Archive for 2022

A Conversation with Chloe Gavin Beatty Youngest Daughter of WWII General James Gavin

Join Robert Child for a conversation with Chloe Gavin Beatty. Chloe is the youngest daughter of legendary WWII general James Gavin and made the decision recently to publish her father’s WWII diary as a book. The book is called, Gavin at War: The WWII diary of Lt. General James M. Gavin.  LISTEN NOW.


Friday
Posted by Robert Child

Second Half of December Guests on Point of the Spear

We finished the month and the year out strong with a great lineup of shows. Christmas week we had two episodes. First was my conversation with John Koopman III a historian and author who portrays General George Washington in major motion pictures and television. Then on Christmas Eve, we had a very special episode, Christmas 1942. The program integrated radio broadcasts and music of the time to recreate that time and era. Plus I interviewed Peter Harmsen who wrote, Darkest Christmas: December 1942 and a World at War. It's was one Christmas special you didn't want to miss. Finally, during the last week of the year Chloe Gavin Beatty, the youngest daughter of WWII general James Gavin came on the show to discuss her father's war-time diary that has just been released as a book. I could not think of a better way to close our third season. January starts the 4th Season of Point of the Spear and we've got a stellar line in store. Have a wonderful and a Very Happy New Year!

Wednesday
Posted by Robert Child

Philadelphia's Only Medal of Honor recipient of the Vietnam War

Join me for a conversation with author Kevin Ferris. Kevin spent more than thirty years at the Philadelphia Inquirer, the last ten as a columnist. His freelance work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Hill, The Weekly Standard, and the Christian Science Monitor. His book with coauthor, John Siegfried is called No Greater Love: The Story of Michael Crescenz, Philadelphia’s Only Medal of Honor Recipient of the Vietnam War. LISTEN NOW
Posted by Robert Child

December Guests Coming to Point of the Spear Plus Christmas 1942

We’ve got some outstanding guests coming in December, plus Christmas Week Specials on Point of the Spear. Click that follow button so you don’t miss a moment. Kicking off the month we follow an 82nd Airborne Division Company through their deployment and return to civilian life with author Ben Kesling. Then, the story of Philadelphia’s only Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient, Michael Crescenz, with author Kevin Ferris. And later, mark your calendar for our Christmas Week Specials. First, we’ll speak with a George Washington historian. Then on Christmas Eve it’s Christmas 1942 all over again and we'll feature author Peter Harmsen. Finally, we close out the month and the year strong with Lt. General James Gavin’s youngest daughter, Chloe Gavin Beatty. who’ll discuss, Gavin at War: The WWII Diary of Lt. General James M. Gavin. All this and more in a jam-packed December to remember. Click that follow button and join us on Point of the Spear. LEARN MORE.

Monday
Posted by Robert Child

The Birth of the British Special Air Service in WWII

Join Robert Child for a video excerpt of a podcast conversation with author Damien Lewis. Damien is a former war correspondent and one of the Britain’s "twenty favorite authors" as declared by World Book Day. He’s an acclaimed and award-winning author topping bestseller lists worldwide. Many of his books are currently being produced for film and television. His latest book is called, SAS Brothers in Arms: Churchill's Desperadoes: Blood-and-Guts Defiance at Britain's Darkest Hour.  WATCH BELOW.

Posted by Robert Child

Second Half of November Guests on Point of the Spear

The blustery month of November finished strong on Point of the Spear. Here was our lineup of outstanding guests. Nov 16th Ethan Chorin diplomat, senior political analyst, author, and environmental entrepreneur. From 2004 to 2006, he was one of a handful of US diplomats posted to Libya to help set up a US mission. He was in Benghazi on the night of the attack in 2012 and succeeded Christopher Stevens as ambassador to Libya. 

Thanksgiving week on Wednesday, November 23rd Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of four books, including the New York Times bestseller Three Nights in August and Friday Night Lights, Buzz Bissinger stopped by the show. His latest book is called, The Mosquito Bowl: A Game of Life and Death in World War II. 

