World War II Airman Reacts to Masters of the Air - Ep.1

[@armyhistory]

We are pleased to share the link to Mr. Couture’s reactions to the remainder of the series: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKu5p598q86WbbMsi=yTIE-yXqh0nWBO6G

[@simonflower6356]

What a guy - 99 years old and still sharp as a tack. Thanks to all those involved in producing this fascinating short film…especially to Al Couture himself.

[@tonysteppan8495]

Had an Army air captain and a Navel flight instructor from the second W.W. As instructors at the J.C. I was attending to earn my A&P. They were like AL. Good men who lived through tuff times and came home, when so many did not. They never talked much about it. When time would allow, the extent of any lesson was that Being honest and following the Right version of your M.M would be the best bet on doing the job right." Ain't no clouds to park on out there ". Were lucky AL is still around.

[@ericcouture4204]

That's my grand father he is the strongest person I know

[@simonflower6356]

@@ericcouture4204 How lucky you are to have a man like that as your granddad!

[@Chris-sf7ug]

@@ericcouture4204 Spend as much time with him as you can!

[@selfco8142]

Maximum respect to him and his fellow airmen.​@@ericcouture4204

[@TheRealBobBasher]

Every single one of these surviving WWII vets needs to have their stories recorded so it's never forgotten.

[@seanohare5488]

Definitely

[@robinpezzulich]

Thank you, Sir.

[@FritzKraut]

our German WWII vets as well? You want to hear theire stories as well?

[@TheRealBobBasher]

Of course. The average German fighter was just that. The barbarians get all the press. @@FritzKraut

[@theothertonydutch]

​@@FritzKraut I think those are important. The guys that say "the average fighter was just that" do miss a vital point though. The Wehrmacht was participating in war-crimes just as well. There were dissidents but they were few and far in between. When your country is rotten and you don't do anything about it, you're complicit. Doesn't matter if your family is taken hostage, if your life is at stake. You've made a choice. Also, a lot of times, it's forgotten that the nazi armed forces didn't just consist of Germans. The eastern front was full of people from different countries. Even the SS had several divisions with people of different nationalities (either deemed as good as "aryans" or "honorary aryans") because even the nazis knew they couldn't go at it alone.

[@davechin5639]

Wish my father, Tuskegee Airmen Jack Chin, was still alive to watch it with me. Thanks for sharing this video.

[@JordanClark-cd9fl]

Your father is an American hero and his service is greatly appreciated by many, including me.

[@davechin5639]

@@tunetownmusic-l2fHumorous, is it ?

[@Bellthorian]

@@davechin5639 Not humorous but I will say I am sick and tired of the woke BS history that portrays the Tuskegee Airmen in near demi gods. I mean you can't have a movie about US Bombers in WW2 without the Red Tails making an appearance. The TRUTH is the 332nd Fighter Group was one of the LOWEST performing fighter groups of the war. Not a single pilot from the 332nd earned the title of Ace. Their kill ratio was 1-1, meaning for every enemy aircraft they shot down, one of their own was lost in combat. There were COUNTLESS fighter groups that had 100x better combat record but you NEVER hear about them. Richard Bong, the American Ace Of Aces, he shot down 40 enemy aircraft, all in the P-38. I could ask 1000 college students today who Richard Bong is and not one of them would know but they would ALL know who the Tuskegee Airmen are.

[@obienator]

@@BellthorianSuuuure, buddy, just say you are a bigot and be on your way

[@davechin5639]

