Echoes of Valor - Guest Speakers - Department of History

Echoes of Valor: Remembering WWII Through Story and Legacy

Guest Speakers

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Alex Kershaw

Alex Kershaw is a New York Times bestselling author and one of America’s most acclaimed historians of World War II. Educated at Oxford, he has written numerous celebrated books, including The Bedford Boys, The Longest Winter, The Liberator, and The First Wave.

Kershaw serves as Resident Historian for Friends of the National WWII Memorial and frequently leads battlefield tours in Europe

Eugene B. Sledge

Henry Sledge

Henry Sledge is the younger son of Eugene B. Sledge, the renowned U.S. Marine and author of the World War II memoir With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa. Born in 1965, Henry grew up in Mobile, Alabama, immersed in his father’s vivid recollections of the Pacific War. He recalls early memories of his father writing by the fireplace, surrounded by yellow legal pads and a small brown Bible, deeply engrossed in his thoughts.

Henry’s passion for World War II history was nurtured through these intimate conversations and his own explorations of military history books and artifacts. He has contributed to the preservation of his father’s legacy by working as a consultant for Valor Studios and publishing articles in Valor and Naval History Magazine. His most recent article was the cover story for the Autumn 2022 issue of World War II Magazine.

In 2025, Henry authored The Old Breed: The Complete Story Revealed, a work that enriches his father’s original memoir with previously unpublished material and personal anecdotes, offering a deeper insight into Eugene Sledge’s experiences during and after the war.

Beyond writing, Henry has co-hosted and appeared on numerous World War II-focused podcasts and documentaries, including “The We Happy Few Podcast,” “The WWII Podcast,” “The We Have Ways Podcast,” “Tall Tales With Taco,” “WW2 TV,” and “Reel History.” He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Auburn University and has over twenty years of experience in the heavy equipment industry.

Henry Sledge continues to engage audiences with his insights into World War II history, contributing to events like the We Have Ways History Festival in England and the International World War II Conference in New Orleans.

George Luz, Sr.

George Luz, Jr.

George Luz Jr. is the son of Technician Fourth Grade George Luz Sr., a beloved member of Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division—immortalized in Stephen E. Ambrose’s Band of Brothers and the acclaimed HBO miniseries.

Growing up in West Warwick, Rhode Island, George Jr. was immersed in the camaraderie and legacy of Easy Company from a young age. At just nine years old, he attended his first 101st Airborne reunion in 1965, an experience that deepened his connection to the men who served alongside his father. After George Sr.’s untimely death in 1998, George Jr. committed himself to preserving and sharing the stories of Easy Company.

Through his presentation, Through My Father’s Eyes, George Jr. offers audiences a unique perspective on the experiences of Easy Company, enriched by personal anecdotes, photographs, and letters. He has shared these stories at various events, including Veterans Day celebrations and historical society gatherings. His dedication ensures that the sacrifices and bonds of the “Band of Brothers” continue to inspire future generations.

Lynn “Buck” Compton

Tracy Compton

Lynn “Buck” Compton, a decorated World War II veteran of Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division—famously portrayed in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers—was the father of two daughters: Tracy and Syndee Compton. He and his wife, Donna Newman, adopted both girls after marrying in October 1947.

Tracy and Syndee played active roles in honoring their father’s legacy. They organized his 90th birthday celebration in January 2012, an event attended by family, friends, and cast members from Band of Brothers. Buck Compton passed away shortly thereafter, on February 25, 2012, at Tracy’s home in Burlington, Washington.

In his memoir, Call of Duty: My Life Before, During, and After the Band of Brothers, Compton expressed profound love for his family, dedicating the book to them and describing them as “the greatest thing that ever happened to me.”

Today, Tracy and Syndee continue to preserve and share their father’s story, ensuring that the legacy of Buck Compton and Easy Company endures for future generations.

Eugene “Doc” Roe

Chris Langlois

Eugene “Doc” Roe’s grandson, Chris Langlois, actively honors his grandfather’s legacy by sharing stories and insights about his service with Easy Company during World War II.

Chris Langlois frequently speaks at historical events and commemorations, offering personal reflections on Doc Roe’s experiences. For instance, he was a guest speaker at the Camp Toccoa at Currahee banquet, where he discussed his grandfather’s role in Easy Company.

He also participated in the “Nuts Weekend” event, sharing heartfelt memories and emphasizing the importance of preserving the stories of World War II veterans.

Chris authored the book How Easy Company Became a Band of Brothers, which provides an in-depth look at the experiences of the paratroopers in the 101st Airborne Division, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment. The book aims to offer readers a deeper understanding of the humility, courage, honor, sacrifice, duty, and patriotism exhibited by these soldiers.

In addition to live events, Chris has appeared in various media formats to discuss his grandfather’s legacy. He was featured in a C-SPAN segment where he talked about the emotional toll his grandfather experienced during the war. He also participated in a YouTube interview titled “Easy Company & The Next Generation,” where he delved into the history of Easy Company and his grandfather’s contributions.

��VLOG