War Stories with Preston and Sayre
By Preston Stewart
Support War Stories on Patreon: www.patreon.com/warstoriespodcast
War Stories with Preston and SayreNov 04, 2021
225: Fighting the Global War on Terror with the Bastogne Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division
Today we are joined with Michael Franks. Michael joined the Army in 2005 on an 18X contract inbound to Special Forces. Injury changed his course where he then found himself with the historic 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry (No Slack) of the 101st Airborne Division.
Michael served in both Iraq and Afghanistan with No Slack and served during the events which were filmed for the documentary Hornet's Nest—specifically the Battle of Barawala Kalay Valley. We highly recommend giving Hornet's Nest a watch if you haven't already seen it.
We discuss Michael's experience and feelings during the Global War on Terror, and the meaning many of us learned then, and continue to search for.
Since leaving active duty, Michael transitioned to the Army Reserves and for his "day-job," serves as a senior wealth advisor in the Cincinnati, OH area.
224: David Bellavia - Remember the Ramrods
We are joined today with David Bellavia. Famed for his legendary valor and determination, Bellavia is the Iraq War's sole living Medal of Honor recipient for his actions on November 10, 2004 as a squad leader with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division (known as the 'Ramrods') during the Second Battle of Fallujah.
Bellavia's best-selling book House to House: An Epic Memoir of War captures the brutal action and raw intensity of leading Third Platoon, Alpha Company, into a lethally choreographed kill zone: the booby-trapped, explosive-laden houses of Fallujah's militant insurgents where he single-handedly cleared a fortified enemy position that had pinned down a squad from his platoon.
We discuss with David his reflections on the war experience and living life on the home front as both a combat veteran adjusting to the civilian world, but also the duty and role of being a living Medal of Honor recipient.
His new book, Remember the Ramrods An Army of Brotherhood in War and Peace covers the journey of Bellavia’s platoon through fifteen years. A quintessential and timeless American tale, it is the story of how forty battle-hardened soldiers became ordinary citizens again; what they did during that time, and how November 10, 2004, rattled within them; and how their reunion brought them home at last.
David is one of the most inspiring, motivating, and determined leader, Soldier, and author who rose to the call of action during the Global War on Terror. It was an absolute honor and pleasure.
http://www.davidbellavia.com/
https://duty1st.com/
223: Chuck Holton - Reporting events on the ground in Ukraine
Today we are joined with Chuck Holton to discuss Ukraine. Chuck is a former Army Ranger with the 75th Ranger Regiment having served in Panama for Operation Just Cause. After leaving the military, Chuck has spent the last twenty years as an American war correspondent. He is also a published author, motivational speaker and has also been a freelance cameraman for Fox News, following Oliver North on his travels. Holton is currently a War Correspondent for Newsmax.
We discuss with Chuck his experiences in Ukraine as he spent time there a few months ago and will be going back soon. Chuck has a depth of experience both personally and professionally in combat zones and has much insight to offer into the ongoing war.
222: Diving into the Civil War with James Cosgrove of Project Past
Today we are joined with James Cosgrove. James is the curator of Project Past which explores American battlefields, museums, and little-known historic sites here in the United States. His page highlights many historic American landmarks such as Yorktown, the Battle of New Orleans, Gettysburg, the National WWII Museum, and many more.
We discuss with James his love of American history, as well as the many takeaways he has from documenting these sites across America. While many of our War Stories conversations are typically about America’s involvement overseas, it’s nice to discuss older American battle sites as well here on the home front, which are the stories of America’s beginning.
Project Past YouTube Page:
https://www.youtube.com/c/ProjectPast1565
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Website: www.warstories.co
Contact: preston@warstories.co
221: Sharing insights from the war in Ukraine with Ian Richardson
Today, we are again joined with Ian Richardson to discuss Ukraine. Ian is a Captain in the Army Reserve and formerly served as a Logistics Officer in Iraq in 2020. He is a published museum professional at the Patton Museum with nearly a decade of experience and a focus in 20th century warfare.
Ian has spent the last several months continuing to research and study the ongoing war in Ukraine and recently has presented topics regarding the war and history of Ukraine/Russian to both basic training recruits as well as Army ROTC cadets. We discuss his take on the situation, with much background context surrounding the region as well as his thoughts about what the future has in store.
Support the show and become a War Stories patron: https://www.patreon.com/warstoriespodcast
Website: https://www.warstories.co
220: Why Ukraine Matters with John Spencer
We are joined again today with John Spencer to talk Ukraine. Spencer is an award-winning scholar, professor, author, combat veteran, and internationally recognized expert and advisor on urban warfare and other military related topics. Considered one of the world’s leading expert on urban warfare, he served as an advisor to the top four-star general and other senior leaders in the U.S. Army as part of strategic research groups from the Pentagon to the United States Military Academy.
We discuss the ongoing Ukrainian/Russian war and how it fits historically and geopolitically with both the United States and the "free" world. This was a fascinating conversation as John offers many interesting perspectives and insights involving democracy, freedom, and the American spirit.
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Website: https://www.warstories.co
219: A LRRP Ranger in Vietnam helping to improve the VA for his fellow veterans - Artie Guerrero
Today we are joined with Artie Guerrero. Artie served in Vietnam so his younger brother didn't have to and was one of fourteen to be hand-selected into the newly formed Ranger LRRP unit assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division. As a LRRP Ranger, Artie was shot four times when three North Vietnamese companies ambushed Artie's 6-man recon team in April 1967. He is a recipient of the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device, and the Purple Heart.
