Stories of World War Two Fallen Heroes and the Researchers Who Find Their Stories.

Follow Stories of World War Two Fallen Heroes and the Researchers Who Find Their Stories.
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

This podcast is brought to you by the nonprofit initiative ”Stories Behind the Stars”.The name Stories Behind the Stars derives its name from the World War II practice of the military giving the families of each of the fallen a banner with a gold star on

Stories Behind the Stars, Don Milne and Tatiana Fallon


    • May 28, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 23m AVG DURATION
    • 69 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from Stories of World War Two Fallen Heroes and the Researchers Who Find Their Stories. with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Stories of World War Two Fallen Heroes and the Researchers Who Find Their Stories.

    Listen to A mothers Prayer Actual recordings of a Gold Star Mother

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2022 35:34


    This episode is part II of interview with researcher and author Mark Hutson. Listen to the radio recording of the Borgstrom family. Hear the rest of the story of the boys.  You can find Mark's book by visiting. https://serviceflagtradition.com/shop/ols/products You can also see his amazing project there. Check out www.storiesbehindthestars.org to volunteer.     

    One Family 4 lost sons 4 different countries. ”I would never hold their innocent children in my arms”

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2022 32:34


    Author Mark Hutson shares with us the story of the Borgstrom Brother in his new Book "So Costly A Sacrifice" My beloved boys were gone and I would never hold their innocent children in my arms. -Gunda Borgstrom Get the book here and supper this effort to preserve American Service flags. https://serviceflagtradition.com/shop/ols/products/so-costly-a-sacrifice Learn More about our project visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org

    Never seen resting places shared with family

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2022 34:45


    Coby Crump was one of our database managers for our Pearl Harbor Project. She shares with us her journey to doing this work.  If you want to volunteer and start writing please visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org

    Story of Oldest Living Gold Star Mother

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2022 27:08


    Part 2 on interview with Jackie Menasco. Thank you to all of our volunteers.  To start volunteering visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org  

    The Journey to Tell a Story for all Pearl Harbor Fallen

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2022 32:06


    Interview with database manager for the Pearl Harbor fallen Jackie Menasco. Such an honor to her hear experience visiting the USS Arizona Memorial    Read more of David Lowrey story here: https://www.fold3.com/memorial/529963184/david-c-lowrey-jr/stories

    The Dangers of Flight Training

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2022 40:38


    This is part two of my interview with researcher John Mier.  Read more here https://www.fold3.com/memorial/639638146/george-d-gingras/stories   To volunteer visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org Learn more about the 325 here http://www.checkertails.org  

    Stories from the Skies of Italy and the 325th Fighter Group

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2022 37:30


    In this episode we hear some amazing stories from the 325th Fighter Group from Veteran John Mier. This is part one of the interview subscribe to hear part two.  Read the stories of these fallen here.  George D Gingras: PERSON, pictures and information - Fold3.com Roman Mierzejewski: PERSON, pictures and information - Fold3.com   Bart J Judge: PERSON, pictures and information - Fold3.com Daniel J McCabe: PERSON, pictures and information - Fold3.com   To learn more and volunteer visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org

    No Unremembered Soldiers - Telling all the stories of WWII Fallen in Arlington

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2022 43:05


    In this episode we hear from Founder and Director Don Milne on how the Arlington project is running. Thank you so much for all of our volunteers and supporters.  to volunteer visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org  

    Why do an unrelated man and woman share the same grave marker at Arlington National Cemetery?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2022 13:44


    Thank you to Lea Schneider for her help with this project and to see Harriet Gowen's profile check out: https://www.fold3.com/memorial/657791696/harriet-elizabeth-gowen-the-american-red-cross/stories   For more information about Stories Behind the Stars and to Volunteer visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org 

