About this episode

This episode features remarkable veterans discussing their military service and life after the military.

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…

People in this episode

Host: Jim Fausone

Guests: Donald E. Ballard, Neal Williams

Topics covered

• military service
• Medal of Honor
• Vietnam War
• courage
• life after military
• culinary traditions

Keywords

• Medal of Honor
• Vietnam
• Navy corpsman
• military food
• YouTube creator
• courage
• combat

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: U.S. Navy, U.S. Army National Guard

Places: Quang Tri Province

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