Real Heroes #3 (1942)

Contains 11 stories

John Paul Jones, Founder of the U.S. Navy

10 pp · non-fiction; biography; military

John Paul Jones, a determined sailor with a bold dream, leaves Scotland to pursue a life at sea, eventually fleeing England after a mutiny and settling in America during the Revolutionary War. When the colonies need a navy, he convinces Congress to organize one, rising through the ranks to command ships that raid British supply lines and disrupt enemy operations across the Atlantic.

Gellert the Loyal Dog of Wales

2 pp · non-fiction; animal

When Prince Llewelyn’s beloved greyhound, Gellert, fails to answer his call during a hunt, the prince grows uneasy—especially when the dog returns covered in blood, leading to a shocking accusation. The truth emerges when the infant is found unharmed under a couch, with a dead wolf nearby, revealing Gellert’s heroic act. The story honors the dog’s loyalty, remembered centuries later in the village of Beddgelert.

The Avenger, Major Raoul Lufbery

6 pp · non-fiction; aviation; biography; war

Major Raoul Lufbery, a daring American-born pilot raised in France, rises from a restless youth to become a legendary flying ace during World War I. After joining the Lafayette Escadrille, he proves himself in the skies over France, driven by personal loss and a fierce determination to avenge his mentor, Marc Pourpe. Though celebrated as a hero, his relentless courage ultimately leads to his final, fatal mission in May 1918.

Toussaint Louverture, Negro Patriot

6 pp · non-fiction; biography

Toussaint Louverture, born a slave in Haiti, rises from humble beginnings to become a leader in the fight for freedom, inspiring his people through courage, education, and unwavering principle. As he leads a rebellion against French rule and establishes Haiti as the world’s first Black republic, he faces betrayal, imprisonment, and exile—yet his legacy endures.

John D. Craig

7 pp · non-fiction; biography

John D. Craig, a fearless adventurer from Torrance, California, builds a life defined by daring exploits—from striking oil fortune to surviving captivity in the jungle, photographing pyramids in Egypt, and braving tigers in India. His relentless pursuit of thrilling footage takes him underwater off Cedros Island, where he faces sharks, octopuses, and a secret drug-smuggling ring, all while pushing the limits of film and technology.

Sitting Bull, Champion of the Red Man

6 pp · non-fiction; biography; western-frontier

Sitting Bull, born "Slow" to a Teton Sioux family in 1831, rises from a young boy on the plains to become a revered leader and warrior. As white encroachment breaches treaty promises and violence escalates, he unites the Sioux tribes in defense of their land and way of life, leading them through pivotal conflicts like the Battle of Little Bighorn. His steadfast resistance ultimately leads to exile, return, and a tragic end, cementing his legacy as a symbol of courage and defiance.

Eddie Foy, a Hero of the Theatre

6 pp · non-fiction; biography

Eddie Foy, a beloved stage performer, finds himself at the center of a terrifying crisis during a matinee at Chicago’s Iroquois Theatre in 1903 when a fire breaks out backstage during a performance. With the audience packed with women and children, chaos erupts as panic spreads—yet Eddie remains on stage, calmly urging the crowd to stay calm and helping to guide others to safety. As flames spread and the theater fills with smoke, he stays behind to ensure everyone else escapes, becoming the last to leave before the stage is engulfed.

Snatched from Death!

2 pp · non-fiction; aviation; biography

During a dangerous aerial rescue mission on May 15, 1941, Lieutenant William W. Lowrey and Machinist's Mate John R. McCants respond to a fellow pilot in distress after his plane becomes tangled in a bomber's wreckage. Lowrey, flying a small aircraft, maneuvers through turbulent air to free the trapped man, using quick thinking and precise flying to guide the bomber toward the sea before making a safe landing. Their actions earned them the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary heroism.

Girl in Command

4 pp · non-fiction; biography; western-frontier

In 1692, 14-year-old Madeleine de Verchères is left in charge of Fort Verchères when her father leaves for Montreal, and she must defend the fort when Iroquois raiders attack. With only a few soldiers and no reinforcements, she takes command, using clever tactics like faking a strong garrison and sending out patrols to deceive the enemy. As the siege drags on through snowstorms and fear, she holds the fort together, waiting for help that may never come.

Glenn Cunningham: They Said He'd Never Walk

3 pp · non-fiction; biography; sports

Glenn Cunningham

Glenn Cunningham, a farm boy from Kansas, faces a life-altering accident at age eight when a stove explosion leaves him severely burned and told he’ll never walk again. Despite the odds, he defies expectations through sheer determination, gradually rebuilding his strength and eventually becoming one of the world’s greatest runners.

Super-Strategist

7.67 pp · non-fiction; biography; war

General Sir Archibald Wavell, a dedicated military leader born in 1883, rises through the ranks with a passion for strategy and innovation, from his early days at Sandhurst to commanding British forces in the Middle East during World War II. His career spans key moments including service in the First World War, leadership in Palestine, and a critical role in defending Egypt and the Suez Canal against Italian forces, where his bold tactics prove vital despite overwhelming odds.