THIS WEEK'S SHOW
AMERIcA'S VETERANS 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

Swift Sword Tells the Story of the Marines Who Fought Operation Swift
Author Doyle Glass shares the story of Mike 3/5 Marines and Operation Swift in Vietnam, a deadly ambush turned victory through courage and leadership.

Francis Turner’s Gallantry From North Africa to Berlin
WWII veteran Francis Turner recalls his service from North Africa to Berlin and the courage that earned him the Bronze and Silver Stars.

From the Mountains of Kentucky to the Battlefields of Europe With the 474th Infantry
James Scott shares his journey from a coal-mining town in Kentucky to frontline duty in World War II as a member of the 474th Infantry Regiment.

WWII Nurse Leila Morrison
WWII Army Nurse Leila Morrison arrived on the beaches of Normandy about 30 days after D-Day with just her duffle bag. This is a rebroadcast of a show recorded in 2021 to honor Leila’s memory. She passed away July 16th, 2022.

[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.

Charles Cram’s Journey From California to Iwo Jima
WWII veteran Charles Cram shares how he witnessed Japan shell California, served as a Navy corpsman, and earned the Silver Star at Iwo Jima.

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.

B-17 Pilot Howard Snyder’s Survival After Being Shot Down Over Belgium
Author Steve Snyder shares his father’s harrowing WWII story of survival after his B-17 was shot down over Belgium in 1944.

Lloyd Wade and the 11th Airborne Raid on Los Baños
WWII paratrooper Lloyd Wade recounts the daring 11th Airborne raid that freed 2,700 prisoners at Los Baños in the Philippines.

John Schaffner’s WWII Path from the 106th Infantry to Parker’s Crossroads
WWII veteran John Schaffner recalls his journey with the 106th Infantry and the fierce stand at Parker’s Crossroads during the Battle of the Bulge.

Korean War Veteran Bob Brockish’s Journey to Horseshoe Ridge
Marine veteran Bob Brockish recounts his path from Denver to the fierce 1951 Battle of Horseshoe Ridge.

Preserving WWII Voices Through a Rifle and a Promise
Andrew Biggio shares powerful stories from WWII veterans, unlocked by an M1 Garand.

James H. Harvey III Shares His Inspiring Tuskegee Airman Journey
Tuskegee Airman James H. Harvey III details overcoming segregation, pioneering military aviation, and winning the first Air Force Top Gun competition in 1949.

WWII Veteran Jody Lander Shares His Normandy D-Day Paratrooper Mission
WWII veteran Jody Lander recounts his intense experience parachuting into Normandy with the 82nd Airborne on D-Day, detailing courage, chaos, and sacrifice.

John Raaen Shares Experience Landing on Omaha Beach D-Day 1944
Retired Major General John Raaen recalls his experiences landing on Omaha Beach during D-Day 1944, emphasizing courage, leadership, and strategic adaptation.

Roger Mangan Honors Stepfather Louis Mangan’s WWII Service and Sacrifice
Roger Mangan recounts his stepfather Louis’s courageous service in World War II, from North Africa to Dachau, highlighting bravery, sacrifice, and resilience.

Bill Rutledge Shares Powerful Memories of World War II Battle of Okinawa
Retired Colonel Bill Rutledge recounts personal stories and strategic insights from the Battle of Okinawa, highlighting its cost, impact, and historic importance.

Colonel James Welsman Brown’s Civil War Story
Bill Rutledge recounts the dramatic Civil War service of his great-grandfather Colonel James Welsman Brown, highlighting key battles, leadership, and legacy.

Don Whipple Shares His Experience as a Marine at Iwo Jima
Marine veteran Don Whipple recalls enlisting at sixteen, battling at Iwo Jima, and his lifelong mission serving troubled youth and fellow veterans.

Brigadier General Blaine Holt Reflects on Military Service and Leadership
Retired Air Force Brigadier General Blaine Holt shares his journey through military service, geopolitical strategy, leadership principles, and veteran advocacy.

Eddie Rickenbacker Medal of Honor Hero and Aviation Pioneer
Colonel Bill Rutledge shares Eddie Rickenbacker’s incredible journey from WWI aviation ace to WWII survivor, aviation pioneer, and Medal of Honor recipient.

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.

John Chapman’s Heroism and the Medal of Honor Controversy Explained
Explore John Chapman’s extraordinary bravery in Afghanistan, the subsequent Medal of Honor controversy, and family concerns over historical accuracy.

Bill Rutledge Explains Michael Collins Role in Irish Independence
Colonel Bill Rutledge details Michael Collins’ revolutionary leadership, guerrilla tactics, treaty negotiations, and lasting impact on Irish independence.

Jonna Doolittle Hoppes Shares Jimmy Doolittle’s Legendary Raid Story
Jonna Doolittle Hoppes details her grandfather Jimmy Doolittle’s daring WWII raid on Japan, his innovative aviation career, and his profound personal legacy.

Vietnam Veterans Grady Birdsong, Bob Averill, Paula Sarlls and Colonel Bob Fisher Reflect
Vietnam veterans Grady Birdsong, Bob Averill, Paula Sarlls, and Colonel Bob Fisher share powerful stories, reflect on their experiences, and honor veteran legacies.

Vietnam Veterans Bob Fischer and Grady Birdsong Reflect on the Vietnam War
Vietnam veterans Colonel Bob Fischer and Grady Birdsong offer profound reflections on their wartime experiences and correcting historical misconceptions.

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.

Bill Rutledge Shares How James Naismith Created Basketball
Colonel Bill Rutledge tells the inspiring story of basketball inventor James Naismith, detailing his innovative spirit, military service, and lasting legacy.

Vietnam Veterans Tom Jacobs and C.R. Cusack Share Their War Stories
Vietnam veterans Tom Jacobs and C.R. Cusack reflect on their intense wartime experiences, highlighting courage, sacrifice, and enduring commitment to freedom.

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.

Karl Lippard Shares His Experiences from Three Key Vietnam War Battles (Part 2)
Marine veteran Karl Lippard vividly shares experiences from three critical Vietnam War battles, highlighting bravery, sacrifice, and untold historical events. This is the second part of Lippard’s story.

Karl Lippard Shares His Experiences from Three Key Vietnam War Battles (Part 1)
Marine veteran Karl Lippard vividly shares experiences from three critical Vietnam War battles, highlighting bravery, sacrifice, and untold historical events. This is the first part of Lippard’s story.

Michael Keller Reflects on Vietnam PTSD and Finding Healing Through the VA
Air Force veteran Michael Keller shares his Vietnam War experience and how the VA helped him heal from PTSD decades later.

Swift Sword Tells the Story of the Marines Who Fought Operation Swift
Author Doyle Glass shares the story of Mike 3/5 Marines and Operation Swift in Vietnam, a deadly ambush turned victory through courage and leadership.

Pepe Ramirez Shares the Sacrifice and Strength Behind Military Families
Marine veteran Pepe Ramirez shares how service impacts military families and why healing and support must include spouses and children.