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Remembering Mike Hunt — Alaskan legend, WWII pilot, a serious man with a hilarious name
I am proud to have met a real-life American hero before he died. A man of accomplishment and legend. A man not afraid to introduce himself as Mike Hunt. A serious man, named Mike Hunt, who would definitely laugh out loud if you frowned at the mention of his name. Mike Hunt was an Alaskan legend, an American original, a 97 year old WWII War Bird who still snickered like a schoolboy at his dirty name.
In 2014, I wrote a legislative citation for Howard “Mike” Hunt on behalf of my boss in the Alaska House of Representatives. Citations are ways for politicians to suck up to voters and Hunt was her constituent as well as a legit goddamn American badass. Writing Mike’s Honorarium was an honor and below is the final draft that was read across the House floor where the Speaker of the Alaska House did a double take and giggled as Mike’s name was read. Because all men are 9 year old boys at heart and can’t help but find immature toilet humor amusing.
Mike grew up as an Iowa farm boy, building model planes but dreaming of one day flying in the real thing. Before too long, he soared far above that dream and entered the annals of aviation history, literally helping to construct the nascent state of Alaska. Mike flew on the legendary B-17 Flying Fortress, the Memphis Belle, carried…
