Frenchie Podcast

Of all the hundreds of interviews I’ve done with WWII veterans over the many years, this one ranks at the very top of the “truly remarkable” category. John Mestayer was a soft-spoken fellow, kind and courteous, and led an infantry platoon into combat in France with the 95th Infantry Division. He was the only WW2 veteran in my hometown who wore an eye patch—a wartime injury that stayed with him his whole life. Some said it was from a sniper bullet; others said it was from shrapnel. No one really knew, because he never talked about it--until 2003, when I interviewed him for the "To Honor Our Veterans" oral history project. This a story of faith, courage, leadership, and duty—and it speaks to the humility of that great generation.

This episode brings to life wartime letters written by young Cajun soldiers just days after the Normandy landings of 1944. Through their words, we hear how French-speaking GIs connected with civilians, found pride in their heritage, and forged bonds across war-torn France. Featuring preserved family letters from the Broussard brothers of Breaux Bridge, reflections from their descendants, and a tribute to veteran Albert “Spoony” Sponheimer from the Stephen Ambrose Historical Tour group, this episode weaves the written record with living memory—and traces the Frenchie story back to the very beaches of Normandy, revisited decades later with the renowned tour company that keeps this history alive. Link to Bob Anderson’s article: https://stephenambrosetours.com/d-day-remembrance-pvt-houston-duhon-and-albert-spoony-sponheimer/