Tales from the Corps

Send us Fan Mail What happens to the stories behind a Veteran's challenge coins when they're gone? Every challenge coin has a story. Some represent extraordinary acts of courage. Others commemorate friendships, deployments, achievements, or moments that changed someone's life forever. But while the metal may last for generations, the stories behind those coins can disappear. In this...

Send us Fan Mail Adolf Hitler remains one of the most studied figures in modern history. Yet more than 80 years after the fall of Nazi Germany, much of what people believe they know about him is still influenced by the propaganda his regime created. How did an Austrian-born young man become the dictator who led Germany into World War II and whose Nazi regime perpetrated the Holocaust? Did his expe...

Send us Fan Mail In September 1944, U.S. Marines landed on the tiny Pacific island of Peleliu for what planners believed could be a relatively short battle. Instead, they entered one of the most brutal, unforgiving fights of the Pacific War. In this episode of Tales From the Corps, Mike sits down with award-winning WWII documentary filmmaker Tim Gray, Founder and President of the World War II Foun...

Send us Fan Mail Does World War II end the same way without Tinian? Battles like Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal, and Okinawa dominate the history books, but the Battle of Tinian in 1944 was arguably one of the most consequential campaigns of the Pacific War. Home to North Field—which rapidly became one of the largest and busiest airfields in the world—Tinian served as a launch point for the B-29 Superfortr...

Send us Fan Mail Three months ago, Santos Matos — better known around Tales from the Corps as “Funnel Cake” — sat down with us as a poolee preparing to leave for Marine Corps Recruit Training at Parris Island. Now he’s back as Private Santos Matos, United States Marine. So… how much of what he expected was actually true? In this follow-up conversation, Santos takes us inside his experience at Mari...

Send us Fan Mail Did the United States have to drop the atomic bombs on Japan to end World War II? Renowned WWII historian Jon Parshall , co-host of The Unauthorized History of the Pacific War Podcast and author of the upcoming 1942: The Crux of War , joins Tales From The Corps for an in-depth conversation about one of the most debated questions of the Pacific War. Jon examines the decision to use...

In this compelling episode of "Tales from the Corps," hosts Mike Francis and Neal Fauver sit down with Justin Cramer, a former Marine fire support man and JTAC evaluator, who takes us on a journey from the intense battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan to the creative realms of podcasting and entrepreneurship. Justin's story is one of resilience, adaptability, and the relentless pursu...

Join Mike Francis, Neal Fauver, and special guest Scott Gibson in an extraordinary episode of Tales from the Corps that delves deep into the lives and legacies of World War II veterans Don Graves and Allan Chatwin. Recently, these veterans shared their harrowing and heroic experiences from Iwo Jima at a memorable event in Fredericksburg, Texas. The episode captures the essence of their stories, re...

Welcome, everybody, to a special edition of *Tales from the Corps*! Today’s episode is unique and exciting as fellow 3-6 brother Neal Fauver and I, Mike Francis, join retired Lieutenant Colonel Mitch "Taco" Bell on his podcast, *Tall Tales with Taco*. This live Facebook session, also available on YouTube, dives deep into our Marine Corps experiences, sharing hilarious anecdotes and heart...

Join host Mike Francis as he sits down with Marine veteran Matt Harper. Dive into Matt's incredible story, from growing up in a family of Marines to finding his own path in the Corps, and eventually transitioning into civilian life. Hear about the challenges and triumphs of sobriety, the humorous and heartfelt moments that define Marine camaraderie, and the valuable lessons learned along the...

Dive into a profound and emotional episode of "Tales from the Corps" with host Mike Francis as he sits down with Tracie Hunter, the groundbreaking founder of Beyond the Call and the show's first female guest. Tracie's captivating mission to document and celebrate the lives of World War II veterans takes us on a heartwarming journey from her roots as an Army brat to her Emmy awa...

Get ready for a side-splitting episode of "Tales from the Corps" with your Host Michael Francis! He’s bringing back Robert Eunice, Lima company's own resident prankster, and introducing Bart Lewis, the legendary mischief-maker. These two veterans are here to share their most outrageous and hilarious stories from their time in the Marines. Expect tales of prank calls gone awry, pizza...

