I never comment on UA-cam videos but this one was special to me as that's my dad. He's an even better person than you see here, and I'm so proud to be his son.
And as his very proud niece I’ll jump on your comment, John. I finally got out here to watch this. Your dad has always been my favorite storyteller and even though I’ve heard SOME (not all) of these before, it is with great pride I can say, “That’s my uncle!” ❤️ What an amazing interview.
Your Dad is an absolute gentleman. I've never had the honor of meeting him in person, but this interview made me feel like I was sitting at an airport bar listening to his stories over a few cold beers. So much class and humility from someone who saw combat up close and truly is a hero. I also disagree with his sentiment, his post-Navy aviation career is anything but disappointing and his approach to life's road bumps is simply remarkable. His spirit and zeal to continue remaining active and healthy is inspiring, to say the least. I'd imagine that almost nobody attending a play has the slightest idea that the older man appearing in their local theater production is a decorated Navy Cross winner. How cool and amazing is that?! Thanks for sharing, Phil. And Mover, thank you for getting this out to all of us!
I know Phil from CLT - I cannot say what an honor it is to work with a man a wonderfully talented, generous, and kind as Phil. Seeing this interview is just a great way to learn more about a man I already admire.
55 years of wondering if he killed a man or not and then finding out that he didn't. And he was relieved. And he gets saved by someone passing off half their gas. And he has flashbacks every day that he just deals with. And he's an actor too! What a great warrior and an even greater human being- great interview Mover!
Not sure but he did mention some close air support mission he had flown over south Vietnam, it’s possible he has killed people during those. He’s done a good service for us.
The Navy Cross is the highest award one can receive in the Navy "for extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force" and the second highest award for military valor, period. The only one higher is the Medal of Honor. Phil's humility when talking about it is an example for all of us. He is a hero by any definition.
Not exactly correct. It isnt "the highest award one can receive in the Navy" but it is the highest award that is strictly for the Navy. Members of the Navy can receive the Congressional Medal of Honor because it is a service wide award. And in fact there are separate display versions of the CMO based on what branch of the service you are in. The ribbon is just the blue field with white stars but the medals are quite ornate and have designs in the hanger that correspond to the branch of the service (the Navy version hangs from an anchor). As far as precedence is concerned it is the third highest award in the military not the second. The Distinguished Service Cross (Army) has precedence over the Navy Cross. This is how they resolve the possibility of someone winning both by crossing service. I don't think that has ever happened with the Crosses but the possibility exists (and has been done with other medals such as the Achievement Medals and Commendation Medals) so they have to account for it. The Army medals ALWAYS have precedence over the Navy who has precedence over the Air Force. That is all based on the fact that the Army is the older branch of the service followed by the Navy and of course the Air Force is just a baby compared to the other two.
@@historyshowsus4678 “strictly for the Navy” is what I was trying to convey, thanks for clarifying. I’ve always thought the separate medal styles for each branch is especially cool. That part about the Army taking precedence sorta sucks tbh lol.
I was about to say the same thing… the way he said “I got awarded a pretty good medal…” like say I got a sandwich for lunch. Class act job doer right there.
"My back still hurts. But what are ya gonna do?" - If that quote doesn't sum up a great generation. What an incredible interview with an amazing hero. Thanks for this Mover.
I would argue with him being of a great generation. The boomers were the most selfish generation ever created IMHO. I would call him a great man in spite of his generation.
Going by his age Philip Vampatella is a member of the ‘Silent Generation,’ the folks that came between the so called “Greatest Generation” and the Boomers. My experience with silent generation types is that typically they are just as hard-nosed and old school as the greatest generation. I’ve always been of the opinion that the silent generation was really the last generation that this country produced that was worth a damn. It’s pretty popular nowadays to rag on the boomers, but as bad they were the succeeding generations really aren’t any better, and seem to be getting progressively worse. I say all this as a “millennial.”
