From The Front To The Films: A World War II Podcast

In this first episode of a new season in our "Front to the Films" Podcast, we sit down with Christian Blauvelt, author of the new book, "Hollywood Victory: The Movies, Stars, and Stories of World War II," to explore an era when Hollywood played a crucial role in the war, not only on the screen, but on the battlefield as well. Christian Blauvelt shares behind-the-scenes stories of how the film indu...

This Women's History Month, the World War II Foundation highlights the diverse roles women played during the war through "Her War, Her Story." This clip introduces Marjorie Giamo, a "Rosie the Riveter" from Waltham, MA, who took on the critical role of welder, contributing to the war effort on the home front. Alongside her, Rae Curovick shares her experiences growing up in England and serving in t...

Continuing our observance of Women's History Month and honoring the enduring spirit of our Greatest Generation, the World War II Foundation presents a memorable clip from "Her War, Her Story." In this segment, Kathleen McElaney shares her experiences growing up in England during World War II. From the trials of rationing to the united efforts and common purpose that galvanized the country, McElane...

Barbara Kotinek was just a young girl when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. She got an up-close view of the Japanese pilots when they flew over and the devastation along Battleship Row, especially the flaming USS Arizona. When the enemy flew over her Naval housing, they even waved to her and smiled. She climbed a clothesline to get a better view. Her family was so certain th...

In the powerful finale episode of the "Echoes of Valor" podcast series, host Colonel Tom Rendall brings together historian John McManus and Rebecca Hutchinson, youngest daughter of World War II navigator Harry Crosby, to reflect on the acclaimed Masters of the Air television series. Their extraordinary discussion sheds light on the intense complexity of the bombing missions over Europe, weaving to...

This Women's History Month, our latest clip from "Her War, Her Story" focuses on the diverse and poignant experiences of three women growing up in Nazi Germany: Irmgard Schmid, who seeks redemption for her country's past; Anna Arbeiter, a Holocaust survivor; and Helga Schmid, who shares her childhood memories from that era. Their stories offer a window into the emotional toll of World War II on yo...

In our latest episode of "Echoes of Valor," we're treated to an engaging, often compelling, conversation that bridges the historical and the contemporary aspects of military aviation as Masters of the Air winds down. Hosted by Colonel Tom Rendall in partnership with The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force and The World War II Foundation, this episode features two great United States Air...

In this short clip from our film, "Her War, Her Story," we hear from two women as they discuss their emotional journeys through and after World War II. The documentary, narrated by Jane Lynch, includes stories like Irmgard Schmid's, who seeks redemption for her country's past while living in England and France, and Anna Arbeiter, a Holocaust survivor, who shares the pain of being a 14-year-old gir...

Tune in to a captivating episode of 'Echoes of Valor' featuring LTC Harry T. Stewart Jr., one of our nation's most distinguished veterans, and one of last two surviving Tuskegee Airman--brought to you in collaboration with The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force and The World War II Foundation. Your host, Colonel Tom Rendall, unpacks the gallantry, trials, and historical impact of the T...

Happy International Women's Day!  To honor this day, we celebrate Julia Parsons, a WWII code-breaker, with recognition for her secret service during the war. Initially silent about her role in deciphering German communications, she served in a U.S. Navy unit, decoding messages from the Enigma machine. Parsons, after over 50 years, shared her story with us once it she learned of its declassificatio...

This is the latest segment of the Echoes of Valor podcast series, hosted by Colonel Tom Rendall.   In Part 2 of this episode, the discussion continues on the strategic evolution from the bold maneuvers of WWII bombers to today's precise, technology-driven airstrikes. Joined by Dr. Mark Clodfelter, General Tim Fay, and General John Fairfield, the discussion pivots on the stark contrasts and lessons...

This  Women 's History Month, we are celebrating the extraordinary women of World War II.   This clip shows Julia Parsons, and her top secret role as a codebreaker during the war.   From the American Home Front to the harrowing grounds of Auschwitz, "Her War, Her Story" narrated by Jane Lynch, unveils the untold tales of bravery and resilience. Over the next month, we will be posting clips from Th...

