This week Bill and Seth dig into the preparations for the operation that kicks off the mighty Central Pacific Drive, that being of course, Operation GALVANIC, specifically the invasion of Tarawa atoll and Betio island. The team discusses the planning that went into the operation, the leaders who would take part, the equipment, the opposition and just what was at stake during the operation that we will cover in depth over the next several episodes.

This week we are stepping out of our chronological coverage of the war and jumping ahead to 1945 for this one episode as we acknowledge the 78th Anniversary of the day Japan surrendered, thus ending WWII. For this episode, Seth and Bill sit down with THE Pacific War historian Richard Frank to discuss the reasons why Japan surrendered in 1945. we often hear that watching or listening to our shows is like sitting in on a Master's course in WWII. Well, get ready for a doctoral course with this one...

This week Seth and Bill are recording the podcast together on July 6, 2023, from Benicia, California, in front of a live audience at the USS Indianapolis (CA-35) Reunion. They discuss the peacetime and wartime record of the Indy, and include Q&A from the audience at the end.

This week Bill and Seth are joined once again by Naval History and Heritage Command Director, Rear Admiral sam Cox, to discuss the little-known and often-forgotten naval battle of the Komandorski Islands. The trio break down the 4-hour long old school naval gunnery duel in the frigid waters of the North Pacific during the Aleutian Islands campaign of 1943.

This week Seth and guest co-host Jon Parshall discuss the largely forgotten and relatively unknown campaign in the Aleutian islands in 1942 and 1943. The pair discuss the Japanese invasion in 1942 and the plans made by the US in the defense of the Aleutians and eventual recapture. The discussion wraps as the American 7th Infantry Division lands and recaptures sovereign American territory.

In this special episode airing on the release of the movie "Oppenheimer," Bill, Seth and guest Admiral Sam Cox examine the Navy's role in the Manhattan Project and the bombing of Hiroshima. The trio also discusses the controversial nature of the bombing and the reality of the situation as it was seen in 1945.

This week Seth and guest co-host Jon Parshall maneuver their way through the two aircraft carrier raids on the Japanese fortress of Rabaul. The team goes through the personal stories of some of those involved, discusses the impact of the raids on the almost mythical Japanese complex, and discusses the ships used in both raids. Tune in and see how these two raids impacted the overall campaign not only in the Solomons area, but the war as a whole.

This week Seth and Bill are again joined by naval historian Drachinifel and the trio discusses the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay that was fought as a result of the invasion of Bougainville on the night of November 1-2, 1943. Tune in and see what the trio has to say about the resounding American surface victory.

This week Seth and Bill tackle the invasion of Bougainville on November 1, 1943. With the noose around Rabaul growing ever tighter, ADM Halsey and the new 3rd Marine Division and veteran 37th Infantry Division land at Cape Torokina and establish airfields to further tighten the grip on the Japanese fortress at Rabaul. Tune in and see what the team has to say about the reasons for the invasion, the operation itself, heroism, and the end results.

This week Seth and Bill welcome special guest Chuck Merkel to the show to discuss the Medals of Honor awarded to those members of the Silent Service during World War II. Together the trio goes into the stories of Howard Gilmore, John Cromwell, Sam Dealey, Red Ramage, and George Street. Tune in and see what gallantry is really like.