American Warriors

WWII ended and Joe returned home, but the Korean War came knocking on his door step and the young, proven fighter pilot found himself in the cockpit of another F4U Corsair over the deadly terrain of North Korea.

Young McPhail spent his youth in Tyler, Texas. Between classes and jobs he learned to fly at the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, cutting the skies, and his teeth, in a piper cub. His draw towards aviation grew and he set his sights on the next best opportunity, flying fighters in the United States Marine Corps. He commissioned and went active duty 3 days before the attack on Pearl Harbor. Quickly his unit was graduated and the fleet of Grumman F4F Wildcats deployed to the Pacific theatre where they waited out the nerve-wracking aerial Japanese bombardments. His second deployment to Okinawa, now outfitted with the state-of-the-art F4U Corsair, focused on air to ground support and aerial combat. He received two confirmed kills in that 10-month deployment. In 1950, he was recalled and sent to North Korea to fight the Chinese and North Koreans in the unforgiving terrain of the Chosin Reservoir. He was awarded the distinguished flying cross and numerous air medals, and at 102 years old is the oldest living F4U Corsair pilot left. This is Part 1 of his story.

A childhood dream became reality when Joe McPhail commissioned into the United States Marine Corps. Trained as a fighter pilot, he went on to fly in 2 wars and 240 missions.

A little older and a little wiser after his first deployment, Daniel continued his 20 yr career in the Louisiana National Guard and was activated in 2005 for disaster relief amid the historic floods caused by Hurricane Katrina. He recounts the vast scale of the destruction and being one of those taking shelter inside the Super Dome in New Orleans. A few years later he served his second deployment to Afghanistan and remembers a day when he and his crew of engineers were preserved from harms way by a leadership decision he made which unknowingly saved their lives. Full Episode: https://youtu.be/Wp3XtJX4pJ8

A little older and a little wiser after his first deployment, Daniel continued his 20 yr career in the Louisiana National Guard and was activated in 2005 for disaster relief amid the historic floods caused by Hurricane Katrina. He recounts the vast scale of the destruction and being one of those taking shelter inside the Super Dome in New Orleans. A few years later he served his second deployment to Afghanistan and remembers a day when he and his crew of engineers were preserved from harms way by a leadership decision he made which unknowingly saved their lives.

During her second tour to Iraq, Lauren learned a lot. Overseeing her company's wellfare, and specifically, mental health challenged her at 24 years old. "That stuck out to me, because at that age you really are still just a child yourself" When she returned home she felt her mentality was 30 years ahead of her peers. That and a new marriage made it difficult to assimilate into civilian life. But she was left with a sense of survivors guilt after two tours into combat and seeing her comrades suffer. Her own mental journey began. Today, she oversees operations at the Central Oregon Veterans Ranch and facilitates the natural healing of local veterans through agritherapy. Relearning to appreciate "awe" is key, she says. And the ranch allows a variety of ways to heal since mental health doesn't have a one-size-fits-all solution. "I didn't know how to fundraise or run a non-profit, but I understood the mission," she says. The mental battle in theveterans is very similar to watching the battle of Fallujah from her Iraqi base, except now, those battles reside in the minds of her fellow veterans.

During her second tour to Iraq, Lauren learned a lot. Overseeing her company's wellfare, and specifically, mental health challenged her at 24 years old. "That stuck out to me, because at that age you really are still just a child yourself" When she returned home she felt her mentality was 30 years ahead of her peers. That and a new marriage made it difficult to assimilate into civilian life. But she was left with a sense of survivors guilt after two tours into combat and seeing her comrades suffer. Her own mental journey began. Today, she oversees operations at the Central Oregon Veterans Ranch and facilitates the natural healing of local veterans through agritherapy. Relearning to appreciate "awe" is key, she says. And the ranch allows a variety of ways to heal since mental health doesn't have a one-size-fits-all solution. "I didn't know how to fundraise or run a non-profit, but I understood the mission," she says. The mental battle in theveterans is very similar to watching the battle of Fallujah from her Iraqi base, except now, those battles reside in the minds of her fellow veterans.

