Best Unitedstatesmarinecorps Podcasts (2025)

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WWII E141 Taking Tapotchau: Marines Conquer Saipan’s Summit 36:33

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3d ago36:33

36:33

In this episode, American forces on Saipan face intense Japanese resistance as they push northward toward Marpi Point. On July 6, soldiers from the Army’s 27th Infantry Division find themselves trapped in brutal combat near Tanapag and Harakiri Gulch, encountering relentless fire from deeply entrenched enemy positions. As tanks struggle against min…

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WWII E140 Friction and Fury: Marines, Army, and Command Controversy 27:24

10d ago27:24

27:24

As Marines advanced across Saipan, the naval battle for the Marianas reached a critical turning point. On June 19, despite dominating enemy aircraft in the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot," American ships faced Japanese coastal artillery and nighttime air raids. Meanwhile, Admiral Spruance launched a daring, long-range strike against retreating Japane…

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WWII E139 Holding Ground: Marines vs. Goto’s Tanks 35:55

17d ago35:55

35:55

With Saipan’s beaches secured but far from safe, Marines now faced the brutal inland fight. The Japanese launched desperate tank assaults near Red Beach with the goal of driving Americans back into the sea. Marine bazooka teams and grenadiers met the threat head-on. By dawn, the cost was clear: hundreds of enemy dead, rising Marine casualties, and …

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WWII E138 In the Shadow of Tapotchau: America’s Gamble in the Marianas 40:06

24d ago40:06

40:06

Across the Pacific, Marines had fought fiercely to gain strategic positions that put Tokyo within reach. But the road had been costly, each step paid for in blood, sweat, and sacrifice. Now, all eyes were on the Marianas, a critical chain of islands that would determine the next phase of the war. This episode dives into the complex planning and int…

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WWII E137 Moving Up the Clock: Marines Storm Enewetak 38:29

1M ago38:29

38:29

The Marines barely had time to catch their breath after Kwajalein before their attention shifted northwest to Enewetak Atoll. Four islands in particular stood as crucial targets, heavily defended by thousands of Japanese troops racing to build defenses strong enough to repel any invasion. Initially, commanders planned the attack for months later, b…

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WWII E136 Marines Capture Roi-Namur 34:09

1M ago34:09

34:09

At Kwajalein and Roi-Namur, months of rehearsals, better intel, and hard-earned Tarawa lessons came together. The 4th Marine Division, fresh off the boat from Pendleton, made its combat debut alongside Army units already blooded in the Aleutians. They landed under real air cover, backed by real logistics, and fought smart, clearing bunkers with tan…

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WWII E135 Lessons of Tarawa: Marines Adapt in the Marshalls 35:38

2M ago35:38

35:38

After the brutal learning curve at Tarawa, the Marine Corps came into this fight prepared, equipped, and determined to lead the next phase of the war. For the first time, their landings were backed by meaningful fire support and rehearsed coordination. The chaos of earlier battles gave way to calculated strikes. This episode follows their path from…

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WWII E134 Chaos at Dawn: Tanks and Flamethrowers at Tarawa 39:21

2M ago39:21

39:21

The initial assault was chaotic—coral reefs slowed the approach, landing craft were wrecked, and units came ashore under heavy fire. But by the second and third days, the situation began to change. Officers like Shoup, Edson, and Jones made key decisions, reinforcements came in, and tanks managed to cross the reef. Despite exhaustion and limited gr…

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WWII E133 Khaki Shirts and Bayonets: Marines Storm Tarawa 42:41

2M ago42:41

42:41

We just finished the brutal slog through the Solomons, and now we’re following the Central Pacific drive straight into Tarawa. This wasn’t jungle fighting, it was open beach and shallow reefs, turning a straightforward landing into a nightmare. Marines found themselves stranded, wading through chest-deep water under relentless fire. Communication f…

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WWII E132 Turning Point in the South Pacific 33:32

2M ago33:32

33:32

In this episode, we dive into the coordinated landings on the Treasury Islands, the daring Choiseul raid, and the brutal jungle fighting that followed. From LSTs taking direct hits at Falamai to a New Zealand bulldozer operator burying a live pillbox under fire, the stakes were high from the first wave. We'll follow Loganforce's stand at Soanotalu,…

