Veterans Chronicles

Harvey C, "Barney" Barnum, Jr. arrived in Vietnam in late 1965 with 2nd Battalion, 12th Marines in the 3rd Infantry Division. In the final days of Operation Harvest Moon, Barnum served as a forward observer for H Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines. On December 18, 1965, the company was ambushed by North Vietnamese forces. The company commander was mortally wounded and Barnum soon found himself commanding Marines he really didn't know.

In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Barnum takes us through the beginning of the ambush and rescuing fallen company commander Captain Paul Gormley just moments before Gormley died in Barnum's arms.

Barnum also recounts his first decisions as new company commander, and how he risked his life to pinpoint enemy positions for American pilots. He also describes the difficult decisions he made and orders he gave to give his men the best chance for survival.

Finally, Barnum reveals how he learned he was recommended for the Medal of Honor and tells us about his medal ceremony.

Luke Focer was not sure what he wanted to do after high school but after reading many books on the military and being impressed by a teacher who had served, Focer enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2005. He would go on to serve two tours in Iraq and three in Afghanistan over the next 14 years. He also became a sniper and part of Marine Corps Special Operations (MARSOC).

In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Focer takes us from Marine Corps boot camp at Parris Island to being an infantry point man for his squad in Iraq on his first deployment. He tells us about the patrols and security responsibilities he had there and reveals what he saw there that made him want to become a sniper.

Focer then shares how his first tour in Afghanistan convinced him to pursue special operations. He explains the conditions in Afghanistan that motivated him and what it took to qualify as a special operator.

Later, Focer details how he forged close bonds within his unit and with the Afghan special operations forces he partnered with. He also takes us inside some of his most intense combat in Afghanistan and his ongoing commitment to our Afghan allies who are now trying to build lives in the U.S.

Roderick Pugh enlisted in the U.S. Army less than three months before the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Eighteen months later, he was partr of 1st Brigade 2-7 infantry from Ft. Stewart, leading the way into Iraq. He would serve two tours in Iraq, In between, he completed airborne school and became the first African American sniper in U.S. Army history.

In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Pugh details combat during the invasion of Iraq, surviving  sandstorms and enemy mortar fire, and how the A-10 Warthogs were a huge help in the march to Baghdad. He also describes the intense fighting around the Baghdad airport and the engagement that earned him the nickname "Black Rambo"

Pugh also tells us about airborne school and sniper training and explains the biggest reason why candidates fail to become snipers. He then takes us into his second deployment in Iraq with the 2-12 Cavalry out of Ft. Bliss. Pugh shares how his vehicle was hit by an IED and how he and others in his unit later dealt with enemies trying to plant IED's in the road.

Jason Redman learned love of country and the importance of service at a young age. His grandfather was a decorated World War II veteran and his father served during the Vietnam War. Before finishing high school, Redman enlisted in the U.S. Navy with one goal in mind: becoming a U.S. Navy SEAL.

In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Redman tells us about the unexpected health challenge he faced in boot camp before he could pursue his dream of becoming a SEAL. He then walks us through Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training, why so many give up during Hell Week, and another very difficult part of training where many candidates wash out.

Redman then takes us on his 2005 deployment to Afghanistan and explains how it got off to such a devastating start. He also explains how his mounting frustrations led to some poor decisions that could have proven very costly.

Then, Redman details his 2007 deployment to Iraq and describes the enemy ambush that badly wounded him. And he reflects upon the important life lessons he learned from his service and recovering from devastating wounds.

Dick Ramsey's family had it tough lduring the Great Depression. He quit school when he was 15 years old and started working at the Brooklyn Navy Yard as a pipefitter. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he started helping to build battleships. In 1943, Ramsey joined the U.S. Navy and was assigned as coxswain on the USS Nevada.

In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Ramsey takes us through training to the Nevada's involvement in the D-Day landings in Normandy, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. He also reveals several very close calls while in the Pacific and reveals the immense honor given to the USS Nevada and then quickly taken away.

Ramsey also shares how the Nevada survived the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor long before he came aboard and how he and his shipmates stayed close for decades after the war.