THIS WEEK'S SHOW
Brigadier General Blaine Holt Reflects on Military Service and Leadership
AMERIcA'S VETERAN'S STORIES
Interviews and conversations with U.S. veterans from all branches and years of service.
Men and women who gave their all
They strapped on their boots and said goodbye to loved ones to serve our country and fight for liberty.
From Iwo Jima to Iraq
From the Patriots who fought in the American Revolution, to Civil War soldiers who fought for liberty for each man, to WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq, Afghanistan, other conflicts and peacetime, these are their stories.
Each soldier’s story is unique and special
Tune in every Sunday to America’s Veteran’s Stories with Kim Monson to hear our veteran’s individual experiences. You’ll learn something. You’ll be inspired. And you’ll be grateful for this amazing country that we call America.
The USMC MEMORIAL'S MISSION
The United States Marine Corps Memorial in Golden, Colorado, and the USMC Memorial Foundation are actively supported by Kim Monson and America’s Veteran’s Stories. Use the link below to learn more and to support the Memorial.
PREVIOUS SHOWS
Veteran Kirk Offel Brings Military Discipline to AI and Data Centers
Navy veteran Kirk Offel discusses his path from submarine service to leading AI data center innovation, emphasizing veteran opportunities and nuclear energy.
Irma Deeds Shares Memories from Kansas During World War II
Irma Deeds recounts her experiences in rural Kansas during WWII, highlighting community resilience, rationing hardships, and personal stories of wartime sacrifice.
Jim Sterner Shares His Remarkable World War II Journey
Jim Sterner recounts his harrowing experiences during the Battle of the Bulge, surviving friendly fire, and connecting decades later with a British tank commander’s son.
Fred Wiese Recounts Courageous B-17 Missions Over WWII Europe
WWII B-17 pilot Fred Wiese shares gripping accounts of combat missions, close calls with enemy flak, and profound lessons of courage and camaraderie.
Honoring WWII Veteran Fred Wiese and His Remarkable Military Journey (Rebroadcast)
Celebrate the life of WWII B-17 pilot Fred Wiese, who shared vivid memories from childhood to Army Air Corps training and his first aerobatic flight.
Jack Thurman Recalls First Marine Wave Landing on Iwo Jima
Marine Jack Thurman shares his vivid memories of landing with the first wave at Iwo Jima, surviving fierce battles, and witnessing history atop Mount Suribachi.
USS Pueblo Seized by North Korea Bob Chicca Shares His Story (Part II)
Marine veteran Bob Chicca recounts his harrowing 11-month captivity in North Korea, the brutal treatment he endured, and the operation to remove shrapnel from his wounds.
USS Pueblo Seized by North Korea Bob Chicca Shares His Story (Part I)
Marine veteran Bob Chicca recounts the harrowing 1968 capture of the USS Pueblo by North Korea and the crew’s 11-month ordeal as prisoners.
Marine Veteran John Ryff Shares His Chosin Reservoir Experience
Marine veteran John Ryff recounts his harrowing experience during the Chosin Reservoir battle in the Korean War, reflecting on courage and resilience.
Wally King’s Journey from Ohio to 75 WWII Combat Missions
WWII fighter pilot Wally King recounts his 75 combat missions and survival after being shot down over Germany.
WWII Veteran Jim Sterner Shares His Harrowing Battlefront Experiences
WWII veteran Jim Sterner recounts his journey from Omaha Beach to the Battle of the Bulge, sharing stories of resilience, sacrifice, and camaraderie.
A Marine’s Journey: From Adventure to Sacrifice in the Korean War
Marty Letelier’s journey from Sioux City to the Korean War, his harrowing battles at Inchon & Chosin Reservoir, and the enduring spirit of the Marines.
The Battle of New Orleans: A Turning Point in American History (Part 2)
Andrew Jackson’s triumph at the Battle of New Orleans turned a potential defeat into a defining victory in the War of 1812, thanks to bold strategy and diverse allies. This is the second part of Bill Rutledge’s look back at the Battle of New Orleans.