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WWII E131 The Fight for Hellzapoppin Ridge 35:56

2M ago35:56

35:56

In December, Marines fought one of their toughest battles on Bougainville—securing Hellzapoppin Ridge. This heavily fortified enemy stronghold loomed over Marine lines, threatening the expanding perimeter. For over a week, the fight raged in the thick jungle, where Marines faced relentless enemy fire and near-impenetrable defenses. Artillery barrag…

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WWII E130 The Battle for Piva Forks 33:46

3M ago33:46

33:46

In November 1943, U.S. Marines fought a brutal series of battles on Bougainville, pushing to secure key high ground. One of the toughest fights was at “Grenade Hill,” where Marines faced relentless grenade attacks before the Japanese finally abandoned their position. By the end of November, the Marines had secured the high ground, breaking Japanese…

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WWII E129 The Fight for the Piva-Numa Numa Trail Junction 35:04

3M ago35:04

35:04

By early November 1943, the Japanese launched a desperate counteroffensive to reclaim Bougainville. Their plan called for a large-scale infiltration behind Marine lines, followed by a full assault. The Marines’ quick response and overwhelming firepower shattered the enemy’s ambitions. Artillery and airstrikes devastated Japanese forces, while the R…

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WWII E128 Storming Bougainville: Marines Hit the Beaches 35:40

3M ago35:40

35:40

This episode dives into the planning and execution of the amphibious assault at Cape Torokina. From complex logistical challenges to the intense combat on the beaches, we cover how Task Force 31 and IMAC coordinated this massive operation. We also discuss the key engagements that followed the landing, including Sergeant Robert A. Owens’ heroic assa…

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WWII E127 Setting the Stage for Bougainville 32:13

3M ago32:13

32:13

By late 1943, the Allies had turned the tide in the Pacific, but one significant stronghold still loomed. In Japan’s most critical South Pacific base, Rabaul served as a launch point for air and naval operations across New Guinea and the Solomons. Instead of a costly direct assault, Allied planners devised a strategy to neutralize Rabaul through is…

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WWII E126 Securing Vella Lavella: The Next Step in the Pacific War 42:45

4M ago42:45

42:45

By mid-1943, the Allies were advancing through the Solomons, pushing toward Rabaul. After securing Guadalcanal and New Georgia, their next target was Vella Lavella. Unlike previous battles, the Japanese opted to withdraw rather than defend the island outright, but the fight was far from easy. Marines, Seabees, and New Zealand forces faced logistica…

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WWII E125 Hell in the Jungle: The Fight for Enogai 40:56

4M ago40:56

40:56

By July 7, the Marines’ push toward Enogai had slowed to a crawl. Thick jungle, relentless enemy fire, and brutal terrain turned every step into a fight. Runners risked their lives to keep communication going, while corpsmen worked tirelessly to save the wounded. When the Raiders captured a map of enemy defenses, Liversedge saw his chance. The 1st …

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WWII E124 Marines and Tanks in the Push Toward Munda 29:56

4M ago29:56

29:56

The Solomon Islands campaign was a turning point in the Pacific War, pushing the Marines to their limits in a relentless battle against both the Japanese and the unforgiving environment. This episode focuses on the critical role the Marines played in the grueling fight for New Georgia, where dense jungles, endless rain, and a determined enemy teste…

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WWII E123 Paving the Way to Munda Airfield 45:46

4M ago45:46

45:46

In the summer of 1943, the New Georgia campaign tested the grit and resilience of the Marine Corps. Tasked with securing the Solomon Islands, they battled relentless jungle terrain, torrential rains, and fierce Japanese defenses. From daring raids at Segi Point to artillery bombardments on Munda, Marines executed amphibious assaults and tank-infant…

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WWII E122 Operation Toenails and the Battle for New Georgia 28:41

5M ago28:41

28:41

This episode explores the pivotal Solomon Islands campaign during the Pacific War, highlighting the grueling battles in New Georgia. Amid relentless jungle terrain, torrential rains, and fierce Japanese resistance, the Marines displayed unmatched resolve. Operation TOENAILS marked the turning point, with daring assaults on critical locations like M…

