This is an IHeart podcast.

And we return to our American stories.

Before World War II, the idea of a beach landing wasn't something on the radar of most

militaries. We didn't have the right technology, nor did most nations want or foresee a need

for the right technology. This mindset would quickly change after the fall of France, and later

the attack on Pearl Harbor, and one man

from the swamps of Louisiana had a solution. Here to tell the story of Andrew Higgins is Nancy

Rust and Carol Stubbs. You'll also hear from Stephen Ambrose and segments from Louisiana's

4WL TV.

Let's get into the story first with Stephen Ambrose.

The first time I ever met General Eisenhower was in 1964.

He had asked me to come to his office and get his bird, Pennsylvania,

to talk about being the editor of his papers.

And we talked through the day. And at the end of the day, he leaned back in his chair, and he said, I see that you come from New Orleans. Did you ever know Andrew Higgins? I said, no, sir, Mr. Higgins died the year before I moved to New Orleans. So I never knew him. And Eisenhower said, well, that's too bad. You know, he's the man who won the war for us.

We interrupt this broadcast

to bring to this important bulletin from the United Press.

This country is at war with Germany.

We'll fight in the hills.

We shall never surrender.

Flash, Washington.

The White House announces Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

If it hadn't been for Andy Higgins, we would have had to change the whole strategy of the war.

...