Tales of Valor

TALES OF VALOR UPDATE! Guys, we appreciate the comments and messages. Catching up today and this is our update! Nothing bad has happened, just Dave and I figuring out the future of podcasting for ourselves for the best return on investment for our time. Podcast episodes are remaining up, etc. Thanks!  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: Chief Petty Officer Douglas “Mike” Day | Shot 27 times on a critical mission in Iraq in 2007, Chief Day now devotes his time on a mission to help others suffering traumatic injury. What a tale of valor indeed.Videos of full episodes NOW ON YOUTUBE! 

TALES OF VALOR EP. 54: Lee Kessler | Lee Kessler and other POW's on a forced march crossed directions with Hungarian Jewish slave laborers on their way to be put to death. What emerged was deeply personal but became deeply impactful to countless others. Watch the VIDEO version of the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYX1SMWU_U5gnPDQFI4HIJw?view_as=subscriberhttp://www.instagram.com/tovpod

TALES OF VALOR EP. 53: Douglas Munro | Against the backdrop of the history of the United States Coast Guard emerges the sole Medal of Honor recipient from that bad ass branch: Douglas Munro.  Now go tell someone about the show! http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: Owen Baggett | In the first ever video episode, Mike and Dave join forces on a 1/2 history where one man went head to head in the air with a Japanese Zero!!!! Thanks everyone! http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR UPDATE!  Thanks raw dawgs and guns ho's!

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: Col. John Ripley | The only. Marine ever inducted into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame has quite a story to tell of his mission to "hold and die" against more than 20,000 enemy soldiers and 200 tanks on a bridge in Vietnam. Thanks for listening, subscribing, commenting, rating/reviewing and all the good stuff! http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: Jake Ryker | Boy Scout Jake Ryker is the hero who responded proactively to stop the Thurston High School Shooting. On May 21, 1998, 17 year old Jake was a student at Thurston High School in Springfield, Oregon. On that fateful day, Jake was sitting in the cafeteria when another student walked into the building and started shooting. Jake’s instinctive response was to be proactive rather than passive. Despite being shot and wounded by the attacker, Jake led the effort to subdue the gunman and held him until law enforcement arrived. Jake was able to initiate taking back control while under attack. Thanks for listening, subscribing, rating/reviewing/commenting!  http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR EP. 52: Andrew Ferguson | The lines are blurred between reality and dreams for those who experience unimaginable scenes in their deployments. In this unique episode, Mike and Dave interact with a story from a book called "Fire and Forget" which is a collection of "short stories from a long war" about the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Thank you for all the listens, subscriptions and ratings/reviews/comments! http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: Howard Leedham | A dual citizen of USA and UK, listen in to one man's story of fighting a strange war in a strange way over in Pakistan. Thank you everyone for listening, subscribing and reviewing! http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: Charles Abrell | Cpl. Abrell, by his valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death, served to inspire all his comrades and contributed directly to the success of his platoon in attaining its objective. His superb courage and heroic initiative sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. (excerpt from MOH citation )   Thank you for listening, subscribing and reviewing! http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR EP. 51: Master Sergeant Thomas Patrick Payne | On his 14th deployment, Pat was part of a team assigned to plan and conduct an operation to rescue over 70 Kurdish prisoners being held by ISIS barbarians in Iraq.  The team soon received horrifying intelligence that the terrorists were planning to massacre their captives and bury them in freshly dug graves.  Pat and his teammates raced into action. After midnight, on October 22, Pat boarded a helicopter and departed on a mission to free the hostages from two buildings guarded by dozens of ruthless and bloodthirsty ISIS terrorists.  He was in command of a team clearing one of the compounds.  As soon as the ramp to his helicopter went down, Pat rushed into a blistering hail of gunfire.  Pat and his team swiftly overpowered the enemy, secured the building, and freed 38 of the hostages. Then Pat received word that the rest of the assault team was facing harsh resistance in another complex.  Pat turned to one of his fellow soldiers and said, “Let’s get into the fight right now.  