Donald Chase understood that freedom isn’t free. He defended his country in two wars, WW II and the Korean war, and in doing so received 4 purple hears and 2 bronze stars. In both wars, soldiers often wished to receive a “million dollar wound” – a battlefield injury that would send the soldier back home away from fighting, but not one that was bad enough to kill them or leave them permanently maimed. Chase received at least two million dollar wounds, but each time he begged his commanding officers to send him back to the front. As an infantryman, he was fiercely loyal to the men he served with and couldn’t leave their side as long as they were in danger. After the war, Chase found it easier to share his painful memories in poems. This podcast tells the story of Chase’s service in two cataclysmic wars.

Young Donald Chase

Donald Chase in uniform

Donald Chase in his later years

Korean War

A star athlete first at Aspinwall High School then at Waynesburg College in Pennsylvania, Richard V. Morgan felt the call to duty when his country was attacked at Pearl Harbor and joined the Marines. Morgan fought in some of the Pacific’s bloodiest battles at Tarawa, Saipan, and Tinian Islands. AT Tarawa he fought alongside Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Alexander Bonnyman Jr. supplying him with demolition charges as they took a large Japanese bunker filled with 200-300 Imperial soldiers. At Saipan Morgan narrowly survived a 15 hour last ditch Banzai charge of 3,000 Japanese soldiers. At Tinian Island Morgan spent weeks trying to clear out Japanese resistance from the island’s high caves. Selected for officer school, Morgan’s days were brightened by his morning encounters with one of the most celebrated figures of the 20th century. This is Richard V. Morgan’s WW 2 story.

Richard V. Morgan at the train station

Young Richard V. Morgan

Richard V. Morgan in his later years

Tarawa

Saipan

Tinian Island

Hattie Brantley never stopped tending to wounded GIs whether in the jungles of the Bataan peninsula, in the tunnels of Corregidor, or during her long imprisonment at the Santo Tomas Internment Camp. As a POW for nearly three years, she didn’t let starvation, disease, lack of medical supplies, or the brutal treatment she received from Japanese guards stop her in caring for the young GI casualties under her care. Today’s podcast tells the story of Hattie Brantley, better known as the Angel of Bataan. Special thanks to my wife, Christina Diane Ulferts, who will give voice to Hattie’s quotes in this episode.

Young Hattie Brantley

Hattie Brantley speaking to veterans

Hattie Brantley's grave

Hattie had a great sense of humor