In war and in peace, what veterans have done in America’s name is woven into the fabric of the American story. The PBS series, American Veteran (https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/american-veteran/), illuminates their experiences with a stunning range of veterans’ voices, presented in a 8-part podcast.
Each episode revolves around the direct testimony of a single veteran - from a Coast Guard gunner’s mate who manned a landing craft at Omaha Beach on D-Day, to an Army cook in Iraq who became the first Black American woman held as a POW to an Army nurse in Vietnam who struggled to do her part. This collection of riveting first-person stories provides a compelling portrait of the veteran experience over multiple generations.
The series is hosted by Phil Klay, a Marine Corps veteran featured in the “American Veteran” television series and author of the National Book Award-winning collection of short stories, “Redeployment.”
Raised on her father’s stories as a Marine recruit, CJ Scarlet wanted to prove she could be as tough as her Dad. Like her twin brother, in 1981 she joined the Corps, and she excelled on the rifle range, became an expert marksman, and completed boot camp as an honor graduate. Scarlet planned on a twenty-year career as a photojournalist, but the constant sexual harassment she encountered at bases like Camp Pendleton turned her dream into a nightmare.
For more powerful memories from veterans, visit (http://pbs.org/American)the PBS series, American Veteran (https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/american-veteran/), where you can also watch the television series and digital short films.
Learn more about American Experience (https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/)
Follow the show on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/americanexperiencepbs?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==), X (https://x.com/AmExperiencePBS), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AmericanExperiencePBS), Threads (https://www.threads.net/@americanexperiencepbs)
2 Jul 2025
Get Me Airborne
Tuskegee Airman Harold Brown recounts his experiences as a WWII fighter pilot and prisoner of war, highlighting the unexpected integration he encountered in a German POW camp; this is an interview.
25 Jun 2025
The Reaper
Sniper Nick Irving recounts his experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan, revealing the challenges of transitioning back home and confronting internal struggles in this interview.
18 Jun 2025
My Boys
Edie Meeks recounts her experience as an Army nurse in Vietnam, balancing love for two brothers on opposite sides of the war, and dedicating herself to saving soldiers' lives in this interview.
11 Jun 2025
No, I’m Not Good
Clifton Hicks recounts his experiences as an M1 Abrams tank specialist in Iraq and his subsequent decision to become a conscientious objector due to disillusionment with the realities of war.
4 Jun 2025
It Was Just Too Exciting
Veteran Edward Field recounts his experience as a navigator in the Army Air Corps during World War II, including a crash landing in the North Sea, in this interview.
28 May 2025
That Day
Shoshana Johnson recounts her unexpected capture and wounding in Iraq as a cook in a maintenance unit, revealing the realities of war and captivity in this interview.
21 May 2025
She Never Knew
World War II veteran Frank DeVita recounts his harrowing experiences on a D-Day landing craft at Omaha Beach, revealing the story he kept secret for seven decades in this interview.
14 May 2025
Welcome to American Veteran: Unforgettable Stories
Host Phil Klay introduces American Veteran: Unforgettable Stories, an eight-part series presenting compelling first-person accounts of military service across generations, revealing the profound impact of war and peace.
Who has been a guest on American Veteran: Unforgettable Stories
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Harold Brown
Nick Irving
Edie Meeks
Clifton Hicks
Edward Field
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
78,446,851
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 41 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
45
Social presence
0
YouTube
93
Engagement
0
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