you're watching american history tv, every weekend on c-span 3. explore our nations past, american history tv on c-span 3, created by americas cable television companies. today were brought to you by these television companies who provide american history tv to viewers as a public service. next on american history tv, brigadier general charles mcgee looks at his military career and his time with the testa airmen who were pilots who served in the segregated air corps units during world war ii. he later served with the air force one korean and vietnam and in total, flew more than 400 combat missions across three wars. by the friends of the national world war ii memorial, this is about an hour. >> i'm really excited to be introducing new to our next

guest. general charles mcgee was one of the fame tuskegee airmen and a career officer in the united states air force for 30 years who floor adorable of 409 combat missions in world war ii, korea and vietnam. during world war ii, brigadier general mcgee was stationed in italy with 302nd fighter squadron of the 332nd fighter group. general mcgee, are you there? do you want to introduce yourself? a >> good morning and it's a pleasure to be here to share with you. i realize that teachers have a real challenge in this day and age because there are so many things out there for youngsters to focus on and if we can keep them on the right track, that's what's good for the country so it's a pleasure to be here with you today. >> definitely. do you want to introduce us -- introduce yourself a little bit and tell us a little bit about

your story? >> well, i'm charles mcgee, brigadier general in the united states air force, retired. i ended up doing something i enjoy doing and i like to pass it on to the young folks as they find their talents, pinpoint where you enjoy doing and along the way, i was hooked after my first flight. for some reason, it struck me in a way and then again, i don't have the answer, i sometimes say, why? me how me? i don't know! but i got wonderful assignments and was able to actively fly during my 37 year air force career. so, as i say, i was hooked after the first flight. but i also got involved just before integration under the air force.

they said, well you have to do something else besides flying. some went to intel and school, by their school, and i just chose aircraft maintenance school. so, along the way, have decided to do flying outside of active in material and support as well. so, i have a well rounded career as you say, when i enjoy and never to not enjoyed it. i'd like to pass it on. and i'm able to share it with teachers across the country, this is so important. you have a great tasks, as i said today because there are so many other things thrown at kids or in front of them where you have to get their mind off of something to focus on the right things. so, i'm happy to be able to share with you and thank you for giving me the opportunity. >> definitely, i'm going to be

reading some of the questions that are counting -- coming in from some of our key teachers for you dancer. so, i will tell you who asked it and then read the question. so from richard in the midst of the tension today, what advice do you have for the nation as it attempts to reconcile the discrimination of the past and the president with the hopes of moving forward as one semi unified nation? >> my goodness, that's getting pretty deep into things and into politics and so on. but really, when i look within and what we've accomplished and where we're going, money to me is the biggest problem. for too many years, improvement or advancement was just measured in increased dollars. and that leaves only so many of

americans that we have today and of course this gets into immigration policy and how many people can the country support and it's unfortunate that it's almost like a caste system. there are those with minors and do whatever, and there are just so many hundreds and hundreds of people in poverty. how we can overcome that, i don't have the answer but i think it's certainly something that needs to stay on the agenda because someday it's got to be solved or we won't improve as time goes on. we just keep moving on and stay the same. still so many people not able to participate in the way they would, not prepared to enter into the jobs that are there,

it's not an easy question to answer and there's probably no one way. if there is a way, and hopefully we have folks coming along and policy positions that understand that and focus on it. >> definitely. thank you for that. i know, sorry to start you off with a tough one. but, okay, the next one is from david trail and he says, please describe how evident racism was among the locals when you trained in tuskegee? >> well, that's very interesting and of course, many folks don't know that the problem came from a 1925 war college study and the subject of that study was use of negro man power if the mayor gets involved in another war. paragraph four in the four-page

report that was sent says the negros physically qualify -- they negros mainly inferior to the white man, negro is morally inferior to the white man, the negro would not follow his own leadership effectively and certainly, segregation was part of that policy. they didn't want any negro in position where assorted would have to salute them. this was sent washington to be a part of future mobilization policy. and, it's interesting because they claim they started the issue, putting blacks in aviation will be a fully or and should not be attempted. but it's interesting, the

they've been paying attention to the black soldiers who went to friends and fought with the french and rewarded for their service. they didn't pay any attention to the young black american coleman, who in 1921 to two friends to get a license and came back going around the country. certainly, she was enjoying this new aid industry of aviation and blacks or whites would come out to the airfield to see her perform and put on a show and as they say, herb -- was introducing this new industry of aviation to the country. that was a circumstance said at the time, and it's interesting that when our country declared war against germany and later

