In the early hours of Sunday, 24 February, 1991, the still of the desert night was disturbed by the sound of helicopters, packed with paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division, rising into the dark. The land war to free Kuwait from the Iraqi invaders had begun. It was to last a matter of days, but for the men who fought it Operation Desert Storm would stay ... Show More
Dec 2023
1 - Red alert: the Communists are coming
At 4am on June 25th, 1950, the Land of the Morning Calm was shattered by the sound of artillery firing across the 38th parallel dividing Korea into north and south. Soon the growl of tank engines, Soviet-made T-34s, confirmed what was coming. Invasion. North Korea’s surprise atta ... Show More
41m 28s
Jan 2024
2 - The Old Master’s last hurrah
Douglas MacArthur had no military equal, at least in his own mind. The veteran and hero of the victory over Japan believed he could do the same in Korea and with an audacious amphibious landing at Inchon turned the war on its head. The Reds were on the run, victory for the US, Br ... Show More
44m 48s
Apr 2024
Another Take: The Forever Wars and Abu Ghraib
<p><strong>Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on September 13, 2021. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. </strong></p> <p>Iraq’s Abu Ghraib prison was once a front-page headline in the “war on t ... Show More
28m 35s
Oct 2021
EP91: Bankrupt and Dying from Cancer, "I Felt Guilty About Being Successful, Until..." and The Fateful Night During WWII Cecil Wax Met God
On this episode of Our American Stories, Christopher Klein tell the story of how former U.S. president and Civil War hero, Ulysses S Grant raced to complete a literary masterpiece that saved his wife from destitution; Ralph Stayer, the founder of Johnsonville Sausage, shares his ... Show More
38m 16s
Jun 2019
The Airship Mystery Pt. 1: Gentleman Callers
In Sacramento, California, an unknown aircraft traveled over the city in 1896, filling citizens with awe. A year later, another mysterious aircraft was spotted over Aurora, Texas. This time, the ship crashed, and it left behind the remains of a pilot who was something other than ... Show More
44m 41s
Mar 2022
EP226: A Tuskegee Airman's Story of Heroism and Service and A Sister's Love and Loss of Three Brothers
On this episode of Our American Stories, Lt. Col. Harry Stewart fought for his country in WW2, and faced discrimination and worse along the way. But he said he'd do it all over again for the country he loves. Edie Hand tells us the story of her brothers, the Blackburn boys, and t ... Show More
38m 16s