@@Bellthorian Everyone is entitled to an opinion. The reason the Tuskegee Airmen are being included in Masters of the Air, is there is a real life overlap in this true story. 2nd Lt. Alexander Jefferson was downed by flak and spent 9 months in the same Stalag which is covered in the book on the Bloody 100th which the show is from. It is also covered in Alex Jefferson's Red Tail Captured, Red Tail Free book, not that you would ever read it. But I will point out that you are incorrect in your facts. I highly recommend you consult the research by Daniel Haulman. He has meticulously documented their activities, as commissioned by the Air Force. He wrote a book I am sure you would like, called 'Misconceptions about the Tuskegee Airmen: Refuting Myths about America's First Black Military Pilots' which corrects the myths, including "...never lost a plane". The truth is. according to his findings, during their 179 bomber escort missions, they lost protected bombers during 7 different missions - a total of 27 lost planes. This is pretty good, compared to the 46 average losses per fighter group in the 15th Air Force. Your 1:1 figure is incorrect. They have a total of 94 confirmed kills. When you look at Dr. Haulman's account of total lost fighters (P-39, P-40, P-47, and P-51) during those 179 escort missions (5 May, 1944 - 23 April, 1945) it lists 75 lost planes. 14 of those losses were attributed to flak. Of course it's hard to know exactly, as that is based on the reports from the field. But with 94 confirmed kills to 75 planes total lost (regardless of flak or not) that is better than 1 to 1. Also Dr. Haulman clarified the Gillem report. Richard Bong's record is absolutely impressive, and deserved the 'Ace of Aces' title. But it is not necessarily an apples to apples comparison as the 332nd never flew CAP missions. That is like comparing Major Bong's 40 kills to that of Erich Hartmann, who had 352 confirmed kills in his ME-109. In any event, you're free to have your opinion and entitled to call it woke BS. I am sure you have done your fair share to earn the right to make such statements. I haven't nor would I ever be able to come close to the accomplishments that my father, the other 991 Documented Original Tuskegee Airmen, and the other several thousand mechanics + support personnel achieved. And all that they endured (and triumphed over), home and abroad, was not done by choice, nor was it to prove a point. It was mandated.

[@b_Loopy]

Exactly what I wanted to see. KZbin is overwhelmed with nobody’s in their reaction to varying videos, but this is truly something special: I like to see how the movies compare to what really happened, and only people like this man would know

[@Bier-money]

Exactly. Reaction videos from ww2 vets who lived through this is something I could never get enough of.

[@MikeG42]

Yes Bloopy , you are absolutely right.

[@fitycalibre7555]

Thank you, someone else who sees reason. People are way to overly critical. If the vets like the show that’s good enough for me. We weren’t there

[@jgrant1162]

From the UK, we will never forget what your armed forces did for us.. How these young army airforce men went out time after time, knowing that on some raids they were losing 1/3 of their planes just amazes me. Best wishes to the elderly gentleman, we owe him and his companions so much...

[@Roboseal2]

Thank you. A few of your people from the UK have been saying the show made you guys look like lazy bums even though it shows the British carpet bombing the Germans and the conversations between the Americans.

[@mrp8339]

God bless that man ...but the series is a total pile of crap to many of us, Brits ...I actually don't know anyone who has watched the whole series due to the RAF insults and the unfactual Hollywood events ... I just say to myself ... they had an opportunity to express the truth but its just all green screen and crap acting that sells

[@Roboseal2]

Yeah agreed. Even as an american.@@mrp8339

[@jonathansteadman7935]

​@@mrp8339Yes, it's got to the point that younger people are quite surprised to find out British, Canadian, Polish etc were at Normandy. Same with the RAF that it's insulting, sick of Hollywood.

[@camakaze1330]

@@mrp8339I’m from the uk and watched and enjoyed the full series. Obviously the show didn’t tell the full picture of the British efforts but it is a tv show and not a documentary. I could still appreciate the American efforts whilst understanding that it paints the British unfairly 🤷

[@megacode2]

Wish my uncle could have watched this. He was a navigator on one of the "17's" in the group that is featured in the series. I tried to get him an interview with the production company but no joy, although a newspaper in Phoenix found out about him and did an interview/article. He even had well-kept journals of missions, planes, targets, etc. He even still had his flight jacket. Unfortunately, Parkinson's took him while the series was in development. RIP Uncle Bill!

[@krisgreenwood5173]

My father's first cousin was a pilot in the 100th. His first mission was January 29th, 1945. He did 27 missions before the end of the war.

[@NVSC10]

Hey I'm in Phoenix do you remember what it was? I want to read it!

[@LLH7202]

You might consider donating the journals to the Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH. They maintain historical information for research. I think they would find it valuable.