against japan, our country was coming out of ten years of depression and the action didn't change segregation. but it did open some doors of opportunity. the jobs that were in the industry tried up and so, there were black's very interested but that door was closed. it's interesting, in 1939, they established a civilian pilot training program and this colleges around the country and this program would provide a pool of pilots that were the military would call on to make meat there need as war went on. tuskegee institute and in tuskegee, alabama had a very

successful pilot training program and it's interesting that a law was passed allowing the army to contract the primary phase of their flight training to a civilian pilot training program. this would save their experience, the pilots, to actively participate in the in -- of the tuskegee institute applied and got a contract so even though the policy was we can't fly, it our first instructor was a black pilot. so their program and all of this is -- it shows the dichotomy and the u.s. is and the nose for the believers. i was all out there and applied

in so many different ways. and so, why a recalled tuskegee airmen, because the overall policy of maintaining segregation when the army said it won't be successful, they allowed the training -- to first tonight nine per suit squadron mainly change to -- and it's interesting because part of the policy, although there were blacks getting their early flight training with civilian pilot program i believe was in washington d.c.. when graduates from the cptpp when --

we can use black pilots because we don't have any black instructors. so in tuskegee airmen would say, the first where the mechanics. and it's because of their training that i even learned about the program. i was enrolled at the university of illinois, and the engineering program but the mechanics weren't the training, the tech school was 14 miles away from the university, and of course we learned something that's going on if they've got blacks and trading up there. they were expecting to fail, in fact they were even tested twice because the first didn't believe that they could get scores like they did in the test program. they were successful and then they, said wow! we needed air force for the

pilot training. i mean, bases all around the country. they found 4 million dollars to build tuskegee army airfield for the training. it's now called the tuskegee airmen, they were originally mechanics, they were successful, a few months after the field became available, the pilot training began and although the 99th pilots and mechanics were trained and ready for combat. no one commander wanted them. they'll say they wanted to train it and 41, and december 42 there were combat ready. they kept them in training another three or four months before finally sending them to north africa assigned to the

group but he didn't want them so segregation when overseas. they went to their own base, they sent them also over tulsa and the third groups location, but the reports were told they weren't successful, they only shot down one aircraft. all over patrolling liberia. -- >> there was get out of the way but that brought a hearing in washington from that hearing than he said, oh they've been in combat, something's wrong. but the research on the hearing said there are forums on targets, ailments the others. stay in combat.

so the 99th moved out to sicily to italy. while in the meantime, training continued in tuskegee and three additional single engine fire squads were trained. the 100, three or first and the through a second squadrons. but the three 32nd fighter group, all of us were trained in the peace 40 and ready for combat in the 40. you are going to do some patrol work and we were switched to the pete 39 cobra, went directly to italy and at the same time, the 99th was moving out of sicilian it ally and they were, believe the 79th or the 75th, i'm not certain exactly.

but has a little bit of integration went over, as colonel debates, they were assigned to. there were law to have more pilots and more aircrafts and over the beach, the 99 flying with us, we shot on several german aircrafts. so that was my opportunity. but at the same time, the three 32nd was patrolling maples on the coast and in the spring of 44 when we realized that our bombers, although we thought they had enough guns on the 77th to protect them from the chairman air force, that wasn't happening. and with each aircraft lost, that was ten american lives. so, i didn't we were all

working for anybody >> we gave up 39 to the russians because the three 32nd fighter group was one before and we picked up 47 thunderbolts and began -- i did about three months and then all quips were in the p-51's. so, it was a wonderful aircraft color built for the british. when they put the rolls-royce engine in it, we said perfect! full use it, to. so that's the history of the training and the start there at tuskegee and in fact, when i graduated in june of 43, my instructor, the flight

instructor said there's two guys don't have a bomber program for you guys, and i think you make a good bomber pilot. i did ask him what he meant but he didn't know nor that i. and when they approved, three months later, he began a tuskegee airfield the 47's bomb group -- and what's interesting and i'm not sure everybody realizes that because of segregation and in each case, sent all of the necessary support so the support for a squadron, couple hundred technicians of all the skills required but they also needed medical supply and administration and so that's another couple hundred people so a little program finally produced some 900 pilots.

