Walk Among Heroes: Recent Episodes
Jeff Wells
‘Walk Among Heroes’ is a podcast that presents real stories from the bravest men and women in the world, real military heroes. Jeff Wells, Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, hosts military heroes, as they tell their stories, unedited, and in their own words. From the sights, sounds, and smells of combat, to their secrets for a long and successful life, these Veterans tell all. This podcast is perfect for anyone who wants to learn about our nation’s history, and most importantly, wants to understand the intimate details of those who fought to provide us with the greatest privilege in the world, freedom. Wars are not won by generals standing in front of maps. They are won by the men on the ground, fighting through near-impossible odds to ensure our liberty will never falter. Unlike other podcasts that focus on higher-level military history, ‘Walk Among Heroes’ brings you stories and perspectives from those closest to the battles: the Ground-Pounders, G.I.’s, Dog Faces, Doughboys, Grunts, Sailors, Flyboys, Squids, Frogmen, Devil Dogs, Leathernecks, and others who were on the ground, in the arena, fighting for our great nation. Hear their stories and perspectives as ‘Walk Among Heroes’ strives to ensure they are never forgotten. A new episode will be released every Tuesday. To check out more stories from our great heroes, visit walkamongheroes.org.
Walk Among Heroes is proud to welcome four members of the Band of Brothers cast and Scott Gibson from the Pacific cast, for podcast episode 42. Sara Kessel and Jeff Wells sat down with Peter Youngblood Hills (Shifty Powers), Nolan Hemmings (Chuck Grant), Alex Sabga-Brady (Francis Mellet), Christin Black (Walter Hendrix), and Scott Gibson (Captain Andrew Haldane) from the Pacific series, to discuss their experiences filming, relationships together, encounters with the soldiers they play, favorite scenes, and many other topics. The guys were amazing, and we're excited for you to listen. After spending a week with these guys in Normandy for the 79th Anniversary of D-Day, it's apparent how passionate they are about carrying forward the legacy of the characters they play, as well as the history surrounding one of the greatest TV series of all-time.
For Episode 41, we are providing a recording of Walk Among Heroes' inaugural Night for Our Heroes, an evening dedicated to honor those who served D-Day and the battle for Normandy. Also those who have dedicated their lives to preserving these memories and stories. The evening consisted of a panel discussion between World War II Veterans, Band of Brothers' actors, and Maurice Renaud, son of the Alexandre Renaud, mayor of Sainte-Mere-Eglise on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Guest included:
Local Guest:
Maurice Renaud: Son of Alexandre Renaud, President of AVA, Overseas majority of D-Day Activities.
Actors:
Peter Youngblood Hills: Actor, Band of Brothers series. Played Darrell ‘Shifty’ Powers in the award-winning Band of Brothers series.
Scott Gibson: Actor, Pacific Series. Captain Andrew Haldane.
Matt Leitch: Actor, Played Floyd Talbert in Band of Brothers series. Founded a called We Happy Few 506, which leads Band of Brothers related tours in Normandy and other Band of Brothers’ sites.
Peter McCabe: Played Donald Hoobler in Band of Brothers series.
Nolan Hemmings: Played Chuck Grant in Band of Brothers series.
Alex Sabga-Brady: Played Francis Mellet in Band of Brothers series.
Christian Black: Band of Brothers series, and a world-renowned photographer.
World War II Veterans:
Gilbert Clarke: Born in Jamaica, Gilbert was one of several thousand volunteers for the RAF. Installed and maintained the new aircraft radar systems developed during WWII.
Reid Clanton: Landed on Omaha Beach, D-Day, June 6, 1944, with the 29th Division. Fought in the Battle of the Bulge and through Germany with the 84th Division.
James ‘Jim’ Kelly: James Kelly landed in a glider on D Day, June 6, 1944, near the village of Ranville with the 1st (Airborne) Royal Ulster Rifles, on the eastern flank of the main landing front. The Royal Ulster Rifles’ mission was to capture the bridges over the Caen Canal and the River Oren and to seal the eastern flank, thus protecting the main invasion from any possible counter attacks by German armored divisions.
Walk Among Heroes is pleased to welcome Gilbert Clarke. Originally born in Jamaica, Mr. Clarke volunteered to join the British Royal Air Force as a teenager, and was trained to install and maintain radar technology on planes in the RAF fleet. Radar technology was developed during World War 2, as it became necessary to track German rockets approaching London. Mr. Clarke was on the forefront of this technology. Walk Among Heroes had the honor of meeting Mr. Clarke in Normandy in June 2023. Such an inspiring man!
Walk Among Heroes is pleased to welcome James Kelly as our guest for episode 39.
James Kelly landed in a glider on D Day, June 6, 1944, near the village of Ranville with the 1st (Airborne) Royal Ulster Rifles, on the eastern flank of the main landing front. The Royal Ulster Rifles’ mission was to capture the bridges over the Caen Canal and the River Oren and to seal the eastern flank, thus protecting the main invasion from any possible counter attacks by German armored divisions.
The famous Pegasus Bridge mission was part of this operation. Mr. Kelly was one of the first Allied soldiers to land in France, landing just after midnight on D-Day, June 6, 1944. After the Normandy battles, his battalion fought in the Battle of the Bulge in late 1944 and then the Rhine Crossings....and on into Germany.
Mr. Kelly will be traveling with us all week throughout Normandy, so lots more to come!
Walk Among Heroes is honored to welcome Episode 38 guest, Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Harry Baker. LTC Baker, 102 years-old and a resident of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, served as an artillery officer during World War II in Company C, 302nd Field Artillery Battalion, 76th Infantry Division. He arrived in Europe right as Germany was mounting their largest counterattack of the war, later known as the Battle of the Bulge. LTC Baker and his men landed and immediately moved straight to the front lines. After repelling the German attack and eliminating the ‘bulge,’ the 76th Division advanced eastward into Germany, eventually forcing the Germans to surrender.
Following the war, LTC Baker remained in the Army Reserve and finally retired as a lieutenant colonel. As a civilian, LTC Baker had a wonderful career with Sears & Roebuck, and his proudest accomplishment, a 77-year marriage to Pat, the love of his life. An amazing man with an amazing story. We are so honored to meet him and to share his story.
A special ‘thank you’ to Mike Tarr, Louie Schultz, and Coey Podraza, for helping to arrange this amazing meeting.
Mr. Clanton, our previous guest for Episode 5, joins us for Episode 37 to discuss his upcoming trip to Normandy, Belgium, and Germany in June of this year. This week, we met with Reid and Carolynn Clanton to present their day-by-itinerary. Also, we surprised Mr. Clanton with Mike Tarr's extensive research, which allowed us to pinpoint several dates and locations for Mr. Clanton's major battles during the war.
Currently a resident of San Antonio, Texas, Mr. Clanton was raised in West Texas, where he grew up on a farm in a very poor household, common during the Great Depression. Mr. Clanton was asked to leave home at age eleven, as his parents could no longer afford to take care of him. With only a fourth grade education under his belt, he was hired by a local farmer and was eventually drafted into the U.S. Army. Mr. Clanton was assigned to the 84th Infantry Division (Railsplitters) and soon deployed to Europe.
Mr. Clanton landed on Omaha Beach, France and fought through Belgium and Germany, before eventually reaching the Elbe River, where General Eisenhower halted the Allied advance to allow the Russians to enter Berlin. Mr. Clanton fought along the Siegfried Line, where his division punched through the stout defensive line. When Germany attacked during the Battle of the Bulge, Mr. Clanton’s division was forced to travel overnight to Marche, and after brutal fighting, stopped the advancing German forces and kept the Allied lines from totally collapsing. Following victory in Marche, the 84th Division resumed its’ advance crossing the Roer and Rhine rivers, eventually reaching the Elbe.
We are honored to introduce Mr. George Koch as our guest for Walk Among Heroes Podcast Episode 36. Mr. Koch is our first guest who served as a U.S. Merchant Marine. Born and raised in New York, Mr. Koch (pronounced ‘Coke’) dropped out of high school in tenth grade to join the Merchant Marines. At age 16 in September 1944, he reported to his first ship in New York Harbor. He soon found himself sailing north on the Murmansk Run. The Murmansk Run was a LONG, treacherous journey through German-controlled, Arctic frozen waters, from the United States to Russia, past Norway and through northern Europe. At the time, the United States was manufacturing weapons and supplies to support our allies (Lend-Lease Program) including Russia, in their fight against Germany on the Eastern front. Because Japan had the Pacific blockaded, we were forced to deliver supplies from the Atlantic north of Europe to the Russian port of Murmansk.
During the journey to Murmansk, Mr. Koch’s ship was attacked by a German U-Boat and was nearly hit by a torpedo. Other ships in his convoy were hit. Upon arriving in Murmansk, Mr. Koch was able to visit the city, interact with Russian soldiers and local civilians, and became one of just a few U.S. soldiers who set foot on Russian soil during World War II. In February 2021, Russia awarded Mr. Koch with the Medal of Ushakov, a rare military honor seldom awarded to anyone outside of Russia.
Today, Mr. Koch resides in Rotonda West, FL with his lovely wife of 75 years, Jean.
This episode features an AMAZING, detailed overview of the Battle of the Bulge and the actions at Bastogne. Johnny, a historian from the 101st Airborne Division Museum in Bastogne, takes us through one of the largest and most complex battles in our history. Bastogne was right at the center of it!
The 101st Airborne Museum is simply amazing. It's one of the best museums we've ever visited. If you'd like to learn more about it, visit:
http://www.101airbornemuseumbastogne.com/
If you're a military or history lover, you will love this.
Episode 34 features a short conversation with Maurice Renaud, son of Alexandre Renaud, the mayor of Sainte-mer-Eglise (SME) during World War II. SME was the first town liberated by paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division early in the morning on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Maurice's mother, Simone Renaud, is known as the 'Mother of Normandy,' as she made it her mission to identify and care for the graves of fallen American soldiers.
Maurice is President of the AVA (Friends of American Veterans), responsible for planning the D-Day events each year in SME, as well as preserving the history of that fateful day.
This episode features complete audio from the D-Day 78th Anniversary Commemoration at the Colleville-sur-Mere American Cemetery in Normandy France, on June 6, 2022. Keynote address provided by General Mark A. Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
In our third episode featuring Reid Clanton's return to Europe, we're discussing one of the Band of Brothers' most famous missions, the Battle of Brecourt.
Early in the morning on D-Day, Dick Winters led a small group of 12 men on a daring assault to destroy a German four-gun 105 mm artillery battery sighted on Utah Beach. The attack was successful and was later chronicled in the second episode of the amazing 'Band of Brothers' series. How accurate was the account? What really happened? Eric LeBoeuf, Normandy tour guide, takes through the entire battle.
Day 2 included a journey for Reid Clanton to Bletchley Park in Milton-Keynes, England. We had the honor of spending the morning with Betty Webb, 98-year old British Veteran of Bletchley Park. What an incredible meeting between two 98-year-old military heroes! We all know Mr. Clanton, United States war hero who landed on Omaha Beach during D-Day, fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and ultimately helped lead the Allies to victory. Meet Betty Webb, a British Veteran who served in British Military Intelligence and worked at the top secret decoding campus, Bletchley Park.
Comprised of 75% women, more than 10,000 members of the intelligence community worked at Bletchley during the height of WWII. Bletchley was the braintrust of Winston Churchill, and the first computer was developed here. The team at Bletchley Park managed to crack the previously unbreakable German Enigma code, which experts believe shortened the duration of the war by 2-4 years.
On D-Day specifically, intelligence gathered at Bletchley allowed the Allies to understand the locations of German fighting positions along the French coastline, along with other critical intelligence. Most Americans don’t know anything about Bletchley Park. We visited with Betty as she explained what she did here at Bletchley. Simply an amazing women!
Please enjoy this conversation between Betty and our group, regarding Bletchley Park, her daily life there, and the famous decoding operation that ultimately shortened the duration of World War II.
Join us on Day 1 of Reid Clanton's return to Europe after nearly 78 years.
Mr. Clanton landed in London at 11:00 AM, and boy, did he hit the ground running! He spent the afternoon visiting the Churchill War Rooms, and other sites around London (Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, etc). This evening, we had a very special dinner with Celia Sandys, Winston Churchill's granddaughter.
This episode, the first of many we will publish during our trip, includes a conversation between Celia and our guests, as Celia discusses many aspects of Churchill's life not publicly known.
Thank you, to the following for amazing people for contributing to this episode:
Celia Sandys
Robert Vela
Martha Vela
Tracy Huff
Melissa Starr
Sarah Starr
Julia Tracy
Van Tracy
Mike Denman
Janet Riddle
Mike Tarr
Amber Tarr
Reid Clanton'
Carolynn Clanton
Bryan Chandler
Kathy Oliver
Don't miss the conclusion of our two-part interview series with Morris 'Buck' Buckman, our guest for episode 29. Resident of Dripping Springs, TX, Mr. Buckman served in the 345th Regiment, 87th Infantry Division. Mr. Buckman landed in France in November 1944. Soon thereafter, his unit was struck squarely by the Germans during the Battle of the Bulge. After surviving ‘The Bulge,’ Mr. Buckman traveled across Europe, and following Germany’s surrender, his division redeployed to the United States and began training for an invasion into the Japanese mainland. Thankfully, the ‘bombs’ were dropped and Japan surrendered prior to the invasion.
My dear friend Kyle arranged this meeting, and it truly is a conversation between the three of us. This episode will consist of two parts: Episode 29A features Mr. Buckman’s childhood and military service. Episode 29B features Mr. Buckman’s life after the military, his life lessons, and a discussion about my service in Iraq.
Thank you, Kyle, for arranging a meeting with this incredible man, and thank you, Mr. Buckman, for taking the time to tell us your amazing story. As always, thank you Shreyas Ganesh for volunteering your time as sound engineer for this podcast.
We are honored to welcome Morris ‘Buck’ Buckman as our guest for episode 29A. Resident of Dripping Springs, TX, Mr. Buckman served in the 345th Regiment, 87th Infantry Division. Mr. Buckman landed in France in November 1944. Soon thereafter, his unit was struck squarely by the Germans during the Battle of the Bulge. After surviving ‘The Bulge,’ Mr. Buckman traveled across Europe, and following Germany’s surrender, his division redeployed to the United States and began training for an invasion into the Japanese mainland. Thankfully, the ‘bombs’ were dropped and Japan surrendered prior to the invasion.
