Americans react to the Japanese Attack

The USS Shaw explodes during the Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor. December 7, 1941. National Archives “Ten Minutes of Terror” -- Part 4 A 5-Part Series Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor ** Following the 7:57 a.m. Japanese attack on December 7, 1941, the sailors of Pearl Harbor frantically tried... Continue Reading →

Ten Minutes of Terror — Part 3

The USS ARIZONA burns after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, National Archives A 5-Part Series Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor On December 7, 1944, as dawn crested, the Japanese Imperial Navy fleet’s aircraft carriers continued their journey from the North Pacific south toward their prey. Approximately... Continue Reading →

What Led to the Japanese Attack at Pearl Harbor? Part 2

Japanese Zero fighters fly a mission of destruction to Nanzheng, China, 26 May 1941 (public domain via Wikipedia) The Military Build-Up to December 7, 1941 — What happened in the last days of peace before the collision between the United States and Japan? In July 1941 the Japanese leadership made the fateful decision to go... Continue Reading →

What Led to the Japanese Attack at Pearl Harbor? Part 1

This year is the 80th anniversary of the Japanese attack of Pearl Harbor which occurred on December 7, 1941. To commemorate that significant event in our nation’s history, each week leading up to that date I’ll post information about it. As you’re reading through the posts, leave a comment to let me know how this... Continue Reading →

Sailor Served Aboard USS Boston in WWII

  Nick Loren served in the fireroom aboard the USS Boston In honor of the birthday of the U.S. Navy which was founded 246 years ago today (1775), I’m sharing a story from my book, We Defended Freedom: Adventures of World War II Veterans (2020). This book has a lot of Navy stories so if that’s... Continue Reading →

Sailor Witnesses Surrender to End WWII

Jim Wiegman witnessed the Japanese surrender aboard the USS New Mexico. On September 2, 1945, 19-year-old James Charles Wiegman was one of the few American sailors who had a bird’s eye view of the most important military events in world history. Wiegman of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was at sea aboard the battleship, USS New Mexico,... Continue Reading →

D-Day Hero: Naval Corpsman Leo Scheer

Leo Scheer served as a naval corpsman (medic) at Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944 Since interviewing 260 World War II veterans over the past 10 years, I’ve had the opportunity to talk with several who were part of that momentous military plan. Leo Scheer’s story has always fascinated me. I met Leo early in... Continue Reading →

New WWII Film ‘Journey to Royal’ Features Ed Goetz

'Journey to Royal' is a new, exciting docudrama that highlights the peril of flight crew members during WWII. Have you seen the new docudrama ‘Journey to Royal’ that was released on Amazon in February? It includes stories of World War II veterans involved in rescues (or their families in some cases). While the film highlights... Continue Reading →

Women’s History Month: Pauline ‘Polly’ Babbitt Smith — WAVES/ WWII Navy

Polly Smith volunteered for the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) during WWII to help her country. This story is taken from my new book, We Defended Freedom: Adventures of WWII Veterans. Thanks to all of our vets for your service to our country. Pauline ‘Polly’ Babbitt was a student at Nevada High School... Continue Reading →

Sailor Survives Sinking of the USS Houston – and Becomes POW

Bill Ingram was 17 years old when he survived the sinking of the USS Houston in the Java Sea on Feb. 28, 1942 -- only to be captured by Japanese forces. The following is an excerpt from my new book, Captured: Stories of American World War II Prisoners of War: On February 28, 1942, William... Continue Reading →

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