Step into the boots of Donald Ruhl, a Columbus, Montana native whose journey from Joliet’s quiet fields to the volcanic sands of Iwo Jima forged a legacy of valor. On The Big Fat Podcast, we uncover the story of a high school dreamer turned Marine hero who earned the Congressional Medal of Honor with his ultimate sacrifice—diving on a Japanese explosive to save his squad. Part of our "They Gazed on the Beartooths" series, this episode brings you raw tales of bravery, heartbreak, and resilience, in partnership with the Museum of the Beartooths and sponsored by Pinnacle Property of Montana. Like, subscribe, and share to keep these stories alive!

**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: A Montana Marine’s Legacy

01:00 Donald Ruhl: From Columbus to Combat

05:00 High School Dreams: Baseball and Boyhood

09:00 Enlisting in the Marines: A Call to Duty

14:00 Iwo Jima D-Day: Facing the Ninth Wave

20:00 You Should Know: Camp Rimini’s Tactical Sleds

23:00 D-Day Plus One: Dragging a Brother to Safety

28:00 February 21, 1945: The Ultimate Sacrifice

35:00 Medal of Honor: Honoring a Fallen Hero

42:00 Letters of Loss: Mothers Connected by Grief

50:00 The Flag on Suribachi: A Bittersweet Victory

57:00 Reflections: Montana’s Quiet Courage

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

Step into the rugged history of Columbus, Montana, as The Big Fat Podcast explores the Columbus Quarry—a hidden gem where ancient seabeds became the building blocks of a town and beyond. From the Montana State Capitol to Main Street’s timeless facades, discover how hardworking hands and ancient stone shaped a legacy that stretches across the state. Packed with fascinating stories, geological wonders, and a unsolved murder, this episode from our "They Gazed on the Beartooths" series is brought to you in partnership with the Museum of the Beartooths and sponsored by Pinnacle Property of Montana. Hit that like button, subscribe, and share with your history-loving friends to keep these tales alive!

**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:**

00:00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Columbus Quarry

00:01:00 The Origins: Ancient Seabeds to Sandstone

00:03:00 Building a Legacy: From Schools to the State Capitol

00:07:00 The Stone Masters: Mike Jacobs and His Crew

00:15:00 The Wimsett Monument: Artistry at the World’s Fair

00:29:00 You Should Know: Murder at the Quarry

00:33:00 Hidden Treasures: Unearthing the Monument Yard

00:39:00 Grinding Stones: Innovation from the Quarry

00:43:00 Water Woes: The Shane Ditch Solution

00:48:00 Beyond Columbus: Sandstone Across Montana

00:55:00 Closing Thoughts: 125 Years of History