Cover-Ups, Codebreakers, and the Coastline War with Sara Vladic

Scientists. Mobsters. Double agents. Retirees. Volunteer pilots. A Boy Scout. That's not a movie pitch — it's the actual cast of characters that New York Times bestselling author and documentary filmmaker uncovered. Sara Vladic returns to discuss “The Dangerous Shore” and the hidden fight to defend America's coastline in World War II.

Key Takeaways:

• 00:00 Introduction: Sara Vladic returns to discuss her acclaimed work on the USS Indianapolis and her new book, “The Dangerous Shore.”

• 04:58 Sara recaps the USS Indianapolis story: a flagship sunk in 12 minutes, followed by days adrift at sea.

• 07:40 The cover-up of a German submarine attack three miles off the coast of Maine.

• 08:37 Roughly 660 ships were sunk off American coastlines during World War II, largely unknown to the public.

• 09:00 With able-bodied men overseas, women, minorities, and the young and old stepped up to defend the coastline.

• 10:48 Notorious mobsters worked secretly with Naval Intelligence to protect New York's wartime shipping industry.

• 13:05 Civilian pilots strapped homemade bombs to small planes to patrol for German U-boats along the coast.

• 14:32 Engineer Joe Desch built the American “Bombe,” a machine that helped break German U-boat codes.

• 15:59 Sara reflects on how ordinary people's small actions shaped the outcome of a global war.

• 17:50 Sara's advice for today: sit down, listen, and have real conversations with people who see things differently.

Thanks for joining us for the latest episode of “Day in a Canoe.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss any of our insightful conversations.

If you’d like us to help you define what true wealth means to you, go to www.planningalt.com and take our assessment.

Planning Alternatives is an investment advisory firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any opinions expressed may not reflect those of Planning Alternatives.

“Sit down and have a talk, and I don’t mean just with the people you agree with.”

- Sara Vladic

Resources Mentioned:

• Planning Alternatives Wealth Assessment

• “The Dangerous Shore” by Sara Vladic

• “Indianapolis” by Lynn Vincent and Sara Vladic
• Documentary: “USS Indianapolis: The Legacy”
• #WWIIHistory #HiddenHistory #Storytelling

Connect with the guests:

LinkedIn: Sara Vladic

Connect with Nathan Mersereau:

Phone: 248-645-1520 
Email: nathan.mersereau@planningalt.com
LinkedIn: Nathan Mersereau
Address: 255 S Old Woodward, Suite 310
Birmingham, MI 48009