Some 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 Hollywood legend—writing Cat Ballou, Cool Hand Luke, and Dog Day Afternoon. He went on to direct 1976’s A Star is Born.This is the story of how one soldier’s struggle became a legacy of words, meaning, and impact.Episode Highlights:Getting to know another WWII Son, Mikke Pierson (00:44), The Discussion of Frank R. Pierson, Mikke’s WWII Dad (3:37), Mikke’s background – growing up in California, owning ZJ Boarding House, being The Mayor of Malibu, starting Business Growth Solutions, and working as a Volunteer Fire Fighter (4:16), Mikke’s WWII Dad – Frank R. Pierson’s young life (11:00), Frank’s mother, Louise Randall Pierson, author of the novel “Roughly Speaking.” Later made into a feature film starring Rosalind Russell (11:48), Frank Pierson’s enlistment into WWII (13:01), Frank’s WWII service as an Infantryman in the US Army in the Pacific Theatre (14:50), Our Two WWII Dad’s war memorabilia (17:46), Frank Pierson’s WWII assignments behind enemy lines (19:31), Frank writes “With Blood on Our Hands”, a LA Times article about his WWII mission in Aitape, New Guinea (19:57), Frank’s post-war life – Harvard University and being a field correspondent for Time & Life magazines (29:19), Frank Pierson’s Hollywood pursuits and his angry feelings (29:28), Frank’s Hollywood success (32:07), Frank Pierson’s Oscar nominated screenplay for “Cat Ballou” starring Jane Fonda and Lee Marvin (32:25), Frank wrote “Cool Hand Luke’s” most famous line (32:39), A special gift from Jim Davis, creator of “Garfield” (35:20), Frank Pierson wins an Oscar for “Dog Day Afternoon” starring Al Pacino (36:09), Frank directs 1976’s “A Star is Born” string Barbara Streisand & Kris Kristofferson and his relationships with both stars (38:19), Frank’s supports Mikke’s decision to not sign up for the selective service by writing an newspaper article (40:00), Frank Pierson & Barbara Streisand’s relationship (41:30), Frank Pierson – President of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), President of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), and teacher at American Film Institute (AFI) (42:43), Frank directs “Conspiracy” for HBO Films (43:32), Would Frank Pierson have been on Social Media if it was available during his time? (45:23), Mikke’s relationship with his WWII Dad, Frank Pierson (47:03), Frank’s work on “Mad Men” for its creator, Matthew Weiner (49:38), Were Our WWII Dads cool when they were younger? And how we got to know them better when we, their sons, got older (50:31), Finding the connection to Our WWII Dads (55:56), Mikke drops a bomb of information about he and his dad’s relationship...he was adopted (56:34), and like, comment, and email us at [email protected] (01:00:18).

