Leadership Stories
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The Life and Legacy of Elizabeth Ann Richardson: American Red Cross Volunteer Killed in Normandy
She served coffee and doughnuts from a Clubmobile and called it the life she wouldn't trade. John on Elizabeth Richardson, buried in Normandy.
Ernie Pyle: War Correspondent
He wrote about the ordinary soldier the way no one else could, and he died with them. John on the life of Ernie Pyle.
Ike's Example: Making Tough Decisions with Imperfect Information
At Eisenhower's statue in Bayeux, John reflects on the hardest call of the war, made on an uncertain weather forecast.
Colonel Charles J. Tilden: The Overlooked Leader of Maine's 16th Regiment
Ordered to hold at any cost at Gettysburg, the 16th Maine tore up its flag rather than surrender it. John on its colonel, Charles Tilden.
WN62: Two German Soldiers Who Fought on D-Day, and Escaped
From a bunker above Omaha Beach, two young German soldiers fired on the Americans coming ashore. John on WN62 and the enemy's view of D-Day.
Photos of Sainte-Mere-Eglise during the Battle of Normandy
A destroyed assault gun on the N13, a Norman farmer and an MP, a French girl at a soldier's grave. John shares photographs of Sainte-Mere-Eglise in 1944.
Normandy American Cemetery
Above Omaha Beach, 9,387 Americans rest facing home. John explains why every Normandy trip should start here.
"Then and Now" Photos of Gettysburg
Brady at the McPherson farm, dead horses at the Trostle barn, a staged sharpshooter at Devil's Den. John pairs Gettysburg's battle photos with the same views today.
PFC Bill Tucker's Recorded Account of Actions at Ste. Mere Eglise
"We had no thought of failure." John shares Bill Tucker's own recorded account of jumping into Sainte-Mere-Eglise with the 505th.
"Loyalty" and "Fidelity": Medal of Honor Recipient Lieutenant (j.g.) John Kelvin Koelsch (USN)
He flew an unarmed helicopter into fog behind enemy lines to rescue a downed Marine, then refused to break as a prisoner. John on Jack Koelsch.
Killed Less than a Month Apart in Normandy: Father and Son
Colonel Ollie Reed died in Normandy without knowing his son had been killed in Italy three weeks earlier. They now lie side by side.
"Unflinching Courage, Extraordinary Heroism, Inspirational Leadership": Medal of Honor Recipient Edward Schowalter
Wounded again and again near Kumhwa, Lieutenant Ed Schowalter kept leading his company until the objective was taken. John visits his grave at Fort Benning.
From Omaha Beach to Berlin: Earnest Thomas "E.T." Roberts
First off his landing craft at Omaha Beach, he lost everything in the surf. E.T. Roberts fought on for 29 months and didn't speak of it for fifty years.
Chester "Chet" B. Hansen: General Omar Bradley's Aide, Diarist (and Personal Scout on D-Day)
Major Chet Hansen kept a diary at Omar Bradley's elbow and went toward Omaha Beach to find out what was happening. John on the aide history almost forgot.
Losing a Nuclear Bomb: The 1958 Tybee Island Mid-Air Collision
An F-86 hit his B-47 at night with a 7,600-pound bomb aboard. Howard Richardson had to decide what to do with it.
The 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg
In 1938, Union and Confederate veterans met again at Gettysburg. Some children who watched are still alive. We're two handshakes from the battle.
The (Absolutely True) Legend of Vincent Speranza and His Epic Beer Run
Under siege at Bastogne, a 19-year-old paratrooper carried beer to wounded friends in his helmet. Decades later, it became a Belgian legend.
Developing Character-Driven Leaders
A Bicentennial train ride at 13 and a snowy staff ride through the Ardennes years later taught John the power of standing where history happened.
Father of the Nuclear Navy: Admiral Hyman G. Rickover
Rickover served 63 years and built the nuclear Navy by changing its culture. John draws three leadership lessons from his grave at Arlington.
Sallie Ann Jarrett: Hero of Gettysburg
The 11th Pennsylvania's bull terrier was found guarding their dead on Oak Ridge after Gettysburg. Her bronze likeness still lies there.