The Warrior Next Door Podcast

Azeez served as an Iraqi interpreter during Operation Iraqi Freedom during the "Surge" as sectarian strife erupted during the US occupation of Iraq after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein and the Baath party. In this episode, Azeez shares what it was like growing up in southern Iraq as the war with Iran ended and a new war with the US -led coalition began, and the impact it had on him and...

Here is bonus coverage from an interview we did with Ray Harris Jr. of The History of WWII Podcast, the most listened to WWII history podcast IN THE WORLD. Ray has had the co-hosts (Tony and Ryan) on his show for the past three years and we felt it was worth sharing with our audience.  We also want to thank Ray for supporting our mission of collecting and sharing first hand person accounts from hi...

Is this final installment of the General Matz interview, he takes us through what it was like serving at a high level, with distinction, on the Reagan, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, Obama and Trump administrations.  And a whole lot more... Support the show

In this second of three episodes, General Matz recalls being a part of the Riverine Forces in the Saigon Delta in 1967 and 1968,  where he would disguising himself by earning the Silver Star for gallantry and our nation's second highest award for valor: The Distinguished Service Cross. He talks about his role in the Tet Offensive and it' aftermath. Support the show

In this first episode, you'll hear General Matz as he describes his journey into the the armed forces by overcoming the effects of childhood polio as he starts his storied career as an airborne trooper during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Ole Miss riot of 1962 and the the early days of what would become the Vietnam War.  Support the show

Welcome to Episode 4, the final episode of the William Bratton series. In this episode William describes being in Tokyo Bay immediately after the surrender ceremony and then getting liberty in newly conquered Yokohama, Japan. He also describes enduring a typhoon aboard ship as well as his life after WWII.  Support the show

Welcome to Episode 3 of the William Bratton series.  In this episode he goes into combat in the pacific theater in a TBM Avenger and adjusts to life flying off of the escort carrier USS Kitkun Bay in VC-63. Support the show

Welcome to episode 2 of the four part William Bratton series. In this episode we hear about his training experiences in the SBD Dauntless and Avenger. Support the show

Welcome to Episode 1 of the four part William Bratton series. In episode one we learn about William’s upbringing in Oklahoma and how his interest and natural aptitude in radio develops. We also hear how he chose the navy as his preferred branch of service.  Support the show

Welcome to the final episode of the Ralph Hettick series. Join us now as we wrap up the battle of Okinawa and detail Ralph's journey back to the US due to his wound.  Support the show

Welcome to Episode 3 of the 4 part Ralph Hettick series.  In this episode Ralph moves to the invasion of Okinawa, the largest and costliest battle in the Pacific and would also be the last major land battle of WWII. Support the show

Welcome to Episode 2 of the 4 part Ralph Hettick series. . In this episode, we discuss the set up for the invasion of the Philippines and Ralph discusses the invasion of Leyte Island in the Philippines in October 20, 1944.  Support the show

Welcome to Episode 1 of the 4 part Ralph Hettick series. In Episode 1 we learn about how Ralph entered the US Army and was immediately sent to the west coast for training before shipping out to the Pacific war. On his way he goes through the traditional US Navy “Shellback” hazing ceremony for crossing the equator.  Support the show

We have a first here on the podcast. We have never had a follow up interview with a next of kin of one of our featured veterans and we have that for you today. You may recall Keith Muntz: the 100 year old veteran who fought outside of Metz France and was taken prisoner in his first battle in November 1944, spending the rest of the war as a POW. His grandson Tony Vestel reached out to us and we hav...

In this final episode, James' travails from his 2 and half years in the Pacific continue. James will share where he was and how he felt when the war ended as a result of the US dropping two atomic bombs on Japan. You'll also hear about the celebration and  ensuing court martial he and his battle buddy had to contend with! Listen in! Support the show

In episode 3, James Jennings talks about the invasion of Okinawa, the most costly battle of the entire war in the Pacific. You'll hear him talk about the training and landing of the troops from the USS Talladega on Okinawa and  more about the US Navy casualties from a Japanese military fanatically resisting an attack on their homeland.  Support the show

In episode 2 of the James Jennings, he'll share his experiences preparing for the invasion of Iwo Jima and what he saw when landed on beach to direct supplies and reinforcements from his ship the USS Talladega. Support the show

Join us as signalman James Jennings discusses how he entered the US Navy during WWII and was trained to land on the invasion beaches of Iwo Jima and Okinawa to ensure our troops were supplies and reinforced as they fought against the fanatical Japanese Imperial Army and Marines.  Support the show

Join us as we share Alfred Cramer's experiences as a B-17 navigator aboard their bomber, "The Diplomat", that endured an incredible amount of punishment during his time in combat from August - December of 1944.  In this last installment we hear STILL MORE of his experiences during the war and how it affected his life when he returned home from combat. Support the show

Join us as we share Alfred Cramer's experiences as a B-17 navigator aboard their bomber, "The Diplomat", that endured an incredible amount of punishment during his time in combat from August - December of 1944.  This third of a four part series continues to explore his time in combat and the immense losses he observed from the bomber streams as they slowly bring the Nazi war machine...

Join us as we share Alfred Cramer's experiences as a B-17 navigator aboard their bomber, "The Diplomat", that endured an incredible amount of punishment during his time in combat from August - December of 1944.  This second of a four part series dives into his time in combat and some of the raids he participated in as well as the conditions flying at 30,000' in a cold, unpressu...

Join us as we share Alfred Cramer's experiences as a B-17 navigator aboard their bomber, "The Diplomat", that endured an incredible amount of punishment during his time in combat from August - December of 1944. This first episode speaks to his time as a newly minted navigator in the 8th Air Force! Support the show

Welcome to episode 3 of the Keith Muntz series. In Episode 2, we heard Keith tell us about the disastrous mission to take Fereau Mill outside of La Meziers Le Metz, France and his subsequent capture. Listen now as Keith continues his narrative on survival in Stalag 12A, his liberation and journey home.  Support the show

Welcome to Episode 2 of the 3 part Keith Muntz series. In the last episode we heard of Keith's training and travel to France. Join us now as Keith heads into battle near Metz, FR. Support the show

Welcome to Episode 1 of the 3 part Keith Muntz series. Keith trained in the newly formed 95th Infantry Division and was brought to Europe in August of 1944. In this first episode, Keith describes his upbringing, his training and trip across the Atlantic to Fortress Europe Support the show