American Experience Presents

Harold Brown, a distinguished Tuskegee Airman and WWII veteran, shares his remarkable journey as a pilot and POW. He recounts his thrilling missions, including a daring attack that led to his capture. Brown discusses the camaraderie among soldiers in captivity and the irony of experiencing integration while imprisoned. He emphasizes how the military’s progress in racial integration was a precursor to broader civil rights advancements in America. His powerful legacy serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made for justice and equality.

Nick Irving, a former Army Ranger and sniper known as "The Reaper," shares gripping insights from his three deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. He delves into the stark contrast between the anticipated horrors of war and the reality soldiers face, often finding unexpected comforts amid chaos. Irving opens up about the haunting emotional toll of his experiences, revealing the internal battles veterans face after serving. His journey highlights the search for purpose and the struggle to reintegrate into civilian life while grappling with past traumas.

Edie Meeks had two brothers, one who was serving in Vietnam and the other who was protesting the war. She loved them both but decided that if something happened to her brother in combat, she wanted him to have the best care. She volunteered for the Army Nurses Corps, one of 100,000 women who served in Vietnam during the war, working 12 hours a day, six days a week, fighting to save lives and haunted by those who died.For more powerful memories from veterans, visitthe PBS series, American Veteran, where you can also watch the television series and digital short films. Learn more about American Experience Follow the show on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads

Clifton Hicks, a veteran who served as an M1 Abrams tank specialist before turning to music, shares his compelling journey. He reflects on joining the army after 9/11 and the harsh realities of combat that challenged his beliefs. Clifton candidly discusses his internal struggles, including his transition to conscientious objector and the disillusionment he felt. He highlights the healing power of music, using the banjo to connect with fellow soldiers and as a means of activism against war, showcasing his transformation from soldier to advocate.

Edward Field grew up feeling out of place in Long Island, New York, a gay, Jewish “interloper.” When he joined the Army Air Corps in 1942, he felt he’d “escaped from a world I didn’t like to one I did.” Field became a navigator and flew twenty-seven missions over Germany. One mission ended in a crash landing in the North Sea and an astonishing act of altruism.For more powerful memories from veterans, visit the PBS series, American Veteran, where you can also watch the television series and digital short films. Learn more about American Experience Follow the show on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads

When she joined the Army, Shoshana Johnson figured that she’d “save some money, lose some weight, and come back home.”  It didn’t work out as planned: in her first month in Iraq, working as a cook in a maintenance unit, her convoy took a wrong turn and she was wounded and captured, becoming the first Black American woman to be held as a POW.  But her captivity was only the beginning.For more powerful memories from veterans, visit the PBS series, American Veteran, where you can also watch the television series and digital short films. Learn more about American Experience Follow the show on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads

Frank DeVita, a WWII veteran and Coast Guard hero, shares his harrowing experiences on D-Day. He vividly recounts transporting soldiers to Omaha Beach, confronting chaos and unimaginable loss. DeVita discusses the heavy psychological toll of war, emphasizing the struggles veterans face in sharing their stories and reintegrating into civilian life. His reflections on camaraderie and unspoken trauma highlight the importance of listening to and understanding these personal histories, preserving them for future generations.

In war and in peace, the veteran experience is part of the American Experience. Welcome to American Veteran: Unforgettable Stories, an 8-part series built around the direct testimony of a single veteran - from a Coast Guard gunner’s mate who manned a landing craft at Omaha Beach on D-Day, to an Army cook in Iraq who became the first Black American woman held as a POW to an Army nurse in Vietnam who struggled to do her part. This collection of riveting first-person stories provides a compelling portrait of the veteran experience over multiple generations.Each episode revolves around a single veteran's unforgettable story, creating a powerful mosaic of military service across generations. These intimate accounts—raw, honest, and deeply personal—reveal the true cost and meaning of serving one's country.The series is hosted by Phil Klay, a Marine Corps veteran featured in the “American Veteran” television series and author of the National Book Award-winning collection of short stories, “Redeployment." Learn more about American Experience Follow the show on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads

A single act of brutality. A spark that would ignite a revolution. In this bonus episode, hear how Isaac Woodard's tragic story rippled through history, transforming Judge Waties Waring, mobilizing the NAACP, and setting the stage for seismic shifts in American justice. Join filmmaker Jamila Ephron, Judge Richard Gergel, and Harvard law professor Kenneth Mack as they reveal the extraordinary, interconnected journey from one soldier's suffering to landmark moments like military desegregation and Brown v. Board of Education – a testament to how individual courage can change the course of a nation.Learn more about American Experience Follow the show on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads------------------------------Credits: Lead Producer: Devin Maverick RobinsAssociate Producer: Meiqian HeScriptwriter: Andrew NewmanStory Editor: Galen BebeeEditorial Advisor: John BredarSound Designer: Jack PombriantNarrator and Executive Producer: Cameo George

In a gripping courtroom confrontation, Isaac Woodard comes face to face with his attacker, revealing a miscarriage of justice that will shake the foundations of American racism. Discover President Harry Truman's stunning transformation from a man shaped by Southern prejudices to a bold champion of civil rights, as powerful testimonies and behind-the-scenes revelations culminate in a groundbreaking moment that will forever alter the landscape of racial justice in America.Learn more about American Experience Follow the show on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads------------------------------Credits: Lead Producer: Devin Maverick RobinsAssociate Producer: Meiqian HeScriptwriter: Andrew NewmanStory Editor: Galen BebeeEditorial Advisor: John BredarSound Designer: Jack PombriantNarrator and Executive Producer: Cameo George