To close the month, November 30th we learned the story behind the creation of the legendary American fighter plane the P-51 Mustang with authors David and Margaret White and their new book, WINGS OF WAR: The World War II Fighter Plane that Saved the Allies and the Believers Who Made It Fly.

Saturday
Posted by Robert Child

Benghazi 10 Years After the Attack - What We Know Now

Check out my conversation with author Ethan Chorin. Ethan is a former diplomat, senior political analyst, author, and environmental entrepreneur. From 2004 to 2006, he was one of a handful of US diplomats posted to Libya to help set up a US mission. He was in Benghazi on the night of the attack in 2012 and succeeded Christopher Stevens as ambassador to Libya. His book is called, Benghazi!: A New History of the Fiasco that Pushed America and its World to the Brink.  LISTEN NOW

Posted by Robert Child

New Exhibit at the National WWII Museum - Expressions of America

I wanted to bring attention to a fantastic new multimedia exhibit at the National WWII Museum, which opened on Veterans Day. I attended a special pre-opening launch on November 10th for "invited guests only." It was beyond spectacular. And I urge everyone to reserve their tickets early before they sell out. Check their website for showtimes.


Expressions of America 
is a first-of-its-kind nighttime sound and light experience celebrating the power of individual Americans to impact the world around them during a time of monumental conflict. Available exclusively at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans starting on Veterans Day 2022, Expressions of America will immerse audiences in written words, songs, and personal reflections of the everyday men and women who served our country in every way imaginable during World War II. Generously presented by the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation, Expressions of America will uniquely combine the latest outdoor projection technology with wartime letters and oral histories from the Museum’s collection to allow audiences to experience the stories of the WWII generation like never before.  Check out the Teaser/Trailer below.


Monday
Posted by Robert Child

November Guests Coming to Point of the Spear

We’ve got some outstanding guests coming up in November on Point of the Spear. Click that subscribe button so you don’t miss a moment—kicking off the month the story of Churchill’’s desperadoes, the British SAS in WWII with author Damien Lewis. Then, the epic tale of a WWII Army Ranger Battalion ordered to seize a hill from the Germans and hold it till the last man in The Last Hill with author Tom Clavin. And later in the month the extraordinary untold story of two Marine regiments who battled each other on the football field on Christmas Eve 1944 in the Mosquito Bowl. Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Buzz Bissinger will tell us about his new bestselling book. All this and much more coming your way in November. 

Sunday
Posted by Robert Child

Second Half of October Point of the Spear Guests

We rounded out the month with two great guests on the Point of the Spear podcast. On October 19th award-winning journalist Andrew Dubbins appeared on the show. Andrew is an award-winning journalist and author, based in Los Angeles. His book is called, Into Enemy Waters: A World War II Story of the Demolition Divers Who Became the Navy SEALS. LISTEN.

On October 26th, we finished the month with author Samuel De Korte, whose written a new history of the 614th TD battalion. The 614th Tank Destroyer Battalion saw combat in France, where a platoon earned the Presidential Unit Citation, and later continued to fight gallantly in Germany and Austria until the war was over. LISTEN.
Thursday
Posted by Robert Child

U.S. Marine Who Dodged the Bullet of a Taliban Sniper

Join Robert Child for a conversation with U.S. Marine Sergeant and author Bill Bee. Bill enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2000 and served four years with Lima Company, Third Battalion Sixth Marine Regiment as an infantry rifleman.  He completed multiple deployments to Afghanistan and one to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. His cowritten book with Wills Robinson is called, The Shot: The Harrowing Journey of a Marine in the War on Terror.  LISTEN NOW


Wednesday
Posted by Robert Child

Discover the Female CIA Agents who Changed the Future of Espionage

Nathalia Holt stopped by the podcast to discuss her great new book, Wise Gals. Nathalia is the New York Times bestselling author of Rise of the Rocket Girls, The Queens of Animation, and Cured. She has written for numerous publications including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Atlantic, Slate, Popular Science, PBS, and Time. Her book is called, Wise Gals: The Spies Who Built the CIA and Changed the Future of Espionage. LISTEN NOW