Hey Mover, Navy Officer Phil was so absolutely amazing, I didn't want it to end. The life that this courageous Naval Aviator has had is the epitome of a great military hero who had no qualms about serving his country during Vietnam, a war that took so many lives. His humorous responses were sometimes hilarious. I personally loved his story of why he didn't show up for a dinner date he was invited to. " I had an inflight emergency in my F-8 Crusader and I had to eject and I ended up in the water for a couple of hours". " It was a pretty good excuse". I love the stories of the Navy aviation veterans that you have interviewed who served in the 60's, as it brings back great memories of my Navy stints as an AE at NAS Key West and NAS Cecil Field '65 to '69 that included three short TDY Carrier Quals with Va-174 A7A's and B's. It was an unbelievable experience that also included A4's, F8's, F4's, A6's, S2F and COD's Thanks for this one Brother. One of the best! (Bill from Slidell)
Hey Mover, as a Vietnam Veteran I really appreciate you having this interview. It was very special for me. My experience was all on the ground as a Hospital Corpsman (aka Medic) in the Marine Corp, we we’re always happy to have these jet jockeys supporting us.
Thanks for what you did Dennis. My Dad and Grandpa (Vietnam and Korea respectively) were both Marines and they always held you Corpsmen in very high regard. They both considered you guys as one of them, Marines.
@@kevintemple245 Thank you so much. When did your dad serve in Vietnam. I was there from 8/67 to 8/68 with the 2nd Battalion, Eleventh Marines, Echo Battery.
@@dennisnevin1893 '69-'70 I think. Dad was a very lucky Marine. They found out he was pretty good at typing, so they sent him to Camp Smith, Oahu as a clerk for JAG. He was the aide for a Navy Lt. Cmdr lawyer. Grandpa was a forward artillery observer 1 Mar. Div., HQ. He said he was relatively safe as the Chinese only might hit you if they were aiming at something else. Their artillery was "piss poor".
These interviews are great. Even if they don’t get the highest view counts, i think they’re really important videos to make sure these stories are preserved. Thanks for doing these Mover!
Listening to Phil's story was one of the fastest hours I've ever spent. What a life! What a guy! Thanks for bringing him on your channel; this was the best kind of first-hand history.
What a great human being AND combat pilot. I've met a few like him & I always am humbled by their humility. I was in 'Nam in 69/70 and worked with FAC pilots. Many of them were like Phil, capable, conscientious and caring.
I met Phil in November of 2000. I was a brand new, wet behind the ears, inexperienced 727 Captain at United and he was one of our over 60 flight engineers. Phil had more experience in his pinky than I did in my entire body. I let him now that and that I was open to any and all suggestions he had. I am grateful for everything he shared. It was a great trip with a memorable layover in Vancouver, BC. Glad this opportunity to learn more about him is here.
I had the honor of meeting Phil a few weeks ago. I got talked into building a set for a play at the theatre where he volunteers and acts. I had no idea about him at all. I had to go get parts one day for the set we're working on, and a guy at the parts house said told me a little bit about Phil, so I googled him and I ended up here. I can tell you that he's humble, kind and a genuinely nice person from the very little time I've spent with him. He was helping us work on a set this past weekend and mentioned "I used to fly airplanes for a living"...Now I have a better idea of what that means. I don't know if I'll ever mention to him that I know about his story or not. As I said, he's as nice and genuine in person as he is in the interview. Just a good guy enjoying life. Thanks for posting this video.
There was a book in my elementary school library called "Fighter Pilot" which was a Scholastic Press biography of this very great man...I've been aware of him since I was about 10 years old in 1975 when I read that book over and over again...I have always had the greatest admiration for him, and it has been an unbelievable pleasure to watch this amazing interview with him... Salute, Phil...
Phil and I were PEP students together in Meridian, MS. He was always a tiger. I ended up in Hawaii flying P-3's (by choice) and he would visit when the boat pulled in going to Westpac. I read about the hero part and knew that fit Phil. He gave me his card. "Have gun, will travel". He did that very well. Thanks Phil for your service......
As usual, a great interview. I remember VF211 as a reserve squadron @ NAS Dallas in the 70's. All the F-8's had the Mig kills painted on them. That was an awesome jet to watch.
