Warriors In Their Own Words | First Person War Stories

In this interview, Rick Render describes the Christmas of 1944, when he spent all day waiting in line to enter a German prison camp. Render served as an army infantryman in World War II. He was captured during the Battle of the Bulge and taken as a prisoner of war by the Germans. He spent time in prison camps in Nuremberg and Hammelburg, and was liberated in 1945 by his own division. Learn more about Render here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At 30 years old, Beth King was a single mother, and joined the Army as a way to provide for her five-year-old son. She deployed to Afghanistan and became a Chinook helicopter maintainer. As one of the few women in her field, SSG King felt extra pressure to excel. She had to prove herself to her male colleagues, and if she failed, she was told they would take a “long break” before allowing another woman to join their company. She succeeded, and became the first female to fully progress to crew chief in her company. One night, King’s Chinook was hit by an RPG, and she was four feet away from the blast. She fell out of the helicopter, but was caught by her harness. Although she and the rest of the crew made it back to their FOB, King knew something wasn’t right. She experienced severe pain, spells of vomiting, and had difficulties with her speech, but had no visible injuries. Unfortunately, King’s need to prove herself as a capable woman in her field persisted to the detriment of her health. She was asked multiple times to tough out her injuries and continue flying missions, and she complied, going 18 months without treatment. King later discovered she had suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that was made worse by her continued action. She was medically discharged, and began physical therapy. King also suffered from PTSD, anxiety, and depression. She found that cycling in a special wheelchair reignited her competitive spirit and greatly improved her mental health, so she trained for competition. Unbeknownst to her, the wheelchair cut off circulation to her feet, and her consistent and intense training in the chair caused significant, lasting pain. Now, King is awaiting an amputation of one of her legs. If the amputation is a success, and the pain completely dissipates, she plans on amputating the second. In the meantime, King has begun training in the javelin throw, and hopes to compete in the 2024 Paralympics. She says in this interview “I would love to go to the Paralympics, but the truth is I just like being better. I like improving. I like growth. It is like all this effort is not meaningless. All this pain and suffering has led to me improving, then it's worth it.” To learn more about King, and how the Wounded Warrior Projected aided in her recovery, visit https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/mission/meet-a-warrior/beth-king. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this preview, SSG King recounts the night that her Chinook helicopter was hit by an RPG. Make sure to catch out full interview with King when it releases tomorrow. – At 30 years old, Beth King was a single mother, and joined the Army as a way to provide for her five-year-old son. She deployed to Afghanistan and became a Chinook helicopter maintainer. As one of the few women in her field, SSG King felt extra pressure to excel. She had to prove herself to her male colleagues, and if she failed, she was told they would take a “long break” before allowing another woman to join their company. She succeeded, and became the first female to fully progress to crew chief in her company. One night, King’s Chinook was hit by an RPG, and she was four feet away from the blast. She fell out of the helicopter, but was caught by her harness. Although she and the rest of the crew made it back to their FOB, King knew something wasn’t right. She experienced severe pain, spells of vomiting, and had difficulties with her speech, but had no visible injuries. Unfortunately, King’s need to prove herself as a capable woman in her field persisted to the detriment of her health. She was asked multiple times to tough out her injuries and continue flying missions, and she complied, going 18 months without treatment. King later discovered she had suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that was made worse by her continued action. She was medically discharged, and began physical therapy. King also suffered from PTSD, anxiety, and depression. She found that cycling in a special wheelchair reignited her competitive spirit and greatly improved her mental health, so she trained for competition. Unbeknownst to her, the wheelchair cut off circulation to her feet, and her consistent and intense training in the chair caused significant, lasting pain. Now, King is awaiting an amputation of one of her legs. If the amputation is a success, and the pain completely dissipates, she plans on amputating the second. In the meantime, King has begun training in the javelin throw, and hopes to compete in the 2024 Paralympics. She says in tomorrow’s interview “I would love to go to the Paralympics, but the truth is I just like being better. I like improving. I like growth. It is like all this effort is not meaningless. All this pain and suffering has led to me improving, then it's worth it.” To learn more about King, and how the Wounded Warrior Projected aided in her recovery, visit https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/mission/meet-a-warrior/beth-king. