B-17 Nine O Nine Pilot Basil Hackleman Interview V 

The thing I have noticed with Mr Hacklemans generation is when they are asked a question they listen and answer your question . They do not distract, if asked they answer and its really up to you to ask the right questions to learn what you want to know,they were and are very kind and smart people.

My Methodist pastor, Joe Helle, was a B-17 pilot. I found out when I was accepted into the USAF for pilot training. Joe came over with a model of the plane, and I just about fell off the chair hearing his war stories of which I had no clue - including having a metal plate in his head. These guys were real heroes.

An amazing man with some amazing stories. The interviewer did an excellent job. He didn't interrupt. He let Mr. Hackleman tell his stories at his own pace and share his memories. Thank you.

Amazing story.....My father-in-law flew right waist gunner in "Belligerent Beauty" B-17 .... total of 18 missions as a replacement crew and two-time winner of the "Caterpillar"....he painted the nose art, and had the nickname of "The Professor" because he taught some art to the crew....he is a professor emeritus of Art at a university in the San Jose, California area...is now 95 and still gets around. I'm very proud of this lad who says the crew would do it all over, again....true heroes, one and all. 95th Bomb Group, Heavy...335th Squadron. He's the last of the lads.

One of the best interviews I have ever listened to. Interviewer didnt interrupt and let Mr Hackleman take his time. Thank you Basil and thank you to the interviewer for both doing such a great job

What a memory he had. 👍 I can't remember what I did yesterday. Thanks for this quality interview.

As Basil was in the 91st B.G. He would have been known as a "Ragged Irregular" based at Bassingbourn near Royston England. The next time I travel up the A1198 and pass the old base, I will salute you Sir ! God bless, and God bless the United States of America.

My Dad also flew 30 missions as a waist gunner on the B-17. You are a miracle, thanks for your service Basil.

Respect and condolences to crew, passengers and family for what happened today - So sorry to hear about this.

What a wonderful gentleman and with an astonishing memory for fine detail. I was tickled by the date of his first flight - 6 days before I was born in Oct 1942.

I grew up hearing stories from these men in the 1970’s. They are and were wonderful generation of men and women. They grew up in incredibly hard times (Great Depression) and loved this country enough to fight and die. I miss this group of men and women very much. The Brits were of that generation were also incredible people. They weren’t perfect, no generation is but they sure tried hard to be honorable and I believe they left the world a better place. I personally feel like the US and Western Europe has lost our way, Our nations are in big trouble. I hope we can find the strength from within to fight like this generation to insure the constitution and the freedoms we have had continue for future generations.

Mr. Hackleman was an amazing fellow as was this interview. I could have listened to him for hours.

This man flew the 909 when it was new, and today it was destroyed. Mr. Hackleman passed away on Feb 28, 2016. Quite a gentleman!

Thxs for taking the time to share with us your experience,we will never understand what you had to go through,,thxs for all,,,gb

That old timer and rest of the WW1 WW2 crowd is an AMERICAN TREASURE and I don't have the vocabulary skills to stress the importance and bravery they had to do just so we can be truly free, I had to work under many of the ww2 vets when I was young man and these guys are a cut above, THAT'S WHY THEY ARE CALLED THE GREATEST GENERATION, thanks for giving it all

What a great interview and special hero! His memory is sharp as a tack...wow! I had 2 great-uncles who flew in WWII, so I really enjoyed this video! These men were as tough as nails! I cannot imagine what they went through! Thanks for sharing this!

I belong to the MVPA ( Military Vehicle Preservation Association ) and one of the great things is listening to the stories from the Vets of WWII and Korea , some amazing stuff ,TRUE HEROES . Great Video !!!

It’s amazing to hear these guys “HANGER FLYING” Talking about combat flying

A wonderful interview. Thank you Basil for your devoted service in allowing for the freedom I live today. You are a very brave man and had what it takes to deal with such scary situations at such a young age. I enjoyed listening to you and I thank the interviewer for doing such a fine job thank you.

What an amazing man and interview! Thank you for capturing his story!

Our greatest generation....by far.

I was On The Nine O Nine Many Times Before the Crash. awesome aircraft.

We found my dad's logbook from the Navy after he passed away. 530 combat missions, Including Truk, the turkey shoot , Combat air patrols, reconnaissance, and ground attack missions. He wouldn't talk about any of it. He had three Hellcats 1 damaged over Truk by AAA didn't make it back to the USS Essex. The second was damaged so badly that it was shoved over the side of the ship. He mostly was in a Hellcat but also a SB2C ( Son of a bitch Second Class)

By accident, I learned my Colt League baseball coach was a ball turret gunner in a '17. He fielded a hundred questions from us boys over the next several years. Bless him. Leslie Whitehead, RIP.

Thankyou for your service sir.