There’s a 1966 kid’s book called Phillip Vampatella: Fighter Pilot (tried posting the Amazon link but wasn’t allowed by UA-cam). I read it as a library book while in elementary school in the 1970s. It was a key book that motivated my interest in the Navy and led me to a 30-year career as a naval officer (just retired in June). This is the first time I’ve ever seen an interview with this great man and the interview was wonderful!! Thanks for doing it, Mover!
So the guy who thinks his story is uninteresting sure kept my interest all the way through. Great interview, Mover - this is what you do so well - finding these people for us and letting them tell their stories.
The F-8 had the absolute worst safety record in the Navy. But the pilots loved it. It landed fast, the gear was weak until it was fixed; the hydraulic accumulator was the port main gear strut which, if damaged, could compromise the hydraulic system and ruin your whole day. The power curve had a glitch in it which resulted in several F-8s being planted in the spud locker (the area between the flight deck round-down and the ship's fantail). There is more, but I spare you. Nevertheless, the F-8 had the Navy's highest kill ratio (6:1) as opposed to the F-4 Phantom's dismal 2:1 ratio. The F-8, with all its warts, is my favorite bird to maintain, superior IMHO to the F-4 from a maintenance standpoint.
Excellent! It's always great to hear about those who can rebound, ("adapt and overcome") transfer into new endeavors without remorse, and continue to win!
That was a great interview! Those are the type of interviews that are so important. Let’s face it, we aren’t going to live for ever but now Phil’s story will outlive all of us. When I was growing up at my local airport the old guys I use to hang out around were WWII pilots. At the time they were younger than today’s Vietnam vets. They had all recently hit their age 60 retirement. One of my regrets in life is that I didn’t have the foresight or ability to to just turn a camera on all let them talk. Some of the stories I heard from those guys were simply amazing and I only wish I could remember half of them.
Classic reminded me of my dad and my uncle put together. These stories are amazing a lot of these heroes shaped our modern Navy and Air force. Another great Patriot. Great interview Mover!
I've been following you for a while now and never commented. I just wanted to say that tonight it was my intention to jump into DCS and start blowing stuff up, but, I was watching this video while trying to figure out crap for my home built cockpit and I never got to it, nor did I ever jump into DCS. Phil's story is one of those that should never be lost. I had one grandfather who served during WWII and another who served in Korea. I NEVER got to hear their stories. As a combat veteran myself, SGT, E-5 US ARMY 82nd Airborne Division in both Afghanistan and Iraq, I have found that talking about my experiences over there has been therapeutic to this PTSD crap, that being said I WISH to all high heaven more Veterans, especially those surviving WW2, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, would come out and share their stories. I love listening to them just as much as I love telling mine. C.W. Lemoine, I salute you and your channel, thank you and keep up the good work!
Great interview, It's a great commentary about adapting and overcoming. This is what we should be teaching out kids today. Thank you Phil for your heroism and service !! Thanks Mover for bringing this to us !
Great interview... I like Phil's attitude as an 81-year old man. If I am fortunate to reach that age, hopefully my frame of mind will be in a similar place.
I remember a flight instructor who had lost his wedding ring and was trying to figure out how to tell his wife. One day he’s doing aerobatics in a trainer, he’s inverted and the ring pops onto the canopy. Really lucky considering he didn’t know that he lost in an aircraft, let alone that specific aircraft.
It’s so easy to throw words of appreciation around nowadays, to people who don’t really deserve them, but when they fit, they should be said. INSPIRATIONAL HERO HUMBLE What a brilliant life story you have, Sir.
Ain't he cool! This guy is " in my opinion" the best guy I've listened to to this point, and I listen to this stuff all day all the time. You keep up the good fight Phill, God bless.
A fantastic interview with Phil. A truly interesting guy with an outstanding life story. I really look forward to these men recounting their experiences.👍
I read the book Migs over North Vietnam by Roger Boniface great perspective from the NVA Mig drivers on fighting the Americans and this gentleman telling of his adversary surviving was from the book
I’ve always had a tremendous amount of respect for the pilots, naval aviators and aircrew that flew over SEA during the Vietnam War. These guys flew in some of the most contested airspace in the history of aerial warfare. If I’m not mistaken the Hanoi Haiphong area was the most heavily defended area in the history of aerial warfare. They did all this while operating under some of the most restrictive and insane ROE any servicemen have ever had to operate under in what ultimately became an extremely unpopular war. With few exceptions these men maintained their professionalism and continued to carry out the orders of their often times incompetent and ungrateful civilian masters.
