F6F Hellcat Pilot Remembers an Intense Kamikaze Attack

[@TJ3]

Important historical notes and links - Hey everyone! For this video - we had a very big challenge. The aircraft that attacked the US Navy fleet here on May 4th of 1945 were Type-93 "Alfs" - which were bare metal colored and actually only had two floats underneath. However - these rare aircraft were not available in my simulator, so I used the closest other Japanese float plane to try and match. I sent this to Don, and he approved, so I did my best! Also - the series of events is somewhat fuzzy in what aircraft kills came first that day - but I have done my best to match Don's account with the combat reports. Finally - here are two very important links. 1) If you would like to help me make more videos like this, please consider supporting me on Patreon here: Patreon.com/TJ3History and 2) If you know a living veteran of the air war, please fill out this form here so we can possibly tell their story: forms.gle/spCrGuXF39g7HsF96 - thanks for watching!!

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Thanks Carl & Don for another fine WWII air battle video..... Old F-4 Shoe🇺🇸

[@Pjturner1]

The picture belongs in the proper museum

[@MrHuggybear62]

Those men were heroes and told their story to keep history alive now there are no veterans from that war to tell their story the only way is to keep and maintain the war birds that were involved in that war

[@Bambihunter1971]

I really appreciate your efforts to be as accurate as possible, and when you aren't sure or in this case, not able to simulate that you offer full disclosure. That is what separates you from most history and flight channels.

[@AnonZero0]

*Thank you for your service Don McPherson!*

[@earlelkins9086]

102 yrs young.. they truely were the greatest generation, many being blessed with long life to share with us, the cost of freedom. Thank you Don.

[@LancelotChan]

That's very touching to finally hear from the gunner and the people of the ship he saved on the day. The action was intense, but the consequence of having saved so many ppl, must have really make his day.

[@TJ3]

Thanks Lancelot!

[@jjgonzalez2386]

What game is that

[@LancelotChan]

@@jjgonzalez2386 they were using war thunder for the simulation footage.

[@glennpruess6936]

​@TJ3 it doesn't relate to this comment section, but could you see if the inverted vertical reversement can be done in il-2 great battles?

[@N57RU]

On April 16th 1945 off Okinawa, 2 1/2 weeks before this, a friend of mine was serving on the Destroyer USS Pringle. A single Kamikaze hit her amidships with a 1000 lb. bomb. It broke the ship completely in half and sank. Gene survived but 69 of her crew were lost.

[@cf6282]

Imagine that 102 year old veteran pilot…and an ace at that. Hearing from the guys he helped save…that’s incredible!

[@scottstangeland2878]

OMG - 102 Years of age - He is a national treasure!

[@Spitfiresammons]

Thank you Don for sharing your experience story over Okinawa and becoming a ace. Great video TJ3.

[@TJ3]

Thanks!

[@GodOfWar221]

I really appreciate you finding these men, and telling their stories of courage. All too soon, these men and their stories will be lost forever. And it will fall upon all of us to keep them alive. This is HANDS DOWN! The best history source I’ve ever come across. I’ve shared your channel with my dad who’s also a huge ww2 history buff. Far better than anything for instance, the History Channel has ever done.

[@TJ3]

Thanks so much!!

[@Emperor_Hirohito516]

This channel has to be one of the best for history on KZbin. Thank you for the great work!

[@TJ3]

I appreciate it!

[@danodime3560]

May God Bless You Don

[@TJ3]

Thanks for watching!

[@m_0714]

Him surviving to live at 102 years are already blessings from the Almighty. My grandpa, a Filipino guerilla veteran lived at the tender age of 92. Their generation were really blessed!

[@davidstumer3360]

Thank You sir for your service you are truly a blessing to our country. Never again will there be a generation that accomplished such a victory over evil. I absolutely love the hellcat. But without your skills as a pilot it was another airplane. Again sir Thank You for our freedom. And thank you for sharing this experience with us.

[@moobaz8675]

Amazing story. They truly were the Greatest Generation. You a great job keeping their stories and memories alive. 👍

[@TJ3]

Thanks!

[@LittleChiefThunderCloud]

Donald Melvin McPherson was born May 25, 1922 in Gage County, Nebraska. It appears this video was posted about 8am (Central time) April 6, 2024 (10 hours earlier than now as I write this), and it implies by saying that he will turn 102 in May (7 weeks from today), that McPherson is still going! Very exciting. Great job, Ensign McPherson!

[@BarneyR-u2d]

We owe so much to those who gave so much.

[@atomicwedgie8176]

Thanks, Don! From a Marine!

[@liberteus]

Let's give this video a nudge with a comment. Thanks for uploading, glad that KZbin pushed it to me, i miss so many videos even when i subscribed because KZbin doesn't even show them in my feed ...

