Presented By
Premiering on
Sunday, November 23 at 4 PM ET.
About the Program
The Wounded Warrior Experience features inspiring stories of sacrifice and recovery from wounded veterans and service members. Hosted by Rob Riggle, actor & comedian, and retired USMC Lieutenant Colonel, the program touches on issues faced by wounded warriors, the resources available to them, and their successes in moving forward in their lives. The program, now in its sixteenth year, highlights the importance of aiding America’s heroes during their transition from military to civilian life.
For information on The Wounded Warrior Experience, please call 703-302-1012 ext. 227.
Hosted by Rob Riggle
Rob Riggle is an American actor, comedian, and United States Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel. He served in the Marines for 23 years, including in Liberia, Kosovo, Albania, and Afghanistan. Riggle has had over 140 roles throughout the course of his career. He has been in feature films such as Talladega Nights, Step Brothers, The Hangover, 21 & 22 Jump Street, Dumb and Dumber To, and 12 Strong. His television credits include being a cast member on Saturday Night Live and Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, as well as roles in shows such as The Office, Arrested Development, 30 Rock, New Girl, Modern Family, Brooklyn 99, Holey Moley, FOX NFL Sunday, and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Wounded Warrior experience Sponsors
Presented by
With Additional Suppport from
Boeing
Wounded Warrior Project
American Airlines
Gary Sinise Foundation
Robert Irvine Foundation
Veterans United Home Loans
Presented by
With Additional Suppport from
Wounded Warrior Project
Boeing
American Airlines
Gary Sinise Foundation
Robert Irvine Foundation
Veterans United Home Loans
Presented By
Premiering on
Sunday, November 23 at 4 PM ET.
Premiering on
Sunday, November 23 at 4 PM ET.
Heroes of World War II
Eighty years after the end of the war, for the final time, American Valor welcomes several dozen living legends of the war, average age of more than 100 years old. From D-Day to the Pacific, the Tuskegee Airmen to the soldiers who liberated the Nazi concentration camps, we are joined by a platoon’s worth of history’s greatest heroes, one last time. Story narrated by Chris Pine.
The Rosie the Riveters
As the boys returned home in the fall of 1945, victory was made possible by millions of American women: The Rosie the Riveters, who built the planes, ships, and tanks that won the war, and opened doors for generations of women to come. In celebration of the women who won the war 80 years ago, we are joined by these icons of history, surviving Rosies of World War II. Story narrated by Kristen Bell.
After the outbreak of the Korean War, 75 years ago, fewer than 30,000 United States Marines made their legendary stand when surrounded by more than 120,000 Chinese soldiers at the epic Battle of Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. When the Marines broke out and withdrew from the port at Hungnam in December, 1950, they brought South thousands of North Korean refugees, including 14,000 aboard a single ship designed to carry fewer than 60, the SS Meredith Victory. When the last ships pulled out on December 24th, some 100,000 North Korean refugees had been saved, earning the mission the title of ‘The Miracle of Christmas.’ Today, more than one million South Koreans living in freedom trace their lineage to the Americans’ humanitarian mission at Hungnam. Among those set to join are the last surviving American veteran of the SS Meredith Victory, and the two known surviving Korean babies born aboard the ship during the evacuation, 75 years ago. Story narrated by Michael Keaton. >> LINK
The Olympian: Melvin Pender, Jr.