This was an amazing interview Mover. It’s awesome when you get to hear the stories these guys from the past generations have to tell. What an amazing man and amazing naval aviator! I was stuck to the screen for the entire interview. Wonderful video.
This was a terrific episode. My dad was an F-8 guy and Phil mentioned many names that I knew through my father. His Vietnam recollections were priceless. I remember well when I was flying at UAL when we took in several Pan Am guys, some who were in the their mid-50s and having to start all over again as SOs. Phil highlighted how an airline career can be great and how it can absolutely suck.
Phil and I were NAVCADs in Pensacola at the same time. He was in Pre-flight class 30-62 and I was in class 33-62. We would occasionally have a friendly game of pool in the cadet barracks. Loved the interview. 👍🇺🇸
What an awesome interview. I'm new to your channel and love your ruining movies series but these interviews with veteran pilots are really something special!
I never comment on UA-cam videos but this one was special to me as that's my dad. He's an even better person than you see here, and I'm so proud to be his son.
Very cool! Thanks for commenting.
And as his very proud niece I’ll jump on your comment, John. I finally got out here to watch this. Your dad has always been my favorite storyteller and even though I’ve heard SOME (not all) of these before, it is with great pride I can say, “That’s my uncle!” ❤️ What an amazing interview.
Some amazing stories your father has, I really appreciate getting to hear them.
Your Dad is an absolute gentleman. I've never had the honor of meeting him in person, but this interview made me feel like I was sitting at an airport bar listening to his stories over a few cold beers. So much class and humility from someone who saw combat up close and truly is a hero. I also disagree with his sentiment, his post-Navy aviation career is anything but disappointing and his approach to life's road bumps is simply remarkable. His spirit and zeal to continue remaining active and healthy is inspiring, to say the least. I'd imagine that almost nobody attending a play has the slightest idea that the older man appearing in their local theater production is a decorated Navy Cross winner. How cool and amazing is that?! Thanks for sharing, Phil. And Mover, thank you for getting this out to all of us!
I know Phil from CLT - I cannot say what an honor it is to work with a man a wonderfully talented, generous, and kind as Phil. Seeing this interview is just a great way to learn more about a man I already admire.
55 years of wondering if he killed a man or not and then finding out that he didn't. And he was relieved. And he gets saved by someone passing off half their gas. And he has flashbacks every day that he just deals with. And he's an actor too! What a great warrior and an even greater human being- great interview Mover!
What you said! I couldn't say it any better!
Not sure but he did mention some close air support mission he had flown over south Vietnam, it’s possible he has killed people during those. He’s done a good service for us.
The Navy Cross is the highest award one can receive in the Navy "for extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force" and the second highest award for military valor, period. The only one higher is the Medal of Honor. Phil's humility when talking about it is an example for all of us. He is a hero by any definition.
Amen...well said.🇺🇸💜
Not exactly correct. It isnt "the highest award one can receive in the Navy" but it is the highest award that is strictly for the Navy.
Members of the Navy can receive the Congressional Medal of Honor because it is a service wide award.
And in fact there are separate display versions of the CMO based on what branch of the service you are in. The ribbon is just the blue field with white stars but the medals are quite ornate and have designs in the hanger that correspond to the branch of the service (the Navy version hangs from an anchor).
As far as precedence is concerned it is the third highest award in the military not the second. The Distinguished Service Cross (Army) has precedence over the Navy Cross. This is how they resolve the possibility of someone winning both by crossing service. I don't think that has ever happened with the Crosses but the possibility exists (and has been done with other medals such as the Achievement Medals and Commendation Medals) so they have to account for it.
The Army medals ALWAYS have precedence over the Navy who has precedence over the Air Force. That is all based on the fact that the Army is the older branch of the service followed by the Navy and of course the Air Force is just a baby compared to the other two.
