Penovich, Robert B-17 Pilot

[@garycody1929]

What a gentleman. Thank you for your service.

[@loveshisharley]

This was a great interview. Robert was a great example of leadership and professionalism. Thanks again!

[@عجائبوغرائب-ظ9ث]

I am from the city of telergma. The country of Algeria. The US army was in telergma during the Second World War. I am looking for old photos of my city and thank you.

[@Elmer-hf1je]

What a real gentleman, I could have listened too him for hours! He was like my dad ,he came home after 5 years being in the army in WW2 (tanks) , and fought in Germany from D Day till the end of the War , and after just got on with bringing up his family! My mam and dad did a brilliant job , and I’ll always be grateful for the love they gave me and my 2 brothers! I’m so glad I’ve subscribed to your site ,keep up the good work ,the young people of today will be wise to listen and learn from these interviews!

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thanks for watching.

[@vivians9392]

Quite a good looking all American, too! His smile says it all.

[@ddt1877]

What unit was your father in? My great uncle was in the 813th Tank Destroyer Unit.

[@Elmer-hf1je]

@@ddt1877 I would love to give you the answers you ask for , but sadly he died in 1998 at aged 85 . What he did tell me is that he trained in Tanks at a place in the UK near Newcastle at a place called Hayden Bridge! He actually told me one of the exercises they did was to drive a row of tanks down a field with big lights on them that shone intermittently too confuse the enemy,so that ,they, the enemy would not know what too shoot at! He asked me to find out if it was ever used ,because he said ,he never used it in battle ! His unit arrived in Normandy a couple of weeks after D Day, and battled through as far as Belsen ! I have photos of his crew with their Churchill Tanks but sadly not with the Sherman Firefly which a historian of the regiment told me they converted too! If I come across any new information I will let you know !

[@ddt1877]

@@Elmer-hf1je thanks. My great uncle fought in most of the major campaigns. December 1944 he was killed by German artillery which was airburst that exploded turning trees into deadly splinters. Assume it was a hot night bc Tank Crew had hatch open & all died except 1 inside the tank. The 1 that lived wrote a letter to my great uncles sister stating, “Sgt. Melvin G. Richey’s didn’t die in vain…he had taken his share of Tiger’s and Panzer’s out!” To think a few years of deadly day to day fighting to die a few months before it ended. If you find his Unit, Company, & Platoon… you can possibly find the Commander’s After Action Reports. I read many up until his death and did they fight…wow!

[@titasantiniE]

Wonderful, beautiful soul. Really touched my heart. Bless him. And his parents.

[@عجائبوغرائب-ظ9ث]

I am from the city of telergma. The country of Algeria. The US army was in telergma during the Second World War. I am looking for old photos of my city and thank you.

[@artswri]

These interviews are priceless! Helping to understand my father

[@tomortman4850]

Everyone of these interviews is wonderful. These guys are all heroes. Just like my late father a WWII Marine wounded on Saipan. Dad's cousin was shot down over Germany and never heard from again. Thanks for doing these interviews.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

You're welcome and thanks for watching.

[@theien5929]

My uncle was a B-26 pilot who was shot down near Tunis in 1943 and drowned at sea. Five of the six crew members died. Flying one of those slow bombers was almost a death sentence, many crews were lost. He was the pride of the family. I am now an old man, and the last who remembers him.

[@paulhease1007]

Well those of us who are reading about your uncle will carry a very small piece of his memory around until we pass on.

[@frankcompagnone8550]

A sad story. I guess in war living and dying is alot about luck..I'm sorry for your uncle and I'm grateful for his sacrifice

[@Ronald-hx6zn]

I am a Veteran, never served in a war theater, but equate to living in the moment, because you are not guaranteed the next. My grandfather served WW1 and an uncle during WW2. My father told me grandfather lungs burned with mustard gas. Uncle was in a tank turret was the only thing he discussed.

[@catdaddy3302]

My uncle was a B-17 pilot during WWII. He was stationed in New Guinea and flew bombing missions over the South Coral Sea. He won the Silver Star, among others. This gives me some insight into his world too. Thanks for sharing.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@bloodwashed5550]

Brave men and women. Good people. A time of real greatness in the history. May God bless our country with more like him!

[@SunofYork]

Most people are atheists nowadays and English church going is 5%... I live in the US now where atheists are hated by all religions coz they are declining fast.... I became an atheist in 1958.....

[@robsan52]

They were so young. I'm reading a book about the war in Africa and he was talking about this really competent captain who cared about his guys and had things well in hand at all times...then he mentioned the captain was 23! I couldn't find my butt with both hands at 23. Yes, a remarkable generation.

[@illinidave]

bad times make strong men, strong men make good times, good times make weak men and weak men make bad times. We are in bad times due to good times and weak men

[@dantaylor4228]

Thank you Ray for these videos I am a recent subscriber and very much enjoying watching them! This man is a real leader and very humble. His stories reminded me of my mom's cousin who was a B-17 pilot who was shot down and finished the war in a German prisoner of war camp. At my uncles funeral he shared a story when he was in training in the Omaha area he decided to take a detour to his home town of Luverne Mn. He buzzed the town and the family farm. He flew over the farm south of town then flew over the town and then past the farm again. On the second pass over the farm he threw out parachute which fell into the pig pen! My mom asked him if he got in trouble for his escapade and he said isn't it a nice day today.? I cannot remember his first name but his last name was Nelson. Thanks again for these videos I have spent many hours watching them.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

You're welcome and thanks for watching.

[@christophersibley8946]

This wonderful Man is a credit to the United States 🇺🇸 i and thousands of people have our freedom because of wonderful people like him every one godfather.❤️

[@robertsmith-oh9mo]

My father too was a B-17 driver. Also a child of the depression he had to drop out of hi school to help support the family. In WWII America was so desperate for air crew that the standard for flight training was dropped to if you could pass the test you were accepted. This is what my father did. He ended up flying 50 missions with the 15th air force 99th bomb group stationed in southern Italy. as co-pilot and then pilot in command. His last mission was to Berlin. The war in Europe ended 2 weeks after he left Italy. He said by the time he left that they had all but run out of targets to hit. Such was the total devastation of industrial industry's of Europe.

[@kathleenpenovich4704]

This is very well done. Ive shared it now with my dad and brother hoping to find our connection. Thank you. Great perspective!

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thanks for watching.

[@georgecooksey8216]

Your interviews of these brave gentlemen from the Greatest Generation are absolutely fantastic. You're doing such an incredible and important service by documenting these first-hand stories for posterity.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thank you and thanks for watching. Raymond

[@ralphcorsi741]

From the beginning, I knew he was going to be a successful and a thoughtful man. Another great selection for an interview.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Bob was a gentleman in every sense of the word. Thanks for watching.

[@martinchandler71]

Ray. Thank you for your efforts in keeping alive these brave mens stories. As a Brit, i am fascinated by the experiences of the US in Europe. Especially the aviators. As a private pilot, i cannot imagine life back here in 42 thru 45 as a combat crew. Just seems unbelieveable. I had the honour of meeting by chance at a bus stop in San fransisco in 91, Ed Heller from 352nd blue nose bastards squadron based in Bodney UK. Went to his house and learnt so much from him. Anither life that i will never experience...thankfully because of men like your interviewees, Ed and RAF. God bless all of you. I hope we meet in the other side.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

You're welcome Martin. Thanks for watching.

[@عجائبوغرائب-ظ9ث]

I am from the city of telergma. The country of Algeria. The US army was in telergma during the Second World War. I am looking for old photos of my city and thank you.

[@flparkermdpc]

Q

[@howitzer8946]

Thank you for your service sir. Salute, RIP

[@happyjohnrn]

You know, I am a ICU nurse and went through COVID. Lots of death and personal fear. So I watch how these young men, tell how they faced death everyday and I relate. It helps. I guess it's not such a unusual human experience to face fear and death and more importantly how to live through it.

[@RubyBandUSA]

well done Ray! Another very noteworthy video! To live in a country that produces men such as Bob Penovich is a great feeling.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

You're very welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@thatguy7085]

My dad was a B17 crew member. 457th BG 750th Squadron. He returned and got his PhD in Physics. He then worked on the Apollo and Shuttle projects. This guy may have dropped food to my mother in the Netherlands. She was living in Holland during the war.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Bob would have really appreciated your comment. Thanks for watching.

[@charliebratcher3106]

It’s great that these stories were recorded. The greatest generation.

[@VOOODOOO37]

wow he looks about 60, amazing guy, total hero, unreal

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Yes, Bob aged very well. He was in his late 70s when we interviewed him. Thanks for watching.

[@brianjarvis313]

I could listen to this guy all day

[@vivians9392]

A handsome, clean cut young man! One of our great depression kids!

