My Favorite Murder – Episode 521: "I Can Count to Solo"

Air Date: February 26, 2026
Hosts: Karen Kilgariff & Georgia Hardstark

Episode Overview

In this special “solo” episode, Karen and Georgia each present standalone segments typical of the My Favorite Murder format. The main focus is on Georgia’s powerful retelling of the overlooked heroism of Black soldiers in World War II—specifically Vernon Baker and John R. Fox, whose acts of valor went unrecognized for decades because of institutional racism. Along the way, the pair share their signature blend of humor and real talk, opening the show with beauty product recommendations and ending with heartfelt listener "Honking Hoorays."

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Solos and Beauty Product Chat

[01:44–06:51]

• This episode is in the "solo" format: each host does a segment or story individually.
• Karen and Georgia riff on the pressures of doing hair and makeup now that they record on camera.
  • Karen: “We now have to worry about our makeup and how we look before we record. It’s a real bitch.” (02:23)
• They trade tips, notably:
  • Georgia recommends Bumble and Bumble Heat Shield Spray for protecting hair from heat styling: “My hairstylist was like, your color's staying longer because of it.” (04:41)
  • Karen suggests Necessaire Rosemary Mint shampoo and conditioner: “It just smells really good and...feels like it’s cleaning your hair.” (06:08–06:23)
  • Both laugh about beauty "empties," TikTok trends, and the anxiety of always sharing personal recommendations.

[Georgia’s Solo Story]

"Heroism (Hero-ism? Heroism!) in the Face of Racism"

[08:48–33:11]

Medals of Honor Denied:

• Georgia begins by unpacking how no Black soldiers received World War II Medals of Honor until 50 years after the war due to racist policies.
  • “Black soldiers had been awarded the Medal of Honor for wars before and after World War II, but due to the racist Jim Crow era policies… zero Black soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor for service in World War II until about 50 years after the war ended.” (09:11)

Vernon Baker’s Story:

• Orphaned at age 4, raised by grandparents, attended Boys Town, experienced racism enlisting in the Army (“The army doesn’t have any need for…you people.”) (14:01)
• Despite Jim Crow regulations and chronic underestimation of Black troops, Baker persevered; he joined the 92nd Infantry “Buffalo Soldiers,” historically all-Black segregated regiments.
• In Italy, April 1945, Baker led his platoon through minefields and barbed wire toward a castle on the Gothic Line, single-handedly destroying enemy positions.
  • “On his own, Vernon takes out three machine gun nests, two observation posts, and two bunkers.” (17:42)
• Their white commanding officer abandoned them and falsely reported Baker’s platoon KIA.
• Baker radioed repeatedly for help but was dismissed because he and his men had advanced further than believed possible.
• Ultimately, only six of the 25 in his platoon survive, but their actions allow the U.S. to seize the castle.
• Despite earning numerous honors (Distinguished Service Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, foreign medals), Baker’s Medal of Honor nomination was overlooked for decades due to racism and the lack of willing white officer witnesses.

Finally Recognized:

• In 1997, President Clinton finally awards Baker and six other Black WWII soldiers the Medal of Honor; only Baker was alive to receive it.
  • Vernon: “I never thought about getting it at all. You know, period.” (21:18)
  • “The only thing that I can say to those who are not here with me is thank you, fellas. Well done. I will always remember you.” (32:54)

John R. Fox’s Story:

• Fox, born 1915 Cincinnati, Ohio; ROTC at Wilberforce (historically Black university), mentored by a WWI hero.
• Married Arlene before shipping out (moving sequence about driving her to the hospital through a snowstorm).
• In December 1944 at Sommocolonia, Italy, Fox and a small group volunteered to stay behind in a town besieged by Germans.
• As the enemy closed in, Fox called in artillery on his own position to slow the German advance.
  • “Fire it. There are more of them than there are of us. Give them hell.” (28:13)
• Fox was killed but his actions allowed American troops and many civilians to escape and prevented a catastrophic German breakthrough.
• The town of Sommocolonia memorialized Fox long before the U.S. did.
• His widow Arlene and their daughter Sandra tirelessly advocated for his recognition; finally in 1997, Fox was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
  • Arlene: “He was always a hero to us. We never needed a medal to know what he had done and what kind of person he was.” (31:45)
  • “When a man does his duty, his color isn’t important.” (32:19)

