Bob Dole continues to hold out hope that he will be made whole again until a respected doctor helps him most past dwelling on what he has lost and focus on what he still has - that is the moment Dole truly comes back form the war and moves on to a life full of love and public service.

Today's Ghost of Arlington is US Army Captain Robert Joseph Dole, Section 4, Grave 3-A

Bob Dole returns home to Kansas, but aside from actual moment of injury, it is twice in the states - once in Kansas and once in Michigan - that he comes closest to death during his long road to recovery.

Bob Dole and his platoon are part of the larger effort of the Allies to take Hill 913 from its German defenders. Little does Dole know, that fight will just be the beginning of his struggle to survive.

World War II continues in Europe and the Pacific, while Bob Dole continues to train on the home front and wonders if he will ever make it overseas, like his younger brother Kenny who is an experienced combat veteran by summer 1944. When Dole gets another chance to attend OCS and become an officer, he jumps at it - and this time he gets a class slot. The Army has a shortage of lieutenants and needs to quickly train more. Dole is happy to replace an LT but never stops to ask why so many need to be replaced.

Bob Dole finishes the 1942-1943 school year at Kansas University and is almost immediately called up for active duty. His training timeline is changed multiple times - as does the military job he is training for - but once the Allies successfully land at Normandy on D-Day, he know that his time is coming. After being afraid that the war would end before he got into it, he is now sure he will be heading to the European Theater of Operation. 

The Pre-World War II history of my 10th Mountain Division.

Today's Ghosts of Arlington are:

1. Army Technical Sergeant Torger Tokle - Lokken Veck, Norway
2. Army Private First Class Tony Ragazinne - Sicily-Rome American Cemetery

Since my unique military career only saw serve in one true division, and given that I was a company commander in that division AND deployed with it to Afghanistan, the 10th Mountain Division has a special place in my heart. Because of that, I have wanted to tell the story of arguably the division's most famous soldier for some time now, and I am finally getting around to it.

Many people are likely familiar with Senator Bob Dole's political career, but I wager that fewer know the specifics of his World War II service, aside from his severe injury. And it was his injury that inspired him to write his autobiography, to give people a batter understanding of what wounded warriors go through when they return from the battlefield.

This week's Ghost of Arlington is:

Army Sergeant Craig Lewis Nelson - Hillcrest Memorial Park and Mausoleum, Red Chute, Louisiana

This is a replay of Episode 13, originally posted on August 30, 2021. While it was originally used as a story of establishing Arlington National Cemetery, it also fits well as the conclusion of the JFK story arc.

This week’s Ghost of Arlington are, once again:

1. President John F. Kennedy (Section 45, Grave S-45)
2. Jacquelin Kennedy Onassis (Section 45, Grave S-45)
3.  Senator Robert F. Kennedy (Section 45, Grave S-45-A)
4. Arabella Kennedy (Section 45, Grave S-45)
5. Patrick Kennedy (Section 45, Grave S-45)

The other men involved in the PT 109 lived very different lives and had many different fates. One didn't survive the war, two more failed to outlive their skipper, and the rest had lives as varied and one should expect - but they were all connected by two things, their trauma bonding about their survival epic in the waters around the Solomon Islands, and their love for Jack Kennedy.

This week's Ghosts are Arlington are:

1. Navy Seaman First Class Raymond Albert - Bet Olam Cemetery, Beachwood, OH
2. Navy Lieutenant Leonard Thom - Calvary Cemetery, Youngstown, OH
3. Navy Ensign Leon Drawdy - Drawdy Rose Cemetery, Orlando, FL
4. Navy Motor Machinist's Mate First Class William Johnston - Wildwood Cemetery, Seabrook, NH
5. Navy Torpedomen's Second Class Ray Starkey - ashes scattered at sea
6. Navy Ensign George "Barney" Ross - St. Luke's Episcopal Church Cemetery, Bethesda, MD
7. Navy Motor Machinist's Mate First Class Patrick McMahon - Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, CA
8. Navy Radioman Second Class John Maguire - H. Warren Smith Memorial Cemetery, Jacksonville Beach, FL
9. Navy Motor Machinist's Mate Second Class Ed Drewitch - Locus Grove Cemetery, Philo, IL
10. Navy Chief Engineman Gerard Zinser - Arlington National Cemetery; Section 54, Grave 4089
11. Australian Royal Navy Lieutenant Reginal Evans - Northern Suburbs Memorial Garden, Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
12. Native Coastwatcher Biuku Gasa - Vavuvu Village, Kauvi Island, Western Solomons
13. Native Coastwatcher Eroni Kumana - Kumana Family Cemetery, Gizo, Western, Solomon Islands

After Jack's rocky years in the House, he runs for Senate and beats a guy who hasn't lost an election in years... and he does it with the endorsement of an old adversary who has become a new friend.

He really settles into life as a senator and, as you probably know, he goes on to become the second youngest president in US history. But I promise, there are probably a few things you don't know about the rest of the story, so I hope you listen.

While the PT 109 survivors's saga comes to an end, it is not the end of the story. In this episode we learn why JFK decides to get into politics after the war - it was NOT his decision - and when his political career plateaus, we'll see the insane thing Joe, Sr. has his son do to take his political career to the next level. 

After PT 109 is ripped in two, the eleven men who miraculously survive spend the next four days looking for rescue before they die of dehydration and before the thousands of Japanese troops surrounding them become aware of their presence. 

This is also why JFK will have a coconut paperweight on his desk in the oval office.

In the chaos following PT 109's collision with IJN Amagiri, Jack Kennedy does everything he can to rescue his shipmates and when it becomes obvious that no one is coming to rescue them, he choses an island deep inside enemy territory and hopes it is small enough to be of no strategic value to the Japanese; but only time will tell if it is garrisoned or not.

Jack Kennedy finally takes command of a PT boat in a combat zone and begins to settle in to what turns our to be a fairly rough existence is a place that turns out to be less of a paradise than thought at first glance.

His commander, not a PT man himself, comes up with a plan to attack a Japanese convoy but the plan isn't great to start with and after it's implementation, everything that can go wrong, seems to; which will nearly cost Jack his life.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

After graduating from Harvard, JFK isn't sure of his next steps. He knows that he needs to find a way to serve - the world is at war and everyone is sure the US will soon join the fight. With the help of his father, he follows his brother's footsteps and joins the navy, but soon both Kennedy boys realize their dad is likely pulling strings to keep them out of harms way... and having raised children taught to figure out how to take what they want, both eventually go behind their father's back and get into the fight.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

JFK's collegiate path was never in doubt - his application essay is evidence of that - but after he begins university, his father's new senior position in the US government gives Jack a front row seat to the collapse of peace in Europe and leaves him struggling with how and why that happened. Fortunately for him, that gives him a great idea for his senior thesis which then becomes a best-selling book, but also leaving him grappling with what his role will be when the United States inevitably enters World War II.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Waayyyyy back in Episode 13 (which apparently was nearly four and a half years ago even though it feels much longer than that), I covered the funeral of President John F. Kennedy. At that time I said that I would probably get around to telling the story of how he became eligible for burial at Arlington (I'm talking about his military service, not his election to President of the United States) and that time has finally come. But before we get to his service in the Navy, here is a little bit about his childhood; while it may have seemed idyllic from the outside, it was anything but.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Today's story is about a man considered the only SS officer buried at Arlington National Cemetery, but also a many who was a US Special Forces Officer - a Green Beret... oh, and he was actually from Finland. How did all that happen?!

This week's Ghosts of Arlington are:

1. Army Major Larry Alan Thorne, Section 60, Grave 8136
2. South Vietnamese Air Force First Lieutenant The Long Phan
3. South Vietnamese Air Force First Lieutenant Bao Tung Nguyen
4. South Vietnamese Air Force Sergeant Van Lanh Bui

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

During the Civil War, there were many legends surrounding young drummer boys on the battlefield. Arguably, the most famous of these was about Johnny Shiloh who gave the ultimate sacrifice on that Tennessee battlefield. The problem with this legend is that it was probably based on a young boy named John Clem, who not only didn't die in battle, he wasn't even at Shiloh. He did make a name for himself at Chickamauga, though.

This week's Ghosts of Arlington are:

1. Army Major General John Lincoln Clem, Section 2, Grave 993
2. Army Bugler John Cook, Section 17, Grave 18613

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Today we wrap up the sotry of Smith and Waller with a court martial for war crimes, but the man charged is probably not the one you think it will or should be.

