Watch This 100-Year-Old Badass B-17 Pilot Describe Flying into Hell
2022 ж. 22 Мам.
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Ward talks to "Lucky" Luckadoo, World War II veteran who flew 25 B-17 missions in 1943 and the subject of "Damn Lucky," a new book written by Kevin Maurer.
I am an 84 year old retired USAF Colonel, I had a close friend who passed away a few years ago at the age of 102. He flew 31 B-17 missions in 1943. He was in LeMays group and knew him well. He then went to the Pacific and flew B-24’s and B-29’s . I have over 25 pages of notes that I recorded from our conversations. These are fantastic stories. His name was Frank Altman and he has a grand nephew Scott Altman was an astronaut.
Dear sir, use those notes and get a movie made.
@foxyone3 contact any court reporting firm or typing agency and they will put your notes into transcript form for free. There was a project a couple of decades ago that court reporters all over the nation took part in, transcribing recordings of interviews with World War II veterans and other veterans. we then submitted them to the library of Congress where they currently reside. If I lived close to you I would be honored to do that, but find someone close and give them high-quality Xerox copies of your notes. You should also arrange for your notes to be housed in a World War II museum either near where you live or the big one in Louisiana.
My father’s path to flight was the same as this gentleman, same aircraft and possibly even the same bases. My dad end up in the new B-29, and flew off of Saipan. He was a 23 year old co-pilot and after that went on to become aircraft commander. In the span of his 29 year career he eventually flew tankers, KB-29, KC-97, and KC-135A. Truly the greatest American generation! R. I. P. Dad
Hello Colonel, Dad was a 24 driver on Saipan.l He flew 17 missions to Iwo and 2 tolChi chiJima. he was transferred by the 7th back to Hi for transition to B 32. Mom's diary of their travels all over SW US was incredible! Phoenix, Santa Anna, Luke in Phoenix Muroc and finally at Ft Sumner New Mexico. Funny how so many people were moved so much to get to be 2nd Lieutenants!! God bless them all..
Supermen. The way his presents today tells us that he is one of God’s chosen. The equivalent of the greatest athletes.
Hard to believe a 100-year-old man could be so alert and articulate.
I know right! Its very nice to see him doing so well
Just exactly like my dad was. Brought tears to my eyes because of the uncanny resemblance too.
Richard E. Cole (Doolittles C-Pilot ) who died in San Antonio, Texas, on April 9, 2019, at the age of 103, was the same way alert, active giving seminars on Doolittle's Raid to the end. They were truly the Greatest Generation.
Eh, 100 is the new 70.
He prolly keeps active. Keep the mind going, keeps the gears oiled lol
My dad was a B17 Pilot with the 8th. He flew a total of about 30 missions. On his 9th mission over Czechoslovakia, his plane was hit, engine out, plexiglass shattered, he salvoed the bombs, took the plane down to 100 ft and headed back to England. He managed to employ evasive maneuvers against a German fighter plane , which was then shot down by the gunner. He managed to get the plane back to England and landed it in the English Channel, bomb bay doors wide open. (first Sully Sullenberger ;)). The remaining crew walked out onto the wing and were picked up by a dory from the Knock John Naval Sea Fort. I have a small book with the whole story, given from the perspective of all the surviving crew members from around 2002. We've tried to get the story out to historians and producers to no avail. Now "Masters of the Air" will be coming out and I sure wish my dad's "Lady Stardust" incident could have been included.
May I suggest contacting The History Guy. He is a historian and has an excellent KZhead channel. Perhaps, he can do something about it.
@@afreightdogslifea
Great story --- someone mentioned that while hundreds of these stories of WW2 are out there on the net, I never get tired of reading about your Dad and the others --- thanks for sharing..
I’m seventy three, back in the seventies there were a lot of WW2 veterans still around including my dad who had a business that used some tool and die people to produce molds for injection molding. One gentleman McQuire was a B52 pilot and I remember him telling me about the twenty five mission requirement but he never mentioned the low survival rate. He along with all the other pilots and crews were unbelievably brave and should never be forgotten.
Your dad must’ve been an amazing man! As well as the other people he worked with! God bless them all thank you for sharing. This would love the story each family, and each human being, has their own story in this world, and they are also very unique and interesting thanks again for sharing. Stay well have a beautiful day!👍🙏
It's incredible to hear and see a 100 year old man who was part of WW2 talking about what that was like. Thank you for your service, sir!
To have survived a likely death sentence of a wartime aviator and then live another 75 years or so...truly a Lucky guy. Great interview Ward!
Absolutely! Did not disappoint.
Thorpe Abbott's, wasn't that the base of the Bloody 100th?
Damn. What an interview. What a legend. 100 years old with more mental acuity than most of us half his age. God bless you and thank you Lucky.
That was my same exact thought (literally just posted if I have my faculties as together at this guy at 70 I will consider myself lucky). No hyperbole.
Absolutely agree!
Pilots are a cut above the rest of us. I was one in USAF as well but not good enough for Navy duty, they are a cut above as well. The man was an asset to all of us.
@@Air_Devil_Leader_One Pilots like this, yes. Pilots in general, no. I have PPL and paraglide. It doesn’t take anything special beyond not being an idiot and a tendency to enjoy g’s rather than get nauseated or scared by them.
I've watched quite a few Ward Carroll videos, he has some good stuff. This video was freaking amazing though, amongst the best stuff I've seen on YT. Agree, what an interview, what a legend.
Awesome interview. I can hardly believe that I’m sitting here in my chair in my home in 2024 listening to the first-hand testimony of a 100 year old B-17 co-pilot of the 8th Air Force about fighting in the skies over Germany in 1943. If this isn’t one of the best uses of the Internet ever, I don’t know what else is. Massive respect 🫡 for Lucky and for all of the brave souls who served with the Army Air Corps in the 2nd World War.
I strongly agree with you!!