[@ual737ret]

This was one of the best episodes so far in my opinion. It’s always good to hear actual testimony from the people that were on the scene of the actual battle.

[@TJ3]

@@ual737ret thank you!

[@Wheelz2Zero6]

When he was talking about the fact that he could not and their group could not get all of the planes that were attacking to Destroyers and he said that to destroyers got sunk, you could see in his eyes that he was disappointed and it really probably hurt his heart. What a brave soul and especially to share the story, it's just a sad story but thank you for sharing it

[@greygalah]

from 16th minute, Don's recollection of the phone call and photo he received is priceless.

[@aaronvargas3580]

This series is so good and I love the hellcat

[@SGTGHOST143]

Always an amazing video. Love getting your notifications

[@TJ3]

Thanks for the help!

[@SGTGHOST143]

@@TJ3 Always!

[@gilwhitmore9682]

Terrific series TJ. Thanks to Mr. McPherson for all the lives he saved while risking his. All who served in the Pacific went through hell.

[@lilylin5226]

Love your videos keep it up

[@TJ3]

Thanks for watching!

[@peteboll5034]

Great video TJ! What a story! Thanks.

[@russell3380]

Great channel, great work about great men. Much thanks to you and them. My Dad was with Patton's Third Army and passed away in 2015. My Grandfather was in the Pacific.

[@Nate_Higgins]

My grandfather was a 40mm AA gunner on USS Isherwood, a Fletcher class destroyer during this battle. They were struck by a Val kamikaze in late April. He told me a story of seeing his shipmate sprayed by burning gasoline. Also, my great uncle Lt. George McKibben, was an Avenger pilot with VY-4 on the Essex. Kind of wild to me that men from 2 different sides of my family were in this battle. Thanks for telling this story.

[@andrewpizzino2514]

Carrying on the tradition of the show Dog Fights. Great combination of simulation, actual footage, interviews and content narration

[@83mikeowens]

Thanks!

[@JBowman-ps2ri]

Great video TJ

[@TJ3]

Thanks!

[@JUNKERS488]

You never let us down. I wish you made all the W.W. 2 Documentaries I watch. Thanks again for the hard work and research you put into each of your videos. You keep em Flyin and we'll watch your six. Have a great weekend TJ .

[@TJ3]

Thanks so much!!

[@robertshaver4432]

Among my welding work (ornamental welding) I did a job for a Flying Tiger, He had Flying Tiger pictures all over his house, many were obviously old live/original pictures. Upon inquiring in amazement, I learned of his Service! I believe he said he flew the DC-3 (over the hump) with the P-40s providing cover for him. Bet you didn't know of that aspect of duties of the Flying Tigers. (Might have been the C-47). Important dangerous duty for certain of whose service and glamor has not been adamantly put forth historically.

[@BadGoy1488]

Don McPherson = boss of the skies

[@Thootjeidiootje]

GUYS WAKE UP TJ UPLOADED AND DID YA’LL LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE YET?

[@TJ3]

NOT A DRILL A DRILL

[@jkneer1560]

Ok, I'm awake. Thanks bud!!!

[@liberteus]

On deck already!

[@The1trueJester]

A Tj3 masterpiece so good I had to rewatch it on my TV to do it justice. Keep up the great work GOAT 🐐

[@TJ3]

Thanks for your support as always :)

[@W1ZY]

Fantastic 2-part production! Well done!

[@davelester5839]

Thanks for this!

[@ugomeli801]

I'll tell you that I'm not a big fan of the animation but the way you are doing it is very professional and accurate. All round very very very well done

[@cambium0]

It being Christmas season, it strikes me that this account reminds me somewhat of the situation in It's A Wonderful Life in which George Bailey's younger brother Harry becomes a ware hero when he takes out a kamikaze just before it is able to strike a troop transport. Mr. McPherson is so humble yet so accomplished. Age does that I suppose, but so does depression era America. It paid off when they were called to action.

[@jamesbroughton7870]

As always, excellent job wonderful story, the greatest generation

[@Toome53]

Thanks again for this story and awesome simulation. You all did a great job!👍👍

[@raymondyee2008]

Omg how did I not know about this?

[@BadGoy1488]

Because it was 80 years ago.

[@jacksavage7808]

Little late viewing this episode but as usual fantastic. Best WW2 channel.

[@TJ3]

Thank you!

[@johnwtobin156]

Sounds like they could have used a few WILDCATS for those float planes, seeing as how they are naturally slower than the HELLCAT.

[@dr.frankenphoon6254]

That was SO good! Thank you!

[@bot994]

Its good to see your still uploading!!!

[@JSFGuy]

It's on right now.