This week's Ghosts of Arlington are:

1. Army Brigadier General Jacob Hurd Smith; Section 3, Grave 1924
2. Marine Corps Major General Littleton "Tony" Waller; Section 3, Grave 3311
3. Marine Corps Major General Littleton Waller, Jr.; Torresdale, PA
4. Navy Rear Admiral John Waller; Section 5, Grave 57
5. Marine Corps Brigadier General Henry Waller; Santa Barabara, CA

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Today we continue this tale of two sldiers and learn more about Marine Corps officer Littleton "Tony" Waller who rose through the ranks fighting in Africa, Cuba, and China before leading troops in The Philippines. It was Waller who tried to countermand his boss's order to kill everyone ten and older his troops came across, but a massacre of a US Army company made stopping violence against civilians much more difficult. 

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Today we begin a tale of two soldiers - one a general, who, if he had his way would have had his troop comitted genocide up and down the island of Samar in the Philippines at the turn of the 20th Century - and the other, a lieutenant colonel who did what he could to prevent unecessary bloodshed.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

I'd love to hear your thoughts - send me a text here

After several months off due to a cross-country move, I am FINALLY back with a new episode. While I was gone, astronaut and and Navy Captain James Lovell, Jr., the storied commander of the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission (and veteran of three previous Gemini and Apollo missions) passed away at age 97.

I also have updates about new honors given to the 369th Harlem Hellfighters and seven 442nd Go for Broke Nisei soldiers.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Just a quick update on where I'm at with the move that has forced the podcast into its current hiatus. 

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

This week we finally see the end of the Mayaguez Incident play out but not before a chaotic evacuation causes Marines to be abandoned on the battlefield. An incident that still causes embarrassment today.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

The crew of the SS Mayaguez is released by the Khmer Rouge, but it was too late to stop the US rescue attempt. Now President Ford wants to full out the troops, but since information flowed a lot slower in 1975 than it does in 2025, the second wave of US Marines was already on site. Will they follow presidential orders or will they disregard their commander-in-chief to extricate their comrades under siege in enemy territory?

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Surgery on Christmas Eve is never fun - unexpected emergency surgery on Christmas Eve is even worse. Listen for more. Happy New Year, everyone!

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

As things get worse on the beaches, we'll look at what was going on with the crew, the ship itself, and the folks back in Washington, DC trying to run the show from there. If you said Ford was probably trying to run the ordeal in the midst of a state dinner for the Dutch prime minister as a joke. Well, I've got some bad news for you...

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Bad intelligence plus bad timing equals a bad plan. Last week we saw the bad intelligence when no photos of the objective were available so the Marine making the plan flew over the site at 4500 feet with his personal 35mm camera. This week we see the bad timing I've been eluding to. The bad intelligence and bad timing come together for a disastrous first fifteen minutes of the battle for the Mayaguez and her crew.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

US reconnaissance planes lost track of the Mayaguez crew when the trawler they were on arrived at the port of Kompong Som on mainland Cambodia. Because of that, US planners continued to plan for a rescue under the assumption that the crew was split between the Mayaguez itself and Koh Tang island and their estimate of how many Khmer soldier were on Koh Tang was off by 90%. Both of which led to a rescue plan that would not be well suited for the reality on the ground.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

As the first day of the Mayaguez Incident was coming to a close, US officials were gathering Marines from The Philippines and Okinawa for a potential rescue attempt. The Seventh Air Force commander, on the ground in Thailand, tried to include his airmen but that... well, that did not go well.

As the second day of the incident dawned in Southeast Asia, the Air Force did all in its power, with the use of fighters and attack aircraft, to prevent the Cambodians from transferring their prisoners to the mainland where President Ford felt it would be much more difficult to get them back unarmed.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

The last US combat units left South Vietnam on March 29, 1973. The last US embassy personnel were dramatically evacuated on April 30, 1975, the same day that the People's Army of Vietnam entered the city, signaling the defeat of South Vietnam and the reunification of the country by the Northern communists.

But those considered the final American casualties of the Vietnam War died the following month in neighboring Cambodia fighting soldiers loyal to the Khmer Rouge, not the government in Hanoi. This final battle unlikely battle was fought over a commercial container ship during the early chaotic days of significant political change in Southeast Asia.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) is the federal agency responsible for recovering the remains of previously missing in action service members and identifying them and each year DPAA strikes hundreds of names from the rolls of the missing.

This weeks Ghosts of Arlington are: 

1. Army Private First Class Alfred Bordeau - Memorial Section L, Cenotaph 88
2. Army Lieutenant Colonel Addison Baker - Section 78, Grave 403
3. Navy Seaman First Class James Richard Ward - Section 81, Grave 1560
4. Marine Corps Captain Ronald Forrester - Section 47, Grave 29
5. Navy Radioman Third Class Starring Winfield - Section 55, Grave 2085

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Glenn Miller was only in charge of the Army Air Forces band for a little over a year and a half, but in that time he changed the way people thought about military bands, challenged the way traditional marches were performed, and above all else, went out of his way to bring a little bit of home to US military personnel that were so far away from their loved ones and fighting in the European Theater of Operation. His tragic and unexpected death cut his life short, but his unit carried on, and in so doing, cemented his legacy as the father of all modern American military bands.

This weeks Ghost of Arlington is Army Major Alton Glenn Miller - Memorial Section H, Grave 464-A.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

After several months talking about the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii, this week we return full time to Arlington. For the next two podcasts I will be talking about someone I have wanted to cover for some time. That desire was rekindled when I saw the exhibit on him at the National Museum of the United States Air Force this summer in Dayton, OH - Big Band superstar Glenn Miller. In less than five short years, Miller produced 121 singles, 69 Billboard hits, including 13 #1 hits.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

After representing Hawaii as an officer in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Daniel Inouye went on to serve Hawaii in the US Senate for nearly 50 years, becoming the second-longest serving Senator in that chambers history. During that time, his Distinguished Service Cross from World War II was upgraded to the Medal of Honor.

This week's Ghost of the Pacific is Army Captain and US Senator Daniel Inouye - Section D, Grave 391-A.

Next week, we will leave the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific behind and return to Arlington National Cemetery.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Theme is Ukulele and Love Birds by emjaydabayou, with a few Waves of Hawaii added for ambiance.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Transition music are some Uke Chords by turkitron.

The outro music this week is the DC Area Hardcore Punk band Marginal Man's Missing Rungs. Inouye's son Kenny was their guitarist in the 1980s.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Danny Inouye wanted to be a doctor when he grew up - specifically, he wanted to be a surgeon. When he was a senior in high school he was a Red Cross volunteer. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor he saw the planes flying over Honolulu and rushed to an aid station where he treated civilians injured by falling anti-aircraft shells.

As soon as he could, Danny enlisted in the army and was sent to Italy with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The war shattered his dream of becoming a doctor but a fellow wounded veteran, Bob Dole (yes, that Bob Dole) told him of his plan to become a lawyer and a politician in Kansas. Danny liked the sound of that, returned to Hawaii and entered politics as well. Little did he know he would become arguably the most influential politician in the history of Hawaii, whether the Kingdom, the Republic, or the State.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Theme is Ukulele and Love Birds by emjaydabayou, with a few Waves of Hawaii added for ambiance.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Transition music are some Uke Chords by turkitron.

The outro music this week is the DC Area Hardcore Punk band Marginal Man's Missing Rungs. Inouye's son Kenny was their guitarist in the 1980s.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

A native of Kauai who put his live on the line to serve his country as a member of the 100th Infantry Battalion, and who then dedicated the remainder of his life serving Hawaii, first as a state legislator, then a US representative, and finally a US Senator, Spark Matsunaga earned his epitaph as a Son of Hawaii.

Today's Ghosts of the Pacific is US Senator and Army Lieutenant Colonel Spark Masayuki Matsunaga - Section V, Grave 334-B.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Theme is Ukulele and Love Birds by emjaydabayou, with a few Waves of Hawaii added for ambiance.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Transition music are some Uke Chords by turkitron.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

This week we get the first Nisei General Officer in both the Army National Guard and the Army Reserves and a humble Medal of Honor recipient who didn't tell his family about the medal (or his battlefield promotion and two subsequent promotions).

This week's Ghosts of Pacific are:

1. Army Brigadier General Francis Shigeo Takemoto - Columbarium Court 3, Row 300, Niche 304
2. Army Captain Allan Masaharu Ohata  - Section III, Grave 474

The Ghosts of the Pacific Theme is Ukulele and Love Birds by emjaydabayou, with a few Waves of Hawaii added for ambiance.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Transition music are some Uke Chords by turkitron.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Today's episode covers the lives of eight men named Nakada. The first seven were all brothers who served in the Army in World War II - the most of any family in the United States. The final Nakada, Captain Pershing Nakada, was the senior Nisei officer and only Nisei commander in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He commanded and along with his seven Nisei lieutenants led the 442nd's 232rd Combat Engineer Company.