My dear friend Kyle arranged this meeting, and it truly is a conversation between the three of us. This episode will consist of two parts: Episode 29A features Mr. Buckman’s childhood and military service. Episode 29B features Mr. Buckman’s life after the military, his life lessons, and a discussion about my service in Iraq.
Thank you, Kyle, for arranging a meeting with this incredible man, and thank you, Mr. Buckman, for taking the time to tell us your amazing story. As always, thank you Shreyas Ganesh for volunteering your time as sound engineer for this podcast.
Don't miss the conclusion of our two-part interview series with Iwo Jima Veteran Paul Frederick! Walk Among Heroes is honored to welcome Paul Frederick as our guest for Episode 28. A lifelong resident of Kentucky, Mr. Frederick’s served in the United States Marine Corps, 3rd Division, during World War II. Mr. Frederick experienced combat as a bazooka man and machine gunner on several islands in the Pacific before finally invading Iwo Jima in February 1945. During 30+ days on Iwo Jima, Mr. Frederick lost many friends and witnessed tremendous carnage, in one of the most difficult battles our military has ever experienced. Prior to Iwo Jima, Mr. Frederick’s ship was struck by torpedo, which killed dozens, causing the ship to sink. Mr. Frederick was injured, but he refused to leave his unit.
Earlier this year, Nashville songwriter Jim Collins (writer of many hits like ‘Big Green Tractor’ and ‘Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not’) reached out to Mr. Frederick and asked to write a song about his life and military service. Collins wrote a song for Mr. Frederick, titled ‘Guardian Angels’, which provides a touching account of Mr. Frederick’s life, including his 71-year marriage to the love of his life, Myrtle.
The song can be found at:
https://www.lex18.com/community/positively-lex-18/acclaimed-nashville-songwriter-writes-song-about-lexington-wwii-veteran
This episode consists of two parts. Episode 28A focuses on Mr. Frederick’s early life, bootcamp, and Marine Corps service. Episode 28B opens with the invasion of Iwo Jima, then takes us through the rest of his life, including lessons learned.
As always, ‘thank you’ to Shreyas for donating your time as sound engineer for this podcast.
Walk Among Heroes is honored to welcome Paul Frederick as our guest for Episode 28. A lifelong resident of Kentucky, Mr. Frederick’s served in the United States Marine Corps, 3rd Division, during World War II. Mr. Frederick experienced combat as a bazooka man and machine gunner on several islands in the Pacific before finally invading Iwo Jima in February 1945. During 30+ days on Iwo Jima, Mr. Frederick lost many friends and witnessed tremendous carnage, in one of the most difficult battles our military has ever experienced. Prior to Iwo Jima, Mr. Frederick’s ship was struck by torpedo, which killed dozens, causing the ship to sink. Mr. Frederick was injured, but he refused to leave his unit.
Earlier this year, Nashville songwriter Jim Collins (writer of many hits like ‘Big Green Tractor’ and ‘Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not’) reached out to Mr. Frederick and asked to write a song about his life and military service. Collins wrote a song for Mr. Frederick, titled ‘Guardian Angels’, which provides a touching account of Mr. Frederick’s life, including his 71-year marriage to the love of his life, Myrtle.
The song can be found at:
https://www.lex18.com/community/positively-lex-18/acclaimed-nashville-songwriter-writes-song-about-lexington-wwii-veteran
This episode consists of two parts. Episode 28A focuses on Mr. Frederick’s early life, bootcamp, and Marine Corps service. Episode 28B opens with the invasion of Iwo Jima, then takes us through the rest of his life, including lessons learned.
As always, ‘thank you’ to Shreyas for donating your time as sound engineer for this podcast.
We (Walk Among Heroes) are pleased to welcome Paul and June Benischek as our guests for Episode 27. Paul (93) and June (91) are lifelong farmers who currently reside in Anamosa, Iowa. Paul served in the United States Army immediately following World War II in a Graves Registration unit. He deployed to Okinawa with the mission of finding, retrieving, cleaning, and transporting the bodies of American’s fallen heroes back to the United States. From searching through caves, tracking down plane wrecks, and digging up mass graves, Paul single-handedly processed and returned thousands of bodies to the United States. An incredibly difficult aspect of war, it was a thankless and difficult task, but never has there been a more important mission in war…to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
During this episode, we’ll explore Paul and June’s AMAZING life together, Paul’s military service, and their lives on the farm after the military. A VERY special ‘thank you’ to Rob, Barb, and Denny for reaching out and introducing us to Paul and June. Thank you for your amazing hospitality. We can’t wait to come back and visit again soon!
Finally, and as always, a very special ‘thank you’ to Shreyas Ganesh for your volunteer efforts as sound engineer for this podcast.
Don't miss the conclusion of our two-part interview series with Mr. Bill Lozano! Mr. Lozano served in the Navy Pacific Fleet during World War II, as a radarman on the mighty battleship, USS Washington. The USS Washington had one of the most impeccable battle records during World War II, providing fire support for invasions in the Marianas, Palaus, Leyte, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, as well supporting the aircraft carriers on their raids through the South Pacific.
Mr. Lozano enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was sent to radar school to learn the brand-new technology first developed and utilized during World War II. Working from high atop the battleship in the radar tower, Mr. Lozano witnessed first-hand the major attacks and engagements by the USS Washington. He also witnessed several Kamikaze attacks and was close enough to witness the horrors of Iwo Jima with his naked eye. The mighty USS Washington plowed through the Pacific, and Mr. Lozano had one of the most unique perspectives of any guest we’ve ever interviewed on this show.
Following his service in the U.S. Navy, Mr. Lozano eventually graduated from Law School and served a long, successful career as an attorney. A lifelong resident of San Antonio, Texas, he appears decades younger than his age, and he stays very active.
This episode will consist of two parts. 26A will feature Mr. Lozano’s service in the Navy, and 26B will go back to his childhood, life after the military, and lessons learned throughout his amazing life. It is truly an honor to share Mr. Lozano’s story. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
A special 'thank you' to Shreyas Ganesh for volunteering your time as sound engineer for this podcast.
We (Walk Among Heroes) are honored to welcome Episode 26 guest, Mr. Bill Lozano. Mr. Lozano served in the Navy Pacific Fleet during World War II, as a radarman on the mighty battleship, USS Washington. The USS Washington had one of the most impeccable battle records during World War II, providing fire support for invasions in the Marianas, Palaus, Leyte, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, as well supporting the aircraft carriers on their raids through the South Pacific.
Mr. Lozano enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was sent to radar school to learn the brand-new technology first developed and utilized during World War II. Working from high atop the battleship in the radar tower, Mr. Lozano witnessed first-hand the major attacks and engagements by the USS Washington. He also witnessed several Kamikaze attacks and was close enough to witness the horrors of Iwo Jima with his naked eye. The mighty USS Washington plowed through the Pacific, and Mr. Lozano had one of the most unique perspectives of any guest we’ve ever interviewed on this show.
Following his service in the U.S. Navy, Mr. Lozano eventually graduated from Law School and served a long, successful career as an attorney. A lifelong resident of San Antonio, Texas, he appears decades younger than his age, and he stays very active.
This episode will consist of two parts. 26A will feature Mr. Lozano’s service in the Navy, and 26B will go back to his childhood, life after the military, and lessons learned throughout his amazing life. It is truly an honor to share Mr. Lozano’s story. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
A special 'thank you' to Shreyas Ganesh for volunteering your time as sound engineer for this podcast.
Walk Among Heroes is honored to welcome Bennett Stampes, guest for Episode 25. Mr. Stampes was born and raised in Dallas, TX, and was summoned to join the Army during World War II. He was assigned to the 86th Infantry Division, which landed in France and relieved the 8th Infantry Division in the midst of tackling the extremely difficult Ruhr and Rhine River crossings. While assigned to battalion staff, Mr. Stampes was sent forward to hold a key piece of terrain and was instructed to hold his position at all costs. The German artillery began firing and soon the tanks poured through American lines. Mr. Stampes was injured that day, and upon recovery, served the rest of his time in Europe as an instructor at American University in France.
After the war, Mr. Stampes dedicated his life to serving others, touching thousands of lives. Thank you, Mr. Stampes, for sharing your amazing story!
A very special 'thank you' to Shreyas Ganesh for donating your time as sound engineer for this podcast.
Don't miss the conclusion of our two-part interview with Gerry Auerbach, U.S. Army Air Corps. Mr. Auerbach served in the United States Army Air Corps (Air Force in 1947) from 1943-1963, before retiring to work as a civilian pilot. During World War II, Mr. Auerbach was a radar navigator in the revolutionary B-29 Superfortress program. Mr. Auerbach flew his first B-29 mission on Christmas Day, 1944, then subsequently participated in the firebombing of Tokyo, as well as missions to bomb many other Japanese cities. The B-29 Superfortress was the first high-elevation long-range bomber of its’ kind, and the firebombing missions became one of the primary catalysts for destruction of Japanese industry. These missions began a long path toward eventual surrender by the Japanese.
Following World War II, the Air Force selected Mr. Auerbach for pilot training, and he began a long career as a pilot. Mr. Auerbach was stationed in Germany in 1948, when the Russians created a blockade around Berlin, isolating the city in an attempt to force the Allies out. This blockade was one of the first acts of aggression by the Russians in what evolved into the ‘Cold War.’ Urgent action was necessary, so the US Air Force mobilized and flew thousands of supply missions into Berlin to deliver life-saving food and other supplies. This massive humanitarian effort became known as the ‘Berlin Airlift.’ Mr. Auerbach flew 3 missions each day into Berlin as part of the ‘Airlift,’ accumulating more than 200 total missions into Berlin. Throughout the Berlin Airlift, the largest humanitarian mission in history, the U.S. Air Force flew 200,000 flights delivering more than one and a half millions tons of supplies.
After Mr. Auerbach retired from the Air Force, he flew as a civilian for many years in Saudi Arabia, helping to build Saudi Arabia Airlines. He eventually flew privately for the Bin Laden family, one of the wealthiest families in the world.
The book referenced extensively in episode 24 is ‘A Torch to the Enemy: The Fire Raid on Tokyo,’ by Martin Caidin. This book can be purchased on Amazon, and provides an excellent overview (along with many first-hand accounts) of the firebombing of Tokyo and other Japanese cities.
Episode 24 will consist of two parts. 24A focuses on Mr. Auerbach’s early life, joining the military, B-29 training, deployment to the South Pacific, B-29 missions, and finally, the firebombing of Tokyo. 24B focuses on Mr. Auerbach’s military service after World War II, including his significant role in the Berlin Airlift, the largest humanitarian mission of all-time. 24B also touches on Mr. Auerbach’s life after the military, including his civilian for Saudi Arabia and the Bin Laden family. Very interesting!
A special ‘thank you’ to Shreyas Ganesh for donating your time as sound engineer for this podcast.
As always, enjoy this episode, and thank you for listening and sharing!
Walk Among Heroes is proud to welcome Gerry Auerbach as our guest for Episode 24. Mr. Auerbach served in the United States Army Air Corps (Air Force in 1947) from 1943-1963, before retiring to work as a civilian pilot. During World War II, Mr. Auerbach was a radar navigator in the revolutionary B-29 Superfortress program. Mr. Auerbach flew his first B-29 mission on Christmas Day, 1944, then subsequently participated in the firebombing of Tokyo, as well as missions to bomb many other Japanese cities. The B-29 Superfortress was the first high-elevation long-range bomber of its’ kind, and the firebombing missions became one of the primary catalysts for destruction of Japanese industry. These missions began a long path toward eventual surrender by the Japanese.
Following World War II, the Air Force selected Mr. Auerbach for pilot training, and he began a long career as a pilot. Mr. Auerbach was stationed in Germany in 1948, when the Russians created a blockade around Berlin, isolating the city in an attempt to force the Allies out. This blockade was one of the first acts of aggression by the Russians in what evolved into the ‘Cold War.’ Urgent action was necessary, so the US Air Force mobilized and flew thousands of supply missions into Berlin to deliver life-saving food and other supplies. This massive humanitarian effort became known as the ‘Berlin Airlift.’ Mr. Auerbach flew 3 missions each day into Berlin as part of the ‘Airlift,’ accumulating more than 200 total missions into Berlin. Throughout the Berlin Airlift, the largest humanitarian mission in history, the U.S. Air Force flew 200,000 flights delivering more than one and a half millions tons of supplies.
After Mr. Auerbach retired from the Air Force, he flew as a civilian for many years in Saudi Arabia, helping to build Saudi Arabia Airlines. He eventually flew privately for the Bin Laden family, one of the wealthiest families in the world.
The book referenced extensively in episode 24 is ‘A Torch to the Enemy: The Fire Raid on Tokyo,’ by Martin Caidin. This book can be purchased on Amazon, and provides an excellent overview (along with many first-hand accounts) of the firebombing of Tokyo and other Japanese cities.
Episode 24 will consist of two parts. 24A focuses on Mr. Auerbach’s early life, joining the military, B-29 training, deployment to the South Pacific, B-29 missions, and finally, the firebombing of Tokyo. 24B focuses on Mr. Auerbach’s military service after World War II, including his significant role in the Berlin Airlift, the largest humanitarian mission of all-time. 24B also touches on Mr. Auerbach’s life after the military, including his civilian for Saudi Arabia and the Bin Laden family. Very interesting!
A special ‘thank you’ to Shreyas Ganesh for donating your time as sound engineer for this podcast.
As always, enjoy this episode, and thank you for listening and sharing!
Walk Among Heroes is honored to feature P-51 Mustang Pilot, First Lieutenant James (Jim) Frolking as our guest for Episode 23. Mr. Frolking joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and was assigned to the 8th Air Force's 479th Fighter Group, arriving in England just in time to fly his first mission on June 6, 1944, a day forever known as 'D-Day'. Initially flying P-38's, Mr. Frolking provide air cover for the invasion forces on June 6th. Following D-Day Mr. Frolking provided bomber support/escort for long B-17 and B-24 bombing missions into Germany and surrounding areas (50 missions).