Returning to Iraq, Lauren took up a new position overseeing her base. Tasked with general wellfare of her company was a large feat for the 24 year old Marine, a year in theatre that taught her many lessons and aged her wisdom beyond her years.

As a logistical officer Lauren brought supplies to the fight. In Al-Taqaddum Air Base in 2003, the USMC setup shop and acted as the distribution center for military supply in Iraq. "They would check in with me and then I would send it out," she said. The base was centered between Ramadi and Fallujah, two of the most contentious cities with bloody, hard-fought battles for the Corps. Lauren would watch from the bunkers overlooking Fallujah in the distance, and watch as the battle raged. "We would wonder if they had everything they needed," she added. "But they were short on ammo and water. And we couldn't reach them."

Raised in a military family rooted in Marine Corps traditions, Lauren knew military service was her future. As a cadet at the legendary Corps of Cadets, at Texas A&M, she honed her talent for military rigors and commissioned as a Marine Corps officer in 2001. After the terrorist attacks on 9/11 she and her fellow committed officers knew war was in their future, but they didn't know when or for how long. As a logistical officer she brought supplies to the fight. In Al-Taqaddum Air Base in 2003, the USMC setup shop and acted as the distribution center for military supply in Iraq. "They would checkin with me and then I would send it out," she said. The base was centered between Ramadi and Fallujah, two of the most contentious cities with bloody, hard-fought battles for the Corps. Lauren would watch from the bunkers overlooking Fallujah in the distance, and watch as the battle raged. "We would wonder if they had everything they needed," she added. "But they were short on ammo and water. And we couldn't reach them." In Part 2, Lauren returns to Iraq and finds a renewed purpose on the home front after her military service.

"I knew what my job was and I wanted to do it well." Young Lauren Grigsby, a newly minted Marine Officer from the elite ranks of Texas A & M's Corps of Cadets, oversaw the supply chain feeding the war efforts during Operation Iraqi Freedom. She watched as soldiers fought the grueling Battle of Fallujah, and stood helplessly as their supply chains were cutoff.

PART 1 of 2 In 1999, when Daniel Lubofsky joined the Louisiana National Guard, he had thoughts of his military service being 1 weekend a month and two weeks a year, and maybe some occasional hurricane disaster relief. He didn't know that just 2 years after he joined, the course of his life would take a very different turn than he ever imagined. www.americanwarriors.com Thank you for making American Warriors possible! Click here to learn how to partner with us: https://AmericanWarriors.com/Donate Prefer to donate by mail? Make your check or money order (US Dollars) payable to "ELIJAH LIST MINISTRIES" and mail it to: American Warriors / Elijah List Ministries 525 2nd Ave SW Suite 629 Albany, OR 97321 USA

PART 1 of 2 In 1999, when Daniel Lubofsky joined the Louisiana National Guard, he had thoughts of his military service being 1 weekend a month and two weeks a year, and maybe some occasional hurricane disaster relief. He didn't know that just 2 years after he joined, the course of his life would take a very different turn than he ever imagined. www.americanwarriors.com Thank you for making American Warriors possible! Click here to learn how to partner with us: https://AmericanWarriors.com/Donate Prefer to donate by mail? Make your check or money order (US Dollars) payable to "ELIJAH LIST MINISTRIES" and mail it to: American Warriors / Elijah List Ministries 525 2nd Ave SW Suite 629 Albany, OR 97321 USA

PART 1 of 2 In 1999, when Daniel Lubofsky joined the Louisiana National Guard, he had thoughts of his military service being 1 weekend a month and two weeks a year, and maybe some occasional hurricane disaster relief. He didn't know that just 2 years after he joined, the course of his life would take a very different turn than he ever imagined. www.americanwarriors.com

