Remembering Bud | A B-17 Bombardier of the Mighty 8th

A few thoughts about Bud Haedike, a WWII veteran of the 8th Army Air Force.
You can see clips of Bud's story in these videos:
• Two Masters of the Air...
• Stories From the Wild ...
• Former Enemies of WWII...
Read more about the men and women of WWII in "The Rifle" and "The Rifle 2" by Andrew Biggio. thewwiirifle.com/
Please consider donating to the next trip to bring 5 WWII veterans back to the battlefield here: gofund.me/b1e3ac2f

[@ThomasThomas-wn3km]

I have been blessed to know Bud Haedike and his family. One of Bud's granddaughters is my stepdaughter. I usually leave the step off. She's just my daughter. I, too, am a man of God, and that was something Bud and I bonded over. I also love history and was fascinated by Bud's life during the war. Thank you for your tribute to Bud and all the veterans of that terrible war.

[@simonsmith1974]

Bud seems like such a gentle soul. I'm glad you got to know such a humble man. What a hero and legend

[@bethgiesey9405]

He will be missed by many. He was an entertainer for sure

[@Chris-rt5qu]

That’s very touching. Thank you for sharing with us all. Rest in paradise, Bud! 🕊️

[@perryj8850]

Heartbreaking news. Seeing him sing with the nurse was one of the sweetest things I've seen in a while. Thanks for your service Bud.

[@cynthiacronin2794]

He has no pain or guilt now. God bless his soul. Greatest generation. My dad was one of them....

[@stefanierice3670]

My Dad was part of that generation also.

[@Peace2U-ec6es]

"We'll meet again", "I'll be seeing you," and "Happy Trails." RIP Bud.

[@bobreece5842]

God bless, Bud. Thank you, JD, for introducing Bud to us. You were fortunate to spend time with him.

[@kathleendaugherty4218]

What a wonderful man. His last mission was his flight to heaven. Thank you, JD, for introducing us to all the veterans. What a reunion they are having.

[@novavirginia5370]

Bud was the most positive 90+ yo alive! His appearance and narrative on the great HBO documentary “The Cold Blue”. Although I never met him I actually felt a love for him. Not long ago he lost his beloved wife and he had some heavy tragedies during his long life. It’s a cliche but, they don’t make guys like him anymore. Truly the greatest generation. Very sad.

[@ricksmith4874]

So sad to have another of the greatest generation pass away. My father was one of them and he passed in 99. They are getting fewer and fewer. I salute you sir and RIP.

[@jleechadwick]

My father also died in 1999 of cancer. The only thing that made it bearable was that he and Mom were back together again. She died in 1989 of brain cancer and he missed her every single day. I knew that he was ready to be with Mom again.

[@ricksmith4874]

My condolences to you for the loss of your father. Even though it has been years the sadness never goes away. My mother had passed away before my father too and he was ready to join her. Both of my parents died from cancer too.@@jleechadwick

[@bikerz3857]

No doubt, the greatest generation. Men with honor and courage. RIP.

[@j.wilson1000]

RIP Bud. One of the last of a dying breed.

[@billharshaw4739]

😢 Bud's personality was so bright! I am thankful you helped document his story. Rest in peace, Bud.

[@jackiemontogmery125]

Bud broke my heart when he and the beautiful lady who was a German nurse during the war we're talking. Now it's broken again for his loved ones and many friends. I'm so grateful he is in Heaven with our Lord! Thank you JD for sharing with us about Bud's passing. I bet than man could sing. Grammy from Texas

[@kennethreese4659]

Sorry to hear of his passing. It was good that he was able to go back to Europe one last time. Loved his song. Glad you recorded it. R.I.P. Bud. You were a true hero.

[@dortheawatson3938]

Bud's time with the nurse in your previous video is my favorite. That singing of the German song evoked so much emotions for each of them, you could just tell.

[@tinlizzie]

Faith and dignity were his best points. I am so pleased that he had a chance to go back to where it all happened. Thank you for sharing with us and my blessings to Bud's family.

[@caroltricarico5936]

Cancer sucks. RIP Bud. So glad he was ableto make this trip with you and his fellow soldiers. We lost a brave soul. Thank you for your service Bud.

[@AmberPearcy]

Thank you for sharing him with us, JD. Rest in peace, Bud.

[@paulsmithies4349]

God bless Bud. Rest in peace. Thank you all for your gift of freedom.

