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PODCAST

Key Battles of American History

Key Battles of American History

War has played a key role in the history of the United States from the nation’s founding right down to the present. Wars made the U. S. independent, kept it together, increased its size, and established it as a global superpower. Understanding America’s wars is essential for understanding American history. In the Key Battles of American History, host James Early discusses American history through the lens of the most important battles of America’s wars. James is an Adjunct

history

All Episodes

43:16

Hamburger Hill

Key Battles of American History ·

2025/08/02

In this episode, Sean and James discuss the 1987 film Hamburger Hill, a war drama based on the real-life Battle of Hamburger Hill during the Vietnam War in May 1969. The film follows a platoon of young American soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division as they endure brutal combat, physical exhaustion, and emotional trauma while attempting to seize a heavily fortified hill (Hill 937) from entrenched North Vietnamese forces. Known for its gritty realism, the movie emphasizes the chaos, futility, and

en-US

55:15

VW9: Nixon and Vietnamization

Key Battles of American History ·

2025/07/30

In this episode, Sean and James discuss President Richard Nixon’s early approach to the Vietnam War, highlighting his policy of Vietnamization—gradually shifting combat responsibility to South Vietnamese forces while withdrawing U.S. troops. It examines the fractured 1968 presidential election, Nixon’s political maneuvering, and key military developments like the failed Communist Tet ’69 Offensive and the controversial Battle of Hamburger Hill. Nixon’s strategy included

en-US

71:59

Full Metal Jacket

Key Battles of American History ·

2025/07/26

In this episode, James and Sean review the classic 1987 Vietnam War film Full Metal Jacket, directed by Stanley Kubrick, and featuring an iconic performance by the late, great, R. Lee Ermey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

64:15

VW8: The Tet Offensive

Key Battles of American History ·

2025/07/23

In late January 1968, the NVA and the Viet Cong launched a massive campaign of well-planned and coordinated attacks, hitting targets all up and down South Vietnam. Although the Allied forces fought off the attacks and inflicted thousands of casualties on the attackers, the offensive showed the American public that the war was far from over, and it ultimately led to the end of the Johnson presidency. Join Sean and James as they discuss this pivotal turning point of the war.See omnystudio.com/listener

en-US

56:48

Platoon

Key Battles of American History ·

2025/07/19

In this episode, James and Sean review the classic, multiple Oscar-winning 1986 film Platoon, directed by Oliver Stone and based on Stone’s own experience as a soldier in the Vietnam War.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

55:43

VW7: Failing Strategies and False Optimism

Key Battles of American History ·

2025/07/16

In 1966 and 1967, the U. S. forces in Vietnam increased their activity, launching many search and destroy missions, including Operation Masher/Whitewing and Operation Junction City. But as the US casualty count and the economic cost of the war rapidly increased, opposition to the war within the U. S. also grew. Meanwhile, in late 1967, the North Vietnamese Army began planning a major offensive that would consist of attacks all over South Vietnam and would hopefully deal a knockout blow to the ARVN

en-US

81:47

We Were Soldiers

Key Battles of American History ·

2025/07/12

In this episode, James, Sean and special guest Steve Guerra review the 2002 film We Were Soldiers, written and directed by Randall Wallace and starring Mel Gibson. Based on the book We Were Soldiers Once… and Young (1992) by Lieutenant General Hal Moore and reporter Joseph L. Galloway, We Were Soldiers dramatizes the Battle of Ia Drang on November 14, 1965.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

57:26

VW6: The Americanization of the War

Key Battles of American History ·

2025/07/09

In 1965, the ground war in South Vietnam intensified. In June, the ARVN suffered a disaster at the hands of the Viet Cong in the Battle of Dong Xoai. That same year, U. S. President Lyndon Johnson made the fateful decision to greatly expand American involvement in the war, ordering 150,000 new soldiers and Marines to Vietnam right away and another 150,000 to follow them soon afterward.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

58:42

Rescue Dawn

Key Battles of American History ·

2025/07/05

In this episode, Sean and James discuss the 2006 film Rescue Dawn, based on the true story of American pilot Dieter Dengler, who was shot down over Laos in 1966 and spent several months in a prison camp before escaping and returning to his unit. As always, your lovable hosts will tell you what the filmmakers got right and what they got wrong.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

53:21

VW5: The Gulf of Tonkin Incident and the Entry of...