we're talking 13, 14,000 people that also became a part of what took place. >> thank you so much. that was so much great information. the next question is from patricia, and she will share her for peace. >> talking to the young folks, i'd like to pass on to valuable lessons to them because they are our country's future and some more along the way the four peace kind of covered not the waterfront but something to be on track, and that was for seeing -- perceive, prepare, perform, and persevere. what do i mean by perceive? oh, dream your dreams.

find what your talents are and i was like that and hopefully it something like you like to do, like i fell in love with aviation. he don't want to go to work every day for not liking we have to do. but prepare, get a good education. hi develop those talents even though i didn't learn to read and write well. perform, always do your best in everything you do. excellence is your goal, that's what's important for your future. and persevere. don't let circumstances be an excuse for not achieving. people about their hands and say their call them means they don't, like and said i can't do something. but what would that have become? performance helped bring change to the country as your

experience, providing equal access and equal opportunity for all. but that came about, the army never change their powers. even those -- in 1947, the air force separated from the ground floor and their study -- . if you will. and, we're not getting enough money to keep apace opened, and limited because of segregation, signing a meeting out of responsibilities. we need to integrate and we went back a few weeks later, and president harriet truman who issued an executive order. 99, 80, mandated there should be equal access throughout in

hiring. 99 81, mandated all of the services to integrate. the air force finally carried out there is and it takes time, a 19 -- june of 1949, closed a segregated base and actually, the air force live the country and had equal access and equal opportunity providing for all. >> thank you. from sydney, where we are most of your flights to and from? >> when we went to italy, early flying was from the airfield and the name seems to slip away from it a moment. in southern italy and then

later we moved to the adriatic side, near the -- that's where we did the escort. that area of the italy, the bombers had moved out of north africa into southern italy and we were just north of them so we -- as they took off and we join to meet them at a designated area and say, flew through wards their targets. and then of course, there was north to -- from italy and northwest to southern france. north to germany and then of course, the eastern czechoslovakia and all the way into the beach in romania. and, that was a set up at that time from bases in italy. but the prime base was in the

-- >> great, thank you! from david trail, he asks, what's selection criteria were there for the tuskegee airmen when you joined? >> so that's an interesting question. i'm not sure i had the answer of this election process. for myself, when i was in school, i learn the mechanics training and i think someone just said, be a pilot. i went and passed pilot exams and got cold in what was in the spring of 42 in october, i got a call and entered the pilot training directly to cadet. i think probably because my

seat training, i didn't have to go to boot camp or any other introduction. so it may have varied. some applied, some had to go from early army training and there were transferred to the air force. but a varied and i guess you could say it was your desire and willingness of what was required but in the early day, they did require college study. even for the mechanics at the time. as the war progressed, finally you can enter with class from pride, rates earlier you had to be a college graduate and ended up high school graduate the can go in and get into aviation. >> okay, thank you.

from steven press -- did you or any of your fellow kasky airman ever have second thoughts about fighting for a country that treated u.s. second class citizens? >> oh, there may be some, there were always upset over treatment and what took place but the majority of them went for the opportunity and we're glad to -- hear you are saying, i can do it. to fact, it was given the opportunity and of course, along the way, we had good leadership but there were those who believed in the opportunity and we're sure that we were granted that opportunity and fortunately, we -- with the leadership that we had, proved that that was not only good for the circumstance, but good for the country and they

came part of the policy have not the color risk, and how you cut your hair, it's always important. it's what's in your brain and your ideas and your thoughts that are important and of course, that's where your teachers all come in because sometimes i tell the students, you know, you've got their greatest computer ever built, that's your brain. if you don't monitor your computer underwrite, you can get results. that's important in your studies. if you don't develop your brain and use it right, you're the one that's heard and of course, if you don't do your destiny and do things along the way, your family, the community and

the countries so it's something that all youngsters need to be aware of. the importance of their progress and it's important for the country. >> from eric herman, can you describe your missions during world war ii and did you have many close calls? >> well, the nation -- mission was lights out were nine of rock law, can run 6:00 in the morning, you have to wake up and do a little exercise, a little breakfast and then you are briefing on a mission for the day and from the briefing, you go get your equipment together and then you go to the flight line and talk with your mechanic and check your aircraft over and everything was focused on the started and time for forever

