On this episode of Our American Stories, on a bombing mission over Austria during World War II, George McGovern faced a moment that would haunt him for the next 40 years. His battered B-24 was struggling home when his crew was forced to release a bomb stuck in the bomb bay. McGovern watched helplessly as it fell onto a farmhouse below, never knowing what became of the people inside. It was one of 35 combat missions he flew as a young pilot, earning him the Distinguished Flying Cross. That same day, thousands of miles away, his first daughter was born.

Historian Stephen Ambrose, author of The Wild Blue, shares the remarkable story of McGovern's wartime service and the astonishing discovery he made four decades later.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, on a bombing mission over Austria during World War II, George McGovern faced a moment that would haunt him for the next 40 years. His battered B-24 was struggling home when his crew was forced to release a bomb stuck in the bomb bay. McGovern watched helplessly as it fell onto a farmhouse below, never knowing what became of the people inside. It was one of 35 combat missions he flew as a young pilot, earning him the Distinguished Flying Cross. That same day, thousands of miles away, his first daughter was born. Historian Stephen Ambrose, author of <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FWild-Blue-B-24s-Germany-1944-45%2Fdp%2F0743223098%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1%3Fdib%3DeyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GSgMNciRqgJpsPlGFSS-h3nwRJq95FyrHcLTyYAOmVZCP18gRb27wr8XJr_DEXwFmHavRAHKMNjXtS5VbddqNERDcsK1gdc9GfZnQsK9w-2ZQkzvZsK7k5rNtanUDNB7204j-ArU6CMpY34zdupxGYN5YtXkyBsdN6wnpDTZph0CRhQpKwIdLuQf5rVwRgSqvcRe2uYw0Vz1A2X4D_9mK4lic6DNxm3z7xLucuPmd3M.WcLvCP9tCponFi8gUbo8kMJ8cCAVPM2zn_c3xHpc9KM%26dib_tag%3Dse%26hvadid%3D792611508198%26hvdev%3Dc%26hvexpln%3D67%26hvlocphy%3D9013799%26hvnetw%3Dg%26hvocijid%3D11288268055548275917--%26hvqmt%3De%26hvrand%3D11288268055548275917%26hvtargid%3Dkwd-517923418045%26hydadcr%3D20180_13675031%26keywords%3Dthe%2Bwild%2Bblue%2Bstephen%2Bambrose%26mcid%3D8558080df0ea35bf923987520447334a%26qid%3D1793278776%26sr%3D8-1&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C7ed8c2fa9a184835f92308df35bceac7%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639288757655892679%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=sGUO8nTwSNW32mONZgC3UExe0dhgygI3OJp7%2BHudw4w%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="5">The Wild Blue</a>, shares the remarkable story of McGovern's wartime service and the astonishing discovery he made four decades later.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate</a><a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">)</a>

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories tells stories that aren&rsquo;t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we&rsquo;ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Before He Became an Antiwar Candidate, George McGovern Flew 35 Combat Missions

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/bbb6fc30-faec-4211-a256-b4f20149a329/transcript