen Sydney Radley-Walters (Part I): A Tank Ace on D-Day
BGen Radley-Walters was a tank commander in the Canadian Army and was the Western Allies leading tank killer during WWII.
He’s credited with destroying 18 German tanks and many other armored vehicles, and he was awarded an Order of Military Merit, the Distinguished Service Order, the Military Cross, an a Canadian Forces Decoration.
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Oct 13, 2022
Brig. Gen. Robin Olds: WWII & Vietnam Pilot (Part II)
Olds describes his experiences in Vietnam, his most memorable dogfight, and more.
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Brigadier General Robin Olds is a triple ace fighter pilot who shot down a total of 17 enemy aircraft during World War II and Vietnam. He flew all sorts of aircrafts, including P-38s, P-51s, P-80s and F-4s during his tenure. By the time he retired, Olds had collected numerous decorations, including the Air Force Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, the French Croix de Guerre, and the British Distinguished Flying Cross.
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Sep 29, 2022
Brig. Gen. Robin Olds: WWII & Vietnam Pilot (Part I)
Olds talks about his experiences in WWII and about managing fear, and describes the craziest coincidence you’ve ever heard of.
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Brigadier General Robin Olds is a triple ace fighter pilot who shot down 17 enemy aircraft during World War II and Vietnam. He flew P-38s, P-51s, P-80s, F-4s and other aircraft during his service. By the time he retired, Olds had won numerous medals, including the Air Force Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal, the French Croix de Guerre, and the British Distinguished Flying Cross.
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Sep 15, 2022
MAJ Richard Neece Ojeda II: A Lifetime of Service
Major Richard Neece Ojeda II served in the Army for 24 years. During that time he deployed to Germany, Korea, Iraq, Haiti, and Afghanistan, and was almost killed five times.
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Sep 1, 2022
CPT Jason Kander: PTSD After Afghanistan
CPT Jason Kander served as an Army Intelligence Officer in Afghanistan where he conducted extremely dangerous meetings with traffickers, informants, and local officials.
As a result of his deployment, Kander developed PTSD that severely affected his work and personal life. He decided to leave his very promising political career in order to receive treatment via the Veterans Community Project, where he is now the President of National Expansion.
To learn more about Kander, check out his memoir, Invisible Storm: A Soldier's Memoir of Politics and PTSD. All of Jason’s royalties from the book go to supporting the Veterans Community Project, which you can learn more about here.
To hear more from Kander, check out his interview on our other podcast Burn the Boats when it releases on September 7th.
You can find Kander on Instagram and Twitter at @JasonKander.
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Aug 18, 2022
Capt. Tom Smith: Combat Pararescue in Iraq and Afghanistan
Capt. Tom Smith attended the Air Force academy before becoming a Combat Rescue Officer (aka CRO). As a CRO, Smith led a team of pararescuemen that flew into combat zones in order to save fellow military personnel and civilians. He served in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
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Aug 4, 2022
Maj. Gen. Frederick “Boots” Blesse (Part III): His Heroes
Major General Frederick “Boots” Blesse served two tours as a fighter pilot during the Korean War, flying the P-51, the F-80, and the F-86. When he returned to the United States in October of 1952, he was America’s leading jet ace, and was credited with shooting down nine MiG-15s and one La-9.
Blesse’s motto and doctrine, “No Guts, No Glory” became famous after he returned from his second tour in Korea. He was asked to travel throughout the Air Force to teach it, and he eventually authored the textbook, “No Guts, No Glory”, that became a part of standard Air Force curriculum for years to come.
In this, the final episode of a three part series, Blesse talks about what inspired him to join the Air Force, what makes a good pilot, and the heartwarming story behind how he met his childhood hero, the famous WWI pilot, Eddie Rickenbacker
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Jul 21, 2022
Maj. Gen. Frederick “Boots” Blesse (Part II): “No Guts, No Glory”
Major General Frederick “Boots” Blesse served two tours as a fighter pilot during the Korean War, flying the P-51, the F-80, and the F-86. When he returned to the United States in October of 1952, he was America’s leading jet ace, and was credited with shooting down nine MiG-15s and one La-9.
Blesse’s motto and doctrine, “No Guts, No Glory” became famous after he returned from his second tour in Korea. He was asked to travel throughout the Air Force to teach it, and he eventually authored the textbook, “No Guts, No Glory”, that became a part of standard Air Force curriculum for years to come.
In this episode, the second of a three part series, Blesse tells the whole story behind “No Guts, No Glory”, and explains how dogfighting has changed over the years.
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Jul 7, 2022
Maj. Gen. Frederick “Boots” Blesse (Part I): The Korean War
Major General Frederick “Boots” Blesse served two tours as a fighter pilot during the Korean War, flying the P-51, the F-80, and the F-86. When he returned to the United States in October of 1952, he was America’s leading jet ace, and was credited with shooting down nine MiG-15s and one La-9.
Blesse’s motto and doctrine, “No Guts, No Glory” became famous after he returned from his second tour in Korea. He was asked to travel throughout the Air Force to teach it, and he eventually authored the textbook, “No Guts, No Glory”, that became a part of standard Air Force curriculum for years to come.
In this episode, the first of a three-part series, Blesse describes allied and enemy aircraft, his second tour in Korea, a couple of intense dogfights, and becoming an Ace.
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Jun 23, 2022
Col. Bud Anderson: The Highest Scoring Living American Fighter Ace Part II
In this final part of his interview, Col. Anderson describes how and why he joined the Air Force, his training, patriotism, his appreciation for his squadron, and more.
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Col. Clarence (Bud) Emil Anderson served in the United States Air Force during World War II, and is a triple ace fighter pilot. He’s the highest scoring living American fighter ace, and the 10th highest scoring Mustang Ace of all time.
Col. Anderson was a member of the 357th Fighter group, which was said to have “shot down the "most airplanes in the shortest time of any unit in the European theater, perhaps the whole Air Force.” They had over 600 aerial victories in 14 months, and 42 aces, more than any other fighter group.
He also commanded the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, an F-105 Thunderchief unit, during its final months of service in the Vietnam War.
