Very interesting video from DOD LIVE on YouTube entitled: "WWII Veteran Returns to the Field of Battle." (Published on Jan 7, 2013)
The summary:
Cdr. Gerard Woelkers didn't grow up as a military brat, but he is the son of a World War II veteran. By taking orders to Germany, Woelkers is taking the opportunity to learn about his father's service and helping Frederick Woelkers close the book on this chapter in his life.
Here are some updates from our email inbox:
American Forces Press Service reports that the U.S. Department of Defense has created a new website - valor.defense.gov - dedicated to "raising awareness of service members' heroism and to help deter those who falsely claim military honors"
David Ignatius at the Washington Post has a new book review article entitled "DOUBLE CROSS The True Story of the D-Day Spies by Ben Macintyre".
The book details the intelligence efforts of the Germans and the counter-intelligence moves by the British as D-Day planning started and then ultimately was launched.
Other reviews can be found at: CBS.com, New York Times, and the San Francisco Chronicle.
At a recent press conference in the Pentagon, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta reiterated that the United States Government is "doing everything possible" to free Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl who is a listed as a Prisoner Of War (POW) held by the Taliban.
The article also mentioned that "Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at the same press conference that he has met with members of the sergeant’s family in his office and has corresponded with family members several times."
John Wilkens at the Union-Tribune has an in-depth article with some great pictures of WWII Veterans visiting Washington DC including the WWII memorial.
A total of "105 veterans" took an "all-expenses-paid Honor Flight trip this weekend from San Diego were treated like heroes wherever they went. Strangers came up and thanked them for their service."
The group that puts this all together is the San Diego Honor Flight team.
Karla Peterson has a great interview in the San Diego Union-Tribune with Craig Irving who started a local San Diego organization to support members of the Naval Special Warfare communities and their families.
The group is called the SEAL - NSW Family Foundation and they have a big fundraiser coming up on May 19, 2012.
There is another similar group based on the East Coast - Navy SEAL Warrior Fund - that is going to be merging with this group according to the PilotOnline.com to form the Navy SEAL Foundation.
The 3rd Veteran Stories Podcast is with Mr. Jim Hutson, and it covers his stories and experiences related to his service in the United Statues Marine Corps (1938-1966) during War World II, and his 28 total years of military service (China, Japan, United States, Vietnam):
(Size 46.7 MBs, Running Time 50m57s, Originally Published 02-27-2011)
The Media Arts: Changing Lives Through Film project has posted a video interview with Bob Miyaski:
During the video, Bob walks through his service including two tours in Vietnam.
The Spycast podcast (from the International Spy Museum in Washington DC) recently had two podcasts that outline the contributions of women during World War II while serving with the Office for Strategic Service.
The interview is with Elizabeth McIntosh. Part 1 (published in January 2010) covers her experiences serving in China while conducting operations against the Japanese. Part 2 (published in March 2010) covers her experiences with "Wild Bill Donovan" and Julia Child (yes the famous cooking author).
You can read more about Elizabeth McIntosh in her two books on the topic: Sisterhood of Spies and Undercover Girl (out of print).
I recommend listening to Part 1 before listening to Part 2. You can listen via: http://feeds.spymuseum.org/spycast or via iTunes.