@@historyshowsus4678 “strictly for the Navy” is what I was trying to convey, thanks for clarifying. I’ve always thought the separate medal styles for each branch is especially cool. That part about the Army taking precedence sorta sucks tbh lol.
well said. he's the total opposite to a lot of these guys who think just wearing a uniform deserves immediate recognition and worship. Cheers Phil!
I was about to say the same thing… the way he said “I got awarded a pretty good medal…”
like say I got a sandwich for lunch. Class act job doer right there.
"My back still hurts. But what are ya gonna do?" - If that quote doesn't sum up a great generation. What an incredible interview with an amazing hero. Thanks for this Mover.
Many kids now would try and sue for long lasting injuries from a seat that saved your ass.
I would argue with him being of a great generation. The boomers were the most selfish generation ever created IMHO. I would call him a great man in spite of his generation.
Going by his age Philip Vampatella is a member of the ‘Silent Generation,’ the folks that came between the so called “Greatest Generation” and the Boomers. My experience with silent generation types is that typically they are just as hard-nosed and old school as the greatest generation. I’ve always been of the opinion that the silent generation was really the last generation that this country produced that was worth a damn. It’s pretty popular nowadays to rag on the boomers, but as bad they were the succeeding generations really aren’t any better, and seem to be getting progressively worse. I say all this as a “millennial.”
@@wiljam1968 Exactly , and that’s why I don’t get involved with stereotyping and prejudging , although each generation definitely has its trends.
He started flying in 62, definitely not a boomer.
"...There's a fine line between getting the Navy Cross or a Courts Marshal..." - Priceless.
I need to remember that one.
Ask Rick Adams...
Hey Mover, Navy Officer Phil was so absolutely amazing, I didn't want it to end. The life that this courageous Naval Aviator has had is the epitome of a great military hero who had no qualms about serving his country during Vietnam, a war that took so many lives. His humorous responses were sometimes hilarious. I personally loved his story of why he didn't show up for a dinner date he was invited to. " I had an inflight emergency in my F-8 Crusader and I had to eject and I ended up in the water for a couple of hours". " It was a pretty good excuse". I love the stories of the Navy aviation veterans that you have interviewed who served in the 60's, as it brings back great memories of my Navy stints as an AE at NAS Key West and NAS Cecil Field '65 to '69 that included three short TDY Carrier Quals with Va-174 A7A's and B's. It was an unbelievable experience that also included A4's, F8's, F4's, A6's, S2F and COD's Thanks for this one Brother. One of the best!
(Bill from Slidell)
Hey Mover, as a Vietnam Veteran I really appreciate you having this interview. It was very special for me. My experience was all on the ground as a Hospital Corpsman (aka Medic) in the Marine Corp, we we’re always happy to have these jet jockeys supporting us.
Thanks for what you did Dennis. My Dad and Grandpa (Vietnam and Korea respectively) were both Marines and they always held you Corpsmen in very high regard. They both considered you guys as one of them, Marines.
@@kevintemple245 Thank you so much. When did your dad serve in Vietnam. I was there from 8/67 to 8/68 with the 2nd Battalion, Eleventh Marines, Echo Battery.
@@dennisnevin1893 '69-'70 I think. Dad was a very lucky Marine. They found out he was pretty good at typing, so they sent him to Camp Smith, Oahu as a clerk for JAG. He was the aide for a Navy Lt. Cmdr lawyer.
Grandpa was a forward artillery observer 1 Mar. Div., HQ. He said he was relatively safe as the Chinese only might hit you if they were aiming at something else. Their artillery was "piss poor".
These interviews are great. Even if they don’t get the highest view counts, i think they’re really important videos to make sure these stories are preserved. Thanks for doing these Mover!
Thank you Phil for your service to your country!! My bro-in-law flew F-8's with VF-191 off the USS Oriskany. God bless and all the best 👍!
Listening to Phil's story was one of the fastest hours I've ever spent. What a life! What a guy! Thanks for bringing him on your channel; this was the best kind of first-hand history.
What a guy! Salute from the U.K. Love the F-8. Kinda similar to the Lightning - aircraft strapped to an engine.
