Shows
Our WWII DadEpisode 13: Walking with Easy Company: Inside the Original Band of Brothers® TourWhat would make someone with no WWII family connection walk where Easy Company fought?In this powerful episode of Our WWII Dad, we sit down with John Healy, an Ireland native now living in Arizona, who—along with his son—traveled across Europe on the Original Band of Brothers® Tour. Created by historian Stephen Ambrose and Easy Company’s own Major Dick Winters, this two-week journey follows the path of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment from Camp Toccoa to Berchtesgaden.We dive into each chapter of the Band of Brothers® story — discussing the real locations, battles, and memories connected to each ep...
2025-08-071h 27Our WWII DadEpisode 12: WWII Changed Him Forever—Then He Changed Hollywood | Frank Pierson’s StorySome soldiers come home with stories they never want to tell—until they can’t keep them in any longer.In this episode of Our WWII Dad, we sit down with Mikke Pierson—former mayor of Malibu, volunteer firefighter, and proud son of Frank Pierson.Frank wasn’t a war hero. He was a dedicated young soldier who led dangerous patrols behind enemy lines in the Pacific. One moment during the war stayed with him for life... and changed how he saw the world.After the war, Frank turned quiet pain into lasting purpose. He became an Oscar-winning screenwriter and a Ho...
2025-04-211h 01Our WWII DadEpisode 11: Our 2-Day Visit to the National WWII Museum: A Prayer Card & Lost War StoriesA simple prayer card. A hidden war story. And a powerful connection we never expected. During our two-day visit to the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, we found a prayer card just like the one our dad carried during the war—the very card that unlocked his untold story. What else did we uncover? What moved us? What left us with even more questions? Episode Highlights: Exploring the vast museum campus (00:02:59), Day 1 - Louisiana Memorial Pavillion & the Higgins PA 33-21 Landing Craft (00:04:15), C-47 Skytrain (00:05:42), German Flak 37 88mm Gun (00:06:40), Departing Train & Dog Tags (00:08:01), The Arsenal of Democracy: Salute to The...
2025-03-092h 05Our WWII DadEpisode 10: Malmedy Massacre Survivor's Story: Dr. Raymond Minge, the 99th Infantry Battalion, and the Battle of the Bulge | Part Two | Our WWII DadDescription: Brothers Chris and Ken Cangilla continue their deep dive into the extraordinary legacy of Captain Dr. Raymond Minge of the 99th Infantry Battalion (separate), a WWII unit with a remarkable story. Joined by Dr. Minge's son, David (a former U.S. Congressman), and grandson, Olaf, they discuss how their father and grandfather served alongside Chris and Ken’s father, Louis T. Cangilla, in Company C.This special episode covers pivotal battles in Würselen and Aachen, Germany, and the Battle of the Bulge – 80 years this Christmas. Hear the harrowing tale of how Dr. Minge treated Staff Sergean...
2024-12-2356 minOur WWII DadEpisode 9: Heroic Healer: Dr. Raymond Minge, the 99th Infantry Battalion (separate), and the Battle of the Bulge’s 80th Anniversary | Part One | Our WWII DadAs they commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, brothers Chris and Ken Cangillahonor their father’s WWII service and explore the remarkable legacy of Captain Dr. Raymond Minge, a medic with the 99th Infantry Battalion (separate). This special episode marks the first time Chris and Ken are joined by both a son and grandson of a WWII veteran: former U.S. Congressman David Minge and Olaf Minge, editor of The Viking Battalion. Together, they share Dr. Minge’s heroic story of life-saving medical work, front-line bravery, and the deep bonds forged with his comrades in the 99th....
2024-12-1651 minOur WWII DadEpisode 8: California WWII Sites, Veteran Stories, and Rare WWII Artifacts | Our WWII DadIn Episode 8 of Our WWII Dad, brothers Chris and Ken Cangilla dive into WWII history with a focus on Southern California WWII sites and personal stories from the war. Joined by special guest Pat Pattison of Pat Pattison’s Best of California, they uncover fascinating WWII connections across California, from the Tustin Blimp Hangars to the Battle of Los Angeles.In this episode, Chris and Pat share insights from Chris’s journey through California’s WWII landmarks and Ken’s visit to the 10th Mountain Division exhibit at the History Colorado Center. Discover rare artifacts like the Finnish Lahti L-39 Anti...
