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Harvey C, "Barney" Barnum, Jr. arrived in Vietnam in late 1965 with 2nd Battalion, 12th Marines in the 3rd Infantry Division. In the final days of Operation Harvest Moon, Barnum served as a forward observer for H Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines. On December 18, 1965, the company was ambushed by North Vietnamese forces. The company commander was mortally wounded and Barnum soon found himself commanding Marines he really didn't know. In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Barnum takes us through the beginning of the ambush and rescuing fallen company commander Captain Paul Gormley just moments before Gormley died in Barnum's arms. Barnum also recounts his first decisions as new company commander, and how he risked his life to pinpoint enemy positions for American pilots. He also describes the difficult decisions he made and orders he gave to give his men the best chance for survival. Finally, Barnum reveals how he learned he was recommended for the Medal of Honor and tells us about his medal ceremony.

Luke Focer was not sure what he wanted to do after high school but after reading many books on the military and being impressed by a teacher who had served, Focer enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2005. He would go on to serve two tours in Iraq and three in Afghanistan over the next 14 years. He also became a sniper and part of Marine Corps Special Operations (MARSOC). In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Focer takes us from Marine Corps boot camp at Parris Island to being an infantry point man for his squad in Iraq on his first deployment. He tells us about the patrols and security responsibilities he had there and reveals what he saw there that made him want to become a sniper. Focer then shares how his first tour in Afghanistan convinced him to pursue special operations. He explains the conditions in Afghanistan that motivated him and what it took to qualify as a special operator. Later, Focer details how he forged close bonds within his unit and with the Afghan special operations forces he partnered with. He also takes us inside some of his most intense combat in Afghanistan and his ongoing commitment to our Afghan allies who are now trying to build lives in the U.S.

Roderick Pugh enlisted in the U.S. Army less than three months before the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Eighteen months later, he was partr of 1st Brigade 2-7 infantry from Ft. Stewart, leading the way into Iraq. He would serve two tours in Iraq, In between, he completed airborne school and became the first African American sniper in U.S. Army history. In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Pugh details combat during the invasion of Iraq, surviving  sandstorms and enemy mortar fire, and how the A-10 Warthogs were a huge help in the march to Baghdad. He also describes the intense fighting around the Baghdad airport and the engagement that earned him the nickname "Black Rambo" Pugh also tells us about airborne school and sniper training and explains the biggest reason why candidates fail to become snipers. He then takes us into his second deployment in Iraq with the 2-12 Cavalry out of Ft. Bliss. Pugh shares how his vehicle was hit by an IED and how he and others in his unit later dealt with enemies trying to plant IED's in the road.

Jason Redman learned love of country and the importance of service at a young age. His grandfather was a decorated World War II veteran and his father served during the Vietnam War. Before finishing high school, Redman enlisted in the U.S. Navy with one goal in mind: becoming a U.S. Navy SEAL. In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Redman tells us about the unexpected health challenge he faced in boot camp before he could pursue his dream of becoming a SEAL. He then walks us through Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training, why so many give up during Hell Week, and another very difficult part of training where many candidates wash out. Redman then takes us on his 2005 deployment to Afghanistan and explains how it got off to such a devastating start. He also explains how his mounting frustrations led to some poor decisions that could have proven very costly. Then, Redman details his 2007 deployment to Iraq and describes the enemy ambush that badly wounded him. And he reflects upon the important life lessons he learned from his service and recovering from devastating wounds.

Dick Ramsey's family had it tough lduring the Great Depression. He quit school when he was 15 years old and started working at the Brooklyn Navy Yard as a pipefitter. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he started helping to build battleships. In 1943, Ramsey joined the U.S. Navy and was assigned as coxswain on the USS Nevada. In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Ramsey takes us through training to the Nevada's involvement in the D-Day landings in Normandy, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. He also reveals several very close calls while in the Pacific and reveals the immense honor given to the USS Nevada and then quickly taken away. Ramsey also shares how the Nevada survived the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor long before he came aboard and how he and his shipmates stayed close for decades after the war.