Thursday
Posted by Robert Child

First Original Production for Youtube The Last Hours of Abraham Lincoln

I'm pleased to announce that we've begun a new series of Original Productions for Youtube. The Youtube platform has become the place to "stream and be seen" these days with over 2.6 billion active monthly users. It truly is the behemoth of the streaming world today. I had resisted creating original content for the platform for years but I have seen the view counts that my Janson Media distributed military history documentaries have generated and it is eye-opening. The views are in the millions.

So when you have a moment check out The Last Hours of Abraham Lincoln. More about the show: Few Americans alive today are unaware that our sixteenth President, Abraham Lincoln, was assassinated while in office. It has been a part of American history textbooks for generations. But unanswered questions and little-known facts about his final hours remain, which are both revealing and disturbing. And it has been contended by forensic anthropologists that the President was dying months before the fatal shot, which ended his life.


Tuesday
Posted by Robert Child

October Guests Coming to Point of the Spear

We’ve got some great guests coming up in October on Point of the Spear. Kicking off the month the story of a pioneering group of CIA female spies who changed the future of espionage with author Nathalia Holt. Then, the virtually unknown story of WWII Demolition Divers who became the Navy seals with Andrew Dubbins. And later in the month, the harrowing tale of a Marine whose brush with death was broadcast on TV and published in newspapers around the Globe. US Marine Bill Bee will be here to discuss his ordeal. All this and much more are coming your way in October.   
LISTEN NOW

Wednesday
Posted by Robert Child

British WWII Naval Battles in the Mediterranean

A conversation with author Brian Walter. Brian is a retired Army officer from a combat arms branch with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and International Relations. He has been a student of the British military during the Second World War for more than 30 years. His book is called, Blue Water War: Maritime Struggle in the Mediterranean and Middle East, 1940–1945.

Posted by Robert Child

Norman Conquerors of Europe on Point of the Spear

A conversation with author Levi Roach. Levi studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, and is former fellow at St John's College also in Cambridge, He’s now senior lecturer at the University of Exeter. His book is called, Empires of the Normans: Conquerors of Europe.

About the Normans:

The Normans that invaded England in 1066 came from Normandy in Northern France. However, they were originally Vikings from Scandinavia. From the eighth century Vikings terrorized continental European coastlines with raids and plundering. The proto-Normans instead settled their conquests and cultivated land. Over time they assimilated into medieval European society, abandoned paganism, and upheld conventional Christian norms.

Posted by Robert Child

British Historian Saul David on the 5th Marines of WWII

Join Robert Child for a conversation with British historian and Sunday Times bestselling author Saul David. Saul is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a Professorial Research Fellow at the University of Buckingham’s Humanities Research Institute. From 2009 to 2021, he was Professor of Military History at the University of Buckingham and Programme Director for Buckingham’s London-based MPhil in Military History. His book is called, Devil Dogs: King Company, Third Battalion, 5th Marines: From Guadalcanal to the Shores of Japan.


Posted by Robert Child

Online Book Talk, Immortal Valor with the National Museum of the U.S. Army

Had a great time discussing my book Immortal Valor at the National Museum of the United States Army on September 15th. We also gave away a hardcover copy of the book to a winner who guessed correctly that Vernon Baker was the only one of the seven Medal of Honor recipients who was able to accept the medal in person in 1997. The museum plans to post the video of the presentation this fall. I will keep you posed on when that's released.