[@scubasteve420]

Rest In peace Bud 🙏🙏. Thank you for your sacrifices an service during WW2.

[@altonbunnjr]

RIP, Bud. Rest easy.

[@dawndickson2156]

God bless all of you. What a gift it has been to meet these gentlemen. What strength Bud shared speaking of his faith. He is now home with his Lord and Savior. JD thank you for sharing this.

[@dotell3359]

OMG my prayers go out to him and his family ❤️❤️ He was a great man. He was from the greatest generation. As a veteran myself I salute you sir with the greatest admiration.

[@markleach116]

Thank you JD! That video of Bud with the nurse still warms my heart every time I watch it ... I did not know Bud but he will be missed and remembered!

[@JW-sy2yt]

Just saw this on your channel, on Good Friday no less. Thank you for your respectful and calming tribute to his memory. An American hero, Bud Haedike, is in my prayers today.

[@larrydemaar409]

Thank you Bud and family for the great memories. God bless! Loved your song!

[@emilygardner4829]

Thank you for sharing your memories and experiences with Bud. You helped bring his "larger than life" personality to life for so many of us that never had the privilege to meet him! He lead such an inspirational life of service, honor, and education until the end. Bud may only be one piece of America's puzzle, but I'm positive our world is a better place because of it. My sympathy's to you & the gang.

[@earlshaner4441]

Good morning from Syracuse NY brother and everyone else thank you for sharing everything

[@ericharmon7163]

Hooaahh sir. RIP Bud from one Airman to another. It was great to get to know your story.

[@robertdelacruz2951]

Bless him. Rest in peace, Bud.

[@janelledroegmiller995]

A Great Great man, he made his mark on people that knew him, he will be missed

[@martinklebstoff61]

RIP Bud. May your soul rest in peace. My great-grandfather is on the age of 100 now and fought 1944/45 in the battle of the bulge on the german side as a tank crew member in a german Tiger Tank. He got captured by the americans on on 12 January 1945 and was in American captivity. After that he spent three years near Trenton working on a farm as a prisoner of war. He made many friends there and was last in Trenton when he was 90 years old. Today he is very happy that Germany and the USA are good friends and close allies. God bless all the fallen soldiers of World War II. Many greetings from Germany

[@JDDupuy]

Glad we all got to meet him. Man spoke from the heart. What he must of experienced flying on those missions. May he always be remembered through your channel and those who knew him. Thank You!

[@peterludes7040]

Heavy burden… 🇺🇸🤝🇩🇪 sir you nailed it! Im german , born and raised near huertgenforrest. Ormont … saw that meeting 🥹🥹 i saw former enemys bury hate ,brutallity, insanaty with a late hug! No matter wich side youre on… escaping this hell alive… makes both survivors… and over time weldet a bond between them! The meeting with the nurse…😥 heartbreaking… to do a journy like this in his age..!?😊 respekt! In his duty shift… he left something here… i think, he came here to find that little peace of his heart and his very own peace, … singing with the nurse… he found , what he was missing… RIP Soldier… thx for your service… it looked like battlebuddys meeting! Good job, sir! Well done✌️🇺🇸🤝🇩🇪

[@Wreckdiver59]

RIP Bud 🙏 Thanks for sharing JD

[@thomasbolen4551]

RIP Bud!! I was lucky to have met many of the 8th Air Force members. I was on the first board of directors for the Eight Air Force museum in Pooler, Georgia. What a great experience for me. Thanks to all that served and a big thank you for bringing us these stories. God Bless! ❤️😪🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@brucewood1827]

The world has lost another genuine hero. It hurts. Thanks JD for your honor of Bud.

[@Spitfiresammons]

RIP Bud thank you for sharing your amazing story you will be miss.

[@trevortreat4483]

Rest easy bud, thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with the world.

[@genem3785]

Bud, you will be profoundly missed but we take comfort in your knowing how loved and appreciated you will remain always in our hearts. JD, bless you brother for sharing this.

[@terryeustice5399]

Thank you JD. Sorry that Bud passed from Cancer. Prayers for his Family 🙏🏻❤️✝️

[@MrJamesjustin]

That's beautiful JD. Good bless you and your team mate, and God bless Bud.

[@sandramosley2801]

Beautifully spoken, JD. You all have been involved in something very special. Bud was a powerful soul.