First Lieutenant Frolking's story has all of the twists and turns, close calls, and lucky breaks of a Hollywood movie. On October 7, 1944, on his way back to England from Czechoslovakia, Mr. Frolking's plane was hit by enemy fire over a German-occupied island in the Netherlands. He bailed out, only to land uninjured on a sandbar, with land in sight. After spending the night in the dinghy that was part of his escape pack, he decided to head for shore, and eventually made contact with the Dutch underground. For three weeks, he was hidden and cared-for by a Dutch family, while Germans patrolled the surrounding area. In one terrifying incident, German officers requisitioned and lived inside the farmhouse which he was staying (downstairs while he hid upstairs).
For those interested in reading Mr. Frolking's full story, a copy of his memoir can be downloaded for free at: https://memory.loc.gov/diglib/vhp-stories/loc.natlib.afc2001001.48142/
Simply an amazing man with an amazing story, it's an honor to share Mr. Frolking story with you. A huge 'thank you' to Shreyas Ganesh. Thank you, Shreyas, for volunteering your time as sound engineer for this podcast!
Don't miss the conclusion to our four-part interview series with Mr. Larry Kirby, United States Marine Corps, Third Division. This episode focuses on the last chapter of Mr. Kirby's amazing memoir.
Mr. Kirby was born and raised in the northeastern United States. In the spring of 1942, Mr. Kirby walked out of St. Mary’s high school and joined the Marine Corps. With a massive physique of 5’6” tall and 135 lbs, Mr. Kirby was not your prototypical Marine. He suffered through boot camp in Paris Island, SC, where his first encounter with a Drill Sergeant resulted in a punch to Mr. Kirby’s face.
Following boot camp, Mr. Kirby travelled west across the United States making stops in Camp Lejeune, Nebraska, and Camp Pendleton, for various types of training. He was trained as a scout, which meant he would move ahead of the Infantry to observe the enemy and provide intelligence back to the Marines. Upon arrival in the South Pacific, Mr. Kirby was assigned to Easy Company of the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. The young Marines wasted no time, landing in Bougainville, Mr. Kirby’s first combat.
After Bougainville, Mr. Kirby and the Marines from 3rd Division invaded the Mariana Islands, with Guam as the objective for Mr. Kirby’s unit. Mr. Kirby faced heavy combat in Guam, including one of the largest and most vicious Bonzai attacks of the war. Mr. Kirby was wounded by a Japanese hand grenade during a one-on-one confrontation with a young Japanese soldier. He also lost his best friend, who died in Mr. Kirby’s arms. After being wounded, Mr. Kirby was evacuated for a short period, but he refused to leave his men. He rejoined his unit shortly after being wounded and following the conclusion of a ‘successful’ campaign in Guam, 3rd Division made Guam home base while preparing for the fateful invasion of Iwo Jima.
In February 1945, Mr. Kirby landed on Iwo Jima and began fighting for 22 straight days in some of the most brutal combat our nation has ever faced. Of the 230 Marines who landed with Easy Company, only Mr. Kirby and six other men walked off that island.
Mr. Kirby has documented many of his experiences by writing a book, ‘Stories from the Pacific: The Island War 1942-1945.’ His book can be purchased on Amazon, and we HIGHLY recommend it. Not only are his combat stories phenomenal, he has so many hilarious stories about life as a young Marine. Most fascinating (to us) are his perspectives on the combat, the military, and war in general. For those of us who have been in combat, Mr. Kirby was able to put into words what many of us feel but can’t say. His perspectives really resonated with us, and we sincerely hope you’ll order his book. It’s a must read, in our opinion, especially if you’re interested in World War II, the Pacific Theatre, or you’ve never served but would like a small taste of what combat is really like.
We want to thank Mr. Kirby for sharing his story. He discussed some very difficult topics, and we believe his words are enlightening for those who served in the military, or those who never served at all. This is our first four-part series. Part 1 (Episode 22A) will cover his childhood, joining the Marine Corps, boot camp, and deployment overseas. Part 2 (22B) will dive into Mr. Kirby’s first combat in Bougainville and then Guam (some of Mr. Kirby’s most difficult memories were experiences he faced on Guam). Part 3 (22C) will focus on Iwo Jima, and Part 4 (22D) will cover the final chapter in his book, which is simply amazing.
God Bless men like Mr. Kirby. None of us would be here today without Mr. Kirby, and the millions of young men who sacrificed their lives to provide us with the greatest privilege in the world, FREEDOM.
Thank you, Shreyas Ganesh,
Don't miss part three of our four-part interview series with Mr. Larry Kirby, United States Marine Corps, Third Division. This episode focuses primarily on Iwo Jima, one of the most difficult battles our military has ever experienced.
Mr. Kirby was born and raised in the northeastern United States. In the spring of 1942, Mr. Kirby walked out of St. Mary’s high school and joined the Marine Corps. With a massive physique of 5’6” tall and 135 lbs, Mr. Kirby was not your prototypical Marine. He suffered through boot camp in Paris Island, SC, where his first encounter with a Drill Sergeant resulted in a punch to Mr. Kirby’s face.
Following boot camp, Mr. Kirby travelled west across the United States making stops in Camp Lejeune, Nebraska, and Camp Pendleton, for various types of training. He was trained as a scout, which meant he would move ahead of the Infantry to observe the enemy and provide intelligence back to the Marines. Upon arrival in the South Pacific, Mr. Kirby was assigned to Easy Company of the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. The young Marines wasted no time, landing in Bougainville, Mr. Kirby’s first combat.
After Bougainville, Mr. Kirby and the Marines from 3rd Division invaded the Mariana Islands, with Guam as the objective for Mr. Kirby’s unit. Mr. Kirby faced heavy combat in Guam, including one of the largest and most vicious Bonzai attacks of the war. Mr. Kirby was wounded by a Japanese hand grenade during a one-on-one confrontation with a young Japanese soldier. He also lost his best friend, who died in Mr. Kirby’s arms. After being wounded, Mr. Kirby was evacuated for a short period, but he refused to leave his men. He rejoined his unit shortly after being wounded and following the conclusion of a ‘successful’ campaign in Guam, 3rd Division made Guam home base while preparing for the fateful invasion of Iwo Jima.
In February 1945, Mr. Kirby landed on Iwo Jima and began fighting for 22 straight days in some of the most brutal combat our nation has ever faced. Of the 230 Marines who landed with Easy Company, only Mr. Kirby and six other men walked off that island.
Mr. Kirby has documented many of his experiences by writing a book, ‘Stories from the Pacific: The Island War 1942-1945.’ His book can be purchased on Amazon, and we HIGHLY recommend it. Not only are his combat stories phenomenal, he has so many hilarious stories about life as a young Marine. Most fascinating (to us) are his perspectives on the combat, the military, and war in general. For those of us who have been in combat, Mr. Kirby was able to put into words what many of us feel but can’t say. His perspectives really resonated with us, and we sincerely hope you’ll order his book. It’s a must read, in our opinion, especially if you’re interested in World War II, the Pacific Theatre, or you’ve never served but would like a small taste of what combat is really like.
We want to thank Mr. Kirby for sharing his story. He discussed some very difficult topics, and we believe his words are enlightening for those who served in the military, or those who never served at all. This is our first four-part series. Part 1 (Episode 22A) will cover his childhood, joining the Marine Corps, boot camp, and deployment overseas. Part 2 (22B) will dive into Mr. Kirby’s first combat in Bougainville and then Guam (some of Mr. Kirby’s most difficult memories were experiences he faced on Guam). Part 3 (22C) will focus on Iwo Jima, and Part 4 (22D) will cover the final chapter in his book, which is simply amazing.
God Bless men like Mr. Kirby. None of us would be here today without Mr. Kirby, and the millions of young men who sacrificed their lives to provide us with the greatest privilege in the world, FREEDOM.&nbs
Don't miss part two of our four-part interview series with Mr. Larry Kirby, United States Marine Corps, Third Division.
We are honored to welcome Larry Kirby, United States Marine Corps, as our guest for episode 22. Mr. Kirby was born and raised in the northeastern United States. In the spring of 1942, Mr. Kirby walked out of St. Mary’s high school and joined the Marine Corps. With a massive physique of 5’6” tall and 135 lbs, Mr. Kirby was not your prototypical Marine. He suffered through boot camp in Paris Island, SC, where his first encounter with a Drill Sergeant resulted in a punch to Mr. Kirby’s face.
Following boot camp, Mr. Kirby travelled west across the United States making stops in Camp Lejeune, Nebraska, and Camp Pendleton, for various types of training. He was trained as a scout, which meant he would move ahead of the Infantry to observe the enemy and provide intelligence back to the Marines. Upon arrival in the South Pacific, Mr. Kirby was assigned to Easy Company of the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. The young Marines wasted no time, landing in Bougainville, Mr. Kirby’s first combat.
After Bougainville, Mr. Kirby and the Marines from 3rd Division invaded the Mariana Islands, with Guam as the objective for Mr. Kirby’s unit. Mr. Kirby faced heavy combat in Guam, including one of the largest and most vicious Bonzai attacks of the war. Mr. Kirby was wounded by a Japanese hand grenade during a one-on-one confrontation with a young Japanese soldier. He also lost his best friend, who died in Mr. Kirby’s arms. After being wounded, Mr. Kirby was evacuated for a short period, but he refused to leave his men. He rejoined his unit shortly after being wounded and following the conclusion of a ‘successful’ campaign in Guam, 3rd Division made Guam home base while preparing for the fateful invasion of Iwo Jima.
In February 1945, Mr. Kirby landed on Iwo Jima and began fighting for 22 straight days in some of the most brutal combat our nation has ever faced. Of the 230 Marines who landed with Easy Company, only Mr. Kirby and six other men walked off that island.
Mr. Kirby has documented many of his experiences by writing a book, ‘Stories from the Pacific: The Island War 1942-1945.’ His book can be purchased on Amazon, and we HIGHLY recommend it. Not only are his combat stories phenomenal, he has so many hilarious stories about life as a young Marine. Most fascinating (to us) are his perspectives on the combat, the military, and war in general. For those of us who have been in combat, Mr. Kirby was able to put into words what many of us feel but can’t say. His perspectives really resonated with us, and we sincerely hope you’ll order his book. It’s a must read, in our opinion, especially if you’re interested in World War II, the Pacific Theatre, or you’ve never served but would like a small taste of what combat is really like.
We want to thank Mr. Kirby for sharing his story. He discussed some very difficult topics, and we believe his words are enlightening for those who served in the military, or those who never served at all. This is our first four-part series. Part 1 (Episode 22A) will cover his childhood, joining the Marine Corps, boot camp, and deployment overseas. Part 2 (22B) will dive into Mr. Kirby’s first combat in Bougainville and then Guam (some of Mr. Kirby’s most difficult memories were experiences he faced on Guam). Part 3 (22C) will focus on Iwo Jima, and Part 4 (22D) will cover the final chapter in his book, which is simply amazing.
God Bless men like Mr. Kirby. None of us would be here today without Mr. Kirby, and the millions of young men who sacrificed their lives to provide us with the greatest privilege in the world, FREEDOM.
We are honored to welcome Larry Kirby, United States Marine Corps, as our guest for episode 22. Mr. Kirby was born and raised in the northeastern United States. In the spring of 1942, Mr. Kirby walked out of St. Mary’s high school and joined the Marine Corps. With a massive physique of 5’6” tall and 135 lbs, Mr. Kirby was not your prototypical Marine. He suffered through boot camp in Paris Island, SC, where his first encounter with a Drill Sergeant resulted in a punch to Mr. Kirby’s face.
After boot camp, Mr. Kirby travelled west across the United States making stops in Camp Lejeune, Nebraska, and Camp Pendleton, for various types of training. He was trained as a scout, which meant he would move ahead of the Infantry to observe the enemy and provide intelligence back to the Marines. Upon arrival in the South Pacific, Mr. Kirby was assigned to Easy Company of the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. The young Marines wasted no time, landing in Bougainville, Mr. Kirby’s first combat.
After Bougainville, Mr. Kirby and the Marines from 3rd Division invaded the Mariana Islands, with Guam as the objective for Mr. Kirby’s unit. Mr. Kirby faced heavy combat in Guam, including one of the largest and most vicious Bonzai attacks of the war. Mr. Kirby was wounded by a Japanese hand grenade during a one-on-one confrontation with a young Japanese soldier. He also lost his best friend, who died in Mr. Kirby’s arms. After being wounded, Mr. Kirby was evacuated for a short period, but he refused to leave his men. He rejoined his unit shortly after being wounded and following the conclusion of a ‘successful’ campaign in Guam, 3rd Division made Guam home base while preparing for the fateful invasion of Iwo Jima.
In February 1945, Mr. Kirby landed on Iwo Jima and began fighting for 22 straight days in some of the most brutal combat our nation has ever faced. Of the 230 Marines who landed with Easy Company, only Mr. Kirby and six other men walked off that island.
Mr. Kirby has documented many of his experiences by writing a book, ‘Stories from the Pacific: The Island War 1942-1945.’ His book can be purchased on Amazon, and we HIGHLY recommend it. Not only are his combat stories phenomenal, he has so many hilarious stories about life as a young Marine. Most fascinating (to us) are his perspectives on the combat, the military, and war in general. For those of us who have been in combat, Mr. Kirby was able to put into words what many of us feel but can’t say. His perspectives really resonated with us, and we sincerely hope you’ll order his book. It’s a must read, in our opinion, especially if you’re interested in World War II, the Pacific Theatre, or you’ve never served but would like a small taste of what combat is really like.
We want to thank Mr. Kirby for sharing his story. He discussed some very difficult topics, and we believe his words are enlightening for those who served in the military, or those who never served at all. This is our first four-part series. Part 1 (Episode 22A) will cover his childhood, joining the Marine Corps, boot camp, and deployment overseas. Part 2 (22B) will dive into Mr. Kirby’s first combat in Bougainville and then Guam (some of Mr. Kirby’s most difficult memories were experiences he faced on Guam). Part 3 (22C) will focus on Iwo Jima, and Part 4 (22D) will cover the final chapter in his book, which is simply amazing.
