Sun Star Studios Music

In order to understand who we are as a nation we must first understand where we came from. These accounts are that link to the past. This page is your home for all the upcoming features. Check back each week and find out the date and time for the next program. We will also share a profile our featured guest.

Our Hero Of The Month

American hero Charles Altman

He was a point-man and Sniper with The 10th Mountain Division, 86 regiment during WW-2. His Nick name was "Shooter". He was sent on solo missions behind enemy lines to take out high profile targets. The Mission that brought him the Silver Star was when he was sent to take out a top SS Colonel who answered directly to Adolf Hitler. He recorded the kill and had to fight his way back to base. During the war he never missed a target. Among his awards are two Bronze Stars, A Silver Star and two Purple Hearts.

Our next feature: September 11th 2011

The Story

George (middle roll, far left) with his fellow inspectors
and secretary at a Christmas Office party 1963.

We will invite two men who began working for Boeing in the 1950s. George Starr (Sonny's father) came to Boeing in February of 1958. Out of the 40 men who applied for the position of Inspector with the Boeing Company in 1958, George was chosen. George began his work on the 707 project a well as the KC-135.

He was in on the development of the first Air Force One (26000) for use by John F. Kennedy. He inspected the aircraft from nose cone to the tail section. They had the last word when it came to approving the work on the plane. Jacklyn Kennedy was on hand for the official walk through. At the last second she changed her mind on the already installed carpeting on the plane and chose a lighter color. George was given the duty of finding the right color samples and making sure it was installed properly.

George was there to see the 737 project as well as the development and mock up for the 747 project. He is also noted at Boeing for developing their Nose Cone Protection that is still being used today.

Also Joining us will be Norm Ray an engineering Manager with Boeing from 1950 to 1990. He was in on the 707 project and later moved to their aerospace department. His projects included Mercury and Apollo 11 through the shuttle program. He is loaded with great stories.

Join us Sunday September 11th at 9:05 PM Pacific. Our Flagship station is CBS/KKNX. Hear it on the net: www.radio84.com and worldwide over the Omni Media Networks.

Our next feature: April 24th 2011

WW-2 Hero Edgar Peara coming Sunday April 24th!!!

Near it At 9:05 PM pacific time on KKNX, internet: www.radio84.com, and over the Omni Media Networks

Edgar was called into duty as a platoon leader and assistant company commander in a combat engineer company of the First Engineer Amphibious Brigade which was formed at Camp Edwards, MA in June, 1942.

Later, before his first campaign, he was named the adjutant [administrative executive officer] in an invasion combat engineer battalion [5031 Engineer Amphibious Combat Battalion] in the First Engineer Amphibious Brigade.

He was in the initial invasion of WWII of Algeria-Morocco, Nov. 9,1942, He led a patrol that disarmed Arzew, Algeria, which was the left wing of the invasion that captured Oran, Algeria.

"Our unloading troops and equipment in the harbor of Arzew, was interrupted occasionally by gun fire. I was ordered to lead a platoon to stop the firing".

"After that campaign my unit went to Tunisia with Gen. George Patton and were there until German Gen. RumRommels was defeated. Then we invaded Gela, Sicily [the center site of that invasion] and pursued the war there until the country was all secure. Then we invaded Salerno, [bloody Salerno] Italy and were in Italy until we reached a line north of Naples.

On then, to England to train green troops in invasion tactics. We spearheaded the invasion of Utah Beach in the June 6,1944 Normandy invasion. I went ashore on Utah Beach the morning of D-Day, Normandy, June 6, 1944. As our LCI [Infantry Landing Craft] was doing ashore I could see the patterned 4-in-a-row explosions on the beach, of shells of an artillery battery.

I, as adjutant, set up our battalion headquarters on the beach, and established contact with our four companies that were preparing the beach to receive and direct the infantry and other units who were to follow us. I saw that our battalion medical aid station, which was located in a big shell hole, was receiving artillery fire, and so I went inland to find a safer location for it.

On the way, I came under fire and a shell's concussion blew my helmet off, but none of the shrapnel touched me. I found an underground, concrete, abandoned, German command post. I checked to see it had no booby traps and went back to the beach and led the aid station to my discovery.

We were in France until our army reached Aachen, Germany and then left Europe, going through the USA to reach Fort Lewis,Tacoma, WA from which we sailed for Okinawa, and made the invasion in the biggest, and most casualties suffered, campaign of the Pacific war".

March 20th 2011

With the passing of America's last WW1 Veteran Frank Buckles, we would like to pay tribute to the "Dough Boys" who defended our nation so many years ago. Our guest is a true hero if there ever was one. His name is George H. Johnson. At the time of this interview, he was the last WW1 Vet in California.

Sonny's interview was Conducted in July of 2006. Less then one month later Mr. Johnson passed away at the age of 112. This was his final interview. George was Born May 1, 1894. His grandfather was President Andrew Johnson. His Father, James Edward Johnson, was manager of the Baltimore and Ohio Railway station in Philadelphia. James was on stage with his father during Abraham Lincoln's legendary Gettysburg Address.