[@calneigbauer7542]

Amazing to be able to see a ww2 bomber member react to this

[@stephenhosking7384]

Respect for the man, Al Couture, and also for the movie, which seems to have done a great job, and for the interview. Just so valuable to see someone "who was there" say the movie rings true. That's good enough for me to put it on my list. I wasn't planning to add another war movie to my current movie list. Respect for the whole generation.

[@jesusaguirre3144]

Salute from Arizona🫡

[@TehIdiotOne]

@@stephenhosking7384 It's a TV series, not a movie FYI. Otherwise wholeheartedly agree.

[@Assdfgresa]

Greatest generation...period

[@benmiz9742]

Magic!! What a dead set legend. 99…..he’d pass for 79. Thank you sir for your service to the free world.

[@callummitchell8130]

Videos like this is what KZbin was created for. There's is no way I would have been able to experience an interview with such a person if it wasn't for the internet. Definitely far more impressionable than any "influencer." Nothing beats a first hand account from something who actually experienced it. Thankyou.

[@armyhistory]

Hello all - Al Couture was very surprised and humbled by the many views and comments he received about his video. After many requests from viewers, he has agreed to watch the remainder of the series and share his thoughts after the last episode has aired. Please stay tuned, and consider liking and subscribing to our channel for more updates.

[@pittrader1988]

Get Mr. Couture down to the World War Two Museum in New Orleans if he is able, and if he hasn't been already

[@whateveritwasitis]

thats great news! I'll be back for sure. I love listening to the first hand testimony of these heroes. I watch their face and try and see where they are mentally. Glad he was able to watch this, I imagine for some its not something they would want to do. thank you Mr. Couture! I apologize on behalf of our country for destroying what you guys gave us.

[@resurrectdead8281]

😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@vkolo3388]

A heartfelt salute to Al for his service!!!

[@scottamos2660]

Mr. Couture flew the same theater as my dad, who was a bombardier flying out of Italy. I'm glad to see he's doing well.

[@feathermerchant]

My dad flew both the B-24 and B-17 out of Mendelsham, England. He said the B-17 was "cozy" while the B-24 was "drafty". On 10/07/44, flak removed the tail of his B-17 just after bombs away over Meersburg, Germany. He spent the remainder of the war at Stalag Luft 1, being liberated by the Russians.

[@iceman_fox1]

I would be honored to meet this man and shake his hand. A living time capsule and an extraordinary human.

[@youknownothing8226]

As a Brit I cannot thank the young US Serviceman who joined us in our fight for freedom during WW II. My Grandmother told me once she met a US Airman back in 1943 at a "Tea Dance" near Warrington. He was a young Pilot who flew B17s back to their Bomb Groups after being repaired at the US Burtonwood Air Base. She was looking forward to seeing him a couple of weeks later but he never showed. She later found out he been injured when a "repaired" B17 suffered hydraulic failure on takeoff/landing? He lost both legs and was shipped back to the US. we all owe a lot to Al and his generation.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Well with all due respect they didn't join before Japan attacked them and Germany declared war on them. They weren't here in 1940 and 1941 during the darkest days.

[@givenfirstnamefamilyfirstn3935]

I wonder how many commentators in other videos slagging the _cowardice_ of the Ireland Free State for *not declaring war* on Germany and how contemptible _neutrality_ was would speak with an American accent? Their American grandfathers and great grandfathers who sacrificed their lives and their youth to put down the nazis truly deserve the highest respect and admiration.

[@EamonnMaloney-k1l]

Plenty of Irishmen fought the Nazis too. Don't forget Ireland had been at war with the British Empire just 20 years earlier.

[@ArizonaGunsDave]

That's a cool story, a sad one at that

[@Jo_Wardy]

@@lyndoncmp5751my country did RIP 35 Aussies and 47 kiwis who were killed in the Battle of Britain 😢❤

[@TheSoundOutside]

Impressive. Completely together at 99. Here's to another ten years.

