Hartman , George B-17 Tail Gunner

[@vinoman123]

A very humble, honest and decent man, whose type sadly does not exist anymore. I cherish and love these men and your interviews. Thank you

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thank you for watching and your kind words about George. Raymond

[@Chrisamos412]

We owe so much to these ww2 combat vets. Thank you for this interview.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@utubewillyman]

Thank you so much for this series. I'm really glad you preserved the stories these brave men had to tell. I've always had a million questions for vets, and I'm finally getting the answers!

[@raymondmcfalone26]

You're very welcome.

[@cameronh3775]

Great job with the interview & capturing his story. Another humble former WW 2 vet with remarkable experience during war.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thanks for watching.

[@PntrGrl]

Incredible interview! George is so many things - intelligent, stoic, high morals, practical, and able to tell a story! Why isn't there a movie about him?

[@lrmorrison999]

My father was 4F, but loved flying and finished up his degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1939. He wanted to enlist after Pearl Harbor but was listed as 4F with a ruptured eardrum. He instead became a crew member on a Sikorsky VS44 4 engine flying boat as an engineer/navigator. His employer was an early version of the CIA. There were only three of these new flying boats and they were used to transport high value cargo to the war zones. He would fly from New York to New Found Land, then to Ireland, to North Africa, to the Canary Islands, to Brazil, to Cuba, then back to New York. He did this route for about 2 years and told me some rather scary stories of his crossings. I once visited one of his landing sites on the Shannon River in Ireland. He was one of the greatest generation! 👍 I flew on the one remaining VS44 from Catalina Island to Long Beach in 1961. What a treat! I received a great gift from him on his death bed in 1990. He was in intensive care in a local hospital and I spent the night at his bedside. He told me the entire story of his flying exploits/career until dawn. He passed a few days later. He was the first pilot in my family, I followed by getting my private pilot license and owned a Cessna 172. My oldest son was a USAF Lt Col and flew the F15E in the Gulf War, and my youngest son was a Major in the USAF and flew the F-15E in Afghanistan and later was a senior instructor on the F-35.

[@JohnDavis-yz9nq]

I’ll bet he caught a lot of flack for being a 4F. A very embarrassing situation for him.

[@lrmorrison999]

@@JohnDavis-yz9nq The ruptured ear drum never slowed him down, he owned a biplane after graduation in 1939. He actually had his hearing repaired in the 1980’s using a piece of muscle sewn into the bad ear drum. His hearing in that ear came back to 60%.

[@JohnDavis-yz9nq]

@@lrmorrison999 I’ll bet he was asked everyday why aren’t you in the service. My ex wife’s father was 4F for working on a fam. In his case I believe he was a coward. I am sure your father felt shameful for not being able to go.

[@nomadicmonger9455]

4F lol

[@catdaddy3302]

My father in-law, Bunky Barner, lied about his age and joined the Army Air Corps at 16. By 17, he was a tail gunner on a B17 over Western Europe. It’s good hearing this man’s story. My father in law never talked about it.👍🏻

[@RubyBandUSA]

with a name like Bunky I'm not surprised! Just kidding. In all seriousness I have respect and admiration for him, and I think there were many of us that would have done that given the same circumstances. Tail gunner was a dangerous job.

[@markwilkins56]

Another wonderful interview! What he went thru to survive..a shining example of the Greatest Generation!

[@nickraschke4737]

Really enjoying these films. Great interviews. Thanks.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thanks for the nice feedback and thanks for watching.

[@beautruex7012]

Great Stuff!!! Love the wisdom and the rich stories this young man has to impart to us all.

[@chrisfisichella7665]

Another excellent interview. Mr. Hartman recalled some excellent details. Thank you.

[@pim8149]

Very impressive. What a wealth of experience did Mr Hartman share in this interview. Great man.

[@davemeigide5426]

Thank you for sharing your story Mr. Hartman, and thank you for our freedom because of your service. And thank you for your heartfelt words about your amazing comrades. My Uncle Doug was your pilot for the Ain't Mis-Behavin'. "Lest we never forget".

[@patgoudge2837]

❤❤❤

[@jettsetter7]

My grandfather was in the 390th in Vietnam. Never made home, died in Laos in an F-4D.

[@6565hopepy]

He got shot down?

[@jettsetter7]

@@6565hopepy Yes. Both my grandfather and the front seat pilot both died. They were bombing trucks in Savannkhet 20 miles south west of Ban Karai. They rolled in on trucks and got hit with 37mm shrapnel just before bomb release.

[@FacelessMan777]

Your grandfather flew with the 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron out of Da Nang Air Base. They were flew interdiction and CAS missions all throughout the theater, including Laos. This group is a different unit. These guys are from the 390th Bomb Group. The group became inactive after VE day in 1945. They reactivated in 1961 as a non-flying missile group. They were an ICBM Titan missile launching unit that worked out of silo launch sites. Your grandfather's parent group was the 366th Tactical Fighter Group, where his 390th TFS was a subsidiary unit to the 366th. Sorry to hear about your family's loss. Too many great young men were lost and families harmed as a result of lunatics in Washington.

[@garycody1929]

What a great man. Thank you so much for your service

[@FNHaole]

Mr.Hartman seems to have a keen sense of empathy. Of the handful of these interviews I’ve seen so far, he talks deeper about people’s reactions and feelings as events unfolded. He was eloquently sensitive describing folks on both sides enduring the fear, uncertainty, scarcity of basic human needs, etc. What he witnessed profoundly affected him. Subtly powerful interview.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thanks for your comments and thanks for watching.

[@digambarkhade494]

Too much sttuterimg for simple.

[@ToreDL87]

@@digambarkhade494 Too much typing flaws in your comment.

[@richard6766]

I Just don't know what to say, I'm 74 and love thee's stories. wow, Think you.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thanks for watching.

[@egonzinc]

Outstanding videos. Thanks for your efforts in preserving and sharing these amazing stories.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@johnfenwick7641]

My uncle was a tail gunner in B 17 he was shot down in 44 and spent the rest of the war in camp he was a great man

[@raynorthedge5722]

Ray this is one of the best interviews you have shown us ,George has a fantastic memory and a lovely guy so articulate is George still alive. When they describe being in a B17 during combat it is like l am inside with them.Has George written about his time in the Army Air Corp

[@raymondmcfalone26]

I don't know if he wrote anything down before he passed on. George was a great storyteller - you're right there with him. Thanks for watching.

[@wraithoftheirish]

Thank you?imfo waß needed.

[@PntrGrl]

@@raymondmcfalone26 sad that he's passed, but glad that this interview was done.

[@1912papa]

Amazing story. Again. Thanks

[@jimburnham6756]

This so awesome , thank you!!

[@raymondmcfalone26]

You're so welcome!

[@alethamobley6688]

Thank You for your service SIR!

[@brianrobertson1211]

Thank you so much, sir.

[@19211926]

God Bless you sir. Thank You for your service.

[@jonboy9912]

Wonderful man humble and brave reminded me of my Dad and Uncles and the whole generation that raised me who were touched by WW2. Wars don't fix anything but they make a few very rich and that's why we will always have them, because the guys that get rich are in power! We should remember that when we vote!

[@6565hopepy]

Amazing interview.

[@lunamae4718]

This was a tough interview to listen to. Such a compassionate man despite the hardships he endured. Seems so appropriate that he chose to become a fireman after the war.

[@roymcewen8203]

A WONDERFUL GENTLEMAN AND INTERVIEW 👍🏻

[@larspederbjorendalhollaend4875]

Thanks!

[@AirborneAnt]

When I was in Baghdad Iraq, In the Infantry when we got replacements, we trained them up and took them right in…we didn’t do the “not” making friends thing…in combat each other is all we got!!!!

[@dancefightmedia4555]

Why me? Thank you so much for sharing your story, sir. I appreciate you, and your comrades service and sacrifice. Respect.

[@SunnyIlha]

His Pilot died before he could thank him for saving his life. His pilot crawled all the way back into the tail to revive him from unconsciousness from lack of oxygen. He would have died had it not been for his Pilot. He had an extremely difficult time describing, thus having to recall, his fellow crew friend being pitchforked to death after he they had parachuted to ground side by side right next to each other. He survived The 1945 Winter 87 Day Prisoner March. These have haunted him all of his life.

[@iangordicans8763]

very moving at the end

[@phrayzar]

They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old, age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we shall remember them, lest we forget.

[@christophersibley8946]

What a great Man thanks for our freedom

[@PntrGrl]

What is the book that he mentioned about the forced march?

[@pressplay1072]

God bless this man.....God bless all who served our country. If this generation knew how freakin good they have it....GOOD! unless ww3 comes along and all the wimps fold quickly.....sad... thank you George.....THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@brandonthomas303]

Thank you Mr Hartman for your service! SALUTE! Greatest generation ever!

[@cabininthewoods7326]

I've heard other downed American flyers mention this big stoop. Searching for more info on who he was.

[@derekmoore6117]

Incredible generation.

[@tommcdaniel2208]

I no words to say how POWERFUL THIS Testimony is. Thank you.

[@andyzx9682]

respect

[@rudmad00]

24:00 I am trying to understand his story, maybe someone can help me.. He forgot to reconnect oxygen, so the pilot came to the back and punched him in the jaw?