Shortly after returning home from the war wounded, Artie was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Since then, Artie has been a tireless advocate for veterans and those with disabilities, having pushed politicians to make meaningful legislation for nearly half a century. He has experienced history first-hand and we appreciate the opportunity to speak with such a distinguished person as Artie.
https://www.opveteran.org/
- O.P. VetFest VI at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock Texas is on October 22, 2022, from 1200-1700
- There will be Veteran Owned Businesses showcasing and selling their products, Veteran Service Organizations representing their services and Patriot Supporters of all types. There will be food vendors, cold beverages at "Roosters Roost", a raffle, and tons of door prizes!
- Opening ceremony starts promptly at 12:00 noon! Open to the public. An outdoor concert performed by Veteran musical acts that will augment the daytime event.
- Come out for a day of fellowship and fun with the Veteran community and learn about where to find the services you need, the volunteer opportunities you’re looking for, and the Veteran owned products that you want!
- This year we are honoring Vietnam Veterans of the H Co, 75th Infantry Airborne Rangers of the Long Range Recon Patrol (LRRP).
- O.P. Veteran is a 501(c)3 organization that eases Veteran emotional transition by helping to provide a post-military passion and purpose.
- This is a kid friendly event, located next to the Pavilion and park, Service Pets are welcome, and must be on a leash per Round Rock Parks rules. Special parking for handicap will be at the entrance of the event.
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Website: www.warstories.co
Contact: preston@warstories.co
218: Exploring World War 2 Battlefields with JD Huitt of The History Underground
JD Huitt of the YouTube channel The History Underground joins us today. JD is a historian who has spent much of his personal time travelling to and documenting historical locations to provide the viewer a firsthand view of what these past battle sites look like today.
We discuss with JD his recent trip to WWII’s Pacific Theater and the Marine and Japanese fight on these remote islands. JD spent time on Saipan, where he documented key locations of the Battle of Saipan—which has been referred to as the "Pacific D-Day" with the invasion fleet departing Pearl Harbor the day before the Normandy invasion on 5 June 1944.
The History Underground: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheHistoryUnderground/featured
Support the show and become a War Stories patron: https://www.patreon.com/warstoriespodcast
Website: https://www.warstories.co
217: Taking on veteran suicide with retired Navy SEAL Dave Berkenfield
We are joined today with Dave Berkenfield. Dave retired after spending 25 years in special operations having served as a Navy SEAL beginning in the 90’s and retiring only a couple years ago. Today, he serves in a leadership role on racing teams with Chip Ganassi Racing headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Having served on 20 combat deployments during his time as a SEAL, we discuss with Dave the impact on us veterans upon leaving the service, and the terrible infliction that is veteran suicide. Since his retirement, Dave has worked closely with the American Legion to develop the “Be the One” campaign. The American Legion is known as Veteran’s Strengthening America and developed the Be the One Campaign “to begin thinking, talking and acting to save just one life.” We appreciate Dave’s leadership and dedication in tackling such a complex, American issue.
If you are feeling suicidal, thinking about hurting yourself, or are concerned that someone you know may be in danger of hurting himself or herself, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is staffed by certified crisis response professionals.
www.betheone.org
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Website: https://www.warstories.co
216: Life as a US Army drill sergeant with SFC Corey Jones
We are joined in this episode today with Corey Jones. Corey is a Drill Sergeant at Ft. Benning, Georgia where he turns Army recruits into infantrymen and women. We discussed the challenges, rewards, and the impact drill sergeants make on their recruits as well as the method of instruction used in basic training today as compared to years past.
It was nice to catch up with Corey as the three of us all served in the same infantry company in Afghanistan. We are proud to know people like Corey who continue to represent and lead the youth of America. It was a pleasure.
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Website: https://www.warstories.co
215: So much goes into training our military
Preston just completed his 2 weeks of Army Reserve Annual Training at Ft. McCoy, WI where he helped facilitate a reserve brigade's readiness training at the operational level. He and Sayre discuss some of their key takeaways and thoughts.
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Website: https://www.warstories.co
214: Nick Laidlaw of Battles and Beers
We are joined by Nick Laidlaw. Nick is a former Marine Infantryman, who from that experience, now has a passion to share the extremes of the human experience in warfare. His website, Battles and Beers shares stories of the men, women, and civilians who have gone willingly or unwillingly into harm’s way.
Nick is also the author of What War Did to Us, Combat Through Their Eyes a collection of short vignettes spanning from 1914 to present. He has interviewed men from both sides of almost every major war since 1939. He has had nearly 200 conversations with men from 20+ different armies, including the Taliban. We enjoyed this conversation with a fellow GWOT veteran telling such human stories.
Battles and Beers:
What War Did to Us, Combat Through Their Eyes:
https://www.amazon.com/WHAT-WAR-DID-US-Through/dp/B09MC8NQ9D
Support the show and become a War Stories patron: https://www.patreon.com/warstoriespodcast
Website: https://www.warstories.co
213: Mike Dowling - A US Marine, Author, Producer and Veteran Advocate
Mike Dowling is an Emmy nominated producer, author, and veteran advocate based in Los Angeles.
Mike enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2001 and was in boot camp when 9/11 happened. Enlisting on an open contract, he was assigned to be a military policeman, became the distinguished honor graduate of his class, and would serve as a military working dog handler deploying with his Military Working Dog Rex to Iraq in 2004. They were attached to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines surviving the Triangle of Death and the First Battle of Fallujah. His book “Sergeant Rex: The Unbreakable Bond Between A Marine and His Military Working Dog” (Atria Books/2011) is a memoir of his service as a K9 handler.
