Weber County's Greatest Generation

Available Episodes

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Runners Don't Come Home: The Story of PFC Neil Dudman
Send us a textThe sacrifice of a young Marine from Ogden takes center stage as we explore the life and service of Private First Class Neil Frank Dudman. Born in 1923 as the youngest of eleven children, Neil's early years were marked by hardship when his father died suddenly in 1930, leaving his mother to raise their large family during the Great Depression.After graduating from Ogden High School in 1941, Neil answered his country's call by enlisting in the Marine Corps in September 1942 as part of the 3rd Mormon Battalion—a special unit of young LDS men from Utah. His courage was evident from the start as he trained as a Marine Raider (similar to today's Special Forces) and volunteered for the perilous role of combat runner, delivering crucial messages between units while exposed to enemy fire.Neil's wartime journey took him across the Pacific as part of America's island-hopping strategy. He fought bravely in the Battle of Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands in early 1944, where American forces captured their first pre-war Japanese territory. Just months later, on June 19, 1944, PFC Dudman made the ultimate sacrifice during the brutal Battle of Saipan—a strategic operation that would bring American bombers within range of the Japanese mainland but cost thousands of American, Japanese, and civilian lives.His story embodies the courage and sacrifice of Weber County's Greatest Generation—ordinary young men who performed extraordinary acts of bravery when their country needed them most. Originally buried in the Pacific, Neil's remains were later returned to Ogden Cemetery, where his headstone simply but powerfully states: "Gave his life in combat with the US Marines." Join us as we honor his memory and ensure that the sacrifices of hometown heroes like Neil Dudman are never forgotten.
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From Utah Beach to Eternal Rest: The Story of Private James Howard Smith
Send us a text We follow 19-year-old Private James Howard Smith from Liberty, Utah to the second wave landing on Utah Beach during the D-Day invasion. Born in Arkansas but settled in Utah by 1934, Smith registered for the draft the day after turning 18 and was in uniform just months later. His brief but valiant service with the 90th Infantry Division's 357th Regiment ended on June 19, 1944, amid the brutal hedgerow fighting that characterized the Normandy campaign. The regiment's own journal described it as "one of the worst baptisms of fire ever undergone by an American infantry unit." Smith's remains wouldn't return home until April 1949, nearly five years after his sacrifice, when he received final military honors at Ogden City Cemetery. His story represents thousands of similar narratives that would be lost without deliberate preservation.Discover these powerful stories yourself at webercountysgreatestgeneration.com where you'll find books, podcasts, and blog posts dedicated to ensuring Weber County's wartime contributions are never forgotten. Join us next week as we cross the globe to the Pacific Theater to honor Marine PFC Neil F. Dudman, who fell during the Battle of Saipan.
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One Family's Heartbreak: The Short Life of a D-Day Hero
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Chutes Over Normandy: When Ogden High's Class President Went to War
Send us a textThe sacrifice of our hometown heroes often becomes lost in the broader narrative of world-changing events. Today, we resurrect the memory of Sergeant Carl Yarrington, an Ogden native whose brief but impactful life ended on the beaches of Normandy during D-Day.Carl's story embodies the quintessential American journey from small-town promise to battlefield heroism. As senior class president of Ogden High's class of 1938 and Lieutenant Colonel in ROTC, his leadership qualities emerged early. At just 16 years old, he followed family tradition by enlisting in the Utah National Guard, serving in the same unit his father had during World War I. What makes Carl's story particularly poignant is how his pre-war activities—coordinating school dances with military-themed decorations—would foreshadow his ultimate fate.When war came, Carl volunteered for one of the most dangerous assignments possible: becoming a paratrooper with the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment. We trace his training across America before his deployment to Northern Ireland, where he prepared for what would become history's largest amphibious invasion. The chaos of D-Day unfolds through vivid accounts of misdropped paratroopers, anti-aircraft fire tearing through parachutes, and the confusion of landing miles from intended targets. Carl's final moments leading his men forward against impossible odds speak to the courage that defined the Greatest Generation.Journey with us to the hallowed grounds of Normandy, where Carl now rests among fellow heroes, and discover how one Weber County son's sacrifice fits into the tapestry of American history. His story reminds us that freedom isn't free—it's purchased with the lives of hometown heroes like Sergeant Carl Yarrington.
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Veteran's Day in Weber County in 1944
Send us a textStep back in time with me, Kim Dixon, as we honor the courage and resilience of those who shaped history on November 11, 1944. Ever wondered how pivotal moments unfolded on the world stage during World War II? This episode promises to enrich your understanding with stories of General MacArthur's triumphant return to the Philippines, Admiral Nimitz's vital Pacific maneuvers, and General Patton's unstoppable drive in Europe. We also turn our gaze homeward to Weber County, recognizing the valor of local servicemen and the community's significant financial support of the war effort. As we approach the last Veterans Day of World War II, these narratives offer both a tribute and a lesson in sacrifice and solidarity.In a heartfelt exploration, I share the poignant tale of Seaman First Class Kenneth W. Manful and the fate of the USS Albacore, representing the silent heroism of the 52 U.S. submarines lost during the war. These stories, memorialized in places like the Honolulu Memorial and Ogden City Cemetery, serve as stirring reminders of the personal costs of conflict. By exploring these chapters, you ensure the legacy of these brave souls endures. Tune in to preserve their memory and express gratitude for their sacrifices. Follow along on Apple Podcasts as we continue to share these vital stories of courage and commitment.
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