This is a fantastic piece of oral history. Thank you both for pulling this together. Very high quality, educational, and entertaining. I watched it straight through. For many years I used to see the Collins Foundation B-17 Nine-O-Nine at a local airport. Unfortunately it crashed a couple years ago. This interview really brought my memories and imagination to life.
The other would be WTC7 story on 911.
My landlady lost her son on his last bombing mission in a B-17 over Germany. She told me the sad story in about 1978. One of those things I'll never forget.
My Dad was a B17 pilot with the 8th Airforce. He flew 32 missions. Two missions on D Day. He lived to be 99 years old. I've never known a man like my dad. Tough, mean, smart, determined, loyal to his country and his family. I am so proud of him and what he accomplished. I miss him so much. We should never forget what these brave young men did to preserve our freedom. We should honor them. This interview is great because this brave man tells the younger generation what their grandfathers did to win the war and we had to win the war against Hitler. Thanks to the sacrifice of these young men, many of whom died, we are free today.
Yep,my Dad was tail Gunner,P.O.W.Germany
@@scotttyson7970 whow! What stories he must have had to tell. My neighbor was a bombadear was shot down and was a pow for almost a year. He never talked about it. Too painful to remember.
Golly, what a guy.
Bombardier: your neighbor. Bomba-dear: dance partner.
Your Dad was an American Badass!💪🏼
My dad was a B-17 pilot, flew 35 missions. His 32nd was to Bremen.Mar 11, 1945. Passed away in his 70's. Finest man you'll ever meet.
Impressive!
I regret never meeting him.
Respect for your father 👏
Thank you for sharing
My friend Red Cloos was a left waist gunner on a B-17 in the 351st Bomb Group. He passed in December of 2021 just 12 hours short of his 100th birthday. He told me many harrowing stories including crash landing on their 25th and last mission. He was a brave man, a good friend and I will miss him.
I know this is a bit late to the comment, but did Mr. Cloos ever tell you where they crash landed?
My dad was a left waist gunner on a B-17 . the Lady Godiva, and was hit with flak and shot down on May 29, 1943. He parachuted out and was captured and captured . He spent 17 months in Stalag 17 in Austria until they were liberated .
Absolutely stunning. 100 years old and can convey information so clearly and effectively. My dad was a Staff Sergeant, Gunnery Instructor and weapons expert in WWII. He taught groups of seven men how to shoot from the seven 50 cal machine gun positions on B-29s. He was stationed in Harlingen, TX. Most all of his students died. Some of the other instructors and aviation trainers remained in service after the war. A number of Dad’s friends died while testing new Jets aircraft in the years following. Flame outs were all too common. Dad was about to face action action after completing his final classes. He was to fly missions over Saipan. But the Japanese surrendered “because they knew I was coming,” Dad would say! His generation was a little cocky too. Thank you for sharing.
Not cocky, simply gallows humor dealing with almost certain death
Beau Jones your Dad was a hero. Wish I coulda met him
With the exception of the tail 20mm mount, all the guns on the B-29 were remotely controlled, nobody ever fired these from their mounting locations which only numbered 4 in total all of which were turrets.
I lived in Harlingen and remember when they shipped the entire off base airmen from the housing neighborhood of duplexes in Sun valley estates behind the bowling lanes. I was a paper boy and found the entire place empty as I was delivering their papers. I was in shock when I realized they were all gone😮😮😂😂
Haha what great memories of your dad. So grateful for his service. Thank you sharing just a little of his story, you must be very proud. ❤
My father was a pilot in the 8th Airforce about the same time as Lucky. He was promoted to Captain from 2nd lieutenant, and flew as a squadron leader from England. He flew 36 combat missions over enemy territory, and was awarded various medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. I finally read the citations for those medals a few years before he passed away in 2002. They meant nothing to him. He said everybody else did the same thing, and, of course, so many had died. As for the written citations describing "extraordinary" composure in combat, my dad scoffed, saying that was no where near the worst of it, and there was what he did not say. My uncle flew as a waist gunner simultaneously from another base. Uncle Joe told me once about what pilots like my dad faced as they flew into the massive Ak-Ak barrages Hitler threw into the sky from 6000 guns around Berlin. He said it was scary enough as a waist gunner, with an obstructed side view, but that as a pilot, flying straight on, who could see the mass of explosions into which they were headed, and feel the shocks of those explosions, "it was absolutely terrifying." B17s came home literally riddled with holes from shrapnel that also wounded or killed pilots and crew members. It was like flying into an unrelenting barrage of massive hand grenades that ripped airmen to shreds. Pilots and crew might fly home, for hours, with the dead and wounded. Guys they knew. Pilots and crew would also see attacking German fighter planes, firing canons and machine guns, and then other B 17s being shot down, falling from the sky in smoke and flames. My dad did not talk much about combat, but once, when I was a kid, he mentioned how bleak it was to see another B17 shot down. At the age of 78, when he finally took possession of his medals and citations, I recalled to him that he had said that to me. This time, though, he said something different. He said, "Honestly, you were just glad it wasn't you." So I learned something, about how it felt for him, and his crew, to face death. The violence of it. Mission after mission. Wanting to live, not knowing if he would. Three dozen times. My mother once told me, that every day she said the rosary, for his safe return. But as with WWII US infantry soldiers, so many airmen did NOT come back, or they came back broken. Each time they flew, they knew the odds were against them making it back. Can we who are now safe in America even imagine this? In our safe lives. Yet they defeated Hitler. They literally saved the world, asking nothing in return, assuming, though, that we would love our country. Our debt to them, all our veterans, back to the American Revolution, is immeasurable. And it is real. Do not disrespect their sacrifice by disrespecting America. As a result of the price they paid, we live free.
My dad was on a destroyer in the Pacific. His ship was hit by a kamikaze and he saw the carnage up close. He was an open guy so talked about it, which helped him cope. There were old B-17 crew in my neighborhood who never discussed what they did. Many years later I came to understand why.
Cool thing having that uncle that could give that perspective on a family horror. It can almost say more than the medals, for you.
