Veterans Chronicles

H.J. Burley Smith was 12 years old when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and the U.S. entered World War II. He followed the far closely, especially as his father served in the U.S. Merchant Marine.

Smith graduated from high school in 1946 and eventually decided to enter the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy on Long Island. By the time his years as a cadet and in training were complete, the Korean War was breaking out on the other side of the world. He was assigned to the USS Meredith Victory, which would soon be on its way to war.

In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Smith explains how much responsibility brand new junior third mates like him were given in navigating ships. He also shares the harrowing story of being the last ship in a convoy headed for the Inchon Landing during a fierce typhoon that nearly knocked him into the sea.

However, the USS Meredith Victory is best known for conducting the largest single-ship humanitarian evacuation in history - at Hungnam in North Korea in December 1950 after Chinese forces flooded across the border and temporarily forced the U.S. to retreat.

Smith, who is the last surviving crew member of the Meredith Victory, describes how the evacuation took place with the Chinese just a mile or two way, the very difficult conditions on board, and how more than 14,000 Koreans were eventually brought to safety and freedom.

Leonard Ganz knew he was going to be drafted, so he studied all of the branches and enlisted in the U.S. Army. After basic and other training, he pursued Officer Candidate School. By the time he deployed to Vietnam in the summer of 1969, Ganz was also part of Military Assistance Command, which was designed to work with and support our South Vietnamese allies. 

In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Ganz explains Military Assistance Command and what it was like for a California kid to arrive in the heat and humidity of Vietnam. He also shares what type of training he did to prepare for his responsibilities and what the relationship with his Vietnamese officer was like.

Ganz also takes us inside two of the toughest days he spent in Vietnam. He tells us about the saddest day of his deployment when a young Vietnamese soldier died in his arms waiting for an evacuation.

He also details Thanksgiving Day 1969. From refusing orders to dire warnings and from leeches to receiving a medal, Ganz walks us through the events of that harrowing day. He also describes the pain of returning to an ungrateful nation.

Floyd Brantley was born in Texas in 1925. He was 16 years old when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Unlike many Americans, Brantley knew exactly where Pearl Harbor was. His brother was already serving in the U.S. Navy and had served there. A year later, Brantley received devastating news: his brother, Charles, had been killed in the waters off Guadalcanal. 

Not long after that, Brantley was ordered into service, became a Navy corpsman, and was deployed to the South Pacific, not far from Guadalcanal.

In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Brantley tells us the story of how his brother was killed and how he spent years trying to find out more about what happened that day and how respected his brother was.

Brantley also takes us inside the fleet hospital where he worked in the Russell Islands. He explains his role there and the types of injuries he treated. Plus, he shares fascinating stories of dealing with a Japanese prisoner/patient and a teenage native from the island.

Later, Brantley tells us just how abruptly the Navy left the Russell Islands once Japan surrendered and how he got a painful early ticket home. He also shares his service from Korea and Vietnam, and the unique way he switched from the Navy to the U.S. Air Force.

Vince Makela enlisted in the U.S. Army while he was still in high school. After basic training, he specialized in communications and dreamed of flight school. When that dream didn't come true, Makela set his sights on another impressive goal - becoming a Green Beret.

Several years later, he found himself in one of the first American units to set foot in Afghanistan after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) 595 not only achieved amazing results, but the men also became widely known as the "Horse Soldiers."

In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Makela takes us from basic training to a very meaningful early deployment to Korea. He also walks us through selection and qualifying for U.S. Army Special Forces and his vivid memories of 9/11.

From there, Makela explains how ODA 595 was quickly ordered to prepare for deployment and draw up plans for its operation in Afghanistan. You'll also hear how no one in the unit was expecting to become a horse soldier and how they adapted rather quickly to the mission.

Finally, Makela tells about the part of that mission that he still considers the highlight of his military career.

Kaj Larsen did not follow the typical route to becoming a U.S. Navy SEAL. He was admitted to the U.S. Naval Academy but left after two years to focus on playing water polo at the collegiate level. A few years later he enlisted in the Navy and immediately tried to get a slot in Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL (BUD/s) training in Coronado, California. Those billets are not usually given to men who left Annapolis but Larsen managed to snag one after his lifeguarding skills made headlines. 

In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Larsen explains his path to becoming a SEAL officer in more detail, his thoughts upon arriving at Coronado, and how the incredible intensity of the training started during the first hour of the very first day. 

Larsen also details the agony of "Hell Week," his most difficult moments during BUD/s, and what the seemingly ruthless instructors are trying to achieve through their relentless demands. Larsen also tells us what it was like being in the middle of this training when the 9/11 terrorist attacks struck the U.S.

Finally, Larsen reveals what his first combat experience was like and how SEAL gear and tactics have evolved since his time in combat as a result of new technologies and adapting to the tactics of our enemies.