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A 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 Homefront (00:10:59), 1940s Kitchen (00:11:20), 1940s Radios (00:11:47), Japan, US, & Germany Troop Counts at the Start of WWII (00:12:55), Gearing Up for The War to Come (00:13:40), Rosie the Riveter (00:14:58), Manufacturing the Willys Jeep (00:17:43), The M1941 Field / Parsons Jacket (00:20:20), Infantrymen's Personal Items and Foxhole Shovel & Our Dad's Own Shovel (00:21:10), The French Resistance Armband & Our Dad's French Resistance Pin (00:23:01), "Beyond All Boundaries" 4-D Journey (00:24:16), Malcolm S. Forbes Rare and Iconic Artifacts Gallery (00:26:42), Unit Patches Display & The 474th Infantry Regiment (00:27:14), The 99th Infantry Battalion (separate) Patch becomes The 474th Infantry Regiment (00:28:11), Malcolm Forbes' Bronze Star (00:30:20), Is Our Dad entitled to a Bronze Star? (00:32:51), Malcolm Forbes' Sharpshooter Qualification Badge (00:34:42), Should Our Dad have a Sharpshooter Qualification Badge? (00:35:02), A Bayonet & M1 Grande (00:35:47), The M1 Grandeo if you're 5' 6" (00:36:46), Blackout Buttons, a Ration Book, & Our WWII Mom's Rationing Stories (00:38:51), Campaigns of Courage - The Road to Berlin (00:42:55), Honoring Tom Hank's WWII Dad - Amos Hanks & Steven Spielberg’s WWII Dad - Arnold Spielberg (00:43:25), Ranz Gockel's Boots, Soldbuch, & Prayer Book (00:45:12), 1941 Jeep (00:48:18), Ammo Belt (00:49:24), The Museum's Eisenhower Jacket with the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge (00:50:41), Our Dad's Eisenhower Jacket & His Medals, Ribbons & Patches (00:51:02), WWII Helmets Damage & Issues (00:54:23), The 10th Mountain Division at the Museum, Camp Hale, and in Vail, Colorado (00:55:41), The Barracks' Roof's Hole to the Sky (00:58:06), German Sign Posts & Operation Greif (00:58:59), Stalled at The Siegfried Line (01:00:09), Our Dad at The Battle of The Bulge (01:01:09), Malmedy Massacre (01:02:51), Signed Nazi Flag (01:03:48), The Combat Infantry Badge "CIB" (01:06:05), "Displaced Persons" & the Story from Our WWII Dad Himself (01:06:19), The Prayer Card at the Museum just like Our Dad's Prayer Card (01:08:51), The Treasure Hunt at Merkers Mine (01:13:16), The 99th is the Forrest Gump of WWII (01:14:28), The Liberation Pavilion's Freedom Theatre (01:15:58), The US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center (01:16:33), Jeep 1943 Willys MB & Our WWII Dad Jeep Driver (01:17:29), Our Dad was a Runner in Aachen, Germany (01:18:00), CCKW Hardtop - Deuce-and-a-Half Truck & Our Dad Captured in One on Film? (01:22:41), M4 Sherman Tank (01:24:15), B-17 Flying Fortress (01:25:31), The Messerschmitt and Our Dad's Encounter (01:28:11), The Jet-Powered Messerschmitt Me 262 (01:30:35), Day 2 - Ammo Clip, Belt with Ammo Bags, Pineapple Grenade & Helmet Up Close (01:31:19), Sylvia George & "The Homefront: Through a Child's Eyes (01:32:54), The Road to Tokyo (01:35:38), The Pacific Theatre Artifacts: Water-Cooled Machine Gun, Thompson Submachine Gun & The M2 Flamethrower (01:37:22), Samari Sword War Trophy & Pat Pattison's WWII Dad's Samari Sword (01:40:38), Leyte & TravisMartin's WWII Dad (01:41:12), The James Willard Oglesby Story (01:42:06), Ken Cangilla's Letters to 10-year Younger Brother (01:45:27), P40 Warhawk Fighters (01:46:20), Dropping The Bomb, the Vase & Our WWII Uncle Marcy (01:46:59), Our Final Thoughts: Hits and Misses (01:48:33), Experiencing New Orleans (01:057:12).

Description:  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 Sergeant Henry “Roy” Zack, a survivor of the infamous Malmedy Massacre on December 17, 1944.

Episode Highlights: 

Recap of Episode 9 - Part 1:  Heroic Healer: Captain Dr. Raymond Minge of the 99th Infantry Battalion (separate) | Our WWII Dad (00:28), The Battle of the Bulge’s 80th Anniversary (01:16), Part 2: The discussion of Dr. Raymond Minge with Olaf and David Minge – The 99th’s Movements in Würselen & Aachen, Germany (01:39), Touring Würselen & Aachen with Volker (02:09), “Then & Now” Location Photos of the 99th Soldier & German Tank (04:12), “Crucifix Hill” in Aachen, Germany (05:50), Foxholes & “Dragon Teeth” – Siegfried Line (08:37), “Then & Now” Location Photos of U.S. Soldiers on the Streets of Würselen (09:37), The Bombing of St. Sebastian Church, Würselen (11:21), Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery (12:13), The 99th Infantry Battalion (separate) at The Battle of the Bulge, December 1944 (13:27), Christmas in Malmedy, Belgium 1944 (14:33), The “Malmedy Massacre” December 17, 1944 (18:07), The Bombing of Malmedy Mistake, Christmas Eve 1944 (19:03), Dr. Raymond Minge Treats Staff Sergeant Henry “Roy” Zack after he Survives the “Malmedy Massacre” (19:58), Baugnez – the Accurate Location of the “Malmedy Massacre” (24:00), Malmedy, Belgium Today & The New Historical Marker Panels spearheaded by Ludovic Delcourt (24:54), Dr. Minge at Buchenwald Concentration Camp Liberation, Welmar, Germany (29:11), Merkers Mine, Krayenberggemeinde, Germany (31:24), The 99th Infantry Battalion (separate) is the Forrest Gump of WWII (34:49), Dr. Minge & The 99th go to Oslo, Norway (36:26), Dr. Minge’s Return to America & His Post-War Life (39:40), Captain Dr. Raymond Minge’s WWII Uniform & Cap (45:20), The 99th Infantry Battalion Educational Foundation & Facebook Page (46:24), Remembering The Battle of The Bulge’s 80 Years to the Date (54:32), and How to Subscribe, Like, & Contact Our WWII Dad (54:57.)