    Stories of the Woman Nurses Who Lost Their Lives to a Kamikaze Attack

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2022 34:07


    The USS Comfort Nurses on Fold 3.   Florence T. Grewer  Florence T Grewer: PERSON, pictures and information - Fold3.com Frances O. Chesley Frances O Chesley: PERSON, pictures and information - Fold3.com Margaret M. Billings Margaret M Billings: PERSON, pictures and information - Fold3.com Evelyn C. Eckert  Evelyn C Eckert: PERSON, pictures and information - Fold3.com Ida M. Greenwood Ida M Greenwood: PERSON, pictures and information - Fold3.com Dorothy M. Stanke Dorothy M Stanke: PERSON, pictures and information - Fold3.com Check out Jon's book "King of the Oilers The Story of the USS Chiwawa AO-68"   The USS Chiwawa also has a Facebook page. King of the Oilers – The Story of the U.S.S. Chiwawa AO-68: Strupp, Jon: 9781592981915: Amazon.com: Books   Volunteer by visiting www.storiesbehindthestars.org   support us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/storiesbehindthestars?fan_landing=true

    Part 2 of interview with Rona Simmons

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2022 22:39


    Listen to the concluding episode with Ronna Simmons  If you are interested in Volunteering check out  www.storiesbehindthestars.org Find Rona Simmons books at https://ronasimmons.com Check out our patroon to support this podcast visit https://www.patreon.com/storiesbehindthestars?fan_landing=true

    Shipwreck in Canada, deadly flight over the English Channel and other fascinating untold stories from WWII

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2022 32:13


    Author and researcher Rona Simmons shares with us her journey to write a story for a fallen hero from every state. She also shares some insight into her new book. Check out her book newest book "A Gathering of Men" at https://ronasimmons.com  If you interested in finding fallen heroes from WWII please visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org    

    The lost musicians of the USS Arizona and other Pearl Harbor fallen stories

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2022 40:13


    Researcher Kirstin Howard shares what it is like to research fallen sailors and then visit their memorials in Hawaii. Links for full stories of those fallen profiled in the podcast. USS Arizona Fallen: James Joseph Murphy https://navy.togetherweserved.com/usn/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=441799 Charles William White https://navy.togetherweserved.com/usn/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=383806 Raymond Edward Livers https://navy.togetherweserved.com/usn/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=421388 Wayne Nicholas Livers https://navy.togetherweserved.com/usn/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=421391 Other WWII Fallen: Reuel E. Catterton https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=322440   If interested in volunteering please visit at www.storeisbehindthestars.org   Thanks to all of our volunteers.  

    Deadly Accidents on the Homefront Life as a WASP and Woman Marine

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2022 16:32


    Researcher and writer Lea Schneider shares stories with us of two WWII woman who gave their lives in the service both died on the home front from accident both had different outcomes.  Read Naomi Bennetts Story here: https://www.fold3.com/memorial/657099571/naomi-ann-bennett/stories   Read Marjorie Laverne Davis story here: https://www.fold3.com/memorial/653610319/marjorie-laverne-davis/stories   Volunteer at www.storiesbehindthestars.org

    Great advice on how to research WWII Fallon

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2022 38:33


    Certified Genealogist Betty Patterson gives some great advice on how to do research on WWII fallen and shares some of the stories of the men she is finding. 

    One man's choice to do his duty has fatal consequences at Pearl Harbor

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2022 30:39


    This part two of our interview with Navy Veteran and researcher Kevin McIntire. See the fully stories of fallen: Paxton Turner Carter's story https://www.fold3.com/memorial/636574228/carter-paxton-pc/stories Roger L. Alaux's story  https://www.fold3.com/memorial/657097039/lcdr-roger-l-alaux/stories  Volunteer by visiting www.storiesbehindthestars.org

    DNA on letters home helped identify Pearl Harbor fallen after 60 years.

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2021 41:32


    Researcher Jodi Block shares with us the story of  Ruth Gardiner https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ROHSBV&type=Person&ID=316411&fbclid=IwAR3ABF8akCQPF-vBOa7QLRTO0MEJoMzmZDRjnR6MuPBBLaMNEbrldvwIKjE Gerald George Lehman https://www.fold3.com/memorial/529999159/gerald-george-lehman/stories If you like these stories please subscribe and please consider volunteering  www.storiesbehindthestars.org

    Navy veteran has written more than 500 stories of the World War II Fallen

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2021 22:17


    Researcher and veteran Bob Joyce recounts his time in the service and the stories of the fallen he is finding in his volunteer time.  Read the full story of ENS Manuel Gonzalez here: https://navy.togetherweserved.com/usn/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ROHSBV&type=Person&ID=242978 Read the full story of Pvt Joseph Bush here: https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ROHSBV&type=Person&ID=207714   Learn more about this project visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org

