The Greatest Generation Live Podcast

This channel is dedicated to those from the Greatest Generation. You will find short interviews, highlights, and full episodes of VBC’s WWII specific program, Greatest Generation Live and Masters of the Air.

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Episodes

Monday Sep 09, 2024

US Army Colonel Arthur Lee Shreve survived the Bataan Death March and years as a POW of the Japanese at Cabanatuan prison camp in the Philippines, aboard a Japanese “Hell Ship” and hard labor at Camp Fukuoka, Japan. Arthur’s granddaughter, Heather Shreve, shares his story and book, The Colonel’s Way: The Secret Diaries of a P.O.W., Philippines 1941-1945.
After his father’s untimely demise in 1913, Arthur Shreve assumed the responsibility of supporting his family. He dropped out of high school just weeks before graduation and enlisted in the Maryland National Guard in 1917. Driven by a desire to fly, he transferred to the Signal Corps and Aviation Section, eventually graduating from flight school in 1918.
Shreve’s first assignment was with the Second Aero Squadron in France, where he flew combat missions during World War I. Despite the perilous nature of aerial warfare, he survived and returned to Baltimore in 1919.
In 1920, Shreve rejoined the US Army as a second lieutenant. His first assignment was in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he met his future wife. He also gained valuable knowledge about Japanese war tactics and culture, which would prove invaluable in the years to come.
Over the next two decades, Shreve served in various capacities, including as a member of the US-German Army Jumping and Polo Team, an instructor at the University of Oklahoma, and a graduate of the Command and General Staff School. He retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1940 but was recalled to service in 1941.
Assigned to the South Luzon Force in the Philippines, Shreve arrived in November 1941. He recognized the vulnerability of the island to Japanese attack and advocated for strengthening its defenses. However, his warnings were not heeded.
On December 24, 1941, Shreve witnessed the arrival of Japanese forces at Antipolo, confirming his fears. He played a crucial role in the defense of the Philippines, but was eventually captured and forced to endure the infamous Bataan Death March.
Upon arriving at Cabanatuan prison camp in June 1942, Shreve continued his humanitarian efforts. He meticulously documented the camp’s conditions, including the alarming death rate, and established an underground network to smuggle in food and supplies.
Shreve’s ingenuity extended to creating a crystal radio receiver from an Army canteen, allowing him to eavesdrop on Japanese communications. This intelligence was relayed to Filipino operatives in Manila, providing valuable information to the Allied forces.
In 1944, he was among the 12,000 POWs transported on the Japanese ship Arai Maru. Overcrowding and inhumane conditions led to the deaths of 100 men from suffocation.
During a bombing attack, Shreve was shot in the back but survived. He witnessed the Japanese pushing POWs overboard and abandoning ship. Shreve jumped into the water and swam to shore, then returned to rescue four others.
Shreve and his fellow POWs were held in a tennis court for five days with minimal food and water. They were then transported to Manila and forced onto train cars with 190 men per car. The only ventilation came from bullet holes in the roof.
On the Anora Maru, another Japanese transport ship, Shreve witnessed the deaths of two fellow officers when a torpedo hit the vessel. He helped Colonel North to safety but was unable to save Babcock, who had a severe chest wound.
On the Brazil Maru, Shreve and his companions faced freezing temperatures and illness.
Shreve was eventually imprisoned in Camp Fukuoka, Japan, where he performed hard labor. He collected the belongings of his deceased comrades in a Red Cross box.
In September 1945, Shreve was rescued and evacuated to Korea. Of the original 12,000 POWs, only 270 survived the ordeal.
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Monday Aug 19, 2024

