Walk Among Heroes

Walk Among Heroes is proud to welcome our guest for Episode 15, Mr. Jack Gutman.  One of the most inspirational Veterans I know, Mr. Gutman has a very unique perspective on World War II.  As a Navy Corpsman (similar to an Army Medic),  Mr. Gutman invaded Normandy as part of the D-Day invasion alongside Army soldiers.  Several months later, he invaded Okinawa with the Marine Corps.  Mr. Gutman is the only Veteran I know who took part in both invasions.  I met Mr. Gutman in Normandy last year, and since then, we’ve become great friends.  

After Mr. Gutman was discharged from the Navy, he battled undiagnosed PTSD for more than 66 years before finally seeking help.  In his mid-80’s, Mr. Gutman learned to cope with memories of the traumatic events he experienced during World War II.  Although Mr. Gutman will never fully overcome those memories, he made a decision to use his experiences to inspire and assist others.  He willingly shares his story, the challenges he experienced, and the path he has taken to overcome those challenges.  At age ninety, he decided to publish a book, ‘One Veteran’s Journey to Heal the Wounds of War.’  His book provides an amazing account of Mr. Gutman’s experiences, challenges, and all he has done to overcome those challenges.  For those interested, Mr. Gutman’s book can be purchased at:

https://www.amazon.com/One-Veterans-Journey-Heal-Wounds/dp/0692648720

What an incredible honor to hear Mr. Gutman’s story.  Thank you, Mr. Gutman, for inspiring all of us.  

Thank you as always, Shreyas Ganesh, for donating your time as sound engineer for this podcast.

Don't miss the conclusion of our three-part conversation with our guest for Episode 14,  D-Day Veteran Bill Parker.  Part of the 116th Regiment, 29th Division, Mr. Parker landed with the first wave on Omaha Beach, D-Day, June 6, 1944.  He was possibly the first Allied soldier to set foot on Omaha Beach.  Although there is no way to historically verify who took the first step on Omaha Beach, Mr. Parker was definitely among the earliest men to land on that fateful day.  Part of a wire-breaching team, he was the first man to step into the water when the ramp dropped on his Higgins boat.  When asked why he believes he could be the first man to land on Omaha Beach, he says very candidly, ‘because there were no other people or bodies on the beach in front of us.’  

As Mr. Parker and four other men (his wire breaching team) stepped off the Higgins Boat, an artillery round struck the boat, killing the remaining 33 men onboard.  Mr. Parker takes us through his harrowing ordeal on Omaha Beach that day, as his team breached wire obstacles using Bangalore torpedoes, then eventually assaulted a pill box along the bluff, expending all of their ammunition as a result.  Within a matter of days, Mr. Parker was promoted from private to staff sergeant, due to heavy losses sustained in his company.  He led a squad through the hedgerows, conducting attack-after-attack.  Following the breakout, Mr. Parker continued fighting throughout Europe, liberating town-after-town, and eventually reaching the Elbe River.  He actually crossed the Elbe to retrieve one of his soldiers, and spent some time with the Russians as a result.  

Today, Mr. Parker resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he has lived for the majority of his life.  

Episode 14 will consist of three parts.  14A focuses on Mr. Parker’s upbringing, Army training, and travel to Europe.  14B focuses on D-Day, Normandy, and his incredible journey through Europe to the Elbe River.  14C concludes Mr. Parkers military service, then discusses his life after the military, as well as several life lessons that he details for all of us.

Thank you, Shreyas Ganesh, for donating your time as sound engineer for this podcast.

Walk Among Heroes is honored to welcome Mr. Bill Parker as our guest for Episode 14.  Part of the 116th Regiment, 29th Division, Mr. Parker landed with the first wave on Omaha Beach, D-Day, June 6, 1944.  He was possibly the first Allied soldier to set foot on Omaha Beach.  Although there is no way to historically verify who took the first step on Omaha Beach, Mr. Parker was definitely among the earliest men to land on that fateful day.  Part of a wire-breaching team, he was the first man to step into the water when the ramp dropped on his Higgins boat.  When asked why he believes he could be the first man to land on Omaha Beach, he says very candidly, ‘because there were no other people or bodies on the beach in front of us.’  

