Episode 1 - John Jouriles, WWII Combat Veteran, Blackhawk Division

What an honor! We recorded this episode on June 6, 2019, the 75th anniversary of D-Day. This day in 1944 represented the arrival of hope for western Europe and the world on the shore of Normandy, France.

U.S. Army Private 1st class John Jouriles headed to France as a teenager shortly after Operation Overlord to continue the fight. John shares his experience about growing up in 1930s during the Great Depression, hearing about the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, fighting in Europe in 1945, and settling back in Ohio.

The 20th century and WWII marked a pivot point in today’s world and a member of the greatest generation sat 5 feet away from me for about 90 minutes.

I hope you enjoy listening to his story.