Veterans Chronicles

Sgt. Jason Arellano served with the United States Marine Corps during the initial invasion into Iraq in 2003, where they were welcomed by many grateful Iraqis who saw the Marines as liberators. When he returned for a second tour the following year, he found himself in a far different situation, in the middle of the toughest battle of Operation Iraqi Freedom - the Second Battle of Fallujah. Here, h...

In this episode, Gene Pell speaks to Major David Rozelle, author of the best-selling book "Back in Action," and a recipient of the Bronze Star with Valor and Purple Heart for actions in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Rozelle was seriously wounded by a land mine in Iraq, losing much of his right leg below the knee. He would be the first amputee to return to active duty in Iraq, and has worked extensively...

Profiles in Valor, the newest radio program from the American Veterans Center, features a short interview with a decorated service member of today's generation. In this episode, guest host Katy Dempsey interviews SSG Brian Hawthorne of the United States Army Reserve, a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal for actions in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He went on to co-found the George Washington University...

In this episode, Gene Pell speaks to famed war correspondent and author Joseph L. Galloway, co-author of the acclaimed best seller "We Were Soldiers Once...And Young." Galloway is the only civilian to be awarded the Bronze Star by the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, for actions he took in saving the lives of wounded American soldiers during the battle at LZ X-Ray. Along with co-author Lt. Gen. H...

In this episode, Gene Pell is joined by two of America's most recognizable veterans of World War II, Lynn "Buck" Compton and Mickey Rooney. Best known for his portrayal in the book and miniseries "Band of Brothers," Buck Compton led 3rd Platoon of E Company in the 506th PIR of the 101st Airborne Division, and is the recipient of the Silver Star. He is the author of the recently published book, "Ca...

Profiles in Valor, the newest radio program from the American Veterans Center, features a short interview with a decorated service member of today's generation. In this episode, host Tim Holbert interviews SPC David Hutchinson of the United States Army Reserve, a recipient of the Silver Star for actions in Operation Enduring Freedom. Hutchinson is only the fifth Army Reservist to receive this awar...

A graduate of West Point, Allen B. Clark went on to serve as a Military Intelligence officer with the Fifth Special Forces group in Vietnam. On June 17, 1967, the Special Forces camp at Dak To came under enemy mortar attack, leaving Clark seriously wounded. Despite losing both of his legs, he would recover to be a successful public servant, and has spent the last 40 years helping others who have e...

June 6, 1944: D-Day. Among the major targets of the Allied invasion forces were the large German guns based near Pointe du Hoc, which threatened the troops hitting Omaha and Utah beaches. The U.S. Army's 2nd Ranger Battalion was assigned the task of taking Pointe du Hoc, and disabling the German guns. This week, Veterans Chronicles profiles the story of Leonard Lomell, who found and destroyed the...

This week, Gene Pell speaks to retired Marine Lt. Colonel Oliver North, author of the recently revised and updated "American Heroes", featuring the stories of our service members who have been fighting on the front lines of Iraq and Afghanistan. Also appearing on this week's program is one of those heroes of today - Army Captain Walter Bryan Jackson, recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross fo...

Profiles in Valor, the newest radio program from the American Veterans Center, features a short interview with a decorated service member of today's generation. In this episode, host Tim Holbert interviews Major John Detro of the United States Army, a recipient of the Bronze Star with Valor for actions in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

This week, Gene Pell speaks to retired Marine Corps Colonel Dave E. Severance. After seeing combat as a platoon leader in the South Pacific during World War II, he was promoted to company commander of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines. On February 23, 1945, men of E Company scaled Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima, taking the mountain and raising the American flags. The second flag raising was immort...

Profiles in Valor, the newest radio program from the American Veterans Center, features a short interview with a decorated service member of today's generation. In this episode, host Tim Holbert interviews Sgt. John A. Marra, Jr. of the United States Army Reserve, a recipient of the Bronze Star with Valor for actions in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

This week Gene Pell speaks to retired Air Force Colonel Jack Broughton, author of several books including the recently published "Rupert Red Two." Broughton flew in every Air Force fighter from the P-47 Thunderbolt to the F-106 Delta Dart, and is the recipient of the Air Force Cross - second only to the Medal of Honor - as well as four Distinguished Flying Crosses, and two Silver Stars.

