Kronenberg, Harold "Diz" B-17 Ball Turret Gunner

Kronenberg enlisted in the Air Corps as a gunner on October 19, 1942 and received his basic training at Jefferson Barracks, MO. He later attended the Las Vegas Gunnery School at Nevada, where he received his gunner's wings. He flew the southern route to the war zone (Syracuse, New York; to West Palm Beach; to Trinidad; to Natel, Brazil; to Belem, Brazil; across the Atlantic to Dakar, Africa; north to Marrakech, Morocco; to Casablanca, to Algiers). He flew two combat missions in North Africa with the Second Bomb Group. Thereafter he flew 21 combat missions with the 15th Air Force out of Italy and 20 combat missions out of England with the 390th Bomb Group. All missions were flown as a ball turret gunner with credit for downing two German fighters. His final combat mission was flown on June 5, 1944.

[@evansoronen1451]

Firstly id like to thank whoever made this interview. This is my great grandfather, and I never been able to talk to him since I've gotten older. Seeing and hearing him tell those stories was very sentimental for me. And i would like to thank all of you for the wondeful things you've said about him. You all have no idea how much this means to have found this video.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

You're very welcome. Diz was an amazing guy and he gave a wonderful interview. Raymond

[@jyellowhammer]

Listening to your great grandfather was a very special event for me. Im a pilot and love to hear these gentleman speak of their experiences. Your great grandfather is a primary source for history. Super sharp. God Bless you and your family!

[@leesherman100]

I love this man's sense of humor. What great stories I must say.

[@brianmillar1512]

What an amazing man and it's mind boggling that there were hundred of thousands, perhaps millions just like him. This is what true heroes are, not these so called celebrities that the current generations look up to. Thank God for their Service!

[@brianrobertson1211]

Absolutely!

[@craigthescott5074]

I really love this guy. What an experience to be a part of major human history.

[@loveshisharley]

Thanks for another great interview! He thought he was fortunate and he was. We are fortunate for his service as well, beyond words. Yes, he was a true American hero. Thanks also to all who helped you make this interview!

[@MrOlderandwiser]

This has to be one of the best WWII interviews you have done. Mr. Kronenberg was a joy to listen to. Very upbeat and happy, which added to the interview. Thank You for conducting these interviews and saving these precious pieces of history for future generations!

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Diz was one of the easiest interviews. I just asked a question and he took it and ran with it. If you google him, you'll find out what an amazing athlete he was. Thanks for watching.

[@jefferypitts343]

I am so grateful that first, this airman faced death on a daily basis flying the worst position ever , and his career was made available through this interview, for all of us to watch and appreciate the sacrifice all air crew made, I knew a pilot from the 390th bomb group, 35 missions and a silver star, shot down over Regensburg, he was my model of greatness, my son is buried only 3 Graves down from his, I miss them both.

[@darrellsimpson6966]

What an amazing man. So interesting to hear him. To me he seemed almost humble. He deserves to be respected and remembered.

[@larrytan3822]

How could anyone not love this charming man? 😃

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Diz was absolutely endearing. If you google him, you'll find out what a tremendous athlete he was. Thanks for watching.

[@larrytan3822]

@@raymondmcfalone26 thanks for the additional info on him. Will definitely look it up. ❤️🙏

[@realwealthproperties5671]

What an amazing life! He had such a great personality. I’m glad you were able to interview him before he passed away in 2020.

[@petedube9367]

As a former USAF member I have a special affinity to these great heroes . They experienced some terrible missions and they still have a great sense of humor .

[@gregorybathurst4326]

That was amazing the old guy is as sharp as a tack never so much owed by so many to so few .

[@oceanhome2023]

Mega upvotes !!!!

[@oceanhome2023]

They don’t make men like this !!

[@chrisfisichella6659]

Gunner kronenberg is an excellent interviewee. Recalling details from seventy five years ago was very impressive. He is an all American hero.

[@oslogrigor8320]

This may be the most extraordinary human being I've ever had the privilege to listen to. Thank God you recorded this.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thanks and if you google Diz, you'll find out what a great athlete he was.

[@oslogrigor8320]

@@raymondmcfalone26 Diz Nuts

[@tedwilson5713]

His 70 year old memories are golden. Incredible man.

[@VictorySpeedway]

What did you admire about your parents? "Everything"

[@tristangallagher2035]

Favorite comment: "(Chuckle) -When you're hitting them with a 50 caliber, you know you're hitting them....." What an incredible, humble gentleman and what a great ambassador for his generation

[@jyellowhammer]

God Bless this Man. Such a treat!