[@mwhyte1979]

From one Air Force vet to another please accept my deepest respects and admirations. Your generation of Airmen left some very big shoes for us later generations to fill sir. Clear skies always sir.

[@Dallas1722]

I spent three years with Dr. Buck Cleven. He was my college president in the '80's and a remarkable man. I wish I would've known about his experiences back then. I knew he was a war hero but had no idea the extent and he never talked about it. Boy do I have some stories about him though when he was in his 60's. What a life!

[@NameNik223]

That's incredible!

[@floofycatz]

He's a national treasure for sure!! Thank you for you service ❤

[@AlTurra-r9u]

My Dad lived through the war in northern Italy, he was 8 in 39 and 14 when the war ended. He once told me he and his father were up a mountain slope gathering feed for the few cows they had, when a cloud of B-17s appeared in the sky going north, he asked his dad where they where going? His father said they were probably going to Germania, but instead this cloud of B-17s turned and dropped their bomb loads on the town of Tomo, and destroyed it and its population. Apparently the Americans thought there were German armies there but in reality the Germans had long retreated on their way back to protect their fatherland. Dad immigrated to Canada in 52, and truly loved his new country. His retelling of wartime atrocities were few, he didn’t like to talk about the war, you could see it deeply affected him throughout his life. Dad was a very courageous, fearless, protective, husband father & Nonno. God bless my Dad and all who endured the horrors of war. Miss you Pops.

[@travisprather678]

Colonel Al, thank you for your service. Not sure if you'll see this, but sincerely thank you.

[@vitogiannoccaro-l7q]

Un signore in gamba, che lucidità, straordinario. Grazie per tutto quello che avete fatto.

[@ganstaevo]

Grandpa was a WW2 Veteran. We love and appreciate our veterans so much. Freedom isn’t free it comes with great sacrifice. Thank you Veterans for your service! We are eternally grateful!

[@GStatusMusicChannel]

Al, thank you sir for all that you and your generation did. Your sacrifices will not be forgotten

[@davidg3944]

I hope the sacrifices aren't forgotten, but if you're American all you have to do is look at the state of politics in this country and how many in one party side with russia to realize that the battle to preserve freedom never ends...

[@zenster1097]

@@davidg3944 He fought with the Soviets. He literally sided with "Russia" you clown. If anything, he'd hate the anti-racism of today (segregation in armed forces), lgbtq stuff, etc. You have to be a boomer.

[@selfco8142]

From the UK, thanks for the sacrifice those young men made to secure our future, what they went through will never be forgotten.

[@zoso73]

19:22 His observation triggered a lot of emotions in me. Some of the best times of my life were with a group of people -- whether it was follow students, co-workers, etc -- that i was comrades with for months or years, in some cases many years. And then, poof, like a burst of flak, whether it's graduation, or a move to another city, or a job change, we go our separate ways and, in most cases, never see one another again despite the camaraderie. And that's because social media didn't exist before 2000. For people that are 40+, you know what I mean.

[@jayscheick7408]

There is nothing that parallels actual commentary from an actual vet who has such a clear and wonderful recollection of events. Thank you, Al!

[@shawnpa]

True. It's priceless. Thanks to this veteran for sharing the first hand account.

[@TheSaturnV]

Thank you so much Mr Couture, both for doing this wonderful interview and the service you gave as a young man to this great Nation. God bless you.

[@robinpezzulich]

Thank you, Sir. My father was a C5 navigator. He can find anything by the stars. No GPS needed. God bless you, Sir.

[@Skymedc]

Thank you for your service sir. My father was a B17 copilot with the 381st BG at Ridgewell. I wish he had lived long enough to see this film. He died just short of 101. He was an old man when he got his B17. 28 years old. Shot down on his 14th mission over Bremen one mission before getting his own crew, and was a POW at Stalag Luft III during the Great Escape years. That, of course, was the British compound. His aircraft was teken from him when he landed in Scotland and was a replacement aircraft for the 100th. It made the flight to Africa after the Regensgurg mission and was the B17 that the famous photo was taken on with all the crews standing on her. The B17 was named "The Polly Jo." It was renamed several missions later and eventually was lost.

