We welcome Major General William M. Matz Jr., a distinguished retired U.S. Army officer, whose new book, My Toughest Battle: A Soldier’s Lifelong Struggle with Polio, chronicles his journey of overcoming polio and his distinguished military career.

In August 1944, at a young age, Matz contracted polio, resulting in paralysis of his right leg. Despite a grim prognosis, he demonstrated remarkable determination, undergoing extensive treatments and rehabilitation. His perseverance enabled him to overcome the physical challenges posed by the disease, setting the stage for his future endeavors.

Matz pursued higher education at Gettysburg College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He furthered his studies with a Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of San Diego. His academic achievements were complemented by military training, including graduation from the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Airborne and Ranger Schools, the Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College. Additionally, he completed Harvard University’s Senior Executives in Government/Management Course.

Commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1962, Matz embarked on a military career that spanned over three decades. As an infantryman, he served in Korea and Panama, and as a company commander with the 9th Infantry Division in Vietnam, where he was wounded during the 1968 Tet Offensive. His service extended to multiple tours with the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, and he held the position of executive secretary to Secretaries of Defense Caspar Weinberger and Frank Carlucci. Matz also served two years with Navy/Marine Corps amphibious forces in the Pacific during a second tour in Vietnam and deployed with the 7th Infantry Division to Panama during Operation JUST CAUSE in 1989.

Upon retiring from the Army in 1995, Matz transitioned to the defense industry, holding positions such as Vice President of Army Programs at Raytheon Company and General Manager for Vinnell/Northrop Grumman’s Saudi Arabian National Guard Modernization Program in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In 2005, President George W. Bush appointed him to the Veterans’ Disability Benefits Commission, where he served until 2008. He also served as President of the National Association for Uniformed Services, advocating for service members, veterans, and their families.

In January 2018, President Donald Trump appointed Matz as the Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), a position he held until March 2021. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing America’s overseas commemorative cemeteries and memorials, honoring the service of U.S. armed forces.

Throughout his career, Matz received numerous military awards and decorations, including the Distinguished Service Cross, Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star for Valor, Purple Heart, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

We’re grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!

We are proud to welcome two amateur historians who have changed our understanding of one of the most iconic images in Americans history. Eric Krelle and Brent Westemeyer, through expert and diligent research, uncovered the true identities of the men who raised the flag on Iwo Jima, an act forever enshrined in American memory as a result of Joe Rosenthal’s famous photograph.

The flag-raising photograph taken by Rosenthal on February 23, 1945, atop Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima became one of the most enduring symbols of American unity and sacrifice during World War II. The image captured six men hoisting a large American flag after a grueling campaign to secure the island, a strategic foothold in the Pacific. Unbeknownst to Rosenthal at the time, his photograph would resonate deeply with the American public, becoming a symbol of hope and perseverance during a critical period of the war.

The photograph had an immediate and profound impact when it was published in newspapers across the country. For a nation weary from years of war, the image embodied the courage, determination, and teamwork of American service members. It quickly became a rallying point for the war effort, inspiring patriotism and boosting morale on the home front. The photo was also instrumental in a nationwide war bond campaign, helping to raise billions of dollars to support the war. Its significance was further cemented when it won the Pulitzer Prize for Photography in 1945. For the Marine Corps, the photograph symbolized the core values of honor, courage, and commitment and became an integral part of their identity, eventually immortalized in the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.

In 1947, the six flag raisers were identified as Ira Hayes, Franklin Sousley, Michael Strank, John Bradley, Rene Gagnon, and Harlon Block. However, this identification was later found to be inaccurate, with errors corrected decades after the war through the efforts of amateur historians Eric Krelle and Brent Westemeyer.

Eric Krelle first noticed discrepancies in the iconic image while comparing it with other photographs and records. Krelle observed that John Bradley’s uniform and gear did not match the individual thought to be him in Rosenthal’s photograph. His research suggested that Harold Schultz, a Marine who had never been publicly credited, was one of the six flag raisers. Schultz, who died in 1995, had reportedly mentioned his role to family members casually but never sought recognition.

At the same time, Brent Westemeyer conducted a parallel investigation into the photograph’s details. Using archival materials, personal accounts, and photographs, Westemeyer concluded that Rene Gagnon, another Marine initially identified in the photo, was not present in the iconic scene. Instead, he determined that Harold Keller, another Marine previously unacknowledged, was one of the flag raisers. Both Krelle and Westemeyer also confirmed that John Bradley, despite long-standing claims, was not in the photograph.

