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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U.S. Army veteran Luis Alvarez joins us to discuss his revolutionary work to help heal the bones and other tissue of our wounded service members beyond what the human body can often do on its own. Alvarez explains how he was inspired to make this his mission, how his innovative approach works, the promising research already done, and the work yet to be done. Alvarez also discusses his time at West Point and his service in Iraq. Don't miss this fascinating conversation.
U.S. Navy veteran Cade Courtley describes his relentless push to become a SEAL, despite three serious injuries during training. He discusses his training to become a sniper and how he put his elite skills to use in Bosnia in the late 1990's.
Although, he left active duty months before 9/11, Courtley explains how he still went to Afghanistan and Iraq as a private security contractor for a government agency and how the rules of engagement worked as a civilian rather than a SEAL.
Finally, Courtley talks about his new venture, "Can You Survive This Podcast?" and how he seeks to equip all Americans to be vigilant and know what they would do in a crisis situation.
Michael Schlitz joined the Army in 1996 and immediately "fell in love" with life in the military. He soon passed the grueling test to become a U.S. Army Ranger.
Michael's life changed dramatically in February 2007, when a roadside bomb in Iraq nearly killed him and left the vast majority of his body severely burned,
In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, SFC Schlitz describes his time in uniform, that horrific day in Iraq, and the physical and mental fortitude it took to recover. He also explains why he now devotes so much time and effort speaking up on behalf of his fellow veterans.
U.S. Army veterans Art Spaulding shares his story of serving in the Battle of the Bulge and beyond in the European theater of World War II.
Mr. Spaulding served in the 91st Chemical Mortar Battalion and was attached to Gen. Patton's march to Germany when they all suddenly veered north to help repel the Nazis' last major offensive.
Spaulding describes the brutally cold journey to the front and the inhuman conditions during the battle. He also tells us about the action that earned him a bronze star at the Bulge, how a mortar unit operates, and what the men thought of Gen. Patton.
Elwood "Woody" Hughes shares his story of service in the Pacific theater of World War II and his vivid memories from the Battle of Iwo Jima in early 1945.
Woody explains what it was like waiting to come ashore, how he served as a runner delivering messages during the battle, his work with the Navajo Code Talkers there, and more.
Don Irwin joined the U.S. Navy months before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and over the next four years, he was witness to some of the most momentous events in the Pacific theater of World War II.
In this edition of "Veterans Chronicles," Mr. Irwin describes arriving at Pearl Harbor one day after the attack, watching the launch of the Doolittle Raid, and his service at Midway, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and more.
U.S. Marine Corps machine gunner Harry Martin shares his story of the bloody battle of Iwo Jima. Martin came ashore in the first wave. Despite being shot in the face and temporarily losing vision in one eye, he continued fighting every day of the battle, which lasted more than a month.
Martin describes the challenge of shooting at the Japanese without being able to see any of them, what it was like going in the Japanese caves, and his thoughts about the flag raising atop Mt. Suribachi.
Listen now to learn the story of U.S. Marine Corps veteran Harry Martin.
George Ciampa wanted to be a military pilot but instead he was assigned to the U.S. Army's 607th Graves Registration Company, which was responsible for retrieving fallen service members and finding temporary resting place for Americans, allies, and even enemies as the battles of World War II unfolded.
Ciampa shares why he got sent to Europe sooner than he expected, takes into the work of identifying and caring for the fallen, and what it was like to serve in the midst of the invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge.
Don't miss this engaging visit with World War II veteran George Ciampa, who still shares his story with students about how he personally witnessed "the high price of freedom."
SFC Ramon Padilla served in both Iraq and Afghanistan while in the U.S. Army and his service in Afghanistan would change his life forever.
In this edition of "Veterans Chronicles," Padilla explains what combat was like for him in both theaters. He also recounts the attack that resulted in severe injury, the grueling surgeries and recovery that followed, his battle with post-traumatic stress, and how he emerged from all of that with an even greater desire to serve and raise a new generation of leaders.
Don't miss this inspiring conversation with SFC Padilla.
James Harvey III tried to enlist in the U.S. Army Air Corps in January 1943 but was told they didn't any more people. He knew it was because of the color of his skin. A few months later, Harvey was drafted and embarked on a remarkable, trailblazing career.
In this edition of "Veterans Chronicles," Lt. Col. Harvey describes training at Tuskegee, winning the inaugural Top Gun competition in 1949, becoming the first African-American to pilot a jet, his stellar performance on 126 missions during the Korean War, and much more.
Despite a service record of excellence, Harvey still faced discrimination in the service and again in the private sector following his retirement from the U.S. Air Force in 1965. And Harvey shares the positive mindset that always kept him going.
Don't miss this lively interview with Lt. Col. James Harvey III, USAF (Ret.)
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