Best Anastasia Harman Podcasts (2024)

1
Chronicling the Lives of Each Defender 32:56

4d ago32:56

32:56

An exclusive behind-the-scenes look into the origins of Left Behind podcast and some of the people highlighted so far in the podcast’s first 60 episodes. This episode was originally given as a presentation at the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society and American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Memorial Society co-conference in April 2024 in Housto…

1
Return from the Zero Ward 48:42

18d ago48:42

48:42

An inside look into the infamous “Zero Ward,” so named because POWs who went there had zero chance of returning. And one man’s relentless work to bring one of them home. Learn more about John Eakin’s work to bring Bud Kelder and other unidentified men home: Interview with Eakin (Left Behind episode 18) BataanMissing.com – A Resource for Families of…

1
5 WW2 Servicemen to Remember this Memorial Day 21:23

1M ago21:23

21:23

In this special Memorial Day episode, we’re remembering 5 remarkable men who were Killed in Action, sacrificing their all to defend their country and The Philippine Islands during the early months of World War 2. Hear the full stories of the men highlighted in this episode: Capt. Colin Kelly -- pilot of first B-17 bomber downed in WW2 (episode #4) …

1
Cabanatuan’s First Escape 33:44

1M ago33:44

33:44

Four young American POWs attempted to escape from the Cabanatuan POW Camp. After being caught, they endured brutal punishment, forced to dig their graves, and executed by firing squad. But, by war’s end, their burial location couldn’t be found. Would their remains ever be located, and would their murderer be brought to justice? I mentioned the foll…

1
Reclaiming Our Heroes' Forgotten Stories 33:28

2M ago33:28

33:28

What if you could visit the Manila American Cemetery without leaving your home? Or walk the rows of in Normandy and discover each man's story? That's what the Memory Anchor Explorer app allows anyone, anywhere to do. Join me in an inspiring conversation with the apps co-founders to discover how they’re shaping the future of commemoration through te…

1
Disgrace on Parade: The March to Cabanatuan 34:58

2M ago34:58

34:58

In late May 1942, American POWs captured on Corregidor endured a hellish train ride and march to Cabanatuan’s infamous POWs camps. Among them was Navy Ensign Whitman, who, weakened by malaria and lack of food and water, struggled to keep pace with the relentless march. Despite comrades' aid, Whitman's condition worsened. And as his strength waned, …

1
Amidst the Foxholes: A WW2 Reenactor’s Journey 24:04

2M ago24:04

24:04

WW2 reenactor Victor Verano brings history to life through immersive experiences. In this fun and informative interview, he'll share his experiences at large WW2 reenactments, encounters with WWII veterans, and exploration of battlefields. You'll really enjoy Victor's passion for living history, which enriches our understanding of the past. Here’s …

1
Besieged: The Battle of Fort Frank 36:40

2M ago36:40

36:40

The fates of two servicemen – a career Army officer and a young medical doctor – intertwined during the harrowing siege at Fort Frank, a small island defense in Manila Bay. From the front lines to captivity at Cabanatuan POW Camp, they each battled disease, constant threats, and despair with unwavering resolve. Here are links to the other episodes …

1
Remembering the Bataan Death March 25:47

3M ago25:47

25:47

82 years ago – April 9, 1942 – some 75,000 American and Filipino servicemen became POWs when Bataan peninsula fell to Japanese forces. With in days the overwhelming majority of them were forced onto the Bataan Death March. These are their stories. I mention the following men in this episode: Jim Gallagher – Sportswriter from Philly who died on the …

1
Bad Blood: When History Isn’t Pretty 12:11

3M ago12:11

12:11

Sometimes I encounter not-so-great things while researching family trees. I’ll let you in on the 7 ways I handle bad blood and family secrets -- with sensitivity and empathy -- in the stories I research for Left Behind. Here’s the link to Alma Salm’s episode (#50), which I mentioned in this episode.By Anastasia Harman

1
Grim Reality: POW Life Inside Corregidor’s 92nd Garage 54:34

3M ago54:34

54:34

Two days after Corregidor fell, more than 11,000 American and Filipino POWs were marched to a beachy cove known as the Army 92nd Garage. Here they stayed, cramped, hungry, and thirty for nearly 3 weeks – baking in the tortuous Philippine sun because there was no protection from elements. Among these men was my great-grandfather Alma Salm, who would…

1
Preserving the 26th Cavalry’s Profound Impact 22:24

4M ago22:24

22:24

The 26th Cavalry were among the first to engage the Japanese invasion army in December 1942. Their critical role on the road to Bataan enabled the Allies’ successful withdrawal. Then they enacted the last horse-mounted cavalry charge in US history. Victor Verano – a historical reenactor and leader in The Philippine Scout Heritage Society – has spen…

1
Incredible Escape: 2,100 Miles, 30 Days, and an Open Boat 54:17

4M ago54:17

54:17

While The Philippine Islands fell to enemy forces on May 6, 1942, a small, open boat with 18 passengers quietly sailed out of Manila Bay under cover of darkness. It was a last, desperate attempt to escape capture and make their way 2,100 miles to Australia. And guess what? They made it. This is an adventure story you don’t want to miss! Here are li…

1
From Capture to Liberation: Exploring POW Stories 11:57

4M ago11:57

11:57

A behind-the-scenes look at the best, go-to resources used to the find the details of the POW war-time experiences I highlight on Left Behind. And, if you have a POW you’d like to know more about, download the “Finding Prisoners of Japan” guide that I made just for you.By Anastasia Harman

1
Surrender: Corregidor's Final, Frantic Message 58:44

4M ago58:44

58:44

In the early morning hours of May 6, 1942, a 22-year-old Signal Corps man telegraphed a frantic, play-by-play of the fighting and bombardment on Corregidor Island as Japanese forces moved ever closer to Malinta Tunnel. Then the white flag was raised, and the US flag burned. And the young man transmitted it to the world, as a nation wept. I mentione…

1
The Few and the Proud: Remembering the 4th Marines 21:56

5M ago21:56

21:56

Throughout the past year, it’s been my privilege to research and tell the stories of several men of the 4th Marines. This week I’m revisiting the riveting accounts of 5 Marines and their pivotal role in the Philippines during World War II. From the initial defense of the islands to the harrowing Battle of Corregidor, this episode showcases the unwa…

1
Last Line of Defense: US Marines and the Battle for Corregidor 45:11

5M ago45:11

45:11

On the night of May 5-6, 1942, Japanese forces landed an invasion on Corregidor Island, the last remaining US fortress in The Philippines. Waiting on the island’s beaches were the US Marines. And they weren’t about to let the island go without the fiercest battle of their lives. I mentioned these “Left Behind” episodes in this episode. Here are the…

1
Left Behind's First Anniversary 8:50

5M ago8:50

8:50

The night of January 30-31, 2024, is the 79th anniversary of the liberation of the Cabanatuan POW Camp in 1945. It's also marks the first anniversary of the “Left Behind” podcast. In This Left Behind the Scenes episode, we'll take a look at what we’ve accomplished in the past year (it's pretty remarkable) and get a glimpse at what’s coming in the s…

1
“Where’s Dan?” A WW2 Flight Nurse’s Front-Lines Search 56:19

5M ago56:19

56:19

“Where’s Dan?” A 24-year-old WW2 flight nurse asked this question every time she touched down on a new Pacific Island. A veteran of the Bataan campaign, she had escaped Corregidor Island 2 days before it fell. Once home, she joined flight nurse training and soon was hopping from one island’s front lines to another’s, sometimes under enemy fire. Wha…

1
The Real Story behind Corregidor’s Final Photo 48:37

6M ago48:37

48:37

In the days leading up to the surrender of Corregidor Island, Army Major Paul Wing snapped a picture of 16 exhausted Army men in the Malinta Tunnel. That photo would be one of the last photos smuggled off the island just before the Fall of The Philippines. But that wasn’t the end of the story… All 16 men would soon become prisoners of war and endur…