As Mr. Parker and four other men (his wire breaching team) stepped off the Higgins Boat, an artillery round struck the boat, killing the remaining 33 men onboard.  Mr. Parker takes us through his harrowing ordeal on Omaha Beach that day, as his team breached wire obstacles using Bangalore torpedoes, then eventually assaulted a pill box along the bluff, expending all of their ammunition as a result.  Within a matter of days, Mr. Parker was promoted from private to staff sergeant, due to heavy losses sustained in his company.  He led a squad through the hedgerows, conducting attack-after-attack.  Following the breakout, Mr. Parker continued fighting throughout Europe, liberating town-after-town, and eventually reaching the Elbe River.  He actually crossed the Elbe to retrieve one of his soldiers, and spent some time with the Russians as a result.  

Today, Mr. Parker resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he has lived for the majority of his life.  

Episode 14 will consist of three parts.  14A focuses on Mr. Parker’s upbringing, Army training, and travel to Europe.  14B focuses on D-Day, Normandy, and his incredible journey through Europe to the Elbe River.  14C concludes Mr. Parkers military service, then discusses his life after the military, as well as several life lessons that he details for all of us.

Thank you, Shreyas Ganesh, for donating your time as sound engineer for this podcast.

Walk Among Heroes is honored to welcome Mr. Bill Parker as our guest for Episode 14.  Part of the 116th Regiment, 29th Division, Mr. Parker landed with the first wave on Omaha Beach, D-Day, June 6, 1944.  He was possibly the first Allied soldier to set foot on Omaha Beach.  Although there is no way to historically verify who took the first step on Omaha Beach, Mr. Parker was definitely among the earliest men to land on that fateful day.  Part of a wire-breaching team, he was the first man to step into the water when the ramp dropped on his Higgins boat.  When asked why he believes he could be the first man to land on Omaha Beach, he says very candidly, ‘because there were no other people or bodies on the beach in front of us.’  

 As Mr. Parker and four other men (his wire breaching team) stepped off the Higgins Boat, an artillery round struck the boat, killing the remaining 33 men onboard.  Mr. Parker takes us through his harrowing ordeal on Omaha Beach that day, as his team breached wire obstacles using Bangalore torpedoes, then eventually assaulted a pill box along the bluff, expending all of their ammunition as a result.  Within a matter of days, Mr. Parker was promoted from private to staff sergeant, due to heavy losses sustained in his company.  He led a squad through the hedgerows, conducting attack-after-attack.  Following the breakout, Mr. Parker continued fighting throughout Europe, liberating town-after-town, and eventually reaching the Elbe River.  He actually crossed the Elbe to retrieve one of his soldiers, and spent some time with the Russians as a result.  

 Today, Mr. Parker resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he has lived for the majority of his life.  

 Episode 14 will consist of three parts.  14A focuses on Mr. Parker’s upbringing, Army training and travel to Europe.  14B focuses on D-Day, Normandy, and his incredible journey of fighting through Europe, all the way to the Elbe River.  14C concludes Mr. Parkers military service, then discusses his life after the military, as well as several life lessons that he details for all of us.

 Thank you, Shreyas Ganesh, for donating your time as sound engineer for this podcast.  

It is an honor to welcome Ms. Celia Sandys as our guest for episode 13.  It is impossible to examine World War II (and the 1930’s-1940’s) without understanding the influence of one of the greatest leaders in the history of our world, Sir Winston Churchill.  Ms. Sandys is the granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill, and she has dedicated her life to examining his work and continuing his legacy.  

The daughter of Sir Winston’s eldest child, Diana, Ms. Sandys is an internationally-acclaimed author, journalist, television presenter, and speaker.  She has published five books on various aspects of her grandfather’s life.  In this podcast episode, we will discuss several excerpts from Ms. Sandys’ most recent book, We Shall Not Fail:  The Inspiring Leadership of Sir Winston Churchill, which describes many of Churchill’s leadership principles, which enabled Churchill to lead Great Britain and the world to the overwhelming defeat of Nazi Germany and the Axis forces in 1945.  