Saturday
Posted by Robert Child

Powerful Conversation with Outspoken U.S. Marine Stu Scheller on America's Crisis of Command

Join Robert Child for a powerful conversation with author and former Lt. Colonel Stuart Scheller. Stuart gained notoriety last year as a US Marine speaking out and asking for accountability for the US’s disastrous military withdrawal from Afghanistan. His new book is called Crisis of Command: How We Lost Trust and Confidence in America's Generals and Politicians.
Posted by Robert Child

82nd Airborne Division Colonel Richard Hooker on Point of the Spear

Join Robert Child for a conversation with author and retired Colonel Richard Hooker. Richard, a career Army officer, his military service included combat tours in Grenada, Somalia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan, including command of a parachute brigade in Baghdad. His military service also included stints in the offices of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, the Secretary of the Army, and the Chief of Staff of the Army. A veteran of three tours with the National Security Council, he previously served as Assistant Professor at West Point, as the Army Chair at the National War College, and as Dean of the NATO Defense College in Rome. His book is The Good Captain: A Personal Memoir of America at War.

Posted by Robert Child

September Guests on Point of the Spear, Plus a New Documentary

September is full of great guests on Point of the Spear. We kicked off the month with Navy Seal Ben Milligan who returned to the show to talk about his book, 
By Water Beneath the Walls. Then, this week in our feature episode of the month outspoken former U.S. Marine Stuart Scheller stopped by to discuss his new book, Crisis in Command: How We Lost Trust and Confidence in America's Generals and Politicians. Stuart's episode will is also a video podcast on our Youtube Channel. September 17th, 30-year 82nd Airborne veteran Colonel Richard Hooker will be here to discuss his book, The Good Captain. And later this month Saul David will be here to discuss 3rd Battalion 5th Marines and his book, Devil Dogs. All right here on Point of the Spear.

Plus we've just released a new military history documentary on Tubi, Weather and Warfare. It is the free streaming app owned by Fox. Below is the trailer. Watch now on Tubi now at the  this link.  https://tubitv.com/movies/680635/weather-and-warfare-millennia-to-modern-time


Tuesday
Posted by Robert Child

A Few Bad Men - Watch a Conversation with U.S. Marine Major Fred Galvin

Join Robert Child for a conversation with author and retired U.S. Marine Major Fred Galvin. Fred served twenty-seven years in the U.S. Marine Corps, beginning as a seventeen-year-old who rose from the enlisted ranks to become an officer. Serving in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, and elsewhere, he led the first special operations company in the Marines and earned forty-nine military medals and ribbons, including the Bronze Star. His book is A Few Bad Men: The True Story of U.S. Marines Ambushed in Afghanistan and Betrayed in America.

Sunday
Posted by Robert Child

Where Cowards Go to Die - Watch a Conversation with Special Forces Combat Vet Benjamin Sledge

Join Robert Child for a conversation with author Benjamin Sledge. Ben is a wounded Special Operations combat veteran with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is the recipient of the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and two Army Commendation Medals. His latest book is Where Cowards Go to Die. 

Saturday
Posted by Robert Child

Military History Doc on Naval Combat Search and Rescue in Vietnam

A documentary about Navy helicopters and combat SAR during the Vietnam War: two-hour film will be told from the perspective of the pilots, aircrew men, maintainers, and survivors. Release planned for spring of 2023. 


Learn more and help support Vietnam War Naval history with a tax-deductible contribution to the film through the Naval Helicopter Association Historical Society at the links at the end of the video.



More  About HC-7:

Despite the turbulent times in the 1960s in a changing America, what held true then remains so today, the steadfast courage of the American serviceman. The combat ethos "leave no warrior behind" was operational doctrine for one mission-focused squadron, Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Seven. In the history of the U.S. Navy, HC-7 was the only active-duty combat search and rescue squadron ever to exist. And became one of the most highly decorated naval squadrons in Vietnam. 