With a chemistry set at his disposal and unrestricted access to a modern array of volatile chemicals, a clever Lewis Hollander, at age 10, developed homemade explosives in his home. He sent his formula to the Department of the Army during World War II and was assured that while his contribution was noble, it needed some work due to its unpredictable detonation. When the Korean War draft arrived Lewis commissioned as a Naval officer and was assigned to the Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory in California where he studied and observed America's early implementations of Atomic weapons. He was witness to at least 10 "shots" - early military parlance for atomic detonations. During his 4 years in the Navy he measured radiological activity after each test. In 1954, in the Bikini Islands, he participated in the Castle Bravo hydrogen bomb test. "The Navy was full circle," he says. "From building explosives as a kid to seeing the Hydrogen bomb. It was really something to witness." With a stout career of physics and science behind him, he took up endurance horse racing and later ultra-running, marathons, and Ironmans. His persistence led to him to world and Guiness World record status. His home is colorfully adorned in 1000's of metals telling stories of races from the 50's to today. Now 93, Lewis says a lifetime effort of rigorous training, daily anaerobic exercise and supplements keeps him going to what, he hopes, a ripe age of 120. www.americanwarriors.com Thank you for making American Warriors possible! Click here to learn how to partner with us: https://AmericanWarriors.com/Donate Prefer to donate by mail? Make your check or money order (US Dollars) payable to "ELIJAH LIST MINISTRIES" and mail it to: American Warriors / Elijah List Ministries 525 2nd Ave SW Suite 629 Albany, OR 97321 USA

With a chemistry set at his disposal and unrestricted access to a modern array of volatile chemicals, a clever Lewis Hollander, at age 10, developed homemade explosives in his home. He sent his formula to the Department of the Army during World War II and was assured that while his contribution was noble, it needed some work due to its unpredictable detonation. When the Korean War draft arrived Lewis commissioned as a Naval officer and was assigned to the Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory in California where he studied and observed America's early implementations of Atomic weapons. He was witness to at least 10 "shots" - early military parlance for atomic detonations. During his 4 years in the Navy he measured radiological activity after each test. In 1954, in the Bikini Islands, he participated in the Castle Bravo hydrogen bomb test. "The Navy was full circle," he says. "From building explosives as a kid to seeing the Hydrogen bomb. It was really something to witness." With a stout career of physics and science behind him, he took up endurance horse racing and later ultra-running, marathons, and Ironmans. His persistence led to him to world and Guiness World record status. His home is colorfully adorned in 1000's of metals telling stories of races from the 50's to today. Now 93, Lewis says a lifetime effort of rigorous training, daily anaerobic exercise and supplements keeps him going to what, he hopes, a ripe age of 120. www.americanwarriors.com Thank you for making American Warriors possible! Click here to learn how to partner with us: https://AmericanWarriors.com/Donate Prefer to donate by mail? Make your check or money order (US Dollars) payable to "ELIJAH LIST MINISTRIES" and mail it to: American Warriors / Elijah List Ministries 525 2nd Ave SW Suite 629 Albany, OR 97321 USA

On May 12, 2023, an event in Tyler, Texas hosted by CampV and the Daughters of the American Revolution recognized the service of 33 Vietnam War veterans. Each received the congressional commemorative lapel pin.

One could say that David's military "career" started in the 3rd grade when he attended military school in souther California. The structure and discipline led him to service in the Army where he was a tank driver in the 2nd Calvary, standing guard along the German borders for the potential Soviet invasion. His second enlistment introduced him to the art of aviation maintenance and he was deployed to Vietnam in 1966. Learning to work on Hueys, it didn't take long for David to accept a position as Crew Chief. He was the flying mechanic, responsible for the aircraft and also working as a door gunner. Many of his mission involved the dicey, bullet-ridden "hot" LZs where his crew took the brunt of the enemy force in an effort to protect troop landings. Tracer fire was a common incoming view and their helicopter once took 28 hits. But he and his crew never took personal injury despite being shot down twice. After his time in service, and a stint with the Army Reserves, David continues to serve till this day with the Redmond VFW Honor Guard.

