Community Media of South Central PA Celebrating Community
Presented by the Gettysburg National Military Park
80 years ago, Eugene Sledge was one of thousands of Marines fighting on Peleliu in some of the toughest conditions of the Pacific Theater in World War II. Decades later, Sledge chronicled his service with his memoir, With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa, which was featured in Ken Burns’ The War and the HBO miniseries The Pacific. Henry Sledge, Eugene’s son, joins us for a special conversation on his father’s service in World War II, and how the memories and experiences of that war are kept alive today.
Henry Sledge is the son of Eugene B. Sledge, the renowned author of “With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa” and “China Marine.” While growing up, Henry witnessed his father’s memoir take form and come to life. Through the many conversations with his father about his experiences across the islands of the Pacific, Henry formed a deep and abiding passion for all aspects of World War II history. Henry has worked as a consultant for Valor Studios and has had articles published in Valor and Naval History Magazine. His most recent article was the cover story for the Autumn 2022 issue of World War II Magazine. He has co-hosted World War II podcasts and has appeared as a guest on numerous other podcasts and documentaries. Most recently he spoke at the We Have Ways History Festival in England and the International World War II Conference in New Orleans (2022). He holds a BA from Auburn University (1988) and has over 20 years of experience in the heavy equipment industry. He is currently working on a book involving his late father’s unpublished writings.
