Here is our interview with filmmaker/producer Steve Edmiston ("The Maury Island Incident", Youtube) regarding the Maury Island UFO incident which occurred in June 1947 in the Seattle/Tacoma area. For all of you who live within a day's drive of Seattle WA you really need to consider attending the 4th annual,MIBB- the Men in Black Birthday Bash-to honor the event which all began with the alleged sighting of three UFO's by Harold Dahl, son, and boat crew in 1947, just a few days before. Come dressed in black. Aliens welcome.

This is one of the craziest UFO stories out there, and it doesn't get much attention because there was no early report or investigation and the initial facts were blurred by Dah's friend /partner who was possibly tyring to profit by magnifying an incident which may or may not have been a legitimate otherworldy visit.

Flaming metal shards, according to Dahl's account, were released by one the disc-shaped crafts that flew by his boat, striking the boat, landing on the deck, killing his son's dog, and burning his son, panicking the crew and causing the boat to be beached on Maury Island. It was later suggested that the power source for one of the craft had exploded, causing the shrapnel.

Dahl and Crisman reported that "men in black" visited their homes and workplaces askling questions about the event, of which they were already aware, and telling they and the families to be quiet about what had happened. Later Dahl retracted his story. Both the Air Force and the FBI labed the story a hoax.

Every year for the past three years the area celebrates the event with week long festivities and calls it 'The Men in Black Birthday Bash" and visitors can attent multiple events as well as a hike along the Southside UFO Trail.

Holy flying saucers! The Men in Black Birthday Bash (aka MIBBB Fest) is landing again starting June 13, 2025, bigger, funnier and quirkier than ever in 2025.

This year’s celebration of the Washington State origins of the mythic Men in Black will boast nine days of events.

The festival commemorates the historic Maury Island Incident. This 1947 UFO sighting prompted the first reported encounter with a Man in Black, right here in the Pacific Northwest.

Alien Abductee Look-Alike Contest is Friday, June 13
The festival kicks off on Friday, June 13, 2025 with an alien abductee look-alike contest inspired by the recurring SNL character Colleen Rafferty (Kate McKinnon).

Alienvitation Scavenger Hunt Starts Friday, June 13
Friday the 13th also launches seven days of an Alienvitation Scavenger Hunt at the Westfield Southcenter Mall, where you can solve clues, collect prizes, experience new museum-quality Maury Island Incident and Men in Black interactive exhibits. You can even use a phone booth to invite the 1947 aliens back to see what’s new.

The Maury Island Incident Film Screening June 20
Immerse yourself in our region’s UFO history and mythology at Saucers and Sass. This big-screen showing of the multiple award-winning The Maury Island Incident film will be followed by a drag queen-hosted sci-fi trivia contest and party.

Men in Black Birthday Bash is Saturday, June 21
The festival’s signature cosplay event, the Men in Black Birthday Bash, happens Saturday, June 21. Guests come dressed in variations of black and white for an evening of music, entertainment and quirky traditions that celebrate the origin story of the iconic Men in Black. The Waterland Arcade hosts an afterparty with DJ’d, space-themed music. Bash attendees and cosplayers will receive a discounted entry.

JON'S TOP TEN WWII FAVORITES: #1 OF 10
BEST "The Commando Raid on St. Nazaire: the Most Daring Raid of WWII":

The St. Nazaire Raid, also known as Operation Chariot, was a British Amphibious attack on the heavily defended Normandie drydock at St. Nazaire on March 26th, 1942. The objective of the raid was to destroy the drydock in German-held St. Nazaire, thus denying an Atlantic repair port to the new and powerful German battleship Tirpitz, which by itself was capable of winning the battle for the North Atlantic and cutting off England from much needed supplies. A joint operation involving over 200 British Commandos supported by Naval forces and RAF, the raid, costly in human lives, was the most decorated single action in British WWII naval history. #WWII #Commandos #TheGreatestRaidofAll #StNazaire #Podcast #HistoryPodcast . Music: mattia cupelli and machinamasound.com Bradham, Randolph (2003). Hitler's U-boat fortresses. Santa Barbara: Greenwood Publishing Group. Dorrian, James (1998). Storming St. Nazaire: the Gripping Story of the Dock-Busting Raid, March, 1942. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. Ford, Ken (2001). St. Nazaire 1942: The Great Commando Raid; Osprey Campaign series #92. Oxford: Osprey Publishing.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CHECK OUT OUR NEW 2025 WEBSITE AT WWW.BESTOF1001STORIES.COM

The obsolete destroyer HMS Campbeltown, accompanied by 18 smaller craft, crossed the English Channel to the Atlantic coast of France and rammed into the Normandie dry dock south gate. The ship had been packed with delayed-action explosives, well hidden within a steel and concrete case, that detonated later that day, putting the dock out of service until 1948.[4]

A force of commandos landed to destroy machinery and other structures. German gunfire sank, set ablaze, or immobilized virtually all the small craft intended to transport the commandos back to England. The commandos fought their way through the town to escape overland but many surrendered when they ran out of ammunition or were surrounded by the Wehrmacht defending Saint-Nazaire.

Of the 612 men who undertook the raid, 228 returned to Britain, 169 were killed and 215 became prisoners of war. German casualties included over 360 dead, some of whom were killed after the raid when Campbeltown exploded. To recognise their bravery, 89 members of the raiding party were awarded decorations, including five Victoria Crosses. After the war, St Nazaire was one of 38 battle honours awarded to the commandos. The operation has been called "the greatest raid of all" in British military circles.

The Tuskeegee Airmen of WWII were the first black pilots to break the color barrier in our Army/Airforce- a job in itself- and this is their heroes story as they paved the way for big changes in our military as well as our industries in the 40's and beyond. Included you will find our 2022 interview with Lt.Col. Harry Stewart as he shares his stories and gives advice to our younger generation about being the best you can be if you want to succeed in life. Lt, Col. Stewart passed this past Feb 2025 at age 100. He turned 100 on July 4th, 2024. RIP. It was a huge honor for me to interview him on his life and career as found in his book 'Soaring To Glory', which I HIGHLY recommend.

Join us at www.bestof1001stories.com for hundreds of WWII stories like this one!