I’m from New Orleans and it’s so cool to hear him talk about my hometown. I love hearing these men express how proud they are to have done their duty for this great country. I wish more people today felt the way this generation felt toward the USA.
There is a quality in the Greatest Generation. I think it is their sincerity in sharing their stories. It's so endearing. It is easy to love them. Thanks for watching.
@@raymondmcfalone26 My uncle survived 50 missions as a "bastard gunner" (which means he never had a permanent crew but filled in where needed) in B-24s. I wish there was an interview with him since he rarely talked about it
@@timgelder4263 I worked in various places for years where I had access to a number of WW2 vets. Talking about the war was painful for them and they would change the subject.
I've watched dozens of Ray's interviews and am endlessly in awe of these men. Their sincere character and humility is overwhelming. It's such a pity this generation is just about gone at a time when our country desperately needs their wisdom and integrity.
in 1980 I landed at RAF Bentwaters / Woodbridge. It was well known that it was a crash base during the war. Pretty cool to hear of one of these hero's talking about my first duty assignment.
This was a great interview. He has an excellent memory. I like how he touched on the psychological effect of the war. You don't hear about that side of it.
The area he spoke of was called a club car. At the end he is describing his work schedule is what we call a swing shift. Every week he works all three 8 hour shifts.
Amazed that an operational pilot was not instrument rated. If the Captain had been incapacitated in any way , heavy cloud conditions , doesn't bear thinking about. On the same theme , he said that they would fly in conditions previous crews would not attempt. One can only imagine that the bombing would be on ground radar images . If so , then few bombs would hit the target . I have watched many of these stories with total respect for their experiences. Occasionally you hear something that confirms what you already know. An acquintance of mine Ex RAF Wing Commander and Lancaster pilot with DFC . Told me that one of his last posts was C,O of a flight of Lancasters whose role was to fly out over the North Sea looking for damaged and lost American bombers and guide them home to safety. In one of these pods , the crew member experienced a shepherd .
What a generation!!!! We have to take America back to times where civil comportment was normal behavior. We’ve lost our American ethos. Must revive it!!!!
I’m from New Orleans and it’s so cool to hear him talk about my hometown. I love hearing these men express how proud they are to have done their duty for this great country. I wish more people today felt the way this generation felt toward the USA.
Happy to here his mom was still alive to know he completed his 35 missions w/out a scratch!
I don't know this gentlemen hero but I love him. Not ashamed to say
There is a quality in the Greatest Generation. I think it is their sincerity in sharing their stories. It's so endearing. It is easy to love them. Thanks for watching.
@@raymondmcfalone26 My uncle survived 50 missions as a "bastard gunner" (which means he never had a permanent crew but filled in where needed) in B-24s. I wish there was an interview with him since he rarely talked about it
@@raymondmcfalone26 did you get a chance to interview any fighter pilots, tank crews, or submariners?
@@timgelder4263 I worked in various places for years where I had access to a number of WW2 vets. Talking about the war was painful for them and they would change the subject.
I find him very endearing too, a lovely man.
A most excellent gentleman. Very articulate man.
he would make a good neighbor anywhere on this earth.
Wow, this gentleman really gave a different, well-spoken perspective.
I've watched dozens of Ray's interviews and am endlessly in awe of these men. Their sincere character and humility is overwhelming. It's such a pity this generation is just about gone at a time when our country desperately needs their wisdom and integrity.
A very lovely man well spoken.
So well spoken, no bitterness about the difficult pats of his life.
Parts
So proud of this guy.
Thank You for your service SIR!
I had to check where Merseburg was - it's practically Leipzig. No wonder nobody liked it. What a lovely gentleman Mr Thomson comes across as.
in 1980 I landed at RAF Bentwaters / Woodbridge. It was well known that it was a crash base during the war. Pretty cool to hear of one of these hero's talking about my first duty assignment.
What plane you flew driver?
This was a great interview. He has an excellent memory. I like how he touched on the psychological effect of the war. You don't hear about that side of it.
What an amazing man!
The area he spoke of was called a club car. At the end he is describing his work schedule is what we call a swing shift. Every week he works all three 8 hour shifts.
Amazed that an operational pilot was not instrument rated. If the Captain had been incapacitated in any way , heavy cloud conditions , doesn't bear thinking about. On the same theme , he said that they would fly in conditions previous crews would not attempt. One can only imagine that the bombing would be on ground radar images . If so , then few bombs would hit the target .
I have watched many of these stories with total respect for their experiences. Occasionally you hear something that confirms what you already know. An acquintance of mine Ex RAF Wing Commander and Lancaster pilot with DFC . Told me that one of his last posts was C,O of a flight of Lancasters whose role was to fly out over the North Sea looking for damaged and lost American bombers and guide them home to safety. In one of these pods , the crew member experienced a shepherd .
South Louisiana, my home!
Thanks for for unwavering service, USA.
After 35 missions he was one lucky soldier.
What a generation!!!! We have to take America back to times where civil comportment was normal behavior. We’ve lost our American ethos. Must revive it!!!!
On point!
Note to self. In all recorded history any civilization that tried to take over this world failed. Just won't stand it. Joe.