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. Marine Corps veteran Theodore "Ted" Below came ashore in the first wave on Iwo Jima, where a brutal fight against the entrenched Japanese would unfold for weeks to come.
In this edition of "Veterans Chronicles," Below describes getting pinned down on the beach and eventually getting off of it, his demolition work to destroy the elaborate cave system built by the Japanese on the island, and his reaction at the time to the flag raising on Mt. Suribachi.
Don't miss this conversation with U.S. Marine Corps veteran Theodore Below, as he describes his service on Iwo Jima 75 years after the battle.
Jason Redman is back on "Veterans Chronicles." Jason has a very powerful story of service, sacrifice, and overcoming adversity. He was severely injured in the arm and face in Iraq and endured more than forty surgeries and twenty skin grafts. But his positive attitude and his refusal to let his condition be a source of pity inspired many other wounded warriors and millions of Americans across the country.
In this interview, Redman recounts in detail the SEAL operation and enemy ambush that nearly took his life. He shares how his mindset on the battlefield, in the hospital, and beyond facilitated his remarkable recovery and can help anyone survive and thrive during life's most difficult moments.
Jason is the author of the new book "Overcome: Crush Adversity with the Leadership Techniques of America's Toughest Warriors."
U.S. Army Gen. H.R. McMaster (Ret.) reflects upon his 34 years in service to our country - from West Point to war zones to the White House.
In this edition of "Veterans Chronicles," Gen. McMaster walks us step by step through the Battle of 73 Easting, a decisive Gulf War tank battle that helped to end the ground campaign against Iraq within 100 hours.
McMaster also explains how he came to write "Dereliction of Duty," a scathing critique of President Lyndon Johnson and his administration for their conduct during the Vietnam War and the lessons he learned from their example.
He also details his role in helping to turn the tide of the Iraq War by building better relationships with the local population. And he describes his service as national security adviser to President Trump.
Listen now!
Martha McSally blazed significant trails in the U.S. Air Force, becoming the first female fighter pilot in combat and the first woman to command a fighter squadron, which she considers the greatest honor of her life.
But when McSally entered the U.S. Air Force Academy, female fighter pilots were not permitted. In this conversation with Greg Corombos, McSally describes the determination it took to pursue her dream until it was realized. Those principles and others are described in her new book "Dare to Fly: Simple Lessons in Never Giving Up."
In this edition of "Veterans Chronicles," McSally describes why she chose to fly A-10's, what it was like patrolling no-fly zones over Iraq, and the close combat her crew provided for ground forces in Afghanistan.
McSally also takes us through her high profile fight to end the policy requiring American servicewomen to wear the hijab and abaya worn by Saudi women when they ventured off base. And she take us inside her effort to improve how the military responds to allegations of sexual assault.
Finally, McSally tells us how her military career prepared her for public service as a congresswoman and now a U.S. senator from Arizona.
Louis Graziano was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943 and promised his father that Italian dictator Benito Mussolini would be vanquished. His promises came true.
In this edition of "Veterans Chronicles," Graziano takes us with him as he describes coming ashore in the third wave at Omaha Beach on D-Day, nearly losing his feet due to frostbite at the Battle of the Bulge, his conversations with Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, and witnessing the the German surrender to the Allies in May 1945.
Don't miss this compelling interview with World War II veteran Louis Graziano.
Vern Pike was commissioned as a U.S. Army officer upon graduation from Wake Forest University. Soon he had a front row seat to and a role to play in the growing tensions of the Cold War.
In this edition of "Veterans Chronicles," Col. Pike describes his duties in the American sector of West Berlin, Germany. Pike shares how he discovered the early stages of the Berlin Wall, take us inside the assignment that could have led to the start of World War III, and shares the story of a high-profile but top secret prisoner exchange on the fabled "bridge of spies."
Pike also served two tours in Vietnam. In this discussion, he describes his assignments and his moment of fame when the legendary Bob Hope came to entertain the troops.
Don't miss our fascinating conversation with retired U.S. Army Col. Vern Pike.
When you hear the lengths Ron "Rondo" Scharfe went to in order to join the U.S. Navy long before he was 18, you'll quickly understand his commitment to service.
At just 16-years old, Scharfe served as a Higgins Boat coxswain at Iwo Jima. He details the serious injury he suffered on his very first effort to bring Marines ashore in the early moments of that bloody battle in February 1945. Yet somehow he was back on the beach just two days later.
Scharfe describes witnessing the flag raising on Mt. Suribachi and his service weeks later in the brutal Battle of Okinawa.
Still young at heart, Scharfe shares his story of service with an engaging, plainspoken wit. Listen now.
John Hancock grew up in Georgia shooting quail, so becoming a gunner aboard the USS Yorktown in World War II came pretty naturally to him. In 1942, Hancock served in the first carrier battle in world history and later that year fought at the pivotal Battle of Midway, although he was forced to abandon ship as the Japanese sunk the Yorktown.
In this edition of "Veterans Chronicles," Hancock describes what combat was like for him, shares his memories of Midway, and walks us through his service at Leyte. He also tells us about transitioning from naval gunner to fighter pilot and targeting Japanese kamikaze planes.
Join us each week for Veterans Chronicles and hear first-hand from the men and women who answered their nation's call to serve - from World War II to the front lines today.
We invite you to listen to this brief preview of Veterans Chronicles. In less than two minutes, you'll understand the incredible sacrifice of our veterans and our mission to preserve their stories of service for future generations.
Subscribe to Veterans Chronicles at Apple, iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Born in Alabama, Joe Rodgers lied about his age to join the U.S. Marine Corps in the weeks after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Training for most of 1942, Rodgers first saw combat at Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands in 1943. Later, he fought at Saipan and Iwo Jima.
In this edition of "Veterans Chronicles," Col. Rodgers describes his first combat experience and takes us into the Battle of Iwo Jima in great detail. He describes being pinned down on the beach, being a runner in a deadly area, the brotherhood among Marines, and both the stubborn resistance and the greatest weakness of Japanese soldiers.
Don't miss this engaging oral history from USMC veteran Joe Rodgers.
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