This World War II Open Conversation led by historians Todd DePastino and Glenn Flickinger starts with a discussion of the connections between World War I and World War II. Should they be considered one continuous conflict, a "Thirty Years' War"? 
Both wars are deeply interconnected in their causes and consequences and viewing them as a single, prolonged conflict highlights the deep-rooted tensions and unresolved issues that persisted between 1914 and 1945.
World War I, which began in 1914, was triggered by a complex web of alliances, militarism, nationalism, and imperial competition. The war ended in 1918 with the Treaty of Versailles, which imposed harsh penalties on Germany and redrew the map of Europe. However, the treaty failed to address the underlying issues that had led to the war. Instead, it sowed the seeds for future conflict. Germany was left humiliated and economically devastated, creating a fertile ground for the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. The Treaty of Versailles, rather than ensuring peace, contributed to the instability and resentment that would lead to World War II.
World War II, which erupted in 1939, can be seen as a direct consequence of the unresolved tensions from World War I. The aggressive expansionism of Nazi Germany, driven by the desire to overturn the post-World War I order and reclaim lost territory, was a primary cause of the conflict. The failure of the League of Nations and the policy of appeasement further enabled Hitler's ambitions. The alliances, rivalries, and grievances that had existed during World War I were revived and intensified, leading to another catastrophic global conflict.
The period between the two wars, often referred to as the "interwar period," was marked by economic turmoil, political instability, and the rise of totalitarian regimes. The Great Depression of the 1930s exacerbated these issues, contributing to the collapse of democratic governments and the rise of fascism in Europe. This period was not a time of genuine peace but rather a prolonged ceasefire, where the underlying causes of World War I remained unresolved. The eventual outbreak of World War II can thus be seen as the resumption of a conflict that had never truly ended.
However, as expert Greg Yoest reminds us, it's important to recognize the differences between the two conflicts. World War I was largely a war of attrition fought between empires, while World War II was characterized by ideological battles between fascism, communism, and democracy, as well as widespread atrocities, including the Holocaust. The global scale and impact of World War II also far surpassed that of World War I.
We also discuss the 79th anniversary of the V-J Day, the Japanese surrender in 1945, especially what factors contributed to Emperor Hirohito's extraordinary--and unprecedented--decision to make a major policy decision regarding the war. We'll talk about the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Soviet declaration of war on Japan on August 8, 1945, and also about other events going on in the war and the world at the time.
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We’re grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!

The US Army at Guadalcanal

Friday Aug 02, 2024

Friday Aug 02, 2024

Glenn Flickinger leads a conversation with military historians and Pacific War experts Jeff Ballard and Dave Holland on the US Army’s role in the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II.
Dave, a seasoned veteran with a 28-year career in the US Marine Corps, is host of the popular Guadalcanal – Walking a Battlefield YouTube channel. He shares with us his extensive knowledge and passion for the Battle of Guadalcanal. He’s dedicated especially to assisting veterans and their families seeking information about the Guadalcanal campaign. Through his extensive personal knowledge, research, and field experience, he has become a valuable resource for those interested in the Guadalcanal campaign.
Military Historian Jeff Ballard is the expert on the Navy side of the Battle of Guadalcanal, but he shares his extensive knowledge of the Army experience with us.
The battle is often highlighted as a pivotal Marine Corps operation, but it was a joint Army-Marine-Navy effort was essential in securing an Allied victory and marked a turning point in the Pacific War.
The initial stages of the battle saw the 1st Marine Division, under Major General Alexander Vandegrift, landing on Guadalcanal on August 7, 1942. They quickly captured the airfield, later named Henderson Field, and established a defensive perimeter. However, the need for reinforcements became evident as Japanese forces mounted counterattacks.
The first U.S. Army units arrived on October 13, 1942, with the 164th Infantry Regiment of the Americal Division (officially the 23rd Infantry Division) reinforcing the Marines. This regiment played a crucial role in strengthening the defensive positions around Henderson Field and repelling Japanese assaults, particularly during the intense Battle for Henderson Field in late October 1942. Their presence was instrumental in blunting the major Japanese offensive and maintaining control of the airfield.
Further Army reinforcements arrived in the following months. The rest of the Americal Division, including the 182nd and 132nd Infantry Regiments, landed in November 1942, followed by the 25th Infantry Division, comprising the 35th, 27th, and 161st Infantry Regiments, in December 1942 and January 1943. These additional troops significantly bolstered the Allied forces on the island.
Army units participated in several key operations to clear Japanese forces from Guadalcanal. They were involved in offensives in the Matanikau River area and the Battle of Mount Austen, the Galloping Horse, and the Sea Horse in January 1943. These operations, conducted in challenging terrain against tenacious Japanese resistance, were crucial in securing strategic locations on the island. The U.S. Army’s role in these battles was vital for the overall success of the campaign.
The coordination between Army and Marine Corps units was a critical factor in the success of the Guadalcanal campaign. Both branches worked closely, coordinating attacks, sharing resources, and supporting each other in defensive operations. This integration helped to overwhelm Japanese forces and maintain control of critical areas, such as Henderson Field. The combined efforts of Army and Marine Corps units ensured that the Allies could sustain their offensive and defensive operations effectively.
By February 1943, Japanese forces were evacuated from Guadalcanal, marking the successful conclusion of the campaign. The U.S. Army’s involvement was essential in maintaining the momentum and ensuring the eventual Allied victory on the island. While the Marine Corps led the initial stages, the contributions of the U.S. Army were vital in reinforcing and sustaining the effort, ultimately securing a decisive victory for the Allies.
In summary, the Battle of Guadalcanal was a joint effort where the U.S. Army’s significant contributions complemented the Marine Corps’ operations. The Army’s participation in critical battles, reinforcements, and coordination with the Marine Corps were key factors in the eventual success of the campaign, highlighting the importance of unified efforts in achieving victory.
We’re grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!
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Tuesday Jul 23, 2024

