Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans
COMBAT STORIES
WORLD WAR II
KOREA
VIETNAM
IRAQ
AFGHANISTAN
OTHER WAR STORIES
AFFINITY GROUPS
PHOTOS & MEMOIRS
ABOUT WTW
OVERVIEW
OUR TEAM
ADVISORY BOARD
PARTNERS
MEDIA INQUIRIES
SHARE YOUR STORY
SUPPORT OUR CAUSE
FOR EDUCATORS
[ NAVBAR ]
HOME
-- WORLD WAR II
-- KOREA
-- VIETNAM
-- IRAQ
-- AFGHANISTAN
-- OTHER
-- AFFINITY GROUPS
PHOTOS & MEMOIRS
-- OVERVIEW
-- OUR TEAM
-- ADVISORY BOARD
-- MEDIA INQUIRIES
SHARE YOUR STORY
SUPPORT OUR CAUSE
FOR EDUCATORS
NEW VIDEOS
Refine :
177 Videos
BRANCH OF SERVICE
Army
Marines
Army Air Corps
Navy
Coast Guard
Merchant Marine
Air Force
WAR
WWII
Korea
Vietnam
Cold War
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Operation Desert Storm
Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan)
Other Conflict
Show Filter
clear all
advanced search
‹ First
<
5
6
7
8
9
>
Last ›
|
Showing
10
20
30
40
per page |
70/177
Billy Lee
Operation Iraqi Freedom
| 231st Military Police Battalion
For two decades, Billy Lee served in a National Guard MP Battalion. They were deployed for strikes, riots and storms and they went to Europe to train with the regular Army. He was starting to think about retiring. (5:23)
After a long time in the National Guard, Billy Lee knew that the attacks on 9/11 meant that he may finally be deployed in a combat zone. When his MP Battalion was mobilized for Iraq, he was 55 years old and had just submitted his retirement papers. He tore them up. (6:14)
In Iraq, the police didn't operate like they do in America. If they're looking for you, they'll just put your family in jail until you surrender. Billy Lee was with an MP Battalion from the states and it was their job to try and train the Iraqis in modern law enforcement. (5:13)
With the help of Iran, Iraqi insurgents started using a new type of IED that was more powerful and could pierce armor. Billy Lee was part of an MP battalion that patrolled Iraqi highways, which was dangerous because they were perfect for ambushes. (3:05)
Billy Lee really liked the interpreter he worked with in Iraq. The man was an engineer who had done work for Saddam Hussein. He was careful to do everything right because an entire family could suffer for the mistakes of the father. (2:26)
It was all very hush hush. Sgt Major Billy Lee and his colonel were instructed to drive to a secluded mansion on a lake. Their Iraqi interpreter had to wait outside the compound while they were ushered in amid tight security. Their new assignment was to guard a very important prisoner, Saddam Hussein. (4:58)
It was a big mistake. MP Billy Lee says it was obvious during his Iraq deployment that disbanding all of the Iraqi military and police at the beginning of the conflict was having a terrible effect in the streets. Lawlessness was widespread. (4:51)
He knew what had happened to veterans returning from Vietnam. Billy Lee was apprehensive about that but he was delighted when he found cheering crowds upon his return from Iraq. (2:53)
What is best for the people there? For Billy Lee, who served in Iraq in an MP battalion and got to know the Iraqi people well, that should be the main concern in any conflict. He still remembers how proud they were to finally have a free election. (6:21)
Ben Wormington
Operation Iraqi Freedom
| 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines
It was in middle school that Ben Wormington was assigned to do an interview with a veteran. So he interviewed his grandfather and found out some amazing things about his service. Later, in high school, after seeing what boot camp did to another student, he was determined to join the Marines. (5:06)
‹ First
<
5
6
7
8
9
>
Last ›
|
Showing
10
20
30
40
per page |
70/177
Our Sponsors
Our Partners