Medal of Honor: Stories of Courage

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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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Tibor Rubin’s story continues. As a young man, Tibor joined the U.S. Army, and he was sent to fight during the Korean War, where he was captured and taken to a brutal prisoner of war camp. On multiple occasions, he saved many lives and acted with bravery to protect U.S. troops. His story is about more than courage and bravery. It’s about compassion. And the truth that, sometimes, hope is the most powerful defense we have.

Special thanks to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, the Buffalo Jewish Federation and the book "Single Handed: The Inspiring True Story of Tibor "Teddy" Rubin, Holocaust Survivor, Korean War Hero, and Medal of Honor Recipient".

The appearance of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

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Tibor Rubin is the only Holocaust survivor to win the Medal of Honor. Sent to a concentration camp at the age of 14, Tibor swore that if he lived, he would become an American GI. At 20, he joined the U.S. Army and shipped off to Korea. His acts of heroism on the battlefield were epic, and then he selflessly protected other soldiers at a brutal POW camp. His story is about more than courage and bravery. It’s about compassion. And the truth that, sometimes, hope is the most powerful defense we have.

Special thanks to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, the Buffalo Jewish Federation and the book "Single Handed: The Inspiring True Story of Tibor "Teddy" Rubin, Holocaust Survivor, Korean War Hero, and Medal of Honor Recipient".

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Dr. Mary Walker was the first and only woman to have been awarded the Medal of Honor. She worked as a surgeon during the Civil War, saving the lives of Union soldiers. She crossed into dangerous enemy territory to take care of civilians in need. She was a prisoner of war. But her fight didn’t stop once the war was over. Throughout her life, Dr. Walker fought for equal rights, not just for women, but for everyone. She lived her life doing the right thing, no matter the cost. 

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Every Medal of Honor action is, by definition, heroic. But the story of Alwyn Cashe is about a very specific element of heroism: Sacrifice. In 2005, Sergeant First Class Alwyn Cashe was stationed in Iraq with his platoon. He was known for how deeply he cared about his soldiers’ lives– and their safety. On a night in October, he proved how far he would go to protect them… risking his own life not once, but five incredible times.

The appearance of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

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The story of Douglas A. Munro’s heroism is told to every man and woman who joins the United States Coast Guard. In 1942, he led a dangerous rescue that saved an estimated 500 Marines from death on the island of Guadalcanal. He is the only member of the Coast Guard to have received the Medal of Honor. But Doug’s story isn’t just about his incredible heroic act. It’s also about a surprising kind of leadership with lessons for all of us. 

The appearance of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

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Henry Johnson, nicknamed Black Death, was one of the most famous American soldiers of World War I. He was part of the Harlem Hellfighters, the legendary all-Black U.S. Army unit, and awarded the French Croix de Guerre for single-handedly stopping an invading enemy force in the trenches. So how did he end up entirely forgotten? This is the story of one man’s inspiring fight – on and off the battlefield.

Special thanks to Washington University in St Louis Missouri for sharing archival material from the documentary Men of Bronze by William Miles.

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In the waning days of the Vietnam War, two Navy SEALs were dropped into enemy territory for a routine scouting mission. But within hours, Michael Thornton and Thomas Norris would be battling to save their team – and each other – against terrible odds. What Michael Thornton did that day would become SEAL legend…and a lesson in the true nature of courage. 

Special thanks to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and the Pritzker Military Museum & Library.

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Launching on June 26, Medal of Honor: Stories of Courage is a new podcast telling the extraordinary tales of some of the United States’s military heroes. Every week, we'll dive into a different Medal of Honor recipient's life story. 

The Medal of Honor is awarded 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. 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 it is that makes a hero, the true nature of sacrifice, and what happens after you’ve become a hero.

Medal of Honor: Stories of Courage is a co-production of iHeartMedia and Pushkin Industries.

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