Col. Anderson was inducted in to the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2008, and in 2013, was inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fa…
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Jun 9, 2022
Col. Bud Anderson: Triple-Ace Mustang Pilot, Part I
Col. Clarence (Bud) Emil Anderson served in the United States Air Force during World War II, and is a triple-ace fighter pilot. He’s the highest scoring living American fighter ace, and the 10th highest scoring Mustang Ace of all time.
Col. Anderson was a member of the 357th Fighter group, which was said to have “shot down the most airplanes in the shortest time of any unit in the European theater, perhaps the whole Air Force.” They had over 600 aerial victories in 14 months, and 42 aces, more than any other fighter group.
He also commanded the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, an F-105 Thunderchief unit, during its final months of service in the Vietnam War.
Col. Anderson was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2008, and in 2013, was inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame.
This year, Col. Anderson celebrated his 100th birthday. Click here to learn about his birthday celebration.
For more pictures of Bud during the war, click here.
Learn mo…
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May 30, 2022
A Memorial Day Message from Ken Harbaugh
For many of us, Memorial Day is more than just a three day weekend. We’d like to take a moment to honor the friends and family of you, our listeners, who have paid the ultimate price for this country. We thank them for their bravery and sacrifice.
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May 26, 2022
Col. Darrell Whitcomb: The Raven Pilots in Laos Part II
Col. Darrell Whitcomb served in the United States Air Force as an OV-10 Forward Air Controller. He joined the classified Steve Canyon Program (Project 404), also known as The Ravens, which operated in secret in Laos. He flew missions over South and North Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
As a Forward Air Controller, it was his job to coordinate airstrikes, and ensure that no friendly troops were hit.
In the final part of his interview, Whitcomb describes The Rescue of Bat 21.
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May 12, 2022
Col. Darrell Whitcomb: The Raven Pilots in Laos Part I
Col. Darrell Whitcomb served in the United States Air Force as an OV-10 Forward Air Controller. He joined the classified Steve Canyon Program (Project 404), also known as The Ravens, which operated in secret in Laos. He flew missions over South and North Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
As a Forward Air Controller, it was his job to coordinate airstrikes, and ensure that no friendly troops were hit.
In the first part of his interview, Whitcomb discusses aircrafts, airstrikes, and joining The Raven program.
Whitcomb is also the author of The Rescue of Bat 21.
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Apr 28, 2022
Col. Ché Bolden: Marine Corps F-18 Weapons Systems Officer
Col. Ché Bolden is a Marine Corps veteran who served for 26 years, and credits his time at the US Naval Academy with shaping him into a leader. He went on to become an F-18 Weapons Systems Officer, with multiple combat deployments and service in the Pacific and the Middle East.
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Apr 14, 2022
Jan Scruggs: Founder of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Jan Scruggs went to Vietnam in 1969 to serve as a rifleman in the U.S. Army. By the end of his service, he had received the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantry Badge, and an award for gallantry.
After the war, he researched post-traumatic stress, which led to him testify before congress in support of establishing the nationwide Vet Center Program.
In 1979, Scruggs decided he wanted to create a memorial to all the Americans who died in the Vietnam War in order to help the country heal. Three years later, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was completed in Washington D.C.
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Apr 7, 2022
BONUS: Former CIA Officer David Chasteen
Today, we've decided to share another interview from our other podcast, Burn the Boats. Like the rest of these bonus episodes, this one departs from our typical Warriors format, but we think you’ll appreciate the insight. As always, we welcome your feedback, either in iTunes reviews, or by email at kharbaugh@evergreenpodcasts.com.
David Chasteen is a former CIA officer on the covert action staff. While at the agency, David conducted overseas operations, guided human intelligence collection, evaluated foreign threats to computer systems, and provided analysis on cyber issues to the president. David was also a consultant for the Amazon Prime series, Jack Ryan, starring John Krasinski, and the show is heavily influenced by David's experiences.
You can find David on Twitter @DavidChasteen
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Mar 31, 2022
Sgt. Bill True: The Mark of a True Leader
Sgt. Bill True enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942, and served throughout World War II in a Parachute Infantry Regiment. He fought in nearly every major campaign as the Allies advanced across Europe, including the Normandy Invasion, the invasion of Holland (Operation Market Garden), and the Battle of The Bulge.
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Mar 25, 2022
BONUS: A Volunteer Soldier in Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces
Today we interviewed Nikolay, who’s a volunteer soldier in Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces. Shortly after the war began, his family was able to flee to the U.S., but despite having no military experience, Nikolay decided he had to stay and fight for his country.
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Mar 17, 2022
Sgt. Bill Taylor: Close Calls in Vietnam
Sgt. Bill Taylor is a Marine who was sent to Vietnam in 1967 as an 18-year-old. During his 13-month deployment, he narrowly escaped death on multiple occasions and was wounded three times. Every platoon commander, sergeant, and squad leader he served with was either wounded or killed.
To hear more of Bill’s stories from Vietnam, read his book, On Full Automatic.
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Mar 11, 2022
BONUS: Aerial Combat, No Fly Zones, and the Skies Over Ukraine
For today’s episode, we want to share another update on the war in Ukraine, from a former Naval Aviator and expert in military aviation. Like our last Ukraine update, about the realities of urban warfare, this one departs from our typical Warriors In Their Own Words format.
As always, we welcome your feedback, either in an iTunes reviews, or by email at kharbaugh@evergreenpodcasts.com.
Ward Carroll spent 20 years in the U.S. Navy as an F-14 Radar Intercept Officer, retired at the rank of commander, and went on to serve as the editor of Military.com. He now hosts a popular YouTube channel on military aviation.
To hear more from Ward, visit his YouTube channel, or follow him on Twitter @wardcarroll
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Mar 4, 2022
BONUS: Former Navy SEAL Dan Barkhuff Discusses the Russian Invasion
For this week’s episode, we’ve decided to air an interview, in its entirety, with a former Navy SEAL. This was recorded for our other podcast, Burn the Boats, so you’ll notice the format is quite different. The spirit of this interview, however, is what you have come to expect from Warriors in their Own Words – an unfiltered, unsanitized perspective on war.
