On this episode of Our American Stories, listener and regular contributor Joy Neal Kidney, from Des Moines, Iowa, shares the story of her uncle, Donald Wilson, a man she knew simply as “Uncle Don,” the quiet fisherman from Washington State who sent home pictures of himself holding salmon.

But behind those snapshots was a story few would have guessed. Donald Wilson grew up in small-town Iowa and joined the Navy during the Great Depression. Serving aboard the USS Yorktown throughout its life, including during the pivotal Battle of Midway.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, listener and regular contributor Joy Neal Kidney, from Des Moines, Iowa, shares the story of her uncle, Donald Wilson, a man she knew simply as &ldquo;Uncle Don,&rdquo; the quiet fisherman from Washington State who sent home pictures of himself holding salmon. But behind those snapshots was a story few would have guessed. Donald Wilson grew up in small-town Iowa and joined the Navy during the Great Depression. Serving aboard the&nbsp;USS Yorktown&nbsp;throughout its life, including during the pivotal Battle of Midway.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">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.

The Iowa Sailor Who Survived the Sinking of the USS Yorktown

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b80bb30d-4ad3-462e-90bc-b403015f827c/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, at a funeral home in Iowa, a number of urns had gone unclaimed for years, with no clear path back to family. Lanae Strovers was asked to try to track someone down, but many of the names led nowhere or to people who could not take them.

Instead of leaving them there, she arranged the burials herself and made sure each person was treated with care.

Here’s Lanae with her story.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, at a funeral home in Iowa, a number of urns had gone unclaimed for years, with no clear path back to family. Lanae Strovers was asked to try to track someone down, but many of the names led nowhere or to people who could not take them. Instead of leaving them there, she arranged the burials herself and made sure each person was treated with care. Here&rsquo;s Lanae with her story.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

She Made Sure No One Was Buried Without Honor

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2a08007b-2caa-415d-a115-b42c015d3a4c/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, Jackie Robinson didn’t plan to make history. He only wanted to play ball. But in a country that had barred Black baseball players for more than sixty years, that simple dream came with impossible expectations.

After a short stint in the Negro Leagues in Kansas City, he became the first to cross into the majors, carrying not only a bat but the burden of representing a nation’s progress. From racism on the field to isolation in the clubhouse, Robinson endured what few could. And because he did, the integration of Major League Baseball finally began.

Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, tells the story of one of America’s greatest players.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, Jackie Robinson didn&rsquo;t plan to make history. He only wanted to play ball. But in a country that had barred Black baseball players for more than sixty years, that simple dream came with impossible expectations. After a short stint in the Negro Leagues in Kansas City, he became the first to cross into the majors, carrying not only a bat but the burden of representing a nation&rsquo;s progress. From racism on the field to isolation in the clubhouse, Robinson endured what few could. And because he did, the integration of Major League Baseball finally began. Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, tells the story of one of America&rsquo;s greatest players.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Jackie Robinson Didn’t Just Change Baseball. He Changed America

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ab60b614-1cb9-4095-9bcc-b42c015d3a4d/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, in May 1862, Robert Smalls carried out a daring escape from slavery in Charleston Harbor. Forced to work aboard the Confederate ship Planter, he learned its routes and the signals required to pass the harbor’s defenses. When the officers left the ship one night, Smalls stepped into their place and guided the vessel past Confederate guns toward the Union blockade.

The History Guy shares how Robert Smalls escaped slavery and secured freedom for his family.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, in May 1862, Robert Smalls carried out a daring escape from slavery in Charleston Harbor. Forced to work aboard the Confederate ship Planter, he learned its routes and the signals required to pass the harbor&rsquo;s defenses. When the officers left the ship one night, Smalls stepped into their place and guided the vessel past Confederate guns toward the Union blockade. The History Guy shares how Robert Smalls escaped slavery and secured freedom for his family.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Robert Smalls Stole a Confederate Ship and Sailed His Family to Freedom

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e4f0abfa-2afb-41ab-8c5a-b42c015d3a4e/transcript

The Iowa Sailor Who Survived the Sinking of the USS Yorktown

In 1 playlist(s)

Our American Stories

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips