Stories about Kevin

Episode 15 - 1st LT M.G.H

In today's episode, we explore the extraordinary wartime odyssey of 1st Lt. M.G.H., a B-24 pilot serving with the renowned 307th Bomb Group during World War II. Through a poignant letter written to his brother, M.G.H. vividly recounts a pivotal mission over the Philippines in 1944. The narrative unfolds with gripping detail as M.G.H. describes the treacherous aerial combat his crew faced against Japanese fighters. Despite their B-24 sustaining severe damage, including critical hits to its control surfaces, M.G.H. and his crew displayed remarkable courage and skill in fending off enemy attacks for an agonizing eleven minutes. The most astonishing moment came when M.G.H. managed to land their heavily damaged bomber using the autopilot—a feat unprecedented at the time and a testament to his piloting expertise under extreme duress. This achievement earned praise and recognition within the Air Force, highlighting M.G.H.'s resourcefulness and determination amidst adversity. Beyond the battlefield, M.G.H. offers glimpses of daily life on base, from engaging in unconventional fishing expeditions with native islanders to forging lifelong friendships with fellow servicemen. His post-war reflections paint a vivid picture of camaraderie, resilience, and the enduring human spirit amidst the trials of war. Returning home a decorated veteran, M.G.H. married his sweetheart and embarked on a fulfilling career as a steel estimator for an engineering firm. While he never piloted an aircraft again, his passion for aviation and his wartime experiences remained an indelible part of his life story. M.G.H.'s legacy extends through his family—four children, including three sons and a daughter, grandchildren, and great-granddaughters—who continue to cherish his memory. His enduring kindness, unwavering courage, and love for family resonate through the generations, leaving an inspiring legacy of service and sacrifice. Join us as we honor 1st Lt. M.G.H.'s remarkable journey from the skies of World War II to a life enriched by love, family, and the enduring spirit of a true American hero.

Episode 14

In this episode we have a few awesome stories! In our first story a Female Helicopter Pilot saves the day after a catastrophic Engine Malfunction Then a US Marine maliciously complies while testing an experimental Weapons System! How a road in an Australian Army Training Base got it's nickname And finally, how some studious Marines find a way to sneak in some contraband chow

Episode 13

This episode features three longer stories, starting with Pilgorepax's tale about his great-great-grandfather from Ontario, Canada. His ancestor was pulled out of a Montana state prison in 1916 for accessory to murder and enlisted in the 113th Lethbridge Highlander battalion in Alberta. Despite numerous challenges, including injury and frequent infractions, he served bravely in WWI. After recovering from his injuries in England, he married and settled back in Ontario, leading a stable life post-war. Pilgorepax is working on a book about his ancestor’s life, aiming to honor his legacy. The second story by Sharlin648 revolves around a humorous and chaotic training exercise in the British Army. The narrator was attached to an Engineering Workshop in an Air Defence Regiment and served as the 2IC’s driver. During a TESEX exercise, they had to attack a battery at night, leading to a series of comical misadventures involving getting lost with a satnav and a dramatic encounter with a Challenger II MBT. The story highlights the unpredictable and often amusing nature of military exercises. The final story, "16 Days in Gaza," by Every_Comfort_3129, details a harrowing experience during the 2014 Gaza conflict. The narrator, a young private first class in a squad leader course, describes intense training and the anticipation of crossing into Gaza. The story captures the chaos and fear of urban combat, the loss of comrades, and the resilience required to endure such a demanding environment. Despite the extreme conditions, the narrator reflects on the surreal nature of war and the impact it had on him and his fellow soldiers. But please, send your own stories into us at storiesaboutkevinpodcast@gmail.com [storiesaboutkevinpodcast@gmail.com]

Episode 12

We’re back! After a long hiatus, sharing military anecdotes from various listeners. We just want to advise too that this episode needs a trigger warning, as it does involve a death. The first story is from Duck Force One, recounting an incident where a tiny Indian conscript driving an XO's car in a convoy was hit by another car, leading to a humorous moment when 90 soldiers rushed to the scene. Snipars 0202 shares his experience in Finnish bootcamp, where he dealt with an irresponsible team member who caused a fire and later slept on duty. The incident led to a stressful interrogation but ended with a comedic weapon inspection moment. Typhoon_Delta tells about a field training exercise where he fell asleep during observation duty. Recon soldiers passed by without noticing him, teaching him a lesson about staying awake in the field. Artysupport7757 describes a tragic mishap during an artillery exercise that resulted in the death of an infantry officer due to a misfired phosphorus round. The incident led to significant changes in their unit and the end of 81mm mortar use. Cooked Parasite shares a light-hearted story from his service in the Swedish Armed Forces. During a cold and windy training session, his team had a humorous conversation about food while hanging high up in a tower, creating a memorable bonding moment. Average_Guy54 recounts his harrowing gas mask training experience. After several failed attempts to seal his mask and multiple exposures to CS gas, it was discovered that his canister was empty, leading to a final successful attempt with a borrowed mask. Remember to submit your stories at storiesaboutkevin@gmail.com [storiesaboutkevin@gmail.com]

Episode 11

Welcome to the latest episode of the Stories About Kevin podcast, where we deliver a thrilling mix of tales that range from military mishaps to heartwarming wartime connections. In this episode, we start with a soldier's accidental blunder during a live-fire exercise, adding a humorous twist to the intensity of military life. We then transport you to the tumultuous times of Iraq in 2003, where a satellite communications technician experiences a life-changing encounter with a Patriot Missile System. This story showcases the unexpected twists of fate that can occur in the midst of war. Switching gears, we recount the remarkable journey of a World War II ball-turret gunner and the enduring gratitude of a small French town, underscoring the lasting impact of wartime camaraderie. We also explore the comical side of military terminology and forgetfulness, highlighting the moments of humor that can arise in the armed forces. And of course, no episode is complete without a Kevin—meet the soldier who defies expectations in amusing ways. Join us for a brief but captivating dive into these intriguing stories on the Stories About Kevin podcast. So send your stories into storiesaboutkevinpodcast@gmail.com [storiesaboutkevinpodcast@gmail.com] and you can find out more about the 458th Bombardment Group at https://458bg.com/ [https://458bg.com/]