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WWII E121 Guadalcanal Secured: The Final Push for Victory 29:00

1+ y ago29:00

29:00

For months, the Marines endured brutal combat, disease, and exhaustion on Guadalcanal. The 1st Marine Division, depleted by malaria and months of fighting, finally got their relief. The Americans, strengthened by fresh troops, moved in, bracing for a tough battle. But the Japanese had other plans. While the Americans prepared for a fight, the enemy…

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WWII E120 Guadalcanal’s Turning Point: Carlson, Chesty, and the Fight for the West 34:49

1+ y ago34:49

34:49

Guadalcanal was a campaign defined by endurance. By November, the tide had shifted in favor of the Americans, but victory was far from certain. The plan was to encircle and eliminate the remaining Japanese forces, a strategy that seemed straightforward on paper but proved far more challenging to execute. This episode covers the final push to trap t…

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WWII E119 Malaria, Mud, and Marines: The Fight Beyond the Bullets 53:09

1+ y ago53:09

53:09

By mid-October, the situation on Guadalcanal had reached a breaking point. Malaria swept through the ranks, sidelining hundreds of Marines each week. Combat-weary and outnumbered, they faced relentless Japanese assaults aimed at seizing key river crossings. Holding the Matanikau was critical—not just for defense, but for survival. As both sides scr…

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WWII E118 Holding Henderson: The Fight for Guadalcanal’s Skies 49:48

1+ y ago49:48

49:48

By late August 1942, the fight for Guadalcanal had become a brutal test of endurance. The Marines had repelled Ichiki’s reckless assault, but the Japanese weren’t finished. Each night, enemy destroyers—nicknamed the “Tokyo Express”—delivered fresh troops, while air raids and naval bombardments pounded Henderson Field. The Marines, low on supplies a…

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WWII E117 Holding the Line: Guadalcanal’s Test of Endurance 38:57

1+ y ago38:57

38:57

With the Navy pulling out, the Marines on Guadalcanal were left in a bad situation. General Vandegrift had no choice but to tighten the perimeter around Lunga Point, focusing all defenses on the airfield. Marine engineers struggled to keep the airfield operational, facing daily air raids and supply shortages. We'll close the episode with the Marine…

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WWII E116 Task Group X-Ray Hits the Shore: The Fight for a Foothold in the Pacific 26:20

1+ y ago26:20

26:20

While the previous episode followed the Marines storming Tulagi, this one shifts to Beach Red, where the 1st and 5th Marines landed to secure the island’s key objective: Henderson Field. We'll get into the initial naval and air bombardment, the landing process, and the eerie lack of Japanese resistance at the shoreline. As the Marines pushed inland…

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WWII E115 The Bloody Prelude: Tulagi and the Road to Guadalcanal 36:21

1+ y ago36:21

36:21

While the main invasion force stormed Guadalcanal, a smaller but equally critical battle unfolded on Tulagi. As Marines waded through chest-deep surf, they found themselves facing an enemy that would not surrender. Fighting through thick jungle and jagged ridgelines, they encountered machine-gun nests, sniper fire, and relentless counterattacks. Th…

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WWII E114 Isolating Rabaul: The Strategic Chessboard Before Guadalcanal 27:57

1+ y ago27:57

27:57

In this episode, we dive into the tense weeks leading up to the invasion of Guadalcanal. Major General Alexander Vandegrift and his Marines prepared for an amphibious assault with little time, limited resources, and almost no intelligence on the enemy’s defenses. From command disputes to botched rehearsals, this episode breaks down the frustrations…

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WWII E112 Marines Arrive in Samoa 27:04

2y ago27:04

27:04

Before Marines stormed beaches in the Pacific, they had to prove they were worth keeping around. When steamships made close-quarters ship combat obsolete, the Marine Corps was nearly scrapped. Their old mission vanished overnight. This episode tells the story of how Samoa helped save the Corps. After Pearl Harbor, Samoa looked like Japan’s next log…

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WWII E111 Northern Watch: Marines and the Iceland Mission 35:21