Another of Ms. Sandys’ books, Chasing Churchill, is the basis of a documentary which first-aired in the United States and Great Britain on PBS and the Discovery Channel in 2008.  Presented and narrated by Ms. Sandys, the program describes her grandfather’s extensive military, political and private travels across the world, including the many journeys on which she accompanied him. It includes fascinating interviews with some of those who met Churchill during the course of these travels or whose parents or grandparents had done so. This riveting portrait of one of the 20th Century’s iconic figures as painted by someone who knew him as “Grandpapa”.

She has written three other books, titled Churchill Wanted Dead or Alive, From Winston with Love and Kisses, the Young Churchill, and Churchill, A Short Biography.  All of her books can be found on Amazon.com.  

Ms. Sandys is in great demand as a speaker, and her time is extremely valuable.  We are very thankful for her willingness to dedicate some time to discuss her grandfather and his legacy.  Thank you again, Ms. Sandys.

As always, thank you Shreyas Ganesh for donating your time as sound engineer.

It is a true honor to welcome our guest for episode 12, Ms. Betty Webb.  Our mission at Walk Among Heroes, is to provide first-hand accounts from various aspects of the largest (and most important) war in the history of our world.  This week, Ms. Webb tells us about one of the most secretive aspects of the war, the Government Code & Cypher School’s codebreaking operation at Bletchley Park.  

Located approximately seventy miles outside of London in Milton Keynes, Bletchley Park was a classified, top secret campus that housed the groundbreaking intelligence operation, codenamed ‘Ultra.’  During the peak of World War II, nearly 10,000 personnel worked at Bletchley Park, with approximately three quarters being women.  The codebreaking work at Bletchley Park remained classified until the mid-1970’s, and many historians believe that the work accomplished at Bletchley Park shortened the war by 2-4 years.  Think about how many lives were saved by their incredible work!

At eighteen, Ms. Webb left college and volunteered for the ATS, Auxiliary Territorial Service, or women’s branch of the British Army.  After basic training, she was given a travel warrant with orders to report to Bletchley Station.  Between 1941 – 1945, Ms. Webb was stationed at the Government Code & Cypher School’s codebreaking operation at Bletchley Park.  She worked initially for Major Ralph Tester in the main mansion before moving to Block F, which focused on paraphrasing deciphered Japanese messages.  In 1945, she travelled to the United States to work at the Pentagon to assist in de-coding Japanese intelligence in the Pacific Theater.  

 Ms. Webb actually decoded/translated messages that first revealed the Nazi atrocities conducted at the concentration camps, before anyone in the world knew about them.  Today, at age 97, she is one of the few surviving codebreakers of Bletchley Park, and she continues to tell their incredible story.  She was featured this past year in National Geographic, and she has also written a book, ‘Secret Postings:  Bletchley Park to the Pentagon,’ by Charlotte Webb, which is available at Amazon.com.

 An amazing woman, we are incredibly honored to meet her.  Thank you, Ms. Webb, for choosing to share your story with us.

Thank you, Shreyas Ganesh, for volunteering your time as sound engineer. 

 For more information, visit www.walkamongheroes.org.  To send us a message, email [email protected]. 

We (Walk Among Heroes) are proud to conclude our three-part discussion this week with Mr. Guy Whidden, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 101st Airborne Division.  Mr. Whidden jumped into Normandy early on the morning of D-Day, June 6, 1944.  His platoon’s objective was to secure one of the exits from Utah Beach, but his plane flew off-course over the English Channel, and Mr. Whidden ended up landing in Sainte-Mere-Eglise, the first town liberated by the Allies in Normandy.  Today, the town of Sainte-Mere-Eglise continues to hang a parachute from the church tower in honor of 1LT John Steele, who landed on the tower with his parachute stuck D-Day morning (and subsequently faced a very harrowing set of circumstances).  Sainte-Mere-Eglise is also home to the Airborne Museum, an incredible exhibition of military history that paints the picture of what exactly happened in France during the Normandy invasion.