Let’s get into the fight.” Thank you for listening! Now go subscribe and leave a review! http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: Claudia Apolinar | When she and her partner were ambushed in Compton, Deputy Apolinar remained steadfast and relentless, putting her partner's needs before even her own wounds ensuring that they were able to get the fastest possible response to their horrific circumstances. Both she and her unnamed partner are expected to survive. Both heroes in a battle of good vs. evil that is raging in our nation. http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: Harry L. Martin | Join Dave in this amazing half history about a brave Marine (and Michigander) named Harry Martin who was a part of the first wave onto Iwo Jima! This tale is told by the man himself in a timepiece worth remembering. Thanks for listening, subscribing and rating/reviewing!  Special credit to American Veterans Center, whose interview we play here as part of today's episode. http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR EP. 50: Lt. Jay Zeamer | An unwanted and uncertified primary pilot, Jay Zeamer set out to gather his crew of misfits in an abandoned plane that they would modify and fly into danger over and over again. This tale culminates with a mission that would earn Zeamer and his friend and bombardier Joe Sarnowski each the Medal of Honor. Wow wow wow! What a story; grab a drink and listen in! Thank you for listening, subscribing, rating/reviewing and all the good stuff!  http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: Master Sgt. Michael Meroney | In this tale of valor, we hear the story of a pararescueman not only saving a young girl on 9-6-05 during Katrina but reuniting with her ten years later and the impact he and LaShay Brown have had on one another in the process. Meroney called her smile a "Tsunami of Greatness." Thank you for listening! http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: The Siege of Jadotville | Listen in on this once forgotten battle of a small band of Irish troops defending itself from an attack by Katangese Gendarmerie troops in 1961 during the Congo Crisis. http://www.instagram.com/tovpod

TALES OF VALOR EP. 49: Patrick Gavin "Tad" Tadina |  Army Ranger Patrick Tadina was a 30 year Army Veteran and the longest serving Ranger in Vietnam and one of the war's most decorated soldiers and leaders.  “Early this morning my Dad ... took his last breaths and went to be with all the Rangers before him,” his daughter Catherine Poeschl said on Facebook. “I know they are all there waiting for him.” Grab a drink and listen in to this tale of valor! http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: The Chernobyl Divers | Listen in as Mike tells the story of three men: Alexei Ananenko, Valeri Bespalov and Boris Baranov volunteered to risk themselves to save the rest of the world in ways we likely cannot even imagine. Thanks for listening, subscribing, rating/reviewing and all that good stuff! http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: Ralph Cheli | In circumstances that Air Force Magazine once described as "Triumph and Tragedy" Pilot Ralph Cheli was leading a group of B-25 Mitchells on a low level attack of Japanese airfields on 8/18/43 when his bomber was severely damaged while he was ensuring the safety of others in his squadron. He became a prisoner of war and was ultimately executed by his captors. Cheli was awarded the Medal of Honor in October of 1943. Listen in as we honor this hero and his tale of valor. Thank you to all our loyal listeners! http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR EP. 48: Lyle Shafer | Lyle Shafer found himself a downed and extremely injured pilot inside Nazi Germany on 9/10/44. Ultimately finding his new home to be a prisoner of war camp Stalag Luft 1. Years later after the war, Lyle began to orchestrate multiple reunions of the survivors and also regularly honor the fallen that never made it home. Enjoy this untold tale of valor and learn what the character of true heroes is. Thank you for listening, sharing and rating/reviewing/commenting! http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: Peter Freuchen | From fighting Nazi's in the Danish resistance and being wanted by the Third Reich to escaping an ice cave with a dagger made from his own feces, you could say Peter Freuchen lived an interesting life worthy of a tale of valor. Thanks for listening and sharing the show! http://www.instagram.com/tovpod    

