Interview with Vincent J. "Bill" Purple-WWII B-17 Pilot

Interview with Vincent J. "Bill" Purple-WWII B-17 Pilot at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in May 2018.
U.S. Army Air Corps 8th Air Force 379th Bomb Group - Kimbolton, England
Video produced by Ken LaRock-NMUSAF Public Affairs Division

[@wacoflyer]

I met this fine man a few years back at a Collings Battle for the Airfield Show in Stow, Mass. He approached me because I was wearing a B-17 "909" shirt and wanted to know if I was a crewmember. I sure wished it could be so, but I sheepishly admitted to only being a fan. It was a great honor just to speak with him!

[@rustykilt]

94 YEARS OLD. what a guy. speaks well and still a force.

[@rsprockets7846]

STILL ALIVE?

[@esurcylimaf4335]

Wow,I am lost for words.I am Australian but I admire this man and those like him more than words can describe.

[@glock30fotyfive]

Who in hell would give this video a thumbs down?? Thank God for men like this!!

[@truckermax1]

@Glock30fotyfive Hillary Clinton and her entourage of Democrats did!!

[@brianjschumer]

@@truckermax1 And Sandra Ocasio, cause the missions used to much petroleum .

[@69skyrim6]

nazi r a kid playing fortnite

[@leger205]

Germans lol

[@davef.2811]

Truly the greatest generation. Nineteen years old and all that responsibility. We'll never see that again. God bless them all.

[@martinnicholson7382]

You don't know much about the military it happens every day bud

[@martinnicholson7382]

The one thing you won't never see again is an enlisted person being a pilot I think the last enlisted Navy pilot died like 5 years ago from World War II he had Stripes he was not an officer

[@tmcboston1]

the average age of soldiers in Vietnam was 19 years old. I

[@dieseldiesel9292]

What a great guy! I could listen to his stories all day long.

[@USAFmuseum]

Same! He is fantastic!!!

[@rsprockets7846]

@@USAFmuseum same here with the greatest generation, tank was in motar chem division and unc was a tank gunner, both did not talk til 3-4 yrs before they died, ironically unc Steve met my dad John outside Paris and talked a bit, living next town over and marrying my moms sis after war..................

[@leeenfieldsmle]

What a legend.I could only dream to be that sharp @ 94.

[@USAFmuseum]

He is really a special person, I really enjoyed the time he gave us.

[@therandomplushchannel4520]

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force I love your museum! My great grandpa was on a B25 Mitchell

[@therandomplushchannel4520]

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force also I was there this past Thursday l December 10, 2020! Very neat and very cool WWII Items! If you guys haven’t already been there, totally go!

[@RubyBandUSA]

@@therandomplushchannel4520 on the Doolittle raid??

[@therandomplushchannel4520]

@@RubyBandUSA no he was stationed in Europe I think, idk what plane it was

[@wmsd45]

A very close friend of my family Robert E "Gene" Roberts was Bill's original top turret gunner/engineer in the 379th bomb group. Sadly Gene died from cancer in the 1970s. I posted an inquiry on the internet about Gene on the 379th website and two days later the phone rang. It was Bill! He kindly sent me a CD with all the details of the 379th missions Gene flew on. God Bless you Bill!

[@Bat21bravo]

Outstanding ! Bill you're an amazing guy. The greatest genration for sure. SEMPER FIDELIS.

[@wavebuilder14udc75]

I met Mr Purple. He flew with us on the B-17 Aluminum Overcast over Massachusetts

[@brianbrachel4871]

He really has it all together! God Bless you sir!

[@natural-born_pilot]

Thank you for recording and posting this brave man's experience I truly enjoyed it. Thank you Vincent for your service in the most dangerous times. You inspired me and a perfect model of the American warrior of that generation. I love your 'get the job done right' and do it again the next day attitude.

[@philipsmith3084]

What an incredible man! To think of what he went through, it was a miracle that any air crew survived. It's people like him that won wwii !!!

[@renatovonschumacher3511]

Poor man to think what he went through. And just imagine the poor women, children and elderly what they went through who were bombed day and night by men like him.

[@johnjaeger4804]

for anyone who is a relative of this hero, you should be very proud. extremely sharp for 94, similar to a young man.

[@tennesseehomesteader6175]

Thank you for your service sir

[@alanspencer782]

What a guy! Hats off to you fella and folks like you. You have my total respect and admiration.