Since leaving the miliary, Mike shifted his career to film and media. He has been a military consultant on a wide range of productions for CBS, ABC, Animal Planet, and for Netflix working with Academy Award winning producers James Moll and Robert Zemeckis on the Medal of Honor docuseries (2018).
Instagram:
Mike Dowling’s website:
https://www.officialmikedowling.com/
Sergeant Rex is available for purchase at:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Google
Audible
iTunes
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Website: https://www.warstories.co
212: Can the US Military Defeat an Insurgency?
Book referenced is Black Hearts by Jim Frederick
www.amazon.com/Black-Hearts-Platoons-Descent-Triangle/dp/0307450767
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Website: www.warstories.co
211: US Army Airborne School and Religious Affairs with Austin Knight
We are joined in this episode by Austin Knight. Austin serves in the active-duty Army as a Religious Affairs NCO where he’s currently assigned to the U.S. Army Airborne School. We spoke to Austin about a variety of topics ranging from what Airborne School is like today, the experience of jumping out of airplanes for a living, to his ultimate role which is to care for not just the spiritual welfare of Soldiers (from Private to General), but their moral and emotional well-being as well.
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Website: https://www.warstories.co
210: Taliban, al Qaeda and Afghanistan before 2001 with Steve Coll
In this episode, we are joined by Steve Coll. Coll is a New Yorker staff writer and reports on issues of politics, intelligence, and national security in the United States and abroad. He has written about the education of Osama bin Laden, secret negotiations between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, and the hunt for the fugitive Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar. He was the managing editor of the Washington Post from 1998 to 2005, having earlier been a feature writer, a foreign correspondent, and an editor there; in 1990, he shared a Pulitzer Prize with David Vise for a series of articles about the Securities and Exchange Commission. From 2007 to 2013, he was the president of the New America Foundation.
Coll is the author of several books, including “Directorate S: The C.I.A. and America’s Secret Wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan”; “Private Empire: ExxonMobil and American Power”; “The Bin Ladens: An Arabian Family in the American Century,” which won the pen/John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Nonfiction; “On the Grand Trunk Road: A Journey Into South Asia”; “Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the C.I.A., Afghanistan, and Bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001,” for which he received an Overseas Press Club Award and a Pulitzer Prize; “Eagle on the Street,” which was based on his reporting on the S.E.C.; “The Taking of Getty Oil”; and “The Deal of the Century: The Breakup of AT&T.” Coll has served as dean of the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University, where he continues to teach.
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Website: https://www.warstories.co
209: Conversations About War with Phil Klay, Marine Veteran and Award Winning Author
In this episode, we are joined by Phil Klay. Phil Clay is a GWOT veteran of the Iraq war, having served as a Marine Corps officer from 2005-2009. Phil’s works, both as a veteran and writer, have been published throughout The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, The New Yorker, and the Brookings Institution's Brookings Essay series.
His short story collection Redeployment won the 2014 National Book Award for Fiction and the National Book Critics' Circle John Leonard Prize for best debut work in any genre, and was selected as one of the 10 Best Books of 2014 by The New York Times. His nonfiction work won the George W. Hunt, S.J., Prize for Journalism, Arts & Letters in the category of Cultural & Historical Criticism in 2018. He currently teaches fiction at Fairfield University and his debut novel, Missionaries, was released in October 2020 with Penguin Press.
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Website: https://www.warstories.co
208: Media Coverage of the War in Ukraine
Little shorter bit here where Preston and Sayre get into an article discussing media coverage of the war in Ukraine.
FAIR.org article: https://fair.org/home/invasion-news-fits-on-front-page-more-when-an-enemy-does-the-invading/
Preston's video on the subject: https://youtu.be/YIBYYdQY3-4
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Website: https://www.warstories.co
207: On the ground in Ukraine with Justin Roberts
In this episode we are joined by Justin Roberts. Justin is a documentarian and former Army chaplain who served in Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne Division. Justin's documentary "No Greater Love" details the reality of war with firsthand footage and accounts of a harrowing 12-month deployment to Kunar Province, Afghanistan.
While we discuss Justin's experiences in Afghanistan, he spoke to us while on the ground in Ukraine. We discuss what the current battle tempo is like, and how the war has evolved into an artillery-heavy war with little maneuver. Justin has an incredible perspective of war and the people affected.
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Website: https://www.warstories.co
206: Night Helicopter Raids in Vietnam with Bob Walker
In this episode we are joined by Bob Walker. Bob was an infantry officer during the Vietnam War with an incredible story and experience.
Bob served as a platoon leader with the 9th Infantry Division, conducting air assaults and raids similar to how Ranger Regiment is used today.
His military awards include: Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star Medal (3rd Award), Distinguished Flying Cross, Soldier's Medal, Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device, Bronze Star Medal (4th Award), Air Medal with "V'' Device, Air Medal (6th Award), Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device, Army Commendation Medal (5th Award), Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, Army Overseas Ribbon (2nd Award), National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Ranger tab.
Bob was inducted into the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame in 2020.
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Website: https://www.warstories.co
205: Counterterrorism & The War in Iraq with Retired CIA Officer Jim Horacek
Today we are joined with Jim Horacek. Jim is a former CIA counterterrorism manager and analyst. Initially joining the CIA as a Soviet-focused political analyst, after the September 11th, 2001 attacks, Jim volunteered to join the new Office of Terrorism Analysis in the Counterterrorism Center where he spent the bulk of his career.
