About this episode
Former U.S. Marine Michael Delery joins us on Urban Valor to share a powerful and haunting story from his time in Iraq. During the 2003 invasion, Mike’s unit was approached by a young Iraqi boy who led them to a shallow grave—revealing the remains of four missing American soldiers. Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, Mike faced nonstop pressure to join gangs. Instead, he chose the Marine Corps and built a life of service and sacrifice. In this episode, he recounts the intensity of Marine Corps Security Forces training, the chaos of combat deployments, and the moment that would stay with him forever. He also opens up about the emotional weight carried by veterans after service—navigating PTSD, losing friends to suicide, and the harsh reality of returning home. From sleeping on a living room floor weeks after deployment to the frustrations of Marine Corps recruiting, Mike offers an unfiltered look at military life before and after combat. 👍 Like this video to support and 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: 00:00 – Iraqi Boy Leads Marines to a Shocking Discovery 01:12 – Reflecting on the First Ever Urban Valor Interview 01:29 – Life at Banger: Security Forces & Nuclear Protocols 03:45 – Peer Pressure and Gangs in South Central LA 10:12 – Brotherhood and Discipline in the Marines 20:46 – Losing Friends in Combat & Harrowing Iraq Memories 26:59 – 9/11 and the Chain Reaction that Led to War 30:08 – Fast Roping, Field Ops & Overseas Deployment 43:34 – Coming Home: Homeless with a Family Weeks After Iraq 50:19 – The Mental Toll of Marine Recruiting Duty 1:03:10 – Leaving the Corps for His Family’s Future 1:16:33 – Civilian Life as a Cop: Danger, Trauma, & Tension 1:33:21 – PTSD, Suicide, and the Tragic Loss of Marco Sanchez 1:46:28 – Stories of Camaraderie and Marine Brotherhood #military #warstories #urbanvalor #usmarines #warstories