Posted by Robert Child

Navy SEAL and Author Ben Milligan Returns to Point of the Spear in a Video Podcast Sept 4th

Join Robert Child on September 4th for a follow-up conversation with author and Navy SEAL veteran Ben Milligan. Ben became a US Navy SEAL in 2001 and served until 2009. He is the recipient of the Bronze Star and other awards. He received a BA in History at Purdue University and an MA in International Relations at the University of San Diego.  His book is called By Water Beneath the Walls: The Rise of the Navy SEALs. WATCH




Posted by Robert Child

Watch Our Interview with Retired British SAS Soldier Des Powell

Join Robert Child for a conversation with author and British Special Forces veteran Des Powell. After serving in the Parachute Regiment, Sergeant Major Des Powell spent twenty years in the SAS at the heart of the Counter Terrorism and Special Projects teams. A former PT instructor in 1 PARA, he became the Unarmed Combat and Fitness instructor for B Squadron and pioneered HALO, HAHO, and other covert airborne entry techniques. He was the second-in-command of the Bravo Three Zero patrol in 1991. His book is called SAS Bravo Three Zero.




Posted by Robert Child

101st Airborne Vietnam Veteran and Author Larry Freeland

 Join Robert Child for a conversation with author and Vietnam veteran Larry Freeland. Larry joined the U.S. Army and served one tour in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division as an Infantry Officer and a CH-47 helicopter pilot. He is the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with 10 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, the Bronze Star, and other military service medals. His latest book is called Chariots in the Sky: A Story About U.S. Army Assault Helicopter Pilots at War in Vietnam. LISTEN NOW

Posted by Robert Child

Legendary CIA Counter Terrorist Chief of Operations On Point of the Spear August 24th

Join Robert Child August 24th for a conversation with author and former CIA Counter Terrorist Chief of Operations Ric Prado. Ric is a retired CIA operations officer specializing in paramilitary, counter-terrorism, and covert operations. Escaping Cuba as a child amidst the violence of Castro’s Cuban Revolution, he would retire as the CIA’s equivalent of a two-star general after a 24-year career. His book is called Black Ops: The Life of a CIA Shadow Warrior. 

Posted by Robert Child

Former U.S. Army Apache Helicopter Pilot and Author Don Bentley on Point of the Spear

Join Robert Child for a conversation with author and U.S. Army veteran Don Bentley. Don spent a decade as an Army Apache helicopter pilot during which time he was stationed in South Korea, Germany, and Texas. While deployed to Afghanistan as a Troop Commander in support of Operation Enduring Freedom VI, he was awarded the Bronze Star and the Air Medal with “V” for valor.  His latest book is called Hostile Intent. LISTEN NOW

Posted by Robert Child

Part Two Episode of U.S. Marine Maj. Fred Galvin, A Few Bad Men

Catch the conclusion of my conversation with author and retired U.S. Marine Major Fred Galvin. Fred served twenty-seven years in the U.S. Marine Corps, beginning as a seventeen-year-old who rose from the enlisted ranks to become an officer. Serving in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, and elsewhere, he led the first special operations company in the Marines and earned forty-nine military medals and ribbons, including the Bronze Star. His book is A Few Bad Men: The True Story of U.S. Marines Ambushed in Afghanistan and Betrayed in America. LISTEN NOW

Wednesday
Posted by Robert Child

August Guests Coming to Point of the Spear include British SAS Veteran Des Powell

We’ve got some great guests coming in August as we kick off Season Three of Point of the Spear. Our guests include NY Times bestselling author and former Apache helicopter pilot Don Bentley. 101st Airborne Vietnam veteran Larry Freeland will also come by to discuss the battle of Lam Son 719. CIA Counterterrorist Chief of Operations Ric Prado will stop by to discuss his book, Black Ops. And former UK Special Forces soldier Des Powell will be here to discuss his Sunday Times bestseller, SAS Bravo Three Zero: The Gripping True Story. My conversation with Des will also release as a video episode on our Youtube Channel August 17th. It’s all part of the August Season Three kick-off on Point of the Spear.


Monday
Posted by Robert Child

Powerful Two-Part Special with Maj. Fred Galvin (ret.) A Few Bad Men

We have a powerful two-part episode with retired U.S. Marine Major Fred Galvin on July 20th and 27th on Point of the Spear, where we discuss his book, A Few Bad Men: The True Story of U.S. Marines Ambushed in Afghanistan Betrayed in America.

