Veterans Chronicles

One of America's most distinguished fighter pilots from World War II and the Korean War, and the Air Force's greatest living "ace" pilot. Hear how Col. Walker "Bud" Mahurin recorded victories over enemy aircraft in both the European and Pacific theaters in World War II and the Korean War.

Profiles in Valor, the newest radio program from the American Veterans Center, features a short interview with a decorated service member of today's generation. In this episode, host Tim Holbert interviews Staff Sergeant Bart Cole, United States Marine Corps, and recipient of the Bronze Star with Valor for heroism during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In this episode, Gene Pell speaks to retired U.S. Army Colonel Walter Joseph Marm, Jr, recipient of the Medal of Honor during the legendary Battle of Ia Drang, November 14, 1965. Marm, then a second-lieutenant in Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), single-handedly attacked an enemy machine gun bunker during an attempt to save a platoon of soldiers surrounded by the enemy. His story has been told in the best-selling book, "We Were Soldiers Once...And Young."

Profiles in Valor, the newest radio program from the American Veterans Center, features a short interview with a decorated service member of today's generation. In this episode, host Tim Holbert interviews Major Stephen Mount, USMC, recipient of the Air Medal and Purple Heart following actions in the 2004 Battle of Najaf during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

This week's episode features decorated veterans of two of the fiercest battles of the last quarter century. Lt. Col. Todd Desgrosseilliers, who served as executive officer of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines in Operation Iraqi Freedom, was awarded the Silver Star for actions taken in the Second Battle of Fallujah in 2004. Meanwhile, Sgt. Matthew Eversmann would be awarded the Bronze Star with Valor for heroism in the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, made famous by the book and film "Black Hawk Down," in which he was portrayed.

Profiles in Valor, the newest radio program from the American Veterans Center, features a short interview with a decorated service member of today's generation. In this episode, host Tim Holbert interviews First Sergeant Donnie Brazeal, USMC-Ret. First Sergeant Brazeal earned the Bronze Star with Valor for his actions at Camp Gannon, along the Iraq-Syria border, when he willfully exposed himself to enemy fire in an attempt to relieve pressure on a group of fellow Marines pinned down during an attack.

Host Gene Pell interviews two of the U.S. military's most distinguished women, retired Air Force Brigadier General Wilma Vaught and Air Force Major Nicole Malachowski. Both have broken barriers for women in the military, with Vaught one of the military's most highly decorated women, receiving the Defense and Air Force Distinguished Service Medals, the Air Force Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, and the Vietnam Service Award with four stars. She is also the first woman to command a unit receiving the Joint Meritorious Unit Award. Meanwhile, Malachowski, a veteran of 26 combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, became the first woman in Air Force history to fly with the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, better known as the Thunderbirds.

Profiles in Valor, the newest radio program from the American Veterans Center, features a short interview with a decorated service member of today's generation. In this episode, Mrs. Janet Manion tells the story of her son, Marine 1Lt. Travis Manion, who was killed while serving abroad during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Travis has been posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his valor in combat, and the Travis Manion Foundation is working to keep his legacy alive.

In this week's episode, Gene Pell speaks to retired Air Force Brigadier General R. Steve Ritchie, the only Air Force "ace" pilot of the Vietam War. One of the most decorated pilots of the war, Ritchie has been awarded the Air Force Cross, four Silver Stars, 10 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and 25 Air Medals. He became an "ace" on August 28, 1972, when he shot down his fifth enemy MiG-21 fighter.

Profiles in Valor, the newest radio program from the American Veterans Center, features a short interview with a decorated service member of today's generation. In this episode, host Tim Holbert interviews SFC William Tomlin III of the United States Army, a recipient of the Silver Star for actions in Afghanistan, when he led a counterattack against an enemy force nearly six times the size of his own.