WW2 B-24 Nose Gunner Shares Harsh Realities As Prisoner Of War | Remember WWII With Rishi Sharma

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Remember WWII a mission to interview WWII heroes daily, to raise awareness of their enormous sacrifices, and to provide a proper in-depth filmed interview of their experiences in WWII.
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Founded in 2016, Remember WWII is a nonprofit 501©(3) organization. (EIN/tax ID number: 81-3064351). 100% of Remember WWII's expended resources are devoted entirely to interviewing interview with the vast majority of money going to travel costs.

[@danddcandr6719]

In the beginning, he seemed to feel under a lot of pressure. After that first break and do-over, he seemed a little more comfortable telling his story. 7 months in a pow camp and 3 months of marching under those conditions is quite impossible. Yet, here he is telling us all about it. Mr Harper and every man from these times is a true American hero and i hold the utmost respect for them. Thank you, good sir...for everything.

[@jethrox827]

That was one of the greatest interviews I've seen, the interviewer wasn't there just to hear his own voice and allowed him to talk his story

[@Saint_Vincent1735]

The gentleman is fantastic. His memory is wonderful.

[@AlexFromnic]

How do you know how accurate hid memory is? Lol

[@Naltddesha]

@@AlexFromnic bro, stop lying to yourself. Hes 97 years old, I don’t give a shit how you slice it this guys pretty sharp, for being 97 fking years old. Cut him some slack, Christ

[@thefreestylefrEaK]

@@AlexFromnic Because if you've studied WW2 history you'd realize much of what he's saying is accurate.

[@philipparker8307]

beautiful interview, what a fine memory! he passed in 2022, aged 98 w all honor

[@J23-o7u]

He’s resting in peace now :-(🙏

[@cum-gw4sm]

He used to stop by and do my grandma and momma at 92 he and grandma bounced the bed all nite

[@bruceso797]

These men from this era were the greatest Americans we have ever had. Their attitude towards life and people were great. My Dad was from that generation. They were the most honest and caring people. They took care of their friends and family first. Our generations now are selfish and lazy. I’m ashamed to be part of my generation. I’m 70 now Many young people now don’t even want to work unless they can make 100,000 a year. I’m sorry I feel that way.

[@ocularpressure4558]

John thank you sir for your service ❤

[@mikemcsweeney4753]

What an absolute Gentleman. It's been a privilege to listen to him. Thankyou Sir.

[@DRFelGood]

Thank you Sir for your sacrifice, courage and service to our country for freedom ❤🇺🇸❤️

[@jbatt6088]

Man this guy reminds me so much of my Grandfather. I would sit and talk with him all day long. Much respect for this Generation. They were cut from a different cloth. Thank you for your service.

[@RememberWW2]

GOD BLESS THE WWII HEROES AND THEIR INTERVIEWS!

[@jupiterjunk]

My grandfather was a crew chief on B-24's, in the 376th. Sadly, he didn't live long enough to share his stories with me. I'm happy these men and women are willing to share their stories with us.

[@jamestamu83]

One of the best interviews ever! This gentleman tells an amazing story! God bless him and those who sacrificed for our freedom!

[@cunit80]

God bless u thank u for your sacrifices for this once great nation of ours!

[@mlk4kna]

Thank you for your service.❤🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@josephlwallssr6166]

Gentleman Harper, has a long term memory, clear as a 🔔! A real American hero, from the Great generation! He fought for our freedom!

[@Albert-the-Astro]

This gentleman has maintained a very nice wardrobe, very well dressed. Outstanding testimony!

[@michaelriley2]

Men like this should be our leaders. The wisdom from most older people is gained from experience. May God bless this man.

[@Mksteele747]

RESPECT!!!

[@rockhunter6260]

Great interview John and thank you for your service and sacrifices for our country and freedom👍🏻

[@thefreestylefrEaK]

This man is a National Treasure. He looks and speaks great for a man his age. I enjoyed this interview. It is a great service to history to document his experiences. May God bless him.