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: Thomas Nast | From cartoons that helped take down corrupt politician "Boss" Tweed to being considered the "Father of The American Cartoonist" see why in a time where such things mattered so much more, why courage was necessary to draw ones convictions! Thank you for listening and sharing the show! http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR EP. 47: Operation Biting | Mike and Dave are BACK in person for a retelling of the Bruneval Raid, where a British Combined Operations raid was conducted on a German radar installation in northern France.  Thank you for listening and supporting the show! http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: John Malcom Thorpe Fleming Churchill | John "Mad Jack" Churchill lived the life of an eccentric war fighting badass. Born in Hong Kong and eventually a British Commando this dude walked into war playing the bagpipes learned in Burma, armed with a Scottish broadsword and a longbow. You literally can't make this stuff up! A MUST LISTEN! Thank you to all those subscribing, commenting, rating, reviewing and all the good stuff! 5 star no star baby! http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: Vernon J. Baker | From Baker's Medal of Honor citation: "Lieutenant Baker's fighting spirit and daring leadership were an inspiration to his men and exemplify the highest traditions of the military service." That fighting spirit transcended the battlefield and into life as a black man in the military during WW2. Baker ultimately received his medal and recognition in 1997, some 53 years after his valor in combat. Thank you for listening, sharing, subscribing, commenting, reviewing, etc. http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR EP. 46: Drew Dennis Dix | Titled after Dix's own book retelling the intense 56 hour battle that led to him being awarded the Medal of Honor, listen in to Dix's own words for this episode in a full length interview (as seen/heard on the YT channel "History is Back"). Dix was the first enlisted Special Forces soldier to receive the MOH. What a tale. Thank you for listening, sharing, rating/reviewing, commenting, etc. http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: Extortion 17 | Listen into an example of what living out the Ranger Creed meant on August 6th 2011 in the response operation to the crash site of Extortion 17 in the Wardak Province of Afghanistan. From the episode "By this point in the war, the men who made up the special operations community were some of the most proficient and combat-hardened warriors the world had ever seen. Even so, the enemy always has a vote." Thank you for all the support for the show! Now go leave comments and ratings and reviews everywhere! http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: Operation Dryad | To say that British special forces surprised a group of Germans in a lighthouse, of all places, during a commando raid in WW2 is an understatement. One was even caught wearing his hairnet. WTF?  Thanks for listening, sharing, subscribing, following, commenting, rating, reviewing and all that good stuff! http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR EP. 45: Master Sergeant Roy Benavidez | Known as Tango Mike Mike (That Mean Mexican) by his fellow soldiers, Medal of Honor recipient Roy Benavidez is a special forces LEGEND. For his actions in "6 hours of hell" in Vietnam, listen in and find out why President Reagan said that if this were a Hollywood movie script you wouldn't believe it. Wow wow wow! Thank you for subscribing and rating and reviewing and all that good stuff. Your engagement with the show makes all the difference! http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: Sylvester Antolak | His right arm shattered, his submachine gun wedged into his left armpit, Sgt. Antolak charged across an open field of intense fire to lead his men  in capturing the enemy position. Listen in and find out why we need more men like Sgt. Antolak inspiring the next generation. Thank you for listening, subscribing/following/commenting, rating/reviewing and all the good stuff! http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: Freddie Oversteegen | From an article in the Guardian: Her mother, Trijn, a communist bringing up her children independently in the Dutch city of Haarlem, sheltered Jews, dissidents and gay people as they fled Germany in the 1930s. Oversteegen, who was seven when Adolf Hitler came to power, bunked in with her big sister Truus to make room. It was the start of a struggle that would last until she died on 5 September, the day before her 93rd birthday, in a nursing home not far from where, as teenagers, she and Truus carried out a campaign of assassinations and sabotage against Nazi invaders with pistols hidden in their bicycle baskets. “If you ask me, the war only ended two weeks ago,” her son Remi Dekker told the Observer. “In her mind it was still going on, and on, and on. It didn’t stop, even until the last day.”   Thanks to everyone for supporting the show and telling others about it!   http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR EP. 44: Francis Marion | Francis Marion was one of the patriots chosen to create the characters and experiences for the lead role in the 2000 film 'The Patriot.' But as we have seen so many times, truth is more interesting than fiction when you start turning over the rocks of history. Listen in to another tale of valor from the revolutionary war period. Grab a drink and tell a friend!   