Presented here are twenty-five pieces of the artwork produced before, during, and after the D-Day invasion by these three men, whose duties at Normandy required them to carry a gun and a sketch book.
She started as a food editor at a St. Louis newspaper—a job she found downright insulting. But when World War II broke out, Virginia Irwin had bigger plans. She wasn’t interested in recipes or dinner parties. She wanted the front lines. And in April 1945, when American correspondents were banned from entering Berlin, she found a way in anyway. How did a food writer from Missouri become one of the first Americans to witness the fall of Berlin?
Too young to enlist, Audie Murphy falsified documents to join the Army and became a national hero. Fighting in World War II, Audie Murphy became the most decorated solider in U.S. history. Recognizable for his accomplishments, he went on to star in more than 40 movies—including playing himself in the 1955 film “To Hell and Back.” Watch and listen to this unbelievable story—with scenes from the movie of the actual Audie Murphy—and you’ll agree, “This man stands taller than John Wayne.”
Betcha Didn’t Know…the Gestapo called a one-legged American socialite “the most dangerous Allied spy” of World War II! Virginia Hall, nicknamed “Artemis,” defied the odds. She also defied the Nazis by coordinating French Resistance efforts with an iron will and clever disguises. With her prosthetic leg, she evaded capture, radioed crucial intel, and led daring operations that helped liberate France. From scaling the Pyrenees to earning the Distinguished Service Cross, her bravery was unmatched. Think you know “fearless?” Meet Virginia Hall!
Betcha didn’t know that the most celebrated double agent in WWII went by the code name ‘Garbo’ and worked both sides so well, he was awarded medals from both the British and the Nazis! Jeff Allen takes you on a hilarious journey into the world of Juan Pujol García—a man who convinced Hitler’s regime he had a full spy network when, in reality, his “agents” were all in his head! Buckle up for one of the greatest cons in history… one that fooled even the Führer!
Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, was an editorial cartoonist from 1941 to 1943, creating over 400 political cartoons during World War II. These cartoons criticized America’s enemies, encouraged patriotism, and addressed issues like frugality, blackouts, and recruitment. Now part of Wisdom Harbour’s Forgotten History exhibit, these original cartoons are displayed to spark thought and discussion about their powerful messages.
1942 was the year of the first 4th of July after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour. That month, every magazine in the United States featured the American flag on its cover. Can you imagine what it must have been like to live in a society where most everyone agreed on the direction of our country? Citizens of the world were fighting the Axis powers—Germany, Italy, and Japan—and it seemed, everyone did their part. Books, television, movies….all joined the fight to win the hearts and minds of good people the world over. Amazingly, that effort included cartoons for children. Today, Wisdom Harbour looks back in time to some works most have forgotten. Enjoy these five examples—all from Walt Disney—as Mickey, Minnie, and Donald work to further the effort to win World War II.
Betcha Didn’t Know a WW2 spy outwitted the Nazis with… knitting! Join Briley Crisafi as she unravels the tale of Phyllis “Pippa” Latour, a British secret agent who used knitting to hide secret codes. Disguised as a young girl on a bicycle, Latour transmitted 135 vital messages to aid the Allies during D-Day preparations. Discover how this courageous woman evaded capture, all while wielding her knitting needles as a tool of espionage. This episode is threaded with thrilling history!
Watch and listen to Edgar Harrell as he delivers a first hand account of surviving shark infested waters for 4 1/2 days during World War II after his battleship was torpedoed. Here is the first video of a new series: I WAS THERE…the sinking of the USS Indianapolis!