Jim is a personal friend of Mike Croissant (#203), and primarily spent his time in the CIA focused on the Iraq War, writing sections of Secretary of State Colin Powell's address to the UN. We discussed the state of Iraq's weaponry and disposition before the war kicked off, as well as Jordanian Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's association in both Iraq and with Al-Qaeda. Jim has a tremendous amount of first-hand experiences during a very emotional, fast-paced time in American foreign policy.
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Website: https://www.warstories.co
204: The Evacuation of Saigon with Col.(retired) Anthony Wood
We are joined today by retired Marine Colonel Anthony (Tony) Wood. In 1975, as a captain, Col. Wood was one of two military officers (the other a Green Beret captain) tasked with planning and executing the evacuation of Saigon as North Vietnamese forces shelled the city and closed in. They not only had to identify the thousands of allies (and Americans) in the region, but also identify potential landing/extraction zones, as well as develop a transportation plan to the sites, meanwhile keeping their extraction plans hidden from the ambassador/state department due to political pressures.
Col. Wood and his team successfully extracted over 7,000 people in the largest helicopter evacuation in history without firing a single shot. This is a harrowing story and one of courage, bravery, desperation, creativity at the highest level, and decisiveness.
We discuss the context of Vietnam in 1975, and the disagreement/disconnect between the military (posted offshore and not permitted on Vietnamese ground) and the state department/embassy. We continue to learn from these first-hand accounts of what it was like on the ground in Vietnam, especially during a chaotic, and highly politicized time. As we know, those on the ground doing the job oftentimes tell a different story than what the news delivers. We hope you enjoy.
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Website: https://www.warstories.co
203: Life At CIA In The Aftermath of the 9/11 Attacks With Retired Intelligence Officer Mike Croissant
In this episode we are joined by Mike Croissant. Mike is a retired CIA officer with more than 20 years of experience in counter-terrorism and security risk assessment. Mike has extensive professional and academic experience across the Middle East and Central and South Asia and was intimately involved with the Global War on Terror in Afghanistan, having spent his career with the agency as an analyst and targeting officer.
We discuss with Mike what it was like to be at Langley during 9/11, only being two years with the agency at that time, and what it was like having to brief high level government officials, including Vice President Dick Cheney weeks after 9/11. It was a pleasure for us to connect with Mike who from the last two decades, has had a front seat during some of the most pivotal moments in American history.
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Website: https://www.warstories.co
202: Hell Frozen Over - Battle of Chosin Reservoir with Hampton Sides
We are joined today with Hampton Sides. Sides is the author of our favorite book on the Korean War: On Desperate Ground which tells the story of one of the most harrowing clashes in American history, the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, during which Mao’s numerically superior armies surrounded and tried to destroy the First Marine Division in the frozen mountain wilds of North Korea. Sides is best-known for his gripping non-fiction adventure stories set in war or depicting epic expeditions of discovery and exploration. He is the author of the bestselling histories Ghost Soldiers, Blood and Thunder, Hellhound On His Trail, and, most recently, In the Kingdom of Ice, which recounts the heroic polar voyage of the U.S.S. Jeannette during the Gilded Age.
We really enjoyed this conversation as Hampton is a wonderful author of American adventure and exploration, always centered around the human stories which arise. We hope you enjoy, we sure did.
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/warstoriespodcast
201: Weapons of Mass Destruction (CBRN) with Jeff Brodeur
Today we are joined with Jeff Brodeur. Jeff retired from the U.S. Army as a Colonel and served as the Assistant Commandant for the Chemical-Biological-Radiological-Nuclear (CBRN) Schoolhouse and Regiment. Following retirement, he entered the private industry as a senior CBRN technical advisor providing direct support to the Departments of Defense, Energy, Homeland Security, and State. In 2018 Jeff led a CBRN team in Iraq providing toxic chemical surveys in facilities recently displaced by ISIS to allow industry and families to repopulate. Mr. Brodeur is an internationally recognized CBRN expert with conference keynote speaker and panel member experience in Brazil, USA, Canada, and Iraq.
We discuss Jeff's expertise with weapons of mass destruction, and how each one is uniquely different. We also discuss Jeff's long spanning career in this highly technical field, and how the technologies have changed over the years. We hope you enjoy.
200: Vietnam War From The Sea with Doug Mater
Today, we are joined with Doug Mater. From 1971-1973, Doug served on two Westpac cruises to South East Asia (Vietnam) as a naval ammo bearer on the USS Sample.
Doug is Preston's father-in-law and we discuss many of his personal stories rarely shared. We talk about what it was like to be a young man in an era of the draft during a turbulent time in American history. We also discuss the experiences of being an ammo bearer on a Navy gunship, and the amount of firepower the Americans unleashed from the sea.
Since returning home from Vietnam, Doug earned his B.S. in Social Work by using his G.I. Bill and served as a juvenile probation officer for 22 years. He then heard the call to ministry and attended Asbury Theological Seminary, earning a Master's of Divinity degree and has served as an Elder in the United Methodist Church for 16 years.
Memorial Day Re-Release: Remembering Todd Weaver
In this episode, I'm joined by Jacob Ivey, Bryson Shipman and Kyle Snook to talk about their friend, Todd Weaver. Jacob, Kyle, Bryson and Todd were all platoon leaders together in D/2-502IN before splitting off to different companies just ahead of a deployment to Afghanistan in 2010. They share some awesome parts of Todd's story from his writing letters to the families of his Soldiers to the deep conversations had right when they arrived in country.