The Marine Corps responded to these findings with a formal review in 2016, ultimately validating the conclusions reached by Krelle and Westemeyer. The Corps officially recognized Harold Schultz and Harold Keller as among the six flag raisers and acknowledged that John Bradley and Rene Gagnon had been misidentified. They expressed gratitude for the independent researchers’ meticulous work and reaffirmed their commitment to historical accuracy. The corrections, while significant, did not diminish the photograph’s symbolic power but instead deepened its historical narrative by honoring the overlooked contributions of Schultz and Keller.

Rosenthal’s photograph continues to be a powerful emblem of the collective sacrifice of all those who fought in the Pacific. Its impact on the American public in 1945, as both a source of inspiration and a tool for unifying the nation, remains a testament to the resilience of the human spirit during times of adversity. The efforts of Krelle and Westemeyer ensured that the story of the flag raising on Mount Suribachi reflects not only its symbolic importance but also the truth of the moment and the individuals who made it possible.

We’re grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!

We welcome back Vietnam Marine Corps veteran and author Ron Farina to talk about his new book, Sacrifice: The Final Chapter, a poignant exploration of the profound impact of military service on both Service Members and their families. The book delves into the personal narratives of American servicemembers who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the enduring effects on their loved ones.

Sacrifice profiles courageous Gold Star family members and friends who, in the wake of untimely and tragic loss, are left to endure countless unanswered questions, unfulfilled dreams, and an unfathomable range of emotions.

Among the stories featured is that of Kermit Hugo from Wisconsin, who, on an early autumn morning, peers through his window to see soldiers in dress blue uniforms standing at his front door, bringing the devastating news of his daughter’s death. Another narrative follows Marine Sergeant Bob Kugler, serving in Iraq just a few miles from his brother Mike, who collapses upon hearing that Mike has been killed. The book also recounts the experience of Misty Herrera Fuoco in California, who anxiously watches the news, wondering if her sister, Marine Sergeant Nicole Gee, survived a suicide bomber’s attack at Hamid Karzai airport.

Farina’s storytelling provides an emotional look into the specific acts of sacrifice, using each person’s unique perspective to tell their stories. His Vietnam War experience enables him to capture the essence of military service and sacrifice, not only by these inspirational men and women warriors but also by the remarkable people left behind. The book is a testament to the resilience and strength of these families, highlighting how they navigate their grief and find ways to honor their loved ones’ memories.

Sacrifice: The Final Chapter is not just a collection of stories; it is a call to remember and honor the service and sacrifice of servicemembers and their families long after the news stories fade.

This book serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of war, urging readers to acknowledge and appreciate the sacrifices made by servicemembers and their families. Through vivid and haunting narratives, Farina ensures that the stories of these heroes and their families are not forgotten, but rather honored and remembered.

We’re grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!

Historian Steven McCloud gives us a rifleman-eye view of the Battle of Iwo Jima fought 80 years ago this week in 1945. Steve’s book, Black Dragon: The Experience of a Marine Rifle Company in the Central Pacific, is a meticulously researched and vivid account of Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines, and their experiences during World War II. The book has been praised for its ability to bring the human side of combat to life, focusing on the day-to-day experiences of the Marines who fought in some of the war’s most brutal campaigns, including the Battle of Iwo Jima. Through a combination of firsthand accounts, historical documentation, and McCloud’s own narrative skills, the book offers readers an intimate portrayal of the challenges, sacrifices, and camaraderie that defined Fox Company.

McCloud draws extensively on primary sources, including interviews with surviving members of Fox Company, letters, and official military records. This approach allows him to present a deeply personal and authentic perspective on the Marines’ experiences. His book captures not only the physical horrors of combat but also the emotional and psychological toll on the soldiers.

At the same time, Steve gives detailed accounts of the strategies, logistics, and overall significance of the Central Pacific campaigns and provides context for the Marines’ actions, making the book accessible to both military history enthusiasts and general readers.

The book also delves into lesser-known aspects of the war, such as the logistical challenges of sustaining operations in remote Pacific islands and the psychological impact of prolonged combat.

Readers and critics alike have lauded Black Dragon as a kind of “Band of Brothers” for the Pacific War, rich in factual information but never losing sight of the individual stories that make up the larger narrative. This balance makes Black Dragon a powerful and accessible read.

We’re grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!