An officer with the 82nd Airborne Division, Mel Pender’s superiors discovered his world-class speed as halfback for the unit’s football team. Sent stateside, he was given new orders: Train as a sprinter, with sights set on the 1964 Olympic Team. Injured before the finals, Mel finished 6th. At the age of 27, he assumed his Olympic dream was over, and he deployed to the Mekong Delta of South Vietnam, seeing combat with the 9th Infantry Division. In 1968, he was ordered from the battlefield for one last Olympic shot – winning Gold in the 4x100 relay. Captain Pender would later set World Records in the 50, 60, 70 and 100 meter sprints. Story narrated by Joe Buck. >> LINK
The Last Flight Out
Fifty years ago, as Saigon fell and the Vietnam War ended, on April 24, 1975 five young stewardesses volunteered for a secret and highly dangerous mission. With all flights into and out of Saigon canceled, Pan Am airlines received permission for a final flight to land an empty 747 and evacuate as many of the airline’s Vietnamese employees and families as possible. Carrying disguises and navigating soldiers armed with machine guns, the five stewardesses evacuated 463 refugees – 100 more than their plane could hold. Story narrated by Savannah Guthrie. >> LINK
The Horse Soldiers & the Hunt for Osama Bin Laden
In the weeks after September 11th, 2001, U.S. Army Special Forces Operational Detachment Team Alpha (ODA) 595 secretly entered Afghanistan on a special mission. One of the first 12-man A-Teams to be inserted into the Taliban-controlled country, the Green Berets took to horseback, linking up with friendly Northern Alliance fighters, and began the overthrow of the Taliban and the manhunt for Osama bin Laden. America’s first response to September 11th, nearly all of the surviving Horse Soldiers join for this special commemoration. Story narrated by Chris Pratt. >> LINK
A Final Closing Toast
In honor of the World War II generation on the 80th anniversary of the end of the war, as the baton is passed to a new generation. Story narrated by Chris Evans.
A Final Closing Toast
In honor of the World War II generation on the 80th anniversary of the end of the war, as the baton is passed to a new generation. Story narrated by Chris Evans.
Rosie The Riveters
As the boys returned home in the fall of 1945, victory was made possible by millions of American women: The Rosie the Riveters, who built the planes, ships, and tanks that won the war, and opened doors for generations of women to come. In celebration of the women who won the war 80 years ago, we are joined by these icons of history, surviving Rosies of World War II. Story narrated by Kristen Bell.
Heroes of World War II
Eighty years after the end of the war, for the final time, American Valor welcomes several dozen living legends of the war, average age of more than 100 years old. From D-Day to the Pacific, the Tuskegee Airmen to the soldiers who liberated the Nazi concentration camps, we are joined by a platoon’s worth of history’s greatest heroes, one last time. Story narrated by Chris Pine.
The Miracle of Christmas
After the outbreak of the Korean War, 75 years ago, fewer than 30,000 United States Marines made their legendary stand when surrounded by more than 120,000 Chinese soldiers at the epic Battle of Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. When the Marines broke out and withdrew from the port at Hungnam in December, 1950, they brought South thousands of North Korean refugees, including 14,000 aboard a single ship designed to carry fewer than 60, the SS Meredith Victory. When the last ships pulled out on December 24th, some 100,000 North Korean refugees had been saved, earning the mission the title of ‘The Miracle of Christmas.’ Today, more than one million South Koreans living in freedom trace their lineage to the Americans’ humanitarian mission at Hungnam. Among those set to join are the last surviving American veteran of the SS Meredith Victory, and the two known surviving Korean babies born aboard the ship during the evacuation, 75 years ago. Story narrated by Michael Keaton.
The Olympian: Capt. Melvin Pender, Jr.
An officer with the 82nd Airborne Division, Mel Pender’s superiors discovered his world-class speed as halfback for the unit’s football team. Sent stateside, he was given new orders: Train as a sprinter, with sights set on the 1964 Olympic Team. Injured before the finals, Mel finished 6th. At the age of 27, he assumed his Olympic dream was over, and he deployed to the Mekong Delta of South Vietnam, seeing combat with the 9th Infantry Division. In 1968, he was ordered from the battlefield for one last Olympic shot – winning Gold in the 4x100 relay. Captain Pender would later set World Records in the 50, 60, 70 and 100 meter sprints.
The Last Flight Out
Fifty years ago, as Saigon fell and the Vietnam War ended, on April 24, 1975 five young stewardesses volunteered for a secret and highly dangerous mission. With all flights into and out of Saigon canceled, Pan Am airlines received permission for a final flight to land an empty 747 and evacuate as many of the airline’s Vietnamese employees and families as possible. Carrying disguises and navigating soldiers armed with machine guns, the five stewardesses evacuated 463 refugees – 100 more than their plane could hold.
The Horse Soldiers & The Manhunt For Osama Bin Laden
In the weeks after September 11th, 2001, U.S. Army Special Forces Operational Detachment Team Alpha (ODA) 595 secretly entered Afghanistan on a special mission. One of the first 12-man A-Teams to be inserted into the Taliban-controlled country, the Green Berets took to horseback, linking up with friendly Northern Alliance fighters, and began the overthrow of the Taliban and the manhunt for Osama bin Laden. America’s first response to September 11th, nearly all of the surviving Horse Soldiers join for this special commemoration.