Maj. Galvin's book is about the wrongly accused men in his special operations unit, including himself, who became known as the MARSOC Seven. They were all charged with homicide and faced life imprisonment.


More about the MARSOC SEVEN from Sofrep.com


"Fox Company Marines (MSOC F) were accused of indiscriminately killing Afghan civilians in March of 2007, and that narrative was spread throughout the media as a result of a rush to judgment by several military leaders who were directly responsible for the expulsion of Fox Company from Afghanistan. This rush to judgment occurred without sufficient evidence, as later proven during the Court of Inquiry."



Watch part of the interview on the video version of the podcast (click above).

Sunday
Posted by Robert Child

Talking About Immortal Valor on Dan Snow's History Hit Podcast

I invite everyone to check out my conversation with Dan Snow on his History Hit podcast. It is the most popular history podcast in the UK with millions of downloads. Allene Carter and I discuss the story of the seven black Medal of Honor recipients of WWII and my book Immortal Valor. I hope you can check it out.   LISTEN NOW.  

Thursday
Posted by Robert Child

July is Sizzling on Point of the Spear

Point of the Spear kicked off the month with director Ron Maxwell, which led into our two-part Gettysburg narrative program, Voices from the Front, to commemorate the 159th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. It is another in our series of story-telling specials. First person accounts are the living link we have to what occurred at Gettysburg. And although some of the accounts may be less than accurate due to the various authors seeing only their narrow view of the conflict and having limited information – they still bring to life the battle in a deeply personal way.  PLAY EPISODE.




Then Mark Greaney returned to Point of the Spear to discuss his new book, Armored. July is a big month for Mark; his fantastic-looking Gray Man movie starring Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans debuts in theaters on July 15th and migrates to Netflix on July 22nd. PLAY EPISODE.



This week on July 13th, author Benjamin Sledge stopped by the podcast. Ben is a wounded Special Operations combat veteran with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is the recipient of the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and two Army Commendation Medals. In a powerful interview, he discusses his latest book, Where Cowards Go to Die. PLAY EPISODE.




Second Half of July:


Next week on July 20th, retired Marine Major Fred Galvin comes to Point of the Spear to talk about his riveting new book, A Few Bad Men: The True Story of U.S. Marines Ambushed in Afghanistan and Betrayed in America. The book tells the incredible true story of an elite team of U.S. Marines set up to take the fall for Afghanistan war crimes they did not commit—and Major Galvin's 14-year fight to redeem his men. Galvin's interview is another Point of the Spear episode you won't want to miss.


We close out the month on the 27th with Dr. Samuel Mitcham and his remarkable new book, The Encyclopedia of Confederate Generals: The Definitive Guide to the 426 Leaders of the South's War Effort. You'll definitely enjoy this episode if you're an avid Civil War buff. Mitcham documents the lives of every Confederate general from birth to death, highlighting their unique contributions to the battlefield and bringing their triumphs and tragedies to life. 

Posted by Robert Child

Director Ron Maxwell Comes to Point of the Spear

Kicking off our Battle of Gettysburg Anniversary weekend join Robert Child for a special interview with director Ron Maxwell. Ron is an award-winning Hollywood filmmaker best known for his successful films on the American Civil War and he had several box office hits before those two films. Rob’s interview with Ron Maxwell was taped a couple years back during the 150th anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg. PLAY EPISODE.


Friday
Posted by Robert Child

Ancient Roman Wars on Point of the Spear

Join Robert Child this week on Point of the Spear for a conversation with author Lindsay Powell. Lindsay  writes for Ancient History and Ancient Warfare magazine. His articles have also appeared in Military Heritage and Strategy and Tactics. His appearances include BBC Radio, British Forces Broadcasting Service, History Channel and HistoryHit. His latest book is Bar Kokhba: The Jew Who Defied Hadrian and Challenged the Might of Rome.

Monday
Posted by Robert Child

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