Thank you all who subscribe/follow/rate/review/comment and all that good stuff!    http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: Brody Young | In 2010, while working as a Utah State Park Ranger, Brody Young was attacked by a suspect and shot 9 times. This brief story is chock full of valor so give it a listen and we are thankful for Ranger Young's willingness to stay in the fight and inspire all of us.   http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: Hannie Schaft | Known by the Nazi's as "the girl with the red hair" and on their most wanted list, Jannetje Johanna (Jo) Schaft (secret name Hannie) was a Dutch Resistance fighter during WW2. In a strange combination of cultures and principles, her story is woven into the fabric of Dutch and world history.  Thank you for listening/following/subscribing and rating/reviewing/commenting! http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR EP. 43: Sammy L Davis | Known as the "Real Life Forrest Gump" because footage of his Medal of Honor ceremony was used in the 1994 film, Davis' real life story, if you can believe it, was much more unbelievable than the movie's depiction of the war. Repeatedly, Sammy L Davis repeats the mantra "Ya don't lose til ya quit tryin'" as he shares what kept him going in an unimaginable battle situation. Don't miss this one!   Thank you for subscribing/following, rating/reviewing/commenting!    http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: Charlie Brown & Franz Stigler | Listen into the tale of two pilots from WWII that lived by a particular code; a code that would not only leave them alive during a battle but bring them together years later.    Franz Stigler was conscripted into the German Luftwaffe in 1942 and would encounter a young American B-17 bomber pilot, Charlie Brown, on 12/20/43 and the encounter would change both of them forever.   Thank you for listening, following, subscrsibing, rating, commenting and reviewing!   http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: Hiroshi Miyamura | After serving in WWII in the 100th Infanty Battalion, Miyamura enlisted in the Army reserves and would be called up to active duty again during the Korean War. It was during a fierce attack on his squad that he showed his steadfast courage, facing the enemy while protecting his fellow soldiers under dire circumtances. As a prisoner of war his MOH was awarded as "top secret." Listen in to an amazing tale of valor.   Please go subscribe, follow, rate/review/comment wherever you listen to the show!   http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR EP. 42: Louis E. Curdes | One of only 3 U.S. Pilots to take down aircraft from all three of the Axis enemies in WWII, Louis Edward Curdes was the only one to take down an...American aircraft? Listen to this crazy cool tale of valor and tell a friend! Thank you guys for all the comments, ratings and reviews! We appreciate you! http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: Bridger Walker | What does a 6 year old have to teach the rest of those around him about valor? Well, listen to today's tale of valor and find out why Bridger Walker definitely does that when a dog is charging at he and his sister. http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: The Battle of Saragarhi | Today's half history takes us back to 1897 when the 36th Sikh Regiment of the Bengal Infantry defended their outpost at Saragarhi to the death with loyalty and devotion against the Afghan attackers.  Thank you for all the support for the show! Please go drop a rating/review/comment/follow/subscription everywhere!  http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR EP. 41: Washington and Winter Patriots | When you see the iconic picture of Washington crossing the Delaware, did you realize that was only the start of a 10 day stretch of three key battles that helped change the minds of American Colonists and a fresh wave of support for independence? Listen in to the military strategy that helped shift the tides of the American revolution! Thank you for all the support and please go subscribe/review/comment and all that good stuff! http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: Daylan McLee | On Father's Day 2020 in Uniontown, PA Daylan McLee snapped into action to pull Officer Hanley from a burning vehicle following a car crash. This is the kind of thing that happens more often than the main stream narrative wants us to think.  "There is value in every human life. We are all children of God and I can’t imagine just watching anyone burn,” he said. “No matter what other people have done to me, or other officers, I thought, ‘this guy deserves to make it home safely to his family.’” -Daylan McLee Thanks for listening and sharing the show with others! Thanks for reviewing and rating and commenting as well!  http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: Deming Bronson | While we cannot confirm that Deming is directly related to bad-ass Charles Bronson, they are both pretty awesome. Deming's Medal of Honor citation from WW1 indicates that despite several and severe wounds, he stayed in the fight and was "the last to leave" as forces were falling back from an advanced position. A simple and direct story today for your dose of half-history! Now, go to apple podcasts and leave a review and on the podbean app leave a comment! http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR EP. 40: Operation Colossus | The first British Special Forces airborne raid of WWII found Lt. Dudley Wrangel Clarke knowing exactly what he wanted in his Commandos: “We looked for the dash of the Elizabethan pirate, the Chicago gangster, and the Frontier tribesman.” This young group needed to be self-motivated and willing to move forward no matter what. What we learn today is that some no-matter what's definitely came their way. Thank you for listening, following, subscribing, telling friends, rating, reviewing, commenting, etc. You know, all the good stuff helping us grow! http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: Noah Woods | Very few people would have the clarity and will to save 7 people from an unexpected fire, let alone a 5 year old boy. But, that's exactly what happened just a few short months ago in Georgia, when Noah Woods made sure to get himself, his sister and dog out through a window and know exactly where to go to get help to get the rest of the family out. Tales of Valor are all around us all the time if we're willing to open our eyes. Thank you for listening and supporting the show! Be sure to rate/review/comment/subscribe/follow etc. http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: Henry Johnson | Thankfully President Barack Obama finally awarded William Henry Johnson (commonly known as just Henry) the Medal of Honor in 2015. To say that it was a long time coming would be a massive understatement. Henry Johnson was a real life Rambo who fought off a German raid in hand to hand combat in 1918 in the Argonne Forest in France.  While race was an issue in 1918 America, the sentiment from the French differed. Johnson was awarded the Croix de Guerre with star and bronze palm by the French, despite the color of his skin and wa sth first U.S. Soldier in WW1 to receive such an honor. Johnson died, poor and in obscurity, in 1929. From 1919 on, Henry Johnson's story has been part of wider consideration of treatment of African Americans in the Great War. His story deserves to be told and remembered! http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR EP. 39: Francis "Peggy" Pegahmagabow | Credited with 378 Kills as a sniper and more than 300 prisoners captured, Indigenous Canadian Francis Pegahmagabow is now known as the deadliest sniper in WW1. Serving in key battles of Ypres, Somme (the bloodbath), and Passchendaele, Peggy is a national hero and a hero to his tribe. Find out why how he's become known as the ghost in the trenches. Thank you to everyone for subscribing/following, telling friends, rating/reviewing and all that good stuff. http://www.instagram.com/tovpod

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: Osowiec Fortress | On August 6, 1915, as usual Poland became a hotbed area of battles between the Russian Empire and Germany. When the Germans decided to unleash poisonous gas on the enemy to try and take the fortress they'd been attempting to get for 11 months, the Russians didn't go down without a fight that saved the fortress for another future fight. The Russian "attack of the dead" is the stuff of zombie scenes, as you'll soon hear! http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR HALF-HISTORY: Alwyn Cashe | Alwyn “Al” Cashe told his family that he would never leave one of his soldiers behind in combat. “I told him, ‘Don’t go over there playing a hero. You learn how to duck and come home,”’ his sister, Kasinal Cashe White of Lake Butler told the Orlando Sentinel on Saturday. “He said, ‘I’m doing the job I was trained to do. I have to take care of my boys.”’ After his Bradley Fighting Vehicle caught fire from a roadside bomb Cashe made good on that commitment when he saved 6 soldiers and an interpreter in 3 trips back to the BFV.  Cashe succumbed to the burn injuries he sustained during his rescue. Those who surrounded him at his passing say that he never stopped asking about his soldiers. We honor you on this episode sir and we hope to see you on top of the hill. Thank you to everyone for listening, subscribing/following, commenting/rating/reviewing. http://www.instagram.com/tovpod  

TALES OF VALOR EP. 38: Operation Gunnerside | This WW2 Tale of Valor is truly the stuff of movies and shows us how just a handful of humans willing to live courageously stopped the Nazi's from advancing nuclear technology at a critical time in history. Wow, wow, WOW this is a good one! Team Grouse and operation gunnerside is legendary! Thank you for listening, subscribing/following, rating/reviewing, commenting, etc. We appreciate you guys! http://www.instagram.com/tovpod