pilots, because i was based on how much time it took you to climb to altitude and join the bombers at the viewpoint, so all of this was planned by operations. part of your briefing and that's where you're prepared to meet each day. that you were signed to be -- >> great, thank you. okay, here is a fun question from lisa gibson. having flipped a coin at the 2020 super bowl, who was your favorite football team? >> well, at the point i didn't have a favorite but you had the other hand, i have retired from a base from kansas city and spent many years of my lawn service time in kansas city, missouri so it was kind of

home. so, although i wasn't flipping it for hoping that the chiefs would win, certainly the way it ended up when it goes to the early part of the, game it certainly didn't look like they were going to. but they did so, i was happy with that. but i didn't flip the coin with hopes of the time that either one would be the successful team. >> understood. very fair. from jennifer miss sued, at the time, did you realize the significance of being a part of the tuskegee airmen and what were your thoughts about that? >> no. as i say, i was just a happy camper along the wave of because i fell in love with line and had wonderful assignments. but we didn't enter the war saying we were gonna go down and set the world on fire and

do something. we were just glad to be able to participate with what the country is doing to support our allies as in europe. and to me, there were some that had always wanted to be a pilot, we're glad to be a part of it and i was just glad that we had an opportunity to serve our country in a time of need. so there are mixed feelings there. there were some who served and got out of the services as soon as they could after the war was over, others like myself are getting wonderful assignments and opportunities that remained and that's what i ended up with 30 years of service. >> hope myers has a follow-up to that question. did fellow pilots in the war respect him or knowing that

your part of the tuskegee airmen? >> i don't think that was the case at the time. because there were still men in the leadership that weren't for integration, there were still those who believed in the policy that florida and we weren't capable or shouldn't have had the opportunity but as i say, personally, and i think i mentioned because of this those years of the war from 41 to 45, the army never change the policy. the air force they separated two years later, 1947, they separated from the ground

forces. and so change like that, and the issues they're facing today, whether it's happenstance of birth, or where they come from and that type of thing and the immigration policies that we have. so similar questions are still here for us to face and hopefully do the right thing about it and and you know give equal access an equal opportunity for >> all. as far as the future is concerned, you know for teachers because you face an important part of every youngsters life, and that's a challenge because a lot of schools aren't even the same. some of the schools are still graduating students but they're

not really quite prepared, and again this is something that we can do something about and hopefully that action will take place. but in reality, you have to realize it isn't the case so we can't give up, you know. we have to keep focused and what it means for the country and for the country's future. >> thank you so here's a question, was the -- campaign influential for you or other members of your unit? >> for some wondering what the double be meant, i think we were trying for two victories

victory against hitler in europe and a course later against japan and victory against racism because because it became a focus for our group in their training and because the commander wanted to maintain segregation but he didn't want officers you know he wanted to keep the officers club white. and no chance of black officers you know and they don't want the officers together in the club. so he put up she had base

regulations, even though it was against army policy, saying that the trainees on his base could only use the facilities that he designated. entering the club was not for trainees, they had to use another building. knowing that that is contrary, to regulations, the officers of the four seven seven bomb group, they went to the club, and were denied access and the colonel called him and said i would like you to read my regulation, and signed this paper, that you will abide by this, because a new army regulations did

specify at the time. and their dues were already taken out of their pay, so they refused to sign, and they were put behind barbed wire and guards, and were treated were thin german prisoners of war. so -- . that brought a hearing. and the hearing, the army never change their policy, even though the war was over by this time, and they brought the groups back, but wasn't, and that is when they opened up sophie's field, south of columbus ohio.

as a segregated base. and that was a base, that finally the air force closed, in 1949, when they ended the segregation. from the program. >> thank you thank you for sharing a story. all right the next question is, from ben, what are some important things, that they should be teaching our students about being good citizens, and what it means to be an american? >> very interesting question, because good students enjoying the freedoms that we saw much enjoy here in america, and many parts of the world, is a challenge and all should be preparing themselves to not only continue to enjoy, but

live them in their life and actions, to the point that it's not i think it's important as a person how you react with others, and with your own life. i would like to add, that you should look at the positive side of things the good side of things. i think there is an old saying that accentuate the positive, and eliminate the negative, and don't mess with anything in between. with these types of values that are so important and we know that teaching is from the book. and the various elements along the way and our actions need to speak to these other values

