Chronicling the Lives of Each Defender

Left Behind: When America Surrendered WW2

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 Houston, Texas. The presentation has been recorded here since the original wasn’t recorded.

Watch the video of this presentation on YouTube

Listen to the full episodes about the men and women mentioned in this episode:

• Alma Salm–The inspiration for Left Behind
• Harry Whitman – Salm’s marching companion to Cabanatuan POW Camp
• Frank Pyzick – Marine Major who announced WW2
• Alexander Nininger – 1st Medal of Honor recipient in WW2
• Jose Calugas – Only Filipino to receive the Medal of Honor in WW2
• Willibald Bianchi – Third and final man to receive the Medal of Honor on Bataan
• Jim Daly – Was in a field hospital when Bataan surrendered
• Eunice Hatchitt – Escaped from The Philippines, followed Patton’s army through Europe
• Father William Cummings – Performed the Easter morning miracle on Bataan
• Canopus Storekeepers – Hid from Japanese in a civilian internment camp
• The iconic Bataan Death March photo
• Last photo smuggled off Corregidor Island
• Crew of the USS Quail who escaped to Australia
• Irving Strobing – Sent last message off Corregidor
• Ray Hunt – Escaped Bataan Death March to become a wanted guerilla
• Lucy Wilson – Became a flight nurse to find her fiancé
• Marcos Macorro – Served with his father in Coast Artillery
• Dan Figuracion – Part of last cavalry charge in US Army history
• Felipe Fernandez – Led his men in last-minute escape from Bataan