The Great War through a Doughboy's Eyes, with Greg Valloch

In this episode, Heather A. Warfield speaks with Greg Valloch, author of 'The Great War Through a Doughboy's Eyes,' which chronicles the experiences of his grandfather, Corporal Howard P. Claypoole, during World War I. The conversation explores the artifacts from the war, the emotional depth of war diaries, the impact of military service on family legacy, and the importance of community and camaraderie among veterans. Valloch shares his journey of writing the book, the significance of his grandfather's experiences, and his desire to retrace his grandfather's steps in a pilgrimage to honor his legacy.Takeaways:*Greg Valloch's grandfather served in World War I as a corporal.*The artifacts from the war provide a personal connection to history.*War diaries reveal the emotional landscape of soldiers' experiences.*Family legacy is deeply impacted by military service.*Writing the book was a way to preserve his grandfather's story.*The search for family history can be challenging but rewarding.*Character and resilience are evident in his grandfather's writings.*Military heritage influences personal choices and career paths.*Community support is vital for veterans' healing and camaraderie.*Pilgrimage to retrace his grandfather's steps is a personal goal.Colonel Gregory S. Valloch, US Army (Retired), was born in Rutland, Vermont. He attended Norwich University (the oldest private military college in the United States) and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant as an Armor officer. He served in Germany and Fort Hood before deploying for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. In 1993, Valloach left active duty to go to graduate school at the University of Mary Hardin Baylor where he received an MBA. He moved to Destin, Florida in 1995 where he worked as a contractor. He was mobilized two different times, first from 2003-2004 at Al Udied Air Base in Qatar and second from 2007-2009 as a Battalion Commander for the 1st Battalion 411th Logistics Support Battalion. Valloch now owns a Ben and Jerry’s franchise in Miramar Beach, Florida. He is married to Susan Rimsa and has two children, Cagney and Noah. His book, 'The Great War Through a Doughboy's Eyes,’ was published in 2022.