Brian Dickinson: Calm in the Chaos

In this episode, Marc Leepson discusses his book The Unlikely War Hero, A Vietnam War POW's Story of Courage and Resilience in the Hanoi Hilton. This book is a biography of Doug Hegdahl, a Sailor that fell off of USS Canberra (CA 2) into the Gulf of Tonkin. Hegdahl was captured by the North Vietnamese and landed in the Hanoi Hilton with other American prisoners of war (POW). While in captivity, he memorized 254 names of his fellow prisoners. Hegdahl was ordered to accept early release. Once back in the United States, he provided the list of names to his debriefers. As a result, 65 American servicemen who were listed as missing in action (MIA), had their status changed to POW. 

Admiral James Stavridis discusses his latest book, The Admiral's Bookshelf. Published by the Naval Institute Press, it is third in a series following The Leader's Bookshelf and The Sailor's Bookshelf. He and host Stephen Phillips discuss works from Stavridis' collection that inspire, each connected to a theme. The books discussed include The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway, Nimitz at War by Craig Symonds, and Elements of Style, which suggests “Write with simplicity and precision” by William Strunk and E.B. White. 

John Quarstein and Robert Worden join Dr. Stephen Phillips to discuss their book, From Ironclads to Admiral: John Lorimer Worden and Naval Leadership. This important work is a detailed biography with emphasis on Worden's service on USS Monitor and other ironclads during the Civil War. Equally interesting is Worden's time as Superintendent at the U.S. Naval Academy and as a founding member, with membership number 1, of the U.S. Naval Institute.

Brian Dickinson joins Dr. Stephen Phillips on Preble Hall to discuss Brian's book, Calm in the Chaos, True Tales from Elite U.S. Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmers and the Navy’s SAR Swimmer community to include the history of its development and some historical examples of this important mission. Listeners can follow Brian at:Https://briandickinson.netHttps://calminthechaospodcast.com@briancdickinson on all socials

On the 20th anniversary of the Boxing Day Tsunami, Dr. Stephen Phillips discusses the U.S. Navy's humanitarian response, Operation Unified Assistance, with Dr. John Sherwood. This and other humanitarian responses are discussed in great detail in Sherwood's book, A Global Force for Good: Sea Services Humanitarian Operations in the Twenty-First Century.

To start Army-Navy week of 2024, Dr. Stephen Phillips discusses the Army-Navy Game with Christopher Havern, a historian at the Naval History and Heritage Command, but also an Army veteran and fan. 

Dr. Stephen Phillips interviews David Gendell to discuss his book, The Last Days of the Schooner America. Gendell's book tells the story of the racing yacht for which the America's Cup is named, its service as a Confederate blockade runner, Naval Academy training vessel, and the plans to restore it at the Annapolis Yacht Yard during World War II as the yard built motor torpedo boats and submarine chasers for the Lend-Lease program.

Dr. Stephen Phillips interviews LtCol Tom Williams, USMC-Ret, to discuss his book Doorsteps of Hell, the first in his memoir series entitled Heart of a Marine. Doorsteps of Hell relays Tom's stories from childhood, life as a cadet a North Georgia College, becoming an Officer of Marines, and his service as an infantry officer in Vietnam. LtCol Williams' website is: https://www.heartofamarineseries.com/

John Sherwood interviews former Navy SEAL Sniper Brandon Webb about his naval career and his novel, Steel Fear.  Webb is the author of 12 books. He served in the Navy for 13 years as a rescue swimmer and SEAL. Steel Fear is a murder mystery that takes place on the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72).

John Sherwood interviews General Kenneth F. “Frank” McKenzie Jr., USMC Ret. about his new book The Melting Point: High Command and War in the 21st Century.  General McKenzie served as the commander of CENTCOM from March 2019 to April 2022. In that role, he oversaw the 2020 strike that killed Qasem Soleimani, the leader of the Iranian Quds Force; and America’s final withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.