In preparation for our September VBC trip to England for a tour of English air fields and WWII sites, Glenn Flickinger gives us a presentation on the Air War Over Europe, and how the Allies almost lost it.World War II in Europe saw the pinnacle of air warfare, characterized by immense strategic impact and a vast scale of operations. Tens of thousands of aircraft, primarily from the United States, participated daily in the fight to liberate Europe from Nazi control. This unprecedented mobilization transformed the European Theatre into a massive air war, necessitating swift and extensive logistical efforts involving manufacturing, transportation, and maintenance of aircraft, as well as the recruitment and training of millions of personnel.In 1939, the US Army Air Corps was a modest force with 26,000 personnel and 1,200 outdated aircraft. By 1944, it had expanded a hundredfold, becoming the world’s most formidable air force. This transformation was largely inspired by Brigadier General Billy Mitchell’s vision of strategic bombing. Mitchell argued that long-range bombers could cripple an enemy’s industrial base and demoralize its population, thus ending wars swiftly. His concepts were embraced by key figures like Major General Haywood Hansell, Henry “Hap” Arnold, and Carl Spaatz, who pushed for the mass production of heavy bombers like the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress.
The B-17, equipped with the advanced Norden Bombsight for precision bombing, became central to the Bomber Mafia’s doctrine of Daylight Precision Bombing. However, initial raids revealed the doctrine’s flaws. German fighter aircraft, such as the Focke-Wulf FW-190 and Messerschmitt ME-109, along with effective anti-aircraft defenses, inflicted severe losses on American bombers. Notable failures included the Schweinfurt-Regensburg raids in 1943, where substantial losses forced a reevaluation of tactics.
The turning point came with the introduction of the P-51 Mustang, a long-range fighter capable of escorting bombers deep into enemy territory. The P-51’s superior performance enabled it to protect bombers effectively, leading to a dramatic shift in air superiority. This change was crucial for the success of operations leading up to D-Day.
Operation Argument, also known as “Big Week” in February 1944, marked a significant resurgence of the Allied bombing campaign. Over 1,000 bombers and 600 fighters launched daily attacks on German industrial targets, dealing a crippling blow to the Luftwaffe. This operation demonstrated the strategic importance of air power and set the stage for the successful D-Day invasion in June 1944.
The Allied air war’s success was supported by immense production capabilities and the relentless efforts of those on the home front. The United States produced over 30,000 heavy bombers, while Britain manufactured over 7,000 Avro Lancasters despite constant enemy bombings. However, the human cost was staggering. The Royal Air Force’s Bomber Command lost 57,000 men, nearly half its force, and the Eighth Air Force saw 26,000 killed.
The physical and psychological toll on airmen was profound. Many suffered from Traumatic Stress Reaction, and the brutal conditions at high altitudes caused severe frostbite. Despite these hardships, the courage and sacrifice of these airmen were instrumental in achieving air superiority and, ultimately, victory in Europe.
The air war over Europe in WWII was a unique and significant chapter in military history. It highlighted the transformative power of air warfare and the incredible resilience and bravery of those who fought in the skies. Their contributions were vital to the Allied victory and remain a testament to the strategic importance of air power in modern warfare.
We’re grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!
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The Battle of Britain

