SFC Leigh Ann Hester shattered expectations for women in combat roles when her bravery and fast acting saved the lives of her men and gave her the honor of the first female recipient of the Silver Star since the Second World War.  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aboveandbeyondpodcast

Tonight we start the new year off with a bang as we explore four more animals who made a name for themselves on the battlefield. These are the stories or Roselle the Guide Dog, Siwash the Duck, Bill the Goat, and Moustache the Dog.  A link to the book on Roselle, that I mention in the episode, can be found right here: https://www.amazon.com/Thunder-Dog-Story-Blind-Triumph/dp/1400204720/ref=asc_df_1400204720/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312443114357&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=700657233322974693&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9013145&hvtargid=pla-464931009734&psc=1

Wars bring out the worst in people, but sometimes they also bring out the best in people. Going above and beyond is not just about standing your ground or killing a lot of enemy soldiers; sometimes it is about going above and beyond what it means to be a soldier in combat and putting your humanity before your duty. Tonight, we talk about Richard Rowland Kirkland, a man who put his human need to help people above his fear of being killed earning him the nickname "The Angel of Marye's Heights".

Tonight we talk about the most decorated soldier in all of WWII and one of the most decorated in all of American history. Audie Murphy was a super soldier, but he also went on to have a successful career in acting. In this episode, I will cover the military aspect of his life, but to hear the acting part of it, you will need to pop on over to I Love Old Movies to hear, hosts, Derek and Sam tell you all about it. This father/daughter duo have a fantastic podcast that explores old movies and the some of the actors behind them. A link to their episode can be found right here https://anchor.fm/iloveoldmovies/episodes/ILOM---Episode-17---To-Hell-And-Back-e1anv1d Also, Audie Murphy suffered, greatly, from PTSD, if you are a veteran who suffers, as well and feel you are on the path to destruction, please call 1-800-273-8255 or visit https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ . You do not need to fight alone.

Tonight is the second installment of the Q&A series. Join me as I, again, answers questions that you guys have asked me.  As it was again mentioned in tonight's episode, here is the Stephan Westmann interview. https://youtu.be/XruYsAmKLyU

In this episode, I answers questions that you guys sent it to me. The links below are links of stories, shows, or songs I mention tonight.  Band of Brothers Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/4kPks2or9xa26GdMRRu2lK?si=2ksGVRpiRpiWXSkB_9fSRw&utm_source=copy-link Sabaton: Winged Hussars https://open.spotify.com/track/4HVuyLPE90zk19NYv55dzX?si=tn-FZ461Tdi-M_Ctnvqd0A&utm_source=copy-link Kill Anything That Moves: The Real American War in Vietnam (American Empire Project) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1250045061/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_SSKWQRQHSDRWBC0X3DAQ Stephan Westmann Interview https://youtu.be/XruYsAmKLyU

Imagine you are in the jungles of Vietnam and your position is being overran by enemy forces. You have been critically wounded and feel you are going to die, but just as all hope seems lost, you look over to see a lone soldier with a knife in one hand and a first aid bag in the other running towards you. For the next six hours, you hold you position with this crazy man as you see he has been shot multiple times, blown up, stabbed and beaten, yet, he still fights. This is exactly what happened on the night of May 2nd, 1968 and that man was Roy Benavidez. Hear his incredible story on tonight's episode.  Link to Roy Benavidez's 1991 Medal of Honor Speech: https://youtu.be/_oUtJxE4sjs

Gurkha soldiers are among the deadliest in the world. Their inability to quit or accept death makes them insanely valuable on the battlefield. Tonight, we dive into the story of two Gurkhas from hsitory: Lachhiman Gurung and Dipprasaad Pun.

This Civil War legend was a former slave who broke through his chains and sailed his way into tonight's episode. Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCccCki5R0P6TSmIEobMyvjQ

This week's episode begins a series on recognizing the efforts of animals during warfare.