Veterans Chronicles

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Veterans Chronicles brings America’s military heroes to life through raw, first-person stories. Veterans recount the battles and moments that shaped their lives, from World War II to Iraq and Afghanistan. Powerful, personal, and deeply human, Veterans Chronicles preserves history one voice at a time. Learn more about Veterans Chronicles

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MSG Steve Bleigh, U.S. Army Special Forces, Afghanistan, Iraq, Gulf War, Somalia

Steve Bleigh is the son and grandson of Army veterans. He joined the U.S. Army in 1986, fully expecting to be an infantryman throughout his service. When he returned to civilian life eighteen years later, Bleigh had spent 14 years in Army Special Forces and was a veteran of Afghanistan, Iraq, the Gulf War, and the conflict in Somalia. In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, MSG Bleigh tells us about his service in the Gulf War with the 82nd Airborne Division and the lessons he learned there that helped the rest of his years in uniform. Then he talks about selection and qualifying for Special Forces, being deployed as a weapons sergeant in Somalia, how he responded when the mission in Somalia turned deadly, and training to be a medic after returning home. Following the 9/11 Al Qaeda terrorist attacks, Bleigh and ODA 595 were among the first U.S. units to set foot in Afghanistan. Now often referred to as the Horse Soldiers, the unit teamed up with elements of the Northerrn Alliance to force the Taliban from power. Bleigh reflects on the toughest fighting in Afghanistan and being one of very few medics on the ground there. Finally, he details his two tours in Iraq, including the initial invasion and the early, successful hunt for key enemy figures. He then describes a very different second tour, one marked by relentless enemy IED's and maddening rules of engagement.

36 min
11 FEB

SSG Dominick Critelli, U.S. Army, World War II, Battle of the Bulge

Dominick Critelli was born in Italy and came to the United States as a child. He was 20 years old when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and launched the U.S. into World War II. Critelli became an airplane mechanic as part of the U.S. Army's 95th infantry Division. In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Critelli tells us what the toughest part of basic training was for him and how his sergeant handled his complaint. He also shares what it was like arriving at Utah Beach not long after D-Day operations and the moment of engineering inspiration that took place that day and likely saved many lives. Critelli then details his role at the Battle of the Bulge, including how he flew over American soldiers, who were surrounded by the Germans, and dropped ammunition, weapons, food, and other supplies to help them hold those positions. Finally, Critelli, who is 104 years old, shares his secrets to longevity and his long love of playing the saxophone. He recently played the national anthem on his soprano sax at a National Hockey League game.

27 min
4 FEB

Russell Sattazhan, U.S. Army, World War II

Russell Sattazhan was 15 years old when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and forced the U.S. into World War II. in 1944, he was drafted and was placed in an infantry replacement unit. Replacements were needed so badly that training was cut short and Sattazhan's unit was sent to Europe and folded into the Army's 1st Infantry Division in January 1945. Two months later, Sattazhan's war would be over after suffering a severe wound from a German attack. In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Sattazhan tells us what it was like being rushed into combat, dealing with the brutal winter in early 1945 and pushing the Nazis further and further intoo Germany. He also takes us to the day he was badly wounded in his right hand and part of his wrist after being hit by German fire, the unusual circumstances that helped to save his life, realizing that he needed an amputation, and his road to recovery.

36 min
28 ENE

SFC Earnie Savage, U.S. Army, Vietnam, Ia Drang, Landing Zone X-Ray

In the early 1960's, the U.S. Army developed a new way of moving troops into and out of strategic locations. It was called Air Cavalry and operated under the theory that moving forces by helicopter was faster and more precise than driving them or having them jump out of airplanes. One of the earliest and best known Air Cavalry engagements came in the Vietnam War at Landing Zone X-Ray during the Battle of Ia Drang in November 1965. Earnie Savage was part of Bravo company in the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry of the 1st Air Cavalry Division. Shortly after landing at X-Ray, his platoon was cut off and the two highest-ranking member of the platoon were killed. That suddenly left him in charge, surrounded by the enemy and trying to keep any other men from being killed. In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Savage tells us about the platoon getting cut off, how he adjusted to being in command, his strategy for holding off the enemy for many hours until they could reconnect with other American forces, why he did not get very nervous in combat, and much more. Savage also tells us about going right back to the fight shortly after surviving this ordeal.