Mr. Whidden and his men fought through the hedgerows in Normandy before finally withdrawing a month later back to England from Cherbourg.  In England, the paratroopers continued training, and eventually jumped into Holland in September 1944, as part of Operation Market Garden, a massive Airborne operation aimed at creating a northern entrance into Germany in an attempt to bypass stout German defenses along the West Wall, or Siegfried Line.  A very difficult mission, the paratroopers were left on their own, as ground forces were late in arriving.  Mr. Whidden was seriously wounded during the operation, which ultimately ended the war for him.  

Mr. Whidden’s military stories are amazing, but equally entertaining are his many stories from childhood, teenage years, and life after the military.  Mr. Whidden is one of very few living paratroopers who jumped into Normandy with the 82nd and/or 101st Airborne Divisions. He has written a book, ‘Between the Lines and Beyond:  Letters of a 101st Airborne Paratrooper.’  There is even a commemorative action figure available in his likeness to honor the heroes of D-Day.  

There are three parts to this episode:  Episode 11A covers Mr. Whidden’s childhood, Army training, and several combat stories.  Episode 11B covers his deployment to England and stories overseas.  Episode 11C (this episode) covers the majority of his combat in Normandy, Operation Market Garden, his injury, and finally his journey home.  

We have truly enjoyed getting to know Mr. Whidden over these past several years, and we hope you enjoy his stories as much as we did.  

You can find all podcast episodes at:  www.walkamongheroes.org/podcast.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to send us an email at [email protected].

A special 'thank you' to Shreyas Ganesh for donating his time as sound engineer.

We (Walk Among Heroes) are proud to continue our discussion this week with Mr. Guy Whidden, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 101st Airborne Division.  Mr. Whidden jumped into Normandy early on the morning of D-Day, June 6, 1944.  His platoon’s objective was to secure one of the exits from Utah Beach, but his plane flew off-course over the English Channel, and Mr. Whidden ended up landing in Sainte-Mere-Eglise, the first town liberated by the Allies in Normandy.  Today, the town of Sainte-Mere-Eglise continues to hang a parachute from the church tower in honor of 1LT John Steele, who landed on the tower with his parachute stuck D-Day morning (and subsequently faced a very harrowing set of circumstances).  Sainte-Mere-Eglise is also home to the Airborne Museum, an incredible exhibition of military history that paints the picture of what exactly happened in France during the Normandy invasion.

Mr. Whidden and his men fought through the hedgerows in Normandy before finally withdrawing a month later back to England from Cherbourg.  In England, the paratroopers continued training, and eventually jumped into Holland in September 1944, as part of Operation Market Garden, a massive Airborne operation aimed at creating a northern entrance into Germany in an attempt to bypass stout German defenses along the West Wall, or Siegfried Line.  A very difficult mission, the paratroopers were left on their own, as ground forces were late in arriving.  Mr. Whidden was seriously wounded during the operation, which ultimately ended the war for him.  

Mr. Whidden’s military stories are amazing, but equally entertaining are his many stories from childhood, teenage years, and life after the military.  Mr. Whidden is one of very few living paratroopers who jumped into Normandy with the 82nd and/or 101st Airborne Divisions. He has written a book, ‘Between the Lines and Beyond:  Letters of a 101st Airborne Paratrooper.’  There is even a commemorative action figure available in his likeness to honor the heroes of D-Day.  

There are three parts to this episode:  Episode 11A covers Mr. Whidden’s childhood, Army training, and several combat stories.  Episode 11B covers his deployment to England and stories overseas.  Episode 11C covers the majority of his combat in Normandy, Operation Market, his injury, and journey home.  

We have truly enjoyed getting to know Mr. Whidden over these past several years, and we hope you enjoy his stories as much as we did.  

You can find all podcast episodes at:  www.walkamongheroes.org/podcast.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to send us an email at [email protected].

A special 'thank you' to Shreyas Ganesh for donating his time as sound engineer.