[@robertsmith-oh9mo]

Official pictures were printed to make the them look like the all American, hale and hardy young men. But when you see a privately taken picture they look a little different. I have some pictures of my father and the official pictures look like this one. The privately taken pictures show a young man with tired eyes, almost blank look and about 15 pounds lighter in a not exactly class A uniform. This is not a put down, just the way it was. These men and women who were children of the depression and then went on to win the largest world wide conflict the world has ever or will ever know is what truly made them, men and women alike, the greatest generation the world has ever and will ever know.

[@Chrisamos412]

Outstanding interview! A real pleasure and honor to hear Mr Penovich’s WWII experience. The repatriation is something I’m not well read on, that must have been very fulfilling after the stress of combat.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thank you and thanks for watching.

[@Richard500]

My father was Master Sergeant - Top Turret / Mechanic flying B17s at the same time as this gentleman. My father had enlisted and initially flown in the Pacific and then to Europe in 1944. (495th Bomb Group?)

[@ddjsta]

Damn Raymond, you nailed it once again. Excellent interview.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thank you.

[@claudecarrier5463]

Bravo for this short, for the production and the topic and a 1000 bravos for mister Penovich and his sense of duty and humaniity . My father was a volunter in 1939 in the Canadian Navy and he fought in the battle of the Atlantic for 6 tests.So I can relate to these people who often gave everything for our freedom.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thanks for watching.

[@عجائبوغرائب-ظ9ث]

I am from the city of telergma. The country of Algeria. The US army was in telergma during the Second World War. I am looking for old photos of my city and thank you.

[@wutsavl1]

Thank you for your service Sir! My dad was a B17 Top Turret Gunner/Engineer in Foggia Italy.

[@jonworthing7467]

The greatest generation ever. Bless you all.

[@cassubia]

There are two remarkable things here - the person and the system that took him in. Bob Penovich epitomises his generation - modest, stoical, ordinary in a way, and yet extraordinary, where courage to regularly put their lives on the line was just a normal way of being. The unprecedented war fighting capacity created after Pearl Harbor did not submerge the individual according to Bob - the selection system, created from virtually nothing, then focussed on individuals in their millions to assess what they could do best - most impressive.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

I could agree more with your assessment of Bob. He was a real gentleman. Thanks for watching.

[@kathleenpenovich4704]

This is well done and a great example of selflessness gratitude a simple life leadership direction neighborhood and family. Ive shared this with others. Thank you

[@gillmallcott3658]

The thing that impressed me about all these interviews that whilst they all grew up during the Great Depression with many hardships they all replied that they had a happy childhood made their own fun ,amazing!

[@marksarcevich9824]

WOW !! I have children in the Airforce who Fly RPAs MQ9 Reapers.... But Its hard to believe what these young men and boys did .... the Courage it must took is hard to imagine , with out doubt this is Americas BEST ..... Thank you Bob and God bless you... what you and all Young Men did for us ....

[@alanhayes5287]

My father was the Co-pilot on the December 31 1944 mission

[@michaelwilkins5841]

We pray to raise our children up to be this mature and responsible

[@AwesomeBeatles]

I met a guy yesterday who was a waist gunner on B17. His name was Sassaman. He completed 30 missions. Great guy. Guys like Robert are why America won the war. He seems like an exceptional guy.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Bob would have appreciated your comments. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word.

[@AwesomeBeatles]

@@raymondmcfalone26 I was telling my wife about him at dinner tonight. One can see this guy was probably exceptional at everything he undertook. Someone like this would be an inspiration to those who got to meet him. Did you know him ?

[@markbattista6857]

A true high achiever , Thanks , Mark Battista

[@gradimirjankovic9159]

Thank you for this video. I write from Serbia wherefrom both Robert Penovich's parents emmigrated from in "1902 - 1095", as he put it. We have here, even now, calibers types like Robert and have had given other Serbs to the USA and the humanity on the whole, like Nikola Tesla and Michael Pupin. Bless you for the entire project with these videos. Also, thank you - the commenters! Gradimir Jankovic

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thank you for your comment and thanks for watching.

[@geoffreyclarke9658]

Impressive man, Family must be proud

[@robamaral9089]

thanks Bob for being a great guy🇺🇸👍

[@st6795]

Looked very happy serving their country, nice photos.

[@davidrivero7943]

Had a straight up elder co worker with a sharp memory by the name , Ralph Bradford from Caravelle Fla that was a B-17 Navigator & during morn Coffee break , his hair raising stories & my love of Flight made it one of my best jobs. i was 19,1977 at $5 hr in Miami. Fla.

[@notfakenewsofpa386]

These guys and the gals who served were the greatest generation.

[@fliegeroh]

I also grew up in Cleveland and he could have been my dad. My history is Hungarian and my grandparents came over the same time his parents came. Hungarians populated the Buckeye neighborhood. That generation was truly the "Greatest Generation."