The Broader Context:

• The episode delves into the context of the Gothic Line in WWII Italy, the realities of segregated military units, and General Almond’s openly racist leadership.
  • “My quote, white friends have insisted on your seeing combat and I shall see that you get combat and your share of casualties.” (15:53 — General Almond, as related by Georgia)
• Karen ties the stories to bigger themes, referencing Muhammad Ali and the recurring injustice of Black Americans fighting for a country that “was in so many ways hostile to them.” (09:18)

Recap & Reflections:

• Both hosts reflect on how brave and selfless these men were in the face of atrocity and erasure.
  • Karen: “That’s the ultimate act of bravery…You married the hero already.” (31:52, 29:56)
• Georgia proclaims the 92nd Infantry’s story worthy of a Netflix series—“give them a straight-to-series 10-season arc.” (33:15)

Listener Segment: Honking Hoorays

[36:00–39:12]

Presented by Hyundai, “Honking Hoorays” shares uplifting listener stories:

• A mother who once forbade tattoos now sits with her daughter for her first one: “She is living proof that it is never too late to change and grow.” (36:44 — Kayleigh)
• Jenna celebrates both buying her dream sectional couch and finding out she’s pregnant: “Now I finally get to experience being a corner couch cushion queen in my own home…I also just found out I’m pregnant.” (37:33–37:42)
• Jessica introduces her pet “Georgia Hardbark” (38:09).
• A listener’s play inspired by MFM makes it to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival: “Thanks, Karen and Georgia, for planting the seed for my weird little show.” (38:43–38:52)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Heroism in the face of racism.” (09:13, Georgia — Main theme of the episode)
• On delayed recognition:
  • “He was always a hero to us. We never needed a medal to know what he had done…” (31:45, Arlene Fox via Georgia)
  • “When a man does his duty, his color isn’t important.” (32:19, Arlene Fox)
• Vernon Baker’s humility:
  • “I never thought about getting it at all. You know, period.” (21:18, Baker)
  • “Thank you, fellas. Well done. I will always remember you.” (32:54, Baker)
• Self-sacrifice:
  • “Fire it. There are more of them than there are of us. Give them hell.” (28:13, John Fox)
• On the absurdity of “content creation”:
  • “Why does everything have to be content?” (04:00, Georgia)
• On systemic racism in the military:
  • “General Edmund Almond… tells the black junior officers: ‘My white friends have insisted on your seeing combat and I shall see that you get combat and your share of casualties.’” (15:53, Georgia)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [01:44] Main show begins (skip advertisements)
• [02:14–06:51] Makeup, haircare, product recommendations
• [08:48–33:11] Georgia’s solo story — Vernon Baker & John R. Fox, Medal of Honor (true crime/history segment)
• [36:00–39:12] Honking Hoorays: Listener stories shared by Karen & Georgia

Tone and Style

• Candid, clever, warm, and at times profound.
• Typical of MFM’s blend of history, true crime, and humor: sharp observations from Karen, enthusiastic storytelling from Georgia, irreverent humor interspersed with sensitive handling of traumatic history.

Takeaways

• This episode is a moving look at the intersection of race, valor, and historical erasure within the U.S. military, brought vividly to life by Georgia’s narrative.
• Secondary themes include self-care, small joys, and community celebration—a trademark “Murderino” blend.
• Concludes on a note of hope, change, and appreciation for listeners and the power of storytelling.

Stay sexy, and don’t get murdered.