Key Battles of American History ·

2025/07/02

In August, 1964, three North Vietnamese gunboats attacked an American destroyer. This incident was followed by a perceived (but imaginary) second attack. These attacks, although one was not real, led to the US Congress passing the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which authorized the president to take “all necessary measures to repel armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression.” Johnson then authorized Operation Rolling Thunder, a massive and ongoing

en-US

58:12

VW4: South Vietnam in Crisis

Key Battles of American History ·

2025/06/25

In early 1963, the Viet Cong decisively defeated an attacking ARVN force at the Battle of Ap Bac, proving that the guerrillas were a force to be reckoned with. During that same year, much of South Vietnam fell under Viet Cong control, while most of the rest of the country descended into chaos. South Vietnamese cities saw an increasing number of protests, many of which were brutally put down by the Diem regime. Ultimately, Diem was assassinated, and a junta of generals took control. In November, U.

en-US

44:00

VW3: The Rise of the Viet Cong

Key Battles of American History ·

2025/06/18

In 1959, the government of North Vietnam, now under the direction of Communist Party Chairman Le Duan, decided to initiate a war with the South Vietnamese government led by Ngo Dinh Diem. To help fight Diem’s regime, the North Vietnamese facilitated the formation of a National Liberation Front (later dubbed the Viet Cong by the South Vietnamese government). The NLF/VC began a campaign of terror and assassinations that threatened to bring down the South Vietnamese government. Meanwhile, new U

en-US

41:18

VW2: Dien Bien Phu and the Geneva Agreements

Key Battles of American History ·

2025/06/11

After the Second World War, France decided to reassert control over French Indochina. This policy met strong resistance from both Communist and right-wing political and military organizations in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Resistance grew, leading to the First Indochina War (1946-1954). This conflict ended with the Geneva Agreements, in which the French agreed to depart, the country would be temporarily divided between a Communist North and a non-Commuist south, and elections would be held in

en-US

59:31

VW1: Introduction to the Vietnam War

Key Battles of American History ·

2025/06/04

In this episode, Evan Muxen returns to join James and to help kick off a new series on the Vietnam War. Evan and James give an overview of Vietnamese history from its beginning down through the period of French domination, the Japanese conquest during WW2, and the fight for control of Vietnam after WW2.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

41:25

The 10 Best Allied Fighters of World War II (with...

Key Battles of American History ·

2025/05/31

In this episode, Sean and James complete their discussion of the top 10 Allied fighters of World War II.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

45:23

The 10 Best Allied Fighters of World War II (with...

Key Battles of American History ·

2025/05/28

In this episode, James and frequent guest Sean McIver count down the ten best Allied fighter planes of World War II.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

41:38

KW13: Prisoners of War in the Korean War

Key Battles of American History ·

2025/05/21

In any war, being taken prisoner is a traumatic experience, and the Korean War was no exception. In this episode, James discusses the experiences of Korean War POWs on both sides.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

39:19

KW12: The Naval War in Korea

Key Battles of American History ·

2025/05/14

In this episode, James gives a summary of the crucial role played by the U.S. and allied navies, including transport, supply, naval air operations, special forces operations, and naval support of ground operations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

46:58

KW11: The Air War in Korea

Key Battles of American History ·

2025/05/07

In this episode, James presents an overview of the air war over Korea, including the transition from propeller-driven planes to jets, the strategic bombing campaign, the experience of individual pilots, and the key role of helicopters.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

53:05

Gettysburg in Literature, Film, and History: Day 3

Key Battles of American History ·

2025/04/30

In this episode, Sean, Steve, and James continue their discussion of the real events and background of the Battle of Gettysburg as portrayed through the 1993 film Gettysburg. One last massive infantry charge just might be the answer to break the gridlock of this battle! Your lovable hosts also discuss the aftermath of Gettysburg and its place in the Civil War.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

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