I wanted to share this interview with this audience, because it is so timely, and so important. You’ll see why.
Dan Barkhoff is a former Navy SEAL with multiple combat deployments, and an expert in urban warfare. In this interview, he discusses what the Russian invasion force is likely to face.
For more interviews like this, and to learn more about this invasion as it unfolds, listen to our other podcast, Burn the Boats.
If you want to help, two of the most efficient organizations doing front-line work are Spirit of America and Team Rubicon.
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Mar 3, 2022
Sgt. Josh Remillard: A Mortarman in Iraq
Sgt. Josh Remillard served in the Army as a mortarman. He deployed twice to Iraq, in 2007 and 2010. During his first tour, he earned a Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
Remillard describes how he defied orders to protect civilian lives, as well as the horror of experiencing war up close.
To learn more about Josh, listen to his interview on Burn the Boats.
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Feb 17, 2022
Lt. Col. Darrell Bogan: Air Force Flight Medic
Lt. Col. Bogan joined the Air Force reserves because he saw it as an opportunity to rise above tough circumstances growing up in Chicago. He became a flight medic, and thanks to the military, was the first person in the history of his family to graduate college.
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Feb 3, 2022
LCDR Donnelly Wilkes: Battalion Surgeon on the Front Lines in Iraq
Following medical school, Dr. Donnelly Wilkes was commissioned in the U.S. Navy, completed residency training in family medicine at the Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, and served seven years on active duty. Wilkes served two combat tours in Iraq in 2004 and 2008 and was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Valor for his actions in the battle of Fallujah in April of 2004. He finished his Naval career as the Senior Medical Officer at Port Hueneme Naval Clinic, where he was responsible for the medical oversight of active duty members, their families, and local Veterans.
On the first day of his first tour, a firefight injured a Marine. Unfortunately, Wilkes and his team were unable to save him. Deeply saddened by this loss and their inability to treat him, they circled around the fallen soldier and prayed for him. A photographer captured the moment. The photo went on to become a Pulitzer Prize winning piece and a Life Magazine cover.
To learn more about Dr. Wilkes’ deployments, re…
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Jan 20, 2022
Dave Lewis: The Journey of an Apache Helicopter Pilot
Dave Lewis is a US Army veteran. After six years in the infantry, he went to flight school to become an Apache Helicopter pilot, and flew tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.
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Jan 6, 2022
Lt. Col. Fred Wellman: Survivor’s Guilt as a Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot in Iraq
Warning: This episode contains some inappropriate language.
Lt. Col. Fred Wellman served in the Army for 22 years as an aviator and public affairs officer. Fred was a Blackhawk helicopter pilot, and completed four tours during Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. He also was a spokesman for General David Petaeus, and General Martin Dempsey in Iraq.
To learn more about Fred’s work after his service, listen to his interview on Burn the Boats
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Dec 23, 2021
Col. Charles Bussey: Christmas in Korea
Warning: This episode contains harsh language and discussions about rape.
Col. Charles Bussey was an African American fighter pilot and a member of the famous Tuskegee Airmen in WWII. You can listen to him speak about this experience here.
He later fought in the Korean conflict during the Jim Crow era, where he and other African American soldiers were given the worst leadership and equipment due to their race.
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Dec 9, 2021
Sir Ludovic Kennedy: Chasing the Bismarck
Sir Ludovic Kennedy served as an officer on the HMS Tartar, a battleship in the Royal Navy. The Tartar was one of the ships that chased and sank the Bismarck, the most powerful German battleship in WWII. Kennedy later wrote a book about this experience, titled The Chase and Sinking of the “Bismarck”.
After his service, Kennedy had a successful career in Journalism and broadcasting, which earned him his knighthood.
Learn more about Kennedy and his life after the war here.
Warriors in Their Own Words is proudly brought to you by American Eagle, a web design, development, and digital marketing agency with a passionate belief in the power of technology to positively transform business practices. American Eagle has been reliably creating digital experiences that drive growth since 1978.
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Nov 25, 2021
A Message to Our Listeners
This week, we’re taking a break to spend time with our families for Thanksgiving. From everyone here at Warriors In Their Own Words, we'd like to extend gratitude to you, our listeners. Thank you for making all of this possible, and for helping us honor those who served.
If you’d like to help us make the show even better, please email us at kharbaugh@evergreenpodcasts.com. We appreciate your feedback.
Warriors In Their Own Words will return to its regular schedule on December 9th with an interview with Sir Ludovic Kennedy. Kennedy served as an officer on the HMS Tartar, a battleship in the Royal Navy. The Tartar was one of the ships that chased and sank the Bismark, Germany’s most powerful battleship in WWII. Kennedy later wrote a book about this experience, titled The Chase and Sinking of the “Bismarck”.
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Nov 11, 2021
Capt. Joseph K. Taussig Jr: The Attack on Pearl Harbor
Captain Joseph K. Taussig Jr. was stationed in Pearl Harbor on board the USS Nevada in 1941. During the Japanese attack, he took his post as starboard anti-aircraft battery officer. Even after being severely wounded, Taussig refused to abandon his post, until his crew forcibly carried him to safety.
Taussig later received the Navy Cross for his bravery.
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Oct 28, 2021
Joseph Lockard: The Hours Before the Attack on Pearl Harbor
Joseph Lockard was a radar operator in Hawaii during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He spotted the incoming Japanese forces an hour before their surprise attack, but his warnings were dismissed.
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Oct 14, 2021
Lt. Col. Thomas D. Ferran III: Sniping in Vietnam, Part II
Lt. Col. Thomas D. Ferran III volunteered to be a part of the first group of trained Marine Corps snipers in the Vietnam War. He spent almost all his time in the field, accompanying various infantry units on their missions.
Ferran describes sniping as a personal business, that is simultaneously an art, and a hunt. He was a co-founder and former president of the USMC Scout / Sniper association, and received two Purple Hearts, five presidential Unit Citations, and the Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon.
Learn more about Ferran, and his service, here.
