Urban Valor: the podcast

Marine veteran Chris Mansfield shares his story of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, where he and his unit were tasked with a harrowing mission: recovering Sgt. Fernando Padilla-Ramirez, a fallen Marine who was captured, dragged through the streets, and hung in the town center of Nasiriyah before being buried in a landfill.
In this episode of Urban Valor, Chris reflects on his journey from growing up between South Shore, MA, and Amherst, NH, seeking validation through the Marine Corps, and ultimately serving as an 0351 Antitank Assaultman with the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines. He opens up about the mental and emotional toll of war, the intense bonds forged in combat, and the struggles of transitioning back to civilian life.
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Video Chapters:
00:45 - Growing Up Between Two Worlds (South Shore, MA & Amherst, NH)
02:10 - Enlisting in the Marine Corps for Validation
04:00 - Boot Camp on Halloween Night: A Brutal Introduction
06:30 - The Reality of War: Deployment and 9/11’s Impact
09:45 - The Mission: Recovering a Fallen Marine
12:20 - Entering Nasiriyah: A Dangerous Operation
15:40 - Finding Sgt. Fernando Padilla-Ramirez’s Body
18:30 - Carrying Him Home: A Moment of Brotherhood
22:15 - The Aftermath: Returning from Combat
25:50 - Struggles with PTSD, Alcoholism & Civilian Life
30:10 - Hitting Rock Bottom & Seeking Help
35:45 - Mental Health, Recovery & Helping Fellow Veterans
#military #warstories #urbanvalor #marines #warstories #veteran

On today's episode of Urban Valor, we feature retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant Ryan Kuperus, whose story takes us from the dairy farms of Newark, New York, to the intense battlefields of Afghanistan. Inspired by his grandfather, a Korean War veteran, Ryan chose to serve his country as a Marine, using the work ethic instilled in him since childhood.
Ryan details his experiences as a Reconnaissance Marine in Afghanistan. The relentless combat his recon platoon faced gives you a glimpse into the realities of modern warfare. Ryan brings to life the challenges, dangers, and split-second decisions that define combat operations.
The episode explores Ryan's progression to Force Reconnaissance and his role as an instructor, where he helped shape some of America's most elite warriors. It then explores his transition out of military service, a journey familiar to many veterans. He shares his current efforts to serve the veteran community, showing the ongoing commitment many former service members have to their fellow warriors!
Tune in for a powerful exploration of sacrifice, skill, and the spirit of service that defines many of our nation's veterans.
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🗣️ Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well!
✅ SUBSCRIBE to support Urban Valor and the courageous Veterans who take the share and tell their story, AND so you NEVER miss a weekly episode of our veteran stories. New stories every Sunday!
Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.
Video Chapters:
00:35 Early Life
04:22 Boot Camp
09:32 Hitting the Fleet
19:18 9/11 Attacks
20:33 First Deployment
22:28 Invading Iraq
29:53 On to Okinawa
32:08 Break In Service
39:07 Road Bump
44:19 Back on the Ground
55:49 Power of the Javelin
1:07:49 Close to Home
2:08:38 Training Commandos
2:10:51 Turn & Burn
2:21:00 Hostage Rescue
2:26:48 The Ball
2:39:25 Red Lights
2:53:15 Becoming an Instructor
2:56:12 Court Marshall
#military #urbanvalor #warstories #martines #marineveteran

