Veteran WWII - Ball Turret Gunner - B-17

Earl Mills is small so he is a natural for the cramped ball-turret. Today he is 100 pct disabled from a chronic nervous condition from the war. In this piece of his hour long interview with ME3TV.org - he talks about a particular raid over Germany. This a part of a Veteran History Project with the Library of Congress. More excellent wwi veteran interviews at http://www.me3tv.org.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• WWII
• earl
• Mills
• me3tv
• buzzcreek
• B-17
• Ball
• Turret
• Germany
• Veteran

[me3tv]

Mr. Mills contacted me after a news article that I was doing veteran interviews. I can still remember his comment on the phone .. "You need to hurry and tape us now .. we are dying like flies out here!!" (in that gravely voice- a semi yell - demanding I interview more vets). So many video cameras out there and it bothers me that so few people will pick one up and interview these folks.

[me3tv]

The full video with Mr. Mills he talks of his eventual return to the USA and years of psycho therapy. He began eating his nails. Then the skin off the back of his hands and then his arms. He remains to this day 100 pct. neurologically disabled. His full interview was very colorful and he was quite interesting to interview. me3tv.

[me3tv]

EKD?? You do NOT believe those Jewish (and others)dead bodies were real? I have talked many times with vets who were there on the ground - some who took photos and films themselves. I hold copies of films made by one vet who was there. That said, perhaps the Jews are among the most vocal about the history whereas we must be mindful that the human tragedy of the period affected a wide swath of peoples and cultures. Bless them all.

[BlakeC94]

omg. look a you guys! seriously, do you guys ever stop with these arguments? Its a fucking video on Youtube, god... Thats all i ever see in the comments... Arguments, arguments, and more arguments. What happend to respectful comments and such? Woow

[Budma30k]

The toughest ride in the Air Corp,is the ball gunner ,What a Man.

[eclipser2004]

Thank you Mr. Mills for your valiant efforts and your personal sacrifices. You are an inspiration to us all. Your brave fight was honourable and just, and we live as we do today because of millions of men and women like you. Thanks again. Greetings from Newfoundland, Canada

[Jess0062]

Earl is a wonderful man, I know him well. He has no real family of his own, but his late girlfriend's (of many years) family takes care of him now like he's one of their own family. They love him dearly and always make sure he has everything he needs and that he's never lonely. They're my mother's cousins. I see him about once a year when they bring him with them to our annual family reunion. He's so sweet and funny, and he always dresses so dapper and flirts with all the girls. lol.

[TheBeechingAxe]

At least they didn't have to wash him out with a hose -

[randyretherford]

@me3tv thank you sir for uploading this video. I always loved the b-17,and think we need to honor those brave men who flew in them. going against the odds to do a very dangerous job. thank you sir

[gman1225]

Who's the faggot that disliked this. Leave him in a room with a few family members of fallen soldiers. 

[azthundercloud]

i recently went to an air museum and they were nice enough to open the side door of a B-17. those men had courage like no other to fly on those vehicles and the ball turret gunner had balls of steel to do their job.

[IslandThunder84]

I have a relative who served in Vietnam as a B52 bomber pilot. I wonder if he went through things like this man. God bless our Vets

[rickbar123]

A small guy with a huge set of you know whats

[openallnite1]

Check out my documentary about B-17 ball turret gunner, Pike Levine.

Search keyword: "Pike Levine"

[tonyktx44]

Damn Heros Every one. God bless'em