WWII B-17 Bombardier Survives 35 Combat Missions, Including Two on D-Day | Ralph Goldsticker
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2024
- After failing to become a pilot, Ralph Goldsticker was not discouraged and took to the skies above Europe in the nose cone of a B-17 Flying Fortress as a bombardier and navigator. He would go on to fly 35 combat missions during his service.
Goldsticker would begin flying missions over the beaches of Normandy and would culminate with the bombing of Berlin and other German Cities. During his service he would be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the French Legion of Honor, and six other medals.
Learn more about the American Veterans Center: www.americanvet...
Help us tell more heroes stories and preserve the legacy of our Veterans. Support our mission: bit.ly/2UmsEj7
Like us on Facebook: / americanveteranscenter
Follow us on Twitter: / avcupdate
Follow us on Instagram: / americanveteranscenter
Subscribe to our podcast: www.spreaker.c...
![[UNCUT] “บอสณวัฒน์” ลากไส้!! ใครหนุนหลัง "แม่ตั๊ก ป๋าเบียร์" I คนดังนั่งเคลียร์ I 30 ก.ย. 67](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QlD7mU2KKRk/mqdefault.jpg)
My grandfather was a B24 pilot, 36 missions, Medal of Honor recipient, nothing compares to that generation. Truly the greatest.
My dad flew 35 missions also in WW2. He was in Fifteenth Army Air Force. Ninety Ninth Bomb Group. 416th Bomber Squadron. Mostly out of North Africa and Italy. Last mission was May 7th over SE Germany. Thank you for your service sir. God Bless all of our veterans.
I got to meet chuck Childs at a fagen fighters show He did 33 or 35, guy was almost 90 years old sitting in a golf cart. Guy tryed to steal my wife lol. He said hey young lady wants sit over her and listen to my war stories. God bless the greatest generation
My Dad was a bombardier with the 15th too. 301st heavy bomber sqn. 40 missions. He was the "old man" on the crew most of the time. He was 24 and had been in the Army for 4 years already. He had to fly a lot of missions because of the horrible loss of crews and Forts and the slow replacement rotation. He and all those Boys in the Bombers were true American heroes. Salute! ❤
❤❤
I love how he presented the shrapnel, dude is a natural storyteller!
We owe people like him so much, I can't even imagine what it was like.
Yes. We owe more than we could ever pay. All we can do is conduct our lives in a manner that honor those sacrifices.
A living piece of history, listening to him is like having my grandpas B24 flight logs read to me. Amazing details. We love our WWII vets
my father had a mission diary,,,left behind and filled out after each,,he was flak hit on #13,,,shaky hand writing half the time,,
@@richardsmith2684 4:54 😅
Thank you for your Service, courage and sacrifice for freedom 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
These guys were phenomenal. Heroic beyond description. About 10 years ago I was fortunate enough to go to an air show w B17s. As I crawled inside I was dumbfounded as to how cramped and small it was. You couldn’t stand up. I paid $400 for a 5 minute flight. I came down and my wife was waiting. She said how was it? I looked at her and said there’s no fn way I would have flown in these things. I can’t even imagine being 30,000 ft at -30 with flak and enemy aircraft. Jesus. I was a grunt in Vietnam 68-70. I’ll take the ground any day. My salute to every guy who ever flew in these🇺🇸
ha, I laughed at your response to your wife asking how was it? Yeah imagine being in one of those ball turrets on a mission in -30 degrees unpressurised for 14 hours 😶😶
Amazing stories from this brave airman who flew all those combat missions and somehow survived to tell his stories today so many years later. There are no words strong enough to express my admiration for this man and countless others who did their duty to help save the world from Hitler and the Nazis.
VALORIOUS
I feel that same way. Got bless you Sir and merry Christmas and Happ new year 🎊
Sharp as a tack, what incredible recollection.
I was thinking the same thing. U tend to remember moments before u think ur going to die. This guy did that many times.
Meanwhile I can't remember what I had for breakfast.
You dont forget what those guys witnessed
This is what people endured to ensure that YOU have the rights and liberties largely taken for granted. Today those rights and liberties are under even greater threat. I fear that the enemy is within this time around and if people don’t recognise the threat and act accordingly, everything these brave and selfless people gave us, on a silver platter at no cost to us personally will be gone forever.
Well said. And it needs to be said.
I’m doing what I can. This one is a psychological war. I’m good at figuring things out, but the way people choose evil wilfully and hubristically in their hearts is a dastardly thing. I’ve been looking it in the eye when it comes up to the surface. It’s a war of words and for reputation. Speaking words of personal independence and of well-grounded inspiration arouses the evil egotist - the accuser - in the ideologically possessed, and when the monster comes out the person can be neutralized if handled carefully. Learn psychology, and it’ll help you to be less afraid but it’ll also give you tools and ways to trick the enemy. This is a psychological war for the social standing - which means pay and food, and well-being. When this enemy is on to you that you’re on to it, its weapon is calumny and social isolation. This war can only be fought one-on-one, moment to moment. Good luck out there. Steady as she goes.