[@charlied1675]

My father (Charles Hubenthal) and Mr. McPherson both flew in Squadron 83 off the Essex and were friends. My father passed away last year, just shy of 102. I hope Mr. McPherson is well.

[@bf-696]

102 years old! Doesn't look a day over 85.

[@jeremybuchanan4759]

"A struggle between men who want to die and men who fight to live."

[@icosthop9998]

. 👍

[@stuartlynn-q8q]

Thank you

[@colinmosling2925]

My father was on battleship HMS Howe attacked by a Zero in same battle a few days later.

[@born2fly1948]

Thank you!

[@ProfRage]

AWESOME story!

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

@TJ3 >>> Great video...👍

[@MGB-learning]

Great video

[@Pjturner1]

A picture of 4 pilots ,picked up off iwo jima, Feb 1945,out of the ocean,on my page,,unidentified pilots ,picture my grandfather had from ww2,one pilot looks familiar,like a Hollywood type guy

[@Pjturner1]

The picture should be in a museum somewhere,never know,it might be one of the last photographs of someone's loved one. ,who may have never made it home

[@mathieulapointe1207]

Best channel ever😊😊😊😊😊

[@joeshmoe9978]

Good video 📹🎬🏅

[@TheMotorick]

Don McPherson part of the greatest generation.

[@LexieAssassin]

102? Wow. My grandpa made it to 97 years 5 months and 12 days. Was a jeep driver in the Pacific.

[@ľőŵďǒpė86]

Hellcats are awesome

[@RichRogerson-o4w]

I've heard the Japanese used planes from thier museums.

[@PeterFruits-hm8rc]

MAY the 4th be with you

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

There would be a real risk of friendly fire when following the kamikaze in close attack 😮

[@stevesteelman7802]

Way to go fighter pilot Don. Im sure glad the United States Navy improved the wildcat with the Hellcat. Our P38 lightnings F4 Coursairs. SBD dive bombers. Happy Birthday Don fly on forever. The Stars ✨ n Stripes forever. 😊❤🎉

[@PascalBaudy]

A very nice vidéo and the color are very beautifull .very true a good work you must Say thé true ..

[@johnfun3394]

Real stories with real heroes and we get trash out of Hollywood or remakes of trash. Thanks for show!

[@erickdupont4503]

Happy 102’nd !!

[@pb68slab18]

Bravo Zulu, Ace!

[@BobSmith-dk8nw]

One of the things about this - was that the Americans had full communications between those picket destroyers with their radar and the Fighter Direction Center vectoring the planes. Their ability to do that - was a very real accomplishment for WWII. Earlier in the war - mistakes in doing this may have led to the loss of CV-8 - the _USS Hornet_ . About the Kamikaze's one of the things I usually mention to people who cannot imagine how they could do that - is that climbing into an aircraft to go confront the Americans - was in and of itself a largely suicidal act. If they were going to die anyway - at least as Kamikazes - the increased their chances of getting a hit. .

[@royli9452]

GET TO YOUR BUNKERS THE AMAZING VIDEOS ARE COMING

[@GeorgiModev]

If the ships fire their main caliber guns into the water in front of the kamikaze, would this help?

[@weetak]

erm i think the trees look tropical and not like in Okinawa.

[@madmanmechanic8847]

I wonder if he could still fly a Hell Cat all those missions he flew

[@jjgonzalez2386]

What game is that

[@TJ3]

War Thunder! Download at link in description :)

[@jjgonzalez2386]

Ty

[@briankroenung7995]

USS Luce. Luce is pronounced as “loose.”

[@royli9452]

Hello

[@flypawels]

👍

[@PAUL-os1qm]

The greatest unbelievable generation!

[@geordiedog1749]

Nicely done. Difficult to get an original bit of history out. Also, the tone and style were appreciated. I can’t stand the ghoulish or triumphant style of some narrators.

[@willgibson9718]

Today is not Friday or Thursday

[@halbarbour7340]

It's Mac- Fur- son, not Mac fear-son.....

[@bobbybooshay8641]

Why did Kamikazee pilots wear helmets?

[@FozzyZ28]

😁😁👍👌

[@janrobertbos]

...these are the americans we love in Europe..not the maga grifters...

[@steveayers6887]

long live America....blest are those who stick their necks out for freedom and come out the other end....

[@michaelprue9024]

I’ve watched each episode of Don McPhersons story and WOW ! What a great American hero. Absolutely without a doubt his generation deserves their recognition as The Greatest Generation. I can’t imagine the amount of evil that visited all corners of the world during WW2, and I thank God for ALL allies who defeated it so soundly. They will forever have my respect, love and support. I pray sound minds prevail in current world leaders today, as it seems we are all closer than ever revisiting a new worldwide conflict again.