Wednesday Jul 17, 2024

Wednesday Jul 17, 2024

In preparation for our September VBC trip to England for a tour of English air fields and WWII sites, Glenn Flickinger gives us a presentation on the Battle of Britain, a clash of air power to control the skies over Britain and the English Channel. We will experience a re-enactment of the battle at the Duxford Air Show September 13-15.
The Battle of Britain, fought from July to October 1940, marked the first major military campaign fought entirely by air forces and was crucial in preventing Nazi Germany from achieving air superiority, which was necessary for launching an invasion of Britain.
The battle began after Germany had rapidly conquered much of Europe, leaving Britain isolated. Adolf Hitler aimed to force Britain to negotiate peace by crippling its air defenses and infrastructure through sustained aerial bombardment. The Luftwaffe, Germany’s air force, was tasked with this mission under Operation Sea Lion.
The initial phase of the battle, from July to early August, focused on targeting British shipping and ports. This strategy aimed to disrupt supplies and weaken British defenses. However, the Royal Air Force (RAF) managed to respond effectively, inflicting significant losses on the Luftwaffe.
In mid-August, the Luftwaffe shifted its focus to RAF airfields and radar stations. This was the most dangerous phase for Britain, as the destruction of these targets could cripple the RAF’s ability to defend the skies. The Germans launched large-scale attacks, leading to intense dogfights between German fighters and British Spitfires and Hurricanes. Despite suffering heavy losses, the RAF’s effective use of radar and efficient communication allowed them to remain resilient.
A turning point came in late August and early September when the Luftwaffe began bombing London and other major cities in what became known as the Blitz. This shift in strategy was partly a response to a British raid on Berlin, which angered Hitler. While the bombings caused significant civilian casualties and damage, they inadvertently relieved pressure on the RAF airfields, allowing the British fighters to regroup and recover.
The climax of the battle occurred on September 15, 1940, now known as Battle of Britain Day. The Luftwaffe launched a massive assault on London, expecting to draw out and destroy the RAF fighters. However, the British defenders were well-prepared, and the Luftwaffe suffered heavy losses. This failure convinced the German High Command that air superiority could not be achieved.
By the end of October, Hitler postponed Operation Sea Lion indefinitely. The Luftwaffe’s inability to dominate the skies over Britain marked the first significant defeat for Nazi Germany in World War II. The RAF had successfully defended Britain, preserving it as a base for future Allied operations, including the eventual liberation of Western Europe.
The Battle of Britain was not just a military confrontation but also a test of national endurance and morale. The bravery of the RAF pilots, often referred to as “The Few” based on Winston Churchill’s famous tribute, played a crucial role in securing the victory. Their efforts ensured that Britain remained a beacon of resistance against Nazi tyranny.
In summary, the Battle of Britain was a crucial air campaign in World War II that thwarted Hitler’s plans for invading Britain. The RAF’s strategic use of radar, resilient defense of key airfields, and the shift in German tactics to bombing cities all contributed to the British victory. This battle not only prevented a German invasion but also set the stage for future Allied successes in the war.
We’re grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!
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Astronaut Jan Davis