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Specialist 5th Class Clarence Eugene Sasser served in Vietnam as an Army Medic. In spite of numerous wounds and excruciating pain, he continuously administered aid to fellow soldiers for 20 hours as his company was attacked in Vietnam. Sasser later said this about spending the night under fire: “The tough part wasn’t enemy fire, it was listening to guys call for their mama, and you can't do anything. Listening to them beg all night. And then you don’t hear them anymore in the morning, so you know they died.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this preview, SP5 Clarence Sasser relives the traumatic mission for which he was later awarded the Medal of Honor. Check back tomorrow to hear our full interview with Sasser. Specialist 5th Class Clarence Eugene Sasser served in Vietnam as an Army Medic. In spite of numerous wounds and excruciating pain, he continuously administered aid to fellow soldiers for 20 hours as his company was attacked in Vietnam. Sasser later said this about spending the night under fire: “The tough part wasn’t enemy fire, it was listening to guys call for their mama, and you can't do anything. Listening to them beg all night. And then you don’t hear them anymore in the morning, so you know they died.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After witnessing the attack on Pearl Harbor from his home in Hawaii, Daniel Inouye, a second-generation Japanese American, enlisted in the US Army. He later was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Northern Italy. To hear the details of what earned him the Medal of Honor, check out our episode about him on the Medal of Honor Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tomorrow, on the 82nd Anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor, we’ll be sharing our full interview with Captain Daniel Inouye. At 17 years old, Inouye witnessed the attack first-hand from his home in Hawaii, and he joined the US Army a year later when the government reversed its policy on Japanese Americans serving. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery in Northern Italy, and he became a Senator after returning home. In this preview of tomorrow’s interview, Inouye describes how his regiment climbed a treacherous cliff in order to flank a German company in WWII. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lieutenant Colonel Terence Otway DSO served in the British Army during World War II. In the hours before the Invasion of Normandy, he and the 9th Parachute Battalion were dropped over German lines, and tasked with destroying the Merville Gun Battery. Armed with four 150 mm guns, the Merville Gun Battery was crucial to the German defense. In this interview, Otway describes organizing and leading the attack, and successfully capturing the battery on D-Day, despite having a fraction of the men they were supposed to. Otway became a hero for his leadership that day, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. After his death in 2006, the citizens of Merville-Franceville-Plage erected a bust of Otway in his honor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this preview, we'll be sharing a clip from tomorrow's interview with Lieutenant-Colonel Terence Otway DSO. Make sure to catch our full interview with Otway when it releases tomorrow. Lieutenant Colonel Terence Otway DSO served in the British Army during World War II. In the hours before the Invasion of Normandy, he and the 9th Parachute Battalion were dropped over German lines, and tasked with destroying the Merville Gun Battery. Armed with four 150 mm guns, the Merville Gun Battery was crucial to the German defense. Otway became a hero for his leadership that day, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. After his death in 2006, the citizens of Merville-Franceville-Plage erected a bust of Otway in his honor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Captain Loran B. Morgan M.D. served as a battalion surgeon and paratrooper in the Army during World War II. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and at the Rhine River Crossing. After the war, Morgan became an optometrist, and invented an irrigation device for eye wounds that is still used by medical personnel in the field today. He also went to Vietnam for 60 days as a civilian to run an eye clinic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this preview, we'll be sharing a clip from tomorrow's interview with Captain Loran B. Morgan M.D.. Make sure to catch our full interview with Morgan when it releases tomorrow. Captain Loran B. Morgan M.D. served as a battalion surgeon and paratrooper in the Army during World War II. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and at the Rhine River Crossing. After the war, Morgan became an optometrist, and invented an irrigation device for eye wounds that is still used by medical personnel in the field today. He also went to Vietnam for 60 days as a civilian to run an eye clinic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Content Warning: Gore, Violence Lieutenant Colonel James Wirth served in the US Army Air Force during World War II. As a togglier, he flew on bombers and was tasked with arming and dropping bombs as well as manning a turret on board. In this interview, Wirth describes serving on a B-17 bomber, and the time his bomber was hit, injuring him and destroying one of their engines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Content Warning: Gore, Violence In this preview, we'll be sharing a clip from tomorrow's interview with Lt Col James Wirth. Make sure to catch our full interview with Wirth when it releases tomorrow. Lieutenant Colonel James Wirth served in the US Army Air Force during World War II. As a togglier, he flew on bombers and was tasked with arming and dropping bombs as well as manning a turret on board. