Real Heroes #9

Lieut. John F. Hassey, an American working in France when war breaks out in 1939, is barred from joining the French military due to his nationality but refuses to be idle. Determined to fight, he organizes a volunteer ambulance corps, later joining the Free French forces in Africa and leading daring missions across enemy territory, including a dangerous raid on Fort Victor Emmanuel.

Henry Kaiser, driven by love and a relentless work ethic, transforms from a young man seeking to prove himself to a pioneering builder who revolutionizes wartime ship production. Using bold innovation and unyielding determination, he tackles impossible challenges—from building assembly-line ships to creating steel plants from scratch—helping turn the tide in the war effort.

Lieutenant Somervell, a resourceful and determined officer, proves his mettle in Mexico by negotiating with a reluctant labor boss to keep road-building efforts moving, earning praise for his ingenuity. Later, as a captain in France, he undertakes a dangerous solo reconnaissance mission behind enemy lines, uncovering critical intelligence that enables a successful Allied attack. His leadership and problem-solving skills continue to serve the nation, culminating in his appointment as a general overseeing the vast logistical effort to supply American troops during World War II.

Floyd Tangier-Smith, a former banker with deep ties to Asia, transitions from finance to big game hunting, leading multiple expeditions across Tibet, Indochina, and Siam to collect rare animal specimens. After a grueling journey to bring back the first live giant panda ever seen in the U.S., his wife Elizabeth takes charge when he falls ill, enduring harsh conditions and wartime dangers to safely transport the animals to Hong Kong. The story follows their determination and the remarkable journey of one of the first giant pandas to reach American shores.

John Buchan, a poor Scottish boy with a vivid imagination, rises from humble beginnings to become Canada’s Governor General, guided by his deep connection to ordinary people and a lifelong commitment to service. His journey takes him from the woods of Peebleshire to Oxford, South Africa, Parliament, and finally to Canada, where he leads with empathy and integrity during wartime.

Joe "Flash" Gordon, a standout athlete from Los Angeles, balances his passion for baseball with a deep dedication to music and other sports, showcasing his versatility from college through his rise with the New York Yankees. After a rocky start and a painful injury that sidelined him, he learns patience and resilience, eventually becoming a key force in the Yankees' 1941 World Series victory and the 1942 pennant race. When he learns he's been named Most Valuable Player in the American League, he's not at the ballpark—but out hunting in Oregon, still driven by his love for the game.

In 1857, Abraham Lincoln takes on the defense of Duff Armstrong, a young man accused of murder, after his mother, Hannah Armstrong, pleads with him for help. Lincoln challenges the credibility of a key witness who claims to have seen the crime under the light of a full moon—only to expose the impossibility of such visibility using an almanac’s record of the moon’s phase.

Captain Hugh L. Woods flies a Douglas DC-3 from Siifu to Chengtu in 1941, narrowly escaping a Japanese bombing attack that damages the plane’s starboard wing. With no spare wing available, Woods and local Chinese workers hide the plane in a bamboo field, then painstakingly attach a shorter DC-2 wing to make it airworthy. The story follows their efforts to repair and fly the lopsided plane to safety, with the outcome left unresolved.

General Ter Poorten, commander-in-chief of the Dutch East Indies forces, learns of the Nazi invasion of Holland and immediately mobilizes his troops to defend against the growing threat from Japan. Despite being outnumbered and facing overwhelming odds, the Dutch and their native allies mount a determined resistance using hidden bases, poisoned stakes, booby-trapped roads, and a small but fierce navy, destroying their own resources to deny them to the enemy. Though forced to retreat, they continue the fight alongside the Allies in Australia and New Guinea, proving that their spirit remains unbroken.

Admiral William F. Halsey leads a surprise American task force through the South Pacific in January 1942, catching Japanese forces on the Gilbert and Marshall Islands off guard during a victory celebration. As the enemy dismisses the threat, Halsey’s fleet launches a devastating, precisely timed raid that cripples their bases and shatters their confidence.