God Bless men like Mr. Kirby. None of us would be here today without Mr. Kirby, and the millions of young men who sacrificed their lives to provide us with the greatest privilege in the world, FREEDOM. Mr. Kirby is a hero of the highest degree, and we are proud to call him our friend. A huge ‘thank you’ to Shrey
Don't miss the conclusion of our two-part interview with Kenneth 'K.P.' Platt. K.P., born and raised in Texas, never graduated high school. He left school permanently in the seventh grade and joined the Army in 1937, two months before his sixteenth birthday. K.P. began his Army career with the 23rd Infantry Division, stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. After three years, he transferred to Hawaii and was eventually assigned to the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks on the north side of Oahu. On December 7, 1941, K.P. awakened to machine gun fire strafing his building and bullets pouring through the window next to his bunk. As the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, they also attacked Wheeler Field, located next to Schofield Barracks, which placed K.P. in the midst of the attack.
Under fire from Japanese planes, K.P. broke into the company arms room to secure machine guns and ammunition, attempting to fire on the Japanese planes. K.P. remembers the horrible damage inflicted on Pearl Harbor, Schofield Barracks, Wheeler Field and other parts of the island. ‘Pearl harbor was tore all to pieces,’ he said. ‘Just horrible.’
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, all military forces in Hawaii mobilized, not knowing whether the Japanese would return. The following year, K.P. deployed to Australia where he served in a variety of roles, including Bomb Disposal School (not one of his favorite assignments). Eventually, K.P. landed in New Guinea, fighting the Japanese throughout the island. K.P. returned to Texas just before the war ended and has been a Texas resident ever since (with the exception of a few military deployments). K.P. married his lovely wife, Lorena, on August 4, 1945, and they have been together ever since, celebrating a momentous 75th anniversary last year.
K.P. is a very dear friend and an amazing man. We are honored to share his story. The just don’t make ‘em like K.P. anymore!
A special ‘thank you’ to Shreyas Ganesh for volunteering your time as sound engineer for this podcast.
We (Walk Among Heroes) are pleased to welcome Kenneth ‘K.P.’ Platt as our guest for Episode 21. K.P., born and raised in Texas, never graduated high school. He left school permanently in the seventh grade and joined the Army in 1937, two months before his sixteenth birthday. K.P. began his Army career with the 23rd Infantry Division, stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. After three years, he transferred to Hawaii and was eventually assigned to the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks on the north side of Oahu. On December 7, 1941, K.P. awakened to machine gun fire strafing his building and bullets pouring through the window next to his bunk. As the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, they also attacked Wheeler Field, located next to Schofield Barracks, which placed K.P. in the midst of the attack.
Under fire from Japanese planes, K.P. broke into the company arms room to secure machine guns and ammunition, attempting to fire on the Japanese planes. K.P. remembers the horrible damage inflicted on Pearl Harbor, Schofield Barracks, Wheeler Field and other parts of the island. ‘Pearl harbor was tore all to pieces,’ he said. ‘Just horrible.’
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, all military forces in Hawaii mobilized, not knowing whether the Japanese would return. The following year, K.P. deployed to Australia where he served in a variety of roles, including Bomb Disposal School (not one of his favorite assignments). Eventually, K.P. landed in New Guinea, fighting the Japanese throughout the island. K.P. returned to Texas just before the war ended and has been a Texas resident ever since (with the exception of a few military deployments). K.P. married his lovely wife, Lorena, on August 4, 1945, and they have been together ever since, celebrating a momentous 75th anniversary last year.
K.P. is a very dear friend and an amazing man. We are honored to share his story. The just don’t make ‘em like K.P. anymore!
A special ‘thank you’ to Shreyas Ganesh for volunteering your time as sound engineer for this podcast.
Don’t miss the conclusion of our three-part series with World War II Medal of Honor recipient Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams. In this episode, we resume our conversation on the eve of the invasion of Iwo Jima. Woody takes us through the invasion, his actions on February 23, 1945, and a few other stories from those incredibly difficult days on Iwo Jima. Woody closes the interview with his advice to our youth today, and also discusses his love for horses. Following our interview with Woody, continue listening as we interview Woody’s grandson and CEO of the Hershel Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation, Chad Graham. Chad tells us about the incredible work they’re doing, as well as few priceless stories about Woody.
A true legend, Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams served in the Marine Corps, 3rd Division, 21st Regiment, in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Mr. Williams is one of only two living recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor (our nation’s highest military award) from World War II (the other is Mr. Charles H. Coolidge – a truly amazing man who was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Europe). Woody earned his Medal of Honor for actions on February 23, 1945, during the invasion of Iwo Jima. In an unbelievable span of several hours, Woody utilized a flame thrower to neutralize a network of concrete-reinforced Japanese pillboxes, under extremely heavy fire, after the majority of his company had been killed or wounded. His actions in the face of ruthless enemy resistance allowed his company to reach its’ objective and ultimately secure one of the airfields on Iwo Jima.
Although Woody’s heroic actions on February 23, 1945, will never be paralleled or forgotten, he has never stopped serving our great nation. Woody grew up on a dairy farm in Quiet Dell, West Virginia. Like many young men growing up during the Great Depression, he lived a very simple life, and didn’t know (or care) much about what was happening in the rest of the world. That is, until December 7, 1941. After the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Woody embarked on a long journey of service that still continues today.
After joining the Marine Corps, and setting sail for the South Pacific, Woody landed in New Caledonia and was assigned to the 3rd Marine Division. He experienced his first combat in Guam, and several months later, boarded a ship to invade Iwo Jima. Following his career in the Marine Corps, Woody served 33 years in the VA, and in 2010 founded the Hershel Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation (http://www.hwwmohf.org/), an organization dedicated to honoring Gold Star Families.
Gold Star families have lost loved ones to military service, and Woody has dedicated his life to honoring them. At age 97, Woody works tirelessly, day-in and day-out, to honor these families through the building of monuments. At the time of this writing, Woody’s foundation has constructed 76 Gold Star Monuments, in all 50 U.S. states, with 74 additional monuments in-progress, and more being added each day. We are currently working on building a monument in downtown San Antonio, Texas, to honor Gold Star families in Central and South Texas. Candy and Ed Martin, parents of 1LT Tom Martin (who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq in October 2007) are working closely with Woody and his foundation to ensure an incredible monument is constructed to honor Tom, and all Gold Star families in South/Central Texas.
Whether you spotted Woody visiting with the President on Air Force One this past September, or saw him on national television tossing the coin for Super Bowel LII, you can be sure of one thing: Woody has more energy at 97 than most people half his age. I am proud to share his story during this three-part interview
We (Walk Among Heroes) would like to welcome an amazing man as our twentieth guest. A true legend, Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams served in the Marine Corps, 3rd Division, 21st Regiment, in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Part two of our three-part interview series discusses Woody's deployment to the South Pacific, assignment to 3rd Marine Division, combat in Guam, and preparation for the invasion of Iwo Jima.
Mr. Williams is one of only two living recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor (our nation’s highest military award) from World War II (the other is Mr. Charles H. Coolidge – a truly amazing man who was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Europe). Woody earned his Medal of Honor for actions on February 23, 1945, during the invasion of Iwo Jima. In an unbelievable span of several hours, Woody utilized a flame thrower to neutralize a network of concrete-reinforced Japanese pillboxes, under extremely heavy fire, after the majority of his company had been killed or wounded. His actions in the face of ruthless enemy resistance allowed his company to reach its’ objective and ultimately secure one of the airfields on Iwo Jima.
Although Woody’s heroic actions on February 23, 1945, will never be paralleled or forgotten, he has never stopped serving our great nation. Woody grew up on a dairy farm in Quiet Dell, West Virginia. Like many young men growing up during the Great Depression, he lived a very simple life, and didn’t know (or care) much about what was happening in the rest of the world. That is, until December 7, 1941. After the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Woody embarked on a long journey of service that still continues today.
After joining the Marine Corps, and setting sail for the South Pacific, Woody landed in New Caledonia and was assigned to the 3rd Marine Division. He experienced his first combat in Guam, and several months later, boarded a ship to invade Iwo Jima. Following his career in the Marine Corps, Woody served 33 years in the VA, and in 2010 founded the Hershel Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation (http://www.hwwmohf.org/), an organization dedicated to honoring Gold Star Families.
Gold Star families have lost loved ones to military service, and Woody has dedicated his life to honoring them. At age 97, Woody works tirelessly, day-in and day-out, to honor these families through the building of monuments. At the time of this writing, Woody’s foundation has constructed 76 Gold Star Monuments, in all 50 U.S. states, with 74 additional monuments in-progress, and more being added each day. We are currently working on building a monument in downtown San Antonio, Texas, to honor Gold Star families in Central and South Texas. Candy and Ed Martin, parents of 1LT Tom Martin (who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq in October 2007) are working closely with Woody and his foundation to ensure an incredible monument is constructed to honor Tom, and all Gold Star families in South/Central Texas.
Whether you spotted Woody visiting with the President on Air Force One this past September, or saw him on national television tossing the coin for Super Bowel LII, you can be sure of one thing: Woody has more energy at 97 than most people half his age. I am proud to share his story during this three-part interview series. Part one will discuss Woody’s upbringing and joining the Marine Corps. Part two will cover his deployment to the South Pacific, combat in Guam, and preparation for Iwo Jima. In part three, we’ll discuss his actions on February 23, 1945, as well as Woody’s love for horses and advice to young men and women just joining the military. By the way, part two includes a fascinating description of the flame thrower and how it operate
We (Walk Among Heroes) would like to welcome a truly amazing man as our twentieth guest. A true legend, Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams served in the Marine Corps, 3rd Division, 21st Regiment, in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Mr. Williams is one of only two living recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor (our nation’s highest military award) from World War II (the other is Mr. Charles H. Coolidge – a truly amazing man who was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Europe). Woody earned his Medal of Honor for actions on February 23, 1945, during the invasion of Iwo Jima. In an unbelievable span of several hours, Woody utilized a flame thrower to neutralize a network of concrete-reinforced Japanese pillboxes, under extremely heavy fire, after the majority of his company had been killed or wounded. His actions in the face of ruthless enemy resistance allowed his company to reach its’ objective and ultimately secure one of the airfields on Iwo Jima.
Although Woody’s heroic actions on February 23, 1945, will never be paralleled or forgotten, he has never stopped serving our great nation. Woody grew up on a dairy farm in Quiet Dell, West Virginia. Like many young men growing up during the Great Depression, he lived a very simple life, and didn’t know (or care) much about what was happening in the rest of the world. That is, until December 7, 1941. After the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Woody embarked on a long journey of service that still continues today.
After joining the Marine Corps, and setting sail for the South Pacific, Woody landed in New Caledonia and was assigned to the 3rd Marine Division. He experienced his first combat in Guam, and several months later, boarded a ship to invade Iwo Jima. Following his career in the Marine Corps, Woody served 33 years in the VA, and in 2010 founded the Hershel Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation (http://www.hwwmohf.org/), an organization dedicated to honoring Gold Star Families.
Gold Star families have lost loved ones to military service, and Woody has dedicated his life to honoring them. At age 97, Woody works tirelessly, day-in and day-out, to honor these families through the building of monuments. At the time of this writing, Woody’s foundation has constructed 76 Gold Star Monuments, in all 50 U.S. states, with 74 additional monuments in-progress, and more being added each day. We are currently working on building a monument in downtown San Antonio, Texas, to honor Gold Star families in Central and South Texas. Candy and Ed Martin, parents of 1LT Tom Martin (who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq in October 2007) are working closely with Woody and his foundation to ensure an incredible monument is constructed to honor Tom, and all Gold Star families in South/Central Texas.
Whether you spotted Woody visiting with the President on Air Force One this past September, or saw him on national television tossing the coin for Super Bowel LII, you can be sure of one thing: Woody has more energy at 97 than most people half his age. I am proud to share his story during this three-part interview series. Part one will discuss Woody’s upbringing and joining the Marine Corps. Part two will cover his deployment to the South Pacific, combat in Guam, and preparation for Iwo Jima. In part three, we’ll discuss his actions on February 23, 1945, as well as Woody’s love for horses and advice to young men and women just joining the military. By the way, part two includes a fascinating description of the flame thrower and how it operates. Amazing!
Woody is an incredible man with an even more incredible story. He is an inspiration to so many, and I’m honored to call him my friend. Thank you for listening and sharing
Don't miss the incredible conclusion to our three-part interview with R.W. Pratt, United States Navy. In this episode, Mr. Pratt takes us on a 'Star Wars'-like journey through the Pacific Theater, jumping from island-to-island, encountering Japanese, local natives, special operations forces, the invasion at Okinawa, and finally viewing the damage at Hiroshima first-hand, just weeks after the bomb was dropped.
Mr. Pratt was born, raised, and still resides in San Antonio, Texas, today. He commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was part of an LST (Landing Ship, Tank) crew in the Pacific Theater. In 1944, Mr. Pratt commissioned LST 781, sailed down the Mississippi River, made a pit stop in New Orleans to arm his ship, then set sail for the Pacific. LST 781 sailed throughout the Pacific, hopping from island-to-island re-supplying the invasion forces. In April 1944, Mr. Pratt and his LST were part of the invasion into Okinawa, narrowly avoiding Japanese ‘one-way bombers,’ which destroyed many ships during that invasion.
After the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and Japan finally surrendered, LST 781 was assigned minesweeping duty near Hiroshima. Mr. Pratt and several of his ship-mates borrowed a Jeep and drove into Hiroshima just weeks after the bomb was dropped, becoming one of the first groups of Americans to witness the damage first-hand, on-the-ground. Mr. Pratt’s description is chilling, and the men that visited Hiroshima with him have all since died from cancer, most likely a bi-product from the radiation they experienced, Mr. Pratt assumes.
This episode will consist of multiple parts. Episode 19A discusses Mr. Pratt’s childhood, education, and joining the U.S. Navy.