that are so important to, to the future. >> definitely thank you. okay from hope myers. how much of a voice did you have in military aviation evolution? for example did you have and engineers ears to see how the engineering engines could be improved? >> along the way i mentioned that as a second part of my career going to maintenance officer school i was able to participate when they started the maintenance control effort, which looked at what was going on to ensure that the units of any particular base, had the right equipment or the equipment they needed and so on to keep the aircraft active,

and going. and i was able to participate in that kind of thing, so long the way there were opportunities to see, where things were and make recommendations that improved the maintenance, or maintenance support throughout the service. >> nice thank you. so from ron, was there any specific incident or experience that led you to be so deeply patriotic? >> i don't think so again you know i've often asked, why me and how me? i did not ask for any assignment that i got, all the one time they had a preference and at the time my preference

was i would like to be station on the west coast. but it never happened. all of my assignments worthy in the central part of the country. so i be came the commander of the air base, and retired in 1972. so it was happenstance, and not by direction, but certainly my training and schooling along the way, there are a number of school opportunities that i was able to participate in, and as i say i just feel like, a lucky guy because i got assignments added to my career experience, and later career responsibilities and fortunately, education along

the way and i was successful so i was a happy camper. as the saying goes. and i was happy camper a long way because of that but on the other side i don't recall you know i didn't have a mentor or somebody along the way that said hey mcgee is the guy for that. you know when it happened and fortunately i had a successful career, and was able to serve with a lot of people and was able to know might leadership it paid off along the way. >> just important to be ready for the opportunities that come right? >> that's for sure. >> okay so from richard, what was the most harrowing of the

137 combat missions you flew? >> it was 136 in europe, and then later 103 and 173 in vietnam. but i didn't look at anything more seriously if you will, not one more serious than the other. many depended on the circumstance of the enemies positions at the time or the number of guns that might be protecting in an area and certainly it is very interesting, you know i can remember of my hundred and 36 mission, you know having the victory in world war ii and in korea but i had no aircraft damage myself in world war ii

but in korea i realized that i was trying to keep our troops from crossing a valley, and somebody is firing back at me. and my plane was hit but fortunately it was out on the wing and i was able to get back to my home base and of course the plane had to be completely replaced. vietnam, again. another phase, i put my flying experience and world war ii was a superiority career -- ground support flying, never saw them of a because they were down in a truce where we were. vietnam intelligence we carried no weapons, speakers are defense but again, an aircraft,

fortunately was out in the wing, i wasn't -- i was too far from home base to get to home base. but headed to a safe base and this is all a part of what we were trained, prepared and part of our mission to meet such an occasion and i was -- undone up safely. >> yes, and we are we all are to. >> thank you, that's very kind. >> from monica, she says teaching students to persevere is so hard, if it doesn't work the first time, they want to give up. do you have any tips on encouraging them not to give up? >> one of the things we say and part of the four peace, is perseverance. don't let somebody tell you you can't do something. you have to believe that you can and go for it.

as i said, remain positive and all of your thinking and be aware of the negative but don't oversell it. it's not an easy thing to have for sure for youngsters and what they face for so many things happening out there that they don't need to get the attention to. there is the communications today that is so different and it doesn't come from radio and it comes from almost everybody with the phone in their hand and now, they're being bombarded with a lot of things -- the youngsters don't need, but they can't get because they've got --

and these things come. so again, it's challenging to the new teachers that helps steer their mind away from attention to all of -- as i said, negatives and come before them. and realize what's important in their training as each year goes by. >> definitely. from david trail, can you describe what it was like to fly in the single seat fighter during world war ii on long missions? and also, what was the relationship like between the pilots and the maintenance man of the tuskegee airmen? >> very interesting. well, our training, -- as i said, we were trained a single engine and fighter

pilots so your training prepares you to meet the mission types that you are assigned and certainly are focused. it was so important to share with you our mechanic because -- and of course the way we did that, we have to take alert. i'm backing out from that was time to work around their crowd and check it out and determine the work that had been done and how he built the condition and how the aircraft was. i used to say that you reporters need to talk to the county and make it possible for a wet we pilots do and i was just talking to the pilot. it's very key because the

condition of the aircraft that you start up when you meet your hands and start time was important. so, we were in a very close relationship and i was lucky enough to -- some 40 years after the war ended to meet again and share with my mechanic, nate wilson, before he passed on, indeed a very important relationship because it meant so much. and it was a challenge to each of our preparations, even the re-read the takeover and understand that the passing on, when you come back from remission, the mechanic things and the conditions and that performance helped him do his job on the ground and preparing for the next mission.