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lieutenant Colonel Jim Riordan served as a forward observer in the Marine Corps in Vietnam. Forward observers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the Army and Marine Corps. They deploy near, and sometimes beyond, the front lines, and are tasked with analyzing the battlefield, locating allied and enemy positions, and coordinating artillery fire support via radio. In this interview, Riordan describes Operation Harvest Moon, and his company being caught in a minefield. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ensign Nathan Erwin served in the Navy in World War II, and was among the first to invade Normandy on D-Day. As a member of a Naval Combat Demolition Unit (NCDU), it was his job to use explosives to destroy obstacles that could prevent allied landing craft from reaching the beach. During the interview, he says he was struck when he saw all the headstones of civilians that were killed in the invasion: “These civilians were killed, because they were maybe five miles back of the coast. And when those naval guns were shooting, these 16 incher guns and when the bombs were coming down and there was a lot of smoke and everything on the shore, they got hit. And you'll see them on the headstones…” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Staff Sergeant Brian Keith was among the first Marines deployed to serve in the Gulf War. He served as a Forward Observer. Forward observers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the Army and Marine Corps. They deploy near, and sometimes beyond, the front lines, and are tasked with analyzing the battlefield, locating allied and enemy positions, and ordering artillery fire support via radio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"’You think I'm going to make it?’ And he said, ‘You just might.’" Captain Cleland (later Senator Cleland) lost both his legs and an arm from a grenade explosion while serving in Vietnam. In this interview, Cleland describes the explosion and the crucial role that medics played in saving his life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Boatswain's Mate First Class Nelson Dubroc served in the Normandy Invasion with a Naval Combat Demolition Unit (NCDU) when he was just 18 years old. It was their job to destroy obstacles with explosives in order to clear the way for the rest of the invasion. In this interview, Dubroc recounts the chaos of D-Day. To hear more from Dubroc, check out his interview with the Veterans History Project. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Captain Harold Sperber served in World War II as a Pathfinder co-pilot. Pathfinders were small paratrooper groups that were sent to mark landing zones ahead of major paratrooper missions. Their work helped insure the success of the drop, but it was incredibly dangerous because they flew in very small numbers, very low to the ground (to avoid radar), and had no backup chutes. In this episode, Sperber describes the mission he had on the night of June 5th, 1944, the day before the D-Day. Sperber and the rest of the pathfinders flew over Normandy and were hit, forcing them to retreat back to the English channel. They narrowly avoided crash landing and freezing to death in the cold waters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Major Richard Jacobson served as a pathfinder pilot during WWII, and fought in the Invasion of Normandy. Pathfinders were paratroopers that dropped into enemy territory first, tasked with setting up signals that would direct the rest of the paratrooper fleet into the correct landing zones. Since they were often the first soldiers sent across enemy lines, this was an incredibly dangerous job. As a Pathfinder Pilot, it was Pedone’s job to fly the Pathfinders into enemy territory. As a pathfinder pilot, Maj. Jacobson was responsible for flying the pathfinders over enemy lines to the landing zone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Staff Sergeant Alfred Bell served as a Tank Platoon Sergeant during World War II. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge as a member of the famous Spearhead Division. In this episode, he recounts the Battle of the Bulge. During the battle, Bell commanded all five tanks in his platoon. When the company-wide radio communications weren’t working, he left his tank on foot and fought across the battlefield to the aid station where they had battalion-wide communications. Bell still wasn’t able to contact his company with that radio, so he fought tooth and nail to protect the aid station as it was evacuated. By nightfall, Bell had lost an eye, a large portion of his left hand, and most of his fingers. Due to his severe injuries and massive blood loss, he faded in and out of consciousness, and woke up a few days later in a hospital in France. Bell spent the next two years recovering in a hospital in Texas, where he underwent many reconstructive plastic surgeries. To learn more about the evacuation of this aid station, and Sergeant Aurio Pierro, who was mentioned in this episode, listen to our interview with Pierro. – Alfred Bell was born to an impoverished French Creole family. He was forced to quit school in the 8th grade due to the great depression, and left home at 16 to work in the Civilian Conservation Corps in Yosemite National Park. After the war, Bell’s injuries left him unable to work with his hands. His mother was able to send him to college instead, which was previously unimaginable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today as a bonus episode we wanted to share an episode of The French History Podcast, which we think you'll find incredibly interesting. This episode details the Oradour-sur-Glane massacre