Early in the deployment, Todd and Jacob were sent to support 1-320FA in the Arghandab River Valley just outside Kandahar. They talk about Todd taking on the new mission and how much he enjoyed being able to mentor and lead a new group of Soldiers in this challenging environment.
Todd was killed in action on September 9th, 2010, but it's clear in talking with his friends that he left quite the legacy and is still making an impact today.
Jacob Ivey was a Ranger-qualified Infantry Officer and served as a platoon leader in the Arghandab River Valley with B/1/320 during the 2010-2011 deployment to Afghanistan by 2IBCT, 101st Airborne Division. Jacob ultimately served for 10 years before moving on to the civilian sector where he lives in Gainesville, FL with his wife and children.
Bryson Shipman was an Company Executive Officer in Zhari District, Kandahar Province with D/2-502 Parachute Infantry Regiment during the 2010-2011 deployment to Afghanistan in support of OEF X-XI. Bryson is still serving in the United States Army.
Kyle Snook served 5 years as an Infantry officer with a deployment as a platoon leader to Zhari District, Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne Division’s 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment in 2010. He now works in healthcare entrepreneurship and lives in Denver, CO with his wife, dog and 1-year-old daughter.
Memorial Day Re-Release: Maria Goodavage "Top Dog: The Story of Marine Hero Lucca"
In this episode, Sayre and I are joined by former USA Today journalist Maria Goodavage to talk about service dogs and a Marine dog named Lucca.
Maria is considered one of the foremost author experts on working dogs after the publication of her critically-acclaimed New York Times bestselling books, Soldier Dogs, Top Dog, and Secret Service Dogs. Her latest book, Doctor Dogs: How Our Best Friends Are Becoming Our Best Medicine, has won hearts around the world.
Maria has appeared on numerous national TV shows, including The Daily Show With Jon Stewart and Today, and has given talks about working dogs at the New York Stock Exchange, National Museum of the United States Air Force, and other notable venues.
Read more about Maria and all of her work at her website below!
https://www.mariagoodavage.com/
Memorial Day Re-Release: Remembering Dimitri Del Castillo
In this episode Preston Stewart and Sayre Payne are joined by a group of Dimitri Del Castillo's classmates, Army rugby teammates and friends. John Wagner, Jericho Jones, Tommy Sandonato, Andy Brigman, and Mike Fleming. They talk about their time with Del at West Point, on the rugby pitch, during Ranger School and once everyone scattered their separate ways into the Army.
1LT Dimitri Del Castillo was killed on June 25th, 2011 in Kunar Province, Afghanistan while serving as a platoon leader with 2-35IN, 3rd BCT, 25th ID.
199: On The Ground at Guadalcanal with Dave Holland
Today, Preston and Sayre are joined with Dave Holland. Dave is a former U.S. Marine who has lived and worked for nearly 3 years on site at Guadalcanal and operates the YouTube page, Guadalcanal - Walking a Battlefield, documenting the many battle sites of one of the longest and hardest fought campaigns of WW2. We discuss how Guadalcanal kicked off the American ground offensive post Pearl Harbor, establishing a foothold in the Pacific. We also discuss the brutal fighting and tactics employed by both the Marines and the Japanese, and how the Marines changed the tide of the war by halting the forward progress of the Japanese Empire, who up to that point were the dominating offensive force throughout the Pacific and Asiatic region of the world. If you're typically a podcast listener, be sure to check our YouTube page which incorporates many of these visuals in tandem with the conversation. We hope you enjoy.
Dave's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSPWS6QYjnWy6_8-m7NvE-Q/featured
Dave's Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/GuadalcanalWalkingabattlefield/
198: Personal Accounts of War with Author Doug Stanton
Preston and Sayre are joined today with Doug Stanton. Doug is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, lecturer, screenwriter. His books include The Odyssey of Echo Company, In Harm’s Way, and Horse Soldiers.
The Odyssey of Echo Company entails the story of a 101st Airborne Division recon platoon who found themselves thrust into savage combat during the Vietnam War's Tet Offensive.
In Harm’s Way is the definitive account of the sinking, rescue, and valor of the USS Indianapolis crew during the end of the Second World War, and became required reading on the U.S. Navy's reading list for officers.
Horse Soldiers is the dramatic account of a small band of Green Berets who secretly entered Afghanistan following 9/11 and rode to war on horses against the Taliban. It is required reading by US Army Special Forces at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School and is the inspiration behind the movie 12 Strong.
Doug's books were all obtained from first-hand accounts and by personally observing the battlefields. We discuss many of the personal stories, themes, and history he's preserved through his writings.
In Harm's Way is being re-released over 20 years later on May 17, 2022, including a new chapter of stories untold. We hope you enjoy.
500k Downloads! Giveaway and Listener Q&A
If we had set goals for the podcast when we first started, this most certainly would have been one: 500k downloads! Thank you all so much for your support and making this so fun to continue to do. As a thank you, we pulled five questions that were submitted to talk about today and will send those folks a War Stories mug. In this episode we tackled:
- What's something in the military that civilians could most benefit from?
- Is the five star rank still on the books?
- A Chaplain's role in the military.
- What shocked us most about the war in Ukraine.
- What different career paths or choices would we have made in the miltary?
197: Modern Day Urban Combat with John Spencer
Preston and Sayre are joined today with John Spencer–one of the world’s leading scholars and experts in the field of urban warfare. He has studied, taught, and written about urban warfare for over a decade.
