Ep 9: The Moose, SSG Curtis Oakes

Ep 9: The Moose, SSG Curtis Oakes

General David Petraeus pinned a Purple Heart on Wayne Swier's chest as he lay in a Bagram Airfield hospital bed. He had yet to leave Afghanistan with thoughts on his future after a horrific injury but also on one of the buddies he left behind—Curtis "Moose" Oakes. Both were soldiers in the 101st Airborne.

The army sent Swier to Walter Reed Medical Center where he faced over two years of rehabilitation. On his last call with Oakes, they had discussed having a beer soon. Another friend, Aaron Murphy, had been calling Swier regularly, but one day, he called sobbing. He gave him the news that their friend, Curtis Oakes, had been killed. In reality, he had been murdered by a rogue Afghan Border Policeman. The news devastated Swier. He'd lost his best friend.

A few days before, at Thanksgiving, Val Oakes had talked to her son. On November 29, 2010, a chaplain and other officers arrived and delivered the crushing news that her "Moose" had been killed.

"Curtis has been my hero his whole life. Sixteen months after having Curtis, my uterus ruptured, losing Bradley, Curtis's younger brother. He saw me [later], flashed that incredible smile, and ran right over to me, giving me the best hug ever!"1

Curtis Oakes was a giant of a man, standing 6'9". He played basketball, satisfying the cliché, but wasn't known as an athlete. His slow manner of running earned him the nickname "Moose," which he wore proudly. His infectious smile and desire to make others laugh made him a true gentle giant. A caring giant. Full of life.

Jaksot(17)

Ep 17: To Protect and To Serve, Spc Joseph Kennedy

Ep 17: To Protect and To Serve, Spc Joseph Kennedy

Thoughts of time on the Mississippi River might bring quotes of Mark Twain to mind or perhaps the sound of boat's horn. Joseph Kennedy followed in his father Jim's footsteps working on the river as a ...

28 Joulu 201811min

Ep 16: Big Brother, Major Samuel Griffith

Ep 16: Big Brother, Major Samuel Griffith

There's a reason Mother's Day overloads the post office or someone might say "I bet you're a proud dad." The paternal and maternal instinct creates a powerful bond and children recognize that as they ...

20 Joulu 201814min

Ep 15: The Right Guy, William "Chief" Carlson

Ep 15: The Right Guy, William "Chief" Carlson

The United States Army keeps the selection process for Delta Force a highly-guarded secret. Former Delta operator Pat Savidge has said that "It's not always the best guy that makes it. It's the right ...

26 Loka 201813min

Ep 14: In Harm's Way, Sgt Anthony Maddox

Ep 14: In Harm's Way, Sgt Anthony Maddox

The sight of two uniformed individuals approaching a front door almost always ends the same. They have the unsettling and difficult job of telling loved ones that their son, daughter, husband, or wife...

18 Loka 201810min

Ep 13: Born to Serve, Cpl Jacob Leicht

Ep 13: Born to Serve, Cpl Jacob Leicht

Jacob Leicht always liked that he was born on the Fourth of July. Who else gets a parade on their birthday? Some may not like sharing their special day with another holiday, but he embraced it. On a d...

20 Syys 201813min

Ep 12: Second Chances, HM2 Clayton Beauchamp

Ep 12: Second Chances, HM2 Clayton Beauchamp

"Corpsman!" The Marine fires at the enemy and then places a hand on his fallen comrade. "Corpsman!" he yells one more time. He looks down. "Hold on, buddy." A similarly dressed man runs up and drops d...

13 Syys 201810min

Ep. 11: They Call Me Doc, Spc Jerod Osborne

Ep. 11: They Call Me Doc, Spc Jerod Osborne

Dust trailed behind a civilian truck carrying thirteen Afghan citizens in March of 2010. It was likely a normal day for them going about their business. Their normal, however, meant navigating a war-t...

6 Syys 201810min

Ep 10: Wounds Unseen, SSgt Jeffrey Reber

Ep 10: Wounds Unseen, SSgt Jeffrey Reber

Jeffrey Reber was an American hero. The list of Marines willing to praise his battlefield leadership is long and distinguished. Many of them would suggest they're alive today because of his split-seco...

17 Elo 201812min

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