In a previous episode I mentioned that the wife of Colonel Jesse Atwood was a distant relative of John Chapman, better known to people as Johnny Appleseed. He was, by all accounts, a rather eccentric frontiersman that traveled throughout Ohio and Indiana (often depicted with a cooking pot for a hat) planting apple trees along the way. In our True Hero segment, we will

Find all links here: https://randhist.bio.link

Every year that I taught World History, I would spend some time talking about the origins of various things;  songs, sayings (or idioms), names of places, and surnames. The look on students’ faces when they realize that a song and game they played as little kids, talks about dying from the plague, is entertaining. I just discussed this with my AP World History class last week and decided to devote an episode to the origins of some of these idioms.

Also this week, I heard that a famous pop star decided to endorse a specific candidate for president and I thought, “who cares what you think about politics.” Well, this reinforced the importance of celebrating TRUE heroes. People who put their lives on the line

This episode is a gift for my wife and her family.

My wife has done extensive genealogical research on our families. Her family goes back to the Mayflower, while mine are more recent immigrants coming over in the 1880s. Both our families have had many members through the generations serve in the military. In fact, her family fought in every war this country has been in—from the Revolutionary war through the War on Terror. This episode of the podcast tells the story of one of her ancestors.

In our True Heroes segment, I will tell the story of A Roman Catholic Priest whose faith and courage helped him save countless wounded in a battle in Vietnam before he was cut down by enemy fire.

It was pointed out to me that I tend to do a lot of stories on aviators. That is true, and today is no exception. I myself was an aviator in my younger days, and to be honest, since about 3rd grade, that is all I wanted to do. I looked up to these men and women. I read every book I could find on the Wright Brothers, Chuck Yeager, Charles Lindberg, Amelia Earhart, and Jimmy Doolittle. Even some that only the Air Force types listening may have heard of –Clair Chenault, Curtis LeMay, and Paul Tibbits. My show today is once again, an aviation themed show. In it, I will talk about a group of women pilots that the Nazi’s were so afraid of, that Hitler gave the order to execute them on sight if any were ever captured. They were the Night Witches of World War II. Our hero for today saved an entire AC 47 Spooky in Vietnam, by jumping on a burning magnesium flare, holding to his body, and throwing out of the back of the plane, all while suffering severe wounds and bleeding profusely.

In this episode, we will hear about an unusual man-made

In our True Heroes segment, we have my first “Audience

Transcripts, references and sources: https://randhist.bio.link

In this episode, we will hear about one of the most inspiring and daring escapes in history. The story of Robert Smalls is one that should have been made into a movie long ago. The man stole a Confederate gunboat and sailed it, full of runaway slaves, to freedom. He would later become one of the first African Americans to serve in Congress.

In our True Heroes segment, I will introduce you to Daniel Inouye. His service in World War II was absolutely one of the most heroic and awe-inspiring you will ever hear about. Severely wounded, he helped his company take a key hilltop, paving the way for the Allied sweep though Italy as we pushed the Germans back towards their homeland.

In this episode, we will discuss a World War II battle which took place in the final days of the

war. It found units of the US Army teaming up with members of the German Wehrmarcht,

Austrian Resistance, and a handful of French prisoners of war, to defeat a Nazi SS unit.

In our True Heroes segment, I will introduce you to Mary Walker, the only female recipient of the

Medal of Honor. Her’s is a story of dedication, tenacity, and service to her country, at a time

when women were expected to stay home and raise a family. Her work saved countless Union

and Confederate soldiers’ lives.

In this episode, I am going to tell you the story of Bob Pardo. His is undoubtedly a name your history teacher did not bring up, but after hearing this story, you may be surprised how far servicemen and women will go to save a comrade in arms.

In this episode The Navigator talks about the Submarine that sank a train and her commander, and Admiral Jeremiah Denton.

You can find the episode transcripts by visiting the random history subreddit r/RandomHistory

(This episode's audio was remastered on 09.27.24)