As 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.

The episode covers Dr. Minge’s early training at Camp Hale, Colorado; his journey to Normandy; his critical role in the Canal Drive; and the emotional impact of losing fellow medic Captain Gordon F. Fisher. The story also highlights the incredible prewar journey of his sister, Margaret Minge, who escaped Nazi Germany after witnessing Kristallnacht and smuggling Jewish valuables to safety.

Through this heartfelt conversation with the Minge family, Chris and Ken provide a rare, multi-generational perspective on the sacrifices of WWII soldiers and their families.

Episode Highlights: The 80th Anniversary of the Battle of The Bulge (00:54), Retracing the steps of Captain Dr. Raymond Minge of the 99th Infantry Battalion (separate) (01:45), Ken and Chris’ in-person prep work (04:05), The discussion of Dr. Raymond Minge with Olaf and David Minge (05:31), The Minge family history (06:03), Raymond’s medical training (08:06), The story of Raymond’s sister – Margaret Minge (09:12), Dr. Minge joining the 99th Infantry Battalion (separate) (10:50), Musician Margaret Minge seeing Adolf Hitler, witnessing Kristallnacht, smuggling out Jewish valuables, and escaping Germany (13:18), Dr. Minge’s training at Camp Hale, Colorado (15:40), Dr. Minge off to WWII and his letter from England – December 1943 (21:19), Dr. Minge and the 99th’s voyage to Normandy, France (26:02), The 99th in Elbeuf, France (27:47), Was Louis Cangilla with the 99th Infantry Battalion in Maastricht, Netherlands? (35:14), The 99th Infantry Battalion (separate) Canal Drive, September 1944 (36:32), Captain Gordon F. Fischer Death and Memorial (38:54), How Captain Fisher’s Death affected Dr. Raymond Minge’s military service (41:14), Lifelong friendships made amongst the members of the 99th(45:08), The post-war reunion of the 99th’s Sverre Gulbrandson and Dr. Raymond Minge at General Hospital (45:51), The relationship of Gustav Svendsen and Dr. Raymond Minge (47:16), The preview of Part Two with the Minges discussing Our WWII Dads at Wurselen and Aachen, Germany and the Battle of The Bulge (50:13).

In 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-Tank Rifle, M1 Garand Rifle, and even a Samurai Sword from Pat’s father’s collection.

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-Tank Rifle, M1 Garand Rifle, and even a samurai sword from Pat’s father’s collection.

Episode Highlights:

Chris's trip to Southern California WWII sites with Pat (2:40), Ken explores the 10th Mountain Division exhibit (03:38), Finnish Lahti L-39 20mm Anti-tank Rifle (04:22), The Ski Trooper (05:36), 2-Man Pup Tent (06:09), US M1 Garand Rifle with Charles Hunt's M1 Bayonet (06:50), The Pack Mule (08:00), M29 Weasel (08:30), WAC Women's Army Corps (09:28), The 99th Infantry Battalion (Separate) acknowledgment (10:34), German POW Prison Break at Camp Hale (11:15), German Mountain Infantry Uniform (13:18), M2 60mm Mortar (14:01), Captured Nazi Banner (15:14), M1A1 Bazooka (15:53), Veterans Souvenirs including Italian Beretta Model 1935 Identical to Cangilla Father's (17:11), Pat Pattison & his WWII Dad - Raylinn Pattison (19:02), Pat's Native Californian Roots (21:33), Pat's Dad's Life Pre-WWII and the Civil Conservation Corps (22:16), Pat's Dad's Mementos including His 1650s Samurai Sword (23:51), Pat's Dad's Post-WWII Life (28:15), Pat's Dad's at The Battle of Okinawa & The Ryukyu Islands (30:16), The Deadeyes - 96th Infantry Division (32:44), Raylinn Pattison and Woody Martin - fellow Deadeyes (34:26), CAF SoCal - Commemorative Air Force SoCal Wing & Uniform Historian, Jack Luder (36:56), WWII Vets Not Talking Much About the War (40:30), Tustin Blimp Hangers - Then and Now (47:01), The Stories Behind Their Fathers' Uniform Pins? (50:41), Japanese Attack on the Continental U.S. - Elwood Oil Fields, Goleta (53:52), The Battle of Los Angeles (55:47), Goleta's Timbers Roadhouse's Connection to WWII (57:21), Where to Watch "Pat Pattison's Best of California" (01:01:58), Japanese Fu-Go Balloon Bombs and the Only Place on the American Continent Where Death Resulted from Enemy Action During WWII (01:07:15), and California - Pre & Post WWII (01:07:15).