All eight of these men survived the war and two of them would eventually be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

This week's Ghosts of Arlington are:

1. Army Technician 5th Grade Minoru Paul Nakada - Columbarium 5, Row 13, Niche 5
2. Army Lieutenant Colonel Pershing Nakada  - Section 68, Grave 4146

The Ghosts of the Pacific Theme is Ukulele and Love Birds by emjaydabayou, with a few Waves of Hawaii added for ambiance.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Transition music are some Uke Chords by turkitron.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

After losing a leg, two fingers, and the site in one eye, Ken Otagaki tries to return to his life before the war, hopes that his girlfriend will still be there for him, and tries to figure out how to support himself despite his severe injuries.

This week's Ghost of Pacific is Army Corporal Dr. Kenneth Kengo Otagaki, Columbarium Court 7, Row C, Neche 512.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Theme is Ukulele and Love Birds by emjaydabayou, with a few Waves of Hawaii added for ambiance.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Transition music are some Uke Chords by turkitron.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Ken Otagaki grew up poor on a sugar cane plantation on Hawaii's Big Island, but after seeing how oppressed his father was by the overseers, he vowed that he would make his own way in the world and, despite cultural and familial expectations, he would not follow in his father's footsteps.

In his early teens he moved by himself to Oahu, put himself through high school and the University of Hawaii, and more-or-less laid the foundations for the life of his dreams. That all came crashing down, first with the arrival of his draft notice when he should have been exempt due to his job in the agriculture industry, and second when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor thrusting the United States into war and making Otagaki - and all Nisei - personae non gratae in their own homes.

Transferred to the 100th Infantry Battalion, Otagaki had to deal with being an infantry soldier and a stretcher bearer when he had absolutely no desire to be in the military at all.

We recently lost another pioneer of the space race so the episode begins with a eulogy for astronaut Bill Anders, who took one of the most famous photographs in history, and ends with the life of Isaac Akinawa, arguably the most respected medic in the 100th Infantry Battalion.

This week's Ghosts of the Pacific are:

1. Ambassador & Air Force Major General William Anders - burial information TBD
2. Army Technician Fourth Grade Isaac Akinaka - Section E, Grave 133-A
3. Yaiko Gwen Yamaki Akinawa - Section E, Grave 133-A

The Ghosts of the Pacific Theme is Ukulele and Love Birds by emjaydabayou, with a few Waves of Hawaii added for ambiance.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Transition music are some Uke Chords by turkitron.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Young Oak Park was likely the first (maybe the second) Korean American officer in the US Army and was assigned to the 100th Infantry Battalion in World War II, mainly because the army didn't know where else to put a non-Japanese Asian officer. He distinguished himself with the 100th and when war broke out in Korea, he volunteered to serve so he could help defend his father's homeland. In so doing, he became the first minority officer to leave a combat battalion in wartime.

Today's Ghost of the Pacific is:

 Army Colonel Young Oak Park - Columbarium CT9, Wall G, Site 458.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Theme is Ukulele and Love Birds by emjaydabayou, with a few Waves of Hawaii added for ambiance.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Transition music are some Uke Chords by turkitron.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Much of what the Nisei linguists did during World War II remained classified for decades after the war. Eventually, their stories came out and as more people learned of their great efforts to defeat the Axis powers, monuments and memorials spring up honoring their service.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Theme is Ukulele and Love Birds by emjaydabayou, with a few Waves of Hawaii added for ambiance.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Transition music are some Uke Chords by turkitron.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Recognizing the importance of trained and competent linguists, during World War II, the US Army's Military Intelligence Service trained foreign language speakers to help with the war effort. Many were Japanese speakers and most of those were Nisei. These Nisei were the only Japanese Americans to fight in the Pacific, and according to Douglas MacArthur's chief intelligence officer, their service was so valuable that it shortened the war by at least two years.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Theme is Ukulele and Love Birds by emjaydabayou, with a few Waves of Hawaii added for ambiance.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Transition music are some Uke Chords by turkitron.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

No one believed in them when the unit was first stood up, but after a short time in combat, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team proved their mettle and soon had commanders at the army and corps level negotiating for their service. Because of this, they left Italy for France, saved a cut off battalion, and then came back to Italy to spearhead the finally victory against the Axis in that country. Its artillery battalion was detached to become a roaming battalion, the only Nisei unit to fight in Germany where it helped to liberate a satellite location of the Dachau death camp.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Theme is Ukulele and Love Birds by emjaydabayou, with a few Waves of Hawaii added for ambiance.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Transition music are some Uke Chords by turkitron.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Thanks in part to the 100th Infantry Battalion blowing all their doubters's expectations out of the water during their training, FDR and the War Department decided to stand up another segregated Nisei unit - the 442nd Regimental Combat Team - made up of Nisei volunteers from Hawaii and the mainland (most of the 1200 volunteers from the mainland were interned at the time) and like the 100th before them, they did everything the Army asked of them and more while fighting in Italy against the German and Italian militaries.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Theme is Ukulele and Love Birds by emjaydabayou, with a few Waves of Hawaii added for ambiance.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Transition music are some Uke Chords by turkitron.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

After Pearl Harbor, many Nisei were kicked out of the military. All those that were retained were sent to Hawaii. A few new Japanese Americans were allowed to enlist, but most were deemed as "enemy aliens" by recruiting boards. By 1943, all new Nisei recruits were barred from entry. Those few that had already been stationed in Hawaii were formed into a single infantry battalion, the 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), sent to the mainland for training, and then sent to Italy to fight for the country that had interned more than 100,000 Americans of Japanese descent. They were subjected to racism and doubt but they proved their naysayers wrong every step of the way.

This Week's Ghosts of the Pacific are:

1. Army Lieutenant Colonel Farrant L. Turner - Section U, Site 1174
2. Helen Van Inwegen Turner - Section U, Site 1174
3. Army Colonel Albert F. "Bert" Turner -
                    Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery, Section 121 -B, Grave 10

The Ghosts of the Pacific Theme is Ukulele and Love Birds by emjaydabayou, with a few Waves of Hawaii added for ambiance.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Transition music are some Uke Chords by turkitron.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

After the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, an irrational fear struck the United States that its relativly small population of Japanese immigrants and the native born US citizen children of those immigrants posed a threat to national security. They made up too much of the population on Hawaii to do anything about them but those living on the mainland west coast were rounded up and moved into internment camps, which is a nice way to say concentration camps. Nevertheless, those US citizen interrned on the mainland and their Hawaii-based counterparts longed for the chance to prove their loyalty to their homeland. They were eventually given the change and the two (nearly) all-Japanese American units of World War II - the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 44nd Regimental Combat Team - went on to become the some of the highest decorated units in US Army history. Today begins the multi-part podcast of their story.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Theme is Ukulele and Love Birds by emjaydabayou, with a few Waves of Hawaii added for ambiance.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Transition music are some Uke Chords by turkitron.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

The military veterans interred at Punchbowl are as varied as the Hawaiian Islands themselves. In fact, their final resting place is about the only thing today's ghosts - the father of tiki culture, an college football legend, the first Chinese-American fighter pilot, and Barak Obama's grandfather - have in common.

This week's Ghosts of the Pacific are:

1. Army Lieutenant Colonel Donn Beach - Section B, Grave 1-C
2. Marine Corps First Lieutenant Jack Chevigny - Section C, Grave 508
3. Army Second Lieutenant Wah Kau Kong - Section D, Grave 453
4. Army Sergeant Stanley Dunham - Section CT1-B, Row 400, Grave 440

The military veterans interred at Punchbowl are as varied as the Hawaiian Islands themselves. In fact, their final resting place is about the only thing today's ghosts - an astronaut, an Olympic silver medalist turned professional wrestler turned Bond villain, a horticulturalist turned Sinaloa cartel drug mule, and the godfather of modern traditional American tattooing - have in common.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Theme is Ukulele and Love Birds by emjaydabayou, with a few Waves of Hawaii added for ambiance.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Transition music are some Uke Chords by turkitron.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

The military veterans interred at Punchbowl are as varied as the Hawaiian Islands themselves. In fact, their final resting place is about the only thing today's ghosts - an astronaut, an Olympic silver medalist turned professional wrestler turned Bond villain, a horticulturalist turned Sinaloa cartel drug mule, and the godfather of modern traditional American tattooing - have in common.