American Saint Nick and a Small Town’s Unforgettable Christmas
Learn the remarkable story of Dick Brookins, the American Saint Nick, and how a simple act of kindness brought joy to a small Luxembourg town during World War II.
Preserving Legacies: James Daigle’s Veterans Life Magazine Journey
Discover James Daigle’s mission to honor veterans through storytelling and photography. Veterans Life Magazine connects generations, sharing powerful stories and experiences.
Joe Lewis and Angels of America’s Fallen
Marine Veteran Joe Lewis turned his injury into purpose, founding Angels of America’s Fallen to support children of the fallen through healthy, life-changing activities.
[Rebroadcast] WWII Iwo Jima Marine Al Jennings
WW II Marine Al Jennings shares his story regarding the famous WWII Battle of Iwo Jima.
Lt. Col. Bill Rutledge, (Ret. USAF) on Hiroshima and Nagaski
In August of 1945 atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. Ninety-six year young Col. Bill Rutledge addresses naysayers regarding these actions.
Dave Bray USA
Dave Bray discusses different songs that honor our military and law enforcement personnel.
Keith McKim and the Story of Roy P. Benavidez
Vietnam Veteran, former Army Green Beret, and storyteller Keith McKim discusses Benavidez’s actions which led to his Medal of Honor.
Bonnie Carroll and The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
Founder and president of Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) Bonnie Carroll explains why she founded TAPS.
Rebroadcast: Keith McKim
Keith McKim shares the stories of Medal of Honor Recipients Jon Cavaiani and Loren D. Hagen.
Christian Taylor and the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landing
Christian Taylor shares her experiences of taking 101 year-old WWII Veteran Ceo Bauer to Normandy for the 80th anniversary of the WWII D-Day landings.
General William Mullen
General Mullen recently passed on so we are re-broadcasting an interview with General Mullen recorded in 2021.
The Real Heroes of Omaha Beach
Vietnam Veteran and author Dennis Busch discusses his book The Real Heroes of Omaha Beach.
Tuskegee Airman Captain Robert L. Martin
Gabrielle Martin shares the story of her father, Tuskegee Airman Captain Robert L. Martin.
At First Light: 2nd Lieutenant Phil Larimore’s Heroic World War II Story
Dr. Walt Larimore discusses his father’s story told in his book “At First Light.”
WWII Navy Veteran Kim Kimball (re-broadcast)
WWII and Korean War Veteran Kim Kimball shares stories of his military service during WWII and the Korean War.
The Girl Who Wore Freedom
Christian Taylor decided to make a movie about the love story between the people of Normandy and the American GI. And she did. It’s called “The Girl Who Wore Freedom.”
WWII Merchant Marine Lucas Hecker
Lucas Hecker shares stories of growing up on the plains of Western Kansas, living through the Great Depression and Dust Bowl, and serving in the Merchant Marines during WWII.
A Look Back at Charles Lindbergh
Retired USAF Col. Bill Rutledge shares details about Lindbergh’s life.
Vietnam Veterans Bob Fischer & Grady Birdsong (rebroadcast)
Marines Col. Bob Fischer and Grady Birdsong help me kick off my new show, America’s Veteran’s Stories with Kim Monson.
Pueblo, The Home of Heroes
Pueblo, Colorado is known as the Home of Heroes because four Medal of Honor recipients grew up in Pueblo, Colorado
WWII POW Camps in America
Bill Rutledge discusses WWII POW camps in the United States and also some anecdotal stories of escaping from the camps.
Jimmy Doolittle and His Raiders (re-broadcast)
April 18, 1942, Jimmy Doolittle and his raiders flew medium size bombers off aircraft carriers in the Pacific, to bomb Japan in retaliation for the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
World War II Veteran Jody Lander (Re-Broadcast from May 24, 2020)
Dallas, Texas, boy Jody Lander was drafted into the Army in 1943. Jody volunteered to become a paratrooper because he thought it would be exciting.