Mr. Pratt is an accomplished businessman and has one of the sharpest memories we’ve ever seen! It’s truly an honor to visit with Mr. Pratt, and it’s an honor to share his story with you.
Thank you, Shreyas Ganesh, for donating your time as sound engineer for this podcast.
We (Walk Among Heroes) are pleased to welcome R.W. Pratt as our guest for Episode 19. Mr. Pratt was born, raised, and still resides in San Antonio, Texas, today. He commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was part of an LST (Landing Ship, Tank) crew in the Pacific Theater. In 1944, Mr. Pratt commissioned LST 781, sailed down the Mississippi River, made a pit stop in New Orleans to arm his ship, then set sail for the Pacific. LST 781 sailed throughout the Pacific, hopping from island-to-island re-supplying the invasion forces. In April 1944, Mr. Pratt and his LST were part of the invasion into Okinawa, narrowly avoiding Japanese ‘one-way bombers,’ which destroyed many ships during that invasion.
After the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and Japan finally surrendered, LST 781 was assigned minesweeping duty near Hiroshima. Mr. Pratt and several of his ship-mates borrowed a Jeep and drove into Hiroshima just weeks after the bomb was dropped, becoming one of the first groups of Americans to witness the damage first-hand, on-the-ground. Mr. Pratt’s description is chilling, and the men that visited Hiroshima with him have all since died from cancer, most likely a bi-product from the radiation they experienced, Mr. Pratt assumes.
This episode will consist of multiple parts. Episode 19A discusses Mr. Pratt’s childhood, education, and joining the U.S. Navy.
Mr. Pratt is an accomplished businessman and has one of the sharpest memories we’ve ever seen! It’s truly an honor to visit with Mr. Pratt, and it’s an honor to share his story with you.
Thank you, Shreyas Ganesh, for donating your time as sound engineer for this podcast.
We (Walk Among Heroes) are pleased to welcome R.W. Pratt as our guest for Episode 19. Mr. Pratt was born, raised, and still resides in San Antonio, Texas, today. He commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was part of an LST (Landing Ship, Tank) crew in the Pacific Theater. In 1944, Mr. Pratt commissioned LST 781, sailed down the Mississippi River, made a pit stop in New Orleans to arm his ship, then set sail for the Pacific. LST 781 sailed throughout the Pacific, hopping from island-to-island re-supplying the invasion forces. In April 1944, Mr. Pratt and his LST were part of the invasion into Okinawa, narrowly avoiding Japanese ‘one-way bombers,’ which destroyed many ships during that invasion.
After the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and Japan finally surrendered, LST 781 was assigned minesweeping duty near Hiroshima. Mr. Pratt and several of his ship-mates borrowed a Jeep and drove into Hiroshima just weeks after the bomb was dropped, becoming one of the first groups of Americans to witness the damage first-hand, on-the-ground. Mr. Pratt’s description is chilling, and the men that visited Hiroshima with him have all since died from cancer, most likely a bi-product from the radiation they experienced, Mr. Pratt assumes.
This episode will consist of multiple parts. Episode 19A discusses Mr. Pratt’s childhood, education, and joining the U.S. Navy.
Mr. Pratt is an accomplished businessman and has one of the sharpest memories we’ve ever seen! It’s truly an honor to visit with Mr. Pratt, and it’s an honor to share his story with you.
Thank you, Shreyas Ganesh, for donating your time as sound engineer for this podcast.
Don't miss the incredible conclusion to Walk Among Heroes' two-part interview with Mr. Floyd Blair! Mr. Blair served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a P-47 Thunderbolt fighter pilot in the 404th Fighter Group, a primarily tactical unit consisting of forty-eight, P-47 airplanes. Mr. Blair arrived in Europe in April 1944, flew his first mission on May 1, 1944, and soon thereafter, flew two missions to provide ground support for invasion forces hitting Omaha and Utah Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Following D-Day, Mr. Blair continued to provide ground support for armor and infantry forces as they moved across Europe. Mr. Blair participated in ALL of the major European battles including St. Lo, Falaise Gap, Operation Market Garden, Battle of the Bulge, and Rhine River crossing, to name a few.
Mr. Blair received multiple decorations including the Air Medal with 15 Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross, and a Distinguished Unit Citation for action in Germany in September 1944. Recently, he was awarded the French Legion of Honor, France’s highest military award, for his actions to liberate France in 1944. Overall, Mr. Blair flew 100 combat missions, mostly low-level missions to support ground forces in-battle. Today, Mr. Blair resides in Ocala, Florida,
Episode 18 consists of two parts. The first part (18A) will discuss Mr. Blair’s childhood, joining the military, and combat in Europe (D-Day through the end of the war). The second part (18B) will focus on additional combat stories, as well as other interesting parts of Mr. Blair’s life.
We’ve never met a man who has experienced such vast combat experience. Mr. Blair has an incredible perspective on D-Day and so many other battles from World War II. He recently turned 100, and his mind is sharper than ever. We are honored to tell his story, and we hope you enjoy these words from an amazing man. From an amazing generation, the Greatest Generation!
A special ‘thank you’ to Shreyas Ganesh for donating your time as sound engineer for this podcast.
We (Walk Among Heroes) are pleased to welcome Mr. Floyd Blair as our guest for episode 18. Mr. Blair served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a P-47 Thunderbolt fighter pilot in the 404th Fighter Group, a primarily tactical unit consisting of forty-eight, P-47 airplanes. Mr. Blair arrived in Europe in April 1944, flew his first mission on May 1, 1944, and soon thereafter, flew two missions to provide ground support for invasion forces hitting Omaha and Utah Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Following D-Day, Mr. Blair continued to provide ground support for armor and infantry forces as they moved across Europe. Mr. Blair participated in ALL of the major European battles including St. Lo, Falaise Gap, Operation Market Garden, Battle of the Bulge, and Rhine River crossing, to name a few.
Mr. Blair received multiple decorations including the Air Medal with 15 Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross, and a Distinguished Unit Citation for action in Germany in September 1944. Recently, he was awarded the French Legion of Honor, France’s highest military award, for his actions to liberate France in 1944. Overall, Mr. Blair flew 100 combat missions, mostly low-level missions to support ground forces in-battle. Today, Mr. Blair resides in Ocala, Florida,
Episode 18 consists of two parts. The first part (18A) will discuss Mr. Blair’s childhood, joining the military, and combat in Europe (D-Day through the end of the war). The second part (18B) will focus on additional combat stories, as well as other interesting parts of Mr. Blair’s life.
We’ve never met a man who has experienced such vast combat experience. Mr. Blair has an incredible perspective on D-Day and so many other battles from World War II. He recently turned 100, and his mind is sharper than ever. We are honored to tell his story, and we hope you enjoy these words from an amazing man. From an amazing generation, the Greatest Generation!
A special ‘thank you’ to Shreyas Ganesh for donating your time as sound engineer for this podcast.
Walk Among Heroes is proud to welcome episode 17 guest, Forrest ‘Huff’ Huffstetler. Mr. Huffstetler, a resident of San Diego, CA, is our first guest from the 82nd Airborne Division, one of the U.S. Army’s most decorated combat divisions. During World War II, Mr. Huffstetler joined the 82nd Airborne Division and executed combat jumps into Sicily and Salerno, Italy, before withdrawing to Ireland and England to train for the largest invasion in history, known as Operation Overlord. On June 6, 1944, D-Day, Mr. Huffstetler jumped into Normandy with the 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 82nd Airborne Division, landing in Sainte-Mer-Eglise, the first French town liberated by the Allies. In fact, Mr. Huffstetler served alongside LTC Edward Krause, commander of 3rd Battalion, when Krause declared Sainte-Mer-Eglise ‘liberated’ and hung the American flag in-town (that same flag still remains in Sainte-Mer-Eglise to this day).
Mr. Huffstetler later fought in Operation Market Garden, as well as the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne, before returning home and finally settling in Southern California. In this episode, Mr. Huffstetler takes us through his Army Service, combat jumps, D-Day, Operation Market Garden, Bastogne, and finally his journey home. Simply an incredible man, it is a true honor to share his story.
A special ‘thank you’ to Shreyas Ganesh for donating your time as sound engineer for this podcast.
Walk Among Heroes is honored to welcome episode 16 guest, Crosby ‘Bing’ Powell, of Topeka, Kansas. Mr. Powell was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943. He deployed to North Africa and arrived at the end of the fighting in Tunisia. He was assigned as a replacement in the 168th Regiment, 34th Infantry Division Red Bulls (the same exact regiment and division as Walk Among Heroes’ founder Jeff Wells’ grandfather). Mr. Powell landed in Italy in September 1944 and was part of the brutal Italian campaign. As the 34th Division attacked north, taking mountain-after-mountain from the Germans, the division suffered through brutal combat in one of the coldest winters Italy had ever seen.
After crossing the Volturno River several times, the 34th Division found itself engaged in one of the most difficult and brutal battles in the history of modern warfare, the Battle of Monte Cassino. Lasting more than four months, and consisting of four separate battles, Monte Cassino was the lynchpin of a stout German defensive network known as the Gustav Line. If the Allies broke through the line, they would earn free passage into the Liri Valley and would easily capture Rome. If the Germans continued to hold the Allies at Monte Cassino, they would create valuable time to reinforce their defensive lines in Italy and elsewhere in the world (Atlantic Wall, etc).
Mr. Powell is the only living member of the 34th Division we’ve met who fought in the mountains at Monte Cassino. He participated in five days of attacks on the monastery in brutal conditions (reminiscent of World War I trench warfare), before being wounded by German artillery. He saved another soldier’s life by pulling him out of German fire, before he succumbed to his own injuries and was evacuated on one of the mules used to transport supplies into the mountains (vehicles were unable to traverse the difficult mountainous terrain). Also suffering from severe trench foot, Mr. Powell received treatment in Africa for three months before learning to walk again. After rehabilitating from his injuries, he returned to combat with the 34th Division and continued fighting in Italy until the war ended in 1945.
Walk Among Heroes founder Jeff Wells learned about Mr. Powell from Mikell Burr. Mikell, also a resident of Topeka, found a box of World War II documents and awards in her home that had been nearly buried for many years. She tracked down Mr. Powell and returned the awards and documents. Her grandfather also served in World War II as part of the 34th Division Red Bulls, making the encounter extremely special for her.
This podcast episode was recorded on November 11, 2020 (Veteran’s Day), at Mr. Powell’s retirement home. The episode is a conversation between Jeff Wells, Mikell Burr, and Mr. Powell.
As always, a very special ‘thank you’ to Shreyas Ganesh for donating your time as sound engineer for this podcast.
Walk Among Heroes is proud to welcome our guest for Episode 15, Mr. Jack Gutman. One of the most inspirational Veterans I know, Mr. Gutman has a very unique perspective on World War II. As a Navy Corpsman (similar to an Army Medic), Mr. Gutman invaded Normandy as part of the D-Day invasion alongside Army soldiers. Several months later, he invaded Okinawa with the Marine Corps. Mr. Gutman is the only Veteran I know who took part in both invasions. I met Mr. Gutman in Normandy last year, and since then, we’ve become great friends.
After Mr. Gutman was discharged from the Navy, he battled undiagnosed PTSD for more than 66 years before finally seeking help. In his mid-80’s, Mr. Gutman learned to cope with memories of the traumatic events he experienced during World War II. Although Mr. Gutman will never fully overcome those memories, he made a decision to use his experiences to inspire and assist others. He willingly shares his story, the challenges he experienced, and the path he has taken to overcome those challenges. At age ninety, he decided to publish a book, ‘One Veteran’s Journey to Heal the Wounds of War.’ His book provides an amazing account of Mr. Gutman’s experiences, challenges, and all he has done to overcome those challenges. For those interested, Mr. Gutman’s book can be purchased at:
https://www.amazon.com/One-Veterans-Journey-Heal-Wounds/dp/0692648720
What an incredible honor to hear Mr. Gutman’s story. Thank you, Mr. Gutman, for inspiring all of us.
Thank you as always, Shreyas Ganesh, for donating your time as sound engineer for this podcast.
Don't miss the conclusion of our three-part conversation with our guest for Episode 14, D-Day Veteran Bill Parker. Part of the 116th Regiment, 29th Division, Mr. Parker landed with the first wave on Omaha Beach, D-Day, June 6, 1944. He was possibly the first Allied soldier to set foot on Omaha Beach. Although there is no way to historically verify who took the first step on Omaha Beach, Mr. Parker was definitely among the earliest men to land on that fateful day. Part of a wire-breaching team, he was the first man to step into the water when the ramp dropped on his Higgins boat. When asked why he believes he could be the first man to land on Omaha Beach, he says very candidly, ‘because there were no other people or bodies on the beach in front of us.’
As Mr. Parker and four other men (his wire breaching team) stepped off the Higgins Boat, an artillery round struck the boat, killing the remaining 33 men onboard. Mr. Parker takes us through his harrowing ordeal on Omaha Beach that day, as his team breached wire obstacles using Bangalore torpedoes, then eventually assaulted a pill box along the bluff, expending all of their ammunition as a result. Within a matter of days, Mr. Parker was promoted from private to staff sergeant, due to heavy losses sustained in his company. He led a squad through the hedgerows, conducting attack-after-attack. Following the breakout, Mr. Parker continued fighting throughout Europe, liberating town-after-town, and eventually reaching the Elbe River. He actually crossed the Elbe to retrieve one of his soldiers, and spent some time with the Russians as a result.
Today, Mr. Parker resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he has lived for the majority of his life.
Episode 14 will consist of three parts. 14A focuses on Mr. Parker’s upbringing, Army training, and travel to Europe. 14B focuses on D-Day, Normandy, and his incredible journey through Europe to the Elbe River. 14C concludes Mr. Parkers military service, then discusses his life after the military, as well as several life lessons that he details for all of us.
Thank you, Shreyas Ganesh, for donating your time as sound engineer for this podcast.