[@Emjackson89]

Episode 3 had me in tears. To know it's so accurate makes this show even more incredible. God bless you all for everything you did to protect our world.

[@kobesmith9132]

11:20 "good ol Vic" Al describing that sounds like a bunch of good memories of him and vic popped up in his head :(

[@vale962]

My mother was a 5 year old and she live in Stornara she remember this young boy when they come to my grandmother for wash their clothes, a lot of time this boys bring she in the airfield and give a lot of food for the family.around 1983 some of this veterans come back in the rest of the airfield and I bring my mother there, was a very suggestive moment she meet a man (Giuliano) that he recognized her by some photo.Sir in the airfield there is still the q.g. With the emblem of 456 and 15.Sir I’m honored to see one of the thousand of man who fought for freedom

[@Blatherskite824]

This is totally making me feel like there is a divide between how absolutely amazing this guy is....to what we have now....what a legend & inspiration he is.

[@wilkes406]

Terribly underrated. I hope this gets the traction this needs! I’m really excited to see this gentleman is sharp and has such good recall of his memories!

[@whatchamacallit6905]

I am very thankful to be able to hear what Al has to say with so few ww2 vets left, Thank you Al for your interview.

[@kiiakibal5567]

These men deserve our respect and admiration. They were incredible in what they did. We should remember them and honour them for their bravery. ❤️❤️❤️

[@garrettanderson7764]

Excellent! Thank you. All of my respects to Mr. Couture. I live in a city that was bombed by the 459th and 454th on the same day that the 456th with the 455th bombed Grenoble. A long 10 hour flight in subzero temperatures. The last plane in the 454th could not open the bomb-bay doors. The pilot decided to drop his 10 500lbs GP bombs through the doors, ripping them open. A very cold flight back to Italy with what was left of the bomb-bay doors flapping in the wind.

[@robinboucherwonderfulflight]

My uncle was a flight engineer/ top turret gunner with the 455th.

[@robertthomas3777]

Keeping the story alive. Amazing man. Lest we forget. 🦘🇦🇺👍

[@terryswartz960]

Thank you Mr. Couture, for serving and your sacrifice for our country. My father was 82nd Airborne and you guys were truly the Greatest Generation.

[@mare0218]

Such sharp old gentleman.. I'm amazed!

[@walt8089]

I flew with a Navigator in the late 60’s that was a B-24 Navigator during WWII and was in the Poliesti Oil Field Raid where B-24’s destroyed Germans oil supplies. He was a very good Navigator and I was privileged to fly with him.

[@dukecraig2402]

My mother's cousin was a navigator on a B24 in the 15th Air Force that survived 3 runs on Poliesti, shot down and killed on his 21st mission, Aug 27th 1944 during a run on the railroad bridge at Ferrara Italy.

[@philgiglio7922]

The 'Great Bird of the Galaxy, aka Gene Roddenberry flew B24s in Europe!

[@67beatlefreak]

Thank you, Mr. Couture. I enjoyed hearing your recollections. My dad was an Air Force veteran and would have very much enjoyed your insight. Looking forward to your next video! And thank you for your service. Shows like this remind younger generations that freedom is not free.

[@jjflash30]

Amazing interview. Hard to believe he is 99. Such an impressive guy with great memory of his wartime service and a very calming and concise way of describing what he experienced. Bit sad and surprising to hear him say that he did not see many of his fellow crew members ever again after they got back to the States from the war given all they went through together.

[@robertsullivan4773]

EOmg I just listened to a hero and he remembers names and places like yesterday. I struggle with last week. A thank you for your service is enough. More like thank you for my life

[@alkitzman9179]

Thank You Colonel Couture for sharing your experiences with us. . A salute from one veteran to another. Yours was the greatest generation. Thanks for all you did when it was needed to be done

[@rayvanhorn1534]

I have a deep respect & admiration for those men of that “Greatest Generation”. I grew up listening to stories from my grandfather & great uncles who were in the respective branches & that instilled the reverence that I carry today. Retired a few years ago myself after 24 years USAF, & every time I flew a mission I thought of those crews in some way.