This week's Ghosts of the Pacific are:

1. Air Force Colonel C. Lacy Veach - Columbarium Court 3, Wall J, Niche 233
2.  Army Technician Fifth Class Harold Sakata - Section III, Row 0, Grave 317
3. Army Private First Class Leo Sharp, Sr. - Section CT13A, Row 100, Grave 150
4. Navy Seaman First Class Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins - Section T, Grave 124

The Ghosts of the Pacific Theme is Ukulele and Love Birds by emjaydabayou, with a few Waves of Hawaii added for ambiance.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Transition music are some Uke Chords by turkitron.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

This week, everyone's worst fears come true and Ernie Pyle's luck runs out. He lands with the Marines on Okinawa, a short time after the start of the bloodiest battle of World War II, but all of the 100,000 Japanese defenders had moved inland and did not oppose the landing. After a few uneventful days with the Marines, Pyle returned to a command ship, wrote 20 articles, learned of and mourned the passing of US President Franklin Roosevelt, and penned a draft of his thoughts on the end of the war in Europe, which everyone knew would happen any day now.

After finishing his draft, he went ashore with soldiers from the 77th Army Division on an island just north of Okinawa, called Ie Shima, where his death was quick, unexpected, and devastating for everyone.

This week's Ghosts of Arlington is Navy Seaman 3rd Class Ernest Taylor Pyle who is interred at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Section D, Grave 109.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Theme is Ukulele and Love Birds by emjaydabayou, with a few Waves of Hawaii added for ambiance.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Transition music are some Uke Chords by turkitron.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

This week, war correspondent Ernie Pyle hits the beach in Normandy France just one day after the D-Day invasion, sees the allies break out of the Normandy peninsula after six weeks of hard fighting, is on hand for the liberation of Paris, and decides he has had enough of war. But try as he might, he can't really stay away and soon finds himself in the Pacific, getting ready to cover the other theater of operations.

I was going to finish Pyle's story today, but a real world event popped up, causing me to shorten my bit about Pyle this week and instead write a eulogy for golden age of space exploration astronaut Tom Stafford, who passed away at age 93. His final funeral arrangements are still being made.

This week's Ghosts of Arlington is Air Force Lieutenant General Thomas Patton Stafford.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Theme is Ukulele and Love Birds by emjaydabayou, with a few Waves of Hawaii added for ambiance.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Transition music are some Uke Chords by turkitron.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

After retuning to Italy from his R&R, Pyle gets a tip from a pre-war friend - who also happens to be the senior US Army air forces commander in the Mediterranean - that he should return to London because the long awaited invasion of western Europe is going to happen sooner rather than later. It's nice to have friends in high places!

Pyle returns to England, is awarded the Pulitzer Prize, graces the cover of Time magazine (which more or less does a smear article/hatchet piece) about him, and then he sails with the Allied armada across the English channel toward France and the D-Day invasion. He is one of only 55 war correspondents to accompany the initial invasion. 

The Ghosts of the Pacific Theme is Ukulele and Love Birds by emjaydabayou, with a few Waves of Hawaii added for ambiance.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Transition music are some Uke Chords by turkitron.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

The US invades Sicily, and just like he was for North Africa, Pyle was there to bring the news of the front back to the home front.  But just as it does for everyone, Pyle's combat experiences begin to take a toll on his well being so he agrees to take a break, return to the US, and get some rest and relaxation. He finds little of both. What he does find is that his celebrity has grown beyond anything he could have imagined.

When he returns to Italy, he writes what is typically considered his single greatest article of the war.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Theme is Ukulele and Love Birds by emjaydabayou, with a few Waves of Hawaii added for ambiance.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Transition music are some Uke Chords by turkitron.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

With the Allied invasion of Africa on, Ernie Pyle's fame back in the US as "the only reporter to bring the war home to us" begins to grow. In just six month's time his column is pick up by more than one hundred additional newspapers and his daily readership increases by nearly six and a half million people. He continues to write human interest pieces about the soldiers "over there," but he also includes his own first hand accounts of loss and of the feelings that soldiers experience. He isn't writing about bravado and heroics - though there are heroes in his columns to be sure, they are just also the everyday people who have had war thrust upon them and are trying to survive.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Theme is Ukulele and Love Birds by emjaydabayou, with a few Waves of Hawaii added for ambiance.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Transition music are some Uke Chords by turkitron.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

When World War II begins in Europe, Pyle is desperate to cover and is allowed to go to London during the Blitz where he covers one of the largest incendiary raids of the war - instead of taking shelter in a basement he stands out on a balcony!

When the US enters the war, he returns to England and then heads to Africa to cover Operation Torch - the first US offensive on the Atlantic side of the conflict.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Theme is Ukulele and Love Birds by emjaydabayou, with a few Waves of Hawaii added for ambiance.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Transition music are some Uke Chords by turkitron.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

After Ernie Pyle married his wife, Jerry, the couple quit their jobs and drove around the US in a Model T Ford, camping out and falling in love with the Southwest. When they got back east several months later they were broke, but looking to travel again.

Pyle was invited back to his old newspaper in Washington, DC, but new responsibilities, compounded with anxiety and mental illness with both members of the relationship, soon put a strain on Ernie and Jerry's marriage, so when Pyle got the opportunity to become a roving reporter, touring the US and writing daily articles about his experiences, both he and Jerry leaped at the chance. The couple spent most of the next seven years together with that assignment, but with war raging in Europe, and their relationship suffering more and more, Pyle looks for any way to become a war correspondent.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Theme is Ukulele and Love Birds by emjaydabayou, with a few Waves of Hawaii added for ambiance.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Transition music are some Uke Chords by turkitron.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Born to tenant farmers in rural Dana, Indiana, Ernie Pyle looked for any way to get out of the Midwest farm country he feared he might toil away his life in. When World War II ended a month after he joined the naval reserve, he did the next best thing - enroll at Indiana University. While in school, he studied communications and journalism, and not only managed to travel to Kentucky and Michigan, but to Japan, China, and the Philippines, too. Shortly after leaving school, he was working for a daily tabloid in Washington, DC, but his wanderlust wouldn't let him stay in one place for long.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Theme is Ukulele and Love Birds by emjaydabayou, with a few Waves of Hawaii added for ambiance.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Transition music are some Uke Chords by turkitron.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

This week we wrap up the discrition of the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at the Punchbowl crater in Oahu, Hawaii and then we will see just how closely Punchbowl and Arlington are related when in December 2023, a young sailor killed when the USS Oklahoma capsized during Pearl Harbor, and whose remains were just recently identified, was disinterred from Punchbowl and buried at Arlington.

Today's Ghost of Arlington is Navy Seaman First Class James Richard Ward, Section 81 Grave 1560.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Theme is Ukulele and Love Birds by emjaydabayou, with a few Waves of Hawaii added for ambiance.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Transition music are some Uke Chords by turkitron.

Ukulele Taps is by Al Wood.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

This week we take a look at the history of the National Cemetery of the Pacific - also known as Punchbowl - in Hawaii, in a temporary segment I like to think of as Ghosts of the Pacific.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Theme is Ukulele and Love Birds by emjaydabayou, with a few Waves of Hawaii added for ambiance.

The Ghosts of the Pacific Transition music are some Uke Chords by turkitron.

Ukulele Taps is by Al Wood.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Over the last few weeks we have lost two US astronauts from the golden age of space exploration - Ken Mattingly and Frank Borman - and since I spent 42 weeks on the space race, I felt it was appropriate to take the time to eulogize those two explorers today. If you listen to end, you can find out the connection between Frank Borman, Buzz Aldrin, and one of the most iconic rock bands of all time, Led Zeppelin.

The Space Race series introduction music is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

In what may be my final episode of 2023, this week we will see the end of Joseph Medicine Crow's amazing story of counting coup on the Germans and only realizing after he returns to the reservation following World War II, that he has fulfilled all the requirements to become a chief, and becomes the first Crow warrior in the reservation era (and most recent to date) to achieve that rank in the traditional way.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Due to holiday and work schedules, I have decided to split the final longer episode about Joseph Medicine Crow into two shorter parts. This week, we learn a little about Medicine Crow's childhood - breaking and racing horses and leading history from pre-reservation chiefs, but also going to the so-called white man school and learning English. When he left the reservation for secondary school, and met members of 30 or 40 other tribes, he became interested in know more about the Crow so he could share those stories with other.

After graduating high school, he becomes on the second Crow to get a bachelors degree, when he graduated from Linfield University in Oregon, and the first to get a masters degree, when he graduated from the University of Southern California. He stayed at USC long enough to complete all the necessary coursework for a PhD, but World War II broke out before he could complete his dissertation.