Salute to him! My uncle was in the 8th also ,flight engineer in a B-24. 96 sorties before shot down over Northern Italy.
All I can say is "thank you for your service our hero"
What your father and every other WWII Vet did will never be repeated. They really were the Greatest Generation as they've been described before. No modern teen or young man has even one tenth of their bravery, courage or love of country.
What a man. Massive respect to Lucky. The absolute real deal. A true hero & a man of immense character.
Well said, a true hero and interesting as hell.
This is great stuff. My father-in-law was a waist gunner on a B-17 in the 8th Air Force. He was shout down in October of 1942, after a bombing run on German sub pens. Only 4 of the 10 crew survived. They bailed out over water and were picked up by the Italian military. He and many other POW’s were marched to Germany where some prisoners died on the way. He was put in a German POW camp, stalag 17B. Where he stayed until the war was over. He would only talk about his service when he had buddies in town and they would be on his patio drinking and telling stories. He invited me out there, the only reason I can think of that he did that was I was a Vietnam veteran. I could go on as there is much, much more to his story. Those folks were indeed the greatest generation. They gave us the freedom we enjoy today. Sadly we are in a position of losing our country.
Jim your father-in-law was a hero like everyone else who flew combat missions with the Mighty Eighth. Wish I coulda met him.
Lots of blood beneath our feet in the US. Pray it wasn't wasted. Damn
My uncle was a navigator their B 17 was also shit down amazingly he only lost an index finger in the crash he was also captured. And sent to a stalog next to 17.I wonder if their paths ever crossed.
Please excuse the misspelling.
@@Dan-vw5jj I would give that a 50-50 chance, at least of seeing each other. Small world.
I cannot begin to comprehend the bravery of Lucky Luckadoo and his fellow compatriots for doing what they did. It is inconceivable to me the amount of courage and nerves of steel they needed to undertake those missions. I don't even feel worthy to make a comment on it. The free world owes so much to these brave men
"free world"
@@Imperium83 In your case yes. You've been gifted the freedom to comment due to the bravery of these and other men. Respect it and cherish it!
@@fostexfan160A fair comment.But even during WW2 many of the self named 'lucky bastard club' were themselves cynical of their goverments motives in even being envolved.Big respect to guys like this but not to the politicians who regarded them as so expendable.War is a bad thing✌️
This guy is a national treasure, all bomber pilots I've met are all bad ass's , tough as nails , grim determination, and lucky to make 25 missions, a real American!
It was something that needed to be done but upper command sucked at it. The men that got into B-17s where badasses that faced a low success rate.
The Mighty Eighth will live forever! And speaking of badass ... let's not forget the B-17 itself.
Contrast the airmen's guts, determination, and bravery with the current crop of "snowflakes" and "social justice warriors" spreading racism in our fine land!
The 25 mission was a broken promise. At its worst, you had a 1:8 chance of not returning from a mission. The 25 number was rather arbitrary as if surviving "3 deaths" just like infantry, shot 3x meant you for discharged for doing your duty. Many many thousands of Bomber crews flew 30 to as many as 80+ missions. The B-17 wasn't badass, it was a flop. A total philosophical and engineering disaster that cost the lives of over 50,000 Americans. The idea of a limbering bomber with 10x crew and a bunch of bombs and guns out running fighters was a foolish concept that any aeronautical engineer could of disproven with elementary math. And for the single machine guns aimed by hand at a closing speed of 700mph would obviously be totally ineffective. And it was. So they had to fly in tight formation without deviating or spoiling the AA aim. They just lumbered along at the 88mm ideal altitude of 20-25kft and flew in dense packs in a perfectly straight line. Like, wtf. Bad leadership.
My father would have been 100 years old this year. He was a B-17 navigator and he flew the 25 missions. He'd never talk about it. When I was visiting Germany a few years ago I told him that I hoped to see Nuremberg since it was a historic city. He told me not to waste my time, since it was all bombed out and nothing was left. No question that he had PTSD from his experience. For example, he hated flying on commercial planes. WWII movies happened to be on the TV? I grew up knowing that I had to change the channel immediately. When I was draft age during the Vietnam war he told me that if I did have to go into the service the Navy was safer. I know that he had some back injuries from his experience, but he never would say what they were from. At his funeral my other relatives said what a hero he was, in perhaps the riskiest position on the plane, sometimes guiding home crippled aircraft with many of the crew injured or worse. After watching this video I realize the hell my father went through and how lucky he was.
Dad was a B-24 gunner flying the Hump. He was sometimes forced to fly TTA TransTexas Air. He had 2 nicknames for them depending on how the flight went: tough tity air and tree top air. He'd had his fill of dangerous flying.
My uncle was Navy. Helmsman with a destroyer escort group in the Pacific and Atlantic. He practically never talked about the War. I remember once, after he had had about five Lone Star beers, he began talking about a kamikaze attack on his group where the ship next to his was hit right in the bridge by a kamikaze attacker. He was part of his crew that was sent over to help fight the fires and get the ship stabilized. He then stopped talking and only mentioned the War one more time, telling me about when his destroyer received a distress call from an ocean-going tugboat that had been torpedoed off Rhode Island. They responded only to find the tug had gone down. They found the sub and sank it with depth charges. Probably the last U-boat sunk before the end of hostilities. I think Germany had already capitulated, but word had not reached the U-boat's crew. He had read an article where divers had found the wreck of that U-boat and had recovered some human remains and artifacts from it.
God bless you and ❤your Dad, may he rest in peace
Yes he was lucky and you were lucky to have him as your father.
You shall see your father again someday.
Wow...just wow! Hands down best interview ever. 100 years young, can't believe it. Thank you for your service sir!
Ive seen a.lot of interviews with centenarians and Lucky stands out..and then some!
Lucky truly was lucky. Both to make it through his tour and also to win the genetic lottery.