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Sep 30, 2021
Lt. Col. Thomas D. Ferran III: Sniping in Vietnam Part I
Lt. Col. Thomas D. Ferran III volunteered to be a part of the first group of trained Marine Corps snipers in the Vietnam War. He spent almost all his time in the field, accompanying various infantry units on their missions.
Ferran describes sniping as both an art, and a personal business. He was a co-founder and former president of the USMC Scout / Sniper association, and received two Purple Hearts, five presidential Unit Citations, and the Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon.
Learn more about Ferran, and his service, here.
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Sep 16, 2021
Lt. Col. Amy McGrath: The First Female Marine to Fly a Combat Mission in an F-18
After Graduating from the US Naval Academy, McGrath joined the Marine Corps and flew 89 combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2002, she became the first woman in the Marine Corps to fly in combat in the F-18.
In her new memoir, ‘Honor Bound’, describes her groundbreaking time in the military, her tough political campaigns, and the challenges we face as a country.
Follow Amy on Twitter at @AmyMcGrathKY
To learn more about Amy, listen to her interview on our other podcast, Burn the Boats
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Sep 2, 2021
James E.T. Hopkins: WWII Combat Surgeon in Merrill’s Marauders
James E.T Hopkins was a surgical intern before he volunteered with the Army Medical Corps. After serving in Fiji and the Solomon Islands, Hopkins volunteered again for what would eventually be known as Merrill’s Marauders.
Merrill’s Marauders fought primarily in the jungles of Burma, executing deep penetration missions behind enemy lines. The 1962 film Merrill’s Marauders is based on their experiences.
As a combat surgeon, Hopkins was unarmed on the battlefield, and completely exposed as he treated the wounds of fellow Marauders.
To hear more stories about the Marauders, listen to our interview with Col. Logan. E. Weston, nicknamed 'The Fightin’ Preacher'.
To learn more about Hopkins, click here.
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Aug 19, 2021
Kris Goldsmith: The Horrific Documentation of Death
Warning: This episode contains depictions of corpses, substance abuse, a suicide attempt, and some foul language. Viewer discretion is advised.
Kris Goldsmith is an Army combat Veteran who served in Iraq. As a 19 year-old, he was assigned the task of photographing corpses and documenting mass graves. He developed severe PTSD, and in 2007, as the result of a suicide attempt that caused him to miss redeployment, he was given a less-than-honorable discharge. After years of legal battles, that discharge was upgraded. Kris went on to become an advocate for veterans with “bad paper” discharges, and helped pass crucial legislation that helps them receive the benefits they deserve.
To learn more about Kris, his advocacy, and his work fighting domestic extremism, listen to his episodes of Burn the Boats, out next Wednesday.
Learn more about his organization, High Ground Veterans Advocacy, here
Find Kris on Twitter at @KrisGoldsmith85
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Aug 5, 2021
Col. Logan E. Weston: The Fightin’ Preacher and Merrill’s Marauders in WWII
Col. Logan E. Weston (nicknamed The Fightin’ Preacher) served in WWII in the famous special ops force, called Merrill’s Marauders. The Marauders fought primarily in the jungles of Burma, executing deep-penetration missions behind enemy lines. The 1962 film Merrill’s Marauders is based on their experiences.
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Jul 22, 2021
Master Sergeant Michael ‘Top’ Washington: Counterintelligence in Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan
Master Sergeant Michael ‘Top’ Washington served in the Gulf War, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan between 1988 and 2004. He worked mainly in counterintelligence, and also became a Firefighter during this time.
His son, Mike Jr., followed in his footsteps and joined the Marines. In 2008, Mike Jr. was killed during combat operations in Afghanistan.
Mike Jr. 's Battalion, the 2/7, would be the hardest hit battalion in the Corps that year, with 160 men wounded and 20 killed. Since their return, the 2/7 have suffered 13 more casualties due to suicide.
After his own severe struggles with mental health, Top found a new calling as a licensed therapist, focusing on fellow military veterans and first responders.
To hear more about Top’s mental health recovery and his work as a licensed therapist, listen to his interview on Burn the Boats.
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Jul 8, 2021
Lt. Col. Milt Shalinsky: Becoming a POW in Nazi Germany
Lieutenant Colonel Milt Shalinsky served in WWII with the 385th Bomb Group. On June 20th, 1944, Shalinsky’s B-17 bomber was hit and crashed near Brunswick, Germany.
Listen as Shalinsky describes the crash and his experience as a prisoner of war.
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Jun 24, 2021
Col. Kent Harbaugh: Phantom Pilot in Vietnam
This past Sunday was Father’s Day, so Warriors in Their Own Words host Ken Harbaugh interviewed his dad, Col. Kent Harbaugh. Col. Harbaugh was a Phantom pilot in Vietnam, and later commanded a nuclear missile wing during the cold war.
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Jun 17, 2021
Bonus: Lt. Col. Barnard Kemter’s Memorial Day Speech
This past Memorial Day, in Hudson, Ohio, retired Army Lt. Col. Barnard Kemter was a guest speaker. He spoke about the meaning of memorial day, and the importance of honoring the fallen. He also spoke about the holiday’s origins, and how one of the earliest examples involved freed black slaves honoring fallen union soldiers after the Civil War.
During this part of his speech, Lt. Col. Kemter’s microphone was cut, intentionally, by event organizers from the local American Legion chapter.
Today, we bring you Lt. Col. Kemter’s Memorial Day address, in its entirety.
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Jun 10, 2021
Sgt. 1st Class Elana Duffy: Counterintelligence in Iraq and Afghanistan, Part II
Addl. for Summary: Duffy served in the US Army in Afghanistan and Iraq in 2004 and 2005, conducting counterintelligence and interrogation operations. In Iraq, Duffy suffered a traumatic brain injury from an IED.
Sgt. 1st Class Duffy is currently the CEO of Pathfinder, an organization dedicated to easing veterans’ transitions back into civilian life by connecting them with local community resources. Duffy also wrote an essay for Headstrong Project about her experiences.