[@mikefournier2601]

Good man thank you for your service my dad few also b24 Japan 💪💪👍

[@michaelgibson4705]

One of America’s finest,as an Englishman from post WW2 generation we owe a great debt to men like him.At the sites of these airfields in the east of England, mostly gone now,there are still memorials to the likes of him.

[@factanonverba6169]

Amazing story, thank you.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thanks for listening

[@djmech3871]

I wish I would have been there when he woke up the whole House. It must have been wonderful.

[@redsmith1144]

Solid man.

[@shirleydrury5565]

Sir thank you for your service . My father was born 1940 at laveham air base Suffolk England . I would love to here some story’s from people that were bast there . Please if there is anyone out there I would be so great full thank u ❤❤

[@jayuihlein1664]

Great to listen to a true leader and WWII hero. Something we need so badly in America tpday.

[@michaelbimonte9112]

great story and an impressive person

[@redtobertshateshandles]

I struggle to listen to some veterans. This guy is great.

[@ericcook5315]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND SUPPORT FOR THE WORLD WAR TWO , AND THE GREAT MEMORIES , MR. ERIC M COOK.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

You're very welcome and thanks for watching. Raymond

[@bucksdiaryfan]

This dude had my childhood 50 years early! We used the street as our wiffe ball field

[@rotax636nut5]

Just another guy from the greatest generation of men and women that will probably ever exist on this planet..

[@Legnerps]

Can someone tell me when this interview took place? Different breed of man...clearly one of the Greatest Generation.

[@Legnerps]

Oh...2004.

[@brianrobertson1211]

It breaks my heart at what these men did to purchase my freedom and what little I've done to earn it.

[@kabbey30]

Such a handsome gentleman. Thanks is not enough to say to my heroes.

[@عجائبوغرائب-ظ9ث]

I am from the city of telergma. The country of Algeria. The US army was in telergma during the Second World War. I am looking for old photos of my city and thank you.

[@dhyde9207]

Thames Avenue, ... and what city in Ohio?

[@robertsmith-oh9mo]

Think of it this way, Getting woken up at 3:00 to4:00AM, having a breakfast that included powered eggs, SOS and instant coffee and then taking off in a usually over loaded aircraft and flying at altitudes that were just a little below what we fly on airliners today, 25-35,000 feet in a unpressurized aircraft, with a oxygen mask on breathing 100% dry oxygen for hours at a time. If you were a waist gunner you had the window open in the stratosphere at -60 degrees F, in tight formation usually without autopilot, with upwards to 1,000 + other bombers and not to mention the fighters of both sides at around 200 mph, getting shot at by people you don't even know who in piece time you might even like each other and you are shooting back at them and dropping bombs on them to boot. Then when you get back you get to go back to your wood framed tent you share with 5 or 6 other guys. And with luck you won't have to do it again for a few days. That is how it was explained to me once with a little cynical satire. Not my idea of a fun time.

[@mmdday]

What's the word he used at 16:03? Not familiar with the crew position he mentioned.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

The word is "togglier". At the beginning of the war, every B17 had bombardier. But as the war progressed, they realized they only needed a bombardier in the lead plane. So they replaced most of the bombardiers with toggliers. The toggliers would watch the lead plane with the bombardier and when the lead plane dropped its bombs everyone else dropped on cue. Thanks for watching.

[@mmdday]

@@raymondmcfalone26 so it's a "simpler" navigator position. Are toggliers officers too then, considering that they have an easier task.

[@joejoe2928]

🌞AWSOME BRAVE MEN ..! MOST CERTAINLY THE GREATEST GENERATION...NO DRUG ABUSE IN THOSE DAYS .THIS MAN'S MIND WAS CRYSTAL CLEAR....WONT. BE, A GENERATION LIKE THEM AGAIN ...THEY 🙏 WON WW2......

[@bret9741]

We are deeply missing this generation of Men and Women. They made the world a better place and even their enemies grew to respect and often love them. We desperately need a new generation of good men and women like them against today.

[@neveniusvondubowatz7705]

To je naš čovjek. :D

[@bucksdiaryfan]

Its very apparent no one had heard of Pearl Harbor prior to December 7, 1941... I don't know if there was ever a day in my life where I DIDNT know Pearl Harbor... that's how history turns on a hinge

[@billconklin9222]

Abvery classy guy. I wonder what his occupation was?

[@titasantiniE]

Grateful to our immigrant parents. Yes. Yes. Yes.