John is the creator of The Mini-Manual for the Urban Defender and currently serves as the Chair of Urban Warfare Studies with the Madison Policy Forum. He recently served as the Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point, Co-Director of the Urban Warfare Project, and host of the Urban Warfare Project podcast.
This was a great conversation coming from a scholar and warrior with first hand experiences on both fronts as Spencer has one of the most infantry resumes possible. Serving over twenty-five years in the active Army as an infantry soldier, Spencer has held ranks from Private to Sergeant First Class and Second Lieutenant to Major. His assignments as an Army officer included two combat deployments to Iraq as both an Infantry Platoon Leader and Company Commander, a Ranger Instructor with the Army’s Ranger School, a Joint Chief of Staff and Army Staff intern, fellow with the Chief of Staff of the Army’s Strategic Studies Group, and Co-Founder, Strategic Planner, and Deputy Director of the Modern War Institute at West Point.
We hope you enjoy.
196: LCI's in WWII with Author Zach Morris
Today Preston and Sayre are joined by Zach S. Morris. Zach is currently the editor in chief of LST Scuttlebutt, the quarterly magazine newsletter of the U.S. Landing Ship Tank (LST) Association. He is also the former editor in chief of Elsie Item, the quarterly magazine newsletter of the USS Landing Craft Infantry (LCI) National Association. Zach joins us to discuss the new book he wrote about his grandfather, Stephen Ganzberger, who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. The book, When the Beaches Trembled: The Incredible True Story of Stephen Ganzberger and the LCIs in World War II, explores Ganzberger's journey aboard the USS LCI(L)-329 and LCI(G)-65 and the story of the creation of the Amphibious Forces at the beginning of WWII. We discuss how Zach spent a decade collecting first hand accounts from the sailors responsible for operating these pivotal troop transports. Landing Craft Infantry ships (LCIs) had the perilous job of delivering troops directly onto enemy-held beaches in some of the fiercest combat of the war, and were critical to Allied victory. We talk about what life was like aboard those tiny ships, and the dangers the little LCIs faced fighting the Japanese in the Pacific Theater.
Zach can be reached at on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @Zach_Editor as well as his website https://www.zachsmorris.com.
195: Marine, World Class Boxer, Special Forces Medic & Secret Service Officer - Henry Hooper
Preston and Sayre are today joined with Henry Hooper. Henry is one of those guys who has lived a thousand different lives. Henry served in the Marines, Army Special Forces, and retired from federal service as a Secret Service agent having served under four presidents. We talk about Henry’s experiences growing up as a young African American in the south, and how he enlisted into the Marines at 17 years old in the 1950s.
A lifelong boxer, Henry made the USMC boxing team where he fought Cassius Clay (Mohammad Ali) for the spot on USA’s 1960 Olympic boxing team. We then discuss Henry’s next pivot after his time in the Marines into becoming a Special Forces medic in the very early years of its inception. We discuss Henry’s experience working with and among Vietnamese local nationals in the early 1960s, before Vietnam was considered a “war,” and the impact he had as a medic on the communities there—in addition to conducting guerilla warfare operations as he was specially-trained to do as a Green Beret. Henry has lived a life of adventure and it was a pleasure to get to speak with him.
VFW Article: http://digitaledition.qwinc.com/publication/?m=3914&i=732112&p=32&ver=html5
194: Sebastian Junger on Freedom, perspectives from combat, and Vets Town Hall
Sebastian Junger joins Preston and Sayre today on the podcast. Sebastian Junger is the #1 New York Times Bestselling author of THE PERFECT STORM, FIRE, A DEATH IN BELMONT, WAR, TRIBE and FREEDOM. Junger is also a documentary filmmaker whose debut film RESTREPO, a feature-length documentary (co-directed with Tim Hetherington), was nominated for an Academy Award and won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance.
It was a privilege for us to speak with Sebastian as we are both personal fans, having watched and read his work over the years. We discussed our commonalities and perspectives from experiencing combat in Afghanistan, and how it relates to how American society seems to feel today. We also discuss the challenges faced by young men in our ever-progressing society. Finally, we discuss the important work Sebastian spearheads as the founder and director of Vets Town Hall. Vets Town Hall works to facilitate events in local communities where veterans of any era who served in any capacity have the right to stand before their community and speak for up to ten minutes about what it was like to serve their country. These community events aim to establish greater understanding between local veterans and the friends and neighbors they served.
Finally we’d like to mention the name Sayre couldn’t recall is Eugene Goodman–the former Strike Soldier who safeguarded the Capitol on Jan. 6.
193: From Peleliu to Okinawa with the U.S. Marines - Henry Sledge
Preston and Sayre are joined today with Henry Sledge. Henry is the son of esteemed WWII Marine and author, Eugene “E.B.” Sledge, who wrote the seminal WWII memoir, With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa. As the son of a Pacific Theater Marine infantryman and nephew to a Battle of the Bulge tanker, Henry has had a lifelong respect and admiration of not only the Pacific Theater of operations, but WWII in its entirety.
We discuss the events which gave rise to the strategy and execution of the Pacific Theater, and the distinction of what those who fought in the Pacific faced compared to those deployed to the various other battlegrounds fought during a time of global war. Having personally visited the islands—homesite to some of the most brutal battles fought in WWII—we discuss the terrain and environment, and what it was like encountering the very bunker his father knocked out over a half-century prior.