What a great human being AND combat pilot. I've met a few like him & I always am humbled by their humility. I was in 'Nam in 69/70 and worked with FAC pilots. Many of them were like Phil, capable, conscientious and caring.
I met Phil in November of 2000. I was a brand new, wet behind the ears, inexperienced 727 Captain at United and he was one of our over 60 flight engineers. Phil had more experience in his pinky than I did in my entire body. I let him now that and that I was open to any and all suggestions he had. I am grateful for everything he shared. It was a great trip with a memorable layover in Vancouver, BC. Glad this opportunity to learn more about him is here.
I had the honor of meeting Phil a few weeks ago. I got talked into building a set for a play at the theatre where he volunteers and acts. I had no idea about him at all. I had to go get parts one day for the set we're working on, and a guy at the parts house said told me a little bit about Phil, so I googled him and I ended up here. I can tell you that he's humble, kind and a genuinely nice person from the very little time I've spent with him.
He was helping us work on a set this past weekend and mentioned "I used to fly airplanes for a living"...Now I have a better idea of what that means. I don't know if I'll ever mention to him that I know about his story or not. As I said, he's as nice and genuine in person as he is in the interview. Just a good guy enjoying life. Thanks for posting this video.
What a great guy …we could all learn a lot from him and his outlook on life ….and by we I mean me
There was a book in my elementary school library called "Fighter Pilot" which was a Scholastic Press biography of this very great man...I've been aware of him since I was about 10 years old in 1975 when I read that book over and over again...I have always had the greatest admiration for him, and it has been an unbelievable pleasure to watch this amazing interview with him...
Salute, Phil...
Amazing interview. Great in depth behind the scenes story. Thank you for the video and thanks to Phil Vampatella for serving our country.
Phil and I were PEP students together in Meridian, MS. He was always a tiger. I ended up in Hawaii flying P-3's (by choice) and he would visit when the boat pulled in going to Westpac. I read about the hero part and knew that fit Phil. He gave me his card. "Have gun, will travel". He did that very well. Thanks Phil for your service......
As usual, a great interview. I remember VF211 as a reserve squadron @ NAS Dallas in the 70's. All the F-8's had the Mig kills painted on them. That was an awesome jet to watch.
Appreciate interviews like this, by having the chance to tell their stories a little piece of them lives on in those who take the time to listen.
Agreed. We're losing these veterans and their memories. I wish we had more from WW2.
@@Doug_Narby I recomand the channel of Mark felton, many unknown WW2 stories
There’s a 1966 kid’s book called Phillip Vampatella: Fighter Pilot (tried posting the Amazon link but wasn’t allowed by UA-cam). I read it as a library book while in elementary school in the 1970s. It was a key book that motivated my interest in the Navy and led me to a 30-year career as a naval officer (just retired in June). This is the first time I’ve ever seen an interview with this great man and the interview was wonderful!! Thanks for doing it, Mover!
Thank you, Mr. Houff, for your service to our country!
So the guy who thinks his story is uninteresting sure kept my interest all the way through. Great interview, Mover - this is what you do so well - finding these people for us and letting them tell their stories.
The world would be so much better if we all had this guy's attitude. This literally made my day. Thank you
One of the greatest interviews I ever watched: a lesson in humility and optimism. Thank you very much
Awesome interview with Phil. He has a fantastic philosophy on life. I bet landing the F-8 on a carrier was not easy .
The F-8 had the absolute worst safety record in the Navy. But the pilots loved it. It landed fast, the gear was weak until it was fixed; the hydraulic accumulator was the port main gear strut which, if damaged, could compromise the hydraulic system and ruin your whole day. The power curve had a glitch in it which resulted in several F-8s being planted in the spud locker (the area between the flight deck round-down and the ship's fantail). There is more, but I spare you. Nevertheless, the F-8 had the Navy's highest kill ratio (6:1) as opposed to the F-4 Phantom's dismal 2:1 ratio. The F-8, with all its warts, is my favorite bird to maintain, superior IMHO to the F-4 from a maintenance standpoint.
Excellent! It's always great to hear about those who can rebound, ("adapt and overcome") transfer into new endeavors without remorse, and continue to win!