    Paratrooper veteran tells story of banzai charge on American soil

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2021 15:25


    Researcher Dennis Dupras Tells us about his service and the amazing research he is doing  read William E Adair profile here https://www.fold3.com/memorial/90038513/william-e-adair/gallery  

    Veteran remembers those who gave their all in WWII

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2021 37:13


    Volunteer Veteran researcher Kevin McIntire tells us stories from D-Day. Thank you so much for all of our volunteers. If you are interested in helping with this project visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org

    The Veteran who missed getting the autograph from world famous author

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2021 23:48


    This is part two with our interview with researcher Steve Booth. Great amount of information to share and wonderful storys.    Read Booths entire story here https://navy.togetherweserved.com/usn/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxPersonPhoto&type=PersonExt&filter=All&order=Sequence_desc&maxphoto=4&show_grid_View=0&ID=305786&selectedPhotoID=2607294

    Stories from the 743 Tank Battalion

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2021 30:15


    Steve Booth has a wealth of knowledge and has some amazing stories to share with us.  Read Lunds entire Story here. https://www.fold3.com/page/653615786/alvin-winton-lund/stories Read Jacks entire story here.  https://www.fold3.com/page/653610171/sgt-jasper-jack-leonard

    The Jersey Boys of Pearl Harbor.

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2021 31:16


    We are nearing the 80th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Honor some of the Pearl Harbor fallen by listening to their stories. You won't believe what these men went through in their lives.  Here are the Together We Serve profiles for the men in the episode: -Walter Holzworth -Joseph Guttman -Francis Daniel Day   Thank you to Kerilyn Stockdale who researched and wrote these stories.  Thank you all of our amazing volunteers.  

    WWII Flight Nurses saved hundreds of thousand lives. Listen to the story of one

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2021 9:14


    Another great episode about woman's role in WWII learn what it took to be a flight nurse.  Read Thelma LaFave's story here  https://www.fold3.com/page/638720476/thelma-m-la-fave/stories   Volunteer at www.storiesbehindthestars.org   Thank you too Lea Schneider for all her work.  

    One of the first women in the United States Marines to die while in the service of her country.

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2021 9:09


    Researcher Lea Schneider gives a wonderful explanation of the history of women in the United States Marine Corps and tells the story of Helen Fluckey and how she lived her short life. Read entire story here  https://www.fold3.com/page/653613685/helen-fluckey/photos  

    Nurse whose famous letter was published before the nation knew of her death

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2021 12:12


    Listen to the story of Frances Y Slanger Army Nurse who wrote a famous letter that was published all across the country. read entire story here https://www.fold3.com/page/657099586/frances-y-slanger Huge thanks to Lea Schneider for researching and telling this story. If you are interested in becoming a researcher please visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org 

    The story of one of the last WWII fallen as remembered by his sister 60 years later

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2021 30:19


    Read Myron's whole story here https://www.fold3.com/page/653611393/lewis-doyle-myron-1925/stories

    Was Band of Brothers Accurate? Listen to stories of 3 band of brothers members.

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2021 26:55


    Three stories of Fallen Band of Brother members told by researcher Bryan Fusfield.  See full stories here: https://www.fold3.com/page/529879500/william-h-dukeman-jr https://www.fold3.com/page/529911289/john-d-halls https://www.fold3.com/page/529908809/theodore-t-jones-jr   Find out more about our mission at www.storiesbehindthestars.org

    How Twitter found the wounded D-Day paratrooper who disappeared

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2021 11:09


    Part 2 with our interview with Researcher Bryan Fusfield. See the story here https://www.fold3.com/page/529907114/robert-e-jesper

    The Rookie Writer Who Uncovered the Story of a Bronze Star Gliderman, with a Surprising Twist

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2021 23:02


    Researcher Bryan Fusfield tells us his reasons for joining the project as young Millennial and share the amazing story of Robert Hilton https://www.fold3.com/page/653600996/robert-g-hilton/stories

    The Silver Star hero who loved his country despite being sent to an internment camp

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2021 21:31


    Find out how you can become a volunteer here www.storiesbehindthestars.org Read the full story here: https://www.fold3.com/page/638678329/fred-m-yamamoto/stories