41 min
21 ENE

Major Gen. Patrick Brady, U.S. Army, Vietnam, Medal of Honor

Patrick Brady was born in South Dakota and he originally had no intention of serving in the military. He was recruited by several schools to play college football, but he decided to pursue the "foxy chick" from his hometown as she went to Seattle University. The school did not have a football team, but it did have mandatory ROTC. Brady hated it and even got kicked out. But he was given a second chance and did much better. After commissioning, Brady was stationed in Berlin, Germany, at the time the Berlin Wall went up, and he served two tours in Vietnam as a dustoff pilot flying medical evacuation missions for wounded service members. For his actions on January 6, 1968, Brady was awarded the Medal of Honor. In all, he served 33 years and achieved the rank of Major General. In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, General Brady recounts his time in Berlin and how the building of the Berlin Wall opened his eyes about communism. He also takes us through flight school and how tough it was for him to earn his wings. Then it's off to Vietnam, as he flies his first evacuation missions and becomes commander of his unit under tragic circumstances. Brady then explains his second tour in Vietnam and how he helped to solve the problem of dustoff pilots crashing so often because of bad weather or darkness. And he details his actions in January 1968 that led to him receiving the Medal of Honor.

35 min
14 ENE

Clarence Singleton, USMC, FDNY, Vietnam, 9/11

Clarence Singleton joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1967 while was still in high school. The valedictorian then went through boot camp at Parris Island and was eager to join the fight in Vietnam. He arrived in early 1968 and endured a major rocket attack on his first night there. He would be seriously wounded just days before his tour in Vietnam was set to end. Several years later, he joined the New York City Fire Department and ended up responding to both terrorist attacks against the World Trade Center in 1993 and 2001. In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Singleton tells us how Parris Island changed him and prepared him for war. He describes combat in Vietnam and takes us through the day he was shot multiple times by enemy forces. Singleton then tells us about responding to the 1993 terrorist bombing at the World Trade Center and how he helped a woman going into premature labor. He also details rushing to the twin towers on 9/11 even though he had retired a year earlier and shares how he miraculously survived the collapse of the North Tower.

35 min
7 ENE

SFC Stephen Kofron, U.S. Army Special Forces, Afghanistan Horse Soldiers

Steve Kofron's father and grandfather both served in the military. His grandfather was a U.S. Marine who fought at Iwo Jima. But Kofron had his own reasons for joining the service and the U.S. Army in particular. After a few years, he successfully completed Ranger training. But a short time later he pursued U.S. Army Special Forces and earned his Green Beret. Not long after that, the 9/11 terrorist attacks struck the United States and Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) 595 was among the first units deployed to Afghanistan. In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Kofron gives us a peek at his elite training, preparing to deploy after 9/11, and flying into Afghanistan. He describes becoming a horse soldier (which he had not planned on) and teaming up with Northern Alliance fighters to take on the Taliban. Kofron tells us about riding horses in steep mountain paths with sheer cliffs just inches away and calling in devastating air strikes on Taliban positions. He details the intense combat at Tiangi Pass near Mazar-i-Sharif and what happened when they finally got to the city.

36 min
31/12/2025

Petty Officer 2nd Class Bob Ingram, U.S. Navy Corpsman, Vietnam, Medal of Honor

Bob Ingram joined the Navy after graduating high school in 1963 to give himself some direction. He was initially assigned to work in electronics, but after getting a bad case of pneumonia, Ingram was so impressed by the dedication of the Navy corpsmen, that he decided to become one. Corpsman training was long and demanding and Marine Corps aid training followed that. After struggling to find a good Marine unit to join, Ingram was off to Vietnam in late 1965 - attached to C Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. They saw a lot of action right from the start. In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Ingram takes us into corpsman training, being assigned to the wrong company, and the joy of being moved to a great one. He then details his actions in February 1966, as he rendered aid to his Marines and also manned a machine gun to expose the enemy position. Ingram would receive the Silver Star. Just a few weeks later, on March 28, 1966, C Company found itself in another vicious fight, and lost a platoon almost instantly. Ingram provided aid to wounded Marines, gathered weapons and ammo from those who were killed and brought it to those still in the fight, and, again, grabbed a gun to target and drive out the enemy. He did all of this despite being shot several times, including once in the head. Ingram will tell us about his long road to recovery, how he learned of the effort to award him the Medal of Honor, and what the medal means to him and the men he served alongside.

36 min

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Veterans Chronicles brings America’s military heroes to life through raw, first-person stories. Veterans recount the battles and moments that shaped their lives, from World War II to Iraq and Afghanistan. Powerful, personal, and deeply human, Veterans Chronicles preserves history one voice at a time. Learn more about Veterans Chronicles