Show Notes
Have a message for Veterans Radio? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! 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, 1968, while treating wounded Marines under heavy enemy fire in Quang Tri Province, Ballard selflessly threw himself onto an enemy grenade to shield his fellow servicemembers. When the grenade failed to detonate, he immediately resumed treating the wounded, actions that earned him the Medal of Honor. Following his Navy service, Ballard continued serving for three decades in the Kansas Army National Guard, retiring as a Colonel. Today, he remains an active advocate for veterans, sharing his story of courage, leadership, and service with audiences across the country. Neal Williams Creator/Host - The Flat Top King Better known as The Flat Top King, Neal Williams is a U.S. Navy veteran, former Navy cook, and popular YouTube creator dedicated to preserving military culinary traditions. Drawing on his experience serving in the Navy’s food service community, Williams recreates military recipes, shares life at sea, and tells stories that celebrate the culture, camaraderie, and humor of military service. His engaging videos have built a large following among veterans, active-duty servicemembers, and food enthusiasts alike, making him one of the internet’s most recognizable voices on military cooking and Navy life.
More from Veterans Radio
Have a message for Veterans Radio? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! Conrad Begaye, Army Ranger, received the Silver Star making the Rangers and his Navajo nation proud. This story highlights the heritage and courage of Native American soldiers.
Have a message for Veterans Radio? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! Army combat veteran and ordained chaplain JP Kotsko discusses the need to included trauma-informed care into military medic training. This helps with the question "Am I going to be OK?". JP talks to host Jim Fausone about his service in the West Virgina National Guard and lessons learned about using psychological first aid skills.
Have a message for Veterans Radio? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! This week on Veterans Radio, host Shelly Rood takes you to the NHRA Great Lakes Nationals at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan, then sits down with Army veteran Dawn Klein for a candid conversation about what it means to be hardcore and at ease. Shelly recaps a rainout, a return trip, and a record-setting Monday. She shares the comeback stories, signing a military tribute car through SCAG Racing’s Simply the Brave program, and the permission slip she took home: give yourself permission to work on the foundation before you chase the next level. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL DISCOVER ✓ What it was like to witness a historic 346.95 MPH NHRA drag racing run and the inspiring comeback stories behind the competition ✓ How the lessons of preparation, perseverance, and resilience on the racetrack can apply to everyday life ✓ What Army veteran Dawn Klein experienced transporting tanks, munitions, and essential supplies throughout Germany during her 27 years of military service ✓ How Dawn overcame expectations and challenges as a woman in the Army, and why humor, faith, and recognition remain important to her life after service Dawn Klein U.S. Army (Ret.) - Transportation Soldier Dawn Klein served on and off for 27 years as a transportation soldier, hauling tanks, munitions, and blood throughout Germany. Dawn shares what it was like to challenge expectations as a woman in the military, take pride in her responsibilities, and navigate life after service. Through humor, faith, and determination, she offers a candid perspective on resilience, finding purpose, and making sure women veterans receive the recognition they deserve. Shelly Rood Host - Hardcore & At Ease Shelly C. Rood served across 16 years as a U.S. Army Reserves Intelligence Officer — Captain, Company Commander, and S2 — leading covert briefings overseas and overseeing security programs for nearly 4,000 soldiers. A Distinguished Military Graduate of Western Michigan University and a third-generation Detroit business owner, she brought that same standard of leadership into the private sector. She is the founder of a training and leadership development company, Mission Ambition, LLC, creator of the Others Over Self® leadership mindset, and the architect of Be At Ease, Woman Veteran™, a peer support program serving military women since 2019. She is host of Hardcore and At Ease, and author of Mission Wildflower 🌻. Today she leads a team of veterans who continue to serve beyond the uniform.
Have a message for Veterans Radio? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! The WWII Battle of Wake Island in December 1941 caught the American military by surprise. The men on the island and in the fight came from all across the nation. There were a number of Utah residents involved in that battle. This interview tells that story, which is both tragic and heroic.
Have a message for Veterans Radio? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! U.S Air Force Veteran and historian, Joseph Neussendorfer, writes about how military engineering impacted early America but still impacts us today. His article was published in the Engineering Society of Detroit Fall 2026 magazine. This article was converted into a AI discussion of key points.