Warren Wiedhahn was a young private first class in the United States Marine Corps when he landed at Inchon on September 15, 1950. He had recently served in the desperate defense of Pusan Perimeter, and would soon see action at the Marine Corps' most legendary battle of the Korean War - Chosin Reservoir. He went on to a 33 year career in the Marine Corps, retiring with the rank of colonel, and is t...

One of America's greatest heroes of World War II, Mitchell Paige received the Medal of Honor for singlehandedly holding back an entire Japanese regiment during the battle for Guadalcanal. Before his passing in 2003, he sat down with us to share his story of valor. Also in this episode is Chester Nez, one of the legendary Navajo Code Talkers, who using their native language were able to transmit se...

This week, Gene Pell talks to Michael Yon, a former Green Beret who has become the premier independent journalist of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, reporting from the front lines since December, 2004. Yon is the author of several books, including the recently published "Moment of Truth in Iraq," and will soon be returning to the front lines in Afghanistan.

In this special edition, Jim Roberts, president of the American Veterans Center, speaks to retired General Richard B. Myers, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. A fighter pilot in Vietnam, General Myers went on to hold commands at every level, rising to the military's top post shortly after the attacks of September 11, 2001. In this episode, General Myers talks about the events of 9/11,...

Host Gene Pell speaks with retired Lt. Colonel Orson Swindle, a Marine Corps veteran of Vietnam and prisoner of war. Stationed in Da Nang and flying with VMF(AW)-235, known as "The Death Angels", Swindle flew over 200 sorties before being shot down over North Vietnam in what was scheduled to be his very last flight. He spent several years in various prison camps including the notorious "Hanoi Hilt...

This week, Gene speaks to retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Julius W. Becton, Jr. One of the first black Americans to reach the rank of general officer, Becton began his career as a platoon leader in Korea, where he was decorated for valor in combat. He went on to serve in Vietnam, and held a number of commands before retiring in 1983. He has since enjoyed a long career in civil service, and ha...

This week, Gene talks with retired U.S. Army General Frederick Franks. Gen. Franks is a West Point graduate and served more than 35 years on active duty, including combat in Vietnam where he was seriously wounded and lost his left leg below the knee. Allowed to remain on duty, Gen. Franks later commanded the VII Corps in Operation Desert Storm. He was awarded his fourth star following the first Gu...

In this episode, host Gene Pell speaks to Dr. Lewis Sorley, retired U.S. Army colonel and CIA official. An acclaimed historian, Sorley is the author of several books, including the Pulitzer Prize-nominated "A Better War: The Unexamined Victories and Final Tragedy of America's Last Years in Vietnam." Here, Gene and Dr. Sorley discuss the Vietnam War and how a likely victory was later denied.

In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Gene talks with Matthew Zedwick, a Staff Sergeant in the Oregon Army National Guard. In 2005, Zedwick became the first member of the Oregon Guard since World War II to be awarded a Silver Star Medal for heroism during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Zedwick is also one of the faces in the US Army's "America's Army" video game.

In this edition, Gene talks to Lt. General Harry Kinnard. A graduate of West Point, Kinnard parachuted into Normandy during World War II and was at Bastogne where he suggested to Brig. Gen. Anthony McAuliffe what would become the legendary response to the German demand for surrender: "NUTS!." Kinnard also wrote McAuliffe's famed Christmas address to rally the troops at Bastogne. He would go on to...

This week, Gene talks with retired Marine Corps Colonel Wesley Fox. Fox served on active duty for 43 years rising from a private to full colonel while earning the nation's highest honor along the way -- The Medal of Honor. The Southwestern Virginia native is the author of "Marine Rifleman: Forty Three Years in the Corps." My Podcast Alley feed! {pca-a4524769b71d05c26352cc4332c32b13}

This week, Gene talks to Jack Agnew, one of the surviving members of the "Filthy Thirteen" - the men who inspired the movie, "The Dirty Dozen." Agnew, a soldier in the 101st Airborne, helped to train another famous unit - E Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry, better known as the "Band of Brothers."