I agree 100%. Americans who hate America have grown in number to an alarming level.
@@soyounoat I guess they are not Americans then.
@@bensears7499 doesn't matter. They outnumber you unfortunately.
This generation has NO equal, my Dad was a 19 year old B-24 pilot, it is freezing @ that altitude & oh yeah, enemy fighters & flak trying to shoot you down, nowadays the 19 year old cries when soy latte not hot enough.
Braver smarter , more of a man than I could hope to be . You are the American we all aspire to be . Thank you Sir for sharing this !
This guy have to be in his 90s he is sharp with his memories and I can listen to him all day. Thank you sir for your service
This man is a national treasure. I can’t imagine what it took to go back up a second time after experiencing the fighter attacks, the flak; and watching so many other planes being shot down. I’ll bet he aged 10 years mentally every time he went up. God bless him.
This man has seen A LOT of the war, bless him
My great grandfather was a b17 belly gunner for 50 missions which they required only 25
Had the pleasure of meeting Ralph yesterday evening. What a gentleman and hero! ❤️
This gentleman did not miss a beat, rare at this age. Thank you for your service sir and it was an honor to listen.
Thanks to all our veterans, especially to those who never came home.
These videos need a love not a like button.
“No greater love than to give one’s life for his brothers.” Thank you ,sir and to your comrades for your sacrifices .
My dad was a Bombardier on a B17 in England. He only told me he was an “equipment operator “ in the war. After he passed away i was going through all of his stuff and found his ribbons, medals and his dd-214. I wish I could have heard his stories.
A statistic I found interesting, the 8th Air Force had over 26,000 causualties in 2 years. The USMC lost 24,511 (19,733 battle casualties) the entire war. The island hopping campaign was as close to hell on earth (as is all combat) as you will find. But the number of Airmen that went out on a mission, and never came home is mind boggling. It took a special kind of heroic to go back out, after seeing 50% of your Airmen shot down, and there was nothing you could do. Respect is just such an insignificant word, compared to how I feel about these men.
The word sir, is VALORIOUS. 🇺🇸
Well said
Casualties does not mean killed, it includes wounded. The USMC had more casualties in Vietnam than WWII, but fewer KIA.
@@stevek8829 I was listing KIA numbers. The Marines lost almost 5000 non combat fatalities, that 19,733 is KIA. It is hard to find a hard number on AAF fatalities broken down in combat deaths, and non combat. Since they were part of the Army then, I could not find that stat for AAF only. It was probably pretty high, flying did not have quite the flying record we have today.
@@philbrennaman4572 I gathered that you were, and I corrected. You're welcome.
No words are sufficient to express my gratitude for the greatest generation. My Dad survived 34 missions as a gunner on a B17 in the 15th AF and was sent home after VE day and on his way to the pacific when the war ended. A slow salute of respect and esp. for the Tuskegee Airmen that flew cover for them. I owe them my life.
My grandpa was a Navigator in the 8th Air Force Spring-Summer of ‘44 (384th Bomb Group).
Sounds like he may have been on some of the same missions, at least as part of a larger formation. He was over Caen on D-Day, though his target was a bridge. Then on June 8th he was over Orleans hitting a railroad bridge (not sure if it was the same bridge Ralph talks about in this video).
For some reason he only needed 31 missions, not 35. First half of his tour was mostly bombing Luftwaffe targets in Germany, then D-Day happened and most of his targets were in France. His tour ended mid-July, which was a good thing because they were flipping from bombing France and going back to Germany. A lot of the guys he went over there with got shot down during their last missions. But grandpa had already gotten 31 missions so all he could do was sit in the barracks and wait for news.
He passed back in ‘07, I used to ask him all about the war, but I was a kid so there were a lot of questions I didn’t know how to ask yet. I’m glad this channel is preserving the memories of those who were there.
Wow. Make a video. Do your research and honor his memory.
WW2 hero PLUS! Thanks for making the internview.
I just can’t imagine what it would be like to be flying one of those amazing planes through flak in the night sky. must have been terrifying I just see all the noise and rattling in movies and imagine how much worse and crazier it probably was from the eyes of the pilot actually being there.
First imagine just riding in one. You might be a radio gunner next to an open window at 25,000 ft and 40° below zero with 250 mph winds blowing through. You have to wear oxygen masks and wear thick gloves while you make sure your 50 BMG is ready. That's enough for me, without the flak and search lights and fighters. Pilots nowadays crash if a kid points a laser pointer at them.
@@stevek8829 I was lucky enough to go on a flight tour in a b17 a little over a year ago, they are incredibly loud inside, cold af, there is only sheet metal between you and outside, and very little room to move around. If I was any bigger (I’m 5’9 190lbs) i think I would be too big to move around with any comfort. What a plane tho, it’s amazing.
God Bless You Sir.
Wow, what an amazing fellow. 👏 wish I knew more details about this guy.
100 years old and still on point. Amazing
True American hero. Thank you for all you gave sir. My grandpa was in AAA 136th BN t4 communications specialist.
Love these stories watched every single one and its incredible to hear these veterans talk
Im working on it. Taking it slow but steady.
Isn't it. Just fantastic!!
The 8th Air Corps consisted entirely of great men. God bless them.
100% Respect 👍
I have such a soft spot for all these guys they were tougher than an old boot. They don't make men like this anymore .
I had 2 great uncles that served in ww2.. one was a pilot and the other was a rifleman... the pilot Uncle Edwin came back and was a farmer until the day he passed away and I'd go out to help him do chores including bailing hay.. the soldier became a owner operator truck driver that ran from the midwest out to California and back every week and was the first one to take me to Cali at the age of 10 in a semi truck.. I loved when they'd come pick me up because they needed some help doing whatever.. I didn't mind the work especially because I knew that at lunch or supper I'd get to ask questions about their experience in the war.. that generation of Americans was the best that has & will ever be..
The Greatest Generation. This gentleman epitomizes whybtheyvare called that. My year as crew chief on a Huey was child's play compared to one mission these men flew.
My uncle survived 27 missions as a ball turret gunner. He kept journal and I can say that it's amazing to read.
Respect for him. Any who survived were very lucky. My uncle was a tailgunner and survived 35 missions including 3 crash landings and getting peppered with shrapnel over France. His pilot got decapitated by a flak burst over Hamburg.
Thank you
This channel deserves more subs
I think its fine where its at.
The truth hurts. They can't handle it.
I am posting this on the Anniversary of D Day 2023… They don’t make MEN like this anymore… Thank you kind sir for all your service… My Dad flew 5 missions on D Day and I know that from is Obituary when he died in 2001.. He never talked about the war or his service.. I feel I missed so much knowledge from him 😢
Thank you and your parents for creating a brAve, true , and ferocious knight of the skies , thank you your service, amen
My dad flew 33 missions as a tail gunner, that we know of. He never would tell us. He flew over Omaha Beach bombing and strafing enemy tanks. They lost one man, a waist gunner and he said that was a good day. Now our country celebrates Nazis. I can’t imagine the hurt he would feel if he was alive today. He was in the 369th bomb group.
Our country celebrates Nazi's?
I must have missed that.
Master of Air book told great details about everything they did.
Thank you Sir
Those guys had guts.
Where did we find such men? Amazing. I have been under artillery fire and it turns your guts to jelly.
I'm glad you got home. Hope you're well.
This was extremely informative. Great storytelling. Thanks.
Our family doctor was a B-17 pilot who went to medical school on the GI Bill.
But I was too young to note, or to appreciate, what he tried to tell me.
Thank you for sharing with the future. These stories will always be relevant.
Unfathomable. For anyone who might be interested in watching many of the similar accounts as this Veteran has been through in a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber during World War II, I highly recommend watching "Memphis Belle". I salute you sir.
Can't believe he can remember the dates and time of the day of the missions. Thank you for your service sir. God Bless You
Imagine one flak burst knocking out two engines
A wonderful remembrance. We should all remember that freedom is not free.
In St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, England, behind the main altar, is the American Memorial Chapel. In the Chapel is a huge leather bound book. The book contains the names of every American serviceman who was stationed in England and was killed in World War 2. Every day they turn a page.
This man is over 100 years old and sharp as a tack
A salute sir. Thank you so much.
What a f**king BOSS and his mind is so sharp.
Happy Belated Birthday Grandpa Goldsticker! And thank you🇺🇸 🏅
(and the 6 dislikes, you may want to reconsider. This guy is a bada**!)
Sir, thank you so much for what you did! It must have been harrowing to experience the Nazi air defenses. And thank you for sharing your stories with us. I truly appreciate it! Such an amazing experience for you and others. I can’t even imagine the stress. You’re a champ and we appreciate you and what you did!
What a guy. God 🙏🙏🙏 bless you sir. Thank you for all you did, and your mates also!
Stumbled on this and it made my day! Freedom is not free, thanks for your courage sir.
Guy is amazing
God Bless. Airborne🚬
What a lucky man!
Thank you for your service and sacrifice 🙏 ❤. Those memories are part of you and history. They never fade in your mind. I know because my father was a WWII soldier.
