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Hap Chandler

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It was not a pleasant sight. B-24 navigator Hap Chandler could see other planes getting hit, breaking up and the desperation of men in parachutes who did not have good odds on making it safely to the ground. The 8th Air Force had the highest casualty rate in the war, making the air war in the skies of Europe a very deadly business indeed. (6:33)

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Just before the firebombing of Dresden, B-24 navigator Hap Chandler flew a mission there but when his flight arrived, the target was obscured by a smoke screen. Fortunately he spotted a railroad yard that made a fine secondary target. It was on that mission that he saw one of the new German rocket planes. (6:26)

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B-26 navigator Hap Chandler recalls observing the release of American POWs by the Chinese at Panmunjom. They were greeted by chaplains, mail, showers and new clothes. He did lose friends in that war including his roommate who volunteered to fly extra missions. (5:31)

Erik Halfmann

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His dad was a Recon Marine for 20 years with service in Vietnam so it was only natural that Erik Halfmann would feel the same call to duty. He was working for Coca-Cola when the news about 9/11 hit his workplace. Time to sign up. (3:29)

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That first deployment to Iraq was all about the artillery for Erik Halfmann. They fired a lot of shells. It was only a couple of months after he returned that word came down. We're going back, this time as provisional infantry. Some new Marines were brought in including one who liked to joke around a lot. (4:33)

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It was a plum assignment. Erik Halfmann's platoon became the security detachment for Gen. John Kelly. They traveled with him everywhere he went. It was on one of these convoys that an IED struck the lead vehicle and then the ambush began in earnest. (6:31)

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Erik Halfmann's job as part of Gen. Kelly's security detachment meant that he was in both Fallujah and Ramadi at various times. IEDs were always a threat. Soon after returning from this second deployment, the men of 2nd Platoon gathered in Wyoming to meet the family of their fallen comrade, Chance Phelps. (3:22)

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Life as a Marine after two combat tours was a lot slower. Erik Halfmann hated to say it but it was actually boring. He also had a new desire to start a family so those two things led to his leaving the Corps. (4:40)

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As a veteran, you want people to have a positive view of what you did. Erik Halfmann feels that his duty in Iraq had a positive effect. He recalls handing out soccer balls to kids and how the Iraqis welcomed them during Saddam's overthrow. One thing that is very positive is reunions with all the guys. (3:47)

Enrique Munoz

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During the initial move into Afghanistan, Marine sergeant Enrique Munoz was stationed aboard ship nearby for support. When he returned from that long cruise, he went to Twentynine Palms where he became part of a very special platoon that was destined for some very interesting times in Iraq. (5:27)