Absolutely hands down your best effort since revelon. Thanks for your service😊
My Dad, who was lead navigator bomber in B17s for Clarck"s group, told a story about a tail gunner who was 'promoted to formation control officer.This guy had a radio and took his job seriously. Dad gives him credit for the superior survival rate of their formation. I believe this guy was enlisted, but he would cuss out Captains and Majors that got the tiniest bit out of position. Dad also told of requesting that the fighter goup with the red tails because of their loyal protection of the bombers vs. peeling off to dog fight. They learned well after the fact that these were the Tuskegee airmen.
God Bless them all.
THE greatest generation, hands-down. My Father was part of WW2. At 29 y/o, he didn't need to enlist, but he felt he needed to ; because he didn't have a birth certificate, having been born in a small town outside of Syracuse Sicily without a birth certificate, he joined the USMC, the one branch who would take almost anyone. He was in the very 1st platoon to walk on to the beach at Guadalcanal. As a machine gunner on the big 50 Cal. gun, he was a constant target by the Japanese. Dad ended up getting Dengue Fever, & what was called then, " Combat Fatigue " mainly from lack of sleep. It took 21 months in New Zealand, to recover enough to return home. Dad was awarded The Navy Cross & A Purple Heart, plus a lifelong small pension. -----My Dad was / is, my hero. I miss him every day. ----------MJL, 75 y/o
I love your dad too! ❤️ My granddad was a gunner on a ship in ww2. Half of his battalion (?) went on one mission and he and the other half went another way. The whole first group, down to the man, got decimated. Unimaginable l! Hope you are doing well.
Your pops was truly a hero to all Americans and hopefully many others that might be living different lifestyles if not for him and others sacrifice.
The Navy Cross? Wow. You know that's the highest Navy/Marine Corps medal, second only to the Medal of Honor. I can only imagine what he had to endure to be awarded such a medal. His memory is a blessing.
Great heroes are few. But I will acknowledge them, when informed about them. I salute your family. We accomplish beyond orders. Some of us wounded in battle. My uncle twice as a marine, in Vietnam. Ontos tank commander. Both my grandfathers survived WW2. Europe and Pacific. Me? Desert Storm. Just doing our job. If you survive, you are lucky, and or skilled. Really it is both. Trained to kill. No guarantee of survival. 😁
Much respect. Your dad is a hero AND a badass. Rest in peace ❤
100yrs old? Hell almighty, the man not only 'still has his marbles intact' - he has gotten every other man's marbles on his block!! Amazing recall. But then,,,,guys like him will never forget. Medals don't mean anything to these men. Living would, and seeing the rest of them come home. Huge respect.
What a intelligent articulate Gentleman. A true hero and a credit to the USA. As a Brit who does value the sacrifices made by ALL our allied colleagues it was an honour to listen to the real life account of this national treasure! As a side note he does also demonstrate that growing old does not always mean a 'dulled' mind! Thankyou 'Mooch' for this brilliant interview!
This is my first time watching this, if I’m HALF as sharp as lucky is at 60, I’ll be blessed. The fact he remembers every detail some 80yrs later is impressive. The greatest generation indeed.
How could he forget? When you spend that much time in an environment of high stress, such as combat, the PTSD won't let you forget every little detail.
Impressive Lucky, at 100 years and still so mentally sharp and clearly articulate. Thanks for providing this history lesson.
Yes amazing, he's still sharp as a tack.
What you are looking at is a man with solid conviction and incredible resolve...a person of the highest caliber. WE need to all be like him.
My uncle flew his 35 as a nav with the 94th BG of the mighty 8th from June to Dec 1944. He retired a Lt Col in ‘68 after tours in Korea and VN. He passed in 1997-I thought I had basically read it all and had seen Mr Luckadoo’s name in passing but never heard him speak. This is an interview for the ages of an incredible American. 100 years young? I see lawyers and judges in their 50’s who are less articulate (and in lesser health) than this amazingly skilled, courageous and loyal man. Thank you for this and may God bless you Lt Luckadoo. Absolutely fascinating. 🇺🇸
My Uncle was a radio gunner on a B-17 flying from North Africa. He didn't open up much about his experiences. This gentleman does drive home one thing my uncle mentioned. That while they slept in clean sheets and had hot meals, there was always that one fighter or burst of flak that would ruin an airman's day.
This guy is amazing. 100 yrs old and clear and concise as anyone half his age. Incredible what these men endured.. God Bless them all.
A hell of alot brighter than 46.
You mean45 lol@Paiadakine
This man's uncanny resemblance to my late father who just passed away brought tears to my eyes. Dad was just as clear of mind and speech with perfect recall just like this gentleman. Truly the greatest generation.
He reminds me also of my dad........not looks-wise but with his detail of facts and expressions. Dad was never sent over as he wasn't eligible to enlist until late in the war and basically was placed into German POW security for their troop trains. Dad would relate stories just like this but only obviously much less exciting or dangerous assignments. Great that you've honored your dad here by mentioning him, nschlaak! Kudos to you and I'm certain your father would be honored and proud that you did!! Jim C.
This.
Reminds me of my favorite high school teacher.
My father was a bombardier on a B-17 at the this time. He was wounded and bailed out over Netherlands, captured and spent the rest of the war in Stalag Luft Eins. Some how survived the war.
This was the best episode yet. How I missed it I don't know. We have gone so far away from what it means to sacrifice and give our all. They were truly the greatest generation.
Here, Hear!
I agree I'm amazed at his ability to tell the stories at his age. God Bless him
Thank you for this, my grandfather was a pilot of b17g l, and did his 25 missions as well. Felt like I had him back for a moment
Legends 🤘🇺🇸
My Dad was a waist gunner, flew 39 missions and made it home. He was never the same again. He became jumpy and paranoid. It must have been terrifying!
😳 he’s still all there. Amazing bad ass. Could listen to his stories all day. What a treasure!
True, unlike our president.
That generation were indeed badasses!
"Chuck Norris? Never heard of her." - something "Lucky" Luckadoo might say
I would love to sit and drink a beer and talk to this man. Oh what stories he could tell.
@@HiroNguy 😅🤣😂🤭 ahh ha 😆 Good one !
