Stay ConnectedVeterans Chronicles brings America’s military heroes to life through raw, first-person stories. Veterans recount the battles and moments that shaped their lives, from World War II to Iraq and Afghanistan. Powerful, personal, and deeply human, Veterans Chronicles preserves history one voice at a time.
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Whitey Johnson was a farm kid from Minnesota who had the chance to fly a crop duster when he was a teenager. The day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he stood in line to join the U.S. Army Air Corps.
In this edition of "Veterans Chronicles," Johnson describes his excitement at being assigned to the Flying Tigers, serving on the Shanghai Raids and his heart-pounding drama of being shot down and nearly captured while being hidden by the Chinese.
Harry Miller was so intent on joining the Army in World War II that he found a way to enlist at the age of 15. He soon found himself and his tank battalion at the Battle of the Bulge. Miller tells us about the battle, the bitter cold, and the capture of a Nazi tank that led to a lengthy effort to make sure his unit got credit for it.
Miller also discusses his little known assignment following the war that became one of the first standoffs of the Cold War, why he left the Army and joined the Air Force, and much more.
Retired U.S. Army Major Jeff Struecker served our nation in two very different capacities, both as an Army Ranger and as a chaplain.
In this vivid and gripping oral history, Struecker shares his experiences in Operation Just Cause in Panama and in the Persian Gulf in the aftermath of Operation Desert Storm. He then walks us through his moment-by-moment memories of leading his task force to rescue the helicopter crews shot down in Mogadishu, Somalia. Immortalized in the book and movie, "Blackhawk Down," describes the impossible odds he and his men faced and how they re-engaged the enemy even though he was certain they would be killed.
Struecker also explains how his harrowing service in Somalia led him to leave the Army and later return as a chaplain just months before 9/11. He shares fascinating insights from his 14 deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq and urges Americans to fully appreciate the incredible sacrifices that our service members and their families have given this country over the past 20 years.
Ten years ago, on February 27, 2011, America's last World War I veteran passed away. Frank Buckles was 110 years old. Four years earlier, we visited with Mr. Buckles to learn his story.
In this special edition of "Veterans Chronicles" narrated by Greg Corombos, you'll learn about the determination of Mr. Buckles to join the Army despite not being old enough, the reaction in Europe when the Americans arrived and when the war ended, how he ended up in a Japanese prison camp for more than three years as a private citizen during World War II and much more.
Don't miss this special feature on America's last World War I veteran.
James McEachin joined the U.S. Army before turning eighteen, fascinated with the idea of being part of answering Uncle Sam's call to join the United States military. During his years in uniform, McEachin experienced the integration of the U.S. Armed Forces and deployed to fight in Korea in 1952.
In this edition of "Veterans Chronicles," Mr. McEachin describes his first combat experience and what it felt like to take another life. He also recounts being ambushed and nearly left for dead, until the only other survivor from his unit rendered heroic service to save his life.
McEachin also tells us how he came home and found work acting in Hollywood, appearing alongside the legendary John Wayne.
Mae Krier grew up in North Dakota during the pain of the Great Depression. Shortly after the war, she went to visit Seattle. While there, she learned of a very good job for Boeing, working as a riveter on the wings of B-17 bombers. Later, she also worked on B-29 bombers.
In this edition of "Veterans Chronicles," Krier shares what it was like to be an original "Rosie the Riveter," how the men in the factory reacted to women entering the workplace, and what it means to her to have worked on so many planes that helped the Allies win the war. Mae also takes us on her successful journey to establish a national day of commemoration for all the Rosies who entered the factories when America needed them.
James Pierce joined the U.S. Army National Guard as he finished high school in the spring of 2001. Within months, America was at war and Pierce eventually served in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
In this edition of "Veterans Chronicles," Pierce describes his duties in both countries and details the devastating injuries he suffered when an Afghan police officer became a suicide bomber targeting American service members. Pierce details his injuries, his grueling recovery, and his new work with the National Park Service, including one monument near and dear to him.
George Walsh learned to fly before he learned to drive. He then served as a Navy dive bomber pilot in the Pacific theater of World War II. He shares his memories of service from critical battles such as Iwo Jima and Leyte.
Walsh is also a longtime historian about the dive bombers and a tireless advocate for dive bombers getting their due credit for their critical role in winning the Battle of Midway.
Those efforts and others were eventually rewarded with a feature film on Midway that focused on the decisive actions of the dive bombers.
Bill Bonelli joined the U.S. Army Air Corps prior to Pearl Harbor, strongly suspecting that the U.S. would soon be at war against Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany. Before long, while stationed in Hawaii, he witnessed and survived the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Mr. Bonelli also describes his service as a B-17 pilot in Europe, the types of targets he was assigned, and the important change he made on his missions without consulting a superior officer.
Don't miss this fascinating conversation with Lt. Col. William Bonelli.
In November 1965, U.S. Army helicopter pilot Bruce Crandall defied orders and flew an unarmed chopper into enemy fire 22 times to evacuate dozens of wounded American soldiers. His actions would later lead to him being awarded the Medal of Honor.
On this edition of "Veterans Chronicles," Col. Crandall discusses his Army career, his mindset in repeatedly facing enemy fire to rescue his injured brothers from the battlefield, and the hard lessons learned from that mission and the rest of his time in Vietnam.
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