Korean War: Manert Kennedy (June 2022 interview re-broadcast)
Manert Kennedy joined the Marines in 1947 on his 17th birthday.
Re-Broadcast of 3.1.2020 interview with Jim Blane
Jim Blane fought in four of the Pacific Theater battles during WWII. On the next America’s Veteran’s Stories with Kim Monson we are re-broadcasting an interview that we recorded with Jim in 2020.
Re-Broadcast of Interview with WWII 101st Airborne Paratrooper Guy Whidden
Re-Broadcast of Interview with WWII 101st Airborne Paratrooper Guy Whidden
George Ciampa, WWII Veteran (re-broadcast, pt II)
George graduated from High School the day he turned 17 and found himself, weighing in at 112 pounds, landing on Utah Beach mid-day on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
The Illustrious History of the Merchant Marines
Merchant Marine Wade Bennett discusses the long history of the Merchant Marines.
George Ciampa, WWII Veteran (re-broadcast)
George graduated from High School the day he turned 17 and found himself, weighing in at 112 pounds, landing on Utah Beach mid-day on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
Navy Pilot Steve McKenna
Veteran Navy pilot Steve McKenna shares stories from his book “Fair Winds, Following Seas, and a Few Bolters.”
Brian O’Connell
Army Veteran Brian O’Connell was in high school when America was attacked on 9/11. O’Connell decided to join the Army and still serves our country in the Army Reserves.
Col. Bill Rutledge (Ret. USAF) on Alexander Haig
Col. Rutledge discusses Alexander Haig. During Haig’s military career he became a four star general and served as the Supreme Allied Commander of NATO.
[Rebroadcast] WWII Veteran Andy Negra
Ninety-nine year-old WWII Veteran Andy Negra shares his stories of the Conquest of Brest, the Battle of the Bulge, and freeing prisoners from the German Buchenwald concentration camp.
[Rebroadcast] WWII Veteran Frank DeVita
WWII Veteran Frank DaVita joined the Coast Guard to serve our country. He ended up as a ramp operator on a Higgins Boat landing craft on the first wave of soldiers landing at Omaha Beach in Normandy on D-Day.
Col. Bill Rutledge (Ret. USAF) on The Battle of New Orleans
Col. Bill Rutledge (Ret. USAF) explains that the Battle of New Orleans was the single most important military victory on American soil.
[Rebroadcast] Korean War Veteran John Ryff
John Ryff shares his story about one of the three most famous Marine battles, the Chosin Reservoir.
[Rebroadcast] WWII P-51 Fighter Pilot Dick Gibbs
WWII P-51 fighter pilot Dick Gibbs flew 43 combat missions during WWII. Gibbs shares the stories of shooting down four German aircraft.
Korean War Veteran Jim Quinn
Jim Quinn grew up in Chadron, Nebraska and was a child of the Depression. Quinn enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean War.
Medal of Honor Recipient Jim McGloughan
In 1968 Uncle Sam sent Jim McGloughan a letter that he was drafted into the U.S. Army. McGloughan shares his story.
Fred Wiese (Rebroadcast of 7.10.2022 show)
99-year-old Fred Wiese grew up during the Depression. We are re-broadcasting an interview with Fred. He shares stories of his childhood and joining the Army in December of 1941.
The Story of Joe Annello and Hershey Miyamura
The story of Korean War POWs Joe Annello and Hershey Miyamura is one of sacrifice, friendship, and love.
The Vietnam Veterans from the 174th Assault Helicopter Company
Members of Vietnam Veterans from the 174th Assault Helicopter Company share their memories of Vietnam.
WWII Veteran Andy Negra (Re-broadcast of 6.25.23 show)
Ninety-nine year-old WWII Veteran Andy Negra shares his stories of the Conquest of Brest, the Battle of the Bulge, and freeing prisoners from the German Buchenwald concentration camp.