We (Walk Among Heroes) are proud to continue our D-Day discussion this week by welcoming Mr. Guy Whidden, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 101st Airborne Division.  Mr. Whidden jumped into Normandy early on the morning of D-Day, June 6, 1944.  His platoon’s objective was to secure one of the exits from Utah Beach, but his plane flew off-course over the English Channel, and Mr. Whidden ended up landing in Sainte-Mere-Eglise, the first town liberated by the Allies in Normandy.  Today, the town of Sainte-Mere-Eglise continues to hang a parachute from the church tower in honor of 1LT John Steele, who landed on the tower with his parachute stuck D-Day morning (and subsequently faced a very harrowing set of circumstances).  Sainte-Mere-Eglise is also home to the Airborne Museum, an incredible exhibition of military history that paints the picture of what exactly happened in France during the Normandy invasion.

Mr. Whidden and his men fought through the hedgerows in Normandy before finally withdrawing a month later back to England from Cherbourg.  In England, the paratroopers continued training, and eventually jumped into Holland in September 1944, as part of Operation Market Garden, a massive Airborne operation aimed at creating a northern entrance into Germany in an attempt to bypass stout German defenses along the West Wall, or Siegfried Line.  A very difficult mission, the paratroopers were left on their own, as ground forces were late in arriving.  Mr. Whidden was seriously wounded during the operation, which ultimately ended the war for him.  

Mr. Whidden’s military stories are amazing, but equally entertaining are his many stories from childhood, teenage years, and life after the military.  Mr. Whidden is one of very few living paratroopers who jumped into Normandy with the 82nd and/or 101st Airborne Divisions. He has written a book, ‘Between the Lines and Beyond:  Letters of a 101st Airborne Paratrooper.’  There is even a commemorative action figure available in his likeness to honor the heroes of D-Day.  

There are three parts to this episode:  Episode 11A covers Mr. Whidden’s childhood, Army training, and several combat stories.  Episode 11B covers his deployment to England and stories overseas.  Episode 11C covers the majority of his combat in Normandy, Operation Market, his injury, and journey home.  

We have truly enjoyed getting to know Mr. Whidden over these past several years, and we hope you enjoy his stories as much as we did.  

You can find all podcast episodes at:  www.walkamongheroes.org/podcast.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to send us an email at [email protected].

A special 'thank you' to Shreyas Ganesh for donating his time as sound engineer.

We (Walk Among Heroes) are honored and excited to introduce our guest for episode 10, Mr. Ray Lambert.  Ray Lambert, one of the most well-known World War II Veterans alive today, is the only living member of the First Division (U.S. Army) who participated in all three First Division amphibious invasions:  North Africa, Sicily, and Normandy (D-Day, June 6, 1944).  During his D-Day 75th Anniversary speech last year in Normandy, France, President Trump talked extensively about the heroics of Mr. Lambert.  

 Mr. Lambert led a team of medics through the most intense combat imaginable.  In North Africa, Mr. Lambert was wounded for the first time, as he was stabbed multiple times by a German who charged him with a bayonet (he eventually killed the German, despite being stabbed in his arms).  He was wounded for the last time on Omaha Beach, as he saved dozens of lives before finally succumbing to his own injuries and losing consciousness.  Mr. Lambert earned two Silver Stars, three Purple Hearts, and two Bronze Stars, among many other awards and accolades throughout his time in combat.  

 In the podcast intro, Sam Elliott provides a first-hand account of Mr. Lambert’s heroics on D-Day.  While many pages could be written about Mr. Lambert’s heroics, we highly recommend listening to Sam Elliott’s introduction – his words are very powerful.  

 This interview consists of two parts.  Episode 10A details Mr. Lamberts upbringing, joining the military, military training, and combat in North Africa.  It concludes following his first injury (the German bayonet injury).  Episode 10B details his invasion into Sicily, Normandy, his second and third injuries, as well as his recovery and return to the United States.  

 There is no greater hero in existence today.  Mr. Lambert saved dozens of  lives as a medic in North Africa, Sicily, and Normandy, while also being injured three times.  He was also forced to fight as an Infantryman at times, something most medics are never asked to do.  It is a TREMENDOUS honor for us to hear Mr. Lambert’s story.  We hope you enjoy it.  

 www.walkamongheroes.org/podcast

 If you have any feedback or questions, do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]

 A special ‘thank you’ to sound engineer Shreyas Ganesh for volunteering his time to help share these incredible stories.