[@audreyroot259]

Thank you JD for showing us how beautiful Bud was. I love this channel. I cried all through the song. Bud reminded me of my papa. Another ww2 vet.😢

[@gaylewilliamson9183]

God bless you for caring and God bless Bud.🙏🙏🇺🇸❤️

[@katiemyers4174]

I saw on my FB Memory post yesterday of the GoFundMe for this trip. I shared that I was happy to contribute and have since enjoyed seeing and hearing their journeys. What a privilege to meet him, even thru these videos. Thank you Bud for your service.

[@dandesch]

JD, respect to you for making it possible for us to witness all these stories, thank you from canada

[@GhostofSicklesleg]

Wow that song at the end got me😢 As more of these brave men and women of that generation pass, we are lesser as a world for it. Bud was one of kind, an everybody grandfather! God Bless him and the others who passed before and those who close…. what a shame 😢

[@dennisunglesbee1391]

Thank you JD for a wonderful tribute to a great and humble man. I wish I would have been able to meet him in person to thank him in person. Your videos are a true testament to the need to remember these men and women, their contributions to our world and never forget. Thanks JD. .

[@deejaemcapp2852]

It has been such a pleasure watching those 4 Veterans return to Germany. JD, thank you for showing such deep respect for all of them. It was so nice hearing about the friendship you and Bud formed. I was crying at the end. Fly free Bud!!!

[@truracer20]

Rest in peace Mr. Haedike. Thank You for your service. These men truly are The Greatest Generation. I think for Bud maybe the family in Germany that he was thinking of weren't likely distant relatives in a lineage sense but in actual distance. I recall that he mentioned his family emigrated just before or during the early stages of WW I. That makes first cousins, aunt's, uncle's and grand parents possible "distant" relations, of course that depends on what family members had emigrated. That is a huge weight to bear in addition to what was already being carried. Yet it wasn't uncommon on the American side. Many German American soldiers fought for us, some who even knew the addresses of some relatives. It was good to hear Bud speak about how he learned the German language. Being from an area of Pennsylvania with a lot of German immigrants who came here about the same time as well as before and after, I grew up in the 1980's with a few who were the first generation to not speak German at all, and a few of those families grand parents barely spoke English. My area was a real melting pot. Many Polish and Italian immigrants were the same way, they wanted to speak their native language at home, language is funny in that if you don't use it you lose it.

[@duanelawrence78]

He was a TRUE PATRIOT Thanks Bud for your service!!✌️🇺🇲

[@patriciab7137]

RIP Bud. And thank you for your service.

[@kawharm]

What a great man he was! So glad he was a man of faith. Thanks you JD, for honoring this man!

[@markm.5655]

Thank you JD for the series with these men and giving us a chance to hear from them. My thoughts and prayers are with Bud's family and friends.

[@usmcrn4418]

JD, thank you for allowing us to meet Bud, at least in a way.. it’s a precious thing to be able to connect with the past. I pray for his family and that he rests in peace.

[@stevemaryellen91]

JD, you are a Good Man! Have a Blessed Good Friday and Easter! Bud, we have enjoyed being part of your experience! May you Rest in Peace.

[@vawterb]

Thank you, JD. Thank you, Bud.

[@Gascan26]

RIP Bud. Thank you for what you gave in service to this country. You are a true hero.

[@dawnlefevre9172]

Thank you J.D.....I feel so lucky to have enjoyed Bud through your lens. Rest in Peace hero!😭😭😭💔

[@rockstarJDP]

You ought be proud J D, you helped give Bud closure and peace and memorialised his history for the rest of us to get a better picture and context of what these lads did. I'm sorry for your loss, as a former healtchare worker, I do know exactly what you mean about when you find a bond. Sending thoughts and prayers to you my friend ❤

[@vaughnbluejr5960]

So sad Bud passed, but it is great to know he is experiencing no pain yet having the greatest time rejoicing with Jesus. Thank you JD for sharing this. It has been great getting to know these guys through the lens of your camera & hearing their stories. God bless you!

[@cindymcmurray6879]

So sorry for the lose of Mr Bud. Thank you for giving us this precious Veteran's story. He is in God's hands now and visiting his cousins from Germany. I enjoyed Bud's singing.

[@markchizmadia2004]

May God bless your soul, Bud. Thank you for doing your part to help save the world from tyranny. I was fortunate to have known and grown up with many from the greatest generation who are gone now. Thank you, JD and crew, for bringing us this wonderful documentary. Honor our Veterans, they have kept and keep the United States of America free.

[@rodriguezindc]

Loved how you closed the video with a quick fade out of Bud thanking the gentleman running the karaoke. There was nothing more to be said at that point and you knew it. Rest in peace, Bud.

[@charlesfritz7131]

Not only did God bless you and all of us for introducing Bud to us, he blessed Bud with the power to show us that God is our ultimate companion. With him all things are not only possible, they are gifts from God. Bud was the epitome of a mans man and a true child of God. Thank you JD for introducing him to us. Mostly thank you God for gifting us with Buds life. Lastly thank you Bud for serving God and our country. As a veteran myself Bud, S A L U T E.

[@danferrell674]

I really liked Bud and his videos. Nice of you to help give him a great experience. Nice send off. RIP hero!

[@BeachHunter2024]

Thanks so very, very much for sharing this with us. That was a great episode with the four guys in Europe with the SS soldier and the nurse. I especially enjoyed this portion of that episode where Bud sang in German with the nurse. Grateful she was… Bud RIP. 🙏🇺🇸🙏

[@Ronaldl2350]

Thank you for sharing this JD. And Bud's testimony. He is at home with our Savior. So thankful for that hope.

[@tomnorman2668]

RIP Bud. Thank you for your service!!! God speed and be with your family.

[@garykuipers2696]

Thank you for the wonderful memorial. My father in law was with the 8th USAAF stationed in Great Britain during WWII as ground crew servicing the returning B-17's. The both of us belonged to AMVETS and he would share some of the events that he was involved in. Your channel is top notch and I enjoy it greatly. My other three uncles served in the Pacific and one in the Aleutian Islands during WWII. I am a USCG vet, and an ordained Christian minister. God bless you and your family and associates. May you all have an enjoyable Easter observance. 😎🚂🚃🚃🚃✝

[@Joe-Guybee]

So brave. My father was a flight engineer on a B17. Flying at altitude in a plane that was at -40°F while getting shot at from the ground and from German fighter planes had to be terrifying. God bless those very brave men. They were true heroes.

[@truthtriumphant]

Through all these videos, Bud, I feel like I have really gotten to know you!! You had such a warm, smart, courageous, loyal, patriotic, strong and wonderful personality!! You were always one of my favorite veterans to watch!! You will be missed and thank you so much for sharing your story of great service and sacrifice for our country and all of us!! I am so happy that you were a committed Christian!!!! A true, American hero!! God bless you and your family!!! 😢❤💔💗💪✝️😃🥰🫡🇺🇸!!!

[@simonrichards6739]

Bud is flying high now with the other heroes! RIP Bud, I salute you, lots of love from across the pond where you would have been based 🫡👍🏻🇺🇸🇬🇧

[@vtbrian3252]

My grandfather was with the 452nd on the first Lucky Lady B17. He was the last of his crew when he took the Higher Flight. God bless you Bud, happy reunion to you and your crew members. Whoever the Son sets free , is free indeed.

[@iamfr00tl00ps]

God bless, Bud. May he be at peace. Such a class video and message, JD. Looking forward to meeting the next group of vets.

[@user-j4200]

Thank you for your service Mr Haedike rest in paradise. Thank you Mr Haedike

[@streamster54]

JD thank you for everything that you do to help us remember America’s greatest generation and their contributions to our great nation, and their service and heroism. My dad, Harry J Spanski fought on Saipan, Guam and Okinawa, he left us in 1994. Every time I hear of one of our great World War II warriors passes. It reminds me of him again, thank you for everything that you do to help bring us history.

[@frankmarullo228]

JD. This is Frank from Montana. THIS Vvide is sad but AWESOME thank God he went back to Europe. THANK God for you going also if not we would have never seen any of this . PS VERY WELL SPOKEN VIDEO MY FRIEND.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thank you.

[@JennaCee]

A wonderful tribute to a wonderful man. And it just highlights how important it is to capture the stories of these incredible veterans. You do such a wonderful job JD honoring the legacy of such brave individuals. Thank you.

[@stuartmcgowan8680]

Very sad day but you always have to take the positively out of a life and the mere fact he survived the War giving the mortality rate in bomber command and having a long productive life he couldn't have asked for any more! Like most German/Americans it must have been hard to go to war but harder still when your the one flipping the switch knowing that a lot of people are going to die with the bombs you just dropped! So happy he had the chance to take a bit of pressure /guilt off his shoulders with that trip even though he should not have felt that way he was just doing his bit! and may he rest in peace 🕯️

[@oldtanker4860]

RIP Bud, may your reunion with friends and family be joyous. May perpetual light shine upon you. Thank you sir for our freedom.