Walk Among Heroes is honored to welcome Mr. Bill Parker as our guest for Episode 14. Part of the 116th Regiment, 29th Division, Mr. Parker landed with the first wave on Omaha Beach, D-Day, June 6, 1944. He was possibly the first Allied soldier to set foot on Omaha Beach. Although there is no way to historically verify who took the first step on Omaha Beach, Mr. Parker was definitely among the earliest men to land on that fateful day. Part of a wire-breaching team, he was the first man to step into the water when the ramp dropped on his Higgins boat. When asked why he believes he could be the first man to land on Omaha Beach, he says very candidly, ‘because there were no other people or bodies on the beach in front of us.’
As Mr. Parker and four other men (his wire breaching team) stepped off the Higgins Boat, an artillery round struck the boat, killing the remaining 33 men onboard. Mr. Parker takes us through his harrowing ordeal on Omaha Beach that day, as his team breached wire obstacles using Bangalore torpedoes, then eventually assaulted a pill box along the bluff, expending all of their ammunition as a result. Within a matter of days, Mr. Parker was promoted from private to staff sergeant, due to heavy losses sustained in his company. He led a squad through the hedgerows, conducting attack-after-attack. Following the breakout, Mr. Parker continued fighting throughout Europe, liberating town-after-town, and eventually reaching the Elbe River. He actually crossed the Elbe to retrieve one of his soldiers, and spent some time with the Russians as a result.
Today, Mr. Parker resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he has lived for the majority of his life.
Episode 14 will consist of three parts. 14A focuses on Mr. Parker’s upbringing, Army training, and travel to Europe. 14B focuses on D-Day, Normandy, and his incredible journey through Europe to the Elbe River. 14C concludes Mr. Parkers military service, then discusses his life after the military, as well as several life lessons that he details for all of us.
Thank you, Shreyas Ganesh, for donating your time as sound engineer for this podcast.
Walk Among Heroes is honored to welcome Mr. Bill Parker as our guest for Episode 14. Part of the 116th Regiment, 29th Division, Mr. Parker landed with the first wave on Omaha Beach, D-Day, June 6, 1944. He was possibly the first Allied soldier to set foot on Omaha Beach. Although there is no way to historically verify who took the first step on Omaha Beach, Mr. Parker was definitely among the earliest men to land on that fateful day. Part of a wire-breaching team, he was the first man to step into the water when the ramp dropped on his Higgins boat. When asked why he believes he could be the first man to land on Omaha Beach, he says very candidly, ‘because there were no other people or bodies on the beach in front of us.’
As Mr. Parker and four other men (his wire breaching team) stepped off the Higgins Boat, an artillery round struck the boat, killing the remaining 33 men onboard. Mr. Parker takes us through his harrowing ordeal on Omaha Beach that day, as his team breached wire obstacles using Bangalore torpedoes, then eventually assaulted a pill box along the bluff, expending all of their ammunition as a result. Within a matter of days, Mr. Parker was promoted from private to staff sergeant, due to heavy losses sustained in his company. He led a squad through the hedgerows, conducting attack-after-attack. Following the breakout, Mr. Parker continued fighting throughout Europe, liberating town-after-town, and eventually reaching the Elbe River. He actually crossed the Elbe to retrieve one of his soldiers, and spent some time with the Russians as a result.
Today, Mr. Parker resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he has lived for the majority of his life.
Episode 14 will consist of three parts. 14A focuses on Mr. Parker’s upbringing, Army training and travel to Europe. 14B focuses on D-Day, Normandy, and his incredible journey of fighting through Europe, all the way to the Elbe River. 14C concludes Mr. Parkers military service, then discusses his life after the military, as well as several life lessons that he details for all of us.
Thank you, Shreyas Ganesh, for donating your time as sound engineer for this podcast.
It is an honor to welcome Ms. Celia Sandys as our guest for episode 13. It is impossible to examine World War II (and the 1930’s-1940’s) without understanding the influence of one of the greatest leaders in the history of our world, Sir Winston Churchill. Ms. Sandys is the granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill, and she has dedicated her life to examining his work and continuing his legacy.
The daughter of Sir Winston’s eldest child, Diana, Ms. Sandys is an internationally-acclaimed author, journalist, television presenter, and speaker. She has published five books on various aspects of her grandfather’s life. In this podcast episode, we will discuss several excerpts from Ms. Sandys’ most recent book, We Shall Not Fail: The Inspiring Leadership of Sir Winston Churchill, which describes many of Churchill’s leadership principles, which enabled Churchill to lead Great Britain and the world to the overwhelming defeat of Nazi Germany and the Axis forces in 1945.
Another of Ms. Sandys’ books, Chasing Churchill, is the basis of a documentary which first-aired in the United States and Great Britain on PBS and the Discovery Channel in 2008. Presented and narrated by Ms. Sandys, the program describes her grandfather’s extensive military, political and private travels across the world, including the many journeys on which she accompanied him. It includes fascinating interviews with some of those who met Churchill during the course of these travels or whose parents or grandparents had done so. This riveting portrait of one of the 20th Century’s iconic figures as painted by someone who knew him as “Grandpapa”.
She has written three other books, titled Churchill Wanted Dead or Alive, From Winston with Love and Kisses, the Young Churchill, and Churchill, A Short Biography. All of her books can be found on Amazon.com.
Ms. Sandys is in great demand as a speaker, and her time is extremely valuable. We are very thankful for her willingness to dedicate some time to discuss her grandfather and his legacy. Thank you again, Ms. Sandys.
As always, thank you Shreyas Ganesh for donating your time as sound engineer.
It is a true honor to welcome our guest for episode 12, Ms. Betty Webb. Our mission at Walk Among Heroes, is to provide first-hand accounts from various aspects of the largest (and most important) war in the history of our world. This week, Ms. Webb tells us about one of the most secretive aspects of the war, the Government Code & Cypher School’s codebreaking operation at Bletchley Park.
Located approximately seventy miles outside of London in Milton Keynes, Bletchley Park was a classified, top secret campus that housed the groundbreaking intelligence operation, codenamed ‘Ultra.’ During the peak of World War II, nearly 10,000 personnel worked at Bletchley Park, with approximately three quarters being women. The codebreaking work at Bletchley Park remained classified until the mid-1970’s, and many historians believe that the work accomplished at Bletchley Park shortened the war by 2-4 years. Think about how many lives were saved by their incredible work!
At eighteen, Ms. Webb left college and volunteered for the ATS, Auxiliary Territorial Service, or women’s branch of the British Army. After basic training, she was given a travel warrant with orders to report to Bletchley Station. Between 1941 – 1945, Ms. Webb was stationed at the Government Code & Cypher School’s codebreaking operation at Bletchley Park. She worked initially for Major Ralph Tester in the main mansion before moving to Block F, which focused on paraphrasing deciphered Japanese messages. In 1945, she travelled to the United States to work at the Pentagon to assist in de-coding Japanese intelligence in the Pacific Theater.
Ms. Webb actually decoded/translated messages that first revealed the Nazi atrocities conducted at the concentration camps, before anyone in the world knew about them. Today, at age 97, she is one of the few surviving codebreakers of Bletchley Park, and she continues to tell their incredible story. She was featured this past year in National Geographic, and she has also written a book, ‘Secret Postings: Bletchley Park to the Pentagon,’ by Charlotte Webb, which is available at Amazon.com.
An amazing woman, we are incredibly honored to meet her. Thank you, Ms. Webb, for choosing to share your story with us.
Thank you, Shreyas Ganesh, for volunteering your time as sound engineer.
For more information, visit www.walkamongheroes.org. To send us a message, email walkamongheroes@gmail.com.
We (Walk Among Heroes) are proud to conclude our three-part discussion this week with Mr. Guy Whidden, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 101st Airborne Division. Mr. Whidden jumped into Normandy early on the morning of D-Day, June 6, 1944. His platoon’s objective was to secure one of the exits from Utah Beach, but his plane flew off-course over the English Channel, and Mr. Whidden ended up landing in Sainte-Mere-Eglise, the first town liberated by the Allies in Normandy. Today, the town of Sainte-Mere-Eglise continues to hang a parachute from the church tower in honor of 1LT John Steele, who landed on the tower with his parachute stuck D-Day morning (and subsequently faced a very harrowing set of circumstances). Sainte-Mere-Eglise is also home to the Airborne Museum, an incredible exhibition of military history that paints the picture of what exactly happened in France during the Normandy invasion.
Mr. Whidden and his men fought through the hedgerows in Normandy before finally withdrawing a month later back to England from Cherbourg. In England, the paratroopers continued training, and eventually jumped into Holland in September 1944, as part of Operation Market Garden, a massive Airborne operation aimed at creating a northern entrance into Germany in an attempt to bypass stout German defenses along the West Wall, or Siegfried Line. A very difficult mission, the paratroopers were left on their own, as ground forces were late in arriving. Mr. Whidden was seriously wounded during the operation, which ultimately ended the war for him.
Mr. Whidden’s military stories are amazing, but equally entertaining are his many stories from childhood, teenage years, and life after the military. Mr. Whidden is one of very few living paratroopers who jumped into Normandy with the 82nd and/or 101st Airborne Divisions. He has written a book, ‘Between the Lines and Beyond: Letters of a 101st Airborne Paratrooper.’ There is even a commemorative action figure available in his likeness to honor the heroes of D-Day.
There are three parts to this episode: Episode 11A covers Mr. Whidden’s childhood, Army training, and several combat stories. Episode 11B covers his deployment to England and stories overseas. Episode 11C (this episode) covers the majority of his combat in Normandy, Operation Market Garden, his injury, and finally his journey home.
We have truly enjoyed getting to know Mr. Whidden over these past several years, and we hope you enjoy his stories as much as we did.
You can find all podcast episodes at: www.walkamongheroes.org/podcast.
If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to send us an email at walkamongheroes@gmail.com.
A special 'thank you' to Shreyas Ganesh for donating his time as sound engineer.
We (Walk Among Heroes) are proud to continue our discussion this week with Mr. Guy Whidden, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 101st Airborne Division. Mr. Whidden jumped into Normandy early on the morning of D-Day, June 6, 1944. His platoon’s objective was to secure one of the exits from Utah Beach, but his plane flew off-course over the English Channel, and Mr. Whidden ended up landing in Sainte-Mere-Eglise, the first town liberated by the Allies in Normandy. Today, the town of Sainte-Mere-Eglise continues to hang a parachute from the church tower in honor of 1LT John Steele, who landed on the tower with his parachute stuck D-Day morning (and subsequently faced a very harrowing set of circumstances). Sainte-Mere-Eglise is also home to the Airborne Museum, an incredible exhibition of military history that paints the picture of what exactly happened in France during the Normandy invasion.
Mr. Whidden and his men fought through the hedgerows in Normandy before finally withdrawing a month later back to England from Cherbourg. In England, the paratroopers continued training, and eventually jumped into Holland in September 1944, as part of Operation Market Garden, a massive Airborne operation aimed at creating a northern entrance into Germany in an attempt to bypass stout German defenses along the West Wall, or Siegfried Line. A very difficult mission, the paratroopers were left on their own, as ground forces were late in arriving. Mr. Whidden was seriously wounded during the operation, which ultimately ended the war for him.
Mr. Whidden’s military stories are amazing, but equally entertaining are his many stories from childhood, teenage years, and life after the military. Mr. Whidden is one of very few living paratroopers who jumped into Normandy with the 82nd and/or 101st Airborne Divisions. He has written a book, ‘Between the Lines and Beyond: Letters of a 101st Airborne Paratrooper.’ There is even a commemorative action figure available in his likeness to honor the heroes of D-Day.
There are three parts to this episode: Episode 11A covers Mr. Whidden’s childhood, Army training, and several combat stories. Episode 11B covers his deployment to England and stories overseas. Episode 11C covers the majority of his combat in Normandy, Operation Market, his injury, and journey home.
We have truly enjoyed getting to know Mr. Whidden over these past several years, and we hope you enjoy his stories as much as we did.
You can find all podcast episodes at: www.walkamongheroes.org/podcast.
If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to send us an email at walkamongheroes@gmail.com.
A special 'thank you' to Shreyas Ganesh for donating his time as sound engineer.
We (Walk Among Heroes) are proud to continue our D-Day discussion this week by welcoming Mr. Guy Whidden, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 101st Airborne Division. Mr. Whidden jumped into Normandy early on the morning of D-Day, June 6, 1944. His platoon’s objective was to secure one of the exits from Utah Beach, but his plane flew off-course over the English Channel, and Mr. Whidden ended up landing in Sainte-Mere-Eglise, the first town liberated by the Allies in Normandy. Today, the town of Sainte-Mere-Eglise continues to hang a parachute from the church tower in honor of 1LT John Steele, who landed on the tower with his parachute stuck D-Day morning (and subsequently faced a very harrowing set of circumstances). Sainte-Mere-Eglise is also home to the Airborne Museum, an incredible exhibition of military history that paints the picture of what exactly happened in France during the Normandy invasion.
Mr. Whidden and his men fought through the hedgerows in Normandy before finally withdrawing a month later back to England from Cherbourg. In England, the paratroopers continued training, and eventually jumped into Holland in September 1944, as part of Operation Market Garden, a massive Airborne operation aimed at creating a northern entrance into Germany in an attempt to bypass stout German defenses along the West Wall, or Siegfried Line. A very difficult mission, the paratroopers were left on their own, as ground forces were late in arriving. Mr. Whidden was seriously wounded during the operation, which ultimately ended the war for him.
Mr. Whidden’s military stories are amazing, but equally entertaining are his many stories from childhood, teenage years, and life after the military. Mr. Whidden is one of very few living paratroopers who jumped into Normandy with the 82nd and/or 101st Airborne Divisions. He has written a book, ‘Between the Lines and Beyond: Letters of a 101st Airborne Paratrooper.’ There is even a commemorative action figure available in his likeness to honor the heroes of D-Day.
There are three parts to this episode: Episode 11A covers Mr. Whidden’s childhood, Army training, and several combat stories. Episode 11B covers his deployment to England and stories overseas. Episode 11C covers the majority of his combat in Normandy, Operation Market, his injury, and journey home.
We have truly enjoyed getting to know Mr. Whidden over these past several years, and we hope you enjoy his stories as much as we did.
You can find all podcast episodes at: www.walkamongheroes.org/podcast.
If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to send us an email at walkamongheroes@gmail.com.
A special 'thank you' to Shreyas Ganesh for donating his time as sound engineer.