2024-11-111h 11Our WWII DadEpisode 7: Inside the 99th Infantry 'Viking Battalion' and Their WWII Legacy | Our WWII DadBrothers Chris Cangilla and Ken Cangilla present episode seven of the acclaimed podcast, Our WWII Dad. The podcast outlines what they have learned about their father's time in World War II as a replacement soldier in "C" Company of the 99th Infantry Battalion (Separate) also known as The Viking Battalion. In this episode, Chris and Ken discuss Their Trip to Minneapolis/Saint Paul (2:14), The WWII Memorial and The USS Ward Gun - Saint Paul (3:33), Historic Fort Snelling & Memorial Chapel (5:39), The 10th Mountain Division & Vail, Colorado (7:36), The WWII Round Table - The Viking Battalion (13:31), New Factoids We Learned about the 99...
2024-03-121h 04Our WWII DadEpisode 6: Veteran Stories and WWII Memorials from Fort Logan to Omaha Beach | Our WWII DadBrothers Chris Cangilla and Ken Cangilla present episode six of the acclaimed podcast, Our WWII Dad. The podcast traces what they have learned about their father's time in World War II. In this special, Veterans episode, Chris and Ken discuss the Colorado Trip (1:46), Visiting Fort Logan National Cemetery (2:10), Other WWII Veteran's Stories (3:26), Louis Scattarelli - US Navy (3:50), Wilbur P. Ball - US Army (7:05), Woody Martin - US Army (19:14), Walter Director - US Navy (25:12), All Veterans' Stories (37:35), Other Europe WWII Visited Sites (38:56), La Gleize, Belgium (39:24), Foy, Belgium (42:32), Bois Jacques Forest (46:17), What Started "Our WWII Dad" (47:14), Omaha Beach - Normandy, France (47:51...
2023-11-011h 15Our WWII DadEpisode 5: Life After War – A Family Legacy Through the 1950s to 1997 | Our WWII DadBrothers Chris Cangilla and Ken Cangilla close out their limited series podcast, Our WWII Dad. The podcast traces what they have learned about their father's time in World War II. In this episode titled, A New Life, Chris and Ken discuss What Sticks With Us The Most (:48), Dad's Eisenhower Jacket, Patches & Medals (8:10), Dad's Post War Single Life (13:20), Our WWII Mom Talks About Their Post War Lives (17:22), The 1950s (35:07), Married August 15, 1952 & Starting a Family in Pittsburgh (37:52), Moving to St. Louis & More Kids (38:43), The 1960s & Moving to Colorado & Even More Kids (40:23), Our Childhood Home (40:45), Family Films (46:58), Meet The Siblings (01:02:16), The 1980s...
2023-07-221h 26Our WWII DadEpisode 4: Battle of the Bulge, Norway Operations, and Our Father’s Return Home | Our WWII DadBrothers Chris Cangilla and Ken Cangilla present episode four of the limited series podcast, Our WWII Dad. The podcast traces what they have learned about their father's time in World War II. In this episode titled, A New Year & New Hope, Chris and Ken discuss The Battle of The Bulge Recap (:36), Rte de Waimes, Malmedy (1:19), Brothers' Chance Meetings (2:50), Uncle Marcy Loads "Fat Man" (7:56), The Prayer Card (12:17), Trucked to Barneville, France (15:17), The 99th Folded Into The 474th (16:01), German Soldiers Raid, Granville, France (17:42), The Changes in Our Dad (18:45), "40 and 8" Railcars to Aachen, Germany (21:41), Our Dad's Model Train (24:38), Arrival in Aachen (28:17), Crossing...
