Oral Histories With Combat Veterans of America
This is where I upload interviews I have conducted with Combat Veterans about their service before and during war, combat, and after. This content is graphic at times, but necessary for understanding the combat and conditions of the various Wars my interviews have participated in and the impact it has had on those who fought and still live with the memory of war to this day.
Oral Histories With Combat Veterans of America
Happy 250th birthday, Marines! To each and every single one of you who has ever sat down with me, told me your story, listened to my nagging questions and curiosity thank you. You have paved a legacy, much larger than you could have possibly ever imagined. Thank you for your service and welcome home!
Here is a cool concept Kevin McCall, Lue Friel, and I, came up with to bring together generations of Marines to talk about the 250th and the Marine that impacted them the most. Give it a watch if you can and enjoy!
3 months ago | [YT] | 2
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Oral Histories With Combat Veterans of America
More interviews are coming I promise folks, but until then enjoy this post about some artifacts I’m honored to own.
Today, while we drink some beers with friends and eat food, it’s more important to reflect on the meaning of today. I’m honored to tell the stories of these three Marines in particular as pieces of their legacy are in my collection.
Vincent ‘Vinny’ Thomas Hicks was a career Marine, or at least in the process, when he was killed in action on 15 June 1944 in Green Beach One on Saipan. He died as the company gunny for Company G, 2nd Bn, 8th Marines in a maelstrom of fire. Originally a platoon sergeant on Guadalcanal and Tarawa with G/2/8 he was written up for a Bronze Star for actions on Tarawa and Saipan but it was denied. His remains were brought back to the U.S. in 1948.
The photographs and documents in the center belonged to Lloyd Melville Brown. Brown was killed in action on Bougainville on 9 December 1943 with Company L, 3rd Parachute Battalion. His remains weren’t recovered for seven days due to the intensity of the fighting around Hellzapoppin Ridge. His remains were brought back to the U.S. in 1948.
Lastly the M41 on the left belonged to Frank Edward Holec. Frank enlisted in 1943 and trained as a Paramarine with the 4th Parachute Battalion, but was reassigned to Company D, 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines after their disbandment. Frank’s first combat and only combat experience of the war occurred on Iwo Jima.
Frank fought until the 25 February when was wounded in action with shrapnel to face and was evacuated. He could have gotten a ticket off the island and came home but he returned to Company D the next day to be with his friends, his Marines. On 3 March 1945 Frank and D/2/26 would be thrust into a grueling assault on Hill 362 B where flamethrowers, bazookas, and tnt were necessary to root out the Japanese defenses. In this assault Frank lost his life.
Their story isn’t uncommon. They answered the call to defeat fascism and tyranny in an attempt to make the world a better place. They fought for their friends and died for the friends. Today I remember them. Ernest Hemingway said, “Every man has two deaths, when he is buried in the ground and the last time someone says his name. In some ways men can be immortal.” Today, these three men are immortal.
8 months ago | [YT] | 5
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Oral Histories With Combat Veterans of America
Hello all! Stay tuned for some very unique interviews being uploaded soon. I’ll be attending the 5th Marine Division Reunion in San Antonio next week and interviewing surviving Iwo Jima veterans, along with Marines who served with the 26th and 27th Marines in Vietnam.
1 year ago | [YT] | 5
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Oral Histories With Combat Veterans of America
Morning everyone! Thanks for following the journey so far. In the coming few weeks I’ll be interviewing some former FDNY fire fighters and discussing their experiences on 9/11 and working the pile in the days and weeks that followed. I’ll be uploading them here, as it’s a special and I figured most of you would interested in that.
Cheers,
Zach
1 year ago | [YT] | 6
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Oral Histories With Combat Veterans of America
Hey everyone! First of all, thank you all for the support so far, it really does mean a lot. This started as a project for myself and my students and it has grown exponentially over the last few months. Please keep sharing the interviews and the stories of these amazing men and soon-to-be women on the show. I am very lucky to do what I do and I thank you all for the support.
Secondly, I have started a podcast with Apple, as some of my interviews have been done on the phone. The first one is live and is with David 'Hey Joe' Parsons, who is a combat veteran and was a RIO in F-14s. Check it out if you like, especially for my F-14 fans.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/veterans-talk-interv…
Lastly, if any of you know of any combat veterans who would like to be interviewed or are interested please contact me. My email address is zachwood12@gmail.com
1 year ago (edited) | [YT] | 15
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