Capturing WWII Stories, One Veteran at a Time
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
To give you a chance to hear first-hand from some of the amazing veterans I’ve interviewed, I’ve created a Youtube Channel. It contains short (no more than 5 minutes) videos shot at the end of interviews with veterans about what they remembered and thought of their military service during World War II more than 70... Continue Reading →
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 →
Don Wolfe served as a B-26 pilot during WWII. Another one of my veterans reached the amazing age of 100! Donald Wolfe served in the Army Air Corps in Europe. I interviewed him a few years ago and have kept in touch. He recently celebrated his birthday with a party. Unfortunately, I could not attend,... Continue Reading →
Curly Seibold was a POW in Stalag Luft III in Poland during WWII. This is a big day in our nation’s history! One is close to me as I wrote a book about men who are among those honored: National POW/MIA Recognition Day. In 2020 I released Captured! Stories of American WWII Prisoners of War.... Continue Reading →
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 →
Denny Butler served as a mortar gunner in Europe. I met WWII vet Dennis Butler several years ago through a friend’s recommendation – and am I glad for the opportunity to interview him! Not only did Denny (his preferred nickname) have an amazing story of survival in Europe, but he had a photo album of... Continue Reading →
Writing of Kayleen Reusser 