The Unauthorized History of the Pacific War
The Unauthorized History of the Pacific War Podcast is the creation of Seth Paridon and Bill Toti. Seth is a World War II historian with over 20 years experience who's many roles also was serving as a chief historian for The National WWII Museum for 15 years. Bill is not a historian, but is a retired submarine commodore and military planner with a special interest in the Pacific War. Bill has a unique perspective to offer as one who spent more than a decade sailing those same waters where the action in “The Unauthorized History of the Pacific War” took place.
Each week, Bill and Seth dive deep into topics pertaining to the Pacific War during World War II. We dissect the battles, tactics, strategies, and personalities that drove the United States' victory on the largest battlefront in human history.
Seth and Bill bring out the hard facts about the war that resonates deeply today, some 80 years after the war was fought.
New episodes are released on this channel every Tuesday, and the audio versions of each episode are released at the same time everywhere you receive your podcasts. Make sure you subscribe to get notifications of every fresh upload and new show!
If you prefer an audio-only version of “The Unauthorized History of the Pacific War,” it can be heard here:
And for those of you interested in the transition from active duty to industry, Bill’s book “From CO to CEO: A Practical Guide for Transitioning from Military to Industry Leadership” is available in hardback at Amazon and other resellers, in eBook format on Kindle and Apple, and in audiobook format on Audible.
Latest episodes
Jun 20, 2023 • 1h 39min
Sweep up the Solomons-The Naval Battles of Vella LaVella and Cape St. George
This week Bill and Seth sweep up the remaining naval surface battles in the long and bloody road up the Solomons island chain. US Navy destroyers meet the Imperial Navy once again at The Naval Battle of Vella LaVella and a gentleman named Arleigh Burke sets the pace at Cape St. George.
Jun 13, 2023 • 1h 39min
Gung Ho! The Makin Island Raid
This week Seth and Bill take a step back to 1942 and look at the somewhat audacious, somewhat foolhardy Makin Island Raid of August 1942. Colonel Evans Carlson and his 2nd Raider Battalion, Carlson's Raiders, launched an audacious, ferocious and extremely hazardous raid behind enemy lines on Makin Atoll in August of 1942. Hailed as a success by the American press at the time, the team breaks down whether or not it really was as successful as originally said to be.
Jun 6, 2023 • 2h 23min
The Ace Race Over New Guinea 1943-44 with special guest John Bruning
This week Seth and Bill welcome first time guest, author and historian John Bruning to the show to discuss the ace race of New Guinea in 1943. The trio unpacks the stories of General George Kenney, the birth of his 5th Air Force, as well as Richard Bong and Tommy Maguire and their quest to become America's Ace of Aces.
May 30, 2023 • 1h 47min
Pappy Boyington and his Black Sheep
This week Bill and Seth discuss one of the most famous pilots and famous squadrons in history, Pappy Boyington and his famous Black Sheep. Seth and Bill debunk some of the myths and lore about Pappy and his men, and in turn reveal the true stories of the professionals who flew the Corsairs of VMF-214 with their legendary skipper.
May 29, 2023 • 8min
Memorial Day 2023
We wanted to drop a quick note in honor of Memorial Day this year. In this short video, Seth reads the famous "Dear Jackie" letter written by LCDR John J. Shea to his young son shortly before LCDR Shea was killed in action aboard USS WASP (CV-7) on September 15, 1942. Remember the Fallen.
#memorialday
May 23, 2023 • 2h 9min
Lucky Fluckey and his Barb-arians
This week Bill and Seth break down the leadership and the war patrols of the incomparable Eugene B. "Lucky" Fluckey and his beloved USS Barb (SS-220). Tune in and see what the team breaks down as the ingenious, innovative and revolutionary skipper rewrites the tactics of submarine warfare in World War II.
May 16, 2023 • 58min
American Torpedo Problems in WWII
This week Bill and Seth take a look at what one must consider a crime against American sailors in World War II, that is of course, the torpedo problems. Torpedo problems plagued the US Navy during the war, specifically from 1941-44, and Bill provides us with a deep dive into the issues, who is to blame and the way the problems were solved. Tune in and see what the team has to say.
May 9, 2023 • 1h 8min
Two if by Sea-The Battles of Kolombangara and Vella Gulf
This week Seth and Bill double dip and take a look at two battles that were fought during the New Georgia campaign, those two being the Naval Battle of Kolombangara and the Battle of Vella Gulf. Tune in and see what the team has to say about ADM Ainsworth's second chance at Kolombangara and the emergence of new US destroyer tactics at Vella Gulf.
May 2, 2023 • 1h 17min
Death of the Machine Gun Cruiser-Kula Gulf
This week Bill and Seth take a look at one of the lesser-known surface battles in the Pacific, the Battle of Kula Gulf. The team breaks down the gunfight and dissects the amazing survival story of the crew of the ship known as the "Machine Gun Cruiser", USS Helena (CL-50). Tune in and see what the fellas have to say.
Apr 25, 2023 • 1h 27min
Operation TOENAILS-New Georgia
This week Seth and Bill dig into one of the lesser-known, but no less important, campaigns of 1943...New Georgia. The island of New Georgia and its invaluable Munda airfield was considered a vital step in the march up the Solomons chain in 1943. Initial advances made good on plans, but stubborn Japanese defenses and ill-prepared American infantry turned the advance into a slog. New Georgia provided valuable lessons in training and tactics for the fights that would come soon.