[@stevemizar4143]

God bless you and thank you for your service!

[@QuicknStraight]

He's doing great for 99 years old. It's striking that the 506th PIR guys used to meet up annually, way before BoB was a 'thing'. This makes you realise that wasn't the case in so many units, where guys just demobbed and spread to all corners, never seeing each other again. Quite sad, really.

[@maggiecouture293]

Hi, I’m one of Al’s daughters. He regularly attended reunions of the 456th. Dad told me that he meant they didn’t see each other again until the reunions.

[@QuicknStraight]

@@maggiecouture293 Thanks for clarifying. Good to know.

[@alunjones2185]

I was once informed by a veteran of the British units liberating Belsen that those who attended the reunions faired better in overall health - benefitting greatly from the support of shared experiences.

[@PaddyThePaddy]

The 100th Bomb Group has been active with reunions for decades! More groups meet than you think :)

[@philgiglio7922]

The VHPA, Vietnam helicopter pilots association meets annually in different cities. I attended the 1991 reunion in New Orleans with my best friend who served 42 months in county.

[@frankfowlkes7872]

My father also was in the 15th Air Force in Italy from 1944-45. He was a waist gunner and verified how cold it was. His oxygen mask froze several times and he had to share with the other gunners. He also mentioned as does this gentleman that everyone was young. He was 18 and turned 19 in Italy. He said their pilot was the oldest person in his plane and he was 25. Dad said they referred to him as "the old man". This was truly a special generation. He told me his greatest fear in high school was that the war would end before he graduated and could enlist! He past away in 1994. I miss him!

[@Ariel-ve8kw]

My grandfather was a radar nav in the 15th on B17s in Italy then too! He got his DFC from a run when his mask stopped working (of course lol) and got everyone still thru safe. I idolized him.

[@bradmarkell12167]

This is focused on the Mighty 8th Air Force, not the weak 15th. Jk 😜

[@Patrick-yu1hu]

@@bradmarkell12167 What a mindless, infantile comment.

[@ItspronouncedAaron]

I lost my WWII Vet grandfather during covid, a B29 airman. I know the Couture family must feel so much love and adoration for their patriarch. What a treasure. He’s wonderful. Love this video, capturing this.

[@mikewoodman7700]

America's answer to the UK's late Eric Brown - both sharp as hell with their recollections and amazing to listen to.

[@dukecraig2402]

Eric Brown was a liar of the first order, and if we were in person I'd teach you better than to mention my country and his name in the same breath.

[@mikewoodman7700]

Chill you muppet its a compliment

[@Pat_Springleaf]

@@dukecraig2402lmao, slow down, big fella

[@joetech4507]

This is great. I love that the sole focus is what he has to say, there's not many left.

[@edwardpate6128]

At its peak production rate the Ford Willow Run plant was building 1 B-24 per hour 7x24. Simply amazing how the production capacity of the Detroit auto makers was put to use to win the war.

[@Katwiccan]

My grandfather worked midnight's as security guard at the Willow Run plant. He was taught how to fire an anti aircraft gun that was positioned on the roof.

[@philgiglio7922]

It took several years before the numbers of airframe were being built For a long time the joke nickname for the plant was "will it run".

[@pigpaul]

This is on a main headline on google news.❤🇺🇸 Greatest generation!

[@ChuckS117]

Please do the rest of the series if possible. This was nothing short of amazing.

[@jurassicreviewschannel]

This is great, hope we get to see his reactions to more episodes.

[@jeffsmith2022]

Thank you Sir and God Bless...

[@paulevans3261]

He was there... Outstanding to hear from someone who had been and so sharp too! WOW Thank you for your time and service, Mr. Couture

[@MikeMcBride]

God bless this man and all vets. I showed this to my teenage kids and they said that it was nuts. Thank God the kids of that generation didn't feel that way.

[@dirks4093]

I cherish their generation and who we still have with us. I want them with us forever.