so, it was wonderful relationship that developed and sort of important one along the way. >> definitely. all right, so just as a warning to you and everyone, i think we're gonna take two to three more questions and there will wrap up. the next question is from adam cat and he asks, throughout your career in the air force, what type of aircraft they do enjoy flying the most? >> well, all of them were good. certainly, the ppe 51 with a rolls-royce engine was top-of-the-line in the day in time and then you had to be careful with prayer comparisons. ending up in the air force, then i retired, i got a chance to get an f 16 ride in somebody said, how do you compare it?

and i said, you don't. but this is what's technology has done for us. certainly in the early day, there were many things that the piloted by hand, later on it was done automatically. you know, we would bomb the runway and then what section do you want to hit? bomb the building, do you want it down the smoke side or the other end of the building? technology has changed that picture along the way and certainly again as a challenge and also it's a challenge for teachers when you look at bringing youngsters and realizing that you can only in a time that you have, just touch the idea that technology is ever out there and never

changing. it's a real challenge. >> certainly. all right, from brian, she says she finds that students learn really well if they are able to touch some kind of artifact or sample. are there any objects that you kept from your service that have important value to you? what are they and why are they important to you? >> well, comparing service and training to date,, there -- you really can't compare, they are very different. but this is because of poor technology. this is taken us, over the years, the challenge the each of the youngsters that you have in your classrooms today is much greater out there than it was to me 75 to eight years back when i was in school.

we have to recognize that. but again, it's a big challenge to teachers, to get the youngsters headed in the right direction, for them to understand that they've got a whole lot more than we did to be able to accomplish the mission. but it's because we're technology is taking us, it's because the advancements -- and it's a challenge of what's in the future. like the saying right now, with the young ladies, one of you is going to be a lady going to the moon. who knows who is going to mars? because that's all -- we're trying to go to mars! i say, guess what? when the training is completed, i think those planners are going retooled.

it's going to be one of you. making that trip. we wish everybody the best as you prepare for it, but certainly, each and every one who is teaching a youngster today because what that means, not only for the youngsters future, for the future of the country. thank you for the opportunity to be able to share with you and as i say, best wishes, stay safe and god bless america. >> thank you so much colonel -- i mean general mcgee. general mcgee, sorry. thank you so much for joining us and for sharing your story with all of us. i know we're all very appreciative of it. >> thank you for that. all the best and stay safe!

>> weeknights this month we're featuring american history tv programs as a preview of what's available every weekend on c-span 3. architectural historian barry lewis died in january at the age of 75. wednesday, we begin a night of programs on architecture and art. with two of his talks from the new york historical society. first, mr. lewis discusses the design and construction of the iconic brooklyn bridge. which was -- lets followed by his looks at the look at creation i've learned new york city's a burnished village and its influence in american society and culture. watch wednesday, beginning at 8 pm eastern. and enjoy american history tv every weekend on c-span 3.

>> every saturday at 8 pm eastern, on american history tv on a c-span 3, go inside a different college classroom and hear about topics ranging from the american revolution, civil rights and u.s. presidents. to 9/11. >> thanks for your patience and for logging into class. >> with most college campuses closed due to the impact of the coronavirus, watch professors transfer teaching to a virtual setting to engage with their students. >> gorbachev did most of the work to change the soviet union. but reagan met him halfway, reagan encouraged him, reagan supported him. >> freedom of the press, which we will get to later, i should just mention that was originally called the freedom of the use of the press and it is indeed freedom to print things and publish things. it is not a freedom for what we now refer to, institutionally the press. >> lectures in history, on american history tv on c-span 3. every saturday at 8 pm eastern. lectures in history is also available as a podcast. find it when you listen to

podcasts. >> will work to federal, and he recount his time as the u.s. navy sea be with a 301st construction battalion in the pacific theater. he talked about working to create a harbored guam and fighting in the battle of you would jima. the friends of the national world war ii memorial provided this video. >> my top today is about my road to japan. my world war ii road to japan. actually, there were two roads. one led by mcarthur and one led by nimitz. and as the old saying goes, never the twin shall meet, in this case, never the twain should meet. keep that in mind as we get down the road and i can tell you my experience at one of the islands. when i say road i'm actually tag