On August 26, 2021, an ISIS-K terrorist attack killed 13 American service members and wounded many others at Abbey Gate outside Kabul International Airport in Afghanistan. Scores of Afghan civilians were also killed and wounded. Nine of the American service members killed that day were U.S. Marines from G Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines. Their company commander was then-Captain Geoffrey Ball. In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Major Ball takes us through the chaos the company found when it arrived in Afghanistan on August 19. He tells about the heroic efforts of his unit and many others to establish as much order as possible among the many thousands of people desperate to reach the airport and leave Afghanistan before U.S. forces withdrew. Major Ball then walks us through the terrorist attack and the horrific toll it inflicted upon his company. He also shares what impact the explosion had on him and the details the amazing work of his company's Navy corpsman and other medics to save and stabilize those who were badly hurt. Finally, Ball tells us, in detail, about the service members who made the ultimate sacrifice at Abbey Gate, who they were, and what he appreciated about each one of them.

Mike Elmore was born in Illinois into a family with a legacy of military service. He joined the U.S. Army in 1987 with no immediate intention of pursuing special forces. But he loved the idea of a new challenge, passed selection and qualifying, and earned his Green Beret. By the time of the 9/11 Al Qaeda terrorist attacks, Elmore was part of Operational Detachment (ODA) 595, a group that would later become known as the Horse Soldiers. In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Elmore walks us through qualifying and explains why being mentally tough is just as important as physical toughness in Special Forces. He also explains how his ODA's training in the months leading up to 9/11 turned out to be perfect prepartion for the fight against the Taliban. Elmore takes us up into the Afghan mountains, explains how he and others in his detachment worked alongside Afghan General Abdul Dostum and elements of the Northern Alliance, how he adjusted to the small horses needed to navigate the mountains, and what combat was like approaching Mazar-i-Sharif.  He also explains the huge advantages of U.S. air power in their mission and some of the challenges involved in coordinating those air strikes. 

Bob Boeke was 16 years old when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Nearly two years later, he enlisted in the U.S. Army as part of a program to help get a college education and become an officer. But the program soon closed down. After basic training, Boeke was assigned to an intelligence and reconnaissance unit within the 86th Infantry Division. In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Boeke tells us about intelligence and reconnaissance training, finding and removing German mines on the Normandy beaches, dealing with German mortar fire on the way to the front, and what he experienced after getting to the front lines. Boeke also shares how he and other recon soldiers scouted out whether the Germans had evacuated the villages they came to or whether they had retreated, how he got across the Rhine, and horrors he witnessed at Dachau. You'll also find out how Boeke ended up in the Pacific at the end of the war. Finally, we'll learn how the 75th anniversary of D-Day helped to reunite Boeke with the girlfriend he had to leave in the 1940's and how they tied the knot all these years later.

Michael "Rod" Rodriguez was born into a family with a rich legacy of military service. His father and grandfather both served during wartime. Rod decided he wanted to serve after watching what the U.S. military accomplished in Operation Desert Storm. Within months of enlisting in 1992, he was off to Somalia. A couple of years later, Rodriguez decided to pursue Army Special Forces and then became a sniper and a medic. All of that prepared him well for three deployments in Afghanistan following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Rodriguez tells us about his early deployments to Somalia and Haiti, what qualifying was like for Special Forces, and how he heard the news of 9/11. Rodriguez also takes us to Afghanistan, as he shares the story of how he treated a young Afghan girl who was clearly being abused. He also shares what it was like treating the wounds of his fellow soldiers and how he was seriously injured by a series of explosions on his final deployment.  Finally, Rodriguez details how he finally decided to get treatment for his injuries and the important work he is doing today to honor those who served in the Global War on Terrorism.

Steve Bleigh is the son and grandson of Army veterans. He joined the U.S. Army in 1986, fully expecting to be an infantryman throughout his service. When he returned to civilian life eighteen years later, Bleigh had spent 14 years in Army Special Forces and was a veteran of Afghanistan, Iraq, the Gulf War, and the conflict in Somalia. In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, MSG Bleigh tells us about his service in the Gulf War with the 82nd Airborne Division and the lessons he learned there that helped the rest of his years in uniform. Then he talks about selection and qualifying for Special Forces, being deployed as a weapons sergeant in Somalia, how he responded when the mission in Somalia turned deadly, and training to be a medic after returning home. Following the 9/11 Al Qaeda terrorist attacks, Bleigh and ODA 595 were among the first U.S. units to set foot in Afghanistan. Now often referred to as the Horse Soldiers, the unit teamed up with elements of the Northerrn Alliance to force the Taliban from power. Bleigh reflects on the toughest fighting in Afghanistan and being one of very few medics on the ground there. Finally, he details his two tours in Iraq, including the initial invasion and the early, successful hunt for key enemy figures. He then describes a very different second tour, one marked by relentless enemy IED's and maddening rules of engagement.