    The Newspaper Reporter Who Became a Bronze Star Marine

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2021 16:31


      Tyndale Lloyd - https://www.fold3.com/page/653611412/pfc-tyndale-llewellyn-lloyd-us-marine-corps/stories

    The Flame Thrower Tank Sergeant who earned the Silver Star on Iwo Jima

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2021 12:11


    See Full storie here  https://ww2fallen100.blogspot.com/2018/01/ww2-iwo-jima-fallen-silver-star-hero.html    

    Man lost in famous crash but is sadly forgotten

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2021 13:58


    Listen to the story of William Gardner White and find out who was the man he was flying with.  http://ww2fallen100.blogspot.com/2019/02/ww2-fallen-william-white-uss-jacinto.html

    Man gives his live to save the life of 9 other men. This is what it means to be an American

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2021 17:23


    Stories Behind the Stars Founder Don Milne share the story of Clarence Aaberg  http://ww2fallen100.blogspot.com/2018/04/ww2-fallen-distinguished-flying-cross.html If you are interested in Volunteering visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org

    What a Father Did After Losing Both Sons in World War II

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2021 12:33


    Interview with Don Milne founder of Stories Behind the Stars.

    Story of D-Day Fallen on the plane ‘Sweatin' It Out'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2021 6:11


    This short podcast tell the story of Harold O Allensworth  https://www.fold3.com/page/529909203/harold-o-allensworth/stories Thank you James Hooper for writing the story 

    The Incredible Letter of a Fallen Hero to His Unborn Son

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2021 13:19


    Read Wallace Zosel's story here: https://www.fold3.com/page/529915622/wallace-e-zosel/stories The letter was first published in:  World War II Letters: A Glimpse Into the Heart of the Second World War Through the Eyes of Those Who Were Fighting It, edited by Bill Adler, Jr. and Tracy Quinn McLennan

    "You walk away as family"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2021 17:03


    Interview With Emily Ritter D-day Database manager and story researcher. Emily knows first hand what it is like to loose a loved one in war as a member of a Gold Star Family she has a deep empathy for those left behind. Listen to her tell her story and her insights into telling the stories of the home front.   

    Understanding the Homefront

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2021 21:29


    Interview with Jenna Rabtzow D-Day database manager.  Franklin Maynard Elliot, by Gary Smith: https://www.fold3.com/page/529909512/frank-m-elliott/stories The story contains letters that he and his wife exchanged during the war.   Philip Germer, by Bryan Fusfield: https://www.fold3.com/page/653608583/pvt-philip-germer He was from Colorado, where my family and I live. We visited the Colorado Freedom Memorial on Memorial Day and were able to place a rose by his name on the memorial wall.    William McGowan, by Susan Singleton: https://www.fold3.com/page/529915953/william-j-mcgowan/stories More information about him here that is interesting: https://www.startribune.com/mia-minnesota-war-hero-accounted-for-75-years-after-d-day/570667112/?refresh=true   Roland Ehlers, by Luann Greenwell: https://www.fold3.com/page/638709418/roland-a-ehlers/stories My family and I visited the World War II museum in May and saw his service cap in the D-Day exhibit.

    P.O.W. left for war the day his daughter was born and never saw her but....

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2021 26:36


    Researcher Jay Jones tells us stories from Iron County Utah Fallen. Read Dewey Topham story here: https://www.fold3.com/page/91164519/dewey-a-topham/stories   Read Milo Mortensen story here: https://www.fold3.com/page/638677840/milo-c-mortensen   Read Frank Hunter story here: https://www.fold3.com/page/638677727/frank-h-hunter   Read Austin Halterman story here: https://www.fold3.com/page/529958538/austin-l-halterman   Read Elmo Platt story here: https://www.fold3.com/page/653611105/elmo-w-platt

    “HOW HEROIC IT WAS JUST TO SHOW UP”- 22 YEAR OLD STUDENT TELLING STORIES OF 22 YEAR OLD WWII FALLEN

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2021 19:20


    Part three interview with researcher Jonathon Floyd Story of Alfred Andersen Leader of Company A of the 116th Infantry Regiment on D-Day https://www.fold3.com/page/653614893/alfred-s-andersen Story of Howard J Thayne lost when plane went down in Italy https://www.fold3.com/page/91307410/howard-j-thayne

    Recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and lost over the mountains of Colorado

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2021 13:40


    Part two with researcher Jonathon Floyd Story of Mont Fermore Stephensen https://www.fold3.com/page/653606178-mont-fermore-stephensen Story of Joseph J Beeson https://www.fold3.com/page/638677552/joseph-j-beeson

    Missing in the Himalayas

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2021 16:23


    Brigham Young University senior Jonathon Floyd has contributed 30 stories of the the World War II fallen, including C-46 pilot and Distinguished Flying Cross recipient 2nd Lt. Ray C. Taylor, still missing in the Himalayas, and Seaman 2/c Abe Griffin killed when the USS Savannah was hit by an early version of a cruise missile.

    Stories from the Untold Side of WWII

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2021 27:29


    Interview with author and researcher Rona Simmons. She has written a book about WWII veterans who do not always get the attention they deserve and now she is writing the stories of the fallen. Get Rona's Book here https://ronasimmons.com See Rona's Fold3 profiles here https://www.fold3.com/profile/rona_simmons093

    The WWII Ship Still In Operation

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2021 20:52


    Jon Strupp, the author of King of the Oilers: The Story of the U.S.S. Chiwawa A0-68, shares his experience of writing this book and more than 20 stories of the WWII fallen, including Franics Clouse who served on Chiwawa before transferring to the destroyer USS Hugh W. Hadley (see https://www.fold3.com/page/529992519/francis-c-clouse/stories).   His book can be found at: https://www.amazon.com/King-Oilers-Story-U-S-S-Chiwawa/dp/1592981917 The accompanying Facebook page is at: https://www.facebook.com/USS-Chiwawa-AO-68-253970604735926/ 

    The College Chemistry Teacher Who Became a D-Day Hero

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2021 22:47


    Retired nurse Susan Gould from Tennessee has contributed nearly 400 stories of the WWII fallen, including more than 100 who died on D-Day.   These are some of the stories she has written   Thomas Moundres, the only child of immigrants and a college chemistry professor, was a D-Day casualty. https://www.fold3.com/page/529916445/thomas-p-moundres/stories   William Moreland died on D-Day along with his brother and two other men from his small town of 81 people. https://www.fold3.com/page/529914590/william-w-moreland/stories   John Clifton was one of 19 men from the small town of Bedford, Virginia who were killed on D-Day. https://www.fold3.com/page/638659346/john-d-clifton/stories   Edmund Dabney survived the Bataan Death March and more than two years as a POW before being killed when the ship he was being transported on was sunk by an American submarine unaware that prisoners were on the ship. https://www.fold3.com/page/529947206/edmund-r-dabney-jr/stories

    What They Did For Us Was Amazing

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2021 18:47


    Molly Brown from Utah has written more than 75 stories of the US WWII fallen.   Some of those she mentioned in the interview are:   D-Day paratrooper John Houk - https://www.fold3.com/page/638748078/john-j-houk   Omaha Beach Lt Leroy Jacobson - https://www.fold3.com/page/84621483/leroy-e-jacobson/stories A more complete story of Lt Jacobson that was written for the National History Day Silent Heroes project can be found here: https://nhdsilentheroes.org/leroy-edgar-jacobson   Himalaya's MIA Boyd Riding - https://www.fold3.com/page/529972304/boyd-e-riding

    Guadalcanal Fallen's Dog Tags Found After 74 Years Part 3 of interview with Donna Esposito

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2021 14:35


    Read the Dale Ross story: https://www.fold3.com/page/90924612/dale-w-ross/stories    

    The Story Behind One of the Most Famous WWII Photos Part 2 of interview with Donna Esposito

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2021 15:49


    Read the story of the wounded soldier in the photo, Roy Humphries: https://www.fold3.com/page/84192918/roy-w-humphrey/stories

    "A World War II Nancy Drew" Interview with Author Donna Esposito

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2021 10:42


    She has traveled the world find WWII stories and has written a novel about WWII. Lean about the amazing things Donna has done and is doing to honor and tell the stories of the WWII Fallen.   Check out Donna Esposito book  https://www.donnaesposito.com  

    Claim Stories of World War Two Fallen Heroes and the Researchers Who Find Their Stories.

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel