James Fleming was an Air Force pilot during the Vietnam War, and received the Medal of Honor for rescuing six of his fellow soldiers when they were stranded amongst enemy soldiers. In this video, Fleming recalls November 26, 1968, the day that earned him his Medal of Honor, saying: “These … Continue reading
Captain Ed “RIV” Hrivnak of the U.S. Air Force Reserve describes his experience of Operation Iraqi Freedom: “What my crew saw was a very up-close, personal human experience.” Hrivnak and his team took care of wounded soldiers on their plane–culminating in his unit evacuating 7,000 people within five months. U.S. … Continue reading
Aiko Kori describes surviving the atomic bomb attack on the Japanese city of Nagasaki during World War II. Only 17 years old at the time, Kori recalls being mistaken for a corpse, narrowly escaping cremation, and picking maggots out of her wounds–among other horrors. The bomb dropped on Nagasaki by … Continue reading
On July 25, 1943, British and U.S. air forces bombed the city of Hamburg, Germany, killing 42,600 civilians–named Operation Gomorrah during World War II. In this video, footage of that chaotic and tragic night is shown. The memoirs of a housewife named Matilda are read over the visions of the … Continue reading
Survivors of Operation Gomorrah–which began on July 24, 1943 for eight days and seven nights in the city of Hamburg, Germany–recall how it has affected their lives and their families’ lives. Operation Gomorrah was when British and U.S. air forces carpet bombed the city in order to demoralize German civilians … Continue reading
Veteran Charles McGee discusses why he decided to enter the military during World War II. McGee signed up to become part of the first African American aviation group for the war known as the Tuskegee Airmen. He recalls the preparation to become a fighter pilot and what his first missions … Continue reading
Alex Bennet remembers entering the service and joining the 457th Bombardment Group. He recalls his experience in World War II, and also his experiences after the war. Next, Harry Campbell talks about joining the 457th Squadron, and discusses some of his interesting missions. The 457th Bombardment Group was activated on … Continue reading
World War II veteran Jerry Silverman remembers his acceptance and training as an Aviation Cadet. Silverman ultimately became a navigator in 1943 and joined the 457th Bombardment Group. The 457th Bombardment group was activated on July 1, 1943, and was inactivated on August 18, 1945 at the conclusion of the … Continue reading
Veteran Bob Schaaf discusses his experience in the 457th Bombardment Group during World War II, and also shows a flag that has been in World War I, World War II, and Vietnam. His daughter also reads a poem Mr. Schaaf wrote during the war after 7 or 8 missions. The … Continue reading
Will Fluman remembers his transfer from the army to the Aviation Cadet Program, and his installation in the 457th Bombardment Group in the fall of 1944. The 457th Bombardment Group was activated on July 1, 1943 and was inactivated on August 18, 1945, at the end of the Second World … Continue reading