Dominick Critelli was born in Italy and came to the United States as a child. He was 20 years old when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and launched the U.S. into World War II. Critelli became an airplane mechanic as part of the U.S. Army's 95th infantry Division.  In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Critelli tells us what the toughest part of basic training was for him and how his sergeant handled his complaint. He also shares what it was like arriving at Utah Beach not long after D-Day operations and the moment of engineering inspiration that took place that day and likely saved many lives. Critelli then details his role at the Battle of the Bulge, including how he flew over American soldiers, who were surrounded by the Germans, and dropped ammunition, weapons, food, and other supplies to help them hold those positions. Finally, Critelli, who is 104 years old, shares his secrets to longevity and his long love of playing the saxophone. He recently played the national anthem on his soprano sax at a National Hockey League game.

Russell Sattazhan was 15 years old when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and forced the U.S. into World War II. in 1944, he  was drafted and was placed in an infantry replacement unit. Replacements were needed so badly that training was cut short and Sattazhan's unit was sent to Europe and folded into the Army's 1st Infantry Division in January 1945. Two months later, Sattazhan's war would be over after suffering a severe wound from a German attack. In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Sattazhan tells us what it was like being rushed into combat, dealing with the brutal winter in early 1945 and pushing the Nazis further and further intoo Germany. He also takes us to the day he was badly wounded in his right hand and part of his wrist after being hit by German fire, the unusual circumstances that helped to save his life, realizing that he needed an amputation, and his road to recovery.

In the early 1960's, the U.S. Army developed a new way of moving troops into and out of strategic locations. It was called Air Cavalry and operated under the theory that moving forces by helicopter was faster and more precise than driving them or having them jump out of airplanes. One of the earliest and best known Air Cavalry engagements came in the Vietnam War at Landing Zone X-Ray during the Battle of Ia Drang in November 1965. Earnie Savage was part of Bravo company in the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry of the 1st Air Cavalry Division. Shortly after landing at X-Ray, his platoon was cut off and the two highest-ranking member of the platoon were killed. That suddenly left him in charge, surrounded by the enemy and trying to keep any other men from being killed. In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Savage tells us about the platoon getting cut off, how he adjusted to being in command, his strategy for holding off the enemy for many hours until they could reconnect with other American forces, why he did not get very nervous in combat, and much more. Savage also tells us about going right back to the fight shortly after surviving this ordeal.

Patrick Brady was born in South Dakota and he originally had no intention of serving in the military. He was recruited by several schools to play college football, but he decided to pursue the "foxy chick" from his hometown as she went to Seattle University. The school did not have a football team, but it did have mandatory ROTC. Brady hated it and even got kicked out. But he was given a second chance and did much better.  After commissioning, Brady was stationed in Berlin, Germany, at the time the Berlin Wall went up, and he served two tours in Vietnam as a dustoff pilot flying medical evacuation missions for wounded service members. For his actions on January 6, 1968, Brady was awarded the Medal of Honor. In all, he served 33 years and achieved the rank of Major General. In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, General Brady recounts his time in Berlin and how the building of the Berlin Wall opened his eyes about communism. He also takes us through flight school and how tough it was for him to earn his wings. Then it's off to Vietnam, as he flies his first evacuation missions and becomes commander of his unit under tragic circumstances. Brady then explains his second tour in Vietnam and how he helped to solve the problem of dustoff pilots crashing so often because of bad weather or darkness. And he details his actions in January 1968 that led to him receiving the Medal of Honor.

Clarence Singleton joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1967 while was still in high school. The valedictorian then went through boot camp at Parris Island and was eager to join the fight in Vietnam. He arrived in early 1968 and endured a major rocket attack on his first night there. He would be seriously wounded just days before his tour in Vietnam was set to end. Several years later, he joined the New York City Fire Department and ended up responding to both terrorist attacks against the World Trade Center in 1993 and 2001. In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Singleton tells us how Parris Island changed him and prepared him for war. He describes combat in Vietnam and takes us through the day he was shot multiple times by enemy forces. Singleton then tells us about responding to the 1993 terrorist bombing at the World Trade Center and how he helped a woman going into premature labor. He also details rushing to the twin towers on 9/11 even though he had retired a year earlier and shares how he miraculously survived the collapse of the North Tower.