{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"\u201cI Didn\u2019t Want to Miss Being Part of History\u201d \u2014 The Story of Frank Wal, Jr.","description":" In this powerful, first-person interview, 97-year-old World War II veteran Frank Wal, Jr. reflects on his life, service, and the events that shaped a generation. From the hardship of losing his mother at age eight, to enlisting in the U.S. Navy at just 17, Frank takes us through his remarkable journey\u2014from radar duty aboard LSD-25 to witnessing the aftermath of kamikaze attacks and passing the USS Indianapolis just before its fateful sinking. Frank shares his firsthand memories of Okinawa, the atomic bomb\u2019s impact on Japan, the occupation of Tokyo, and even a surprise encounter with General MacArthur. He speaks candidly about post-war life, teaching science and serving as a principal, building a life with his wife of 68 years, and raising four children. Frank's story is a story of war, but it\u2019s also a reflection on resilience, service, and the quiet strength of the Greatest Generation. \ud83d\udccc Chapters: 00:00 \u2013 Early Life &amp;amp; Loss 02:00 \u2013 Enlisting in the Navy 04:00 \u2013 Life aboard LSD-25 06:00 \u2013 Witnessing the USS Indianapolis 08:00 \u2013 Okinawa &amp;amp; Kamikaze Attacks 10:00 \u2013 Tinian, the A-Bomb, and Japan\u2019s Surrender 13:00 \u2013 Occupation of Tokyo 15:00 \u2013 Seeing General MacArthur 17:00 \u2013 Post-War Reflections 20:00 \u2013 Career in Education &amp;amp; Family Life 22:00 \u2013 Final Thoughts \ud83c\udf96\ufe0f &quot;Just be persistent. Don't give up. If it didn't work the first time, try again.&quot; \u2013 Frank Wal, Jr. \ud83d\udd14 Subscribe to our channel to hear more from the heroes of World War II and preserve their legacy. #WWII #VeteranInterview #FrankWal #WorldWarII #GreatestGeneration #WW2Foundation #OralHistory #MilitaryHistory #USSIndianapolis #Okinawa #AtomicBomb ","author_name":"From The Front To The Films: A World War II Podcast","author_url":"https:\/\/www.wwiifoundation.org","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/36011255\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/186651475"}