1
Escape into Enemy Hands 50:48

6M ago50:48

50:48

Flown out of Corregidor Island in a daring, last-minute escape in April 1942, Army nurse Rosemary Hogan found herself heading for the safety of Australia. The war on Bataan was a distant memory now. But disaster struck when the plane was forced down on a southern Philippines island – and the Japanese army was fast approaching. You’ll find images an…

1
Pearl Harbor: An Eyewitness Remembers 28:59

7M ago28:59

28:59

Imagine you’re a ten-year-old living in Honolulu, Hawaii, just a few blocks from Waikiki. Now imagine you wake up on a beautiful December morning to the sounds of planes overhead and explosions not so very far away. You’re too young to understand: Why these planes are attacking. Why your mother and grandmother are so frightened. Why you won’t see y…

1
One Warrior’s Bed-Bound Surrender 48:15

7M ago48:15

48:15

Seriously wounded on the front lines two days earlier, Lt. Jim Daly was bed-bound and immobile in a full-body cast when Bataan fell. And then Japanese forces took control of the field hospital. You’ll find images and maps about Lt Jim Daly’s story at: - Instagram: @leftbehindpodcast -- www.instagram.com/leftbehindpodcast - Left Behind Facebook: www…

1
POW Portraits: The Stories We Choose to Share 10:25

7M ago10:25

10:25

A behind the scenes look at the process I use to identify POWs to highlight in “Left Behind,” and once chosen, how I find their amazing stories.By Anastasia Harman

1
Defending The Rock: US Marines on Corregidor’s Front Lines 44:01

8M ago44:01

44:01

Lt. Col. Curtis Beecher’s 1st Battalion was the first line of defense against Japanese landing parties on Corregidor Island. A distinguished WW1 hero and career Marine, Beecher rallied his men to create beach defenses. But when Japanese forces conquered the island anyway, Beecher began 3.5 years as a POW – including surviving the Oryoku Maru disast…

1
Legacy of Valor: A Family’s Stand on Corregidor 43:12

8M ago43:12

43:12

In the early days of World War II, Vicente and Marcos Mocorro -- father and son – together defended Corregidor Island from Japanese attacks, while enduring the enemy’s debilitating bombing runs on an island under siege. But, when the inevitable happened and they were captured by enemy forces, they were separated. One became a guerilla fighter, cont…

1
Relentless Hope: A Story of Love, Faith, and Survival 53:19

9M ago53:19

53:19

Chet and Grace Britt were still newlyweds when the US Army evacuated her from The Philippines Islands in spring 1941. While she joined the home front war efforts, she had no idea the horrendous things Chet experienced once Bataan fell. For Chet, however, Grace's love and his faith pulled him through some of the darkest moments the American POWs fac…

1
From Passion to Podcast: The Origin of Left Behind 12:15

9M ago12:15

12:15

I’ve been working toward creating the Left Behind podcast for nearly 20 years. Seems strange, but it’s true. And it’s part of my answer to the question ALL the time: “How did you get into researching POWs in The Philippines?” Well, it literally started when I was 24 and bored one night… Every hero needs an origin story – and here’s the one for Left…

1
An Unbroken Bond: How POWs United to Endure Camp O’Donnell 53:10

9M ago53:10

53:10

2 young American prisoners of war – Norm Thenell and Dick Watt – lived through the Bataan Death March, only to enter a literal hell on earth – Camp O’Donnell. Daily life at O’Donnell was marked by disease, malnutrition, and uncertainty and became yet another of Japan’s WW2 atrocities. Watt and Thenell were lucky, though – they formed an unbreakable…

1
WW2’s Forgotten Atrocity: The Pantingan River Massacre 40:45

9M ago40:45

40:45

On April 12, 1942, Japanese forces dishonored themselves – by massacring more than 350 unarmed, bound Filipino officers and non-coms, who had surrendered the day before. It became known as the Pantingan River Massacre. Relying on survivor testimony and later interviews with Japanese soldiers who participated in the “dishonorable deed,” this episode…

1
Family Secret: Left Behind the Scenes 13:41

9M ago13:41

13:41

Check out this mini episode about a little-known family secret. "Left Behind the Scenes" is an bonus feature of the "Left Behind" podcast -- with answers to frequent questions, research secrets, and riffs on topics related to the podcast. Learn more about the "Left Behind" podcast at www.leftbehindpodcast.com…

