Miles, Morale and Memories: Bob Hope and World War II
From The Front To The Films: A World War II Podcast
During World War II, Bob Hope and his troupe of Hollywood performers traveled over 80,000 miles to entertain troops in the United States, Alaska, North Africa, Europe, and the Pacific.
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Timeless Patriotism: Guam and World War II
From The Front To The Films: A World War II Podcast
A documentary chronicling the lesser-known story of the American Territory of Guam's role in World War II. Attacked on the same day as Pearl Harbor (December 8th across the International Date Line), Guam was occupied for almost three years by the Japanese. Hear from many who survived the occupation and meet a United States Marine who helped liberate the island in 1944.
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No Lights, No Escorts, Just Courage: The WWII Journey of Myles Isbell
From The Front To The Films: A World War II Podcast
On June 6, 1944, a teenager from Michigan helped steer a flat-bottomed Navy vessel toward the shores of Normandy. His name was Myles Isbell. His ship: LST-540. He was 17. In this special episode of Front to the Films, we tell the extraordinary story of Myles Isbell—Gunner’s Mate Third Class, World War II veteran, and eyewitness to some of the most pivotal naval operations of the 20th century. To bring Myles’ story to life in full, we’ve seamlessly interwoven his final recorded interview—conducted just three months before his death—with archival audio from an earlier oral history...
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“I Didn’t Want to Miss Being Part of History” — The Story of Frank Wal, Jr.
From The Front To The Films: A World War II Podcast
In this powerful, first-person interview, 97-year-old World War II veteran Frank Wal, Jr. reflects on his life, service, and the events that shaped a generation. From the hardship of losing his mother at age eight, to enlisting in the U.S. Navy at just 17, Frank takes us through his remarkable journey—from radar duty aboard LSD-25 to witnessing the aftermath of kamikaze attacks and passing the USS Indianapolis just before its fateful sinking. Frank shares his firsthand memories of Okinawa, the atomic bomb’s impact on Japan, the occupation of Tokyo, and even a surprise encounter with...
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Ski, Climb, Fight: A Conversation with 10th Mountain Division Author, Dr. Lance Blyth
From The Front To The Films: A World War II Podcast
They weren’t like other soldiers. While others were marching or jumping into battle, they skied to war. Carried rifles and ropes. Climbed cliffs in the dark. Slept in snow. And when the time came, they scaled mountains most thought were impossible to negotiate. In our latest Front to the Films episode, Colonel Tom Rendall (USA, Ret.) sat down with Lance Blyth, a quiet-spoken historian who’s spent years tracing the footsteps of the 10th Mountain Division. What came from their conversation wasn’t just a military history—it was a reminder of what it means to endure, to adapt, and to...
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“Placid Lassie” and the Power of Flight: A Conversation with Eric Zipkin
From The Front To The Films: A World War II Podcast
When a conversation with a business leader and pilot—who also happens to be the son of a World War II veteran—places you squarely in the cockpit of history, you're in for a very unique and fascinating journey. Our latest episode of Front to the Films, the official podcast of The World War II Foundation, offers exactly that. Hosted by Colonel Tom Rendall (USA, Ret.), this conversation with Eric Zipkin—Co-Founder of the Tunison Foundation—is more than just an exploration of a historic aircraft. It’s about memory, purpose, and the enduring legacy of those who took to the skies in...
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From Iwo Jima to a Life of Purpose: A Conversation with Dr. Richard Jessor
From The Front To The Films: A World War II Podcast
Some interviews make you think. Some make you feel. And every now and then, one does both in a way that stays with you long after the conversation ends. My recent discussion with Dr. Richard "Dick" Jessor was one of those rare moments. At 100 years old, Dr. Jessor sat across from me—sharp, reflective, and filled with the kind of perspective that only comes from a century of living with purpose. He has witnessed war, shaped the field of behavioral science, and spent a lifetime exploring what it means to live meaningfully. And in our conversation, he shared those hard-earned lessons in a way...