[@keithrayeski6417]

What a beautiful tribute!! When I watch these men, in the twilight of their earthly lives, I try to envision them as they were more now than 80 years ago. I wonder how they changed day to day through basic and advanced training. During each battle or mission, how they changed. And finally, for those so blessed, when they stepped off the boat and back on native soil… how were they adapting back? We hear so much about PTSD today. It seems that to nearly every man, and now woman, there is some degree of it. We don’t call it “experiences” any longer, or so it seems. But these men…they gave to us beyond WWII, and we miss them.

[@yesitreallyisme]

Seeing Bud sing with the German nurse was a highliggght of tha trip for me.

[@kayleenkennedy6018]

JD, you're the best! Thank you for honoring Bud. What a treasure!

[@ericdodd681]

I’ll be seeing you one day too big Bud, RIP old mate, and thank you for your service and dedication.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🇺🇸

[@stephenrrose]

My Thoughts and Prayers are lifted up to Bud, His Family, and for you JD and all those that were on the trip with you! God Bless you all !!! Great Tribute to a Great man! Loved his song!

[@MarkJohnson81]

True legend greatest generation R.I.P bud.

[@thepatrioticmistersnevets9850]

Thank you for taking Bud along, filming his commentary, sharing his stories, being by his side, allowing him to heal from his experiences, and providing this content for the rest of us. His memory deserves to live in perpetuity as lessons for all of humanity. God bless you JD. God called his son Bud back home, and he's in good hands.

[@donnamarsh3474]

JD...Thank you for sharing your faith, Bud's faith with us and Bud and all the men with us. I started to tear up even before Bud started singing. A beautiful tribute to Bud, the men and wonderful memories. ❤

[@valfleming8141]

I have been watching the videos from the U.K. Bless you Bud may you now rest in eternal peace.

[@Chris-Nico]

JD, thank you so much for remembering, Bud! A great American and Proud veteran. Even better was the effort to share his story of what he endured. Bud is my hero. Veteran like myself we all share the same bond and connection. RIP Bud and thank you for helping save freedom 🇺🇸💪

[@DefLeppardBug]

JD, you're doing an honorable thing in keeping the stories of these heroes alive after they sadly pass. He will be missed.

[@johnlloyd732]

Rest in peace Bud,God bless you and all our Veterans, thanks JD for sharing

[@GaelDT]

Bud reminded me of my grandfather, both physically and personality-wise.. they don’t make ‘em like that anymore! Rest in Peace to both of them.

[@wickidblazed420]

I just read he passed back in 1997..at ease soldier!!!! Job served well and to the very fullest!!! Thank you for your service!!!! Stands and salutes!!!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Might have been a different veteran. Bud passed away last week.

[@vaughn1804]

May God continue to bless your family. Bud, job well done good and faithful servant. 🫡

[@franceshendry5656]

He is why we call them The Greatest Generation

[@suefeldman4825]

Wow thank you for going to see Mr. Bud this one last time. I can tell he was a special person. And thank you for all your work on the videos. I was a baby born in the middle of the war and of all the trips I have been fortunate enough to make over to Europe when my best friend taught school on an army base in Heilbronn for 13 years (back before the wall came down), the last last trip I made over was with him him in 2011 to celebrate our 50th Annv. Sadly he passed away a couple of years ago but I remember on the plane coming home from that trip, when we started over the Atlantic he started crying. He never told me why he was crying when I asked him - but I’m pretty sure it was because he was of Jewish heritage and since we had Visited Dachau perhaps he was grieving remembering all the victims of the Holocaust and thankful to be headed back to the good old US. I never was able to visit any battlefields the other times I had been over without him and that’s where I missed out on so much of the history, so your information is very interesting to me because I am much too elderly to be able to go back now. Thanks for giving Mr. Bud a final tribute.

[@CollinB_EDC]

Beautiful tribute and sendoff to a great American 🇺🇸 May He Rest In Peace

[@bryanyeo8081]

This brought tears to my eyes. I’ve been watching all the veterans episodes and have a great amount of respect for these men. Bud’s such an awesome singer and his passing hit me quite a bit. May the Lord bless his soul.