Veterans Chronicles

U.S. Army veteran John Marr was a paratrooper of the 507 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division during World War II. Colonel Marr parachuted into lower Normandy the morning of D-Day, and upon landing he saw action almost immediately. He took part in the Battle of the La Fiere Causeway, and would eventually lead Company B of the 507 during the Battle of the Bulge as part of Operation V...

Colonel Ed Shames continues his story as one of the first Paratroopers in the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army. Part 2 of the episode follows the Allied invasion of France on the night of D-Day, beginning with Shames' landing in the town of Carantan, a German command center.

Veteran of the famed 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne division, Colonel Ed Shames saw some of the greatest action in the European theater of World War II. In this two-part episode he recounts his experiences training and fighting as a Paratrooper in the US army, including his role in the historic Allied invasion of France on the night of D-Day.

Decorated Ace Fighter Pilot James B. Morehead saw action in both the Atlantic and Pacific regions of World War II. Nicknamed Wildman for his daring attacks, he downed eight enemy planes, earning two Distinguished Service Crosses - second only to the Medal of Honor. He attributes much of his aerial success to his passion for hunting, which gave him the knowledge and skills to complete his missions.

Army veteran of the 85th Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, Newcomb "Newc" Eldrege saw action as a ski trooper during World War II. His role in the Battle for Mount Belvedere would earn him the Purple Heart Award, in addition to two Bronze Stars. His experience as a skier as well as his training at Camp Hale in Colorado helped prepare him for contact with the enemy during the final assault of Italy...

Shelby Westbrook, veteran of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen, flew 60 missions over 12 countries in Europe during World War II. He was stationed in Italy to fly with the 99th Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group. His service as a combat pilot eventually earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross along with several other awards, as well as his promotion to First Lieutenant. He spent a total of four yea...

This episode of Veterans Chronicles profiles two of the U.S. military's most distinguished veterans. Major General John K. Singlaub was a highly decorated U.S. Army veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Singlaub joined the OSS and worked with French resistance fighters as a parachutist behind German lines during World War II, which was influential in his role as a founding member of the CIA...

Army Veteran Richard Falvey was a member of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment during the Second World War. As part of the Headquarters Company of the 2nd Battalion, he received his wings after rigorous training in 1942. He saw some of the greatest action of the war, taking part in the airborne assault the night before the Allied invasion of Normandy on D-Day. After suffering a minor injury in...

Francis Sanza, better known as "Jeep", had a first-row seat for many of the momentous moments of American military history as General George S. Patton's personal jeep driver during his campaign across Europe during World War II. His connection to General Patton was so lasting that, to this day, he still signs his checks "Jeep."

Jerry Coleman is best known as the All-Star second baseman for, possibly, the best teams in baseball history - the New York Yankees of the 1940s and 50s - where he played alongside Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, and other baseball legends. Yet, the achievement he is most proud of is as a Marine Corps aviator, and as the only Major League Baseball player to see combat in both World War II...

Jack Jacobs is among the most highly decorated veterans of the Vietnam War, being awarded two Silver Stars, three Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, and our nation's highest military award - the Medal of Honor. He is currently a military analyst for NBC/MSNBC.

In this episode, host Gene Pell speaks to Elaine Danforth Harmon, one of the original WASP pilots of World War II. This groundbreaking group of women are considered the first female pilots in U.S. military history, and were recently awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for their service during the Second World War.

In this two-part show, Veterans Chronicles profiles two veterans of our Greatest Generation who served during World War II.Ralph Griffiths joined the Marine Corps in 1944 at the age of 17, participating in the epic Battle of Iwo Jima. He served with each of the men made famous in the legendary two flag-raisings atop Mt. Suribachi - the second of which was immortalized in Joe Rosenthal's photo, the...

James Hafer is one of the few men to have participated in the entire eight-days of battle in the defense of Outpost Harry, one of the toughest fights of the Korean War, taking place just before the cease fire. There, he and his comrades withstood constant enemy attacks, with more than 120,000 artillery shells landing on their area throughout the battle.

Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr. was squadron commander of the 100th Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group in World War II - best known as the Tuskegee Airmen. During combat, he would shoot down an advanced German Me-262 jet and a FW-190 fighter. He would go on to become a professor at New York University and President of Bronx Community College.

A two-tour veteran of Vietnam, "Doc" Bahnsen earned a reputation as one of the hardest-fighting and bravest officers of the war, commanding soldiers on the ground and in the air. Among his many decorations were the Distinguished Service Cross, five Silver Stars, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, and two Purple Hearts. He would serve in the Army for 30 years, where he would become celebrated for...

Joseph Vaghi served as Beachmaster on the Easy Red Sector of Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. As Beachmaster, he was a "traffic cop" of sorts, directing men and materiel from their landing crafts onto the beach then inland. His fascinating account is straight out of "Saving Private Ryan," and LCDR Vaghi would later be featured in Ken Burns' documentary "The War."

In this episode of Veterans Chronicles, host Gene Pell speaks with Sgt. 1st Class Ronald E. Rosser, Medal of Honor recipient of the Korean War. Joining the Army in 1946 for a three-year enlistment at the age of 17, Rosser re-entered the service after his brother was killed in Korea, requesting to be sent to the front lines. He received the Medal of Honor for actions taken in an assault on an enemy...

This special edition of Veterans Chronicles features two veterans whose military service helped to launch them into careers in entertainment. Pat Sajak has become a household name as host of "Wheel of Fortune," though he earlier served in the Army in Vietnam as a DJ with AFRN. Keni Thomas was an Army Ranger in the Battle of Mogadishu, and has since gone one to a successful career as a country musi...

Sgt. Fernando Franco was one of 60 "warrior citizens" of the Army Reserve to take his re-enlistment oath at a special ceremony at the National Archives as part of the Reserve's 103rd anniversary. Franco had earlier served in Iraq, and was in charge of detainee operations at Camp Bucca.

This special episode features four veterans of the elite, but forgotten, 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) - the only all-black Ranger unit in U.S. Army history - which saw action in the Korean War. Guest hosted by Paul Berry, the men speak of training, deployment, and combat, as well as the bonds of brotherhood built among elite soldiers whose story has never been fully told.

Maj. Barry Periatt, an Army Reserve Soldier and a Purple Heart recipient, was one of the Soldier Heroes who was honored at the 2011 Army All-American Bowl Game in San Antonio, Texas. The annual event brings together the nation's top-ranked high school football athletes as well as decorated Soldiers who have served in support of Operation New Dawn, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Fre...

This week's guest is retired U.S. Army Colonel Jimmie Kanaya, a recipient of the Silver Star for actions while serving with the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team during World War II. A combat medic during the war, Kanaya's story was featured in the acclaimed HISTORY documentary, "WWII in HD."

James Warner was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and awarded his Naval Flight Officer wings in January, 1966. A year later, the young officer was ordered to Vietnam, where he flew more than 100 missions in his F-4 Phantom. On October 13th, 1967, Lt. Warner??s plane was shot down over enemy territory, beginning nearly six years of imprisonment at the hands of the Nor...

SGT Laramie Long, a pastor at his local church, is a two-tour veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan with the 287th Combat HET Company. He began his military career as he reported to basic training on September 8, 2001 - just three days before the attacks that would change America. His religious background helped him serve as a mentor to his fellow Soldiers during their time on the front lines.