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May 27, 2021
Sgt. 1st Class Elana Duffy: Counterintelligence in Iraq and Afghanistan, Part I
Duffy served in the US Army in Afghanistan and Iraq in 2004 and 2005, conducting counterintelligence and interrogation operations. In Iraq, Duffy suffered a traumatic brain injury from an IED.
Sgt. 1st Class Duffy is currently the CEO of Pathfinder, an organization dedicated to easing veterans’ transitions back into civilian life by connecting them with local community resources.
Tune in next time to hear the rest of her interview on Warriors in Their Own Words.
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May 13, 2021
Col. Bill Gara: Leading the First Engineer Battalion in World War II, Part II
In the second of a two-part episode, Col. Bill Gara tells stories of the 1st Engineer Combat Battalion of the 1st Infantry. Gara served from North Africa to Omaha Beach and the Battle of the Bulge.
See additional photos and learn more about the 1st Engineer Battalion at firstengineerbattalionveterans.org.
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Apr 29, 2021
Col. Bill Gara: Leading the First Engineer Battalion in World War II, Part I
Col. Bill Gara tells stories of the 1st Engineer Combat Battalion of the 1st Infantry, which he led from the 1944 Normandy landings through May of 1945. Gara served from North Africa to Omaha Beach and the Battle of the Bulge.
See additional photos and learn more about the 1st Engineer Battalion at firstengineerbattalionveterans.org and tune in next time to hear the rest of his interview on Warriors in Their Own Words.
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Apr 15, 2021
Dr. Jon Heavey: Battalion Surgeon in Iraq
Content Warning: this episode includes graphic descriptions of wounds and combat, as well as strong language.
Dr. Jon Heavey is an emergency room physician on the front lines of the battle against COVID, who began his medical career as a battalion surgeon with the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq.
Read Jon’s 2012 article “An Unbearable Price” in the Dartmouth Alumni Magazine for more about his service as battalion surgeon.
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Apr 1, 2021
Bill Story: The American-Canadian Devil’s Brigade, Part II
Lt. Bill Story was born in Winnipeg, Canada. He began his military service as a platoon sergeant in the Winnipeg Light Infantry at the age of 19. In 1943, he became the first enlisted man in the First Special Service Force to be field commissioned as a lieutenant.
The Devil’s Brigade disbanded in 1944 and, in 2013, the unit received the Congressional Gold Medal for their service. Lt. Story was inducted into the Special Forces Decade Association as a life member in 2015 and passed away in 2016.
Visit TheGreatCoursesPlus.com/Warriors for a free month of unlimited access to the extensive The Great Courses Plus library. Find classes on anything you can imagine, from "World War II: Pacific Theater" to "1066: The Year That Changed Everything," ancient palaces, the Beatles' rise to fame, and even how to bake bread. Sign up for your free month at: TheGreatCoursesPlus.com/Warriors.
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Mar 18, 2021
Bill Story: The American-Canadian Devil’s Brigade, Part I
Lt. Bill Story was born in Winnipeg, Canada. He began his military service as a platoon sergeant in the Winnipeg Light Infantry at the age of 19. In 1943, he became the first enlisted man in the First Special Service Force to be field commissioned as a lieutenant.
The Devil’s Brigade disbanded in 1944 and, in 2013, the unit received the Congressional Gold Medal for their service. Lt. Story was inducted into the Special Forces Decade Association as a life member in 2015 and passed away in 2016.
Learn more about The Devil’s Brigade from History.com and tune in next time to hear the rest of Lt. Story’s interview on Warriors in Their Own Words.
Visit TheGreatCoursesPlus.com/Warriors for a free month of unlimited access to the extensive The Great Courses Plus library. Find classes on anything you can imagine, from "World War II: Pacific Theater" to "1066: The Year That Changed Everything," ancient palaces, the Beatles' rise to fame, and even how to bake bread. Sign up for your f…
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Mar 4, 2021
Mike Howard: Serving From the Shadows
Mike Howard shares stories from his 22 year career with the CIA. Mike is a former station chief for the CIA and corporate security expert. After his career in government, he served for over a decade as the Chief Security Officer for Microsoft, overseeing physical security worldwide for the company, including the personal security for Bill Gates.
Keep an eye out for Mike’s upcoming book on leadership, out later in 2021, titled “The Art of Ronin Leadership: Strategy, Execution, Sustained Success.
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Feb 18, 2021
Winston Roche: World War I from the Trenches, Part II
Lt. Col. Winston M. Roche enlisted in the US Army at 17 and served as a combat engineer in the trenches in France for nearly two years. He recorded this interview with the Honor Project at the age of 93 and passed away in 1994 at the age of 95.
Learn more about Lt. Col. Roche in his Los Angeles Times obituary.
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Feb 4, 2021
Winston Roche: World War I from the Trenches, Part I
Lt. Col. Winston M. Roche enlisted in the US Army at 17 and served as a combat engineer in the trenches in France for nearly two years. He recorded this interview with the Honor Project at the age of 93 and passed away in 1994 at the age of 95.
Learn more about Lt. Col. Roche in his Los Angeles Times obituary and tune in next time to hear the rest of his interview on Warriors in Their Own Words.
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Jan 14, 2021
Jake Wood: Stories of Service in Iraq and Afghanistan
Jake Wood tells stories from his service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Jake is currently the CEO and co-founder of Team Rubicon, a disaster relief organization that retrains military veterans to deploy as emergency responders. He is also a Marine Corps combat veteran. He enlisted in the Corps in 2005 and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan with the 2nd Battalion - 7th Marine Regiment, which suffered some of the highest casualties of any unit during their deployments.
Learn more about Jake’s organization Team Rubicon and find them on Twitter at @TeamRubicon. Find Jake himself on Twitter at @JakeWoodTR. Jake’s memoir, Once A Warrior, is out now.
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Dec 30, 2020
New Episodes Coming Soon
Warriors in Their Own Words is back with all new episodes hosted by Ken Harbaugh. In partnership with the Honor Project and Evergreen Podcasts, we’re rebooting this podcast at a time when our nation needs these stories more than ever.
