S1.E1 ∙ Meet the Mentors

This is the story of Navy squadron VF-17, the amazing Jolly Rogers. Flying their beloved "Hogs," the F4U-1 Corsair, they cleared the skies of 154 Japanese planes in 76 days of combat over the Solomon Islands. While never losing a bomber to enemy attack, Fighting 17 destroyed the heart of Japanese fighter command over Bougainville and Rabaul paving the way for the Allied advance in the Pacific. As related by the squadron's skipper, Tom Blackburn, and four of his men, the events of 1943-44 are enhanced by splendid film footage, personal photographs, and the memories of those who were there. This is the true story, the excitement, the agony, humor and sadness of a legendary tour of duty that will never be forgotten as long as pilots take to the air in combat.

Using footage compiled from Chinese, British and Japanese newsreel film, this picture documents the effects of the Japanese invasion and occupation on the inhabitants of China.

The Last Ring Home is a made-for-TV documentary that recounts the story of how a WWII hero's last wish was lost, found, finally fulfilled and then lost again. The discovery of the story by the hero's grandson is as big as the discovery of the ring.

During the time of the Soviet Union Magadan used to be the northeasternmost transit camp of the Gulag. Countless innocent people were deported to Siberia and died in the freezing labor camps. Only a few of those so called "Seki" survived and are still living in the secluded Siberian cities near the former labor camps. This film is about the people of Magadan, their painful memories of the Gulag and their personal approach to freedom.