Black Dragon: Fox Company’s Untold WWII Story | BRCC

This week's guest on the Black Rifle Coffee Podcast is Steve McCloud, author of “Black Dragon”, an in-depth account of the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines during the Pacific Campaign in WWII.

Steve joins Logan Stark to talk about the incredible journey of these Marines, including the pivotal role they played at Iwo Jima, the incredible story of leadership and sacrifice, and the decade-long research journey Steve undertook to piece together this powerful narrative. Don’t miss this fascinating look into history, leadership, and the enduring spirit of the Marine Corps.

00:00 - Intro: Steve McCloud and The Black Dragon
00:46 - The 80th Anniversary of the Pacific Campaign & Iwo Jima
01:14 - Fulfilling a Marine’s Last Wish: The Story of Charlie Kolar
02:36 - How Steve McCloud Began His Journey Documenting Fox Company
03:20 - Becoming an Honorary Member of Fox Company
04:12 - The Formation of the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines
06:56 - Leadership of Jack Bradley and His Impact on Fox Company
09:55 - Early Training in Chesapeake Bay and Tough Conditions
12:28 - Lessons Learned from the Guadalcanal Campaign
13:43 - Key Leaders of Fox Company and Their Impact
15:11 - The “Gentle Giant” Sam
19:16 - The Evolution of Small Unit Tactics and Fire Teams
21:01 - The Strategic Importance of Securing Airfields
27:30 - The First Battle Experience
30:54 - The Transition of Assault Operations
33:36 - The Psychological Toll of Seeing Civilians in War
50:54 - Defending Against Night Infiltrations and Bonzai Attacks
1:01:04 - Lessons from Saipan
1:03:06 - Evolving Tank-Infantry Coordination Tactics
1:13:22 - Clearing Caves on Saipan
1:25:30 - Stories of Leadership Under Pressure
1:30:11 - Fox Company's Discipline and Combat Efficiency
1:35:54 - The Brutal Realities of Combat on Iwo Jima
1:45:47 - How Fox Company Persevered Through Extreme Conditions
1:50:12 - The Emotional Weight of War
1:55:05 - Reflections on the Legacy of Fox Company and WWII Veterans
GUEST INFO:

Host:
Find more about Logan Stark on socials @loganstark

Guests:
Steve McCloud: Founder of Trident Leadership, Author of Black Dragon
For information on PMEs, battlefield leadership experiences, or the 80th Anniversary Pacific Tour,
visit TridentLeadership.com
Visit their website: www.tridentleadership.com
And check out their book: “Black Dragon: The Experience of a Marine Rifle Company in the Central
Pacific”
https://www.amazon.com/Black-Dragon-E...
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