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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Lt. Colonel James Harvey III served as a pilot with the 332nd Fighter Group, better known as the famed Tuskegee Airmen. In 1949 he flew on the team that won the military's first "Top Gun" contest in 1949. He was the first African American jet fighter pilot to fly in the Korean War, and is the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Lt. Jason Redman spent eight years as an enlisted U.S. Navy SEAL, and was commissioned as a SEAL Officer in 2004. He completed combat deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2007, outside of Fallujah, Iraq, Lt. Redman's Assault Team came under heavy fire and he was severely wounded. While recovering at Bethesda Medical Center, Redman authored a bright orange sign on his door, which became a statement and symbol for wounded warriors everywhere. He is the recipient of the Bronze Star with Valor, the Purple Heart, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, among other awards.
U.S. Senator of Arkansas Tom Cotton discusses his distinguished service in the U.S. Army. Cotton served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, is a recipient of the Bronze Star, and served with the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment, known as the Old Guard. The unit conducts funerals for soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery, and is the topic of Cotton’s new book Sacred Duty: A Soldier’s Tour at Arlington National Cemetery.
Arnold Taylor served in the U.S. Army's 99th Infantry Division as a Military Policeman during World War II. Taylor served in Europe with the unit as it advanced into Germany, and witnessed the terrible impact of war on the German people. The horrors of war shaped Arnold Taylor into a man of peace, and when he returned home he devoted his life to helping others.
Arnold Taylor was a good friend of the AVC's, participating in the National Memorial Day Parade for the past fifteen years. This interview was recorded with him in 2014. Last month, he passed away. Please take a moment to watch his story, and to share with family and friends.
We will always remember you, sir.
During his second tour in Vietnam, Colonel Anthony Wood was tasked with planning and executing the evacuation of Saigon, the capital city of South Vietnam. When the city fell to the NVA on April 30, 1975, Col. Wood worked with about 100 American civilian volunteers who assumed great risk in helping Vietnamese citizens flee from the collapsing city.
On April 18, 1942, the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders left a legacy by boosting American morale after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The story of the Doolittle Raiders is one of extraordinary valor and serves an example of the courage and selflessness presented by veterans of the Greatest Generation. As we mourn the passing of Lt. Colonel Richard E. Cole - the last surviving Doolittle Raider - and honor the 77th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid this week, we're sharing a special documentary program telling the story of Jimmy Doolittle's legendary raid on Japan. Featuring Doolittle and his raiders telling their stories, in their own words.
Miki Nguyen is the son of Ba Nguyen, a South Vietnamese Air Force helicopter pilot who demonstrated incredible heroism on April 29, 1975. As Saigon fell to North Vietnamese forces, Ba Nguyen commandeered a massive Chinook CH-47, loaded up with his family and friends, and embarked on a daring mission to escape to refuge. Miki was just six years old, but the dramatic event has stayed with him many years later.
PFC James “Pee Wee” Martin, veteran of G Company, 101st Airborne Division, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, saw some of the greatest action of the European theater throughout World War II. PFC Martin participated in the June 6, 1944 invasion of Normandy, parachuting into the town of St. Come du Mont, and taking part in the fight to liberate France. Martin and his comrades held the Belgian town of Bastogne as part of the larger Battle of the Bulge – a vital objective in preventing the German troops from recapturing Antwerp. Martin reflects on his experience 75 years after he served in the war.
Colonel Charles McGee's distinguished flying career has seen three wars and witnessed critical moments in American history. A veteran of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen, Col. McGee flew missions with the famed Red Tails during World War II. He is the recipient of three Distinguished Flying Crosses, and would go on to set an Air Force record of 409 combat missions flown during WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.
Many know the photo, few know the story. The famed photo "VJ Day in Times Square" and its key figures - US Navy sailor George Mendonsa, and dental assistant Greta Friedman - share their stories recalling that infamous day, August 14, 1945. They recount their experiences during the Second World War, and upon learning they were featured in one of the most iconic photos of the twentieth century. These interviews were recorded in 2014. Greta Friedman passed away on September 8, 2016, and George Mendonsa passed away on February 17, 2019. May they both rest peacefully.
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