The Medal of Honor is the United States’ highest military award. It is given for bravery in combat that goes far above and beyond the call of duty – those acts ...
Malcolm chats with Meredith Rollins, the writer behind the series, to talk about what they both learned from the Medal of Honor recipients featured this season. They also share moments that didn’t make the cut, what surprised them, what made them cry– and the surprising influence of Medal of Honor moms. If you have questions or comments you would like Meredith to answer, you can email her at [email protected] or send us a message on any of our social media accounts @pushkinpods. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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37:56
John Chapman’s Dark Night
John Chapman is the first member of the Air Force to receive the Medal of Honor since Vietnam. John’s story takes us to a freezing, snowy mountain range in Afghanistan on March 4th, 2002, where he deployed with SEAL Team 6 during Operation Anaconda. His bravery in the pre-dawn hours that day teaches us something vital about heroism: It means being willing to risk everything… even if no one can see you do it.Special thanks to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and the Defense Visual Information Distributions Service.The appearance of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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39:02
Robert E. Bush: From High School to Hell and Back
Robert E. Bush is one of the youngest recipients of the Medal of Honor. At only 18, Bob found himself at the Battle of Okinawa, the bloodiest and fiercest battle of World War II’s Pacific theater. But Bob wasn’t the only teenager at that battle. Both the Japanese and US military had young soldiers and medics in dangerous – and lethal – situations at the frontlines. Bob’s story is about what it means to fight when you are still so young. How it shapes the people who survive. And what their legacy is to their country and to future generations.Special thanks to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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33:14
Jay Vargas Pulls the Trigger
During the worst days of the Vietnam war, Marine captain Jay Vargas led a group of young fighters called the Magnificent Bastards into the Battle of Dai Do. His actions during that three-day period are some of the most heroic – and horrific – we’ll hear about this season. What Jay lived through during those bloody, sleepless days would stay with him forever…but would take decades for him to talk about. On this episode, we confront the grip of PTSD, the power of veterans’ stories, and the way one man’s journey saved lives both on and off the battlefield. Special thanks to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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36:45
How To Stop A School Shooting
The Citizen’s Medal of Honor was first awarded in 2008 to recognize ordinary Americans whose actions “epitomize the concept of ‘service beyond self’ … ‘above and beyond’” their call of duty, whatever it may be. Molly Hudgens' duty was as a guidance counselor at Sycamore Middle School, in Tennessee, where in 2016 she came face to face with a potential school shooter – and managed to talk him out of it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Medal of Honor is the United States’ highest military award. It is given for bravery in combat that goes far above and beyond the call of duty – those acts of heroism and courage that save lives despite impossible risk.
This podcast is about those heroes. What they did. What it meant. And what their stories tell us about the nature of sacrifice – and about ourselves.
In our first season, you’ll hear stories about Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War to the Iraq War. We’ll think about what makes a hero, why people put their lives in danger for others, the true nature of sacrifice, and what happens after you’ve become a hero.
Special thanks to series creator Dan McGinn, to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and Adam Plumpton.
South Africa