For generations, Americans have answered the call and gone where their country sent them. They’ve done their best to serve with honor, often under unthinkable circumstances.
In Warriors in Their Own Words, we’ll dig into the archives to bring you stories from wars that have begun to recede in our collective memory. World Wars I and II, Vietnam, and more.
We’ll also bring you brand-new stories, from a new generation of warriors. We’ll hear about places like Iraq and Afghanistan, from the battlefield and behind the scenes.
Warriors in Their Own Words is our attempt to present the raw truth of what we have asked from those who wear our country’s uniform - or those who operate in the shadows. Thank you for listening and, by doing so, honoring th…
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Feb 5, 2019
1st Air Cavalry Helicopter Pilot
The 1st Air Cavalry Division was the most lethal assault force assembled in Vietnam. The pilots were the first to fully harness the power of helicopters and their soldier's combat record was second to none. Steven E Warren served a year in the infantry in Vietnam, but then returned home to train to fly helicopters. Soon he returned to the conflict, as a Huey helicopter pilot in the 1st Air Cavalry. We spoke with him about his combat experiences, helping to perfect this new kind of warfare.
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Nov 20, 2018
B-29 Bomber Pilot in WWII
Charles L. Phillips was a 26-year-old Captain in the U.S. Army Air Corps, piloting B-29 bombers in the Pacific theater during the final years of WWII. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroics during the strategic bombing campaign over Japan. We interviewed Charles Phillips in 1991 and he told us remarkable stories, from his early training in Texas, to the firebombing of Tokyo in 1945.
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Oct 28, 2018
German U-Boat Lieutenant
In this special episode, we feature an interview with a German U-boat veteran from World War II. Rudi Toepfer graduated from the German Naval Academy and served as the chief engineering office on submarines as they hunted for Allied convoys in the Atlantic Ocean. After the war, he moved to the United States. He worked for Hughes Aircraft for 30 years and became a leader in the Elks Lodge and Masons. This is Rudi's compelling first hand account of his years in combat on board a U-Boat.
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Oct 19, 2018
Bob Hoover Legendary Pilot - Part 2
Bob Hoover learned to fly as a teenager in Tennessee, flew over 50 combat missions in World War II and went on to become a legendary test pilot. Hoover was Chuck Yeager’s backup pilot in the Bell X-1 program and flew the chase plane when Yeager first broke the sound barrier. In 1950 he joined North American Aviation as an experimental test pilot, an association that would last 36 years. This Episode is Part 2 of the remarkable story of Bob Hoover, one of the history's greatest pilots.
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Oct 12, 2018
Bob Hoover Legendary Pilot - Part 1
Bob Hoover is one of history’s greatest aviators. His career spanned from barnstorming in prop planes, to dogfighting in World War II and then on to flight testing supersonic jets and performing spectacular aerobatic demonstrations. Hoover was the backup pilot for the Bell X-1, and flew the chase plane as his friend Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier in 1947. Smithsonian’s Air & Space Magazine named Hoover Number Three on their list of all-time great pilots. (Special Two-Part Episode)
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Oct 5, 2018
Pacific War Marine in WWII
John Nicely was a Sergeant in the US Marine Corps during the brutal Pacific island campaigns of WWII. He saw his first action in the battle of Saipan in June 1944. From there he continued fighting from island to island and eventually prepared for the invasion of Japan. Nicely and his unit entered the devastated city of Nagasaki, just 25 days after the nuclear blast. We met up with him at a reunion of the 2nd Marine division in 1994 and he shared his vivid memories of front-line combat.
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Sep 26, 2018
Pete Everest Air Force Test Pilot
General Frank “Pete” Everest was a record-setting US Air Force Test pilot. As a fighter pilot in World War II he flew over 150 combat missions. He then went on to lead the Air Force flight test program, flying with other legendary pilots like Chuck Yeager and George Welch. In the 1950s Everest set records like taking the X-1 to an altitude of 73,000 feet and the X-2 to 1957 mph. In this episode Pete Everest tells stories of those pioneering days of experimental aircraft and daring test pilots.
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Sep 19, 2018
Marine Corps Rifleman in Vietnam
John C. Muir was a decorated combat veteran of the Vietnam War. He hailed from four generations of men and woman who served in distinguished military service. He was also cousin to John Muir the famous naturalist who's been called “The Father of America’s National Parks.” In 1965, Muir volunteered for the US Marine Corps and was sent to Vietnam as a Rifleman. John C. Muir was an excellent storyteller who delivered powerful words about fighting the war and returning home.
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Sep 12, 2018
WWII Fighter Ace Flies in Korea
Col. Walker “Bud” Mahurin was an American combat fighter pilot. Flying P-47s with the 56th FG in WWII, he became an ace three times over in the skies over Europe. After the war, he remained in the US Air Force. The outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 found him in the Pentagon, working on fighter aircraft procurement. The skills he exhibited in WWII would once again be tested, this time in a new arena of air warfare, the jet age dogfight. Mahurin tells his story of returning to combat in Korea.
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Sep 6, 2018
Intelligence Officer Fighting in Europe
Walter Bodlander was a military intelligence officer for the US Army during WWII. He was born in Germany in 1920. As a Jew, he knew he had to flea Hitler’s regime. He eventually made his way to the United States and volunteered to join the Army to fight the Nazis. Military Intelligence wanted to use his fluency in German to interrogate Nazi prisoners on the front lines. Walter was soon dispatched to England to join the D-Day invasion and the march into Germany.
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Aug 27, 2018
Fighter Pilot of the Tuskegee Airmen
Colonel Charles Bussey courageously flew P-51 Mustangs as a fighter pilot in World War II. His training came with the famed Tuskegee Airmen, the all black Army Air Corps unit. Bussey also went on to serve as a decorated Commander of Army engineers during the Korean War. Charles Bussey was a war hero, but his first struggle wasn't in a combat zone overseas. His first battle was at home in what you might call the fight for the right to fight. This is his dramatic story, in his own words.