Thank you for letting us hear from this amazing man. We owe all of them. I had the pleasure of knowing a B17 pilot for a few years before he passed. A great man just like Lucky.
To Dad : Arthur L Varricchio 1922-1998 radio operator B-17 - shot down not sure where he landed but in a cabbage field apprehend by a boy waving a gun at him lead of as a POW . 48 when I was born - never complained never spoke a bad word of anyone - except maybe the things he witnessed on the ground . Dad Passed his diary down to me I have signatures of meny pow's he served with in his diary and some incredible art work of enemy aircraft he scetched for his gunners and pow camps he was held . Anyway miss ya pop -- Thank you for the future you gave us , the memories and your get on w it and it done boy strength. Son of a WWII bad ass .
I want to thank Lucky SO much for his service, and those of the others at that time. I believe they had to hollow-out the seats in those planes to accommodate their cojones! My Dad was a waist gunner in a B25 in the 5th & 13th fighting in New Guinea and the Philippines, and I remember him telling similar stories. He was wounded twice, but healed up and went right back into battle. God Bless them all, they were truly the "Greatest Generation"!!! 🙏💪👍
my father was a pilot of b25s, though i dont know the division; but it was in the philippines. be crazy if they knew each other
@@IeuroI You bet! I believe the '25's in the Philippines were all in one group. The air corps also saw a lot of ground (fighting) action. Taking back the Philippines was a huge goal for MacArthur, and there was an "all hands on deck" approach. You might want to research your father's name through some of the internet sites that deal with U.S. Armed Forces history. There's a ton of them!!
This has to be the best interview with an 8th Air Force veteran that I have seen. It's incredible at his age his recollection of his time in the air. Great and of course, excellent video. Thank you.
He puts us right in his shoes.
Great Uncle was B24 pilot who was shot down on 9th mission over Magdeburg. He and crew made it out/to ground. He went thru some tough times after war. My dad (WW2 navy) said he thinks after what he went thru in WW2-everything later was minor. These guys were the greatest generation. I try to tell kids nowadays to go read what their great grandfathers did for us. Great interview!!! Thank you.
I personally know a man in Vancouver,Wa. He was a.B-17 pilot who survived 25 missions and is currently 100 years and 7 months of age. Sharp as a tack. Uses a cane to get around. Strong Christian who gives God all the credit.
My great uncle flew the B-17 as a navigator during WWII. He walked away from 3 crash landings and came home several times shot up. Unbelievable stories. Nothing the modern age of combat will ever see again.
I hope you're right
@@Riccardo_Silva not because there won't be wars silly, because no one today will ever survive from their wounds in today's world with our modern lethal weapons.
I dont think most people appreciate the sacrifice made by the 8th AF. My Fathers cousin was a B17 Co pilot during the war and was one of three crewmen killed when his 17 was shot down over Cologne Germany 18 Oct 44. Oddly enough, his Uncle was flying a P51 escort for the same mission.
Thats because most people have liitle interest in wartime aviation, but people like me and my fellow enthusiasts have learnt lots about all sorts of war missions even tho we were born much later.
Wow what a remembrance. All of these stories posted are phenomenal.
My family lost someone who was a navigator on a B24 crew, they were on their 21st mission during a run on the railroad bridge at Ferrara Italy, 3 of their 20 missions previous to that were runs on the oil fields of Ploesti Romania. I've read the after action reports for the mission they were shot down on, there's 3 from witnesses in 3 adjoining bombers and they all read exactly to same, approximately 2 seconds after they released their bombs at 23,000 ft the first 88 shell struck the #3 engine immediately setting it on fire and causing the plane to veer to the righy , approximately 2 seconds after that the 2nd 88 shell hit the fuselage just forward of the bomb bay and then the plane started a slow spiral downward with 3 parachutes coming out of it at approximately 10,000 ft, at about 4,000 ft the wing burned through at the #3 engine and folded resulting in the plane diving straight down from there. The pilot who was on one of the 3 parachutes was the only one that survived the war, the other 2 that made it out died in their POW camps. Photo reconnaissance after the mission showed that they hit the bridge and took it out. So for 2nd Lt Virgil Davison and 6 other members of his crew the last thing they did in their lives was put their bombs on target, and that's why he's buried in Arlington National Cemetery with the rest of the heroes.
Great story, Duke.
@@dukecraig2402 We found similar post war reports taken from the survivors after they were liberated. 88 shell tore off the nose instantly killing the BN and NV before exploding on the port wing. The pilot managed to divert the plane over an unpopulated area before ordering everyone out. My relative was wounded but managed to bail out. The pilot landed on a AA site and was immediately captured. He was later taken to a site and shown two bodies which he identified as the BN and NV. When he asked about the rest of his crew, they indicated that they had been captured, but then produced an ID card for my relative and indicated that he was dead. Some of the crew heard he was killed on the ground by civilians, while others heard his chute didnt open. We did find a book written about that raid that included a photo of their planes wreckage. My relative was buried in a local cemetery and was later moved to a US cemetery in Belgium. Supposedly he was moved from that cemetery in a post war repatriation operation and there is a marker and casket for him at a family plot in TX. However, according to a few surviving family members who where there (children at the time) they werent sure if his remains were in the casket or if it was empty.
Need more interviews from this fine man. I could listen to his recollections for hours.
At 100 yrs old Im blown away by the clarity and memory for details that this man retains. As I listen I'mhoping this man is still alive and how broken hearted to have lived longbenough to see the country he enduredball this to represent has turned into a clogged up toilet and gone to hell. What an anazing man. I am 80 and still that fluid in my memories of old. I salute you old brother. Dandahrrmit
I just now found an article from Joint Base Andrews News dated Jan. 30th, 2024 where retired Maj. John "Lucky" Luckadoo participated in a ceremony / event where the U. S. Air Force honored the 100th Bomb Group's legacy. I also found a few other articles regarding his 101st birthday in 2023. There were no obits between the January article and now (March 8th, 2024). So, this amazing gentleman is very fortunately _(for us)_ still here and will celebrate his 102nd birthday in a few days on March 16th. If you want to, just Google his name and you'll be able to read a number of articles written about him. *_Take Care!_*
I had a friend, Lester Coonse, who piloted a B-17 in WW2. He passed about 20 years ago. I asked him once how many missions he flew then, he said "all they needed me to and then some." He wouldn't go into much detail but from talking with him I surmised that a B-17 pilot had nerves of steel. I thanked him for his contribution to our country with his service. Thank you also Lucky Luckadoo. They truly were of the greatest generation.