[@ginenelafontaine8343]

Mr. Harper, your fabulous storytelling ability and the opportunity to witness the strength of your character was an absolutely phenomenal experience. Thank you from the American people. You make me proud to be an American.

[@tomg721]

Thanks for sharing your story John.

[@mrmeowmeow710]

God bless you for bring these stories to light and bless all the ones you interviewed

[@pelonehedd7631]

I love these interviews I am curious though about why it sounds as if You are 15-20 foot away raising Your voice to ask questions. Is it because of covid distancing? Other interviewer’s voices seem like they are in closer proximity to the interviewee. Mr. Harper is easy to listen to and doing very good for His age. My Mom is 95 and doing pretty good but hearing is important for interaction and social discourse that helps keep minds active. Everyone is different and some people have trouble swallowing as they age. I wish I had been able to record the many conversations I had with My Uncles growing up. The information flowed around family meals. Three of My Dads Four Older Brother’s served The one who was married with kids operated a crane that set prefabricated superstructures on tanker’s at Marin Ship in Sausalito. One was a truck driver in Quartermaster and supply for Army AirCorps Hospital from Egypt through Italy. Another was a aerial gunnery instructor . My Uncle who graduated from Tamalpais High in 1944 first saw action on Christmas Eve 1944 at Grandmenil Belgium as a combat engineer , 289th RCT 75th Infantry Division the Bulge Busters AKA The Diaper Division a name given by Nurses while training in the States. He said a guy who was 19-21 was considered a old man in His “ Outfit”. See also Jack O’Connor of Moraga and Ernie Magri. My Uncle Lou Ardito joined at 17 see Louie Ardito Fairfax Calif. they were Humble men. So many stories and even those of their friends who all served in one way or another. My Dad had many friends who served and I worked with them too. One talked about his time in the Pacific as a Army Engineer , a non combat role but they were attacked by Japanese Paratrooper’s . Another friend was a 15 year old Marine who fought the Japanese on Bataan and was in the Death March . Blinded in one Eye after being hit with a rifle butt by a Japanese guard. Another had been in a tank when the commander was decapitated drenching Him in blood and brain matter. If I had interviewed them they might not have done so well being put on the spot. But around the Deer camp and skinning Deer they were more relaxed. Pull out a Garand or 03 and they would reminisce.

[@sidevalve45]

I thoroughly enjoyed the interview. Thank you for sharing your experiences during the war.

[@sherrytoth7634]

Your empathetic and respectful way you interview these men says a lot about you ❤thank you

[@65gtotrips]

These guys literally bring tears to my eyes and I actually get a lump in my throat just listening to them. God Bless You Mr. Harper.

[@maxmclanahan6821]

Thank you, Mr. Harper, for your part in the war which enabled me to have 73 years of freedom in my life. I have never taken my freedom for granted. For I know it was because of men like you and others who paid such a dear price for that freedom That Freedom I have been able to enjoy again because of you. May God Bless you and keep you forever.

[@stanroelker7443]

Such a humble person. He stands head and shoulders above so many of us. I salute you, sir.

[@littlejohnny4470]

"That's the way that we all felt." "I'll do what I have to do." These quotes were the same from almost everyone that served in WW2. This is why they will always be known as the greatest generation! They weren't a bunch of spoiled cupcakes feeding off their parents and prancing around in dresses like we have today! They were real men, which is what we need more of in this world! I was fortunate enough to know a gentleman who was affectionately known as Mr. B. He lived in Hershey PA and he was a navigator in B-24's and B-17's. He was luckier than Mr. Harper, in that he was able to complete all of his missions during the war. I visited his home once with my two sons who were young at the time. He shared stories and showed us flight logs, pictures and a whole bunch of other things. That was over 23 years ago. I have no idea if he is still alive or not. May God continue to bless these heroes and their families!

[@waynesilverman3048]

Some parents carnt retire earlier their son's or daughter s sponging of them .