[@MrGhillie8]

wonderful video, wonderful man. inspiring at 94! thank you.

[@jmfa57]

WOW. Thanks for blessing my evening. What an amazing guy!

[@Legnerps]

3rd time through the 12 oclock high series. I still can't believe what these kids did for the country...the world. The Greatest Generation indeed. Makes me a tad weepy knowing how many of those teens and early 20's were shot out of the sky. Humanities greatest I dare say. Only US war ever worth fighting in my opinion as well.

[@para1324]

Much respect and many thanks Captain. 👍🇺🇸

[@ryanmoeller3308]

Thanks for sharing his AMAZING story!! I can't wait to come up and see the US Air Force Museum. Keep up the great work guy's. 👍👍

[@randall1959]

These men were a special kind of brave.

[@jonsutherland1]

An amazing generation

[@johnwayneeverett6263]

19 YEARS OLD .......OUR HEROS ..THANK YOU SIR...THANK YOU..

[@saboski98]

Truly The Greatest Generation !!

[@billotto602]

God bless these men.

[@dalemihocik4732]

This mans words are going to stick in my brain forever . He represents the best of America.

[@sr633]

This is the real deal. The man is a hero that made it back alive. Thanks

[@randygerman2176]

WOW! Seriously WOW! Great interview, story telling and subject.

[@MrBook123456]

great video

[@fredjohnson2431]

Can not say enough! Brings a tear down my cheek to say! Thank you!! Love you and thanks for your bravery and sharing your story!

[@alyxt1345]

Truly the Greatest Generation ! The world would be a better place today if we could treat each other as that generation did ! No more respect for ones self or ones neighbors , these folks were the best of the best from pilots to ground crews and all the support That went along with them. Thank you again you will never be forgotten and will always be appreciated !! R Thaule

[@331SVTCobra]

For completion, the Fort in the background is the Memphis Belle. The B-24 is the crate that the B-17 came in. :)

[@olentangy74]

What a wonderful man. It would be an honor to meet him.

[@525Lines]

Look at that air medal ribbon with multiple stars on it, meaning he was awarded the air medal several times.

[@richarddegen6184]

I have 6, from Vietnam 1966/7 USMC HMM362

[@dougatdesertdemongarage7777]

Thank you for your story thank you for your dynamic flying ability

[@RubyBandUSA]

I could hear the New England accent the minute he started talking

[@45cab]

Respect Sir

[@burtthebeast4239]

Thank you Sir, God bless you.

[@jackfisk2840]

94... unbelievable... He's sharper than some 19 year olds I know!!

[@swfm53]

Thank you Sir...

[@tyrodragon45]

My favorite aircraft of all time is the B17...its number ONE on my bucket list to at least see it....

[@331SVTCobra]

My wife asked me if I want to be as alert as this gentleman when I am 94.... I said "I'd like to be that alert NOW."

[@VOOODOOO37]

Amazing interview

[@taroman7100]

wow I'm blown away and humbled by these men.

[@USAFmuseum]

Same here, just legends!!!

[@26ydtibbs39]

We love you Bill (from Diane and Dave). God bless all of your comrades who were killed or injured in the performance of their duties. Liberating the free world. ❤️ 🇺🇲🇺🇸

[@rlsdw745]

wow...great interview

[@USAFmuseum]

Thanks so much! He is an amazing person!!!

[@ThePersonalshopper1]

What a hero!!! Can I ask when is your birthday? My Dad is Marty Sidener whose birthday is February 1, 1925. He flew a B26 in WWII.

[@markopolo5457]

He’s an absolute legend, sharp as a tack !👍👍

[@Lets_Go_Brandon2024]

Love you sir!

[@flemmingmikkelsen7455]

never forget

[@edwardyork2139]

.

[@edwardyork2139]

/find movie called midway

[@edwardyork2139]

Midway find movie called

[@secretagent86]

wow, age 94 looks about 80. RESPECT to those who served

[@calwianka]

Great interview

[@myroncoleman9825]

I agree

[@jungletension2835]

The man knows no fear

[@GeorgeEllis-bb3lc]

I grew up with Bill's son Phillip and knew Bill and his wife. He's no nonsense

[@tutts999]

What a man, I'd love to shake his hand and buy him a beer.

[@USAFmuseum]

One of our favorite people to have interviewed!

[@donaldhawkes5226]

Did he say a b17 did 150 total missions ?

[@brianjschumer]

Yes, and he didnt like to fly in it..

[@myroncoleman9825]

This young generation can't hold a candle to the brave men that went to war back then without a thought as to what they would have to go t hru for the USA for freedom. Keep Your Eye On The Grand Old Flag 🎶

[@todaywefly4370]

Myron Coleman Don’t write off the young generations too soon. Humans generally rise to the occasion. They just haven’t been tested. And I hope they never have to be.

[@ussvincent1119]

Well, we’re being tested now... i guess

[@klausuhlig7141]

Greates generation

[@larryburwell8550]

thanks bill for sharing your story as fpr the Memphis belle display, should be on the ground for people to tour not hung from the pilons in the air

[@timorvet1]

Mate this is a great way to get up close and personal and to see those areas normally out of view, or in this case the inside of the bomb bay, but each to their own. Aircraft in Museums are rarely displayed this way, and it gives the visitor an idea of what it must have been like to fly and fight in these aircraft. On her bomb run as portrayed you can almost feel the fear and excitement as Vince Evans, kneeling over his Nordan bomb sight, lines the Belle up over the target before dropping his bombs. I like to think people will also try to picture the crew at their positions and the teamwork that Robert Morgan maintained, that ensured their survival over 25 missions.

[@USAFmuseum]

Larry thanks for your comment. By the way, most people love how the Belle is displayed especially the family members of the crew.

[@nicolabooth6075]

The Belle is an absolutely amazing aircraft, you have done a magnificent job in restoring her to her former glory absolutely great work, I personally think that she should be allowed to fly with a full crew one last time for an event like the anaversery of her captains death in order for her to honor her captain and her crew one last time, she may have been shot up a few times on missions but she ALWAYS got her crew back home, long live the Belle, she is a national treasure and a beautiful bird

[@jamestaylor3879]

I think each and every person serving on any American Heavy Bomber (4 Engines) should have been automatically promoted to AT LEAST 1st Lt, or better, with all the Pay, rights, honor, privlidges, ect... After all each crew member of every Heavy Bomber, 17, 24, Lancaster and the other English Types flown by both Americans and Brit crews/pilots, are absolutely at risk to The exact same danger levels, at least the pilot can himself physically move around the cockpit and give himself the illusion of increasing his odds of survival... the gunners however, most especially the waist, Tail, and Ball Turret gunners , when in position , are in such crammed, unnatural and difficult to get into n out of that for all intents they’re stuck, until they’re cleared of enemy fighter Range they’re in the same Boat as the other officers- a pilot doesn’t die any more than a tail gunner!! Yet one is far better paid with far better pension and rights after discharge

[@stevek8829]

Old WWII pictures of the Belle's mission notches show some with swastikas. These have been removed. Why? Didn't they shoot down eight fighters? Isn't that an amazing accomplishment? That crew had some amazing wing shooters.

[@jcdn5155]

Memorias que no se olvidan por completo aun volviendo a naser ay caminos en el tiempo que algunos logran recorrer con mejor ecsito en la vida y lograr el desvio al triunfo por la Livertad de la humanidad y ser mejores seres humanos unidos por la lucha en mantener la sobrevivensia de la especie humana solo unida global mente prodra sobrevivir a lo que en la istoria a exterminado a aqueyas grandes culturas pasadas Egipto mayas aztecas.we are next las armas no fueron enseñadas junto a muchos otros conocimiento para ser usadas en destrucción de la humanidad sino para defender la tierra y la vida q la avita contra quien. Encontra y división en guerra hay por el solo aver tenido el humilde jesto y amor a uana creación que solo deseaban ala esclavitud dar lo mejor de uno por amor paz y la Livertad de lo que amas. Es la mas grande satisfacción y alegría en el alma lo mas sagrado y valioso q se yerba el espiritu al mory su cuerpo feliz 4 d julio algo que debería a ver un dia mundial pues miles an muerto y naciones unidas por la victoria ante los nacis la cual marco la humanidad del terror y del infierno.dioz bendiga y sus ángeles gien y protejan el camino En la luz entre las tinieblas y la oscuridad 🌞⚡🌑

[@Chris-0703]

Why is he in uniform lol

[@rsprockets7846]

y not????