That was a great interview! Those are the type of interviews that are so important. Let’s face it, we aren’t going to live for ever but now Phil’s story will outlive all of us. When I was growing up at my local airport the old guys I use to hang out around were WWII pilots. At the time they were younger than today’s Vietnam vets. They had all recently hit their age 60 retirement. One of my regrets in life is that I didn’t have the foresight or ability to to just turn a camera on all let them talk. Some of the stories I heard from those guys were simply amazing and I only wish I could remember half of them.
Being a kid in the late sixties and have many friends at NAS Lemoore, several in VA-163, those guys were my hero's. Great interview.
Classic reminded me of my dad and my uncle put together. These stories are amazing a lot of these heroes shaped our modern Navy and Air force. Another great Patriot. Great interview Mover!
Very cool, I wish there were more people like this, the world would be a better place. God bless and stay safe.
Thank you Phil Vampatella, for your service. Thank you Mover, for an excellent video with this veteran!
I read about his exploits in Barrett Tillman’s book, MiG Master. It’s great to hear the story from the man himself.
Great book!
@@flightsimstuff5417 not just great but AN ALL- TIME AVIATION CLASSIC.
What an outstanding interview! I really enjoy these interviews. Please continue to do them.
56 years congrats on that ! Thanks Mover for having another good interview with a good man ! Be safe all
I've been following you for a while now and never commented. I just wanted to say that tonight it was my intention to jump into DCS and start blowing stuff up, but, I was watching this video while trying to figure out crap for my home built cockpit and I never got to it, nor did I ever jump into DCS. Phil's story is one of those that should never be lost. I had one grandfather who served during WWII and another who served in Korea. I NEVER got to hear their stories. As a combat veteran myself, SGT, E-5 US ARMY 82nd Airborne Division in both Afghanistan and Iraq, I have found that talking about my experiences over there has been therapeutic to this PTSD crap, that being said I WISH to all high heaven more Veterans, especially those surviving WW2, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, would come out and share their stories. I love listening to them just as much as I love telling mine. C.W. Lemoine, I salute you and your channel, thank you and keep up the good work!
Thank you for your service, and thank you sharing your story Phil.
Thank you for sharing. I served with VF 211 during that period. Phil is an awesome person and a great pilot.
Found a couple of USS Hancock cruise photos with ENS Phil Vampatella
Phil, grazie amico... un eroe. That's Italian for "Thank you friend, a hero."👍🇺🇸💜
Mover, you've done it again.
Love these interviews Mover. Thanks so much for letting us all hear these guys experiences so they’re not lost to history. That guy is awesome!
Great interview, It's a great commentary about adapting and overcoming. This is what we should be teaching out kids today. Thank you Phil for your heroism and service !! Thanks Mover for bringing this to us !
Great interview... I like Phil's attitude as an 81-year old man. If I am fortunate to reach that age, hopefully my frame of mind will be in a similar place.
aw praise this man for his service. These men for that matter.
Awesome interview, thank you for sharing him with us mover. The man life at times was on the edge. You live and play it safe.
I remember a flight instructor who had lost his wedding ring and was trying to figure out how to tell his wife. One day he’s doing aerobatics in a trainer, he’s inverted and the ring pops onto the canopy. Really lucky considering he didn’t know that he lost in an aircraft, let alone that specific aircraft.
It’s so easy to throw words of appreciation around nowadays, to people who don’t really deserve them, but when they fit, they should be said.
INSPIRATIONAL
HERO
HUMBLE
What a brilliant life story you have, Sir.
That was very cool, love his attitude.
What a Great interview.
Phil is a great man.
Thank you for your service Phil.
Thank you both for your service.
-A guy from Canada.
Ain't he cool! This guy is " in my opinion" the best guy I've listened to to this point, and I listen to this stuff all day all the time. You keep up the good fight Phill, God bless.