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Aug 19, 2018
Three War Army Hero
This episode tells the dramatic story of an Army veteran who served in three wars, World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Al Ungerleider’s first taste of combat came on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. He went on to march towards Germany, liberating a Nazi concentration camp along the way. Brig. General Al Ungerleider retired from the Army after 36 years of service. His final active-duty assignment was commanding the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. Al Ungerleider is a true American hero.
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Aug 13, 2018
Pacific War Diary
During World War II, the United States Marines played a central role in the battle for the islands of the Pacific. Marine Corps veteran Bill Swanson was often in the first wave to hit the beach in many of these brutal campaigns. In this episode, he paints a vivid picture of what it was like to fight in the "living hell" of these steaming jungles and swamps. He shares his experiences on Bougainville, Guam and Iwo Jima, battling a hidden and determined enemy.
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Aug 6, 2018
Flying Tigers & Silver Streaks
This is the tale of two American pilots of World War II. One, R.T. Smith, was a fighter ace in Burma flying P-40s with the legendary Flying Tigers. He recorded 9 confirmed victories, aiding the Chinese in their conflict with Japan. The other, Al Freiburger, was a bomber pilot in Europe flying B-26 Marauders with his unit, the Silver Streaks. He logged numerous missions in the conflict, including key bombing runs on D-Day. Both men were engaging characters with unique war time experiences.
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Jul 30, 2018
Medal of Honor & Battlefield Recordings
Medal of Honor recipient Walter Ehlers tells his dramatic stories of combat in North Africa and Europe and details the events surrounding his heroic actions during the Normandy campaign. He also offers his unique perspectives on the infantry, his fellow soldiers and the enemy. This episode also features rare recordings of live combat, direct from the battlefields of World War II.
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Jul 22, 2018
D-Day Diary
1994 was the 50th anniversary of D-Day. Throughout that year, The Honor Project sat down with dozens of veterans off the Normandy Invasion to hear their stories and to put these Heroes of Our Nation On Record. O.B. Hill was a member of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment. In this Episode, he recounts dramatic stories of his training and combat experiences and he eloquently expresses his thoughts on the nature of war and and how it impacted him and his fellow paratroopers.
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Jul 15, 2018
D-Day The First Hours
Hours before the Allied Forces hit the beaches of Normandy, courageous British and American soldiers entered France with parachutes and gliders to secure key bridges and enemy artillery positions. Their dangerous missions led the way for the D-Day invasion and ultimate victory in Europe. Wally Parr, Terance Otway and Bill True recount their dramatic stories, In Their Own Words.
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Jul 8, 2018
First Helicopter Combat Rescue Mission
Today helicopters carry the firepower of an artillery battery and can strike deep behind every lines, flying day or night in any weather. But back in 1944 helicopters were a brand new technology. Aviation pioneer Igor Sikorsky supplied the first primitive choppers to the US Army and four pilots were trained to fly the untested aircraft in the jungles of Burma. Carter Harman was one of those first courageous pilots and he performed the world's first helicopter combat rescue mission.
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Jul 1, 2018
Combat Medics in Vietnam
Combat Medics courageously fought to save lives as the war raged around them in Vietnam. Helicopters became virtual hospitals in the air, buying the medic valuable time to heal the wounded. Max Cleland, a future US Senator from Georgia, lost three limbs when a grenade exploded in his hand. His life was saved by four beleaguered field medics. In this dramatic episode, Max Cleland recounts his story and we also hear from Clarence Sasser, who earned the Medal of Honor as a Combat Medic in Vietnam.
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Jun 24, 2018
Tunnel Rats in Vietnam
The Tunnel Rats were courageous soldiers who performed underground search and destroy missions during the Vietnam War. American and Australian troops uncovered the enemy's intricate network of tunnels while conducting larger operations. Tunnel rats were tasked with gathering intelligence within them, and killing or capturing their occupants--often in conditions of close combat. CW Bowman, Gerry Schooler and Art Tejeda spent days maneuvering through the tunnels clearing lethal booby-traps.
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Jun 17, 2018
Snipers in Vietnam
Military snipers were trained sharpshooters assigned to kill a man with one perfect shot. These highly disciplined marksman often stalked a target for days waiting for just the right moment to squeeze the trigger. Lurking in the shadows alone, the deadly stealth of the sniper made him the most feared man on the battlefield. As a young hunter, Chuck Mawhinney grew up with a gun in his hand. In October 1967, Mawhinney was just 19 years old when he made his first kill as a scout sniper in Vietnam.
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Jun 10, 2018
SOG Covert Task Force in Vietnam
Studies and Observations Group (SOG) was a highly classified, special ops unit that conducted unconventional warfare during the Vietnam War. SOG carried out the capture of enemy prisoners, rescued downed pilots, and conducted rescue operations to retrieve prisoners of war throughout Southeast Asia. The Task Force also engaged in clandestine intelligence, propaganda and psychological operations. J.D. Bath and Bill Deacy were members of this elite group.
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Jun 3, 2018
Wild Weasels in Vietnam
The Wild Weasels of the United States Air Force were some of the most courageous pilots in Vietnam. In a deadly game of cat and mouse, they flew fighters like the F-100, F-105 and F-4s deep into hostile airspace to coax the enemy into opening fire with their surface to air missiles. Once the Weasels located the site, other fighter bombers were called in to destroy the installations. In this episode, Wild Weasels, Jerry Hoblit, Bill Sparks, Mike Gilroy and Tom Wilson tell their dramatic stories.
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May 27, 2018
Bat 21Rescue in Vietnam
On Easter Sunday, April 2, 1972, two EB-66 aircraft, call signs Bat 21 and Bat 22 were flying pathfinder escort for three B-52s, which were assigned to bomb the two primary access routes to the Ho Chi Minh Trail through Laos. Gene Hambleton, a navigator aboard Bat 21, was shot down behind North Vietnamese lines. His rescue became known as the largest, longest, and most complex search-and-rescue operation during the Vietnam War. In this episode, Gene Hambleton recounts his dramatic story.