[@louisgiannobile979]

They were truly the greatest generation

[@tomwitkin9167]

Great interviews. My dad was a B-24 commander in the 456th, so this really hit close to home. "Rosie" Rosenthal -- a key subject of Masters of the Air -- lived in my home town. Got to meet him one night out for dinner visiting my parents. And, yes, dad preferred flying the B-17, which he flew for his four-engine training.

[@hoos3014]

Excellent interview. Thanks for sharing.

[@BAYBAY_316]

Thank you Mr. Couture for your service and all that you and your crew did for all of us.

[@davidg3944]

And thank you for recognizing the fight for freedom doesn't end. I also stand with Ukraine, and against those who side with russia.

[@BAYBAY_316]

@@davidg3944 Thanks David, it's very rare I get a positive comment about my support for Ukraine. It's typically Russian trolls and all types of nasty stuff and I thought about changing my profile pic but I refuse too because right is right and wrong is wrong, the least I can do is tell the world that I'm on the right side of history, even if they think I'm wrong.

[@DougCervi]

Thank you for your service Sir!!! It is very much appreciated!!!

[@jp1170]

This is so amazing

[@cedricsignori2235]

Thank you, Second Lieutenant Couture, for sharing your invaluable testimony with such vivid detail. Your account as a living memory of those times is truly remarkable. At 99 years old, you remain as sharp and bright-minded as ever, serving as an inspiring role model for all of us. Your experiences and insights add a profound depth to our understanding of history. We are deeply grateful for your service and your willingness to share your story. Please continue!

[@seanohare5488]

An American hero I salute you

[@sbaddison]

That was fantastic. What a wonderful man he is.

[@squint04]

Sir deepest respect and thanks for your service

[@garypic4083]

If you ever get a chance to see a B17 and get to walk in it you will truly believe these MEN were a special BREED. GOD BLESS THEM

[@stlrockn]

Thank you for your service sir. Your generation saved the world.

[@raymondallo9947]

They should have put fragments of this interview at the beginning of every episode like in Band of Brothers. The bravery of these men is incredible.

[@normajean678]

Thank you for your selfless service, incredible bravery and for saving the world from tyranny.

[@derwood7016]

The Vet's small clips are what is missing from this series. I've thoroughly enjoyed the series, but these guys are almost gone. Fantastic bit of content here.

[@johnorloff3738]

thank you for this!

[@ConversationStartersVideo]

God bless you sir, I honor your service.

[@hoaxdeath01]

Hope there are more reactions to come, That was really cool to have the reaction in all the different parts of the episode.

[@ReagansismDJT]

The series is fantastic! Al Coulture added real-life authenticity to it! Sharp as a tack at 99! I was looking forward to this and it is exceeding my expectation!

[@gregkerr725]

What an honor to hear firsthand about the lives of a crewman on a B-24. My uncle William Kerr was a gunner on B-24's flyinf some of the early missions out of North Africa against Sicily, Italy and up into the Balkans. Their bomber got really shot up on a mission to Ploesti in Romania and just managed to get back over the Med, but belly landed short of their airfield. He flew about 30 combat missions as I recall, came back to the States for a bit and was then sent to the Pacific where the missions were mainly bombing by-passed Japanese held islands. Not sure what type bomber he was in over there. I do remember my Dad telling me that Bill's bomber had extra machineguns on it and they would strafe and drop a few bombs. Later in The early fifties he met and ended up marrying my Japanese aunt.. She told me he had to meet her family and have dinner before they could even see each other. Turns out one of her brothers had been in the Japanese military in several islands, and Bill's bomb group had bombed them. Would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when that came out! My aunt (who never ended up speaking clear English) told me "my brother..he on island..and Bill...he come bomb....my brother, he move to nother island...Bill...he come bomb!"

[@Macilmoyle]

@gregkerr725 Great story. I used to work with an ex Mosquito pilot and one of the guys we dealt with in our German affiliate had been an AA gunner based in Hamburg. The two of them got on like a house on fire and worked out that on more than one occasion they had been trying to blast each other out of existence.

[@donaldg.freeman2804]

Maybe B-25's in the Pacific. They loaded the front end (B-25J) with up to 18 forward facing .50 cal machine guns and made super-strafers out of them. That's what the "extra machine guns" statement might have been about. The other technique they pioneered was skip-bombing from low level.