2023-07-1649 minOur WWII DadEpisode 3: Rest & Rampage in the Battle of the Bulge | Our WWII DadBrothers Chris Cangilla and Ken Cangilla present episode three of the limited series podcast, Our WWII Dad. The podcast traces what they have learned about their father's time in World War II. In this episode titled, Rest & Rampage, Chris and Ken discuss their Dad's Night at St. Marien (1:57), Henri-Chapelle (4:19), Tilff, Belgium (4:40), 32 Quai de l'Ourthe (7:38), Rest in Tilff? (10:49), Move Out to Malmedy, Belgium (13:41), The Battle of The Bulge (14:05), Malmedy Town Square (15:59), Parking at the Railroad Tracks (18:52), Germans Infiltrate as Americans (19:31), Fatherly Guidance (23:47), Christmas in Malmedy (25:41), Dad's Nativity Scene Mangers (29:07), Visiting Dad at Christmas (30:06), No Christmas Ceasefire (30:27), The Bombing of Malmedy (31:01...
2023-07-0844 minOur WWII DadEpisode 2: Boots on the Ground with the 99th Infantry Battalion (separate) | Our WWII DadBrothers Chris Cangilla and Ken Cangilla present episode two of the limited series podcast, Our WWII Dad. The podcast traces what they have learned about their father's time in World War II. In this episode titled, Boots on The Ground, Chris and Ken discuss Our WWII Dad Becoming A Replacement (3:19), The 99th Infantry Battalion (Separate) origins, (3:54), Captain Hanson (7:05), Camp Hale, Colorado (7:26), Replacements Arrive in Drucourt, France (12:24), Battle at Elbeuf, France (12:59), Our WWII Dad With The Norwegian Soldiers (14:37), Canal Drive (Willens Vaart Canal) (15:50), Battle at Wurselen/Aachen, Germany (19:32), Volker - Ken's Guide (22:03), Soldier in Doorway, Tank in the Street (26:10), Story of Dad Being a Messenger (28:52), S...
2023-07-0138 minOur WWII DadEpisode 1: The Homefront and Dad’s Early Years | Our WWII DadBrothers Chris Cangilla and Ken Cangilla present episode one of the limited series podcast, Our WWII Dad. The podcast traces what they have learned about their father's time in World War II. In this episode titled, Home, Chris and Ken discuss The Beginning of WWII's Timeline (2:49), Dad's High School Years, (5:00), Our WWII Mom's Interview (6:24), Mom's Life Pre-War (7:05), Getting Information About the War (9:51), Supporting the War Effort (10:56), Servicemen Care Packages (14:23), Most Frightening Moments (15:36), Neighborhood Soldiers (19:20), How Our Mom Met Our Dad (20:41), Victory Memories (22:02), Dad Enlisting (25:46), Dad Reports to Fort George G. Meade (28:08), Dad Goes to Boot Camp - Camp Croft (29:03...
2023-06-2442 min
Our WWII DadPreview - Our WWII Dad: Introduction to the Podcast & Our Father’s WWII StoryBrothers Chris Cangilla and Ken Cangilla introduce themselves and describe what the new, limited series podcast is all about. Our WWII Dad traces what they have learned about their father's time in World War II. After years of research and recently returning from six weeks in Europe, Ken shares what he has discovered about their dad as his brother, Chris helps guide viewers and listeners through the journey.
2023-06-1713 minOur WWII DadA 30-Minute Compilation Retrospective | Our WWII Dad: Reflections on a Father’s WWII JourneyBrothers Chris Cangilla and Ken Cangilla present the compilation retrospective episode of the acclaimed podcast, Our WWII Dad. The podcast outlines what they have learned about their father's time in World War II as a replacement soldier in "C" Company of the 99th Infantry Battalion (Separate) in Europe. This special features Ken's trip to Europe, where he retraced their dad's footsteps with then-and-now photos. They interview their 91-year-old mother, who shares memories of the home front, including rationing, receiving war news, and the servicemen's return after VE Day. The brothers discuss their father's involvement in the Battle of the...
2023-06-1529 min