2y ago35:21

35:21

Most people don’t think of Iceland when they think about Marines in World War II. No battles, no amphibious landings, no dramatic last stands. Just a wind-battered volcanic island, frozen mud, sideways rain, and Marines pulling security in a place where the sun never set—and nothing ever happened. This episode dives into the forgotten deployment th…

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WWII E110 Beyond Montford: Desegregation from Korea to Desert Storm 28:45

2y ago28:45

28:45

This episode closes out our series on desegregation in the Marine Corps. We pick up after World War II and follow the fight for equality through Korea, Vietnam, and beyond. From Truman’s Executive Order to the violent racial clashes at Camp Lejeune, we cover the battles fought in the field and the ones fought in the barracks, promotion boards, cour…

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WWII E109 Proving Ground: Montford Point Marines in the Pacific 29:07

2y ago29:07

29:07

This episode covers the evolution of the Montford Point Marines from raw recruits to battle-ready defenders. We follow the 51st Composite Defense Battalion as they reorganize, adapt, and train under tough leadership and tougher conditions. We’ll look at how these Marines earned their place through grit and professionalism, not just at home but acro…

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WWII E108 Desegregation Begins: The Road to Montford Point 27:11

2y ago27:11

27:11

When you trace the path of desegregation in the Marine Corps, you're looking at a journey defined by extraordinary resilience and relentless courage. From John Martin’s pioneering role in the Revolutionary War to the tragic exclusion policies enacted by Congress in 1792, this history mirrors America’s ongoing struggle with race and equality. Today'…

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WWII E107 The Last Stand at Corregidor 35:42

2y ago35:42

35:42

This episode covers Corregidor’s brutal last stand and its bitter aftermath. You’ll hear how Marines and their makeshift allies fought in desperate hand-to-hand combat, machine guns cutting down wave after wave of attackers, and leaders like Major Williams and Captain Castle battling to the very end. Field musicians firing rifles, runners dying to …

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WWII E106 Mustard Uniforms and the Last Line at Bataan 36:49

2y ago36:49

36:49

This episode tells the story of the rocky island fortress where the 4th Marines made their final stand. After surviving weeks of retreat, jungle fighting, starvation, and disease on Luzon, the Marines fell back to Corregidor alongside sailors, Philippine Army cadets, and general-duty troops. Undermanned and outgunned, they turned this small island …

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WWII E105 Digging In at Corregidor 32:53

2+ y ago32:53

32:53

In this episode, the 4th Marines move from Olongapo to Corregidor, just as the Japanese close in on Manila. What follows is a scramble to destroy U.S. naval bases, build up beach defenses, and dig in for a siege. We'll break down the geography of Corregidor, the fractured command structure, and the brutal reality of jungle survival. As Japanese air…

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Kevin Sadaj - Uncommon Valor 1:20:24

2+ y ago1:20:24

1:20:24

Kevin Sadaj served in the Marine Corps from 1989 to 1993 and participated in Operation Restore Hope. In 2011 he cofounded the Marine Somalia Veterans Association, which has over 2000 members. The association serves as a place of fellowship and support for members who served in Somalia and is a repository of the history of their experiences. Website…

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WWII E104 The 4th Marines Arrive at Subic Bay 36:40

2+ y ago36:40

36:40

This episode tells the full story of how the Philippines became a battleground—and how Marines found themselves at the center of the storm. From the Treaty of Paris to the first Marine killed in the Philippines, we’ll break down the political missteps, flawed assumptions, and raw courage that defined those early days. Bombs fell, ships burned, and …

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WWII E103 From Treaty to Takeover: Guam Between Empires 30:49

2+ y ago30:49

30:49

The attack on Pearl Harbor lit the fuse, but Japan’s offensive reached far beyond Hawaii. In this episode, we cover the Marines on Guam, who fought with almost nothing, the defenders on Johnston and Palmyra, who gave the enemy more than they expected, and the crushing defeat in the Philippines that reshaped the war. These early losses hurt, but the…

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WWII E102 Wake Island: The Heroic Defense and Final Surrender 31:15