This week’s Urban Valor episode features Rory Farrell, a retired Navy Special Operations Corpsman (2004-2024), who shares his journey through the military and beyond.
Growing up in Colchester, CT, Rory was deeply impacted by 9/11, which inspired him to enlist in the Navy. He pursued the Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman pipeline, undergoing some of the most grueling training in military history to become a Special Ops Medic.
Throughout his career, Rory faced intense challenges, including a flashbang accident that nearly cost him his hand, and a shocking attempt by a superior officer to sabotage his career. However, one of his most extraordinary moments came when he rescued a mother and her child after a 110-ft tree crushed their car at Yosemite National Park. His quick thinking and elite medical training saved their lives, demonstrating the resilience, sacrifice, and heroism that define special operations forces.
👍 Like this video to support to show appreciation.
🗣️ Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well!
✅ SUBSCRIBE to support Urban Valor and the courageous Veterans who tell their stories AND so you NEVER miss a weekly episode of our veteran stories. New stories every Sunday!
Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.
Video Chapters:
📌 01:15 - Growing Up in Colchester, CT & 9/11’s Impact
📌 02:45 - Enlisting in the Navy & Special Ops Training
📌 05:30 - Becoming a Special Operations Corpsman (Recon IDC)
📌 08:10 - Intense Military Training & Surviving Sleep Deprivation
📌 11:25 - Near-Fatal Flashbang Accident: Losing Part of His Hand
📌 15:40 - Career Sabotage Attempt by a Superior Officer
📌 20:50 - Deployments & Life-Saving Medical Interventions
📌 27:00 - Rescuing a Mom & Child After 110-ft Tree Crash
📌 33:15 - How Military Training Prepared Him for Real-Life Emergencies
📌 38:00 - The Importance of Veterans' Transition Planning
📌 42:30 - Lessons in Leadership & Overcoming Adversity
📌 47:00 - Final Reflections & Advice for Future Service Members
#military #warstories #urbanvalor #navy #warstories #veteranpodcast

In this powerful video, former U.S. Marine Austin Hancock shares a chilling tale from his boot camp, experiences with drill instructors, and much more. As an Anti-Tank Assaultman who served from 2006 to 2010, Austin witnessed a shocking moment when a recruit attempted to take his own life by jumping out of a third-story window. What followed was a reaction from a Drill Instructor that left Austin stunned.
Austin's story delves into the intense and often brutal reality of Marine Corps boot camp, where recruits are physically and mentally pushed to their limits. He describes the Drill Instructors as "salty bastards" who have been through the most demanding challenges the Marines have, including combat deployments and earning prestigious awards like the Purple Heart.
Through his gripping narrative, Austin sheds light on the extreme pressure and psychological toll that recruits face during their training, which can sometimes lead to drastic actions like the one he witnessed. His account also highlights the complex and often controversial role of Drill Instructors, who mold raw recruits into battle-ready Marines.
As you watch this eye-opening video, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and sacrifices that Marines like Austin endure during their service. His story is a testament to the resilience and fortitude required to make it through one of the world's most demanding military training programs.
Don't miss this incredible firsthand account from a Marine veteran who lived through the intensity of boot camp and emerged as a Lance Corporal. Subscribe to our channel for more powerful stories from those who have served, and join the conversation in the comments below.
Table of Contents:
00:01 Introduction
00:30 Early Life
06:03 Finding The Corps
22:04 School of Infantry
46:19 Finding a Place
#marines #military #urbanvalor #veteran #war #combatveteran #combat

In this week's Urban Valor episode, Army & Marine Corps Veteran Harry Martinez shares his incredible journey from growing up in New Brunswick, NJ, to serving in the Army National Guard and the Marines.
With roots in Colombia, Harry’s upbringing instilled high standards that shaped his military career. He started with the Army National Guard, later becoming a Marine rifleman and joining the 1st Battalion 6th Marines Sniper Platoon as a PIG (Professional Instructed Gunman).
After his honorable discharge, Harry served as a police sniper and instructor before deploying as a Sniper Section Leader to Ramadi, Iraq. In this episode, Harry opens up about his experiences and his sniper teams' impact in Iraq. Get ready for one of the most gripping, detailed interviews yet, packed with mind-blowing stories you won't want to miss.
👍 Like this video to support to show appreciation for Harry and/or Urban Valor.
🗣️ Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well!
✅ SUBSCRIBE to support Urban Valor and the courageous Veterans who tell their stories AND so you NEVER miss a weekly episode of our veteran stories. New stories every Sunday!
Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.
Video Chapters:
00:55 Early Life
08:28 The Army
20:01 First Task Force
21:26 The Invasion
34:55 Becoming A Pig
57:20 Ramadi & Back
1:13:13 3rd ID
2:01:47 Christmas in Ramadi
2:34:53 Scars of Combat
#military #urbanvalor #warstories #marines #usmarine #nationalguard #usarmy