Someone Talked!

Someone Talked! is the official podcast of the National D-Day Memorial. In this episode Sean McMeekin, Francis Flournoy Professor of European History and Culture at Bard College, joins us to discuss his latest book Stalin’s War: A New History of WWII. In Stalin’s War, McMeekin explores the idea that Stalin—not Hitler—was the animating force of World War II. Learn how legendary medic Charles Norman...

Someone Talked! is the official podcast of the National D-Day Memorial. In this episode, Black Snow author James Scott returns to discuss the development of the B-29 bomber and shares how he was personally affected by his research. In “We Salute You,” André Fallwell landed in France to help liberate his mother’s homeland and with the hope he’d return to an America that was truly free for all. Expl...

Someone Talked! is the official podcast of the National D-Day Memorial. In this episode, Pulitzer Prize finalist James Scott reflects on his time researching in Japan and the painful interviews with civilians recalling the firebombing of Tokyo. In “We Salute You,” intelligence officer Oscar Cavallin’s story from inside a German POW camp. Explore the National D-Day Memorial, plan your visit, and le...

Someone Talked! is the official podcast of the National D-Day Memorial. In this episode, we explore the Memorial’s never-ending quest to identify and remember, by name, every single Allied fatality on D-Day. The nephew of a fallen aviator shares how this research it helping families find answers nearly 80 years later. In “We Salute You,” once known but to God, Frances Drake was finally returned fr...

Someone Talked! is the official podcast of the National D-Day Memorial. In this episode, the producers of They Won’t Die Twice, a new documentary following the lives of three fallen heroes of D-Day, join us in studio on the heels of the American premiere. In “We Salute You,” how remembering Paul Womack’s death on Omaha Beach united two families over his grave and across continents. Explore the Nat...

Someone Talked!  is the official podcast of the National D-Day Memorial.   Chris Kolakowski returns to discuss all things MacArthur. Kolakowski, who served as director of the MacArthur Memorial from 2013-2019, authored  Last Stand on Bataan , which studies the Philippine Campaign.   In our “We Salute You” segment we introduce you to Lt. Col. John Minary, whose service in the Psychological Warfare...

Someone Talked! is the official podcast of the National D-Day Memorial. Chris Kolakowski, director of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, joins the program to discuss his latest book Nations in the Balance: The India-Burma Campaigns, December 1943-August 1944. Our hosts and guest explore how the outcome of WWII in Asia still affects modern geopolitics. Catch baseball legend Yogi Berra’s story of herois...

Someone Talked!  is the official podcast of the National D-Day Memorial. Joe Balkoski returns to further discuss his seminal work writing about the 29th Division in World War II. Find out how fluent our host and guest are in French and what punishment a soldier could expect to receive if caught with his hands in his pockets under 29th Division leadership. In “We Salute You” we honor the service of...

You’ve seen the movie, but do you really know Patton? In part 2 of our discussion with Patton scholar Kevin Hymel, we separate front line facts from Hollywood fiction. We feature First Lieutenant Evelyn “Chappy” Kowalchuk, a flight nurse in WWII who aided soldiers on Omaha Beach, in our “We Salute You” segment. Explore the National D-Day Memorial, plan your visit, and learn about upcoming events a...

In this episode we welcome preeminent Patton scholar and author Kevin Hymel. Discover how snapshots taken by Patton himself provided a never-before-seen picture of the famed general that was the catalyst for Hymel’s magnum opus (along with a nudge from our own podcast host!) Learn the tragic story of Master Sgt. Newton Hirst Light, taken prisoner by the Japanese, in our “We Salute You” segment. Ex...

Someone Talked! is the official podcast of the National D-Day Memorial. Alex Kershaw, bestselling author of  The Bedford Boys,  pays a visit back to Bedford to join us in-studio. In this emotional episode, Kershaw shares how he first learned of the small town’s connection to the greatest amphibious assault in history and recalls conversations with the surviving men of Company A and those left to m...

Someone Talked! is the official podcast of the National D-Day Memorial. In this episode national bestselling author Alex Kershaw joins us in-studio to discuss his latest work, Against All Odds: A True Story of Ultimate Courage and Survival in World War II, which tells the untold stories of four of the most decorated soldiers of World War II—all Medal of Honor recipients—from the beaches of French...

Hear how native New Yorker Joe Balkoski came to his life’s work researching the Virginia and Maryland National Guards in World War II. The Beyond the Beachhead author writes from first-hand accounts of veterans who became father figures to him after starting his military history career nearly five decades ago. Red Ball Express veteran Carroll Reeves is featured in the “We Salute You” segment. Emai...

Someone Talked! is the official podcast of the National D-Day Memorial. In this episode meet your host, military historian and university professor Dr. John C. McManus as we discuss his book, Island Infernos: The US Army's Pacific War Odyssey, 1944. Co-hosts April Cheek-Messier and John Long join the discussion. We profile WWII hero Don Casey in our "We Salute You" segment. Email the Someone Talke...

In World War II, the warnings were everywhere: the enemy is listening! Now, it’s your turn to eavesdrop. Dr. John C. McManus, military historian, university professor, and host of the National D-Day Memorial’s “Someone Talked” podcast. On “Someone Talked”, leading experts will spill all the secrets of the Second World War and the momentous events that continue to shape our world today. Join the co...