Hernandez, Louis B-17 Pilot
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- Опубліковано 12 вер 2024
- B-17 airman stationed in England during WWII with the 452nd Bomb Group describing his training, missions and bailing out over Poland. He tells the story of being hidden by the Polish underground as he was pursued by German troops. A portion of the interview was videotaped in the cockpit of a B-17.
In the late 80’s I was checking out a static displayed B-17 at the Addison Tx airshow. Sitting in the cockpit was an older gentleman in his 60’s and he was stoically sitting in the pilot seat and looked distraught. I asked if he was alright. He turned to me and said “the last time I was in a B-17, I was flying it, it was on fire and I was the last one to bail out”. The greatest generation is departing our world at a rapid pace now. We should all reflect from time to time about the selfless heroism of men like Mr. Hernandez that won WWII. Thank you for taking the time to record their stories.
You're welcome and thanks for your comment. Raymond
Sitting in the Cockpit, his actions on memory causes hands to go to throttles, scanning the gauges, and the ever present Pilot hand gestures. Love this.
When we started recording Louis at home, he was a little nervous - who likes having a video camera pointed at him? But when we got into the cockpit, he forgot about the camera and he was right at home at the controls and gave a great interview. Thanks for watching.
Each one of these interviews by Raymond were absolutely awesome. Each airman’s perspective view from their position and the timeline of their lives, past and present, gave great insight as to the total experiences of their war service. Thank you to Raymond’s wife for her help with these as well.
Oh, if I had only known then what I know now!!! Mr. Hernandez was my principal in El Paso at MacArthur Jr. High. He was a fair and quiet man and we sure didnt know he had been a pilot in WW2, shot down, escaped thru Russia back to England, then was an instructor for the B29 and saw the atomic explosion!!! That's stuff that's made up in books for Hollywood! What an incredible man. My Dad was a crew engineer, top turret and waist gunner for the 34th BG in Mendelsham. My Mom was a WASP and when that program finished, she worked at Biggs Air Force base in El Paso. She also saw the bright light from Alamagordo, NM the day they tested the atomic bomb. Thank you so much for this wonderful interview!
Thanks for watching and thank you for your comment.
Did you do any WASP interviews?
Let alone shooting a German!
My father was a pilot with the 34th BG, I believe the 7th Squadron ..but when he got over there with his crew, food drop Missions at the end were all they did...then POW DP returns..
Great interview! The best interviewer I've ever heard and being a WWII buff I've listened to hundreds. Thanks to both.
Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching.
I love all of these interviews. However, as a pilot, this one holds truths that many of the others miss. Very dear. Thank you.
Thank you not just to the service persons but their families and loved ones. Congratulations to the person in comments who personally knew this gentleman as his principal in school. Special thanks to Mr McFalone for your time, interest, dedication but especially your caring for each of these greats. Thankful that these interviews exist to preserve this live history!
You are very welcome and thanks for watching. Ray
All of my PVT and Comm instructors had flown WWII and one in WWI (92Aero). All were unique in personality, yet they knew how to fly stick and rudder and accepted no deviation. 33,000 hours later I teach and act as a check airman as modern students progress through their training. I don't believe that my instructors, hardened by combat in WW2 would accept the attitude of so many of the current, well healed, too smart, digitally focused pilot. Thank you for these videos, for a moment I am back with these men.
You're welcome and thanks for watching.
All respect sir... Keep it level and straight 😊 where are the men like u these days?
Im glad to listened to your time served and as a Veteran I thank you for the honor of serving Our country.
My dad was a navigator on b17 and told me that he saw a German jet while on a mission. This story is first time I heard a mention of a jet. Dad’s name was M . Callaway
I just love watching these interviews. Every one of these men has a different perspective and something different to add. Always fascinating. I’m so glad to have the privilege to watch these and learn some thing from all of these men.
Another excellent interview.
Thanks for watching.
My Dad was a ww2 Lt in the airborne . I'm a retired pilot and find this series to be fantastic !!
you do such great work thank you raymond and crew.
Our pleasure! And thanks for watching.
Thank you Sir, God bless you ALL 🙏
Thanks again for making these videos.
Glad you like them! And thanks for watching. Ray
Another great episode. Enjoyed it very much
Glad you enjoyed it
RIP Louis
Thanks
Real men. We need to thank them. Unfortunately today we have ‘woke’ snowflakes.
Fascinating
Did he say ruptured duck?
All these crews have one thing in common: Plenty of guts!
Absolutely agree!
Ironicly..a P38 Air Cobra crashed into that B17 over Texas
Good stuff !
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Jet wash can cause the same problems