WWII pilot reunited with P-51 Mustang he flew in combat

The roar of the engines could be heard while they were still far off. A crowd had gathered to see a pair of WWII era planes land at Tampa Executive Airport, and Jerry Browne Jr. was in position.
“There’s the 51,” he said from his wheelchair.
Just after noon, a B-24 Liberator and a P-51 Mustang settled into the runway and shut off their engines to applause.
It was a reunion of sorts for Browne Jr.
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[@wolfbassgames1244]

Man when he said “I’m half laughing half crying.” That hit deep. Damn! I salute this man with whole hearted respect.

[@OriginalGansta88]

Damn.... I teared up a bit.... Not gonna lie

[@Chompchompyerded]

@@OriginalGansta88 Me too. But then again, I tear up at a lot of things.

[@rustleweighed-thrasher]

When you get an enemy plane at your 6 engaging and realize the only way out is from shaking them off... You feel every emotion we have as humans at the same TIME !!! EFFEN hardcore 💪😎🚬

[@wolfbassgames1244]

@@rustleweighed-thrasher I totally agree!

[@rustleweighed-thrasher]

@@wolfbassgames1244 Bury stick....with rudder flaps Down throwing stick foward while almost stalled out 💪😎🤘get rolled over from the force of motor and propeller going against each other. Into a 2,000 ft. Drop before it's motor gets caught up to just level out 😬 YIKES that's 100 times worse than what the baddest fair ride can do to you. And not just hanging on to something but having to control what your hanging on to in that sumbich 😎🚬. That's like hitting a tree head on in a vehicle at 80mph but no tree stopping you, but no damage in a plane . Lol That's hardcore shit 🙃 right there. 98% of people would be instantly sick from their guts and blood being mushed against the inside feeling that losing your stomach sensation. And knowing you could have big caliber lead ripping through your plane at any moment cause you just did that to another plane watching it explode catching fire and burning straight to the ground. Kinda like coming up on a bad accident on the highway and seeing some vehicle mangled to hell. You usually don't start speeding immediately over the limit when you get past it for a while.

[@paulbradford6475]

Even in advanced old age, it seems pilots stay as sharp as ever. Good for him.

[@Chompchompyerded]

Not all of them. You don't see the unlucky ones. They're hidden away in nursing homes, suffering endlessly with dementia, Alzheimer's, and other degenerative diseases. And as for the WWII guys, as well as more and more of the Korean War fellas, many of them are already gone. John F. Porterfield MD, HM (medical corpsman), USS Massachusetts (WWII), BB-59, then HM (medical corpsman), USS McGinty DE-365 (Korea) My love also to John Rechs, and to all the other men of the McGinty. I love you all! Though it may sound trite and overused, Thank you so very much for your service to this land I love so dearly. Also of my Uncle Ben Petrie, who few a Wildcat fighter off of aircraft carriers during WWII You guys really were the greatest generation. Rest in peace Uncle Ben.

[@davef.2811]

The greatest generation, God bless him and our country.

[@traecummings9853]

Got that right. 💯

[@GetDougDimmadomed]

You can't help but have the utmost respect for these national treasures. It's an honor to just be in the presence of these old folk.

[@coryboy345]

Absolutely.... God help our country and the direction it's taking with the people in charge, and the weak people we are creating because of those people in charge....

[@johnshields9110]

@@traecummings9853 They were! My old farming community had many Navy (Pacific) and European Army vets. They got it done!

[@sokal98]

Something Joe Biden will never understand

[@pgh1all1]

because of men like him, you have the rare privilege to travel about in a free country. We owe them everything!! I'm an early persian gulf vet (desert shield) what we did pales in comparison! These guys were truly fighting to keep us free and safe. We owe them all,what little are left nowadays,more than we could ever possibly give! Thank You sir for securing our freedom,it will NEVER be forgotten!

[@michaelshan7141]

Thank you, Sir, thank you for your service!!

[@Dapper-Lil-dude]

Thank you for your service, your service is just as Appreciated as anyone who fought in any other Conflict

[@sokal98]

Something Joe Biden will never understand

[@clevlandblock]

I heard one WW2 fighter pilot vet describe an aerial dogfight this way; "It's like being chased on foot through a neighborhood by a guy with a 38 in his hand".

[@justavideo6324]

plus that you can't stop running

[@14goldmedals]

daniel moran and you don't know the neighbourhood. Allies always flew missions in the other guy's neighbourhood and did ok because of superior training.

[@shelbyseelbach9568]

​@@justavideo6324 why would you even want to stop running if a guy is chasing you with a 38 in his hand?