When he was inducted into the Army, one of the officers interviewing the new inductees happened to be Medicine Crow's old roommate at Linfield. He offered Medicine Crow an officer's commission, but he declined the offer, wanting instead to rise through the ranks like his grandfather Medicine Crow had. Unfortunately, the US Army doesn't operate on Crow principles and Medicine Crow never had another change to become an officer. He said turning down his old roommate was the worst decision of his life, though it would give him the chance to emulate his warrior ancestors that he wouldn't have had otherwise.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

November is National Native American Heritage Month here in the United States. With that in mind, I talk about the history of that celebration, and talk a little about the Plains Indians and the Crow Nation. What does any of that have to do with Arlington National Cemetery? Not much. But it has a lot to do with Joseph Medicine Crow, a World War II veteran who used his time in service to become the last war chief of the Crows, and though Dr. Medicine Crow is buried on the reservation, I felt his story was one that needed to be told.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

On November 14, 1965, the US Army had its first major battle against North Vietnamese regular troops in the Ia Drang valley near the Cambodian boarder. The first two days or the three day battle was depicted in the 2002 Mel Gibson movie We Were Soldiers. It wasn't until the movie came out that I learned that I had spent the last decade living around the corner from one of the heroes of that day. He had to wait 35 years, but eventually Pilot Ed Freeman, a veteran of three wars, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroics that day.

Today's Ghost of Arlington is Army Major Ed W. "Too Tall" Freeman, who is acutally enterred at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Section 12-J-155.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

In 1966, Bernie Fisher saw a member of his flight, Lieutenant Colonel "Jump" Myers, get shot down while providing close air support for about 350 special forces soldiers overrun by more than 2000 enemy fighters. The explosion lead Fisher to believe his comrade had been killed on impact, but when he saw Myers exit the aircraft and dive for cover, Bernie knew he had to do something - the enemy was only 200 yards away. When it became clear that that a rescue helicopter wasn't going to reach Myers before the North Vietnamese did, Fisher defied convention and landed his plane to see if he could get Myers out himself.

Today's Ghost of Arlington is Air Force Colonel Bernard Francis "Bernie" Fisher, who isn't interred at Arlington, but rather the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise, ID, Section 12-1-142 (where I hope to also end up when my time on Earth is through).

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

After his unexpected deployment to Vietnam, Chief Novosel is assigned to a medical evacuation unit and over the course of two deployments, evacuated more than 5500 soldiers off the battlefield, include 29 South Vietnamese troops under heavy fire, an action that would eventually lead to him being awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Today's Ghost of Arlington is:

Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael J. Novocel, Jr. - section 7A, Grave 178-C.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

This week, we begin the story of Army Aviator Chief Warrant Officer 4 Mike Novosel, a guy who was too short to fly according to the military standards of the day, was forced out of the service against his will, and who eventually took a demotion, all because he wanted to pass his 20+ years of aviation experience on to the next generation of Army pilots. Instead, and much to his surprise, he was sent to Vietnam to serve in his third war.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

A recent work trip to South Korea opened my eyes to the Collins family's four-person, two-generational association with the Second Infantry Division and the Korean Peninsula, so today I share at story and one other that I learned about at the Second Infantry Division Museum on Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Republic of Korea.

Today's Ghosts of Arlington are:

1. Army Major General James Lawton Collins, Sr. - Section 34, Grave 121-A
2. Army General Joseph Lawton Collins - Section 30, Grave 422
3. Army Brigadier General James Lawton Collins, Jr. - Section 34, Grave 970
4. Air Force Major General Michael Collins - Section 51, Grave 2891
5. Army Sergeant Robert Hopkins - Section 69, Grave 3420

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

It has been a long time coming, but after 1,891 days in captivity, Nick Rowe became one of only 37 prisoners to successfully escape from Vietcong prisons and make it back to friendly forces. This is the culminating event of his five years to freedom. The helicopter that picked him up radioed ahead and a large crowd gathered to welcome him home. After escaping, Rowe found out that he had been promoted twice in captivity and was now a major.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/ 

Lieutenant Rowe's circumstances change drastically and he unexpectedly finds himself the lone prisoner in his prison camp. After spending four years with other American POWs, he has to adjust to these new surroundings and hope that he has the mental fortitude to withstand the Vietcong's ramped-up indoctrination sessions all on his own.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/ 

As Lieutenant Nick Rowe's time in captivity moves into its thrid year, it becomes more difficult for him and his American colleagues to stave off the illness and disease that comes with extreme malnutrician, which will claim its first victims in this episode.
We will also see what happens to Captain Rocky Versace after the Vietcong realize that he is insusceptible to their propaganda efforts and will never be broken.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/ 

The American POWs are split up as the Vietcong continue their reeducation efforts to get them to confess to "crimes against the Vietnamese people." Knowing his health is headed south, Lieutenant Nick Rowe decides he needs to try to escape before it's too late. Sure, escape is risky, but even if he dies in the process, he figures it is better than sitting around waiting to starve to death.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Captivity at the hands of the Vietcong continues to bring hardships to Captain Rocky Versace, Lieutenant Nick Rowe, and Sergeant Dan Pitzer. Versace has been separated from the group, though two new prisoners, Army Master Sergeant Ed Johnson and Army Sergeant Len Tadios join Rowe and Pitzer.

After attacking a guard and a second round of failed reeducation attempts, Rowe is labeled a hard case - similar to Versace's classification last week - and is told he will be shipped off a new camp, one less lenient than the already strict camps he has been in up to this point.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

After begin captured by the Vietcong, Captain Rocky Versace, Lieutenant Nick Rowe, and Sergeant Dan Pitzer are held in a series of Vietcong jungle prison camps in South Vietnam. The Vietcong also send cadre to try to reeducate their prisoners - to get them denounce the US involvement in Vietnam - but to no avail. After Captain Versace is labeled an unrepentant hard case, he is made an example of to try to get the other Americans to come around to their captors' way of thinking as they pass the six month mark in captivity.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Two fo the first US Solderis taken captive by the communists in Vietnam were to advisors to the South Vietnamese Army, First Lieutenant Nick Rowe and Captain Rocky Versace. One of these men worked so hard to keep up the moral of other US prisoners that the North decided to summarily execute him. The other refused to give up and after five years, finally escaped and regained his freedom.

In part one of their dramatic story, we see where they came from, what brought them together, and what they were doing when they were captured.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

As the war in Europe draws to a close, Wild Bill Donovan once again tries to convince FDR of the need for a centralized intelligence service - but when the president suddenly dies, he has to deal with a new chief executive, Truman, who he is not familiar with. All this while also helping Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson prepare for with will be known as the Nuremburg Trials.

After the war, he goes back to his private practice, at least until a new president, Dwight Eisenhower, has a new job for him to do.

This week's Ghosts of Arlington is US Army Major General William Joseph "Wild Bill" Donovan who is buried in Section 2, Grave 4874.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

After Pearl Harbor, Coordinator of Intelligence Colonel William J. Donovan petitioned for President Roosevelt to transfer his new agency from White House control to that of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. FDR thought he was committing political suicide - the military generals and admirals wanted nothing to do with him - but FDR granted Donovan's request. The Office of Information was dissolved and the Office of Strategic Services was created.

While many of Donovan's seniors didn't think much of his outfit, Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of French controlled North Africa and the US Army's first offensive combat action of the war changed Chief of Staff General George Marshall's mind thanks to the great intelligence OSS agents provided in the run up to the amphibious landings on the north African coast.

Donovan wasn't present on the battlefield during Torch, but he would take part in the landings at Sicily, Salerno, Anzio, and Normandy in Europe and Hollandia in New Guinea. Before the end of the war, Donovan and the OSS will have participated in operations in every theater of the war.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

William Donovan resigns from the Justice Department when he is not appointed Attorney General by his friend and newly elected president Herbert Hoover. He returns to law and comes out of the Great Depression a self-made millionaire. He also finds common cause with Franklin D. Roosevelt when he replaces Hoover in the White House and in time, begins to convince FDR of the need for a centralized intelligence manager, something that J. Edgar Hoover and other influential Washington figures do everything they can prevent because they don't want some legal dilettante horning in on their territory, but when the US was pulled into WWII, FDR was glad he had listened to his new friend, Wild Bill

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

William Donovan's final battlefield action of WWI is to countermand an order he received to attack - an order that would needlessly cost more lives than the Irish Regiment has already lost. Not only does he live to defend this action, but he is eventually awarded the Medal of Honor and the commander who issued the order is relieved. After the war, he returns to Buffalo and his law practice but when he become US Attorney General in Buffalo and Western New York, he makes many enemies enforcing prohibition laws. He is all but run out of town, but lands on his feet when his legal mentor is appointed Attorney General in President Calvin Coolidge's cabinet and Donovan is asked to come to Washington to join the Justice Department... and that is where he runs afoul of a young lawyer named J. Edgar Hoover. 

