While CPT Miller is indeed one of the most compelling characters in Saving Private Ryan, the real guy who inspired him is all the more extraordinary. Tom Hanks’ character was based on 24-year-old CPT Ralph Goranson. Born, appropriately enough, on the 4th of July, 1919, CPT Goranson was the commander of C Company, 2d Ranger Battalion.
Will Dabbs
Show First
Dr. Dabbs – The Raid on Camp Bastion
Updated: July 21, 2023One man’s freedom fighter is another man’s terrorist. I admit that simple adjustment of source material does change everything about the narrative.
Dr. Dabbs – Rod Serling: The Voyage into the Twilight Zone
Updated: July 13, 2023The Twilight Zone really did make you think. Like most truly revolutionary artistic endeavors, the show was the product of a singularly creative mind. Rod Serling was a remarkable man indeed.
Dr. Dabbs – Frogfoot Larceny: The Russian Warthog
Updated: July 7, 2023The Soviets saw the writing on the wall back during the Cold War as well and decided to build their own dedicated close air support platform. The end result was the Sukhoi Su-25 Grach. Grach literally translates as “Rook.”
Dr. Dabbs – The Indestructible Man: Sam Whittemore
Updated: July 1, 2023We modern-day Americans stand on the shoulders of giants. We owe such a profound debt of gratitude to such men as these.
Dr. Dabbs – America’s First School Shooting
Updated: June 25, 2023America is awash with guns, but she has always been. It’s not the availability of guns. I would dare to say that today’s problem is the people.
Dr. Dabbs – Sylvia Seegrist: “My Family Makes Me Nervous”
Updated: June 17, 2023People with schizophrenia can seem strange to the rest of us, and humans are cruel. This leads to social isolation and harassment. Over time, Sylvia’s behavior grew ever more bizarre. After sixty days on active duty, Uncle Sam decided that Sylvia Seegrist was incompatible with military service and sent her packing.
Dr. Dabbs – Child Soldiers: The Tale of Johnny Clem
Updated: June 10, 2023Child soldiers are a blight in low-rent hotspots around the globe. Kids lack judgment, and all little boys are stupid. That’s why, in most civilized locales, you have to be a certain age to purchase alcohol or a gun. However, the world has no shortage of heartless monsters more than willing to kit out children to go forth and kill on an industrial scale
Dr. Dabbs: John Walton—The Walmart Warrior
Updated: June 2, 2023Some folks are born into money while others work really hard or are incredibly lucky. John Walton wore his wealth well, possibly due to his hard times while in uniform.
Dr. Dabbs – USS Buckley: Ready the Crockery to Repel Boarders
Updated: May 20, 2023The epic fight between the USS Bradley and the German U-66 was the last ship-to-ship close quarters fight in American naval history.