Join us on The Big Fat Podcast as we salute the unbreakable spirit of Stillwater County’s service members who traded Montana’s quiet plains for the chaos of war. From John Matovich’s tactical dog sleds built for a secret WWII invasion to William Arnold’s harrowing survival in the Philippines, these local heroes carved legacies of grit and grace. Part of our "They Gazed on the Beartooths" series, this episode—packed with untold tales of courage—is brought to you in partnership with the Museum of the Beartooths and sponsored by Pinnacle Property of Montana. Like, subscribe, and share to honor their stories!
**Thank You to Our Sponsor: Pinnacle Property of Montana**
Donna West, Owner/Broker
https://www.pinnacleproperty.com
**Thank You to Penny Redli, Executive Director - Museum of the Beartooths**
https://www.museumofthebeartooths.com
Chapter Timestamps:
- [00:00] Introduction: Honoring Stillwater’s Heroes
- [01:00] John Matovich: Crafting Tactical Dog Sleds
- [07:00] Camp Rimini: WWII’s Sled-Building Hub
- [15:00] Steam-Bending Secrets: Sled Craft Unveiled
- [19:00] You Should Know: Battle of Hailstone Basin
- [21:00] William Arnold: From Fishtail to the Philippines
- [26:00] December 8, 1941: Bombs Over Bataan
- [33:00] POW Survival: Escaping the Death March
- [40:00] Hell Ships and Coconut Cargo: A Prisoner’s Journey
- [50:00] Liberation: American Planes Drop Hope
- [56:00] Homecoming: Resilience After War