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

The last two episodes we talked about the highest decorated member of the Office of Strategic Services during World War II, and now we look at the man who created the OSS - William J. Donovan, aka "Wild Bill" - from his humble origins in Buffalo New York, through his social rise as an up-and-coming Columbia educated lawyer, to his appointment as a battalion commander in New York's Irish Regiment as the US enters World War I and ships out to Europe.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

This week we finish the story of French Foreign Legionnaire turned OSS operative Peter Ortiz, after he jumps behind enemy lines, deep into Nazi occupied France to stir up mayhem and cause as many problems for the Germans as he can. What would you do if the Germans were hunting you and you happened to end up in the same bar as several German officers? I can almost guarantee that your answer to that question is completely different from Ortiz's answer - I know mine was!

This week's Ghost of Arlington is:

 Marine Corps Colonel Pierre "Peter" Julien Ortiz (Section 59, Grave 1269)

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

When people think about the US Marine Corps' many contributions in World War II, they usually think about the island hopping campaign in the pacific, as they should - amphibious operations are the bread and butter of the USMC. But there were a select few who served in Europe, mostly with the Office of Strategic Services - or OSS - the precursor to today's Central Intelligence Agency.

One such Marine in Europe was Peter Ortiz who, by the time he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942, already had five years of combat experience fighting in the French Foreign Legion, experiences that made him closer to a real-life James Bond than a real-life Gomer Pyle.

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Thanks to a question posed to me at a high school baseball game by listener Chris A., I looked a little deeper to see if there were other professional baseball players besides Spottswood Poles buried at Arlington. It turns out that there are six so I decided to give a short vignette about each of them.

Today's Ghosts of Arlington are:

Navy Sailor Oscar Bielaski (Section 17, Grave 17991)
Army Private William Stearns (Section 13, Grave 13931)
Army Private William Stearns, Jr. (Section 17, Grave 22297)
Navy Commander John "Doc" Lavan (Section 3, Grave 1352-E)
Army Corporal Ernest "Jud" Wilson (Section 43, Grave 1114)
Army Second Lieutenant Hal "Hoot" Rice (Court 5, Section MM, Column 8, Niche 3)
Army Captain Elmer Gedeon (Section 34, Grave 3047)

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Record keeping was haphazard in the early days of baseball - it was even less standardized for African American players in the early days of the Negro Leagues. Even so, with the statistics we do have available, we can say for certain that Spottswood Poles was one of the best. With hitting like Ty Cobb and speed that rivaled Cool Papa Bell, its likely that if Poles played in the hayday of the Negro League, not long before Jackie Robinson shattered baeball's color barrier, that he would be in the Hall of Fame today.

His career was interrupted by World War I. He joined the unit that would go on to become the Harlem Hellfighters (see Episodes 31-32) and see some of the heaviest fighting of any American unit in the Great War.

Today's Ghost of Arlington is:

Army Sergeant Spottswood Poles (Section 22, Grave 2324)

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

While we have talked about the first military burials at Arlington as a national cemetery, we have not talked about the first overall burial on the grounds, back when it was still a plantation. The first person buried at Arlington was a women well known in Virginia and the region beyond thanks to the first cookbook published in the Americas, by an American, for Americans, The Virginia House-Wife.

Today's Ghost of Arlington is:

Mary Randolph (Section 2, Grave S-6)

The introduction and transition music heard on the podcast is composed and recorded by the eldest Ghosts of Arlington, Jr. While the rest of his catalogue is quite different from what he's performed for me, you can find his music on bandcamp.com under the names Caladrius and Bloodfeather.

As always, a very special thanks to the Commando Pando Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Before his final senate term was up, John Glenn became the oldest person to fly in space (a record that would stand until 2021. After retiring from the senate, he continued to teach public policy and preach public service at the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at Ohio State University. He also continued to see the world with his beloved wife, Annie. She even convinced him to appear on an episode of the award winning sitcom, Frasier.

Glenn lived a full life. Though he was the oldest of the Mercury Seven astronauts, he was also the last one to leave us, in 2016 at age 95.

The Space Race series introduction music is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

After becoming the first American astronaut to orbit Earth, John Glenn hoped to return to space and hoped to be the first person to set foot on the moon, but after NASA failed to put him on the flight rotation, he left the agency, retired from the Marine Corps, and joined the private work sector. He also nurtured a close friendship with Robert F. Kennedy. The two became so close that the Kennedys and the Glenns routinely vacationed together.

Kennedy became the Glenn's political mentor and was the reason that Glenn turned to politics, running for one of his native Ohio's two Senate seats. After trouble getting elected, Glenn eventually served more than two decades in the Senate but had his sights set on a higher goal - to return to space, regardless of the fact that he was seventy-seven years old!

The Space Race series introduction music is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

A presidential commission followed the Challenger disaster and that commission issued recommendations to make space travel safer, but it missed a major issue that had been happening on takes off for almost as long as the shuttle had been flying. Large chunks of foam would flake off and strike the tiles protecting the shuttle and its crew from extreme heat during reentry. During the launch of Columbia for STS-107, a tile was damaged so badly that it failed on reentry and that shuttle was lost, along with her seven-member crew, over Texas on February 1, 2003. Not long after that, it was announced that the shuttle would be retired, but it was also to be replaced with the next generation of spaceship. It never was... THANKS OBAMA! ;-)

The Space Race series introduction music is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Through the Rogers Commission hearings, the truth comes out about the faulty O-rings and that if those in charge had listened to the concerns of the engineers below them, the disaster could have been avoided by waiting until the weather warmed up to launch the shuttle. Joh Denver also makes good on his promise to write a song for the Teacher in Space winner.

The Space Race series introduction music is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Despite warnings that it was likely not safe to launch in such cold weather, NASA gave Challenger the go ahead on January 28, 1986. Seventy three seconds after liftoff, the shuttle stack suffered a catastrophic malfunction and exploded. Seven astronauts lost their lives, but not from the explosion itself. We'll look at exactly what happened in this episode.

The Space Race series introduction music is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Christa McAuliffe's four months of training draw to and end. Before the launch, she get's to head home to spend Christmas and New Year's with her family and then it's off to Florida for the launch, a launch that was delayed several times until NASA felt pressure to get the mission underway no matter what.

The Space Race series introduction music is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

The Teacher-in-Space finalists take a ride on the vomit comet and are rewarded with a trip to Space Camp, which tragically results in the death of an employee, before returning to Washington, DC for the announcement of which one of them will be joining the crew of STS-51-L. We also learn why mission specialist astronauts really don't like - some might even ay hate -  payload specialist non-astronauts.

The Space Race series introduction music is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Following the first several shuttle missions, particularly after Sally Ride's historic flight on the seventh mission, public interest in the shuttle program dropped off much as it had following Apollo 11 and the first successful moon landing. In an attempt to rekindle public interest, President Reagan announced that the 25th shuttle mission would include a non-astronaut. NASA would be sending the first private citizen to space, a teacher who be selected following a nationwide application period.

The Space Race series introduction music is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

To qualify the Space Shuttle, four test flights into space with two member crews, were launched to prove its spaceworthiness. After the final of these flight, which landed on July 4 - a date I'm sure what not a coincidence - President Ronald Reagan declared the Shuttle fully mission capable. Between 1983 and 1985, three more shuttles joined the fleet and the seventh mission of the shuttle era, STS-7, saw Sally Ride become the first American woman in space.

The Space Race series introduction music is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Even before the end of the Apollo Program ended, work on the next generation space vehicle began. The result was the Space Shuttle, NASA's workhorse that would serve for 30 years, but was not able to completely live up to its pre-production hype.

The Space Race series introduction music is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

The first International Space Station was a joint US-USSR mission called the Apollo-Soyuz Test Program in 1975 when three astronauts and two cosmonauts spent nearly two days together docked in Earth orbit. It was planned during a thawing of the Cold War but by the time the mission ended, the poticial climate was chilling again and it would be the final time Americans and Russians would shake hands in space for twenty years.

One of the three Americans on this mission was Mercury Seven astronaut Deke Slayton, who, at 51-years-old, finally got his first and only chance to go into space, after a heart condition had grounded him for 16 years!

