Warriors In Their Own Words | First Person War Stories

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Maj. Gen. Frederick “Boots” Blesse (Part I): The Korean War Jul 07, 2022

Show notes

Major General Frederick “Boots” Blesse served two tours as a fighter pilot during the Korean War, flying the P-51, the F-80, and the F-86. When he returned to the United States in October of 1952, he was America’s leading jet ace, and was credited with shooting down nine MiG-15s and one La-9.

Blesse’s motto and doctrine, “No Guts, No Glory” became famous after he returned from his second tour in Korea. He was asked to travel throughout the Air Force to teach it, and he eventually authored the textbook, “No Guts, No Glory”, that became a part of standard Air Force curriculum for years to come.

In this episode, the first of a three-part series, Blesse describes allied and enemy aircraft, his second tour in Korea, a couple of intense dogfights, and becoming an Ace.

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Col. Bud Anderson: The Highest Scoring Living American Fighter Ace Part II Jun 23, 2022

Show notes

In this final part of his interview, Col. Anderson describes how and why he joined the Air Force, his training, patriotism, his appreciation for his squadron, and more.

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Col. Clarence (Bud) Emil Anderson served in the United States Air Force during World War II, and is a triple ace fighter pilot. He’s the highest scoring living American fighter ace, and the 10th highest scoring Mustang Ace of all time.

Col. Anderson was a member of the 357th Fighter group, which was said to have “shot down the "most airplanes in the shortest time of any unit in the European theater, perhaps the whole Air Force.” They had over 600 aerial victories in 14 months, and 42 aces, more than any other fighter group.

He also commanded the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, an F-105 Thunderchief unit, during its final months of service in the Vietnam War.

Col. Anderson was inducted in to the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2008, and in 2013, was inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame.

This year, Col. Anderson celebrated his 100th birthday. Click here to learn about his birthday celebration.

For more pictures of Bud during the war, click here.

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Col. Bud Anderson: Triple-Ace Mustang Pilot, Part I Jun 09, 2022

Show notes

Col. Clarence (Bud) Emil Anderson served in the United States Air Force during World War II, and is a triple-ace fighter pilot. He’s the highest scoring living American fighter ace, and the 10th highest scoring Mustang Ace of all time.

Col. Anderson was a member of the 357th Fighter group, which was said to have “shot down the most airplanes in the shortest time of any unit in the European theater, perhaps the whole Air Force.” They had over 600 aerial victories in 14 months, and 42 aces, more than any other fighter group.

He also commanded the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, an F-105 Thunderchief unit, during its final months of service in the Vietnam War.

Col. Anderson was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2008, and in 2013, was inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame.

This year, Col. Anderson celebrated his 100th birthday. Click here to learn about his birthday celebration.

For more pictures of Bud during the war, click here.

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A Memorial Day Message from Ken Harbaugh May 30, 2022

Show notes

For many of us, Memorial Day is more than just a three day weekend. We’d like to take a moment to honor the friends and family of you, our listeners, who have paid the ultimate price for this country. We thank them for their bravery and sacrifice.

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Col. Darrell Whitcomb: The Raven Pilots in Laos Part II May 26, 2022

Show notes

Col. Darrell Whitcomb served in the United States Air Force as an OV-10 Forward Air Controller. He joined the classified Steve Canyon Program (Project 404), also known as The Ravens, which operated in secret in Laos. He flew missions over South and North Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

As a Forward Air Controller, it was his job to coordinate airstrikes, and ensure that no friendly troops were hit.

In the final part of his interview, Whitcomb describes The Rescue of Bat 21.

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Col. Darrell Whitcomb: The Raven Pilots in Laos Part I May 12, 2022

Show notes

As a Forward Air Controller, it was his job to coordinate airstrikes, and ensure that no friendly troops were hit.

In the first part of his interview, Whitcomb discusses aircrafts, airstrikes, and joining The Raven program.

Whitcomb is also the author of The Rescue of Bat 21.

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Col. Ché Bolden: Marine Corps F-18 Weapons Systems Officer Apr 28, 2022

Show notes

Col. Ché Bolden is a Marine Corps veteran who served for 26 years, and credits his time at the US Naval Academy with shaping him into a leader. He went on to become an F-18 Weapons Systems Officer, with multiple combat deployments and service in the Pacific and the Middle East.

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Jan Scruggs: Founder of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Apr 14, 2022

Show notes

Jan Scruggs went to Vietnam in 1969 to serve as a rifleman in the U.S. Army. By the end of his service, he had received the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantry Badge, and an award for gallantry.

After the war, he researched post-traumatic stress, which led to him testify before congress in support of establishing the nationwide Vet Center Program.

In 1979, Scruggs decided he wanted to create a memorial to all the Americans who died in the Vietnam War in order to help the country heal. Three years later, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was completed in Washington D.C.

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BONUS: Former CIA Officer David Chasteen Apr 07, 2022

Show notes

Today, we've decided to share another interview from our other podcast, Burn the Boats. Like the rest of these bonus episodes, this one departs from our typical Warriors format, but we think you’ll appreciate the insight. As always, we welcome your feedback, either in iTunes reviews, or by email at kharbaugh@evergreenpodcasts.com.

David Chasteen is a former CIA officer on the covert action staff. While at the agency, David conducted overseas operations, guided human intelligence collection, evaluated foreign threats to computer systems, and provided analysis on cyber issues to the president. David was also a consultant for the Amazon Prime series, Jack Ryan, starring John Krasinski, and the show is heavily influenced by David's experiences.

You can find David on Twitter @DavidChasteen

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Sgt. Bill True: The Mark of a True Leader Mar 31, 2022

Show notes

Sgt. Bill True enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942, and served throughout World War II in a Parachute Infantry Regiment. He fought in nearly every major campaign as the Allies advanced across Europe, including the Normandy Invasion, the invasion of Holland (Operation Market Garden), and the Battle of The Bulge.

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