Henry is the co-host of WWII History podcast, What’s the Scuttlebutt and the author of several published articles; has served as a historical consultant on WWII Pacific artwork for Valor Studios, and has been interviewed on camera many times, discussing his father.
192: Sicily to D-Day - Lessons Learned by the 82nd Airborne Division in WWII with Ben Meredith
Today Preston and Sayre are joined by Ben Meredith. Ben has a doctorate of education from Pepperdine University and from 1983-1994, served as an active duty infantry officer, including command of an infantry company during Desert Shield/Storm.
Our focus of conversation with Ben entails the 1943 Allied Invasion of Sicily, codenamed "Operation Husky." Operation Husky was a large amphibious and airborne operation, followed by a six-week land campaign, and initiated the Italian Campaign. We discuss the role the United States played in this complex operation, including the 82nd Airborne Division's pivotal role in establishing America's newly-created paratroopers. The lessons learned from Husky helped set the stage for the main land invasion of Europe on D-Day less than a year later.
191: Ukraine's Military From Soviet Roots To A NATO Model with MG(Retired) John Harrel
Today, Preston and Sayre were fortunate to be joined by Major General (Retired) John Harrel to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine. MG Harrel spent over 50 years as a military officer—beginning as an Infantry Marine Second Lieutenant to becoming the Commanding General of the California National Guard. He has a master’s degree in history from California State University-Northridge and a law degree from SW University School of Law.
We discuss how over the last 30 years since the collapse of the USSR, the California National Guard has trained the Ukrainian military in American/NATO military doctrine resulting in decades long relationships forged between American military leaders such as MG Harrel and Ukrainian military officers and soldiers. We discuss the in-depth amount of training the Ukrainians have received over the years from its American and NATO allies, and how that compares to Russia’s preparation and disposition over the same time frame. We discuss how the American/NATO military philosophies of utilizing non-commissioned officers to take initiative and “get the job done” has been ingrained into the Ukrainian military, and how that compares to how little the Russian doctrine has changed—if at all—since the fall of the Soviet Union. We discuss how this lack of what we would call “fundamental training” related to small unit tactics has resulted in the current Russian ineffectiveness we are seeing—from their faulty intelligence received prior to the invasion, to their widespread corruption causing much of the logistical issues currently facing the Russian military. It was a pleasure to speak with MG Harrel as he provided much insight and context to the current conflict from the perspective of a General Officer.
190: The OSS in WWII - Behind Enemy Lines with Erik Brun
Today, Sayre and Preston are joined by Erik Brun. Erik is a military historian and veteran himself with a family history of service. Erik served as a Field Artillery officer spending time in the California, Arizona, and Washington D.C. National Guard before his retirement in 2011.
In this episode we talk about the Office of Strategic Services in World War II. The OSS was stood up as the American version of the British SOE (Special Operations Executive) that had been hard at work in the early years of the war. We get into the selection of members, what their missions looked like and the impact they had on the outcome of the war.
189: EXTRA - Update on the War in Ukraine with Cold War Historian Ian Richardson
Sayre and Preston are joined today by Ian Richardson. We talk about predictions leading up to the invasion, how this looks compared to past Russian military actions and the broader implications around the world.
Ian is a Captain in the Army Reserve and formerly served as a Logistics Officer in Iraq in 2020. He is a published museum professional with nearly a decade of experience and a focus in 20th century warfare. He formerly served as the Historic Vehicle Coordinator for the First Division Museum in Wheaton, IL. Ian also runs an Instagram account displaying his collection of militaria, check it out when you get a chance @ivy_vine_militaria
188: Australia in WWII - Pacific Theater with Ross Manuel
Today, Sayre and Preston are joined by Ross Manuel. Ross provides much insight into the relationship between the smaller, younger Australian military and the Old World European powers during the two world wars. We likewise discuss how the Aussie and American militaries had their differences too.
We also go into the Kokoda Track Campaign which represents the first time in Australia's history that its security was directly threatened. The key leaders responsible for the campaign, General Douglas MacArthur and General Sir Thomas Blamey, have been criticized for unreasonable and unrealistic perceptions of the terrain and conditions under which the campaign was fought—to the detriment of the troops committed to the fighting.
The lessons learned during the course of this campaign and the subsequent battle of Buna–Gona led to widespread changes in doctrine, training, equipment and structure, with a legacy that remains until the present day.
187: Leigh Freeman—Infantry point man with the 101st Airborne Division during Vietnam (1970)
Today Sayre and Preston are joined by Leigh Freeman. Leigh served with C/2-506th IN, part of the 3rd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War.
Leigh talks about his experience as a nineteen-year-old infantry rifleman in the jungles of Vietnam. As the platoon’s point man, Leigh was the man at the very front of the formation cutting brush with a machete, in search of the North Vietnamese Army. We also discussed with Leigh what his experience was like coming home, and how it felt to be a veteran of that era. We really enjoyed this conversation and discussed many aspects that come with a combat deployment.
186: Autumn Hendrickson - A Small Town In A Big War, the Stories of Reading, MA in WWII
Today Sayre and Preston are joined by Autumn Hendrickson. Autumn is from a small town in Massachusetts called Reading and is currently writing a book about Reading’s men and women who served in nearly every major unit and theater of World War II. We talk with Autumn about how she developed a deep level of knowledge on the subject and such a clear passion for the events and people affected by World War II despite being of a younger generation which never grew up amongst the “Greatest Generation.”