[@mikemosier3497]

@Macilmoyle. Exactly what I was thinking. The B-25J was a beast. As I'm sure you're aware, there were some B-25s fitted with a 75mm cannon in the nose for anti shipping work. I'll bet the recoil affected the airspeed to some degree.

[@davidg3944]

This is the comment that makes all the nonsense comments fade into the background. Thanks for this insight into the unusual realities of war.

[@philgiglio7922]

​@@donaldg.freeman2804...some aircraft were fitted with a 75mm(?) cannon. The breech was next to the pilot, who would both fire the weapon. Mostly used in the antishipping sorties

[@vmd6074]

We owe so much to Al and his generation. Thank you, Al for sharing your experiences and so lucidly.

[@Kenzthekid645]

I think I remember in Unbroken, Louis Zamperini (Olympian and Bombardier) recalled his pilots saying that flying the B-24 Liberator was like trying to “fly the living room from the couch”.

[@philgiglio7922]

They were an absolute disaster when ditching in water. The shoulder mounted wings were their Achilles heel. One wingtip would dip into a wave and caused the cockpit to be sheared off the remainder airframe

[@Kenzthekid645]

@@philgiglio7922 oh lord, that’s even worse than I imagined.

[@exstacc1886]

Thank you, sincerely, for saving this man's story. Every man's word we can hear is a irreplaceable mirror into the past, and we're losing so many of these stories as more of these men pass. I think that in the next few years, we should do our best to capture the minds of these men for future generations to listen to, or we'll have forgotten something we didn't even know we'd lost.

[@jackjennings1707]

It makes me smile that this man's family will have showed him this video and all of your positive comments. I imagine it's brought him a feeling of importance and pride - both well deserved and earned.

[@backpackingireland8624]

The greatest generation for me . What they endured is incredible. The times called for dedication and bravery, and they provided it in spades . This man’s testimony is so important. 🇮🇪

[@goodsababu]

God bless Al Couture, and his crew, and all the rest of these brave young men who flew off into the dangerous skies. We owe them so much we can never, never repay.

[@brianmcmurdo2295]

For many of us we remember you and your friends when you were young and strong. Our fathers neighbors, teachers and coaches. Growing up, we learned many things from all of you, but more than anything, you were our heroes, and you always will be.

[@paulcochran1721]

Thank you, Sir. Great commentary. Band of Brothers had the benefit of so many Veterans for the actors to talk to, I wish this had been able to come out sooner so the men depicted could have seen it. It looks great so far.

[@stuartlynn-q8q]

Truly a hero and a great guy

[@steveswoodworking2504]

Thank you Al Couture for your service. And it was awesome to hear your perspective of the Masters of the Air. I look forward to the follow-up video of the rest of the series. A big thanks to all veterans for their service.

[@jessebespinoza]

God bless you Mr. Couture!!!! Thank you for your service and thank you for saving the world

[@williamdaniel4081]

My father was also a Navigator with the 456th BG from Jan 1944 to May 1944

[@mig21pilot]

REALLY great to hear this. My buddy was a Ball Turret gunner on 17s and I SO hope this series honors him, his crew and all the young men that put themselves out there.

[@stephenmerrin9442]

Absolutely fantastic. All these young people in this country need to see these videos of these true American heroes, and what they did for our country and us.

[@Farbar1955]

If I make it to 99 I hope I'm as sharp as Al is. And he's funny, too! I smiled a lot watching this because of his comments.

[@MrJJuK]

im hoping they have a few interviews like this in the series. be such a shame if they don't. thank you heroes

[@edwardlong189]

Very impressive, great memory. Thank you for sharing this story.

[@donnakomarc6677]

Most respect sir !! Thank you for your service & honest comments . This is the only review w its weight ! 😊

[@oskierox]

Mr Couture, a real hero. Thank you for this wonderful video

[@simonpollen4939]

Wonderful insights from this veteran its a shame they did not include these in the series as they had with band of Brothers.