A fantastic interview with Phil. A truly interesting guy with an outstanding life story. I really look forward to these men recounting their experiences.👍
I read the book Migs over North Vietnam by Roger Boniface great perspective from the NVA Mig drivers on fighting the Americans and this gentleman telling of his adversary surviving was from the book
I’ve always had a tremendous amount of respect for the pilots, naval aviators and aircrew that flew over SEA during the Vietnam War. These guys flew in some of the most contested airspace in the history of aerial warfare. If I’m not mistaken the Hanoi Haiphong area was the most heavily defended area in the history of aerial warfare. They did all this while operating under some of the most restrictive and insane ROE any servicemen have ever had to operate under in what ultimately became an extremely unpopular war. With few exceptions these men maintained their professionalism and continued to carry out the orders of their often times incompetent and ungrateful civilian masters.
Hear, hear!
Cheers Mover . That was an awesome interview. A very interesting and humble man indeed
What a great life was so fascinating to hear everything he did. Incredible.
Another great one! Much respect to these old warriors! Keep 'em comin' Mover!
Such an amazing human being, Phil, with a great deal of resourcefulness and a huge zest for life.
Awesome interview!.
Great interview - glad you were able to get his story on the record.
Love these interviews!
That was a great interview.
True and Tough American Hero! GOD Bless 🇺🇸
He had a great story to tell. Thanks for another great interview.
Great interview, Mover. This one in particular is quite a history lesson as well as the story of a real interesting gentleman. Thank you, sir!
What an amazing man and a real hero. God bless you Sir.
best interview ever! awesome! thanks
Great interview and patience to let Phil tell his story.
Phil ! Great Stories, Thank You.
Mover Excellent Interview Technique you've developed over time.
Always a fun listen.
That was a fantastic interview. I really enjoyed this immensely.
Great interview!!!!!
That was the BEST! Thank you both for your continued service to the human experience! Well done, Well done…
This was an amazing interview Mover. It’s awesome when you get to hear the stories these guys from the past generations have to tell. What an amazing man and amazing naval aviator! I was stuck to the screen for the entire interview. Wonderful video.
What a great human being! Thank you for a wonderful interview! Good luck to Phil, I hope he lives forever!
Great interview. Thank you Mr. Vampatella for your service. Thank you For your service as well Mr. Lemoine.
That was an honor to listen to Mover. Thank you.
This was a terrific episode. My dad was an F-8 guy and Phil mentioned many names that I knew through my father. His Vietnam recollections were priceless. I remember well when I was flying at UAL when we took in several Pan Am guys, some who were in the their mid-50s and having to start all over again as SOs. Phil highlighted how an airline career can be great and how it can absolutely suck.
What a great great man... Best one yet...
What a great man with great advice!
Phil and I were NAVCADs in Pensacola at the same time. He was in Pre-flight class 30-62 and I was in class 33-62. We would occasionally have a friendly game of pool in the cadet barracks. Loved the interview. 👍🇺🇸
Thank you, Larry for serving our country.
You guy's were boots and admired. NavCad from class 25-62.
GREAT GREAT STORY, AND GREAT GREAT GUY. I was having a tough month, but this totally improved my mood. Cheers Phil and hope to see you on DCS Mover!
Wow, awesome interview! What a great attitude.
Great interview!!!! wonderful story!!!
Thank you for your service!! That’s an amazing story.
These guys that flew the F-8 off 27C Essex-class CVAs during Vietnam are amazing Naval aviators...You're my hero L T
Outstanding interview !
Absolutely wonderful, Mover. Thanks muchly for this...
Beautiful interview! Thank you for your time, effort and love. You are making the world a better place ♥️🚁✈
I was in that shot up F-8 for a few minutes! Thanks for that great interview!
Mover in my opinion is running a very special channel here i am obsessed with it. Thanks Mover.
Thanks for sharing your story Phil. Especially thanks for your service.
Good interview. BZ
Wonderful interview Mover - perhaps your best. Thank you.
What an awesome interview. I'm new to your channel and love your ruining movies series but these interviews with veteran pilots are really something special!
Wow what a great story and what a nice guy ! Awesome interview :)
Love this guy.
Awesome interview, as always, thanks so much!
Most interesting interview I have ever heard
Great interview! Really enjoyed hearing this story
Always good to hear from people who saw action.
Amazing interview Mover! Love getting to here these stories!
Now that's a cool interview! Thanks so much for sharing!
Wonderful interview! Thanks!