We (Walk Among Heroes) are honored and excited to introduce our guest for episode 10, Mr. Ray Lambert. Ray Lambert, one of the most well-known World War II Veterans alive today, is the only living member of the First Division (U.S. Army) who participated in all three First Division amphibious invasions: North Africa, Sicily, and Normandy (D-Day, June 6, 1944). During his D-Day 75th Anniversary speech last year in Normandy, France, President Trump talked extensively about the heroics of Mr. Lambert.
Mr. Lambert led a team of medics through the most intense combat imaginable. In North Africa, Mr. Lambert was wounded for the first time, as he was stabbed multiple times by a German who charged him with a bayonet (he eventually killed the German, despite being stabbed in his arms). He was wounded for the last time on Omaha Beach, as he saved dozens of lives before finally succumbing to his own injuries and losing consciousness. Mr. Lambert earned two Silver Stars, three Purple Hearts, and two Bronze Stars, among many other awards and accolades throughout his time in combat.
In the podcast intro, Sam Elliott provides a first-hand account of Mr. Lambert’s heroics on D-Day. While many pages could be written about Mr. Lambert’s heroics, we highly recommend listening to Sam Elliott’s introduction – his words are very powerful.
This interview consists of two parts. Episode 10A details Mr. Lamberts upbringing, joining the military, military training, and combat in North Africa. It concludes following his first injury (the German bayonet injury). Episode 10B details his invasion into Sicily, Normandy, his second and third injuries, as well as his recovery and return to the United States.
There is no greater hero in existence today. Mr. Lambert saved dozens of lives as a medic in North Africa, Sicily, and Normandy, while also being injured three times. He was also forced to fight as an Infantryman at times, something most medics are never asked to do. It is a TREMENDOUS honor for us to hear Mr. Lambert’s story. We hope you enjoy it.
www.walkamongheroes.org/podcast
If you have any feedback or questions, do not hesitate to contact us at walkamongheroes@gmail.com
A special ‘thank you’ to sound engineer Shreyas Ganesh for volunteering his time to help share these incredible stories.
We (Walk Among Heroes) are honored and excited to introduce our guest for episode 10, Mr. Ray Lambert. Ray Lambert, one of the most well-known World War II Veterans alive today, is the only living member of the First Division (U.S. Army) who participated in all three First Division amphibious invasions: North Africa, Sicily, and Normandy (D-Day, June 6, 1944). During his D-Day 75th Anniversary speech last year in Normandy, France, President Trump talked extensively about the heroics of Mr. Lambert.
Mr. Lambert led a team of medics through the most intense combat imaginable. In North Africa, Mr. Lambert was wounded for the first time, as he was stabbed multiple times by a German who charged him with a bayonet (he eventually killed the German, despite being stabbed in his arms). He was wounded for the last time on Omaha Beach, as he saved dozens of lives before finally succumbing to his own injuries and losing consciousness. Mr. Lambert earned two Silver Stars, three Purple Hearts, and two Bronze Stars, among many other awards and accolades throughout his time in combat.
In the podcast intro, Sam Elliott provides a first-hand account of Mr. Lambert’s heroics on D-Day. While many pages could be written about Mr. Lambert’s heroics, we highly recommend listening to Sam Elliott’s introduction – his words are very powerful.
This interview consists of two parts. Episode 10A details Mr. Lamberts upbringing, joining the military, military training, and combat in North Africa. It concludes following his first injury (the German bayonet injury). Episode 10B details his invasion into Sicily, Normandy, his second and third injuries, as well as his recovery and return to the United States.
There is no greater hero in existence today. Mr. Lambert saved dozens of lives as a medic in North Africa, Sicily, and Normandy, while also being injured three times. He was also forced to fight as an Infantryman at times, something most medics are never asked to do. It is a TREMENDOUS honor for us to hear Mr. Lambert’s story. We hope you enjoy it.
www.walkamongheroes.org
If you have any feedback or questions, do not hesitate to contact us at walkamongheroes@gmail.com
A special ‘thank you’ to sound engineer Shreyas Ganesh for volunteering his time to help share these incredible stories.
We (Walk Among Heroes) are proud to welcome Dale Nelsen as our guest for episode 9. Mr. Nelsen served with the United States Navy during World War II, as part of LST (Landing Ship Tank) 72 and 347. Mr. Nelsen and his crew traveled over the world, often sailing between European and Pacific theaters, as needed for various operations. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, Mr. Nelsen and his LST were part of the first wave into Omaha Beach. After the initial drop, they conducted more than twenty landings over the next several days to continue the flow of troops, weapons, and equipment into the beachhead. As part of the invasion, Mr. Nelsen saw first-hand the Rangers scaling the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc. Mr. Nelsen looked into the soldiers’ eyes as they prepared to land on the beach, a very unique perspective on the D-Day invasion.
Mr. Nelsen continued to serve a long career in the Navy. He experienced combat for the first time in North Africa, followed by a brutal landing in Sicily, as his LST landed with the first wave into the teeth of German fire. He participated in many different operations during World War II, including all of the major amphibious landings in Europe. The LST, an incredibly unique vessel, is no longer in use today, but it was one of the keys to our success during World War II as the Allies conducted amphibious landings in both theaters.
In recent years, Mr. Nelsen has continued to organize reunions for his fellow World War II Veterans, going above and beyond to stay in touch with his men. A truly magnificent man, we are honored to hear his story, and we’re honored to share it with you.
www.walkamongheroes.org
If you have any feedback or questions, do not hesitate to contact us at walkamongheroes@gmail.com
A special ‘thank you’ to sound engineer Shreyas Ganesh for volunteering his time to help share these incredible stories.
We are honored to welcome Mr. Charles Shay, D-Day hero, as our guest for Episode 8.
Mr. Shay, born in 1924 as a member of the Penobscot Indian Tribe, grew up on the Penobscot Reservation in Maine. As a teenager, Mr. Shay was required to register for the draft, but at the time, his tribe had no voting rights in the United States (they could fight for our country, but weren’t allowed to vote and weren’t considered citizens of the U.S.). He was the second-youngest of four boys. All four Shay boys served in the U.S. military during World War II. Two of his brothers served in the U.S. Navy, one in the U.S. Army Air Corps (now the Air Force), and Charles was drafted into the U.S. Army. He entered military service in Fort Devens, Massachusetts, completed Basic Training at Camp Pickett, Virginia, and following Basic Training, he was selected to become a medic. With no previous medical experience, he was sent to Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana for his medical training, where he was assigned as a surgical technician. After medical training, he was given a few days leave, then he reported to New York, where he boarded the Queen Elizabeth and sailed to England.
Charles was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division (Big Red One), 16th Regiment, where he landed on Omaha Beach, D-Day, June 6, 1944, in Easy Red Sector, near the German fighting position known as WN 62, the heaviest fortified position along Omaha Beach. Facing relentless fire, Charles witnessed the death of hundreds of his brothers that day. He utilized the German obstacles to avoid German fire and eventually made it to the shingle/sea wall, a natural sand embankment, which Charles used as a barrier to treat wounded soldiers. As he was treating wounded soldiers, Charles looked toward the sea and saw many wounded men laying on the beach, unable to move. As the tide rose, they were being washed out to sea and were drowning. Charles immediately ran back into the water and began dragging the wounded men to safety, one at a time. He worked himself into a state of exhaustion, but continued to save as many men as possible, pulling them up to the high-water mark.
Our interview details Charles’ actions on D-Day, as well as his childhood, life, military service, and career after the military. He also discusses his incredible legacy as member of the Penobscot tribe. This interview is very powerful on many levels.
We are proud as to welcome Vern Ollar as our guest for Episode 7. Mr. Ollar grew up in the Quad Cities (Iowa and Illinois) and celebrated his 99th birthday this past weekend. Like several of our guests, Mr. Ollar landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Unlike any of our other guests, Mr. Ollar was a member of B Company, 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion, a 4.2-inch mortar unit. 4.2-inch mortar units were highly-specialized, possessing a very unique weapon, rarely discussed in the annals of history.
After World War I, the Army developed the 4.2-inch mortar as a means of deploying mustard gas, and other chemical weapons. The 4.2-inch mortar required an entire team to fire, but its’ range and accuracy were unlike any other type of weapon, possessing firepower similar to a howitzer, but with the mobility of a mortar. The decision was made not to use chemical weapons in World War II (although we were ready to deploy them if used against us), so the 4.2-inch mortars were adapted to fire H.E. (high explosive) rounds, which produced quite a surprise for the Germans due to their silent trajectories. Because these mortars were so deadly and maneuverable, EVERYONE wanted them. With very few 4-2-inch mortar companies, they were always attached to the highest-priority units and battles, often jumping to different units on the same day.
As a result, Mr. Ollar was involved in many of the highest-profile battles across Europe, beginning with D-Day, as he entered combat for the first time by landing with the 116th Regiment, 29th Infantry Division on the right flank of Omaha Beach. From there, he was involved in many of the famous hedgerow battles, before crossing France, Belgium, and finally Germany. Toward the end of the war, he was also involved in the development of radar technology still used today to detect the origin of incoming artillery rounds. A soft-spoken and kind man, his memory is razor-sharp, as he provides an incredibly detailed account of his actions on D-Day and subsequent battles.
This episode will consist of multiple parts. Episode 7C will feature the conclusion of World War II, Mr. Ollar's role in the development of radar, travel home, several post-WW2 stories about his battle buddies, and his views on recent events.
We are proud as to welcome Vern Ollar as our guest for Episode 7. Mr. Ollar grew up in the Quad Cities (Iowa and Illinois) and recently celebrated his 99th birthday. Like several of our guests, Mr. Ollar landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Unlike any of our other guests, Mr. Ollar was a member of B Company, 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion, a 4.2-inch mortar unit. 4.2-inch mortar units were highly-specialized, possessing a very unique weapon, rarely mentioned in the annals of history.
After World War I, the Army developed the 4.2-inch mortar as a means of deploying mustard gas, and other chemical weapons. The 4.2-inch mortar required an entire team to fire, but its’ range and accuracy were unlike any other type of weapon, possessing firepower similar to a howitzer, but with the mobility of a mortar. The decision was made not to use chemical weapons in World War II (although we were ready to deploy them if needed), so the 4.2-inch mortars were adapted to fire H.E. (high explosive) rounds, which produced quite a surprise for the Germans due to their silent trajectories. Because these mortars were so deadly and maneuverable, EVERYONE wanted them. With very few 4-2-inch mortar battalions in the Army, they were always attached to the highest-priority units and battles, often jumping to several different units on the same day.
As a result, Mr. Ollar was involved in many of the highest-profile battles in Europe, beginning with D-Day, as he entered combat for the first time by landing with the 116th Regiment, 29th Infantry Division on the right flank of Omaha Beach. From there, he was involved in many of the famous hedgerow battles, before crossing France, Belgium, and finally Germany. Toward the end of the war, he was also involved in the development of radar technology still used today to detect the origin of incoming artillery rounds. A soft-spoken and kind man, his memory is razor-sharp, as he provides an incredibly detailed account of his actions on D-Day and subsequent battles.
This episode will consist of multiple parts. Episode 7B will focus on D-Day (first 30 minutes of episode), as well as Mr. Ollar’s combat spanning from France to Germany in 1944-45.
A special 'thank you' to Shreyas Ganesh for donating your time as sound engineer for this show.
We are proud as to welcome Vern Ollar as our guest for Episode 7. Mr. Ollar grew up in the Quad Cities (Iowa and Illinois) and celebrated his 99th birthday this past weekend. Like several of our guests, Mr. Ollar landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Unlike any of our other guests, Mr. Ollar was a member of B Company, 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion, a 4.2-inch mortar unit. 4.2-inch mortar units were highly-specialized, possessing a very unique weapon, rarely discussed in the annals of history.
After World War I, the Army developed the 4.2-inch mortar as a means of deploying mustard gas, and other chemical weapons. The 4.2-inch mortar required an entire team to fire, but its’ range and accuracy were unlike any other type of weapon, possessing firepower similar to a howitzer, but with the mobility of a mortar. The decision was made not to use chemical weapons in World War II (although we were ready to deploy them if used against us), so the 4.2-inch mortars were adapted to fire H.E. (high explosive) rounds, which produced quite a surprise for the Germans due to their silent trajectories. Because these mortars were so deadly and maneuverable, EVERYONE wanted them. With very few 4-2-inch mortar companies, they were always attached to the highest-priority units and battles, often jumping to different units on the same day.
As a result, Mr. Ollar was involved in many of the highest-profile battles across Europe, beginning with D-Day, as he entered combat for the first time by landing with the 116th Regiment, 29th Infantry Division on the right flank of Omaha Beach. From there, he was involved in many of the famous hedgerow battles, before crossing France, Belgium, and finally Germany. Toward the end of the war, he was also involved in the development of radar technology still used today to detect the origin of incoming artillery rounds. A soft-spoken and kind man, his memory is razor-sharp, as he provides an incredibly detailed account of his actions on D-Day and subsequent battles.
This episode will consist of multiple parts. Episode 7A will feature Mr. Ollar’s childhood, upbringing, military training, deployment to Europe, and preparation for D-Day.
Thank you, Shreyas Ganesh, for volunteering your time as sound engineer to make this podcast happen.
It is an absolute honor to welcome Brigadier General Charles McGee as our guest for Episode Six. General McGee is perhaps the most highly decorated Air Force officer and fighter pilot in U.S. Air Force history. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on October 26, 1942, graduated from Flight School (class 43-F) on June 30, 1943, and was assigned to the 302nd Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group, known today as the Tuskegee Airmen. The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American aviators in the history of the United States Armed Forces. Following World War I, Congress conducted a study that concluded African Americans were not smart enough to fly planes. As World War II hit full stride, there was a need for additional pilots, so after much lobbying, Congress finally agreed to authorize an experimental African American pilot unit. These pilots conducted their training at Tuskegee University and Tuskegee Airfield in Alabama, thus their nickname, ‘Tuskegee Airmen.’