[@ticket2space]

​@@waynesilverman3048some people support their parents too it goes both ways

[@Ronald-hx6zn]

Every single interview has been simply riveting. The details from the Veteran who lived through the 9rdeal of war and to be able to convey to family members who were KIA,just makes me tear up😢

[@johnforeman634]

I don’t blame this awesome man one second for being somewhat confused. Damn, I’m in my sixties and I have trouble with timelines. He’s sharp. Thank you sir, from Canada 🇨🇦!

[@joeymaterese8095]

Sir, it was an honor to hear you speak of your experiences in ww2.. It could not have been any more perfect...Thank you rip hero....

[@allans2642]

Thank you for your service and protecting the world..🇺🇸

[@greglester7666]

A great American! Thank you Sir for your service to this great country. God bless you. Great video. Thanks

[@nvkulk]

Excellent

[@martinwalsh-y4s]

what an amazingly calm, respectful, earnest man. I have enormous respect for him and his colleagues. respect from Australia 🙏

[@katrinagarlinge3669]

What an amazing man. I am honoured to have had the opportunity to listen to this lovely man. Great memory and recall. Xxxx

[@Jakal-pw8yq]

What a wonderful gentleman this person is. he went through the Great Depression and went through the largest war in history and came out this wonderful person. I could listen to him talk for days. I found it thrilling that he was liberated by Patton's forces. If ever there was a general that would take care of pows it would have been Patton. Any even met Eisenhower and got to talk with him

[@Mark-fx1zj]

This man is a hero.thanks for your service sir hope you’re in the best of half all the best from Bristol England

[@jujulionesselsa1416]

Been watching WW2 documentaries quite a lot lately - the highest respect i have for all the greatest generation of Men and the women who are so humble, stood and fought against the worse evil on land sea and sky. The absolute gratitude that i have for all of these heroes so that we can be free, but the horror they had witnessed losing their fellow soldiers in combat i am sure never goes away.

[@williamreeves5895]

THANK YOU SIR FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR OUR COUNTRY AND ME, A GREAT REMINDER OF WHAT HELL ON EARTH IS LIKE. MORE OF THESE REAL LIFE STORIES INSTEAD OF EDITED VERSIONS SHOULD BE TAUGHT IN OUR SCHOOLS. MAYBE THEN THEY COULD REALIZE THE COST THAT THESE GREAT PEOPLE HAVE PAID FOR THEIR FREEDOM AND MINE. THANK YOU TO ALL VETERANS. 👍❤

[@prugs3922]

Thank you for sharing.

[@briansteinmacher5811]

Thank you for your service sir.

[@fbt2007]

Thank you, Dear John Harper for your service, and thank you for preserving your memories in this video. You may not want to be remembered as anyone special but if it were not for you and the many men and women who served during WWII, doing what you said “needed to be done to preserve freedom”, the world would look quite different. Yeah, changing the global order to preserve freedom is an extraordinary accomplishment by the servicemen and women of WWII that we, in the free world, are all indebted. You are a hero John and rightfully so will be remembered as one 🙏

[@Americal1970]

This is the best interview I have ever seen. He answered questions I had always wondered about, and alot I didn't know to wonder about.

[@thomasprinsen1241]

That was a great interview! What a tremendously humble gentleman.

[@bennettshardwoodfloors1657]

Thank you for your service Sir, and telling your story so exceptionally. This is why they are called the greatest generation 🇺🇸

[@thatgardeninggirl2864]

God Bless you Sir wow to think of the things he's seen in all of his years. Im 43, I pray to live to be his age and to be as sharp as he is

[@stanroelker7443]

Very sharp person. And I loved his southern accent.

[@FireNFury2024]

🎉

[@arlenevandeveer2244]

God Bless you for your service and telling us your experiences. 🇺🇸

[@Kirkwoodclay]

❤❤❤❤ you are okay!! We love you!

[@65gtotrips]

@1:13:24…”Somebody’s got to do it” - Awesome 👏 👏 👏

[@macariorodriguez630]

Its amazing watching these. These videos are priceless. There's never been a time before in history where we can get reliable first hand accounts of such immense moments of history.