[@dougfuller7314]

Reunited. I worked on an EC-121 we had at the Camarillo airport - it's in Chino now. One Saturday an older gentleman and his wife came by. They were passing by the area to visit their daughter in Santa Barbara, and saw our aircraft from the 101 freeway. He told us he had flown an EC-121 in the 60s, and wanted to take a look at the aircraft. He did, and came back a few minutes later, crying. Our aircraft was the very one he had piloted many times some 50 years earlier. We were able to put him back in touch with some of his crew members who had contacted us as well. He didn't make it to Santa Barbara that day.

[@maxwellbricks7632]

Good story, thank you.

[@5695q]

My college aeronautics professor was a retired air force Colonel, one time we went on a field trip to the Pima museum in Tucson and walking around we came to the C-124 on display. He stood back and looked at it and said I bet I've flown this one, When we got back home he brought his logs into class and sure enough he had made several trips from California to Vietnam in that airplane. Another friend had a Ryan PT-22 that we took to a fly-in, an older man walked up with his family and was looking the plane over, his log book that he had with him showed that he had flown over 100 hours as an instructor in that plane. there is a good reason to restore and fly these old planes.

[@dougfuller7314]

@@5695q Too many people are quick to dismiss the "meaningless ramblings" of their elders. They're missing a lot of wisdom that was learned the hard way. "Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." There was a file cabinet bolted down in the back of that EC-121 which had only a few properly sanitized manuals in it. Lots of blank paper. When I pulled out the drawers, though, I found an original 3-page Project Blue Book reporting form. I wonder how many of those the crew went through.

[@VictoryAviation]

@@5695q that’s absolutely incredible!

[@5695q]

I was stationed at Pt. Mugu from '91-'95 and remember the EC-121 plus the blue and white one that now fly's with Breitling in Europe, I sat in the right seat while a pilot went through drills in preparation to fly it although we didn't start it up.

[@dariusjackelson9915]

Sometimes ordinary men are called upon to do great things and become great men. He is one.

[@mjleger4555]

Look at the way he lovingly and almost reverently touches that P-51 at 0:51 to 2:00! That choked me up! There is no date given so I don't know if this dear man is still with us, but we thank him and ALL our veterans who have fought in WWII, and every war since then to help keep our Country free, we salute you and thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Bravo-Zulu, old soldier, we will never forget you!

[@sokal98]

Something Joe Biden will never understand

[@mikearakelian6368]

Airplanes have there own personality; everything on my DHC 4 worked (C 7)....I worked on it everyday; it knew it...

[@mjleger4555]

@@mikearakelian6368 I have to agree with you on that, if you fly a certain aircraft long enough, it becomes very personal to you and, maybe, vice versa! And especially in war-time, the bird becomes your safety-net, will fight for you even wounded and get you back home alive! I was impressed with several pilots who stated that about the "Hawg" -- (warthog A-10)! It could be all shot up and still bring them safely back to base. Superb aircraft and with that 50 mm Gattling gun, they could protect ground troops close quarter and take a lot of ground-fire and still get them back safely -- the pilots loved them! Our heart goes out to ALL our military who fight like hell to keep our Country safe and we are in their debt, especially those who didn't make it back but paid the ultimate price -- they will NEVER be forgotten, no matter which war they were in and still are! A skirmish may not be a "World War" but the loss of any of our warriors is never taken lightly and we thank them all!

[@theangrybass3389]

They were truly the ‘greatest generation’

[@wardmacleod3765]

“I’m half laughing half crying.”, gave me a lump in my throat, deepest respect to you sir.

[@paulbrewer2374]

I admire Mr. Browne in so many ways, including his balanced perspective. He allows himself to feel the pain of loss of other P-51 pilots he knew who were shot down and perished during WWII, while at the same time feeling proud that he was there with them fighting to stop the Axis powers. Mr. Browne's love for his country is so real, and we know this because he also calls attention to what we still need to work on in order to make it even better. In other words, Mr. Browne doesn't avoid the reality of our still to be resolved problems as he proclaims his love for his country. This is REAL love: Mr. Browne loves his country so much that he can't help but aspire to help change things for the better in every way that we need it. This is the definition of a patriot. A REAL patriot. My infinite gratitude to you, Mr. Browne. And to every person of The Greatest Generation - the generation of my parents - who answered the call to defend not just our country, but every freedom-loving country in the world. You were there for all of us, Mr. Browne! Thank you, Sir!