For Sam Moyers, serving his country was never really a question of whether or not but when. His family history is rich with military service - his father survived 4 V-2 bombings in London and an uncle crashed off the coast of Vietnam. When his draft letter arrived after earning his masters degree, he signed up for Naval Officer Candidate school. His service took him to the western pacific twice aboard the Antisubmarine Warship, the USS Floyd B. Parks. After the Tonkin Gulf incident and retrieving downed pilots in the gulf, Moyer's most terrifying moments happened at the hand of mother nature's typhoon.

Part 2 of 2. Watch Part 1 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mWvw4b3DEs Growing up in a broken home caused Ben to put up walls around his heart. When repeated sports injuries ruined his chances of a college scholarship, he joined the Marines. The training he received hardened him further and he was ready for war, but the daily stress and grim realities of war took an even greater toll on his soul. Through an unexpected turn of events, the help he needed to restore his marriage and soul found him. www.americanwarriors.com

This is Part 2 of 2. Ben continues a journey to healing. Watch Part 1 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mWvw4b3DEs Growing up in a broken home caused Ben to put up walls around his heart. When repeated sports injuries ruined his chances of a college scholarship, he joined the Marines. The training he received hardened him further and he was ready for war, but the daily stress and grim realities of war took an even greater toll on his soul. Through an unexpected turn of events, the help he needed to restore his marriage and soul found him. www.americanwarriors.com Thank you for making American Warriors possible! Click here to learn how to partner with us: https://AmericanWarriors.com/Donate Prefer to donate by mail? Make your check or money order (US Dollars) payable to "ELIJAH LIST MINISTRIES" and mail it to: American Warriors / Elijah List Ministries 525 2nd Ave SW Suite 629 Albany, OR 97321 USA

For Sam Moyers, serving his country was never really a question of whether or not but when. His family history is rich with military service - his father survived 4 V-2 bombings in London and an uncle crashed off the coast of Vietnam. When his draft letter arrived after earning his masters degree, he signed up for Naval Officer Candidate school. His service took him to the western pacific twice aboard the Antisubmarine Warship, the USS Floyd B. Parks. After the Tonkin Gulf incident and retrieving downed pilots in the gulf, Moyer's most terrifying moments happened at the hand of mother nature's typhoon.

For Sam Moyers, serving his country was never really a question of whether or not but when. His family history is rich with military service - his father survived 4 V-2 bombings in London and an uncle crashed off the coast of Vietnam. When his draft letter arrived after earning his masters degree, he signed up for Naval Officer Candidate school. His service took him to the western pacific twice aboard the Antisubmarine Warship, the USS Floyd B. Parks. After the Tonkin Gulf incident and retrieving downed pilots in the gulf, Moyer's most terrifying moments happened at the hand of mother nature's typhoon.

Growing up in a broken home caused Ben to put up walls around his heart. When repeated sports injuries ruined his chances of a college scholarship, he joined the Marines. The training he received hardened him further and he was ready for war, but the daily stress and grim realities of war took an even greater toll on his soul. Through an unexpected turn of events, the help he needed to restore his marriage and soul found him. www.americanwarriors.com Thank you for making American Warriors possible! Click here to learn how to partner with us: https://AmericanWarriors.com/Donate Prefer to donate by mail? Make your check or money order (US Dollars) payable to "ELIJAH LIST MINISTRIES" and mail it to: American Warriors / Elijah List Ministries 525 2nd Ave SW Suite 629 Albany, OR 97321 USA

Growing up in a broken home caused Ben to put up walls around his heart. When repeated sports injuries ruined his chances of a college scholarship, he joined the Marines. The training he received hardened him further and he was ready for war, but the daily stress and grim realities of war took an even greater toll on his soul. Through an unexpected turn of events, the help he needed to restore his marriage and soul found him. www.americanwarriors.com Thank you for making American Warriors possible! Click here to learn how to partner with us: https://AmericanWarriors.com/Donate Prefer to donate by mail? Make your check or money order (US Dollars) payable to "ELIJAH LIST MINISTRIES" and mail it to: American Warriors / Elijah List Ministries 525 2nd Ave SW Suite 629 Albany, OR 97321 USA