These dudes are so bad ass. The real mystery is how did the B17 carry all those men with such huge nuts. Like how did the plane even fly with a metric ton of iron balls
These interviews are fantastic - and for so many reasons. My first impression of all these men is how much trauma they went through most days of their lives. I do admire their courage. It is good that we honour these men by asking about their experiences. It’s also a fantastic historical record. I’m glad they were willing to relive their experiences. But my main reaction to all these accounts is that I admire them for enduring their ordeal. Imagine the guts it takes to go into action day after day, knowing their chance of survival is about 50% … imagine that strain. Anyway, thank you for making the interviews and posting them. This is a great resource of first hand experiences. Something that can’t be matched by historical accounts.
Great therapy also, for so many.
Survived 35 missions. Incredible.
Thank you Sir for your service and all the rest of you brave veterans .
No notes, impressive. We're all glad you made it back from Berlin. He is a piece of American history!
Love when there’s new veteran videos . Need more Vietnam ones
There coming. God 🙏🙏 bless you. Thanks! Special people.
They are trying to get all the WWII guys before they are all gone. Luckily we have a few more years to get to the Vietnam guys before they have all passed.
@@Error_404-F.cks_Not_Found yeah that makes sense
@@Error_404-F.cks_Not_Found what I figured also but asked kind of the same question on another interview. Just was putting it out there. Hoping they do.
@@23draft7 I agree for sure.
My father fought the Germans in WW2 in the infantry and was the greatest man I've ever known, but every single man who fought in WW2 are legendary among men and truly are the greatest generation of men in history!! There will never be another generation of men like these men!! TRUE PATRIOTISM!!
God bless all those brave soldiers in WW11 everyone one of them true American heros
What a wonderful HERO, HE WENT INTO EVERY MISSION NOT KNOWING IF HE WOULD MAKE IT BACK. THERE WERE SO MANY THAT DIDN'T. THANKS FOR MY FREEDOM.
Wow! Incredible.
One can only have but the utmost respect for those Veterans.
Love you sir
I really don’t want to justify the mass bombing of Germany including civilians but the German Luftwaffe was mostly destroyed pre D Day defending the Fatherland. There were around one million Germans involved in the manning of FLAK guns and the famous 88mm had to rebarreled after around 500 shots and each shell cost a week’s wages.
Thanks for doing the interview/video, and thank you to the airman for your unselfish service to our country.
Even though these men will not accept the moniker of “Heroes,” these MEN are truly the LAST of the “GREAT AMERICAN HERO CLASS!”
Thank you for your Service Sir
You literally helped save the World.
See every guy has a story from what they did. Who they shot and killed. And what they were ordered to do.
And every ww2 man who talks about what they did. What they endured during the war.
Their memories are so vivid.
The pain an nightmares has not gone away. Some 75 yrs ago. Like it jus happened yesterday.
I dont care about getting likes to this comment.
I care about only one thing.
Because of your part. And every ones elses who made it back state side. And those who didn't.
I think. About all the things i would not have.
If you guys didn't have the steal balls that you had .
Because of you what you guys did how you guys fought fair or not.
Because of you. Guys.
Im alive today... And i am so appreciative. Even on my really really bad days..
Thank you for sharing your story.
The descriptions Ralph gives of the bombing missions he was involved in are incredibly detailed and visceral. Wow!
Nuff said…”I saw everything except canoes” Friggin warrior right here and the rest of them that sacrificed for our freedom. Last of the very best
My dad was a B-17 pilot. He flew 35 bombing missions in WWII. Being a B-17 pilot was what he was proudest of during his 20 years in the military.
What a memory , God Bless him .
A very courageous man! Thank you for your service!
Amazingly horrible what these guys went through. As a "job", the US European bombers lost more men than the Marines in the South Pacific and the Infantry in Europe. Pretty eye opening. Scary that one had a better chance of survival in the Huertgen forest and western Germany as an infantryman than as a flier in the 8th Air Force.
I feeled Honored just listening too this Patriot American" If it wasn't for
Guys like this Patriot 👌 We all would
Be Speaking German and Japanese"
Thank you for your service sir .
Thank you for my freedom Sir!! Thank you for your service!!!
Hey American Veterans Center, id you traslate these interviews to spanish you will have thousand and thousand followers, there are too much people interested in this kind of videos, make that investment 👍
Amazing story
Imagine If this guy were President how great America would be.
Wow what a hero, he was one of millions of war heroes, who saved America. God bless this man
Make America Great...Yhea you're looking at it.
God bless you, and thank you for your bravery SIR!!!
Thank you sir for your incredible sacrifice for the free world.
My dad was in the same bomb group and shared some of the same missions
Amazing stories! Thank you for your service!
These stories are fantastic. The average Joes and Janes doing above average feats.
Who even puts a thumbs down on these things lol
Oh they're part of the "weak as piss generation!!"🙄
too bad our youth don't appreciate the efforts of those men...