[@asullivan4047]

Interesting and informative. Special thanks B-24 nose gunner John. Sharing personal information/combat experiences. Enabling viewers to better understand what was being described. Fighting/perishing/surviving. Knowing certain death/debilitating wounds were often possible. Yet still advanced forward regardless of the consequences. That's true grit style determination to succeed. John & crew that parachuted from the B-24 into German captivity unscathed. Were very fortunate also surviving those forced marches west ward. A wonderful ending to that awful odyssey. Encountering Gen. Patton's 6th army.

[@kinnish5267]

What a great man!

[@johngrogan7585]

Thank you !!

[@65gtotrips]

@1:25:37 “I don’t want to make him mad enough to kill me” - It’s not funny, but he’s just so matter of fact about it all. It’s impressive.

[@stephb_]

This is so important for people to hear. I really appreciate you telling your story Sir

[@soilsrelocator]

God Bless You Sir!

[@jpcitroen6118]

These interviews really show how our society.... has turned into a pile of crap. No men having babies during the ww2 generation. Thank you, Mr. Harper.

[@vivians9392]

What? I was born in 1943...some were having families...

[@thom12345]

I believe what he is referring to is how in 2023 they are trying to convince us that men can get pregnant and breastfeed

[@Mangoshake2021]

@@vivians9392I think what he means is today’s society teaches men can be women and vice versa. They actually believe ‘men’ can get pregnant and have a baby.

[@sec9788]

All they want to do now: teach boys how to apply makeup, fit a dress and take anti-VIRAL medicines 🤢🤮

[@donchoate13]

Unbelievable that this gentleman is 97 u would think that he’s in his 70’s . WOW .

[@maxmclanahan6821]

Thank you, Mr. Harper, for yourbasically a

[@kabbey30]

What this man needed was about 4 more people talking at the same time.

[@lewisticknor]

Interviewer is awesome, thank you

[@BigBlackChevy03]

dude says dont worry i can clean it up in post and then leaves it all in lol

[@radamus210]

Very cool story and it's special to me because of the B-24. My Grandmother and father both went to Willow Run and built B-24's for the war. So I've grown up with the best history teachers one could have, and have been my heroes all my life. My grandma used to go on Rosie tours all over the country but she retired from those in her 80s. Grandma was pretty hardcore. My aunt and uncle took her on a trip to visit us, 500 miles away. Hadn't seen her for a long time. She got out of the car and the first words out of her mouth was "Where's your flag pole?" 🤣 She wasn't about the sugar man let me tell you when it comes to patriotism. I had a flag flying high the next week and sent her pictures. So the B-24 means a little more to me than to most. For this to be only a year ago, he is in amazing shape. Grandma is starting to slide pretty good, but 100-101 she was still sharp as a whip. Only a few months for 103.

[@tectoramia-sz1lu]

It's difficult to imagine what these young men went through. The runways at North Pickenham are still intact, and have Turkey farm buildings on them. The USAAF B-24's suffered horrendous losses flying from this airfield.

[@tommyjenkins7453]

Salute to a brave honorable, interesting man RIP

[@gc2879]

God bless this man. Why didn’t the interviewer take charge and lead the interview. I felt so bad for John. The interviewer should have a LOT more experience before interviewing these hero’s.

[@VNAV_PTH]

I think the interviewer did great. I'll be glad to give him some cred. Without him, there wouldn't even be an interview in the first place.

[@blablablablablablablablablbla]

Taking charge and leading is bad. Let the man tell his story uninterrupted for as long as possible.

[@fenderstrat7547]

thank you so much for your sacrafice

[@YanSteel-o1t]

Love You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!))))))))))) Tnx

[@jodeenichols8509]

One of my uncles was in Pattons Timberwolves. I have pictures he took personally of the tanks and his friends. 2 tanks shot out from under him and finished up killing Nazis in the 3rd. Him and my dad sat under the willow tree Sunday dinner sometimes and talked between themselves. I've written down what I can remember. God love em in heaven now.

[@jodeenichols8509]

Wonder if my uncle was part of saving this man. God bless him.

[@LBGirl1988]

What a fantastic person!

[@rolandthomasset1713]

Very nice interview, however next time, I think it would be nice if you, the interviewer. would have a matching microphone.

[@pcguysoffgridcabin]

Thank you for your service. I wonder what the German officer asked him?

[@peterkerr803]

So endearing!

[@davehiggins5903]

John, thank you sir for our freedom

[@F1Hopeful]

Simply awe inspiring. What a gentleman. What a hero. Had it not been for folks like this humble man, Lord knows where our nation would have ended up. Unfortunately, the Allies didn’t turn their efforts on the Russian hordes when they had the advantage of the atomic bomb and untouchable long range B-29’s. Had Stalin and his mob been eliminated then, the world would not be in the dire predicament that it finds itself now. Unlikely that without Stalin’s support, that Mao’s murderous reign of terror would have lasted as long as it did. I salute you sir. I am humbled by your heroism, selflessness and patriotism. God Bless you and yours. Long live the Republic.

[@blablablablablablablablablbla]

And we ourselves would be far worse than our enemies. And do you think they would simply kneel and not fight back? Or would you have them exterminated?

[@1KemosabeLarry]

Proud South Carolinian!

[@phishing623]

Thanks

[@Americal1970]

What ever your name is...? It isn't in print thats a hell of a introduction. I think you are a rare American, in these times. And the world is is a better place. I know, I am a 73 year old Disabled Vietnam Army Veteran. I can't hold a candle to you. I must try harder. time is getting short. 🇺🇸

[@Road2redemtion]

Appreciate your service brother! God bless you buddy.

[@blablablablablablablablablbla]

God Bless

[@tristanzotaj5887]

Was force's for support but there are millions of grandfather's heroes. I can't support everything...

[@J23-o7u]

97 years old omg I can’t remember what I did this morning smh he looks great for being 97 wow I’m almost 60 and I feel at times I can’t get up for work smh he went to war almost 50 years ago and he’s acts like a young dude … what a dude smh !!!

[@rodzor]

RIP

[@waynesilverman3048]

Good recent vid ,the British and Americans was really good in the air one of the reason s we won

[@c.miller3802]

I wonder if we starved the Germans we had for prisoners? Somehow I don't think so

[@robertlucyksr667]

95 and has his teeth, awesome guy.

[@youtrickube1475]

NINETY-SEVEN?!?!? Wow.

[@petegreen4455]

A Bad Ass American Hero!

[@michaelroberts-ey5of]

He isn't that far from me. Union, S.C. The greatest generation..

[@johnmclaughlin2392]

Why are they forcing him to tell the story like they want it told?

[@FireNFury2024]

😢😢😢😢

[@mitchcummins913]

his 100th birthday today

[@FireNFury2024]

OMG 😲 😱 😲

[@ShapeupShiptout]

Bet his dad knew the Murdaugh lol.. This man is amazing god bless him...

[@J23-o7u]

Unbelievable what a mind to remember smh

[@pigpaul]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️

[@tracymiller1149]

Can't hear the interviewer very well.

[@laurenjohnson2577]

Oops....accidently hit send button....to continue - I apologize for maybe taking something away from this testimonial but what he fought for in WW II we need to fight now against this unamerican maga movement , it's cultish followers , it's lies , greed for power thru violence & it's undemocratic ideals

[@garvinhooper]

I can't believe that after such a touching testimonial that someone would have the nerve to bring politics into this, very rude and very what is wrong with the country today

[@jodeenichols8509]

Excuse me. My Daddy and family are the GREATEST GENERATION. WE are MAGA. Not a cult. You are a brainwashed Nazi fighting the USA. Pay Attention for Christ's Sake. Geez.

[@65gtotrips]

You know something Laura ? It’s because of heroes like Mr. Harper providing the umbrella of your freedom that you can make a jacka$$ statement like you made.

[@dickiedogs727]

top bloke..outstanding human being !!!