Shepherd University Center for Appalachian Studies Director Benjamin Bankhurst, left, asks a question of Tom Deitz, center, as George Tyler Moore Center Director Jennifer Murray listens in, at the Shepherd Speaks StoryCorps Project in the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History & Education on Oct. 20. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Over 2,000 life stories have been collected in audio format through the nonprofit, nationwide StoryCorps project since 2003, which have then gone on to be placed in the U.S. Library of Congress. One new story will soon be added to that number, thanks to the Shepherd Speaks StoryCorps Project.

The project began at Shepherd University in 2018, and has recorded the stories of numerous individuals of local and national note, including retired National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps rear admiral Bill Stubblefield and Gat Creek Chief Executive Officer Gat Caperton. On Oct. 20 in the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History & Education, another individual of note told his story. Retired SEAL Team Five commanding officer Tom Deitz spoke about his illustrious career path and service in Operation Desert Storm.

“Every year, Shepherd University takes part in the nationwide StoryCorps series,” said Center for Appalachian Studies Director Benjamin Bankhurst. “Shepherd University decided to take part in the national series, to highlight the stories of ordinary Americans. We thought, as part of the series, that we would also highlight the stories of extraordinary Americans.”

He noted that many StoryCorps recordings are made without an audience. Recordings like that are, in fact, currently being made at Shepherd, by two groups of students who are preserving the stories of education majors and community members in post-COVID America for posterity. However, with the more “extraordinary Americans,” Shepherd realized the public would enjoy hearing their stories told in-person, and so began the annual tradition of holding a public StoryCorps recording session on its campus.

At this year’s session, Shepherd University President Mary Hendrix voiced her support of the project and warmly welcomed the dozens of Air Force Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps members in the audience, along with two military dignitaries of note: retired U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant colonel Oliver North and retired U.S. National Guard major general Tom Thomas.

Tom Deitz speaks about his path as a Navy SEAL in the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History & Education on Oct. 20. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

“Tonight, we kick off the 2025 Shepherd Speaks StoryCorps Project, with a story by Commander Tom Deitz, a distinguished leader whose career has been defined by courage, innovation and service,” Hendrix said. “We are honored to welcome Commander Deitz this evening, to learn more about his remarkable life and career.”

Deitz retired in 2004 from the U.S. Navy, after serving as a Navy SEAL (Sea, Air and Land) for over two decades. While deployed to support Operation Desert Storm, he led numerous combat missions, earning himself the Bronze Star with “V” for “valor” for his actions during a daring Amphibious Deception Operation. Later in his career, he broke new ground as the first SEAL assigned to the U.S. Special Operations Command’s Congressional Liaison Office, where he helped shape national security policy. Following 9/11, he led Naval Special Warfare Unit 1 in early combat operations in Afghanistan. After leaving the Navy, he continued to serve the military through strategic consulting and dedicated support of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation — a nonprofit that provides support to the families of fallen and severely wounded special operations military members.

“Faith, family, academics and athletics are what drove me,” Deitz said, crediting his parents and Catholic faith for his professional success. “The foundation that I was given as a child, is something I have endeavored to pass on to my own family.”

To learn more about StoryCorps, visit https://storycorps.org/.

High school and college students, as well as members of the local and military community, filled the auditorium of the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History & Education on Oct. 20. Photo by Tabitha Johnston