Join host Mike Francis on an unforgettable episode of Tales from the Corps as he welcomes Anthony Perez, a passionate traveler and content creator currently spending time in American Samoa. Anthony’s extraordinary video on the World War II battle of Peleliu captured Mike’s attention, leading to a deep dive into Anthony’s journey of storytelling. Discover how Anthony’s immersive travel experiences...

Join hosts Mike Francis and Neal Fauver, as they sit down with James Badge Dale, famously known for his role as Robert Leckie in the acclaimed series "The Pacific."  In this gripping episode, hear firsthand accounts of the visceral transformation that actors undergo to portray real heroes and the profound connections they form with the characters they play.  As well as, the hilarious mom...

What binds Navy corpsmen and Marines so tightly together? Join us for a special episode of "Tales from the Corps" as we kick off the month with our first Navy corpsman guest, Doc Frantz. We also give a truly heartfelt shout out to all our Corpsmen as they celebrate their birthday on 17 June.  Reliving the camaraderie from last year's reunion, we reminisce about the contrast of the u...

Join us for a special Memorial Day episode as we are joined by Jake "The Snake," Lybrook and Jon Stough from 3/6 Lima Company. We're not just recounting Marine Corps tales; we're honoring the brotherhood that sustained us through boot camp antics, overseas adventures, and the solemn remembrance of our fallen brothers. Our conversation weaves together the lighter moments of yout...

Join Mike Francis and Neal Fauver on our latest podcast episode delving into the profound connections between the Tales fromthe Corps boys and a guy named Nathan Pinter in Washington, Missouri. Dive into tales from Nathan Pinter, Pinto, founder and curator of the 1944 War Museum, exploring unforgettable gatherings of veterans and "Band of Brothers" and "The Pacific" cast and cr...

Dive into the enthralling world where military valor meets Hollywood glamor in this episode of our podcast, "Semper Hollywood: Marines on the Silver Screen." Join us as Marine Corps veterans Freddie Joe Farnsworth and Robert Garcia share their incredible journeys from the battlefield to the film set. With a mix of gritty determination and infectious humor, they discuss how their military...

Have you ever found yourself instantly connecting with someone as if you've known them for years? That's the magic Neal Fauver and I experienced during our first real-life meet-up, a testament to the power of the genuine Marine Corps connection. We unpack the whirlwind of travel, the disorienting dance with time, and the anticipation of a restful May amidst the chaos. Our discussion brin...

We had the pleasure of chatting with Leighton Hughes from the Royal Air Force about his passion for military history and the road it inevitably led him down. We indulged in stories comparing the culinary cultures of the U.S. and U.K. military, especially during overseas deployments, with Leighton sharing intriguing tales about the 'pay as you dine' system versus the American military&apo...

Join me, Mike Francis, along with fellow veterans Neil Falver and Andrew "A Train" Alexander, as we reunite and reminisce about our experiences during the 2007 Iraq campaign in a heartfelt episode of "Tales from the Core." We share gritty, humorous, and touching stories that define our bond forged in the military. Transitioning back to civilian life brings its own set of challe...

Sergeant Michael Sylvester returns with “Tales from the Corps,” blending chuckles and earnestness in his Marine Corps journey. Our conversation starts with a humorous mix-up, leading to insights into Michael’s pre-service life and the family legacy guiding him into the infantry. We explore the unexpected paths that draw individuals into military service, with stories showcasing the twists of fate...

Join Mike Francis, Juan Ramirez, and Neal Fauver for a heartfelt journey through sobriety milestones and the unexpected blessings of clear-minded living. With each of us on our own sobriety path – Neal at a year, Mike approaching six months, and Juan since a notable November day – we delve into life after alcohol, strengthened by our Marine community. This isn't just swapping war stories; it&...

 Ever felt like you're in a comedy sketch when your last name becomes a drill instructor's punchline? Well, Joshua Bitton from "The Pacific," Neil Fauver, and I sure did, and boy, do we have tales to tell! Join us for a rollercoaster ride from boot camp blunders to Hollywood hijinks, where the line between Marine and actor gets blurred. We dish on the behind-the-scenes grit of...

Join us for a unique journey through Marine Corps history with a retired Master Sergeant as our guide, slicing through military jargon with ease. We'll explore everything from quirky terms to the deep impact of military life, including the personal challenges Marines face from nicknames to unpredictable assignments. Delving into the heart of the 2nd Battalion 7th Marines in addition to our 3/...