Monday Jul 15, 2024

Monday Jul 15, 2024

Astronaut Jan Davis talks about her life in aviation and the legacy of service in her family. Her memoir Air Born, tells the story of her and her father.
Her father was Ben Smotherman, a B-17 pilot in World War II, vwho aliantly fought in the European Theater of Operations before being shot down over Holland in July 1943. After enduring twenty-one months as a prisoner of war, he was finally reunited with his loved ones and was able to start a family. Years later, after perusing his Wartime Log, his daughter Jan made discoveries about her father’s experiences that shed light on her own life path. As a Space Shuttle astronaut, Jan Davis went through intensive training, flew NASA jets, and completed three spaceflights, spending over 673 hours on orbit. Her experiences and emotions during her launches and space travel echoed those of her father during his combat missions, highlighting the unshakable bond between father and daughter.
With Air Born, you can join in on a flight through history as Jan Davis relates her father’s heroic service and draws connections between his combat missions and her own spaceflights. Discover the ins and outs of pilot training in the 1940s alongside Ben Smotherman and bear witness to his harrowing capture, interrogation, and imprisonment at Stalag Luft III. Rejoice with the POWs as World War II finally ends and the prisoners are returned home to continue pursuing their life’s goals. Shadow Jan Davis as she expertly navigates a career characterized by space exploration, scientific experimentation, and phenomenal feats of engineering. And draw inspiration from the intersection of two completely different yet uniquely connected worlds brought together by a common link of family and flying.
We’re grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!
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Thursday Jul 11, 2024

During World War II, 168 American airmen found themselves in one of the most notorious concentration camps of the Holocaust: Buchenwald. This unexpected and harrowing chapter of their captivity began in 1944 and stands as a grim reminder of the broader atrocities of the war.
Author Ric Martini joins us to discuss his research into this disturbing subject, which he compiled in his book Betrayed: Secrecy, Lies, and Consequences. Ric’s father, Frederic C. Martini, was one of those imprisoned at Buchenwald.
These airmen were primarily bomber crew members shot down over German-occupied Europe. Typically, Allied airmen captured by German forces were considered prisoners of war (POWs) and were sent to military-run POW camps, as stipulated by the Geneva Convention. However, this group of airmen faced a different fate due to a series of tragic misunderstandings and bureaucratic failings.
After being shot down, the airmen initially evaded capture with the help of local resistance networks. Unfortunately, these efforts often ended in their eventual capture by German forces. Labeled as “terrorflieger” or “terror fliers” by the Nazi regime—propaganda that painted them as criminals rather than soldiers—their fate was dire. The Gestapo, rather than the military, took custody of these men. The Gestapo bypassed the established protocol for treating captured Allied airmen and instead classified them as spies or saboteurs, stripping them of the protections normally afforded to POWs.
In August 1944, these captured airmen were transported to Buchenwald, a concentration camp primarily used for political prisoners and other targets of the Nazi regime. Their arrival at Buchenwald was marked by shock and confusion; they were housed alongside political prisoners, resistance fighters, and other groups persecuted by the Nazis.
Conditions at Buchenwald were horrific. The airmen were subjected to the same brutal treatment as other inmates: overcrowding, inadequate food, harsh labor, and rampant disease. The camp’s SS guards showed no regard for their status as military personnel. Instead, the airmen faced beatings, deprivation, and the constant threat of execution.
The turning point for these airmen came through the persistence and bravery of a few individuals. Among the prisoners were individuals who, through covert communication and sheer determination, managed to get word to the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) officers about the presence of Allied airmen in the camp. The Luftwaffe, still adhering to some remnants of the military code of honor, was outraged to learn that legitimate POWs were being held in a concentration camp.
Under pressure from the Luftwaffe, and fearing repercussions from the advancing Allied forces, the SS transferred the airmen to Stalag Luft III, a more conventional POW camp. This transfer occurred in October 1944, nearly two months after their initial arrival at Buchenwald. Despite their rescue from the concentration camp, the physical and psychological scars of their experience at Buchenwald remained with them.
The story of the 168 American airmen held at Buchenwald highlights the complex interplay of military protocols, Nazi ideology, and the chaotic nature of wartime Europe. It underscores the brutality of the Nazi regime and the resilience of those who endured its horrors. These airmen’s survival, against such grim odds, stands as a testament to their courage and the enduring human spirit amidst one of history’s darkest periods.
But another disturbing element of this tragedy is that the 81 American veterans who returned home endured the indignity of the US government denying that they’d ever been there. The denial, based on “alternative facts,” had a profound effect on the lives of men who had first been betrayed to the Germans and then betrayed by the government they had suffered to defend. 
Ric’s father, like many other Buchenwald airmen, came home with serious medical problems and acute PTSD. These men were told by the VA that their problems were imaginary because they could not have been at Buchenwald. They were considered to be either lying or delusional. This bizarre injustice continued for almost 40 years, until some of the files related to the Buchenwald airmen were declassified.
Piecing together this story involved reviewing over 160,000 pages of declassified documents. Ric’s book project took seven years and required the assistance of archivists, curators, translators, and fellow researchers in the US, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, and New Zealand.
We’re grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!
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Friday Jul 05, 2024