Wow! That's crazy. Incredible interview. This guy isn't lucky ...he just figured out how to paint tunnels on the side of cliffs and run through them while the grim reaper gets hit by that bird coming out the other way.
Good one! 😄
My father was part of an 8th Air Force B-17 crew stationed out of England during the same time frame depicted in this video. While he didn't talk a lot about his experiences, I do recall hearing much of the same commentary about the danger, sacrafices and loss of men experienced by these very brave crew members. Truly, they are part of what made this generation the "Greatest Generation" and responsible for our ultimate victory in that war. My father carried the scars from that war for the rest of his life...but it also helped shape who and what he was as a man.
My father, an Air force career officer, combat vet of two wars, vet of three, spoke of combat occasionally and in the same manner as Lucky. What a special experience to listen. Thank you.
My best friends dad, Perry "Neal" Browne, just passed away at the age of 97. He was one of the Lucky few who made it through his tour of duty as a B-17 pilot. My father was a tail gunner in a B-24, was shot down and a POW from Feb 1945 thru Aug 1945 in Stalag Luft III.
I think you have your dates wrong or he was in the PTO but he Japanese didn't have Stalags.
I really enjoy listening to these guys talk about their experiences. My grandfather is still over there. He was with the RCAF 405 pathfinders. On his third tour in july '43 he was shot down returning from Aachen.
Small world, my Dad was with the RCAF 405, tail gunner. 2 X Ops over Aachen, April and May 44. He survived the war. Sorry your grandfather did'nt make it.
May he Rest In Peace
My great uncle was a RAAF Sergeant Pilot who trained in Canada. He was buried in Tripoli, Libya by the Italians in November 1941 with the rest of his Wellington crew. The bodies were unidentifiable after the aircraft burned for an hour in Tripoli Harbour. The two survivors died of burns (one the next day and the other three weeks later). It was his first operational flight out of Malta.
Sorry about your Grandfather. He would likely to have been in Lancaster's and you would know many were built in Canada. Just finished reading a good book. "Lancaster" by John Nicholl, worth the read. Greetings from NZ.
my prayers are for you and your family...past and present....RESPECT !
Solid gold, that man and others like him gave us the victory and freedom. My Dad, 101st airborne, Battle of the Bulge Two Bronze Stars, 20 years old. We can never repay them,
Love listening to this man he’s a hero and is super sharp for one hundred years I can’t imagine what he went through just how cold it was i have been in negative thirty Fahrenheit and that’s cold but sixty. Never forget that freedom has been paid for by heroes like this man.
What you say about the winter temps is very true. Having grown up on a homestead in Alaska 70+ years ago, I can verify that -20 to -30 degrees is nothing to take casually but I lived in that environment on the ground... not at 25,000', at 225-250mph, with open holes in the sides of the aircraft for your machine guns to shoot from!! That's an unbelievable situation, even without the enemy fighters swarming all around the bombers. These aircrews are due huge respect.
Outstanding interview. I never realized the suffering the crew was subjected to over the target. Thank you Lucky for your incredible courage.
Man. These guys are walking libraries. I was glued to this one.
True. I could have listened to him for hours!
Thank you so much for this interview, his memories are precious, and this interview could have gone on a lot longer. It's sad to think that we've already lost so many of his generation already, but I really learned so much from this. I would just like to add one thing- you often never really know or appreciate what that nice, ordinary looking older person you see on the street, or your older relative who never talks about "the war" has gone through, do you?
These were the men I grew up admiring and striving to emulate. This was my dad’s generation. Thank you for this wonderful interview and thanks to both of you for your service .
My Dad’s brothers would come to the old King home place for coffee every Sunday morning. They served during WW2. Beautiful stories.
The most elegant description I have ever heard of a pilot in a B-17 being attacked head on by Me 109's and FW190's, and surviving flack and pain of frostbite. Thank you.
What a hero. My grade 8 teacher (Toronto, Canada) had been a Navigator in a B-17 during WWII. As young students we did not appreciate what he had gone thru.
Same with me. I grew up with teachers who had survived WW2 and Korea. DDday, Bulge, Pacific Theater. Badasses. They had quick tempers with behavior issues and mediocrity. I have such deep respect for them.
Unbelievably Believable to listen for some 44 minutes with this explicitly graphic description of flying a bombing mission in a B-17 during WW II. It seemed like the time literally flew by. Thanks.
What an awesome American veteran. Thank you Sir for your service and for sharing the details.
My dad was in the 8th AF. He was 5'9" of wiry grit, just the maximum height for a certain Gunner's position on a B-17: the Ball Turret. He also survived 25 missions. He never really got over it. I have immense respect for the fliers of the 8th.
Btw, contrary to popular belief, the ball turret gunner’s position was the second safest position to be in. The safest was the F/O. The worse was the tail gunner. The most stressful was the radio man. He did have a window.
My uncle was a gunner on a B17 during WWII .I never got to talk to him about his service because he was murdered by his son in law . I know my dad told me he flew 27 or 28 missions over Germany before coming home . Ironic, surviving all those combat missions and coming home raising a family only to have his life ended by a crazed son in law !
Sad. Rest in Peace.
Yep, sounds just like that movie about that Cooper guy in that Sniper movie from Iraq.
combat ...yeah, maybe?...mostly civilians killed -read the real history in university level textbooks...the truth -not the glory will be found there
This really makes me sad. I hope the son in law did not go free on an insanity plea.