[@Rockit-]

As much as this is a touching story, I would love to have this guy in the passenger seat of an F-15

[@dr.greenmm1501]

Sameee

[@Chompchompyerded]

You mean the weapons officer's seat? That's a fine aircraft too, and there is nothing like it, but he's right. There's also nothing like flying in a single seat piston banger fighter or racer. All aircraft have their own personalities. The sad part is there is not time in one lifetime to fly them all.

[@12vibaba]

He would probably die.

[@whatitdo4203]

Can't possibly imagine the myriad of emotions that would run through someone's head upon being reminded of such experiences...just remarkable

[@fermiticus4034]

I work at a small county airport. We had a B-25 coming in to sell rides. I spoke with a lady there, that said her dad flew B-25's. He lived in the area, so I asked her to go get him. I was able to speak with him as well. Long story, short...87 missions in the South Pacific and he lost a lot of friends. I talked the crew into getting this guy in the plane and taking a flight. There happened to be a seat for me too! At the end of the flight, we had to physically remove him from the aircraft. He was so overcome and overwhelmed with emotion, he could barely move. I still get chills, thinking about it. I can't even imagine.

[@steveb6103]

I took my dad to a airshow back in 2003 where a F6F Hellcat was! He was in his 80's and could no longer walk without help. But he almost ran to that plane. He had flown one from 1943 to 1945 . They got him a chair and he sat and talked about his time in the service for over an hour! I learn more about him in that hour than in my life!

[@kingcamilo]

@@fermiticus4034 you clearly woke some preivous trauma lol

[@jerredwayne8401]

**click bait title*** good story though. God bless this hero

[@gregdolecki8530]

Truly the greatest generation.

[@greggarner4477]

I could give this man and his plane the biggest hug ever! God bless them both and those who restored that beautiful bird!

[@AngeliqueKaga]

You were one the young heros who flew for your country. Well done!

[@donmunro144]

After all this time and he still took time to think of the men that were shot down. Thats why they are still the greatest generation.

[@jacksonstandley555]

What a legend. As they say Hard times make strong men. Strong men make easy times Easy times make weak men Weak men make hard times This man was a a strong man.

[@capitaljushman5756]

1:51 "I'm still proud of my country. It has it's weak points, but still a wonderful country." amen to that.

[@teller121]

getting weaker and weaker.

[@capitaljushman5756]

@@teller121 did I ask

[@teller121]

@@capitaljushman5756 Haha... I'll get permission next time I want to comment.

[@capitaljushman5756]

@@teller121 please do before you make yourself look like an asshat

[@teller1290]

@@capitaljushman5756 stupidest, rudest, most provocative fools I've ever met in 59 years ...on KZbin. And you're one of them.

[@toddbob55]

God bless this man he fought so we can all have freedom in the USA.

[@jerryavalos9610]

He is the real deal, flying over Fortress Europe in a prop driven plane and engaging enemy aircraft hundreds of miles away from your base took a special breed of pilot.

[@theogangryscotsman7607]

Dude was a fighter pilot! That man still has it! That young man walked the ground and ruled the skies

[@fbidenflagguy]

*Most under rated news story of all time.* Thank you to all veterans, POWS and KOAs that served our nation. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸❤

[@PhilG999]

My Father was a WWII Veteran. Battle of the Bulge and all that. Was originally reported MIA but had actually been captured by the Germans. 97 days in a POW camp. Made it home after being liberated and lived to be 93. Passed in August 2015 one week after his Birthday.

[@fbidenflagguy]

@@PhilG999 I installed carpet for a man that was a Battle Of the Bulge survivor. Jess N. Parmer was his name out of Athens, Ohio. Most humbling job and experience I have ever had. Not very often you get to hear about how a man faught frost bite and killed a German while fighting for his life.

[@fbidenflagguy]

@@PhilG999 Your father is a hero. I thank them every day for their ultimate sacrifices.

[@descent815]

I wish i could listen to his stories! 20 missions and here to tell about it when at the time the return rate of most pilots were approx 40% or less that he would return! BEAUTIFUL!

[@chanceymclaurin7968]

This is what America is all about , not racist and political fighting , hats off to you pilot

[@onlythewise1]

ya right idiot , greed is always around

[@JetFire9]

@@onlythewise1 Who hurt you?

[@algorel4763]

These special guys lives MATTER!

[@captainh3831]

What a terrific piece this is with these great men. But it was far too short. How great that the actual plane he flew is still around.

[@jerrydewitt8585]

What an honor for these two to be brought back together once again.

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

This segment needed to be a lot longer. I think his story had so much more to give. I love seeing pilots from WW2 reunited with the airplanes they flew so long ago.

[@jgunther3398]

They need to fill in a couple minutes after weather if there was no sports that day.

[@ralfie8801]

If he had only truly flown that plane, the story title could be true, but I doubt he flew a two seat P-51 trainer in combat.

[@lotsaluck721]

God bless you and your service....forever

[@jmcfarlandjr]

You can't beat the smile off of his face.

[@markbuell6740]

God bless you young man for serving our country. My grandfather was in the Philippines when they thought they had things secured ,grandpa was getting shipped out the next day . Japanese soldiers attacked before dawn and it was hand to hand combat with only perimeter positions with ammunition. The greatest generation of your era to serve thank you

[@evantgse]

This restores my faith in humanity

[@donaldkent7413]

Thankyou for your Service... :)

[@aznsuhhyun]

this so wholesome how this man acts like a kid again when he reunites with his old plane

[@jcw9396]

Great man for sure ......thank you .....you are a hero

[@scottmccloud9029]

I used to volunteer at the Wings Over Houston Airshow and a lot of the jet fighter pilots would say, They'd love to fly some of the old WW2 fighter aircraft. God bless you Sir. Thank you for our freedom.

[@dreeder192]

What a moving video. Thank you for your service. That line of '...think of the guys shot down.' Powerful.

[@brustar5152]

Any time they can present one of these WWII vets with the opportunity to go marching down memory lane, it's gift for those there to listen. They will soon be all gone along with their first person stories. That gentleman deserved to lay hands on that airframe before he leaves this life and regardless if it was his actual plane or not, I'll bet the two of them connected as kindred souls through metallurgical osmosis.

[@tomboard1]

Yeah, except it's not the plane he flew. It's another P-51.

[@michaelshan7141]

Mr. Browne, thank you for your service, thank you with all my sincerity!!

[@JD-gj2rj]

God bless you sir! You will always be a hero!!!

[@marcguidry5744]

God bless you sir, and thank you for your service.

[@billjamison2877]

This man is a True American Hero that answered the call to fight for the freedoms we have today but my heart aches for what America has become. The greatest generation, those who fought in WW II are almost gone now and when the last soldier passes on, the entire world will have lost one of its greatest treasures.

[@scable-eq7bp]

Some heroes don't wear capes............

[@BullGator-kd6ge]

He can fly though

[@stag3t-muspsa910]

Thank you sir...

[@chrisaguilera1564]

Deepest respect.

[@dufus2273]

Thank you Sir for your service and bravery.

[@er1073]

Thank you very much from a very thankful Marine sir.

[@jill9356]

What a sweet heart 😭 thank you

[@tomreinhartjr2237]

To ALL of our combat veterans that served in a war zone anywhere - Thank You for your service and your sacrifices! You are appreciated and loved. You are and always will be remembered.

[@rustleweighed-thrasher]

My Grandfather From Galveston, Texas was a topped out Navy plane mechanic in the Pacific theater. He seen these planes make it back to him with wings half gone, tail sections shot to pieces, oil leaking from motors with smoke rolling out of them like a dragster doing a burnout, and my Grandpa cleaned up canopies, cockpits, guages and controls covered in Blood...⚠️

[@simon6ppc246]

I actually wrote this comment when i stopped crying, absolutely brilliant..

[@morhywaden]

Very touching. We look at old faces and rarely get to see the boy or girl they once were.

[@jacobmccandles1767]

Thank you, sir.

[@danceskatehorse]

Touching, so touching…❤

[@Armand1970ful]

His hands touching the wing....that moment...that got me....damn

[@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348]

Thank you for your service Jerry! I’ve always admired combat pilots. It takes nerves of steel to fly these missions.

[@RD2564]

Jerry Browne Jr. seems like a nice guy.

[@johnjaco5544]

Much respect sir.

[@ronjessie8194]

Awesome reunion, you could see both the joy and the sadness in his reunion with this great aircraft.

[@LeMortso]

What a hero... THANK YOU SIR...

[@roryvonbrutt7302]

both icons thank you for your service sir ! ! !

[@timeinbu7909]

I salute you sir with utmost respect

[@bennygarr5468]

That was just awesome

[@normann4016]

Gosh ! so touching...

[@TheBTG88]

God bless you Jerry! Thank you for your service.

[@JB-sw8db]

An amazing man and patriot. They just don’t make them like this guy anymore.

[@wiltonsmith3397]

Lovely story. Very poorly worded title. He did not fly THAT airplane. He flew an airplane of the same make and model as the one in the video. Typical of the current sad state of journalism today. Unable to tell the TRUTH, no matter how hard they try.

[@JungleYT]

Echoed my exact same sentiments and thoughts... Scrolled down and saw your remarks. Glad I'm not the only one recognizing the sad state of journalism these days...

[@mikebornholdt3900]

Somehow it reminds me of journalism trying to make something that it isn't. Sounds better to tell it's the plane he flew when it's not, just a catchy phrase that attracts 1 or 2 extra viewers.

[@alanf403]

Today, it's all about clicks, watch-time and advertisements. Truth in journalism is a thing of the past.

[@doctormcgoveran2194]

There is nothing wrong here. This si not a documentary about the guy flying this specific airplane. I doubt if he would have had any different reaction to the exact plane. It may have been shot out from under him.

[@JungleYT]

@@mikebornholdt3900 Yeah... Guess so

[@Smoshy16]

God bless this man.

[@stressederic64]

Hats off to all gentlemen like him

[@user-qs9yn2zn4m]

God bless you bud you are a brave hero!!

[@terrybroadway2955]

The men and women of the Greatest generation was made of sterner stuff

[@oldmillrd1506]

And they would gladly wear a mask if it would help their country and fellow citizens stay safe. It's too bad so many americans don't know what the real meaning of being a patriot is and are unwilling to sacrifice even a small amount for the good of their country. How did we become such a selfish society?

[@NiallMor]

Thank you for your service, sir. My Dad also flew the P-51 during World War II.

[@stevelee4653]

remarkable man.. thank him for his service.. for he is a Patriot!

[@dwightdonnelly8662]

Lovely segment

[@doarmanmartinez5152]

Sir, Thank you for your service! 🫡🇺🇸

[@lookatmypfpbbg]

the greatest reunion

[@robleary3353]

Unassuming hero as they all were who served in that conflict and those that followed and serve today! Lest we forget!.

[@mode1charlie170]

Wow imagine being reunited with the very machine that brought you home safe and sound every day so you could live a long happy life.

[@TheSaturnV]

That's not his aircraft. It's a retired Air National Guard 2-place trainer.

[@jdsb-3707]

A true hero.

[@mr.morgan5643]

God bless you Mr. Jerry! Thank you for your Service Sir! Wish I could have been there with you! The Mustang is my favorite airplane too!

[@possumwilliams2940]

God Bless you Sir, Thank you so much for your service....May you soar with the ANGELS they are always needing great flyers✝️🙏🇺🇸

[@harveypost7799]

Really great doesn't anything other than my pain make me cry ...stay tuned..

[@maxwellbricks7632]

As Thomas Paine said, if there is trouble let it be in my day, that my child may live in peace. I am afraid we are there now. The few that are left must look around and see what is happening now & shake their head.

[@johnnyfreedom3437]

My father wouldn't get the schooling he needed to be a pilot, so he snuck into the Navy and spent his time as a tail gunner in a B-17 when he was only a teenager himself! (Snuck in at 16 years old!) When an air show was nearby and a B-17 flew overhead, my father came running out of the house going I know that sound, I know that sound! So I can relate to you sir! It was a strange experience looking at that tail Gunner seat where my dad's sat! He was stuck in there and whatever came at him came at him! But he only got the chance to shoot at 1 zero, missed! Thank you for your service sir!!

[@stevelauda5435]

GOD BLESS HIM, and he did get to fly the coolest ww2 fighter plane didnt he.....

[@cambium0]

Facing it all is its own kind of bravery

[@pleasantdaddy]

Outstanding

[@johngalletta9379]

My grandfather flow a P 51 at 16 yrs old . He retired 30 years later last plane was a F4 phantom at warren rob air force base in Macon ga. I'm building a P51 now wish he could b apart of this . Hats off sir. You are my hero

[@davidmurphy8190]

Warner Robins AFB

[@vincegedeon6583]

Beautiful machine

[@michaelmoore2802]

Respect to you Sir ❤ God bless

[@miketobin2324]

Thank you for your selfless service, Jerry Browne of the greatest generation!

[@steveaustin1111]

Like a reunion between old friends

[@rickharris5485]

They call his generation the Greatest Generation for a reason. Tough as nails and never complained about the tough conditions.

[@davidborowczyk]

God bless you sir

[@freedomforever6718]

Lt. Jerry Brown flew more than 20 combat missions in his career.

[@65strad]

Very cool.

[@scottorton482]

Thank you sir for what you did for this Country and the World.🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@chiefbobdavis99]

Outstanding story!

[@elijahglasser1421]

Awesome