The Space Race series introduction music is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

After accepting they would not make it to the moon first, the Soivet Union shifted thier focus on creating space stations for scientific and miltiary observations in low Earth orbit. These stations, called Salyuts, saw several iterations in the 1970s. Not to be out done, the US launched its own Space Station - Skylab - built from left over Apollo Program parts following the final Apollo mission. The three US crews to call Skylab home spent nearly six months in space collectively, but tow of the crews faced serious problems that threatened their missions.

The Space Race series introduction music is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

We have finally reached the end of the Apollo program, but the return of Apollo 17 from the moon doesn't mark the end of the space race era just yet. When the Soviets abandoned their mission to the moon, they went all in on near-Earth observations and started the era of the space station.

The Space Race series introduction music is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

This week we start with the reasons why the Apollo 15 crew's careers all ended in a state of ignominy after one of the more successful moon missions, followed by a few eulogies - Apollo 15 astronaut James Irwin and Apollo 12 astronaut Dick Gordon (oops!). We wrap up the episode with the story of Apollo 16, the penultimate Apollo mission.

The Space Race series introduction music is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

After eulogizing Alan Shepard, the first American in space, we will take a look at Apollo 15, what is often referred to as the most successful Apollo mission. It had everything - a beautiful location near lunar foothills, a rover - A CAR! - to drive around in, a memerable experiment broadcast for all the world to see, and the first every DEEP SPACE space walk.  But despite this success, the end of the podcast might leave you thinking that something went terribly wrong.

The Space Race series introduction music is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

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This week, Alan Shepard, the first American in Space, finally get the change to go back after a decade of being grounded due to an inner ear problem. While on the moon, Shepard provided on of the more memorible moments of the Apollo program when he hit two golf balls with a makeshift six iron. After returning to Earth, the avid golfer donated the club to the US Golf Association museum in New Jersey and gave the Smithsonian a replica.

Also, do you know what a moon tree is? After this episode you will!

The Space Race series introduction music is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

When one finds out that one is a direct descendent of the first person executed for murder in Colonial America, one has to share the story (it's me, I am one). My 11th Great Grandpa John Billington journey on the Mayflower and signed the Mayflower Compact, but he was not a Puritan, and 10 years later, he was hanged for the murder of a man named Newcomen based on very sketchy evidence (but I still think he did it).

The Into & Outro Music is Auoustic Guitar Meoldy Fingerstyle #14 by Garuda1982
The Transition Music is Coastal Mandolin by mooncusser

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Thanks to the 1995 Tom Hanks movie of the same name, Apollo 13 is arguably the best known of the Apollo missions. Public attentnion and support of the Apollo program was falling, but after an onboard explosion but the Apollo 13 astronauts' lives in danger, the entire world waited with bated breath to see if NASA would be able to get the crew back to Earth alive.

The Space Race series introduction music is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

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This week, we catch up with Buzz Aldrin's post NASA life, and then move on to the mission that followed Apollo 11 to the moon - Apollo 12. While NASA was excited to continue to explore the moon, many were questioning if there was anything else to gain versus the great cost of the lunar missions.

The Space Race series introduction music is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

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After the successful Apollo 11 mission, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins quickly realized that their lives would never be the same. This week, we will look at what Armstrong and Collins, the two members of Apollo 11 who have passed on, did with the rest of their busy and full lives.

The Space Race series introduction music is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

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After Apollo 11's successful landing, this week we will cover their lunar activities, including Neil Armstrong's first steps and first words, which have gone down in history and what Buzz Aldrin considers his historic lunar first, which for some reason did not make it into the history books - at least not the one I had in high school. Let's just say it makes Billy Madison think Buzz is a super cool guy!

The Space Race series introduction music is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

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I am back from my trip and this week's episodes starts out with two short eulogies. Gemini 4 & Apollo 9 commaned James McDivitt passed away on October 13th at the age of 93 and my grandfather, Korean war veteran John Ireton who I mentioned at the beginning of Episode 12, passed away at the age of 90.

After that, we get into on of, if not the, single most impressive accomplisments in human history - July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin land on the moon. After months of aniticiaption, the Eagle has landed.

The Space Race series introduction music is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

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The big day is FINALLY here - July 16, 1969 - launch day for Apollo 11. We'll talk about some of the day-of pre-launch preparations and traditions all astronauts went through and get this flight underway. It takes about 72 hours to fly from the moon, so we'll also talk about some of the ways this crew passed the time.

The Space Race series introduction music is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Wernher von Braun is a brilliant rocket scientest whose name has come up multiple time in during the space race. This natuarlized American citizen is undoubtedly the reason the US beat the Soviets to the moon (and according to some experts, the reason the US got to the moon at all). He was also undoubtledly a member of the Nazi party and an SS officer. This week, we take a closer look at this morally ambiguous genius.

Also, all of the Ts are crossed and the Is are dotted (and the Js are both crossed and dotted depending on if they are capital of lower case) and if this mission is going to launch in July 1969, it is now or never. But thanks to a new author named Michae Crichton, a lot of people are worried that the astronauts might bring back some sort of space bacteria that could end life as we know it on the plant. And yes, NASA has come up with a contingency plan to avoid that not-very-probably scenario.

The Space Race series introduction music is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Just like NASA, the Soviet Space Program has moved on to its third-generation spacecraft with a goal of landing on the moon, and just liek NASA, this third-generation craft was initially full of problems. Before getting back to the Apollo 11 crew's preparation for that flight, we will look at some of the Soviet's struggles and how they learned from those issues.

The Space Race series introduction music is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

This week we will take a look at the crew of Apollo 11 and how each came to be selected as a member of the most ambitious mission undertaken in human history - the first attempt to land people on the moon.

The Space Race series introduction music is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

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There is a lot going on in today episode from eulogizing two members of Apollo 7 (Mercury 7 veteran Wall Schirra and Apollo rookie Donn Eisele), and the final three missions before the American moonshot (Apollo 8, Apollo 9, Apollo 10). Not only were these missions vital to prepare for Apollo 11, but they also set a few records. After Apollo 10 landed there was no dobut in NASA's mind that the next mission would literally shoot for the moon.

The Space Race series introduction music is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

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Thanks to an investigation that looked to fix the problems of the Apollo Program versus sweeping them under the rug, NASA was able to get the resources needed to fix the issues and gain the support of Congress and the American public once more. After an 18-month hiatus to completely rebuild the Apollo spacecraft, astronauts successfully returned to space as NASA contined to make progress towards a moon landing.

The Space Race series introduction music is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

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It should come as no surprise that the Apollo 1 shook up how most everyone felt about the Apollo Program – the government, the media, and the general population – but the group that has the most to lose, NASA, and particularly its astronauts, never wavered in their desire to honor the memories of their fallen colleagues by continuing the mission and getting to the moon. Of course, that doesn’t mean that in the months following the fire there wasn’t a lot of frustration and concern on their part; but they worked to make sure the negligence shown during Apollo 1 wasn’t repeated and that their colleagues were honored and would never be forgotten.

The Space Race series introduction is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

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This week we talk about Apollo 1, and how the the program planned to take astronauts to the moon, took three lives instead and  lead some to begin talking about the cancellation of manned spaceflight in the United States all together.

The Space Race series introduction is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Two weeks ago I had the chance to attend a funeral at Arlington National Cemetery and I just had to share the experience with you, so please join me in honoring the life and service of retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Gene Hill.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

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This week, we wrap up Project Gemini with the final four Gemini missions and mention how those final missions answered all of the remaining questions about space travel to the moon and skills that would be needed for lunar exploration. But the Gemini missions couldn't provide information about the physical composition of the surface of the moon and to know if the surface could support a human presence, let alone a landing craft, NASA needed to send probes to the moon which turned out to be just as difficult and problematic as that sounds.

The Space Race series introduction is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

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This week we take a look at NASA astronaut class 3 and then briefly overview the other 20 astronaut classes NASA has selected since then, but the meat of the episode is the nearly disasterous Gemini 8 misison that a clear thinking and quick acting Neil Armstrong brought back from the brink and the disaster that killed the Gemini 9 main crew and ultimatly put Buzz Aldrin on the Apollo 11 misison, making him the second man to walk on the moon.

The Space Race series introduction is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

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·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

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On this week's episode, we see Mercury 7 Astronaut Gordo Cooper's career come to an end so we eulogize him while talking about the final 3 Gemini missions of 1965, the most active year to date for NASA manned space missions.

 Additionally, we talk about a very important aspect of military culture, unit patches. Starting with Gemini 5, the members of every crewed NASA mission has designed a patch to wear while in space and to commemorate the mission, and after the Gemini 5 crew made theirs, patches were retroactivly designed for Gemini 3 and 4 as well. I have posted the patches of Geminis 3-7 on the website.