[@mattfoley6082]

Yes. He's worthless if he passes out from no oxygen.

[@georgielancaster1356]

He didn't realise he had disconnected his oxygen The pilot had obviously established a regular call check for each crew member to reply, which let the person doing the check know that all crew members are conscious and/or not showing signs of oxygen deprivation. A lot of pilots did this to control any losses due to problems with oxygen. It appears that the navigator did the safety call, did not get a reply and so the pilot was advised of no response and decided to check. When he got to Hartman, clearly he was either dazed and not responding, or unconscious. It appears his face was slapped/punched, to shock him awake - conscious. If he was in a worse state and hadn't responded to the belt in the face, the pilot would have then started CPR/oxygen and also, decided that Hartman needed to be up front, under supervision with other crewmembers. Which is the decision that the pilot decided on, replacing Hartman with another gunner. There are many stories - often of rear gunners, who died or were only saved by the protective responsibility of the pilots who were determined to not lose men in such a pointless, tragic way, by giving a regular roll call. The rear gunner was so remote from the rest of the crew, that every responsible pilot made sure to run some sort of safety check on them.

[@digambarkhade494]

Poor interviewer

[@irish89055]

Another good interview, thank you. World War II did settle a number of things...

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thanks and thank you for watching. Raymond

[@bill2066]

Seems like a very sweet man

[@qaze0338]

Always heavy , “less we never forget”…bless you’s 🇺🇸👍🏻

[@dalebelseth3058]

The Best

[@georgielancaster1356]

I think the reason Mr Hartman was asked by the German, about how he could fly for the wrong side, (or words to that effect), is that Erich Hartmann was, I think, the biggest scoring German ace, or close to it, anyway. He was a huge hero to the Germans, just like Guy Gibson VC, etc. He might not have remembered the difference in spelling, or just heard the name in passing, without seeing the differences in spelling. Then, too, the English these days, have a running joke about Germans. They are the enemy we always refer back to, but pre WW1, the Brits always 'hated' the French, not the Germans. Huge chunks of German Royalty and aristocracy, were intermarried with Brit royalty. They were, rather, kissing cousins... Of course, from Elizabeth 1, the country you loved to hate, was Spain - but the French were always our enemy of choice. But of course, from WW1 onwards, Germany was the country of choice, to hate - but even now, the Brits love to make cracks about the French. But the Brits have never let go of a military and personal history with Germany since WW2. WW2 is such a major event that we always look for crowing rights - we always like to beat the Germans - but the funny thing is, Germany doesn't feel that way about Britain. They obsess over The Netherlands. So they don't get nearly as excited, beating UK in sport. They get thrilled about beating the Dutch. Or certainly, that was how it was, 50ish plus years ago. So Mr Hartman saying he was from an old Dutch family, might well have been an extra annoyance to the German officer. Bit sad it seems nobody had told Mr Hartman of these possible reasons the German reacted so, to him.

[@tigertiger1699]

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@redtobertshateshandles]

The Russians said thanks for the food.

[@SGTDuckButter]

My Uncle was a Tail Gunner in a B-17 that bombed Dresden, it bothered him to the end of his days. He thought it was a war crime.

[@richardrichard5409]

22k dead, small beer compared to the London Blitz.

[@SGTDuckButter]

@Dick Dick 22k dead isn’t the number I googled. London Blitz was many many battles, wasn’t it?

[@buckfaststradler4629]

The Dresdners supported Hitler in the 30's - authors of their own destruction in my opinion.

[@V100-e5q]

@@sjb3460 Never was there a positive outcome when civilians were involved. Neither in war nor in peace. Because civilians have not the means to do anything against it. If you made a joke about Hilter you were toast. And the higher ups are not suffering. Think about supplies to Iran. Those who suffer are the people. The nomenclatura has no problems getting medicine or fancy goods. By bombing a civilian target you can get people angry at their government. But that was already their stance anyway. If you asked people in the latter phases of war there would have been very few who saw the government favorably. Which 2/3s have never done. Hitler rose to power by forming a coalition. Not by getting the majority of votes. And Bomber Harris designed those bombings clearly as targetting civilians. So from a neutral standpoint it was admittedely a war crime. There were very few military or economic targets which justified the bombing. They designed it to be a fire storm deliberately. And the German factories were underground to some extent anyways. And in no way could it help to shorten the war. That is what the one's behind it tell you.

[@RubyBandUSA]

I respect your Uncle's opinion. However for later historians, it's too easy for them to be a Monday morning quarterback and to be wrong. If Air Marshall Harris hadn't ordered it, the free world would have wondered why it wasn't done. There should be no doubt that it shortened the war in some way, but it's hard to quantify.

[@kazkazimierz1742]

Big Stup was executed by the Brits when the war ended.