We welcome writer and Executive Producer of Inside Edition Charles Lachman to talk about his new book, Codename Nemo: The Hunt for a Nazi U-Boat and The Elusive Enigma Machine.
The book is a white-knuckled saga of a maverick captain, nine courageous sailors, and a US Navy task force who achieved the impossible on June 4, 1944–capturing Nazi submarine U-505, its crew, technology, encryption codes, and an Enigma cipher machine. 
Two days before D-Day–the course of World War II was forever changed. The hunters of the Atlantic Ocean had become the hunted, and US antisubmarine Task Group 22.3 seized a Nazi U-boat, its crew, and all its secrets. Led by a nine-man boarding party and Captain Daniel Gallery, “Operation Nemo” was the first seizure of an enemy warship in battle since the War of 1812, a victory that shortened the duration of the war. But at any moment, the mission could have ended in disaster.
Charles Lachman tells this thrilling cat-and-mouse game through the eyes of the men on both sides of Operation Nemo–German U-boaters and American heroes like Lieutenant Albert David (“Mustang”), who led the boarding party that took control of U-505 and became the only sailor to be awarded the Medal of Honor in the Battle of the Atlantic.
Three thousand American sailors participated in this extraordinary adventure; nine ordinary American men channeling extraordinary skill and bravery finished the job; and then–like everyone involved–breathed not a word of it until the war was over.
In Berlin, the German Kriegsmarine assumed that U-505 had been blown to bits by depth charges, with all hands lost at sea. They were unaware that the U-boat, its Enigma machine, and its Nazi coded messages were now in American hands. They were also unaware that the 59 German sailors captured on the high seas were imprisoned in a POW camp in Ruston, Louisiana, until their release in 1946.
A deeply researched, fast-paced World War II narrative for the ages, Charles Lachman’s Codename Nemo traces every step of this historic pursuit on the deadly seas.
We’re grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!