Vietnam Helicopter Pilot Al English
Alan English was drafted into the Army in 1966. He attended Officer’s Training School and eventually trained to become a helicopter pilot.
Col. Bill Rutledge (Ret. USAF) on the Book “Indestructible: One Man’s Rescue Mission That Changed the Course of WWII”
Col. Bill Rutledge (Ret. USAF) discusses author John Bruning’s book Indestructible: One Man’s Rescue Mission That Changed the Course of WWII.
WWII Marine Ken Luttrell
WWII Marine Veteran Ken Luttrell fought in four battles in the Pacific Theater during WWII; the Marshall Islands, Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima.
WWII Veteran George Reitmeier
WWII Veteran George Reitmeier shares his story of surviving the sinking of the Leopoldville.
Keith McKim
Keith McKim shares the stories of Medal of Honor Recipients Jon Cavaiani and Loren D. Hagen.
The Personal Story of Robert E. Bender’s World War II Experience
WWII veteran 1st Lieutenant Robert E. Bender’s daughter, Noel Mattison, shares the story of her father from her beautiful book Dad’s Letters 1942-1945: The Personal Story of Robert E. Bender’s World War II Experience.
WWII Veteran Andy Negra
Ninety-nine year-old WWII Veteran Andy Negra shares his stories of the Conquest of Brest, the Battle of the Bulge, and freeing prisoners from the German Buchenwald concentration camp.
Milton Goldstein
Milton Goldstein shares stories from his military service during both the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
Lt. Col. James H. Harvey III
Tuskegee Airman Ret. Lt. Col. James H. Harvey III explains how he and his team won the very first military Top Gun competition.
World War II Veteran Major General John Raaen (Rebroadcast of 12/5/21)
Retired Major General John Raaen was a young Army Captain on Omaha Beach, D-Day in 1944.
Perils and Pearls (Rebroadcast)
Hulda Bachman-Need reads from her memoir, Perils and Pearls, and shares her memories of being imprisoned in a Japanese concentration camp during World War II.
Korean War Veteran John Ryff
John Ryff shares his story about one of the three most famous Marine battles, the Chosin Reservoir.
WWII Veteran Loren Anderson
WWII Battle of the Bulge Veteran Loren Anderson discusses the Battle of the Bulge and his service during WWII.
WWII Army Veteran Rocco Telese
Drafted on July 6, 1943, Rocco Telese reflects on his WWII experiences, including a 45-day hospital stay due to a small-pox vaccine.
Medal of Honor Recipient Army Major Drew Dix (replay)
Medal of Honor recipient Ret. Army Major Drew Dix discusses fifty-six hours of battle during the Vietnam War.
Eric Hohman
Air Force Combat Controller Veteran Eric Hohman shares that he joined the Air Force because of choices he made early in his college career.
Mike Medina
United States Marine Corps Veteran Mike Medina has an amazing story. Mike joined the Marines at the age of seventeen and served five deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.
WWII Veteran Arthur Frongello
97 year-old WWII Navy Veteran Arthur Frongello shares his story as a crewmember on a PT boat patrolling the Mediterranean.
WWII Veteran Jack Myers
Jack Myers discusses liberating Holland from Hitler and his Nazi’s tyrannical clutches, the very cold Battle of the Bulge, and liberating the Dachau concentration camp.
Lori Chapman Longfritz (Re-broadcast)
We are re-broadcasting an interview with Lori Chapman Longfritz who shares the story of her brother John Chapman.
World War II Veteran Jody Lander (Re-Broadcast from May 24, 2020)
Dallas, Texas, boy Jody Lander was drafted into the Army in 1943. Jody volunteered to become a paratrooper because he thought it would be exciting.
World War II Veteran Wally King
Ninety-nine year-old Wally King flew seventy-five combat missions in WWII.
Korean War Veteran Herb Potter
Korean War Veteran Herb Potter shares stories of growing up in during WWII and his time in the Air Force.