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An Exclusive Conversation with Colonel (Ret.) Gregory Fontenot
From The Front To The Films: A World War II Podcast
Join us for a powerful and moving episode of Front to the Films, as host Colonel Tom Rendall (USA Ret.) sits down with historian, author, and Colonel Gregory Fontenot (USA, Ret.). This episode marks the conclusion of the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, one of the most critical and epic battles of World War II, and we could not ask for a better historian and storyteller to commemorate this momentous occasion. Greg’s extensive research and firsthand military experience bring to life the incredible stories of leadership, resilience, and innovation displayed during this...
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Bomber Boys: Preserving the Legacy of WWII Through the Lens of John Slemp
From The Front To The Films: A World War II Podcast
In our latest episode of Front to the Films, we had the honor of hosting John Slemp, a distinguished photographer, author, and veteran, whose work shines a light on the stories of World War II through an unexpected yet deeply meaningful lens. His book, Bomber Boys: WWII Flight Jacket Art, is a visual masterpiece that celebrates the airmen of World War II by showcasing the artistry and stories behind their iconic flight jackets. Through this engaging conversation with our host, Colonel Tom Rendall (USA, Ret.), John takes us behind the scenes of his groundbreaking project, sharing...
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Front to the Films: An Exclusive Interview with Battle of the Bulge Veteran Harry Miller
From The Front To The Films: A World War II Podcast
As we mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, it's a privilege to share an impromptu interview with Harry Miller, a veteran who served as a tank crewman in the 740th Tank Battalion during this pivotal World War II conflict. Harry Miller's Background Born in Ohio during the Great Depression, Harry Miller enlisted in the Enlisted Reserve Corps at 15 by claiming he was 18. He later joined the Army, receiving basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and advanced training at Fort Ord, California, with an amphibious tank unit. In November 1944, Miller arrived in Europe and was assigned...
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The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, also known as the "Six Triple Eight," was a groundbreaking all-African American, all-female unit that played a crucial role in World War II by ensuring that mail delivery to U.S. military personnel was efficient and timely. The battalion was composed of 855 enlisted African American women and officers, led by Major Charity Edna Adams Early, who by the end of the war became the highest-ranking African American woman in the military. This unit was distinctive for being the only all-black, all-female battalion serving overseas during the war, embodying the motto "No mail, no morale".
Initially formed to address a significant backlog of undelivered mail in European theaters, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion embarked on their mission in early 1945, facing not just the logistical challenges of sorting and delivering millions of pieces of mail but also the additional hardships of racism and sexism. Despite these obstacles, they executed their duties with exceptional efficiency and dedication, clearing the mail backlog in Birmingham, England, before moving on to France to continue their mission.
Their work conditions were harsh, operating in cold, poorly-lit warehouses, yet they managed to complete their tasks ahead of schedule, demonstrating remarkable resilience and teamwork. The battalion was self-contained, managing its own logistics from mess halls to motor pools, and even had its own military police, chapel, and recreational activities, including sports teams and dances.
The legacy of the 6888th has been increasingly recognized in recent years, with members being awarded the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. The battalion has been honored in various ways, including the awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal in 2021, and has been the subject of documentaries, museum exhibits, and educational programs.
Despite their significant contributions, the return of the battalion to the United States in 1946 was met with little public recognition, and they were disbanded at Fort Dix, New Jersey, without the fanfare or acknowledgment their achievements deserved. However, the impact of their service and the barriers they broke down have continued to inspire and gain recognition over time, ensuring their place in history not just as servicewomen, but as pioneers for African American women in the military and beyond.
This March, we honor the “Six Trip Eight” Central Postal Directory Battalion, Deloris Ruddock, Anna Mae Robertson, and other amazing women in uniform.
The World War II Foundation documentary, "Her War, Her Story" brings to life the dedication of women who processed and delivered the mail during World War II and who served and sacrificed so valiantly. Their legacy is our inspiration.
Here’s a clip from the documentary. Watch the full film to witness the power of women's contributions on and off the battlefield.
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