2025 American Valor Heroes
The Miracle of Christmas
After the outbreak of the Korean War, 75 years ago, fewer than 30,000 United States Marines made their legendary stand when surrounded by more than 120,000 Chinese soldiers at the epic Battle of Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. When the Marines broke out and withdrew from the port at Hungnam in December, 1950, they brought South thousands of North Korean refugees, including 14,000 aboard a single ship designed to carry fewer than 60, the SS Meredith Victory. When the last ships pulled out on December 24th, some 100,000 North Korean refugees had been saved, earning the mission the title of ‘The Miracle of Christmas.’ Today, more than one million South Koreans living in freedom trace their lineage to the Americans’ humanitarian mission at Hungnam. Among those set to join are the last surviving American veteran of the SS Meredith Victory, and the two known surviving Korean babies born aboard the ship during the evacuation, 75 years ago. Story narrated by Michael Keaton.
The Olympian:
Capt. Melvin Pender, Jr.
An officer with the 82nd Airborne Division, Mel Pender’s superiors discovered his world-class speed as halfback for the unit’s football team. Sent stateside, he was given new orders: Train as a sprinter, with sights set on the 1964 Olympic Team. Injured before the finals, Mel finished 6th. At the age of 27, he assumed his Olympic dream was over, and he deployed to the Mekong Delta of South Vietnam, seeing combat with the 9th Infantry Division. In 1968, he was ordered from the battlefield for one last Olympic shot – winning Gold in the 4x100 relay. Captain Pender would later set World Records in the 50, 60, 70 and 100 meter sprints.
The Last Flight Out
Fifty years ago, as Saigon fell and the Vietnam War ended, on April 24, 1975 five young stewardesses volunteered for a secret and highly dangerous mission. With all flights into and out of Saigon canceled, Pan Am airlines received permission for a final flight to land an empty 747 and evacuate as many of the airline’s Vietnamese employees and families as possible. Carrying disguises and navigating soldiers armed with machine guns, the five stewardesses evacuated 463 refugees – 100 more than their plane could hold.
Rosie The Riveters
As the boys returned home in the fall of 1945, victory was made possible by millions of American women: The Rosie the Riveters, who built the planes, ships, and tanks that won the war, and opened doors for generations of women to come. In celebration of the women who won the war 80 years ago, we are joined by these icons of history, surviving Rosies of World War II. Story narrated by Kristen Bell.
The Horse Soldiers & The Manhunt For Osama Bin Laden
In the weeks after September 11th, 2001, U.S. Army Special Forces Operational Detachment Team Alpha (ODA) 595 secretly entered Afghanistan on a special mission. One of the first 12-man A-Teams to be inserted into the Taliban-controlled country, the Green Berets took to horseback, linking up with friendly Northern Alliance fighters, and began the overthrow of the Taliban and the manhunt for Osama bin Laden. America’s first response to September 11th, nearly all of the surviving Horse Soldiers join for this special commemoration.
A Final Closing Toast
In honor of the World War II generation on the 80th anniversary of the end of the war, as the baton is passed to a new generation. Story narrated by Chris Evans.
Heroes of World War II
Eighty years after the end of the war, for the final time, American Valor welcomes several dozen living legends of the war, average age of more than 100 years old. From D-Day to the Pacific, the Tuskegee Airmen to the soldiers who liberated the Nazi concentration camps, we are joined by a platoon’s worth of history’s greatest heroes, one last time. Story narrated by Chris Pine.
2025 American Valor Heroes
2012
American Valor Debuts on Television
TWO
Emmy Award Wins for American Valor
One Billion
AVC's Views on YouTube
& Facebook
2500+
Heroes' Stories Professionally Preserved
All contributions are tax-deductible.
The AVC is a division of the American Studies Center, a 501(c)3 charitable organization
EIN#-51-023280
Donor Privacy Policy
The mission of the American Veterans Center and the World War II Veterans Committee is to preserve and promote the legacy and experiences of America's veterans and active duty service personnel from World War II through today. A non-profit educational organization, the AVC and WWIIVC are funded solely through generous contributions from people like you.