Whether you’re a WWII enthusiast or exploring family veteran stories, this episode uncovers California’s WWII legacy, historical artifacts, and the personal tales that shaped the Greatest Generation. Watch now to journey through America’s WWII history and discover stories you won’t find in textbooks.

Brothers 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 99th Infantry Battalion (Separate) (17:52), Operation Greif (19:04), The 474th Infantry Regiment & Patch (20:50), The Merkers Mine in Germany (23:30), The “Forrest Gump” of WWII (24:18), The 99th Monumental Moments (24:50), The First American Unit to Secure a German City (25:38), The First Army Headquarters’ Brass Protection (26:00), The Battle of The Bulge (26:28), The Merkers Mine Treasures Protection (27:04), The Buchenwald Concentration Camp (27:29), Honor Guard for The King of Norway’s Return (28:01), The Best Moments from The Round Table (29:02), Erik Brun & His WWII Dad - Christian Brun (31:18), How Christian Brun Came to Server with The 99th (32:37), Christian Brun at Camp Hale, Colorado (34:41), Christian’s Selection for First Army Headquarters Guard Detachment (36:47), Guard Detachment Service…A Bitter Sweet Assignment? (40:05), How Operation Greif Affected The Viking Battalion (42:16), Christian Brun’s Toughest Moments (46:16), Christian & The Viking Battalion go to Norway for The King’s Return (50:52), Christian Brun’s Post-War Life (53:52), The Viking Battalion Book (55:57), Erik Brun’s Most Cherished Memory of His WWII Dad (57:14), and Our TWO WWII Dads' Qualities (01:00:01).

Brothers 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), Normandy American Cemetery (51:20), Wilderstandsnest 73 - Omaha Beach (54:54), Wilderstandsnest 72 - Pak 43 - German 88mm Gun (56:04) Mulberry Harbor (57:21), Pointe du Hoc - Normandy, France (58:21), Carentan - Normandy, France (01:03:14), Loire Valley, France (01:05:30), Paris, France (01:08:06), London, England (01:10:41) and Veterans Day for Us (01:13:04).

Brothers 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 & Retirement (01:03:50), Heart Issue (01:05;03), Bounced Back (01:06:06), Health Issues Again (01:06:50), Dad's Death - November 12, 1997 (01:08:16), The Funeral (01:10:14), The Burial at Fort Logan National Cemetery (01:14:20), Our Families & Our Dad (01:16:33), Our WWII Dad - Future Plans (01:20:38), Email Us at: [email protected] (01:21:47), & Our Profound Thanks (01:23:43).

Brothers 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 The Rhine (28:45), Capture The Flag (29:35), VE Day (30:20), Regensburg, Germany (30:52, Our Dad Tells About His Regensburg Mission and Prize (31:22), Shipped Off to Oslo, Norway (36:29), Norway Operations (38:56), The King of Norway's Homecoming (40:53), Rest & Relaxation & a Pass (42:24), The 99th's Final Numbers (43:18), Going Home (44:25), Arrival in the USA (46:35) and Honorable Discharge & The Steps to Home (47:17).

Brothers 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), The Messerschmitt (33:33), Commando Raid at Hedomont (37:18) and The Malmedy Massacre (38:22).