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May 20, 2018
Forward Air Controllers in Vietnam
Forward Air Controllers or FACs choreographed this skies over the battlefield in Vietnam. They courageously flew low, slow and unarmed over enemy territory in small, propeller driven aircraft like the Cessna 0-1 Bird Dog and 0-2 Skymaster. The FACs were experts at spotting an evasive, well camouflaged enemy and they often braved a battery of enemy ground fire to target the opposing force. In this episode, FACs William Platt and Bill Townsley tell their dramatic stories, In Their Own Words.
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May 13, 2018
Vietnam Forward Observers
During the Vietnam War, all too often the chaos of battle found Allied forces trapped and facing annihilation. The situation called for courageous men to carry out some of the deadliest missions in the history of warfare. Forward Observers, often alone, moved behind enemy lines to serve as the eyes of the artillery gunner in delivering rounds on vital targets. In this episode, Medal of Honor recipients Barney Barnum and Brian Thacker tell their dramatic stories, In Their Own Words.
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May 6, 2018
Iwo Jima
The battle for Iwo Jima in World War II became the bloodiest in U. S. Marine Corps history. But for survivors like Chuck Tatum, it also represents the best, the Marines and the United States has to give. For despite the 23,000 U.S. casualties, including 5,400 dead, the flag atop Mount Suribachi, is a symbol of this nation's willingness to fight for freedom and liberty, no matter what the cost. This episode is an in-depth interview with Chuck Tatum. These are his experiences in his own words.
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Apr 29, 2018
Marine Raiders in the Pacific
The Marine Raiders were elite units established by the United States Marine Corp during World War II to conduct special amphibious assault missions, operating behind the lines. The Raiders were created by an order from President Franklin D. Roosevelt in February 1942. They are said to be the first U.S. special forces operations see combat in World War II. William Lansford was a member of the 2nd Raider Battalion during the Pacific campaigns. These are his dramatic stories told in his own words.
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Apr 22, 2018
Amphibious Assault in the Pacific
By 1943, the war in the Pacific burned in its full fury. On November 20th, the Allies launched the first amphibious assault against heavily defended beaches in US history. The 2nd division of the US Marine Corps, used amphibious tractors and assault boats to reach the beaches of the Tarawa atoll, an enemy stronghold protected by 5,000 hardened Imperial Japanese marines. Ed Moore and Tommy Reed were decorated veterans of the 2nd Marine Division during the island campaigns in the Pacific War.
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Apr 15, 2018
Guadalcanal
The unrelenting ferocity of the Pacific War was without a doubt the bloodiest and most savage of the two theaters of World War II. The memories of brutal battles like Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Midway and Iwo Jima are forever seared into minds of the courageous men who fought there. The island of Guadalcanal represented one of the last chances for the Allies to turn back the Japanese advance in the Pacific. Marine veteran Victor Croizat experienced the "hell of earth" of the battle for Guadalcanal.
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Apr 8, 2018
Glider Attack On D-Day
They are known as America's first military stealth aircraft. Under cover of darkness, the Waco CG-4A combat glider carried U.S. troops and materiel into battle during World War II. William Horn and Leo Cordier, pilots who flew these unarmed and un-powered planes, landed behind enemy lines before the invasion troops arrived in Europe on D-Day. Their courageous stories are a little known chapter in the Allied march to victory during WWII.
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Apr 1, 2018
U.S. Rangers On D-Day
This episode features the dramatic role of the U.S Rangers on D-Day during World War II. Leonard Lomell and Sidney Salomon, from the 2nd Ranger Battalion, were among those who comprised America's first Special Forces group. They were part of the first wave landing on Omaha Beach on June 6th, 1944.
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Mar 25, 2018
Hitting the Beach On D-Day
On June 6, 1944, the Allies launched the largest amphibious military assault in history known as D-Day. More than 150,000 American, British and Canadian forces landed on five beaches along the heavily fortified coast of France’s Normandy region. Some of the first men to hit the beach on D-Day were the U.S. Navy Combat Demolition Unit. Jerry Markham and John Talton were members of this elite group. In this episode, these courageous veterans tell their dramatic stories, In Their Own Words.
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Mar 18, 2018
Airborne Assault On D-Day
June 6th, 1944...D-Day. It was the greatest military assault ever staged. Code named Operation Overlord, the massive invasion of Normandy by the Allies involved more than a quarter of a million soldiers, sailors and airmen as well as 5000 ships and 3000 aircraft. Tom McCarthy and Francis Lamoureux were Parachute Infantrymen during the epic conflict. They tell their riveting first-hand accounts in this dramatic presentation, Airborne Assault on D-Day.
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Mar 11, 2018
Assault on Germany in World War Two
In 1944, the Allies fought their way from the beaches of Normandy towards German soil. Their sites were firmly set on pushing all the way to Hitler's capital Berlin and putting an end to WWII. Robert Weiss was a US Army forward observer. His mission was to move ahead of the troops and find targets for the artillery, but being out in front placed him closer to the enemy and a greater risk of being cut off from his comrades. These are his experiences In His Own Words.
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Mar 4, 2018
Battle of the Bulge
Toward the end of 1944, it was clear that Germany was losing WWII. Low on fuel, munitions and morale, the ability of the Nazis was slipping away. Still Hitler burned with a passion for one more mad assault. In December, 1944, 600,000 Germans surged into the western front. The stage was set for total Allied defeat. Hitler could count the thousands of guns, the tons of munitions and the hundreds of tanks, but he failed to grasp the most important element, the unfailing courage and valor of the Allied troops
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Mar 2, 2018
Air War Over Europe in World War Two
By 1942, the skies over Germany were aflame with German fighters battling Allied bombers for the survival of Europe and the free world. Central to victory were the fighter planes of the Allies. At first they were obsolete and woefully inadequate. But with the advent of aircraft like the P-47 Thunderbolt and the P-51 Mustang, the tide of war was about to change. In this episode we hear the words of fighter aces Clarence "Bud" Anderson in his revolutionary P-51 and Francis "Gabby" Gabreski, flying the P-47
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Feb 19, 2018
Armored Warfare in World War Two
In this episode of Warriors In Their Own Words, veterans of the 3rd Armored Division, Belton Cooper and Bertrand Close, transport us to the Race Across Europe in World War Two.
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