@@blpadge2 The son in law got 24 years in Indiana penitentiary, that's 12 years for each murder and zero years for attempted murder ! He shot his wife ( my cousin ) 7 times at point blank . He then got out in 12 years for good behavior ? But prayers and the LORD took him out with CANCER !
Steve Minett was a mix of American and English who did 73 missions piloting a Halifax bomber in the RAF. He was a friend of my father and he dicussed a lot about his experiences flying over France, Germany and the Northic countries on bombimg raids. He crash landed in the North sea and was among three crew who survived. He crashed after take off losing a wing on impact on a industrial chimney in England, the plane was overloaded with bombs… he was the only one to survive as he was ejected through the cockpit and miraculously landed in marshland. He spoke about bombing Dresden and that his most fearsome mission was bombing Frankfurt on Oder. . . One incredible personality who after the war lived in Paris and became a Montmartre painter. Steve passed away in 2008 or thereabouts. He was 88.
My father flew 52 missions in B17s as a waste gunner. He was stationed in England from almost the beginning. He was on every major bombing mission. I asked him about the 25 missions, and he said you go home when the job is done, not before. I still have a display box on my wall full of his medals.
My grandfather was killed while training stateside in Dalhart Texas. In Dalhart, they had two training bases. I am not sure which base they were landing at during the accident. The accident report said it was 10%weather and 90 pilot errors. The Air Core added 5 mph or knots to their approach speed. 5 of the 10 were killed. Initially, 4 were killed but the 5th died later. With the dew points and temperature the same there was a layer of fog over the runway. The lights for the runway made it appear they were about to touch down. The right wing stalled first and the right engines I believe shuddered when power was added. The plane went to the right of the runway and cartwheeled killing my my grandfather 3 months after my dad was born. 2nd Lt Randolph (Doc) Smith.
The Dalhart airfield was 3.4 miles southwest of the city. There was an auxiliary field 10.2 miles west-southwest of the city. That crash was at the main field. I've been there as I grew up in Amarillo in the 1960's.
Great interview. At 100 he is still is sharp as a tack. Couldn’t imagine how much more awesome he was in his younger years. Thank you both for your service !!
My 4 children's grandfather was Group Commander and on occasion GWing Commander, always in the right seat. Flew 28 missions 1943-44, Triangle K. Being a pilot myself I was the only one to get him to talk about the war. His family and friends did not know. Started getting him to talk with defensive tactics questions and was lucky to take him to the Chino Airshow. I paid $20 for us to go inside a B-17. Was a highlight of my life to be with him that day. He shunned attention and did not like to discuss the war but enjoyed one last visit inside the B-17. He only told me it was not fun or glorious but "we" did what needed to be done, no reason to discuss it. I sent this video to my family allowing them to know what a hero he was and a small glimpse of what he went through. Thank you so much. God bless America.
Thanks for interviewing this great American. So thankful for all his sacrifices for our freedom.
My grandfather was a middle/tail gunner, did 25 missions in a B17…never talked about it…never got a dime from the VA…..when he died I got his DD 214 for his funeral…he had 6 Bronze Stars…we never knew it…my grandmother was an actual riveter…As far as I can remember he never sought out any praise…absolutely none.
Wow. Respect. Greatest Generation.
Those who made it have seared into their minds the memories of friends and comrades who did not. What can you do but live thanking those souls that died so you and family could go home and live.
Cs292.... What can l say? 6 . May he rest in peace.
Had an uncle shot down in a bomber in Europe, he was able to land the plane, but was later captured by the enemy and he and his crew served two years in a pow camp.
My father-in law was awarded by General LeMay for his leadership of B-17 squadrons. He was of German heritage and refused to visit Europe following WWII. He did join us in a tourist visit to Pearl Harbor.
My wonderful Dad just passed away a couple days ago at age 103. He flew B-17s along with a variety of other planes. He flew 30 missions in the South Pacific, including volunteering for a “suicide” mission over the oil fields on eastern Borneo. Thank you to all veterans!
Can you remember any details of the Borneo mission? Assuming his target were the oilfields of Balikpapan?
This was a great show, we need to hear form these guys while we can before they are all gone. I love the history of this show, we all need to thank these guys for all they did, or we would not have our way of life today. Thanks again Ward.😎✌🖖💗🇺🇸🇺🇸
YES!!! 💯
I just added a link to my uncle’s story. These stories are riveting.
👍!
Mooch…that was fantastic sir! Thank you for reaching out to Lucky for the interview and our collective and most respectful “thank you,” to him for his indescribable bravery and selfless service, and for his willingness to share both in his book and this interview. What a treat! Again thank you and thank you for your service sir! Semper Fi 🇺🇸
Daniel Cullen, my uncle, piloted a B-17 with the 94th BG, 332 BS, in the same battle on October 8, 1943, that Lucky described. Dan's war diary affirms what Lucky said -- it was a helluva battle.
My father completed 33 missions with a 95th bomb group 8th Air Force. He went on to serve an additional 25 years or so in the Air Force making his Total tour 29 years. He was awarded the distinguished flying cross with three Oakley clusters. Easter, with the same crew throughout the war. he was buried at Arlington cemetery with my mother who passed away in 2018. He died in 1994.
What a legend. Not only him, but everyone who served. Thank you, Ward, for interviewing him. It's so important for these personal stories to be told.
In our part of the UK, there were several wartime American air bases, I was lucky enough to meet and shake hands with and show our appreciation for their service and heroism of some of the ex aircrew when they visited Grafton Underwood, some years ago, I was deeply honoured.Thank you Lucky and your brave colleagues from the bottom of our hearts.
My father was nr ALTENBERG GARDENS? Do you know what base that was?