Catch it locally on KKNX, worldwide on the net: www.radio84.com , and around the globe over the Omni Media Networks. Airtime will be 9:05 pm PST.

Our next feature: February 2011

Coming in February 2011. Eunice Kemp a Lieutenant in the coast Guard during WW-2 will share her story. She was stationed in Washington D.C. and worked in the secret document department. She was later transferred to the war zone in Alaska.

Eunice was recently awarded three medals that she earned during the war but never received.

Our next feature: Sunday July 4th 2010

I want to introduce you to a true American hero. His name is Clarence Hupka. He served aboard the USS Indianapolis during WW2. He was involved in all the major battles in the Pacific during the war. Toward the end of the war they were involved in a top secret mission. They were assigned the task of delivering the key components of the Atomic bomb. On July 30th 1945, on their way back, the Indianapolis was attacked an sunk by the Japanese.

Shortly after midnight the sailors were forced to grab their life vests and jump into the sea. They floated at sea for 5 days in the blistering heat with no food or water. But that wasn't the worst of it. They just so happened to be in shark infested waters. Most of the men were eaten alive in an unimaginable and unending attack. In the end only 316 of the 1,199 men aboard survived.

Join us Sunday July 4th at 9:05 pm as we celebrate Independence Day with a look back at the brave and heroic men of the Indianapolis.

Our next feature: Sunday April 25th 2010.

Our guest will be American hero Ken Porwoll. He was a tank commander in the 194th tank battalion in WW-2. He was
taken prisoner in the Bataan Peninsula and was part of the infamous "Bataan Death March". 20,000 men were massacred during this 100 mile march. Beheadings, stabbings, and beatings were carried out for the pure enjoyment of the Japanese solders. Ken endured three and a half years of torture in a Japanese concentration camp. His story is a gripping lesson of grit and determination.

We will also air an archived interview with Bob Rose who was on the USS Nevada during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

This will be a night to remember. Catch it locally on KKNX and worldwide on the net: www.radio84.com Airtime will be 9:05 pm.

The following is a list of past programs. If you would like a free copy of any of the programs please e-mail us your request. We'll give you all the details. Simply use the contact page.

1) George Johnson. He was a WW1 vet. He was 112 at the time of the interview. His Grandfather was President Andrew Johnson.

2) Gene Byers. Was on the USS Oklahoma during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

3) George Starr and Norm Ray. The Boeing Story.

4) Hilmar Von Campe. He was in the German army during WW2. He was also a member of the Hitler Youth.

5) Homer Compton. He was aboard The USS Taney during the attack at Pearl Harbor.

6) John Broughton. During WW2, He served aboard the USS Hornet. He also fought in Korea, and Vietnam.

7) Denver Greer. Fought in WW2 in the Navy and in Korea in the Army. He was wounded twice and received the Silver star.

8) Ray Lorenze. Was on a troop ship on it's way to Pearl Harbor when the bombing took place.

9) John Steer. He fought at the two biggest battles during Vietnam. He suffered major injuries.

10) Bernard Nider. He is credited by most historians as one of the first Solders to step foot on Omaha Beach during D-Day.

11) Howard Hughes. His widow Terry Moore shared his amazing story. Jane Russell, and Debbie Reynolds shared some great insight.

12) Betty and Richard Hanen. A Story of love and war. She was a flight nurse in the Pacific and he was a foot solder in the Atlantic During WW2.

13) Bob Rose. He was aboard the USS Nevada during the Pearl Harbor attack.

14) Ken Porwoll. He was part of the infamous "Bataan Death March".

15) Clarence Hupka served aboard the USS Indianapolis During WW2. After being attacked and sunk by the Japanese he survived 5 days at sea floating in only a life vest. The attacks by sharks was non-stop. Only 316 of the 1,199 men aboard survived.

16) Eunice Kemp a Lieutenant in the coast Guard during WW-2 shares her story. She was stationed in Washington D.C. and worked in the secret document department. She was later transferred to the war zone in Alaska. Eunice was recently awarded three medals that she earned during the war but never received.

17) Our guest John Vandenberge tells his story when life was turned upside down as the Nazi's took control of his homeland, Holland. He has a new book out called "From Tyranny To Freedom". He has an incredible story. He was eye witness to the horrors of the Nazi holocaust.

18) WW2 and Korean war vet Allen Moore tells his story as a Marine. During both wars he worked in service and supply. After the war in the pacific he was the first one sent to Japan to set up and bring order to the region. During the Korean war Allen was sent to the middle of the action. He was involved in a number of near misses.

19) Gene Landers. Gene served in the Army with the 38th division 151st infantry during WW-2. He was awarded two Bronze stars and the Purple Heart during his time in the service. He trained as infantryman and served as a medic. Gene fought in the front lines of the Philippines. The fighting was intense and bloody. He saved many lives during that time.

After the war Gene reenlisted, this time with the Air Force. He served for 20 years with the Air force including the entire Korean war. One of his assignments was the Atomic bomb tests in the Bikini Islands. Gene was the island commander during those tests.

Gene later served at Vandenberg Air Force base and was in charge of small arms training for personnel going to Vietnam. Gene is a true American Hero.