SSG Jason Wenk takes us through his decision to join the Army and then shares his experience in Iraq, including losing his good friend stationed with him there and almost losing his own life when his Humvee explodes. This, our first Patriot Plates episode was released on National Purple Heart Day...

SGT Addie Ford’s incredible story of survival while being deployed at Bagram Airbase in Iraq. On Veteran’s Day, as men and women on the base prepare for a “Fun Run” on base, a terrorist sneaks his way onto the Airbase. Just as Addie Ford sees this man on the base, he detonates himself. Hear this ...

Pat Upah tells us how she ended up as a nurse in Vietnam, only to find herself working in a hospital surrounded by the enemy. As bombs explode around the hospital, nurses strive to keep the wounded safe and calm, fully aware that it may only be a matter of time before the Viet Cong overrun them. ...

Major Scott Huesing (Ret.) tells us about his decision to join the Marines and the connections we all make and have with each other as soldiers, family, and those who support our military. As a Marine commander during the "Surge" in Ramadi, with hundreds of combat missions under his belt, he desc...

Staff Sergeant Doty had a deep love for the Marine Corps and a passion for training Marines in combat and martial arts. After training nearly 50,000 Marines, there's nothing more rewarding than having one return after deployment to thank him.

Ray Snyder joined the military and was sent to school to be placed on the Manhattan Project. The Manhattan Project was the group responsible for learning about and testing the military’s new devastating weapon, the atomic bomb. Mr. Synder was in the Marshall Islands when some of the first tests w...

A Vietnam veteran runs the M.A.R.S. (Military Affiliated Radio System) program, a crucial backup communications system for the military. Through this system, soldiers were able to connect with family and friends while at war in Vietnam. After 21 years of service, he shares why this was the most s...

This episode, filmed on the U.S.S. Midway, tells the story of Commander Don Hubbard, a naval aviator involved in five conflicts: World War II, the Cold War, the Korean War, Vietnam, and the Cuban Missile Crisis. In part one, we hear about the first half of his service, including flying missions o...

Filmed aboard the U.S.S. Midway, Commander Don Hubbard recounts his remarkable service spanning five U.S. conflicts and his pivotal role in the Cuban Missile Crisis. After capturing aerial photographs of Russian weaponry and equipment in Cuba, CDR Hubbard was tasked with flying the footage throug...

Lieutenant John O’Brien recounts his military journey, commencing at the Naval Academy where he graduated in 1969 before serving in Vietnam. He vividly recalls the PT boats responsible for coast guarding and monitoring during the war, supporting both Frogmen and Navy SEALs. Lieutenant O’Brien als...