General McGee first deployed into combat with the Tuskegee Airmen in Italy, 1943. He first flew into combat as pilot of the legendary P-51 Mustang, escorting bomber missions across Italy, Germany, and other parts of Europe. The Tuskegee Airmen had a legendary record, as General McGee’s group never lost a bomber. After World War II, General McGee remained in the military for thirty years and flew combat missions in three separate wars (WWII, Korea, & Vietnam). He flew a total of 409 combat missions, the highest recorded total for any pilot in U.S. Air Force history. He logged a total of 6,308 flight hours in his career, and he forged a path for African Americans in the military, as he became one of the first African American squadron commanders in Air Force history.
Throughout his career, General McGee earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bronze Star Medal, among many other awards and decorations. In 2011, he was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame, and in February 2020, President Trump promoted him from Colonel to Brigadier General during his 2020 State of the Union address.
Throughout General McGee’s highly decorated career in the U.S. Air Force, he faced incredible racial discrimination. General McGee joined the military during a time when African American service members were not allowed to serve in combat alongside white troops. Even after returning from World War II with an incredible service record, General McGee was often refused living quarters on bases and surrounding areas. He had to remain separated from his family, as he couldn’t find anyone willing to rent a home large enough for his family to join him. He was denied entrance to the Officer’s Club on-base, and he was forbidden to eat dinner at the same restaurants as white pilots. While traveling across country with his family, the McGee’s were refused service at hotels and stores, all things we take for granted today. The Air Force was the first military branch to begin the de-segregation process in 1947, then in 1948, President Truman signed Executive Order 9981, calling for equal treatment in the U.S. Armed Forces, regardless of race, color, religion, or national origin. Even after the executive order, our military continued to struggle with racial division for many years.
Given the challenges that our nation still faces today, it’s powerful to hear General McGee’s story. Despite the discrimination he faced, he harbors no anger or ill-will. He explains these challenges as an evolution that our nation faced, during a very difficult time. I believe we can all learn from General McGee’s story, and most importantly his positive attitude, as we continue to work through many of these same issues today.
As always, a special thank you to sound engineer Shreyas Ganesh. Shreyas, thank you for volunteering yo
We are proud to welcome Reid Clanton as our guest for episode five. Currently a resident of San Antonio, Texas, Mr. Clanton was raised in West Texas, where he grew up on a farm in a very poor household, common during the Great Depression. Mr. Clanton was asked to leave home at age eleven, as his parents could no longer afford to take care of him. With only a fourth grade education under his belt, he was hired by a local farmer and was eventually drafted into the U.S. Army. Mr. Clanton was assigned to the 84th Infantry Division (Railsplitters) and soon deployed to Europe.
Mr. Clanton landed on Omaha Beach, France and fought through Belgium and Germany, before eventually reaching the Elbe River, where General Eisenhower halted the Allied advance to allow the Russians to enter Berlin. Mr. Clanton fought along the Siegfried Line, where his division punched through the stout defensive line. When Germany attacked during the Battle of the Bulge, Mr. Clanton’s division was forced to travel overnight to Marche, and after brutal fighting, stopped the advancing German forces and kept the Allied lines from totally collapsing. Following victory in Marche, the 84th Division resumed its’ advance crossing the Roer and Rhine rivers, eventually reaching the Elbe.
Episode five will consist of two parts. Part two will focus on Mr. Clanton’s journey across Europe, fighting from Omaha Beach to the Elbe River in Germany.
Thank you, Shreyas Ganesh, for volunteering your time as sound engineer to make this podcast happen!
We are proud to welcome Reid Clanton as our guest for episode five. Currently a resident of San Antonio, Texas, Mr. Clanton was raised in West Texas, where he grew up on a farm in a very poor household, common during the Great Depression. Mr. Clanton was asked to leave home at age eleven, as his parents could no longer afford to take care of him. With only a fourth grade education under his belt, he was hired by a local farmer and was eventually drafted into the U.S. Army. Mr. Clanton was assigned to the 84th Infantry Division (Railsplitters) and soon deployed to Europe.
Mr. Clanton landed on Omaha Beach, France and fought through Belgium and Germany, before eventually reaching the Elbe River, where General Eisenhower halted the Allied advance to allow the Russians to enter Berlin. Mr. Clanton fought along the Siegfried Line, where his division punched through the stout defensive line. When Germany attacked during the Battle of the Bulge, Mr. Clanton’s division was forced to travel overnight to Marche, and after brutal fighting, stopped the advancing German forces and kept the Allied lines from totally collapsing. Following victory in Marche, the 84th Division resumed its’ advance crossing the Roer and Rhine rivers, eventually reaching the Elbe.
Episode five will consist of two parts. Part one will include Mr. Clanton’s childhood, growing up during the Great Depression, leaving home at age eleven, joining the Army, training, and several combat stories. Part two will focus on Mr. Clanton’s journey across Europe, fighting from Omaha Beach to the Elbe River in Germany.
Thank you, Shreyas Ganesh, for volunteering your time as sound engineer to make this podcast happen!
Walk Among Heroes is proud to welcome Bert Chandler as our guest for episode four. Mr. Chandler was part of the first wave into Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, a day that is known as one of the greatest military operations in the history of our world, D-Day. We met Mr. Chandler in Normandy last year for the 75th Anniversary, of D-day then visited him at his home in Idaho (July 2019), where this interview was recorded. Unfortunately, our world lost a great man on November 4, 2019, as Mr. Chandler was finally reunited with his wife, Esther.
Mr. Chandler led his squad into Omaha Beach as part of the first wave on D-Day, June 6, 1944. A member of the 16th Regiment, 1st Division, Mr. Chandler fought from the beaches of Normandy, through France, until he was wounded just before the Battle of the Bulge. In this interview Mr. Chandler discusses his childhood, military service, D-Day, and his journey through Europe. Very few soldiers from the first wave survived that day, and of those who survived, only a handful of these brave men have been willing to discuss what happened. It took many years for Mr. Chandler to open up about that day, and we are honored that he trusted us to tell his story. Simply an incredible man.
Thank you, Shreyas Ganesh, for working your magic on the audio for this interview.
We (Walk Among Heroes) are pleased to welcome Warren Milner as our guest for episode three. Warren, a resident of Comfort, Texas, was a member of the U.S. Army, 34th Infantry Division, nicknamed the ‘Red Bulls.’ The 34th Division is not as well-known as many famous divisions like the 82nd, 101st, and 1st (Big Red One), but the division’s combat record speaks for itself. The division’s motto was ‘Attack, Attack, Attack,’ and for good reason. The division’s record included 517 days of front-line combat in five major campaigns, more than any other American division in World War II (some elements of the division experienced more than 600 days in combat). The 34th Division experienced 21,362 casualties throughout World War II, from an initial division strength of approximately 15,000 men. In addition, the division was awarded 11 Medals of Honor, 98 Distinguished Service Crosses, and 1,072 Silver Stars.
The 34th Division first landed in North Africa, and was the first American division to fight in direct combat against the Germans. Warren joined the division later in Italy (south of Florence) as a replacement after Monte Cassino and participated in the remainder of the Italian campaign, until the end of the war. My grandpa also fought in the 34th Division, and as it turns out, Warren and my Grandpa fought side-by-side throughout much of Italy, which is another reason Warren is so special to me.
We hope you will find this episode interesting, as Warren takes us through his World War II combat experience in the Italian Campaign. Although the Italian Campaign isn’t as well-known as other campaigns, several of World War II’s most brutal battles were fought in Italy.
As always, a HUGE 'thank you' to sound engineer Shreyas Ganesh, as he donates his time to help make this Podcast possible.
Walk Among Heroes is honored to welcome Mac McWilliams, Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, as our guest for episode two. Mac grew up in West Texas and joined the Marine Corps at age seventeen. Following Marine Corps training, he was assigned to the First Marine Division, joining them in the Pacific after the Guadalcanal Campaign. Mac saw his first combat in New Gloucester as part of ‘Operation Cartwheel,’ codename for the campaigns in Eastern New Guinea and New Britain. Next, Mac fought and was wounded in the Battle of Peleliu, which was the most intense combat he experienced. Finally, Mac and his fellow Marines fought in the Battle of Okinawa (another brutal campaign), before the Japanese eventually surrendered.
Years later, Mac wrote a book, ‘Never Too Old to Cry,’ by D.G. McWilliams. The book follows 6 Marines, as they grow up together and fight through the war.
Episode 2B focuses on Mac's combat in Peleliu and Okinawa, Mac's injury, losing one of his best friends, the end of the war, and finally his return home.
During his World War II service, Mac was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart, and numerous other awards. It is a true honor to welcome Mac as our guest for Walk Among Heroes, episode 2.
A special ‘thank you’ to sound engineer Shreyas Ganesh.
Walk Among Heroes is honored to welcome Mac McWilliams, Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, as our guest for episode two. Mac grew up in West Texas and joined the Marine Corps at age seventeen. Following Marine Corps training, he was assigned to the First Marine Division, joining them in the Pacific following the Guadalcanal Campaign. Mac saw his first combat in New Gloucester and Talasea, as part of ‘Operation Cartwheel,’ codename for the campaigns in Eastern New Guinea and New Britain. Next, Mac fought and was wounded in the Battle of Peleliu, which was the most intense combat he experienced. Finally, Mac and his fellow Marines, participated in the Battle of Okinawa, before the Japanese eventually surrendered.
Years later, Mac wrote a book, ‘Never Too Old to Cry,’ by D.G. McWilliams. The book follows 6 Marines, as they grow up together and fight through the war.
Episode 2A focuses on Mac’s childhood and upbringing during the Great Depression, joining the Marine Corps, deploying, and his first combat campaign in New Britain.
During his World War II service, Mac was awarded the Silver Star, a Purple Heart, and numerous other awards. It is a true honor to welcome Mac as our guest for Walk Among Heroes, episode 2.
A special ‘thank you’ to sound engineer Shreyas Ganesh.
Walk Among Heroes is honored to welcome Fred Harvey, Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, as our guest for episode one. Growing up in West Texas, Mr. Harvey volunteered to join the Marine Corps at age seventeen. Following Basic Training, Mr. Harvey attended Paratrooper school and was assigned to the First ‘Paramarine’ Battalion, a special Marine paratrooper outfit. Mr. Harvey soon deployed to the Pacific where he experienced combat during the Marine’s island-hopping campaign. Eventually, he returned to the United States for a short time, as the Marine Corps de-commissioned the ‘Paramarines’ and re-assigned Mr. Harvey to the 5th Marine Division, preparing for the invasion of Iwo Jima. Mr. Harvey participated in the invasion, eventually suffering serious injuries to his entire lower-body on day nine. Mr. Harvey’s injuries resulted in a discharge from the Marine Corps, but as Mr. Harvey says, ‘One a Marine, always a Marine.’ Mr. Harvey was awarded the Silver Star for his heroic actions on Iwo Jima.
Episode 1B focuses on the invasion of Iwo Jima, Mr. Harvey's injuries, Cobber's injuries, recovery, and life after the Marine Corps. The episode concludes with Mr. Harvey's life lessons-learned.
03:30 - Invasion of Iwo Jima
17:00 - Actions Resulting in Silver Star
32:00 - Mr. Harvey Wounded In-Action
41:00 - Evacuation and Treatment of Wounds
52:30 - Cobber Wounded
01:00:00 - Recovery & Finally Going Home
01:15:00 - Lessons-learned
If you're interested in purchasing a copy of Mr. Harvey's book, email walkamongheroes@gmail.com, and we will provide instructions.
To follow Walk Among Heroes:
www.walkamongheroes.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/walkamongheroes
Instagram: @walkamongheroes
Youtube: Walk Among Heroes
Wish for Our Heroes: www.wishforourheroes.org
A special 'thank you' to sound engineer Shreyas Ganesh. Thank you for all of your help, Shreyas!
Walk Among Heroes is honored to welcome Fred Harvey, Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, as our guest for episode 1. Growing up in West Texas, Mr. Harvey volunteered to join the Marine Corps at age seventeen. Following Basic Training, Mr. Harvey attended Paratrooper school and was assigned to the First ‘Paramarine’ Battalion, a special Marine paratrooper outfit. Mr. Harvey soon deployed to the Pacific where he experienced combat during the Marine’s island-hopping campaign. Eventually, he returned to the United States for a short time, as the Marine Corps de-commissioned the ‘Paramarines’ and re-assigned Mr. Harvey to the 5th Marine Division, preparing for the invasion of Iwo Jima. Mr. Harvey participated in the invasion, eventually suffering serious injuries to his entire lower-body on Day nine. Mr. Harvey’s injuries resulted in a discharge from the Marine Corps, but as Mr. Harvey says, ‘One a Marine, always a Marine.’ Mr. Harvey was awarded the Silver Star for his heroic actions on Iwo Jima.
Episode 1A focuses on Mr. Harvey’s childhood, growing up during the Great Depression, joining the Marine Corps, and initial deployment to the Pacific.
09:00 - Childhood/Growing-up During the Great Depression
32:00 - Joining the Marine Corps
43:00 - Marine Corps
50:00 - Deploying for First Time
1:10:00 - Returning to the U.S., Assignment to 5th Marine Division
If you're interested in purchasing a copy of Mr. Harvey's book, email us at walkamongheroes@gmail.com.
To follow Walk Among Heroes:
www.walkamongheroes.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/walkamongheroes
Instagram: @walkamongheroes
Youtube: Walk Among Heroes
Wish for Our Heroes: www.wishforourheroes.org
A special 'thank you' to sound engineer Shreyas Ganesh. Thank you for all of your help, Shreyas!
What is 'Walk Among Heroes' and why is it important?
‘Walk Among Heroes’ is a podcast that presents real stories from the bravest men and women in the world, real military heroes. Jeff Wells, Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, hosts a military hero on Tuesday of each week, as these incredible heroes tell their stories, un-edited and in their own words. From the sights, sounds, and smells of combat, to their secrets for a long and successful life, these Veterans tell all. This podcast is perfect for anyone who wants to learn about our nation’s history, and most importantly, has a desire to understand the intimate details of those who fought to provide us with the greatest privilege in the world, freedom.
This trailer describes Wells' service background and reasons for launching this podcast. For more incredible Veteran stories, visit www.walkamongheroes.org.