In Septeber 1968, a 20 yr old draftee into the Army took action to save 85 fellow soliders on Hill 222. It was not until March 2026 that his Silver Star was upgraded to the Medal of Honor. Command Sergean Major Terry P. Richardson talks to host Jim Fausone about his service , the Michigan National Guard, the incrediable honor of the MOH, White House cermony, and President Trump. Richardson explains life as a regular guy and the feeling of pride to represent his various communities.

This week, host Jim Fausone brings together two remarkable veterans whose stories highlight courage, service, and life after the military. First, Medal of Honor recipient Donald E. Ballard reflects on his service as a Navy corpsman in Vietnam, the actions that earned him the nation’s highest military decoration, and the lifelong impact of combat. Then, Navy veteran Neal Williams—better known as “The Flat Top King”—shares how his experience as a Navy cook inspired a successful second career as a YouTube creator celebrating military food, history, and culture.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL DISCOVER

✓ The extraordinary acts of courage that earned Don Ballard the Medal of Honor ✓ What it was like serving as a Navy corpsman alongside Marines in Vietnam ✓ How military service can shape unexpected opportunities after leaving the uniform ✓ How Neal Williams built a loyal online following by sharing Navy culinary traditions and military stories

Donald E. Ballard

Medal of Honor Recipient - U.S. Navy

Medal of Honor recipient and retired U.S. Army National Guard Colonel who first served as a U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman attached to the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines during the Vietnam War. On May 16, 1968, while treating wounded Marines under heavy enemy fire in Quang Tri Province, Ballard selflessly threw himself onto an enemy grenade to shield his fellow servicemembers. When the grenade failed to detonate, he immediately resumed treating the wounded, actions that earned him the Medal of Honor. Following his Navy service, Ballard continued serving for three decades in the Kansas Army National Guard, retiring as a Colonel. Today, he remains an active advocate for veterans, sharing his story of courage, leadership, and service with audiences across the country.

Neal Williams

Creator/Host - The Flat Top King

Better known as The Flat Top King, Neal Williams is a U.S. Navy veteran, former Navy cook, and popular YouTube creator dedicated to preserving military culinary traditions. Drawing on his experience serving in the Navy’s food service community, Williams recreates military recipes, shares life at sea, and tells stories that celebrate the culture, camaraderie, and humor of military service. His engaging videos have built a large following among veterans, active-duty servicemembers, and food enthusiasts alike, making him one of the internet’s most recognizable voices on military cooking and Navy life.

Host Jim Fausone interviews Brandon Weiss, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist. Brandon is a professor at Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research. Dr. Weiss trained at the VA in San Diego and has been researching psychedelic therapies for a decade. He updates Veterans Radio about that research and discusses the momentum building for veterans with PTSD to have access to this tool.

This Independence Day weekend, Veterans Radio celebrates America’s history, heritage, and the men and women who have defended our nation’s freedom with a special compilation of memorable moments from our Fourth of July broadcasts over the years.

The program begins with highlights from our July 5, 2008 broadcast featuring host Dale Throneberry alongside Gary Lillie and Bob Gould, with special guest Theresa Sloat, filmmaker and vocalist, performing her inspiring rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner. Throughout the episode, you’ll also hear a collection of patriotic stories, reflections, music, and conversations pulled from Veterans Radio’s Fourth of July programs spanning the years.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL DISCOVER

✓ Inspiring stories that celebrate America’s history and the sacrifices made to preserve its freedoms ✓ A moving performance of The Star-Spangled Banner by filmmaker and vocalist Theresa Sloat ✓ Patriotic reflections and memorable moments from Veterans Radio’s Fourth of July archives ✓ Timeless conversations honoring the service, courage, and legacy of America’s veterans

Navy Corps man Don Ballard jumped on and tossed away a gernade in Vietnam saving Marines. He talks about that day, the Medal of Honor ceremony , his transition for service, and his current passion project to engage veterans and service posts in HAM radio as a way to connect and have purpose. Don tells host Jim Fausone about Triumphant Spirit Foundation.

Transitioning from military service to college can be one of a veteran’s toughest missions. This week, Navy veteran and Veterans Radio board member Dr. Eric Fretz speaks with Ryan Pavel, CEO of Warrior-Scholar Project, about how the organization is helping enlisted veterans and transitioning service members build the confidence, academic skills, and support network needed to succeed in higher education—and beyond.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL DISCOVER ✓ Why the transition from military service to college can be more challenging than many veterans expect ✓ How Warrior-Scholar Project prepares veterans for success in higher education through immersive academic programs ✓ The skills, mindset, and confidence veterans need to thrive on campus and in civilian careers ✓ How education can become the next mission after military service

Dr. Eric Fretz

Navy Veteran - VRA Board Member

U.S. Navy veteran, Veterans Radio board member, and Teaching Professor at the University of Michigan. Dr. Fretz has spent his career helping students develop the critical thinking, leadership, and communication skills needed for success in higher education. Combining his experience as both an educator and military veteran, he brings a unique perspective to conversations about veterans’ transitions from military service to academic and professional life.

Ryan Pavel

CEO - Warrior-Scholar Project

U.S. Marine Corps veteran and CEO of Warrior-Scholar Project. After serving in the Marine Corps, Ryan earned degrees from the University of Michigan and Harvard Law School before dedicating his career to expanding educational opportunities for enlisted veterans and transitioning service members. Today, he leads Warrior-Scholar Project’s national mission to help veterans succeed in higher education through transformative academic programming.

Dr. Elizabeth Swenor , a life style medicine and functional medicine specialist, has a conversation with host Jim Fausone about obesity, GLP1 weight loss drugs, and about life style changes veterans should consider for better health.

Host Jim Fausone examines two critical issues shaping today’s military and geopolitical landscape. First, author and maritime security expert Tom Duffy explores tensions in the Strait of Hormuz through the lens of the 1980s Tanker Wars, drawing striking parallels to current events in the Persian Gulf. Then, retired Army Col. Dean Winslow, MD discusses how modern drone warfare is changing the nature of combat injuries and what the U.S. military medical system must do to prepare for future conflicts.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL DISCOVER ✓ Why today’s tensions in the Strait of Hormuz echo the dangerous Tanker Wars of the 1980s ✓ How disruptions in the Persian Gulf can impact global security and energy markets ✓ The new battlefield injuries being caused by drones and unmanned systems ✓ How military medicine is adapting to the realities of modern warfare

Thomas Duffy

Maritime Security Expert & Author

Former U.S. Navy officer, maritime security expert, and author of Tanker War in the Gulf: Operation Earnest Will, Diplomacy and Seapower in Practice. Through his research and writing, Duffy examines the strategic importance of the Persian Gulf and the lessons learned from the Tanker War, offering valuable historical context for understanding today’s tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and their impact on global security and commerce.

Col. Dean Winslow, MD (Ret.)

Professor of Medicine - Stanford University

Retired U.S. Army Colonel, infectious disease specialist, and Professor of Medicine at Stanford University. With decades of experience in military and civilian healthcare, Dr. Winslow studies the intersection of medicine, military readiness, and emerging threats. His work focuses on how modern warfare – including the growing use of drones – is changing battlefield injuries and challenging military medical systems to adapt to future conflicts.