Veterans Chronicles

Warren Wiedhahn was a young private first class in the United States Marine Corps when he landed at Inchon on September 15, 1950. He had recently served in the desperate defense of Pusan Perimeter, and would soon see action at the Marine Corps' most legendary battle of the Korean War - Chosin Reservoir. He went on to a 33 year career in the Marine Corps, retiring with the rank of colonel, and is the founder and president of Military Historical Tours.

One of America's greatest heroes of World War II, Mitchell Paige received the Medal of Honor for singlehandedly holding back an entire Japanese regiment during the battle for Guadalcanal. Before his passing in 2003, he sat down with us to share his story of valor.Also in this episode is Chester Nez, one of the legendary Navajo Code Talkers, who using their native language were able to transmit secret messages on enemy troop movements and tactics to the Marine Corps in the Pacific War of World War II.

This week, Gene Pell talks to Michael Yon, a former Green Beret who has become the premier independent journalist of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, reporting from the front lines since December, 2004. Yon is the author of several books, including the recently published "Moment of Truth in Iraq," and will soon be returning to the front lines in Afghanistan.

In this special edition, Jim Roberts, president of the American Veterans Center, speaks to retired General Richard B. Myers, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. A fighter pilot in Vietnam, General Myers went on to hold commands at every level, rising to the military's top post shortly after the attacks of September 11, 2001. In this episode, General Myers talks about the events of 9/11, his tenure as chairman, and his new book, "Eyes on the Horizon."

Host Gene Pell speaks with retired Lt. Colonel Orson Swindle, a Marine Corps veteran of Vietnam and prisoner of war. Stationed in Da Nang and flying with VMF(AW)-235, known as "The Death Angels", Swindle flew over 200 sorties before being shot down over North Vietnam in what was scheduled to be his very last flight. He spent several years in various prison camps including the notorious "Hanoi Hilton" where he shared a cell with John McCain. Following his release, he went on to a successful career in public service.

This week, Gene speaks to retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Julius W. Becton, Jr. One of the first black Americans to reach the rank of general officer, Becton began his career as a platoon leader in Korea, where he was decorated for valor in combat. He went on to serve in Vietnam, and held a number of commands before retiring in 1983. He has since enjoyed a long career in civil service, and has recently published his autobiography, titled Becton: A Soldier and Public Servant.

This week, Gene talks with retired U.S. Army General Frederick Franks. Gen. Franks is a West Point graduate and served more than 35 years on active duty, including combat in Vietnam where he was seriously wounded and lost his left leg below the knee. Allowed to remain on duty, Gen. Franks later commanded the VII Corps in Operation Desert Storm. He was awarded his fourth star following the first Gulf War and headed the Army's Training and Doctrine Command. Along with Tom Clancy, he co-authored "Into the Storm: A Study in Command."

In this episode, host Gene Pell speaks to Dr. Lewis Sorley, retired U.S. Army colonel and CIA official. An acclaimed historian, Sorley is the author of several books, including the Pulitzer Prize-nominated "A Better War: The Unexamined Victories and Final Tragedy of America's Last Years in Vietnam." Here, Gene and Dr. Sorley discuss the Vietnam War and how a likely victory was later denied.

In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Gene talks with Matthew Zedwick, a Staff Sergeant in the Oregon Army National Guard. In 2005, Zedwick became the first member of the Oregon Guard since World War II to be awarded a Silver Star Medal for heroism during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Zedwick is also one of the faces in the US Army's "America's Army" video game.

In this edition, Gene talks to Lt. General Harry Kinnard. A graduate of West Point, Kinnard parachuted into Normandy during World War II and was at Bastogne where he suggested to Brig. Gen. Anthony McAuliffe what would become the legendary response to the German demand for surrender: "NUTS!." Kinnard also wrote McAuliffe's famed Christmas address to rally the troops at Bastogne. He would go on to command the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) in Vietnam, and has been called the "father of airmobile warfare."

This week, Gene talks with retired Marine Corps Colonel Wesley Fox. Fox served on active duty for 43 years rising from a private to full colonel while earning the nation's highest honor along the way -- The Medal of Honor. The Southwestern Virginia native is the author of "Marine Rifleman: Forty Three Years in the Corps." My Podcast Alley feed! {pca-a4524769b71d05c26352cc4332c32b13}

This week, Gene talks to Jack Agnew, one of the surviving members of the "Filthy Thirteen" - the men who inspired the movie, "The Dirty Dozen." Agnew, a soldier in the 101st Airborne, helped to train another famous unit - E Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry, better known as the "Band of Brothers."

In this episode, Gene talks to Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Parks (Ret.) and Army Lieutenant Bryan Jackson, two of America's most highly decorated veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Army Col. Christopher Hughes, who currently serves as the division chief for the Army's House of Representatives Liason Division on Capitol Hill, is a combat veteran of Operation: Iraqi Freedom, where he commanded a battalion of the 101st Airborne Disvision. In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Col. Hughes talks about his book, "War On Two Fronts - An Infantry Commander's War in Iraq and the Pentagon."

Army Sgt. Bob Bearden was a young paratrooper with the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment when he jumped into the skies over Normandy on June 6, 1944 - D-Day. His was a remarkable story of battlefield action, capture by German forces, POW camp survival and a journey home that would take Bearden halfway around the world, by all forms a travel. Bearden is the author of the new book, "To D-Day and Back".

In this edition, we visit Army Lt. Col. Charles Krohn (Ret.), a combat veteran of the Vietnam War. Gene talks about Krohn's book, "The Lost Battalion of Tet: Breakout of the 2/12th Cavalry at Hue." The book has been recently revised to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Tet Offensive.

On April 14, 2004 on a road near Husaybah, Iraq, Cpl. Jason Dunham intentionally used his own helmet body to cover an enemy grenade, saving the lives of at least two of his fellow Marines. Cpl. Dunham, who was mortally wounded, would later become the first Marine to receive the Medal of Honor in Operation Iraqi Freedom, awarded on November 10, 2006 - the 231st birthday of the Corps, and what would have been his 25th birthday. In this episode, two Marines who served with Dunham on that day - Maj. Trent Gibson and Sgt. Jason Sanders - recall this story of valor and sacrifice.

As Deputy Director of the Office of Provisional Outreach for the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Iraq, Lt. Col. R. Alan King worked first-hand with the Iraqi people in their attempts to build a better society. His experience, chronicled in his book Twice Armed, demonstrates that the United States' chances for success depend on our ability to understand and appreciate the people and culture of Iraq.

In one of the more amazing stories of World War II, John Dolibois, an immigrant at the age of 13 from Luxembourg, found himself back in the country of his birth in 1945. This time, he was an interrogator with the U.S. Army. Following the surrender of Germany, he became one of five men assigned the duty of interrogating some of the greatest criminals in human history - thetop Nazi leadership, including Goering, Streicher, and Hess. This incredible American story continued when, years later, President Reagan named Dolibois to be U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg.

Michael Thornton, a veteran of the elite Navy Seals, was a part of a five member team sent overseas to gather intelligence on North Vietnamese troop movements. They were discovered by the enemy and soon engaged in a five and a half hour fire fight against a larger force in which Thornton saved his superior officer, who was seriously wounded. His heroism led to his being awarded the Medal of Honor.