[@SomervilleBob]

Amazing recollection. Hope he had a wonderful life.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

If you google Diz, you'll find out what an amazing athlete he was. Thanks for watching

[@ericdee6802]

Just found this channel and absolutely love it and had to subscribe. My Father was a WW2 veteran He was a CPO First class radio operator on the U.S.S. Redfin (Gato class sub) 1942 then found himself on the U.S.S.Wasp (Essex class Aircraft Carrier) South Pacific theater 1943/45. Dad enlisted in the Navy in 1933 at the age of 17, He lied about his age, He said it was the best choice for him to escape the Great depression and to help his Mother and Brother financially. His stories were absolutely fascinating. Thank you for your service!

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching/subscribing.

[@goldrun1399]

What a fantastic interview. I could listen to him all day. God bless him 🙏

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thanks for watching.

[@sassyt1545]

Sharp as a tack. Humble. What a lovely man.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Couldn't agree more!

[@thejackrabbithole-5311]

Wow! Thank you for your service Mr. Diz. And thanks for his interview. God Bless America!

[@Joelontugs]

Thank you for your service

[@stephen5147]

The most enjoyable of your interviews I've watched. Fascinating gentleman, and so articulate. I was stationed at Nellis and MacDill in my 20 yr AF... then w/ airlines flew to Dakar several times... brought back a lot of memories for me. Thanks for your channel.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@christophersibley8946]

Sir I’m so grateful for your part in our Freedom all my love.

[@lunamae4718]

Wow ! That was truly an amazing interview Raymond. Lucky you to have gotten to know this wonderful man.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Diz was an amazing guy. And an fantastic athlete if you google him. Thanks for watching.

[@neildrewery3143]

A wonderful story ! what a legend ! Thanks for sharing

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Diz was an amazing interview. He provided such an articulate down to earth description of his experiences in WWII. He is the only WWII airman that I have interviewed who flew missions out of N. Africa, Italy and the UK. This was very unusual. Typically you were either assigned to the 8th in the UK, the 15th in Italy or (early in the war) to a group in N. Africa - but not all three. I really enjoyed and felt very honored interviewing Diz. Glad you liked it.

[@neildrewery3143]

@@raymondmcfalone26 Thanks Raymond and a big shout out to you for capturing these incredible stories before they are lost forever

[@dougtenney1029]

His memory, and his calm affect, AMAZED me.

[@apachecatcat3495]

Just like my Dad in so many ways. He was a Radio Man on the B26 Marauder. Went through Hell came back and raised a great family

[@mchurch3905]

Amazing interview from an amazing veteran. I wonder what these older veterans (a lot are gone unfortunately) would think about their country being threatened by the same fascism they fought so hard to defeat…

[@wimsele]

❤All of these interviews are interesting, informative and have immeasurable value. Some (like this one) also particularly showcase the interviewers skills. Thank you for making all of these.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thank you and thanks for watching. Raymond

[@phrayzar]

What a great guy. It's very interesting to hear about the service in Italy and North Africa.

[@benniebarrow348]

What an intelligent , charming man........god bless him and all those that made freedom possible for us today.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

You are correct. And if you google Diz you'll find that he was an amazing athlete. Thanks for watching.

[@zachw611]

You’re my new favorite channel! Love these interviews! Can’t wait to listen to every one of them.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thank you. If you want to get an over all sense of B-17 groups in Europe during WWII, you might consider watching "Pennebaker, William B-17 Command Pilot". He is in my playlist. Bill was brilliant and exceptional - he flew 44 missions 1943-45. Thanks for watching.

[@zachw611]

@@raymondmcfalone26 will do!

[@brianrobertson1211]

We owe our freedom to him and many others like him.

[@shimmyhinnah]

Best interview EVER! 😂👍🇺🇸

[@raymondmcfalone26]

We pointed the camera at Diz and he took it from there. He is an absolute natural when it comes to storytelling. Thanks for watching.

[@garycody1929]

Thank you for your service Sir. A real man.

[@myroncoleman9825]

Thank you for your service most young men in thus age wouldn't last one day in the service for the USA I love the B-17 Bl uegrass Field in Lex Ky had a B-17 on dis play this past June at the Aviation Music I always go God bless you to still be alive to tell your story.

[@stevemizar4143]

Thank you for your service!

[@boss2234]

These were true men. God fearing Americans, Truly a rare breed today but common then. If America ever wants to capture its grate ness again it will need to go back to these values and morals, I was raised by this generation and know I could not walk in their shoes, the generation now is even weaker. God be with us.

[@SunnyIlha]

The entire story of the unusually harrowing, very dangerous air combat history lived by this Gentleman Veteran is jaw dropping. His duration of duty is mesmerizing to hear. He started the war flying over the Atlantic Ocean from Belem, Brasil to Africa! He was in air combat *early* in America's air war versus the Allie's fight against the Axis, when we *did* *not* yet at all have air superiority; when the enemy *still* actually had control of the air! His story is very unusual. He flew in the B-17 that was nearly *sawn* in half! He was the ball turret gunner IN the storied renamed, repaired " *Rigor* *Mortis* " !! He fought the war in the *ball* *turret* . He did it in the beginning when the crews *did* *not* yet have fighter protection escort!!!

