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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Over his 36 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Brigadier General George Bartlett went from enlisted man to officer, fought in three wars, and did other work vital to U.S. interests during the Cold War.
In this edition of "Veterans Chronicles," Bartlett describes serving as a bombardier, gunner, and navigator in the Pacific theater of World War II. He also tells us about his service in Korea, two tours in Vietnam, his impressive feat of building an airstrip in Taiwan in just a matter of hours, and his work on the atomic program.
Andrew Coughlan was already interested in military service. The 9/11 attacks cemented his decision even further. A member of the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division, Coughlan was deployed to Iraq on September 11, 2003. Less than a year later, his life would change forever.
In this edition of "Veterans Chronicles," Coughlan details the deadly challenges of serving in Iraq from one of his very first missions. He also takes us to July 2004, as Coughlan and many of the soldiers in his unit came under devastating fire, some were killed, and many others injured. For Coughlan it began a new battle with post-traumatic stress.
Join for this personal story of combat, loss, struggle, and hope as we visit with former U.S. Army SPC Andrew Coughlan.
For our final podcast of 2020, we bring back the story of a U.S. Marine who was willing to sacrifice his own life to save his brothers. It's a story you can't miss.
U.S. Marine Corps veteran Kyle Carpenter deployed to Afghanistan in the summer of 2010. Just before Thanksgiving, he was nearly killed after falling on a Taliban grenade to save his fellow Marines.
In our conversation, Kyle describes the terrible events of that day. He also walks us through the amazing "domino of miracles" that kept him alive in the moments following the attack and all the way back to the U.S.
Kyle discusses his very lengthy physical recovery and also the mental and emotional challenges he faced along the way. Finally, he tells us what it was like to receive the Medal of Honor and what the recognition means to him.
As we pause for this holiday season, we remain grateful for those who have served to protect our freedoms. And we once again bring you the story of an American servicemember who went far above and beyond the call of duty.
Retired U.S. Navy SEAL Mike Thornton shares his story of service from the Vietnam War. Thornton tells Greg Corombos about the challenge of SEAL (BUD/S) training and his actions from October 31, 1972, that earned him the Medal of Honor.
Hear how Thornton and three others fended off 75 enemy fighters, how he ran across 500 yards of open ground under fire to save a fellow SEAL, and how he swam himself and others to safety after being wounded multiple times.
And you'll hear the wonderful reason Thornton was reprimanded for his conduct on the day he received the Medal of Honor.
In 2007, Brian Flom nearly lost his life after being hit by shrapnel from an enemy rocket attack in Iraq. As he recovered over the next six weeks, Flom's primary goal was getting back to his unit and rejoining his brothers in arms.
After returning home from Iraq, Flom's wife began to notice changes and urged him to get evaluated for post-traumatic stress. Medication only made things worse but Flom found running and biking did a lot of good.
Those interests led to him spending a weekend with former President George W. Bush, along with 16 other veterans. Now a Command Sergeant Major, Flom shares his story of survival, recovery, and his mission to end the stigma of post-traumatic stress in the Army.
U.S. Marine Corps veteran Don Mates shares his vivid memories of combat on Guam and Iwo Jima.
In amazing detail, Mates tells us why he really joined the Marines, what battle was really like, the close friends he made, and the vicious fighting against the Japanese at Iwo Jima.
Don't miss this powerful oral history from one of the most critical battles in the Pacific during World War II.
Bernard Nolan joined the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II out of his deep fascination with flying. Within just a few months, Nolan was trained as a co-pilot and flying the first of his 33 bombing missions over Europe.
In this edition of "Veterans Chronicles," Nolan describes what it was like to carry out bombing missions while under heavy German anti-aircraft fire. He even tells us about one mission where the damage forced his plane down.
Lt. Col. Nolan also contrasts flying the B-17 and the B-24, details his Air Force career after the war, and explains his work with NASA starting in the mid-1960's.
U.S. Marine Corps Infantry Major Scott Huesing takes us through his experience leading his Marine ground forces during the fight for Ramadi during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Maj. Huesing discusses his early days in the Marines and as an enlisted man during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. He then describes the process of becoming an officer and the personal and tactical skills it took to lead forces in urban combat in Ramadi.
Huesing also describes the work he does now assisting veterans and active duty service members following their combat experiences.
U.S. Army veteran Roger Hill graduated from West Point and earned a Bronze Star in Iraq during some of the worst fighting of that war. Later he served in Afghanistan and ended up battling the enemy and his own chain of command.
In this edition of "Veterans Chronicles," Capt. Hill takes us into the harrowing action in both theaters of war and he details the actions he took when given orders to release captured enemy combatants and how his military superiors responded.
Wisconsin Air National Guard TSgt. Sonia Buchanan first joined the Army National Guard and became an early member of a trailblazing program that helped special forces learn critical tactical information from the people of Afghanistan.
Joining the Army National Guard in 2008, TSgt. Buchanan soon found herself making history as part of the first Cultural Support Teams. Buchanan explains how she trained with special forces and worked alongside them to befriend women in Afghanistan and learn important information for ongoing security operations.
Buchanan also describes going to drill sergeant training, her work helping veterans access timely medical care, and why she's very glad she chose to serve in uniform.
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