of WW2. The French History Podcast tells the story of France from 3 million years ago to present. The main series is a narrative, ala Mike Duncan's the History of Rome that has gone from woolly mammoths to the First Crusade. Interspersed are guest episodes by world-renowned scholars discussing their latest research. Whether you're looking for one-offs on obscure topics you've never heard of, or a long-form narrative podcast, the French History Podcast does both. Learn all about Europe's country of art, culture, love and war with The French History Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seaman First Class Richard Coombs served in World War II as a Navy Seabee. He fought in the first wave of the Invasion of Normandy, where he was a part of the Naval Combat Demolition Unit. In the interview, he says his about crawling up the entire beach: “If you were to stand up, you're dead, you would've got hit for sure. I never knew there was so much firepower like that. You can't imagine, bullets hitting the sand, 88s going over your head and explosions here. And it smelled like death. You heard moaning, guys screaming, smell of gunpowder in the air. It was a very bleak, stormy day. How we ever accomplished and got in there, I don't know, but we did it.” The Naval Construction Battalions, which quickly became known as the Seabees due to their abbreviation (CBs), were formed at the beginning of American involvement in World War II. They were created as an amphibious force to construct advanced bases in combat zones. Many Seabees volunteered to join Navy Combat Demolition Units (NCDUs), who were tasked with destroying obstacles in an advance of amphibious assaults. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Colonel Robert E. Stoffey served in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot and Forward Air Controller in the Marines. It was his job to support ground troops by directing fire and performing evacuations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Technical Sergeant Donald Malarkey served in WWII as a Paratrooper. In this interview, he recounts the D-Day invasion and hedgerow warfare. To learn more about Malarkey, check out the HBO show Band of Brothers , which tells the story of Malarkey and his Company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Captain Warren “Bing” Evans served in World War II as a Ranger. The Rangers were an elite American task force that trained and operated with the famous British Commandos. Using the element of surprise as their main weapon, the Rangers played an important role in the Invasion of Normandy, the Dieppe Raid, and many other significant campaigns. In this episode Evans recounts the allied invasion of Italy, including the landing at Salerno and the battles of Monte Cassino, Anzio, and Cisterna. He also describes being captured and escaping from a prisoner of war camp in Poland. If you’d like to learn more about Captain Evans, check out his book, Heroes Cry Too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Captain Warren “Bing” Evans served in World War II as a Ranger. The Rangers were an elite American unit that trained and operated with the famous British Commandos. Using the element of surprise as their main weapon, the Rangers played an important role in the Invasion of Normandy, the Dieppe Raid, and many other significant campaigns. In this first part of his interview, Captain Evans describes the Rangers, Operation Torch (the invasion of North Africa), the Invasion of Sicily, almost losing his life, and the nightmares that have haunted him since. In the next part of his interview, Evans recounts the battles of Monte Cassino, Anzio, and Cisterna, and describes being captured and escaping from a prisoner of war camp in Poland. If you’d like to learn more about Captain Evans, check out his book, Heroes Cry Too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corporal Ted Fleser served as an Army Ranger during World War II. He was a BAR gunner (Browning Automatic Rifle), and fought in North Africa and the Allied Invasion of Sicily. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Commander Ronald Leonard Smith Sr. served in the US Navy and sailed all over the world in the 80s and 90s. In this interview, he describes one of the Navy’s famous initiation rites, his deployments, and the dangers of Mother Nature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Captain Zeke Zellmer served as a Communications Officer aboard the USS Cavalla during World War II. He fought in the Battle of the Philippine Sea, the largest carrier-to-carrier battle in history, and helped destroy a Japanese aircraft carrier called the Shokaku. Thanks in large part to the contribution of the USS Cavalla, the Japanese lost the battle, and their navy never recovered. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Staff Sergeant Leonard Goff served as a Tank Commander in World War II, fighting in both the Invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. In this interview, he describes what it’s like to be a Tank Commander, and the Invasion of Normandy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jim White, callsign Sneaky White, served in the Marine Corps before transferring to the Army to become a helicopter pilot. In this second part of his interview, White talks about returning home, and why he was sent to prison. While in prison, he created a veterans group with Geronimo Pratt, an influential and high-ranking member of the Black Panther Party who was wrongfully convicted. With the help of that vet group, he went on to raise over $350,000 dollars for various causes during his time in prison. He also received national attention for creating a program that helped