[@christophercoupe5006]

What a joy listening to this wonderful hero!!!

[@raymondmcfalone26]

And if you google Diz, you'll find out what a wonderful athlete he was. Thanks for watching.

[@hilldwler420]

These are the people that built America just like my grandparents and great grandparents did.

[@mparbus1961]

Thank you, Mr. Kronenberg

[@jsfbr]

Very touching. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thanks for listening

[@tedwilson5713]

Thank you Ray. Real history. Great men. My heroes!

[@raymondmcfalone26]

You're welcome and thanks for watching.

[@rickporvaznik5030]

43 missions amazing.

[@jameswebb4593]

What honesty , no embellishments . Memphis Belle film , pure BS . Never have heard previously that in Italy the German fighters reluctance to fly over water . This interview should be saved in the archives for posterity .

[@philipgreen6085]

One of my friends who I worked with Frank was sunk 3 time UK merchant Navy They stopped his wages. His mother knew something was wrong when her allotment stopped.

[@Digiphex]

The thumbs down are Germans? Who could not find these heroes huge thumbs up.

[@thebosscatman7]

i could listen to him all day.

[@jasonladd6400]

Good man.

[@ronnenni7246]

This gentleman sat in a circular hell This man withstood this hell for his country This man is a Hero and great patriot

[@steppenwolf516]

When you listen to men like these, you realize that the idea of "Make America Great Again" is just impossible.

[@tonynapoli5549]

Thanks for sharing

[@motogp001]

Fantastic interview. I just subscribed

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thanks for watching. You might consider googling Diz and find out what an incredible athlete he was. Thanks for subscribing.

[@raymondmoore2707]

“The Greatest Generation “, is no mere sobriquet.

[@HarryNicNicholas]

my father was in sicily near the end of the war in the royal signals. he didn't get called up until the end, he was in a reserved occupation.

[@dr.barrycohn5461]

Excellent fellow. Great stories. Wow, he was a pro baseballer.

[@acedrumminman]

An amazing gentleman.

[@kendellbise8875]

This guy was fun to listen to, would of been proud to serve with him.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

If you google Diz, you'll see what an incredible athlete he was. Thanks for watching.

[@andrewhill4986]

I never understood the waist position, unless you’re on the outside of the group.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

You're correct. This is why they eventually cut the waist position from 2 guys to 1 - because one of the waist gunners would always be looking at the B17 next to them and couldn't fire.

[@todaywefly4370]

Where did that hour and a half go? Great interview, you let him talk.

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Thanks, Diz was a great interview.

[@mark27993]

My uncle, Donald E Schwab was a ball turret gunner of the 401st bg. Shot down April 4 1944 over Germany 3 crew died, 1MIA 6 bailed out including Donald, captured and sent to Stalag 17b until the end of the war 🇺🇲

[@malcolmfairhurst7293]

WHAT A HERO, and such a mischievous laugh.

[@dalewyatt1321]

Well done that man.

[@raymondcaylor6292]

93.... I'm 72 and he's sharper than me.

[@positiveoutlook17]

Pearl Harbor..."we never heard of it... after that we never forgot it."

[@tonynapoli5549]

Fish and chips lol We still have it today 👌

[@new_comment]

The people that made and kept our nation. Notice the common factors GOD, family, self sacrifice. What is being attacked, even as we speak?

[@roccovanelli241]

They are erasing our history every day. It’s a sad state that this country is currently in. Patton had it right, we’re fighting the wrong damn enemy!

[@boss2234]

These were men.

[@davidhansen4471]

what a card...................................

[@wallaceb9120]

great American

[@dennispfeifer7788]

Interviewer never asks about the girls in England....like you wanna give it a go Yank?

[@bubiruski8067]

He has a German name. He mentioned that his mother was German. Thus, together with his other crew, he dropped bombs on his sisters and brothers

[@raymondmcfalone26]

Actually Bubi, Diz' brothers and sisters were back in Wisconsin, where he was born. Having a German surname doesn't make him German. He was as American as apple pie and baseball. He dropped bombs to bring an enemy state to its knees. An enemy state that systematically murdered millions of innocent people, including Germans, in concentrations camps. You might consider watching the interview of Ernst Feibusch - a German Jew who fled Germany at age 13 and ended up serving as a waistgunner on a B17. Ernst explains his reasons for enlisting with the US Army Air Corps - most enlightening. Here is a link to that interview: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4iuqKOBfaxmjpI