@@hilarydunaway4807 Hilary, I do not recall that but I promise I will look it up
@@hilarydunaway4807 Hilary, just checked out Altenberg Gardens, it’s a street in London, possibly he was billeted there or there for some rest and recuperation, if you have anymore clues as to the actual base he was stationed at, I’ll be pleased to research it for you. 😁💐
My dad was at Burtonwood (as he called it) Air Depot, with B-17s. Flew one mission as he was normally ground crew and was told to fly one morning when the crew chief was sick. The rest of the crew was lucky he was there as the pilot was killed and the co-pilot was incapacitated and Dad had 10 hours in a 2 seater Aeronca Champ before the war. He managed to fly most of the way back to England on one engine before ditching in the North Sea about a mile off shore. They got half the crew out including the co-pilot who didn't survive but was alive on the rescue boat. I suspect he would have gotten a medal if he'd managed to make it to a base but he didn't. The name they'd given their bomber was "Raggedy Ann".
My father was a B17 bombardier stationed at Grafton Underwood. I joined him for a reunion there in 1984. Wonderful little village.
Good lord that was an awesome conversation. I'd listen to his B-17 stories every day if I could. Thanks to you both for making this available.
What an amazing interview. Lucky’s statement contemplating morality and mortality is chilling. ✌️🇨🇦
That measured, articulate guy and his colleagues had to fight battles of personality, frigid temperatures and rear turret humiliation as well as actually fighting the war! And he reached 100 years of age! It is fitting that these tales are told; they gave so much. Respect and gratitude Sir.
I've had to make an unscheduled trip to my dentist, something about my jaw--my mouth has been hanging open in awe as I watch your videos. You think you know something about something, then you hear new stories about the exploits of those who were there, or in this case, from the man himself, and you realize you know nothing about nothing. Very humbling, and very grateful to you for the incredible content you share here on this channel.
Every generation has its challenges but after seeing this interview no one can dispute the expression "The Greatest Generation." How thankful we are for such service.
Thank you for making this video! I learned so much. My dad was a 2nd lieutenant B-17 Bomber pilot in the Army Air Corps in the pacific. He survived his missions, but unfortunately for me, did not want to talk about his time flying out of Papua, New Guinea. I learned some from my mom, but my dad just wanted to put it in the past. Being an orphan, he was not accustomed to relying on people for his internal securities, and therefore, speaking of the war meant very little to him. So, now I am trying to get to know vicariously a little of what my dad went through in an unpressurized bomber at high altitude. And although Lucky's experience was in a different theater of war, I nonetheless learned of a lot of the same hardships that they must have shared. Thank you again!
I can't thank him enough. One brave man.
Ward. Beyond words. The real definition of "no shi#, there I was..." Morality and mortality. Wow. Great interview. I sure miss their values. The honor of that entire generation.
Lucky, at 83 you inspire me. What a man you are, and indeed were. I look forward to a future life with your example.
This 100 year old man explains things so clearly chronologically and logically making it so easy for anyone to understand exactly what he is saying. What a clear mind!
Major Luckadoo is as sharp as a tack. Thanks to him and all of the men and women who served in WWII. They truly saved much of the world from tyranny.
Want to know how bad it was to fly for the 8th Air Force in WW 2? The 8th alone suffered more KIA than ALL the losses of the Marines . This is just the 8th AF, not the 15th, 9th or 20th. AF. Over 26,000. Tough duty is putting it mildly. Ordered his book today.
I knew their casualty rate was high but did not know their KIA numbers were higher than the Marines in the Pacific (of which my father was one). Thank you for that information.
British Bomber Command suffered the same sort of high attrition rate per ratio compared to other branches of their service. The sad thing is that this group never got the recognition it was due until recent years. It's leader Arthur "Bomber" Harris ( known in some quarters as "Butch" or "Butcher Harris )and the men he commanded took a lot of "flak" (no pun intended) from some quarters of the public, politicians and academics at the time, for the firestorms of Dresden and the bombing of so called civilian targets, it still courts controversy today. It took until 2012 for the British Bomber Command, including it's Commonwealth component to get its own memorial in London's Green Park. Meanwhile Fighter Command had been memorialised and has basked in its "glory" since 1940.
I think only german submariners had a higher attrition rate than bomber command and its US counterpart
THANK YOU ❤ My father was a tail gunner. This video and a few others are finally telling me so many things that I never heard about his experience. It means everything. 😢
Wonderful story. And Lucky was not only lucky in surviving missions, but the gene pool also served him well!
Wow, the details learned here about the sheer extreme physical discomfort they had to deal with while flying through absolute hell is simply so far beyond the comprehension of anyone who never did it. Not to take anything away from modern aviators, but they’re in the lap of absolute luxury and safety in comparison even in the worst of their modern engagements.
Would we rise to that kind of a challenge today as a nation ?
The operative phrase was “We Blessed Ourselves After Every Mission We Survived,” not completed…. God Bless these young men and their generation. We owe them our very existence. Ward, another outstanding interview! Thank You!
This may have been the best thing I have ever watched on KZhead, possibly the best thing on the internet. Thank you can not convey my gratitude.
I could talk to this man all day. As a handyman by trade, ive worked for thousands of people. Every once in a wile, i work for a man like this. Its always a treat, and the more of their storys they decide to tell me, the cheaper the bill gets.
I’m impressed with how coherent and alert Lucky was in this interview. I’m an air ambulance helicopter pilot and an Army Aviation Veteran. I love history and appreciate your sharing this interview.
In my professional work as a psychiatric nurse I was blessed to get to know two of these amazing women. They flew all types of aircraft and found themselves frequently teaching the new pilots how to fly their aircraft. They were very matter of fact about their love of flying ( both self taught on any available aircraft - one on her Dad’s crop duster) and their service to this country.
And the Army treated them shabbily. No uniform, death benefits: mustered out and forgotten.
Incredible story, he mentioned the Norden Bomb site ,my Dad, was stationed there, because he was 6'5, he was an MP sentry guard at the gate. He was the same age as this gentlemen, he passed in 1980, from complications due to MS, you sir are not just a national hero, but, I think an INTERNATIONAL hero as well. Bless you sir for all you did then. Take care and stay healthy!
Outstanding post, thank you for sharing!