inmates earn college degrees while incarcerated. Over 1500 earned degrees through the program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jim White began his military career in the Marine Corps as a machine gunner and helicopter pilot in Vietnam. After earning the Distinguished Flying Cross, the first Marine to do so since World War II, he got the opportunity to transfer to the Army. His plan was to transfer, fly with them for a few years, and then transfer back to the Marine Corps as a commissioned officer. He liked the Army so much that he stayed there for the rest of his military career. White earned the callsign “Sneaky White” after fleeing from military police through a minefield to get back on base. Next time on Warriors In Their Own Words, White explains why he went to prison, how he raised $350,000 from behind bars, and his connection to Shad Meshad, one of our previous guests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Colonel Leo Thorsness served as a fighter pilot in Vietnam. He was a Wild Weasel, whose missions required them to draw surface-to-air (SAM) missiles away from bombers, and then destroy the SAM sites. This meant that Weasels spent sometimes more than 20 minutes over the target, as opposed to the one or two minutes bomber pilots spent. On one mission, COL Thorsness’ wingman was shot down, forcing him to eject. As he parachuted to the ground, rescue helicopters were called in to rescue him, but they were threatened by encroaching enemy fighters. Despite being incredibly low on fuel, Thorsness fought off the enemy, saving his wingman and the rescue helicopters. Eleven days later, Thorsness was shot down and captured by the North Vietnamese Army. He was captured, and became a prisoner of war. During his first three years in captivity, torture was common. After six years, he was released and sent home. Shortly after returning to the United States, COL Thorsness was awarded the Medal of Honor for saving his wingman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corporal Oda Charles “Chuck” Miller served as a tank loader and tank commander in World War II. He fought in the Normandy Invasion a week after D-Day, and in the Battle of the Bulge. During World War II, American tanks were inferior to German tanks in almost every way. As a result, serving as a tank crewman was incredibly dangerous. Few made it out alive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corporal Clarence Smoyer served in World War II as a tank gunner. After fighting in the Battle of the Bulge, Smoyer was assigned to the ‘Eagle 7’ M26 Pershing, a “Super Tank” developed for the U.S. Army. With this new assignment came the responsibility of spearheading future attacks, including what would become the Battle of Cologne. Cologne was a German stronghold. It was defended by a German Panther tank, which was far superior to all American tanks. The Panther sat in the middle of the city, and as the spearhead of the attack, Smoyer and his division were the first to meet it in battle. In an astounding duel, the Pershing and the Panther faced off. Thanks to Smoyer’s quick thinking and spectacular aim, his crew destroyed the Panther, and Smoyer was dubbed the Hero of Cologne. Spectacularly, the entire battle was caught on camera by combat cameraman Sgt. Jim Bates. It was shared on newsreels, and seen by Smoyer’s family in a theater in Pennsylvania. To learn more about Smoyer, check out the New York Times Bestselling book about him and his division, Spearhead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this bonus episode, Col. Jack Tomarchio provides his reflection on the war in Ukraine based on his research since leaving the military. This doesn't fit in with our usual content, but we wanted to share his insightful take. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

COL Tomarchio talks about going to jump school, defending service members as a military lawyer, and nearly losing his life in Iraq. Jack Thomas Tomarchio served in the army as a JAG officer in Grenada in the early 80s. As a JAG officer, he provided legal advice to senior Army officials and represented servicemembers in a variety of misconduct and court martial cases. He was a paratrooper, and attended both jump school and law school. Later, in the early 90s, COL Tomarchio deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait during the Gulf War. There, he nearly lost his life after saving a fellow service member from a burning vehicle. If you like Warriors In Their Own Words, check out the Medal of Honor Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sergeant Aurio Pierro served as a Tank Commander in WWII. He fought amongst the notoriously difficult hedgerows during the Invasion of Normandy, and in the Battle of the Bulge. During the Battle of the Bulge, Pierro and his platoon were under heavy fire in an extended battle with the Germans. After their tank was heavily damaged and they ran out of ammo, they left their tank and took cover in a bakery, but Pierro was injured in the process. The bakery was shelled relentlessly from all sides, and soon caught on fire, so they were forced to move down to the cellar. The Germans told Pierro and his platoon to surrender, but they refused. They spent the night in the cellar, and in the morning, fought their way back to their tank, suffering heavy casualties. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CUCM McCully served in a construction battalion, more commonly known as the Seabees, during Vietnam. The Naval Construction Battalions, which quickly became known as the Seabees due to their abbreviation, were formed at the beginning of American involvement in World War II. They were created as an amphibious force to construct advanced bases in combat zones, and quickly became well respected because they were composed of only experienced men. Johnny McCully was inspired by the bravery of family members he saw volunteer to fight in World War II, and enlisted in the Navy at 17, right after the war ended. He was assigned to a Seabee unit, and helped rebuild infrastructure in countries around the world following the war. Two decades later, McCully deployed to Vietnam. A day after he was sent to Dong Xoai, the VietCong launched a surprise attack on his base. McCully was on watch when the first mortar hit, and played a significant role in defending the base during the first stages of the attack. He was hit with shrapnel, but continued to fight despite his injuries. McCully was then separated from his battalion during a fight with a VC soldier who had a flamethrower. McCully’s battalion thought he had been burned alive, but he escaped, and spent over 48 hours on the run, hiding from VC forces without any food, water, or ammo. Eventually he found an American helicopter that was landing, and was airlifted to safety. Upon reaching a hospital, the doctors told McCully he’d permanently lost 75% of the strength of his right arm. After physical therapy, he regained almost all his strength. Click here to learn more about the Battle of Dong Xai Photo Credits: NAVFAC and the U.S. Navy Seabees Museum Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chief Machinist Mate Jerry Markham served as a Navy Seabee during World War II and was tasked with destroying German obstacles that could have prevented a successful beach landing on D-Day. The Naval Construction Battalions, which quickly became known as the Seabees due to their abbreviation, were formed at the beginning of American involvement in World War II. They were created as an amphibious force to construct advanced bases in combat zones, and quickly became well respected because they were composed of only experienced men. CMM Jerry Markham was a Seabee assigned to a Naval Combat Demolition Unit. On D-Day, their job was to clear German mines and obstacles that were placed in the water at Omaha. Without them, troops would never have reached the shore. Markham was in close proximity to multiple explosions during the invasion, and began to pass blood. On the third day, he went to a hospital ship, and wasn’t permitted to return to the battle due to his injuries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Captain James Peninger served in World War Two as a glider pilot. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy, and was the first glider to cross the Rhine River. During WWII, glider planes were used to carry ground troops, and sometimes a jeep, into enemy territory. Regular planes dragged these gliders via a rope, which was cut over enemy territory at the release point. The glider kept flying, to hopefully find a clear landing zone behind enemy lines. Since the gliders were flimsy, designed for a single flight, and always sent into enemy territory, flying them was a notoriously dangerous job. To learn more about glider pilots during World War Two, visit ww2gp.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Private First Class Walter Stitt talks about what it was like serving inside a tank during World War II. He served as both a loader and gunner, and survived the destruction of three different tanks he was manning. To hear more from Stitt, check out his interview with the Clark County Historical Society. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Airman First Class Larry Sutherland joined the Airforce at 17, and signed up for the Security Police training program. In Vietnam, many Air Force bases were completely surrounded by guerrilla forces, so the USAF Security Police were specially trained to protect them from direct attacks and sabotage. During his training in North Dakota, Sutherland and some fellow soldiers wanted to “get even” with some missile security personnel that they took issue with. To do so, they broke into missile silo, but they were caught. Two members of the group went to prison, but Sutherland was found innocent of sabotage, and avoided being court martialed. Sutherland was then given a choice: Stay in North Dakota, or train at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, and then head to Vietnam. At that time there was a rumor that 75% casualties were expected in the unit he would join in Vietnam, but Sutherland wanted to get out of North Dakota so badly that he didn’t care. So, he went to Schofield. According to Sutherland, the Security Police training at Schofield was worse than Vietnam. He said the instructors were “the most sadistic, mean bastards I've ever seen in my life or since. I could not believe that anybody could be so mean and hateful, in all ranks, from two stripers up to the officers. They just hated us. They treated us with such contempt...And when you fell out, and guys did, because guys were dying of heart attacks, they went over and pissed on them. That's the kind of people they were. They were pissing on dying people. I saw it with my eyes. I can see it till the day I die.” After completing his training, he was sent to Vietnam, where, due to the high casualty rate, he was sure he was going to die. He was stationed first at Pleiku Air Base, and then Phan Rang Air Base. Both bases were surrounded by guerilla forces. One Sunday night at Phan Rang, the Viet Cong launched a surprise attack. Alcoholism was a serious issue in his unit, so many of the Security Policemen at Phan Rang Air Base were intoxicated when the attack began. A few of these intoxicated men were in a bunker with Sutherland during the attack, and no matter how much he kicked and