Vietnam POW Ted Gostas
Vietnam veteran Ted Gostas had five days left in his tour of duty. He was captured at the start of the Tet Offensive. Five days turned into more than five years as a prisoner of war in a North Vietnamese POW camp.
WWII Navy Veteran Charles Cram
WWII Veteran Charles Cram was seventeen years old when he joined the Navy.
WWII Navy Veteran Kim Kimball
WWII and Korean War Veteran Kim Kimball shares stories of his military service during WWII and the Korean War.
Medal of Honor Recipient Army Major Drew Dix
Medal of Honor recipient Ret. Army Major Drew Dix discusses fifty-six hours of battle during the Vietnam War.
Andrew Biggio
Marine Veteran Andrew Biggio discusses his book The Rifle: Combat Stories From America’s Last WWII Veterans, Told Through an M1 Garand.
Doris Rotterman
Doris Rotterman, widow of WWII Veteran Bob Rotterman, discusses Bob’s experience on the USS Abner Read.
WWII Veteran Fred Wiese
WWII Veteran Fred Wiese shares stories of his childhood and joining the Army in December of 1941.
Riki Rarick
Retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant Rik Rarick discusses his remarkable military career.
Major General James E. Livingston, (Ret. Marine)
Ret. Marine Major General James E. Livingston was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the Vietnam War in 1968.
WWII Veteran Cletis Bailey
97-year-old Cletis Bailey joined the Army in August of 1944 at the age of 18. Cletis shares his experiences as a replacement for regrouping after the Battle of the Bulge.
Army Reserve and Desert Storm Veteran Monte Goode
Army Reserve veteran Monte Goode shares stories of Arctic training in Minnesota and jungle training in Panama. Monte notes that the Reserves brings together a wide diversity of individuals that perform their duties well.
Dale Bunsen, Korean-War Era Air Controller
Ninety-year-old Air Force Veteran Dale Bunsen became active duty in 1953 just as the Korean War was winding down. Bunsen shares stories of his duties in air control.
Staff Sergeant Chris Falkel
Gold Star father Jeff Falkel shares the story of his son, Staff Sergeant Chris Falkel, who helped save the lives of everyone else on his team as well as the sixteen Afghan National Army Soldiers fighting with them.
WWII Iwo Jima Marine Al Jennings
WW II Marine Al Jennings shares his story regarding the famous WWII Battle of Iwo Jima.
Vietnam Army Veteran Joe Wahrman
Joe Wahrman shares his experiences as a forward observer in the Vietnam bush.
WWII Army Air Corps Veteran Don Morrison
97-year-old WWII Veteran Don Morrison shares the stories of his thirteen combat missions.
Re-Broadcast of 3.1.2020 interview with Jim Blane
Jim Blane fought in four of the Pacific Theater battles during WWII. On the next America’s Veteran’s Stories with Kim Monson we are re-broadcasting an interview that we recorded with Jim in 2020.
Former Navy SEAL Commander Denver Rorke
Former Navy SEAL Commander Denver Rorke shares his thoughts about tactics and leadership.
Re-Broadcast of Interview with WWII 101st Airborne Paratrooper Guy Whidden
Re-Broadcast of Interview with WWII 101st Airborne Paratrooper Guy Whidden
WWII Veteran Jim Sterner
Jim Sterner shares his experiences leading up to the Battle of the Bulge.
John Winkler, Vietnam Pilot and “Top Gun” Instructor
Air Force Veteran Col. John Winkler flew 84 combat missions during the Vietnam War.
John Winkler, Vietnam Pilot and “Top Gun” Instructor
Air Force Veteran Col. John Winkler flew 84 combat missions during the Vietnam War.
Floyd Rolf, WWII C-47 Pilot
WWII Veteran Floyd Rolf enlisted in the Army Air Corps in December of 1942. He initially trained to fly P-38s but ultimately flew C-47 troop carriers.
Perils and Pearls
Hulda Bachman-Need reads from her memoir, Perils and Pearls, and shares her memories of being imprisoned in a Japanese concentration camp during World War II.