The Space Race series introduction is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

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This week we being to see the US space program come into its own and really begin surpassing its Soviet rival. With the Gemini 3 mission, the US proves that it can manually maneuver a capsule in space and with Gemini 4, it shows that like Soviet cosmonauts, US astronauts can also spacewalk - and the US spacewalk was twice as long as the Soviet's.

The Space Race series introduction is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

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After the Mercury 7 were selected, an unofficial project sought to test 13 women pilots to see if they pass  the same tests. The Mercury 13 - or FLATs (Fist Lady Astronauts Trainees) - all passed the Phase I tests but the project was cancelled before most of them could go any further. Because they had no test pilot experence (a career field only open to men in the 1950s and 1960s), none of them were astually considered to become astronauts despite impressive resumes and good test results.

As NASA prepared to move from Project Mercury to Project Gemini, the Soviet Space Program look for ways to stay ahead in the space race (at least in terms of propaganda). They took a huge gamble, but successfully flew the frist multi-crew mission (in stylish track suits and not pressurized space suits) and they also managed the first space walk, though the most dangerous part of that mission may have been after they landed back on Earth.

The Space Race series introduction is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

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Only one of the Mercury Seven astronauts never returned to space - Scott Carpenter. Only two of the Mercury Seven are buried at Arlington but regardles of their final resting spot, they will all get an eulogy.  With that said, today, I will share the rest of Scott Carpenter's story. After that, I will launch into the story of Project Gemini and the Next Nine (see what I did there?)

The Space Race series introduction is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

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This week we get to the conclusion of John Glenn's orbital flight and find out if the alarms worrying NASA will jeopardize his re-entry and his life. NASA will also deal with the aftermath of the flight and we will see Project Mercury more or less through to its end. The future of NASA and JFK's moon shot have everything riding on this.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

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Today I look back on the last year, my first as a podcaster, talk a little about who is listening and answer listener-submitted questions.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

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After waiting for Shepard and Grissom to fly, after waiting through TEN launch postponements, John Glenn FINALLY get his turn to go into space, but after NASA see a particular warning light illuminated, will he make it back safely?

The Space Race series introduction is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

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This week, JFK meets with the Mercury Seven at the White House to honor Alan Shepard, specifically, and the entire team, generally, for all they have done to get America in space. Acting to build on what he knew would be short-lived momentum after Freedom 7's flight, Kennedy addresses congress and the American public about the importance of the space race, despite what would be tremendous cost. He then asked Congress to find the program and the American taxpayer to foot the bill.

Gus Grissom becomes the second American in space, but unlike Alan Shepard, he is not paraded in front of cameras at the White House after his flight. His mission was just about perfect until the landing. Let's just say his capsule, Liberty Bell 7, would be lost of 38 years. That may or may not have been Grissom's fault, but no one really wanted to think about that at the moment.

Oh yeah, and then Russia sends another cosmonaut into space and unlike the two Americans who each spent about 15 minutes in space, he stays up for nearly 25 hours! Soviet scientists are once again laughing at the US space program.

The Space Race series introduction is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

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On this week's episode, the Project Mercury astronauts react to Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin orbiting the earth, reigniting American fears about Commies in Space that also erupted after the Sputnik launch. Alan Shepard makes a suborbital flight, becoming the first American in space. Of course, Russian scientists are very dismissive of the American flight, loudly wondering if a suborbital flight counts as a space flight.

The Space Race series introduction is Lift Off by kennysvoice.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

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With as far ahead as the Soviet Space Program was, it wasn't surprising that the first person in space wasn't one of the Mercury Seven, but Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. But what is surprising is that it was almost as big a shock for the Americans as when Sputnik was launched... we will also find out which of the Mercury Seven will be the first American in space.

During the Space Race series, Lift Off by kennysvoice is the show's temporary intro.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

The second and third years for the US space program were not much better than the first and the United States found itself playing catch up to the Soviets.  To make matters worse, the Mercury Seven began dividing up into factions, a scandal threatened the astronauts' place in Project Mercury, and when John F. Kennedy, who had spent approximately zero percent of his life contemplating space and the US role in it was elected president, NASA had no idea what to expect next.

For the duration of the series about the space race, Lift Off by kennysvoice will be used as the show intro.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

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Jumping head first into the space race, this week sporadically covers the history of the interest in space over the last 3000 years or so and ends with the early days of the Cold War space race. The  Soviet Union jumps out to an early lead and leaves the United States reeling to catch up. NASA is created and introduces its first class of astronauts, hoping one of whom will become the first human in space.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

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This week wraps up the Abner Doubleday story with his retirement years - looking at his association with veterans' organizations and his role in the Theosophic Society. If you're not familiar with Theosophy, don't worry, I'll go into that as well. I hope that after the last five episodes you will agree with me that Abner Doubleday was so much more than less-than-dashing!

If you are interesting in learning more about the causes Colonel (ret) Kenny Mentz, who I mentioned at the top of the podcast today, is raising money for as he walks across the United States, check him out on Facebook at Kenny Walks Across America.

If you want to find out more about the upcoming opportunity to lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown over Memorial Day weekend or any other cemetery events, take a look at Arlington National Cemetery's website

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

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I just had to talk about the outro music for Episode 39. I mean, how cool is it that an audio recording of a Civil War veteran singing about the Civil War exists?!

I didn't use the entire song in the last episode but I play it in its entirety at the end of this one. The lyrics are posted with the recording on the website.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

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Many people know about hard fighting on day two of the Battle of Gettysburg at places like Little Round Top, Devil's Den, the Peach Orchard; or about Pickett's Charge on day three - but what if I told you that if not for the foresight of a cavalry commander named Buford and a suddenly-thrust-into-command infantryman named Doubleday on day one, we may have never head of those other locations and actions. Outnumbered, sometime by as much at 3 or 4 to 1, these two held the high ground until the rest of the army could arrive. And how was Doubleday rewarded for his effort? He was thrown under the bus by another general and demoted.

Gettysburg was the last time Doubleday commanded troops in the field. Because he was a regular army soldier, he did continue serving after the war ended and wound up in San Francisco, California where he was instrumental in bringing about one of the city's still-iconic landmarks.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

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It took Doubleday about a a year to get back into the fight after Fort Sumter and he provided one of the few bright spots for the Union at Second Manassas. After that, he was a filed commander and found himself on campaign for the next year. After Manassas, successfully commanded at Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville (kind of) at higher and higher levels - brigade, division, and corps

Most of these fights were absolute disasters of the Union, but even still, Doubleday and his troops acquitted themselves well, even frustrating the vaunted Confederate General Stonewall Jackson, who had grown to assume that the Yankees didn't have the fortitude to stand and fight with his experienced troops.

Despite his success in the field, he took a lot of gruff from his detractors - namely he's a little chubby and isn't dashing while riding a horse, qualities that were often considered more important than battlefield success in the 19th century.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

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After taking the time to eat a big breakfast while under bombardment by Confederate shells, Doubleday and his artillerists get the Union into the fight taking the first shift of the Union defense of Fort Sumpter. But the outnumbered force had to yield in the end.

After returning north, Doubleday got his own command - known as the Fort Sumpter Garrison as many of the regulars from Fort Sumpter remined with him - and began participating in the wider Civil War. He did not take part in the first major battle of the war - First Manassas - because he had just helped another force retake Harper's Ferry, but he would be there when Second Manassas kicked off. Not only would he be there, but he would help one of the more famous Union brigades earn its enduring nickname - The Iron Brigade.

Despite his success on the battlefield, he continues to clash with senior officers less dedicated to the cause of emancipation and continues to be seen by many as unforgivably less-than-dashing.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!

For more information about the podcast visit: 

·       The GoA website: https://www.ghostsofarlingtonpodcast.com    

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofarlingtonpodcast

·       Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArlingtonGhosts

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofarlington/

Last week I talked about how Abner Doubleday is sometimes still known as the guy who invented baseball when in reality, he had nothing to do with the sport. With that in mind, I wanted to take time to discuss things that Doubleday actually did, like advocate ardently with his wife Mary for abolition, freed a Mexican slave during the Mexican American War by paying off the debt of a many called Sancho, and participating in the first instance of urban combat in US military history. I was largely unfamiliar with Doubleday before looking into his life for this podcast, the more I grow the like the man and hope that he will be remembered for things that he did as opposed to things others falsely pinned on him.

As always, a very special thanks to Mountain Up Cap Company for its continued help to spread the word about the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MountainUpCapCompany Climb to Glory!