"Echoes of Valor: Episode 6 is here!   This is Part 1 of a two-part series, and listening to this, you'll find yourself at a crossroads where history and heroism intersect. Our host, Colonel Tom Rendall convenes a rare gathering of extraordinary minds and guides a fascinating discussion. In collaboration with The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force and The World War II Foundation, this...

The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, also known as the "Six Triple Eight," was a groundbreaking all-African American, all-female unit that played a crucial role in World War II by ensuring that mail delivery to U.S. military personnel was efficient and timely. The battalion was composed of 855 enlisted African American women and officers, led by Major Charity Edna Adams Early, who by the...

Clement Leone stands in the war room, that is filled with many memories and mementos, at his home in Lake Heritage. He is wearing the Legion of Honor award which he received at the French Embassy in Washington D.C. (Darryl Wheeler/Gettysburg Times) This interview of Clem Leone was conducted at his home in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania by John Fenzel and his son Luke, on June 16, 2018.  At the time of t...

This is an oral testimony of Captain Frank Murphy from The Frank Murphy Collection at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force. Throughout our episodes, you have been hearing audio clips from this interview.  Here is the interview with Frank Murphy in its entirety. Sitting on jeep, left to right: Lt. Frank Murphy and Lt. Charles Cruikshank. Standing far right is Capt. Albert "Bucky" Elto...

    1st Lt Owen "Cowboy" Roane (first row, right) of Valley View, Texas, flew a smuggled pygmy African ass into the United Kingdom after the shuttle mission of August 17, 1943. (100th Bomb Group Photo Archive) Tune in to Episode 4 of "Echoes of Valor," where military history meets riveting conversation. This week, Colonel Tom Rendall leads a discussion with John McManus and Chris Kolakowski, renow...

Are you watching the Apple TV+ Mini-Series, "Masters of the Air"?    Are you waiting for the next episode to appear?    If you are, you'll want to join us on "Echoes of Valor: Podcasting 'Masters of the Air'! Here, you can immerse yourself in the intricate world of WWII military aviation combat in the European Theater or Operations (ETO) with this—your essential aviation history podcast, presented...

Join us as we embark on yet another historical "Masters of the Air" journey with Episode 2 of "Echoes of Valor," presented by The World War II Foundation and The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force. This historical podcast series is a captivating companion to "Masters of the Air," illuminating the pivotal role of the 8th Air Force in European Theater. This episode offers a virtual trove...

Welcome to "Echoes of Valor: Podcasting 'Masters of the Air,'" a collaborative endeavor proudly presented by The World War II Foundation and the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force. As we launch this episode, we're seizing the opportunity presented by the global premiere of "Masters of the Air" on Apple TV+.  This groundbreaking series, reminiscent of "Band of Brothers" and "The Pacific...

Narrated by Jim Nantz.  Some of the most intense fighting of World War II took place in the northern mountains of Italy in the closing days of the battle for Europe. Bob Dole, a young Lieutenant from Kansas, was caught up in the brutal fight. Dole's time in the northern Apennine mountains, along what military planners and strategists call the 'Gothic Line", was life-changing in many ways and shape...

Narrated by Dan Aykroyd. From the Holocaust to the dropping of the Atomic bombs, this film tells the story of an individual who owned the largest private collection of World War II artifacts in the world. Over 50 interviews with veterans and survivors of the war help tell the story of the meaning of the over 7,000 individual items in the collection of Kenneth W. Rendell. From the rise of Hitler an...

Narrated by Darius Rucker. The Tuskegee Airmen were all black pilots who flew heroic missions for the United States in Europe in World War II. Their base in Ramitelli, Italy, was a proving ground for these pilots, who were segregated at home and overseas but became household names for their courage and bravery in World War II.

Narrated by Country Music's number one recording star, Luke Bryan. On September 2nd, 1945, World War II came to its official end aboard a legendary battleship anchored in Tokyo Bay. Some seventy million people had died during the war, but now the fighting would end not with a rifle shot but rather with the swift stroke of a ceremonial pen. The USS Missouri hadn't been in the fight long, heading in...

Narrated by Greg Kinnear. Germany's most famous commander of World War II, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, had one fatal flaw: He always spoke his mind to Adolf Hitler. Rommel would pay for voicing the truth to his Fuhrer with his life. An earlier hero of World War I, Erwin Rommel was many things. A career soldier, a loyal German, one of the most successful generals of World War II on either side of t...