screamed, they wouldn’t get up to fight. They just rolled over and went back to sleep. Upon returning to the states, Sutherland was tasked with monitoring protests in New Jersey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Airman First Class Larry Sutherland joined the Air Force at 17, and signed up for the Security Police training program. In Vietnam, many Air Force bases were completely surrounded by guerrilla forces, so the USAF Security Police were specially trained to protect them from direct attacks and sabotage. During his training in North Dakota, Sutherland and some fellow soldiers wanted to “get even” with some missile security personnel that they took issue with. To do so, they broke into missile silo, but they were caught. Two members of the group went to prison, but Sutherland was found innocent of sabotage, and avoided being court martialed. Sutherland was then given a choice: Stay in North Dakota, or train at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, and then head to Vietnam. At that time there was a rumor that 75% casualties were expected in the unit he would join in Vietnam, but Sutherland wanted to get out of North Dakota so badly that he didn’t care. So, he went to Schofield. According to Sutherland, the Security Police training at Schofield was worse than Vietnam. He said the instructors were “the most sadistic, mean bastards I've ever seen in my life or since. I could not believe that anybody could be so mean and hateful, in all ranks, from two stripers up to the officers. They just hated us. They treated us with such contempt...And when you fell out, and guys did, because guys were dying of heart attacks, they went over and pissed on them. That's the kind of people they were. They were pissing on dying people. I saw it with my eyes. I can see it till the day I die.” After completing his training, he was sent to Vietnam, where, due to the high casualty rate, he was sure he was going to die. He was stationed first at Pleiku Air Base, and then Phan Rang Air Base. Both bases were surrounded by guerrilla forces. One Sunday night at Phan Rang, the Viet Cong launched a surprise attack. Alcoholism was a serious issue in his unit, so many of the Security Policemen at Phan Rang Air Base were intoxicated when the attack began. A few of these intoxicated men were in a bunker with Sutherland during the attack, and no matter how much he kicked and screamed, they wouldn’t get up to fight. They just rolled over and went back to sleep. Upon returning to the states, Sutherland was tasked with monitoring protests in New Jersey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shipfitter 3rd Class James Wire served on the USS Missouri during the invasion of Iwo Jima and the Battle of Okinawa. It was his job to put out fires and do damage control on the ship. If you missed it, make sure to check out the first part of his interview, where he talks about serving on the USS Tennessee during the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Tarawa. To hear more from SF3 Wire, check out this video of him presenting to a college class. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shipfitter 3rd Class James Wire served on the USS Tennessee during the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Tarawa. It was his job to put out fires and do damage control on the ship. In this episode, he describes the chaos and destruction he witnessed. Next time on Warriors In Their Own Words, Wire talks about serving on the USS Missouri during the Invasion of Iwo Jima and the Battle of Okinawa. To hear more from SF3 Wire, check out this video of him presenting to a college class. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

QM2 Brett Jones joined the Navy in 1993 with the goal of becoming a Navy SEAL. Jones says he “wasn’t ready” the first time he went through SEAL training, and he did not complete the course. He came back and successfully completed the training on his second attempt. Jones joined SEAL Team 8, the most active of all the SEAL teams, where he served abroad. Due to the covert nature of SEAL operations, Jones wasn’t able to share all the details of his engagements, but he does talk about missions in Iraq, and the pain of losing friends in combat. After almost being kicked out of the SEALs, Jones decided to leave voluntarily. He continued to serve as a member of the CIA, deploying to Iraq again and protecting high value individuals in “high threat environments”. Jones is now a part time police officer in Alabama. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2nd LT Loftis was a glider pilot during WW2, and participated in the D-Day invasion. During WW2, glider planes were used to carry ground troops, and sometimes a jeep, into enemy territory. Regular planes dragged these gliders via a rope, which was cut over enemy territory at the release point. The glider kept flying, to hopefully find a clear landing zone behind enemy lines. Since the gliders were flimsy, designed for a single flight, and always sent into enemy territory, flying them was a notoriously dangerous job. 2nd Lieutenant Harry Loftis was one of these brave pilots. He flew many missions, and fought in the Normandy Invasion, Operation Market Garden, and Operation Plunder. To learn more about glider pilots during World War Two, visit ww2gp.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Staff Sergeant Joe Longo served in the Army Air Force during WWII and the Korean War as a combat cameraman on bombing missions. It was his job to document the missions of the 13th Air Force, and his footage was used for both intelligence and newsreels. He later founded the International Camera Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices