Menu

Infantry

Soldier in jungle in Vietnam

Specialist 4 Mark Myers, U.S. Army – Three Things to Count On

It’s often said there are only two things in life you can count on, death and taxes. Ask Specialist 4 Mark Myers, U.S. Army, and other young men during the mid-1960s and they would tell you there was a third – the draft. Mark received his draft notice shortly after his college notified his local draft board he was eligible, thus beginning a chain of events that would lead to him patrolling the jungles of South Vietnam in search of the Viet Cong. This is his story.

Harold at Basic Training - Featured Image

Sergeant Harold P. Jantz, U.S. Army – When Being Right Counts

Everyone understands soldiers follow orders. They must or their military organizations will devolve into chaos and fail. What makes the U.S. military unique, however, is it expects its soldiers to think and take the initiative, seizing opportunities that might otherwise be lost. Such was the case with Sergeant Harold P. Jantz, U.S. Army. When a far superior enemy force engaged his platoon during the Vietnam War, he charged into the fray and brought to bear the necessary firepower to defeat his foe. Without his quick thinking and forceful action, his entire platoon might have been destroyed. In the aftermath, he left no U.S. soldier behind. The events of that day were the defining moments of his life, molding him into the man he is today. This is his story.

World War II soldier in U.S. Army Uniform

Episode 36 – Private First Class Oscar W. Green, U.S. Army

Welcome to Episode 36 of the Voices to Veterans podcast. This episode features the story of Private First Class Oscar W. Green, U.S. Army. While I love all the veterans’ stories I’ve done, Oscar’s is one of my all-time favorites. His story is both a war story and a love story – it’s about a […]

Kenny Esmond in Flak Jacket - Featured Image

Episode 34 – Sergeant Kenny L. Esmond, U.S. Army

Welcome to Episode 34 of the Voices to Veterans podcast. This episode features the story of Sergeant Kenny L. Esmond, U.S. Army.Kenny spent harrowing evenings standing perimeter guard duty at Phu Bai and Fire Base Bastogne near Hue City in the Republic of South Vietnam during 1970 and 1971. Holding his position with enemy rocket-propelled […]

may 9 1991

Specialist Eric Ferguson, U.S. Army: From Film to Reality – A Soldier’s Service in Desert Storm

It’s an age-old question, does art reflect life or does life reflect art? In the case of Specialist Eric Ferguson, U.S. Army, one would have to say the latter. Eric has always drawn inspiration from the stories and larger-than-life heroes depicted on the silver screen. They inspired him to join the Army and be bold when choosing his warfare branch. They gave him insight and strength to deal with the difficult situations he faced in training and while part of the Operation Desert Storm mobile assault force in Iraq. Finally, they helped him understand and deal with the Gulf War’s aftermath. Now it is time for Eric’s story to do the same for others. This is his story.

1LT Henry Lowenstern

Episode 29 – 1LT Henry Lowenstern, U.S. Army

Welcome to Episode 29 of the Voices to Veterans podcast. This episode features the story of 1st Lieutenant Henry Lowenstern, U.S. Army.Henry served in the Army during World War II and has a truly amazing story. He and his family escaped from persecution in Nazi Germany in 1937 and came to the United States. Henry […]

12-year-old Robert Burgess in his high school band uniform

Episode 27 – Private First Class Robert F. Burgess, U.S. Army

Welcome to Episode 27 of the Voices to Veterans podcast. This episode features the story of Private First Class Robert F. Burgess, U.S. Army. Bob Burgess has always been someone who’s lived life on his own terms. From enlisting in the Army rather than waiting to be drafted, to experiencing all that living in post-war […]

Soldier with grenade launcher in Vietnam

Sergeant Russell J. Wright, U.S. Army – Fighting with the Americal Division in Vietnam

Sometimes people are presented with options having life changing consequences. Such was the case with Sergeant Russell J. Wright, U.S. Army, when he received his draft notice in May of 1970. With the war in Vietnam winding down and protestors clamoring for draftees to flee to Canada, Russ could have evaded the draft and kept himself safe from a war that had already killed tens of thousands of Americans. Instead, he chose to do his duty and report for service because he knew it was the right thing to do. Now, looking back on his service in the jungles and rice paddies of South Vietnam over fifty years later, Russ is proud of his service and would do it all again. This is his story.

Specialist Jack Murphy in Vietnam - 1969

Episode 24 – Specialist Jack Murphy, U.S. Army

Welcome to Episode 24 of the Voices to Veterans podcast. This episode features the story of Specialist Jack Murphy, U.S. Army.Twenty-five years after patrolling the rice paddies of the Mekong Delta and the triple-canopy jungles of Vietnam, the moment of inspiration Jack had been waiting for finally arrived. He picked up his guitar and composed […]

Ashley (Pullen) Hawkins Service Photo - featured image

Specialist Ashley (Pullen) Hawkins, U.S. Army (Retired) – “V” for Valor in Iraq

Everyone faces adversity in life. How an individual deals with that adversity determines the course their life will follow. Specialist Ashley Hawkins, U.S. Army (Retired), has dealt with more than her share of adversity, yet she’s never let it define her. Instead, she confronts it head on and overcomes it, always looking toward a better future. This unwavering determination resulted in her being the first female soldier in U.S. history to be awarded the Bronze Star with a “V” for valor in combat. This is her story.

Load More