1
Bound by Blood, Forged in War: How the Aldrich Brothers Survived the Impossible 51:49

10M ago51:49

51:49

In late 1945, a just-liberated POW named Jack Aldrich discovered something: his brother Bobby – who Jack thought was dead – had also survived imprisonment. 5 years earlier, Jack and Bobby joined the US army – together; Bobby lying about his age to get in. They trained together at Ft. Bliss, Texas, and fought together on Bataan. They then – together…

1
The Hunt for Freedom: A Daring Death March Escape 46:17

10M ago46:17

46:17

22-year-old Raymond Hunt was captured by Japanese forces on southern Bataan in April 1942. The next day, he began the grueling forced march that would become infamously known as the Battan Death March. But Hunt wasn’t going to let his enemies determine his fate. At great risk to himself, he escaped the march and joined the largest Guerilla organiza…

1
The Truth behind This Iconic Bataan Death March Photo 53:33

10M ago53:33

53:33

On April 9, 1942, three American prisoners of war, their hands bound behind their backs, were photographed by a Japanese soldier. That photo has become the most iconic of Bataan Death March photographs. In this episode, discover the lives and fates – and the story behind the photograph – of these three American men. View the photograph: - Instagram…

1
“At Gunpoint if Necessary”: Two Men’s Harrowing Escapes from Bataan 47:36

11M ago47:36

47:36

In the final hours before Bataan surrendered to an unthinkable fate, two men undertook harrowing escape attempts from Bataan. One with permission. One without. But escape from Bataan is just the beginning of the story – which starts in a quite Philippine village – and ends in the same, war-ravaged town as a young Filipino man tries to save not only…

1
Abandoned on Bataan: Army Nurse Clara Bickford’s Final-Moment Retreat 41:39

11M ago41:39

41:39

Just hours before Bataan fell to the enemy, Clara Bickford and her fellow Army nurses were ordered off Bataan and to the relative safety of Corregidor Island. But their evacuation was marred by clogged roads, earth-rending explosions, and an enemy airplane dogging their every move. When they finally made it to the dock – their boat had already left…

1
An Impossible Choice: Gen. Edward King’s Surrender of Bataan 49:40

12M ago49:40

49:40

On April 9, 1942, faced with sick, starving, battle-fatigued men and the onslaught of Japanese advances, Gen. Edward King made a momentous decision: He surrendered Bataan Peninsula to Japanese forces. It was his attempt to save the 78,000 servicemen under his command. But he couldn’t have foreseen the consequences of that action – both for himself …

1
Speaking for the Fallen 24:40

12M ago24:40

24:40

Stories behind the Stars is a volunteer organization seeking to find and tell the stories of all 421,000 servicemen and women killed during WW2. That's right -- a story for each of the 421,000 WW2 fallen. Join me as I chat with the project's founder, Don Milne. We talk about how the project started, what volunteers do, and how anyone can involved. …

1
Amidst Bombs and Prayers: Father William Cummings’ Miracle on Bataan 46:43

1y ago46:43

46:43

While enemy forces bombed a hospital on Easter Morning, Father William Cummings stood resolute, defying the destruction around him with prayer and faith. Thus, the tale of Bataan’s Easter morning miracle. And…he also coined the phrase “There are no atheists in foxholes.” This is the story of a small, ailing Catholic priest determined to join the so…

1
Submit Your Family’s Story 4:12

1y ago4:12

4:12

Do you know of a serviceman or woman who served in The Philippines during WW2? If so, I want to hear from you. Check out the episode to find out what stories I'm looking for right now, then visit https://leftbehindpodcast.com/submit-a-story to submit your story today.By Anastasia Harman

1
Why 2 Machinegun Nests Couldn’t Stop Lt. Willibald Bianchi 38:40

1y ago38:40

38:40

Already shot 4 times in the hand and chest, Lt. Willibald Bianchi commandeered an American tank, manned its anti-aircraft gun, and fired on an enemy machinegun nest. But a 5th bullet threw him to the ground. And this time, he didn’t get up. This is the story of Bataan’s final Medal of Honor winner Willibald Bianchi. Find pics, maps, and more on Fac…