Check out some of her work below:
Newspaper Articles - https://thereadingpost.com/author/ahendrickson/
Podcast - https://anchor.fm/readingsboys
Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/readingsboys
185: Norman Bendiksen - Special Forces Medic In The Vietnam War
Today Sayre and Preston are joined by Norm Bendiksen. Norm describes growing up as a young man in Texas in the 1950s, later to drop out of college in the early 60s to join “the paratroopers.” While in airborne school, Norm learned of the newly-created Army Special Forces—the esteemed “Green Berets”—and promptly signed up to join. We discuss what is was like to go through Army training in the early 60s, and what his Special Forces medic training entailed.
Norm was on one of the earliest Special Forces A-Teams to conduct advisory and combat missions in Vietnam—he was already in-country for several months when the Gulf of Tonkin incident occurred in 1964.
Norm has lived a fascinating life and is a great story teller. He is @GrandpaNorm on TikTok and can be found at: https://www.tiktok.com/@grandpanorm?
184: The IED War - Constant Innovation On The Battlefield With Army Sapper Preston Steele
Today Sayre and Preston are joined by Preston Steele. Preston, a former US Army Engineer Officer, graduated from Sapper and Ranger school before heading to Afghanistan. We talk about the unique role of combat engineers in the War on Terror, how the military and our enemies are constantly innovating in the middle of a war, and the challenges of dealing with IEDs.
Preston enlisted in the Ohio Army National Guard in 2003 —he attended basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, followed by his advanced individual training (AIT) as a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter mechanic. Upon completing AIT, he enrolled at Ohio University where he attended the Army ROTC program. In 2008, Preston commissioned into the U.S. Army as an active-duty Second Lieutenant.
From 2009-2012, Preston was assigned to BCT 3-1ID STB, stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Preston’s military training includes Airborne School (2005); Air Assault School (2007); Sapper Leader Course (2009); and Ranger School (2010). From 2011-2012, Preston served as a Sapper Platoon Leader conducting anti-IED, Route Clearance Patrols in Khost Province, Afghanistan.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University and a Master of Business from the University of Kansas. Following his service, he entered the construction and real estate market.
Preston has a professional career of over 10 years in the manufacturing and construction industries. He is now the owner and president of Forum Works, a 30-year-old manufacturer serving the commercial construction industry in central Ohio.
Preston enjoys spending time with his wife and 3 children, volunteering with multiple Veteran organizations, and spearheading a public-private partnership to redevelop an inner-city community in Franklin County, Ohio. In the summer of 2021, Preston assisted in the evacuation of Afghan allies left stranded upon the withdrawal of American forces.
You can contact Preston via email at psteele@forumwrks.com
183: Did He Find The First IED Of The War? From Iraq to Afghanistan, Four Combat Deployments With US Army Infantryman Morgan Sullivan
Today Sayre and Preston are joined by Morgan Sullivan. Morgan and Sayre crossed paths in the Infantry Officer Basic Course when they were both brand new second lieutenants. While Sayre was just starting his Army career, Morgan was a seasoned veteran that fellow students and cadre leaned on. Morgan joined the Army after the September 11, 2001 attacks and before long found himself with the 3rd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne headed to Iraq for the 2003 invasion. Before making the jump to the officer side, Morgan deployed to Iraq three times as an infantryman in a line company and with the scout platoon. After he and Sayre parted ways at Ft. Benning, Morgan headed off to the 2nd Infantry Division where he once more would deploy, this time to Afghanistan. Morgan is wrapping up his Army career and it was great to sit down and chat for a bit with someone whose impressive career spans the Global War on Terror.
182: The History of Ukraine/Russia Tensions And What It Means Today with Military Historian Ian Richardson
Today Sayre and Preston are joined by Ian Richardson to talk about ongoing tensions in Ukraine. Ian is a wealth of knowledge on the Cold War and helped us better understand the historical nature of the relationship, what's pulled the two together and driven them apart over time.
Ian is a Captain in the Army Reserve and formerly served as a Logistics Officer in Iraq in 2020. He is a published museum professional with nearly a decade of experience and a focus in 20th century warfare. He formerly served as the Historic Vehicle Coordinator for the First Division Museum in Wheaton, IL. Ian also runs an Instagram account displaying his collection of militaria, check it out when you get a chance @ivy_vine_militaria
181: If It Flies....It Dies - Air Defense Artillery and Afghanistan Challenges with Ethan Long (Habitual Linecrosser)
Sayre and Preston are joined today by Ethan Long, commonly known online as Habitual Linecrosser. Ethan is an active duty Air Defense Artilleryman, a combat veteran from Afghanistan, and is becoming a bigger and bigger name online within the veteran community. We talk about some crazy things Air Defenders have to focus on, find out that we were just a few miles apart in Kandahar back in 2010, and how he's using his social media platforms to drive positive leadership.
Check out his TikTok and the MilTok Discord server, linked below.
Hope you enjoy!
180: From Guarding The Southern Border To Firing Rockets In The Middle East with Johnny Britton, Texas Army National Guard
Sayre and Preston are joined today by Johnny Britton. Johnny is currently a field artillery officer in the Texas Army National Guard where he's certainly staying busy. We talk about the challenges that Guard Soldiers face, balancing their military time with civilian careers, the variety of mission sets Johnny and his men are asked to accomplish and quite a bit more. Was a lot of fun catching up with Johnny who I (Preston) was fortunate to have served with down in Texas. He's got a lot of great insight not just into the National Guard but also, having worked for a while in a HIMARS unit, an understanding of where the Army's field artillery is headed going in to the future.
Hope you enjoy!