3y ago31:15

31:15

In this episode, we return to Wake Island. After surviving air raids and mounting an incredible defense, the Marines now face Japan’s full invasion force. This is the story of wrecked planes rebuilt by hand, shore batteries lighting up destroyers, and a final, desperate stand around a single operational gun. We’ll also meet the Marines who kept fig…

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WWII E101 The Defense of Midway: Cannons, Searchlights, and Gooney Birds 29:19

3y ago29:19

29:19

Pearl Harbor wasn't Japan’s only target. In this episode, we cover the first Marine fights of World War II at Midway and Wake. From radar pings at night to shellfire by flashlight, the Marines at Midway were ready when the Japanese came. At Wake, outnumbered and outgunned, Marines and civilian contractors built defenses by hand and refused to give …

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WWII E100 Pearl Harbor: Marines in the Firestorm 28:34

3y ago28:34

28:34

In this episode, we cover the lead-up to one of the most infamous mornings in American history. We follow the secret build-up to Pearl Harbor, the pilots preparing for the attack, and the Marine detachments stationed across Oahu as everything changed in an instant. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, expl…

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WWII E99 Europe Falls: The War Goes Global 35:51

3y ago35:51

35:51

This is the second episode covering the global unraveling that led to America’s full entry into World War II. After Germany invaded Poland, Europe spiraled into chaos. Hitler pushed for control of Norway to secure critical resources and the lightning-fast German invasion of France exposed the flaws in Allied assumptions and defenses. With France co…

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WWII E98 The Road to World War II: Depression, Dictators, and Delusion 27:48

3y ago27:48

27:48

This episode marks the beginning of our World War II series. This episode breaks down how the Great Depression wrecked economies, empowered dictators, and turned public desperation into political firepower. In Germany, that meant Hitler. In Japan, it meant military rule. In Italy, Mussolini. From Manchuria to the Sudetenland to Poland, we cover the…

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Marine Aviation E97 From Wildcats to F-35s: The Marine Airpower Revolution 35:37

3y ago35:37

35:37

This episode is the final chapter in the story of Marine aviation and how it matured into one of the most advanced and reliable combat arms of the U.S. military. We’ll follow the journey from the skies over Guadalcanal to carrier ops, the Korean mountains, and the jungles of Vietnam. From humble beginnings, Marine aviation became a force that could…

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Marine Aviation E96 Wings of the Corps: The Rise of Marine Aviation 36:32

3y ago36:32

36:32

In this episode, we follow how the Marine Corps went from doubting pilots to building one of the world’s deadliest air-ground teams. Aviation started as a sideshow and something most Marines didn’t take seriously. But by the 1930s, Marine pilots had revolutionized air tactics. Dive-bombing, close air support, and even aerial resupply all came from …

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Interwar Period E95 From Riflemen to Warfighters: Training for a New Kind of War 35:31

3y ago35:31

35:31

This is our third episode covering how the interwar years quietly reshaped the Marine Corps into a force built for the future. We break down how the Corps invested in more innovative training, structured leadership development, and built up aviation, artillery, and reserves from the ground up. This is where the Fleet Marine Force was born. ********…

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Interwar Period E94 The Marines Rebuild: Readiness in the Quiet Years 34:29

3+ y ago34:29

34:29

In this episode, we follow the Marine Corps through one of its most important transitions. After WWI, Marines provided security in far-off places like China and the Caribbean while reinventing what it meant to be a Marine at home. We cover how combat lessons became doctrine, how Marines went from peacekeepers to a modern expeditionary force, and ho…

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Interwar Period E93 Forged Between Wars: The Corps Transformed 23:53

3+ y ago23:53

23:53

When Marines returned home after World War I, they stepped into a country ready to celebrate them as heroes. Parades filled city streets, families welcomed them with open arms, and it seemed like America couldn't thank them enough. But this enthusiasm was short-lived. Within months, a sense of disillusionment set in, replacing cheers and excitement…

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WWI E92 A Corps Reborn: The New Mission After WWI 34:57

3+ y ago34:57

34:57

This episode closes the book on World War I with the moment Marines had been waiting for: the end. After years of brutal fighting, the armistice was real, and Marines on the Meuse were among the last to get the memo. Even as German officers crossed no-man’s-land with word of peace, Americans were still taking casualties. We walk through the confusi…