1
Jose Calugas—WW2’s Only Filipino Medal of Honor Awardee 37:39

1y ago37:39

37:39

In early January 1942, a battlefield mess sergeant realized a vital artillery gun had been silenced. Risking his life, he ran more than half a mile across an active battlefield, manned the large gun, and spent the next 2 hours firing it, alone, on the enemy. His actions that day would earn him the Medal of Honor. But his legacy far outreaches his h…

1
Missing for 80 Years—The Search for American Heroes Left Behind on Bataan 51:23

1y ago51:23

51:23

In January 1942, two young American officers – Alexander Nininger and Ira Cheaney – died in battle on the Bataan Peninsula. In life, they’d been in The Philippines just 9 weeks. But, in death, they’ve been left behind there for more than 80 years. Because … of a rush to judgement, a potential Army coverup, and an inconvenient secret. This Memorial …

1
Bonus: Deep Dive into Identifying Bataan’s Unknown with John Eakin of BataanMissing.com 52:56

1y ago52:56

52:56

Catch my full interview with John Eakin of BataanMissing.com as we discuss the details of the Alexander Nininger and Ira Cheaney identification drama. I highly recommend listening to episode 17: "The True Story of WW2’s FIRST Medal of Honor: Alexander Nininger" before listening to this interview. You'll understand our discussion so much more! Find …

1
The True Story of WW2’s FIRST Medal of Honor: Alexander Nininger 40:02

1y ago40:02

40:02

In mid-January 1942, two heroes proved themselves on Bataan’s battlefields. One was a young man, fighting for duty and honor. The other was middle aged, fighting for his homeland and family. Both would face awful circumstances. Both would make self-sacrificing choices. And both would become national heroes … during those early, dark days of the war…

1
Bataan, Hollywood, & Europe: Nurse Eunice Hatchitt’s Unique WW2 Journey 40:28

1y ago40:28

40:28

Army nurse Lt. Eunice Hatchitt started WW2 caring for wounded men in a primitive battlefield hospital on Bataan. Escaping The Philippines at the last moment, she returned home a national hero. But WW2 wasn’t over for her. In 1944, she found herself following Gen. Patton’s army onto European battlefields. Oh, and she also made a small detour to Holl…

1
The Audacious and Creative War-Time Strategies of Henry Goodall 35:49

1y ago35:49

35:49

From hiding a Navy ship in plain sight to forming a make-shift navy from scavenged boats and machine guns – Lt. Commander Henry Goodall’s war tactics took military creativity to new heights. His methods were scrappy, but he bought time and saved American and Filipino lives in Bataan Peninsula during the early days of WW2. You can find pictures and …

1
How a Rag-Tag Group of Sailors Saved Bataan 40:47

1y ago40:47

40:47

You’ve never heard a WW2 story like this. In early 1942, a rag-tag group of Navy sailors and aviators, combined with some Marines, formed themselves into the Naval Battalion – an on-land fighting force in the jungles of Bataan. The battalion was the brainchild of Navy Commander Frank Bridget – who predicted enemy landings on Bataan well behind the …

1
The Final Transfers of Sailors McManus, Hutchison, and Hall 43:55

1y ago43:55

43:55

Sailors Alton Hall, Adolphus Hutchison, and Father Francis McManus each survived a vicious ship bombing and 2.5 years in a Japanese POW camp. But their enemies suddenly had new plans for them – transfers to different POW camps in The Philippines and in Japan. Wounded, weak, and starving, these men bravely faced their new fate. But...would they be a…

1
Johnny Wheeler and the Last Cavalry Charge in US History 37:56

1y ago37:56

37:56

The last US Army Cavalry charge happened during WW2 – on January 16, 1942, to be exact. The 26th Cavalry was on patrol in the northern Bataan Peninsula, when they encountered the advance guard of a large Japanese landing force. With moments to spare, a young Lieutenant raised his hand, ordering his troops into position, and yelled CHARGE! Some two …

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