Monday Jul 01, 2024

For the 80th anniversary we talk about D-Day veteran Yogi Berra and the 38 other Major League Baseball Hall of Famers who served in World War II.
That’s right: 39 members of the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown served in the military during World War II.
It’s a sign of how the war effort took precedence over everything in American life between 1941-1945, including the national pastime. ,
One of the most notable players who joined the military was Ted Williams, a star outfielder for the Boston Red Sox. Williams enlisted in the Navy and became a fighter pilot. His absence from baseball lasted nearly three years, from 1943 to 1945. He served with distinction, earning several commendations.
Joe DiMaggio, the celebrated center fielder for the New York Yankees, also left MLB to serve in the Army Air Forces. DiMaggio’s enlistment came in 1943, and he spent three years in the military, where he primarily took on a role in physical education and morale-boosting duties, playing on military baseball teams.
Hank Greenberg, a powerful hitter for the Detroit Tigers, was another significant player who served during the war. Greenberg was among the first major leaguers to enlist, joining the Army Air Forces in 1941, just after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was discharged in 1944 but was called back to service, ultimately spending nearly four years in the military.
Stan Musial, an outfielder and first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals, enlisted in the Navy in early 1945. Although he joined later in the war, Musial still missed the entire season.
The departure of these stars, along with many others, led to a noticeable decline in the overall quality of play in MLB. Teams had to fill their rosters with older players, young prospects, and those classified as 4-F, meaning they were deemed unfit for military service due to physical, mental, or moral reasons.
Despite these challenges, baseball continued throughout the war, providing a source of entertainment and morale for both the public and the troops. The league also made adjustments to accommodate the war effort, such as implementing “victory games” to raise money for the military and other war-related causes.
The war’s end in 1945 saw the gradual return of players from military service, rejuvenating the league. Their service and sacrifice added a layer of respect and admiration from fans, highlighting the deep connection between baseball and American society during this tumultuous period.
We’re grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!
#militaryhistory #veteran #interview #veterans #vet #veteransbreakfastclub #vbc #virtualevents #virtual #zoom #zoomevents #liveevent #webinar #military #army #usarmy #navy #usnavy #marinecorps #marines #airforce #pilot #aviators #coastguard #nonprofit #501c3 #history  #militaryveterans #veteransstories #veteranshistory #veteraninterview #veteranshistoryproject #veteransoralhistory #veteranowned #militaryretirees #armyretirees #navyretirees #warstories #vietnam #vietnamwar #vietnamveterans #koreanwar #coldwar #greatestgeneration #wwii #ww2 #worldwarii #worldwar2 #war #americanhistory #oralhistory #podcast  #scuttlebutt #thescuttlebutt #humor #storytelling #headlines #news #roundtable #breakfast #generation911 #happyhour

Friday Jun 28, 2024

Playtone’s Kirk Saduski talks about creating “Masters of the Air,” as well as working on Band of Brothers, The Pacific, and many other historical features, series, and documentaries.
Kirk Saduski has a B.A. in history from UCLA and an M.A. in history from S.F. State. He has been a producer and executive at Playtone since 1998. He was Executive-in-charge of the HBOmini-series Band of Brothers as well as a Co-Producer of the HBO mini-series John Adams and The Pacific and the HBO movie Game Change. Mr. Saduski was Co-Producer of the HBO documentary David McCullough: Painting with Words and Producer of the HBO documentary He Has Seen War. He is a Co-Executive Producer of the CNN documentary series The Sixties, The Seventies, The Eighties, The Nineties, 1968, and The 2000s. He is currently in production on American Movies Through the Decades for CNN. A member of the Presidential Council at the National World War Two Museum and a Narrative Advisor to the National World War Two Museum in Washington D.C., Mr. Saduski has been an instructor at UCLA since 2010.
We’re grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!
#militaryhistory #veteran #interview #veterans #vet #veteransbreakfastclub #vbc #virtualevents #virtual #zoom #zoomevents #liveevent #webinar #military #army #usarmy #navy #usnavy #marinecorps #marines #airforce #pilot #aviators #coastguard #nonprofit #501c3 #history  #militaryveterans #veteransstories #veteranshistory #veteraninterview #veteranshistoryproject #veteransoralhistory #veteranowned #militaryretirees #armyretirees #navyretirees #warstories #vietnam #vietnamwar #vietnamveterans #koreanwar #coldwar #greatestgeneration #wwii #ww2 #worldwarii #worldwar2 #war #americanhistory #oralhistory #podcast  #scuttlebutt #thescuttlebutt #humor #storytelling #headlines #news #roundtable #breakfast #generation911 #happyhour

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Greatest Generation Live

This podcast is dedicated to those from the Greatest Generation. You will find short interviews, highlights, and full episodes of VBC's WWII specific program, Greatest Generation Live.

GGL is recorded in front of a live audience on Zoom multiple times a month. 

 

You can check out our schedule and find more information about how to join us on our website: www.veteransbreakfastclub.org

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