Amazing interview ! I have nothing but the up most respect for these veterans ! Thank you for sharing this video. I'd love to meet one of these veterans and buy them a beer, I could listen to their story's all day

2 WW2 vets in immeadiate family. God Bless them all. Rode in a B-17 out of Hollman Field in St.Paul MN. Incrediable expirence. I believe it was painted 9 0 9 !

I've got a name for your ship... how about the "Helen Back"? He's right about the unmistakable sound of a B-17! Thanks to some "Good Ol' Gramps", i still hear one on it's way to an airshow somewhere. The 4 eight cylinder Wright Cyclone engines when trimmed in and running in harmony, they have the sound of freedom's song. It becomes possible to imagine the "angry hornets" drone of hundreds of those old War Machines. It makes your neck hair stand up!

May God bless this man! (Erik, please edit the description for this video. You currently have it as "Basil flew the original 908 during WWII")

Great stories. Very good at bringing you along on his career.

great story, loved every minute of it...thank you Sir...

Thank you for your service!! You are a true American hero!

There speaks a pilot who flew formation.. I flew Huey's with the 68th Assault Helicopter Co in RVN, hundreds of hours flying formation on combat assaults.. Funny to hear him speak of formation turns and radius.. For Hueys, if you are on the inside of the turn you have to reduce power to slow down since your radius is shorter than lead's or else you will fly past lead.. If you are on the outside of the turn, you have to increase power and speed up since your radius is longer else you will be left behind by lead.. Hell yes, you made gentle turns, even with only 10 helicopters.. This man is a formation flight library.. Great to hear him speak of flying formation..

The 909 B-17 that crashed never was in combat during WW2. It was one of the last ones built and after restoration was given the 909 designation. Hearing Basil talk about his flying times makes me want to go do some strafing runs in my Cub. God bless all of those who’ve served our great country.

The greatest generation ever ! Thanks for my freedom ! Everday they are in my mind and thoughts !

Sadly the NINE O NINE plane crashed today at Bradley International Airport in Hartford Connecticut this morning

God bless you! Thank you for your service!!

wow combat at 28k feet, just think about that next time you are in an airliner.. these guys had balls of steel. amazing he survived 30 missions!!!

My friend, Hollis Bean, was a tail gunner in a B17.

Much respect for Basel. My Uncle flew B17 out of Italy. 15th Air Force I believe..

There was the story I recently heard of a German fighter pilot actually escorting a terribly damaged B17 back to the English Channel. He refused to finish the bomber off and instead protected it. This would make a great movie and one more I'd love to see.

My condolences to the friends and families,.

My Father was in The RAF during WWII . Enigma.

I really loved that. Thank you.

RIP SIR ON YOUR NEXT JOURNEY FLYING IN THE HEAVENS

The weather was so terrible even the ducks were walking.

Thank You for your service sir

30 missions. Incredible. The man is unbelievably lucky to have survived the war. Thank you, sir, for ensuring my freedom.

My Uncle Arthur Klinger also piloted missions on the original Nine 0 Nine in 1944. I have a nice picture of the plane signed by my uncle Art and also signed by Basil Hackleman. Under Art's signature he states 27 missions on Nine 0 Nine in 1944 & under Basil's signature he states he flew 15 missions in the Nine 0 Nine.

"If I could get the engine started, I could fly it!" - Mr. Basil Hackleman : referring to flying unofficial hours on Mustangs and Lightnings!

Even the ducks were walking that day lmao Thank You Thank You Sir for everything for you Service

Thank you!

Some of my favorite old WWII movies are with bombers like the B17. A couple are Twelve O'clock High and the other, The War Lover with Steve McQueen. I would love to hear some of these old bomber veterans perspectives of these movies. Which was their favorite movie? What did they like or dislike about the movie, The Memphis Bell?

I don't think anyone seeing this interview (except military folks, which I am not) can imagine the guts and stamina to fly B-17 missions in the MIghty Eighth over nazi territory!! Most guys didn't even get to 30 missions. Every time you get into the plane you must feel like you're not coming back.

OUTSTANDING. ! 👍👍

Just imagine for a moment what the world situation could look like now had it not been for the brave pilots and crews that flew into danger mission after mission in conditions that most of us can't even imagine to fight for people they had never met and for those not even born yet. These young pilots and crews showed incredible bravery every time they went up and yet when you listen to Mr Hackleman you hear only humility. They speak of it as just a job and something that had to be done and yet we all know what heroes they actually are. We should all thank God that in times that call for brave men and these days brave women like this to step forward and risk their lives for all of us. Each year we loose a few more of these heroes that will no longer be around to tell their stories. We must all make sure that their service and sacrifices are never forgotten or taken for granted. We owe them much more than we could ever do for them but we can at least do this much for them because they earned it. I got the chance a few years ago to travel to a world war two cemetery. I was expecting to feel sad at the site of so many graves of those who had fallen in battle but i found that i couldn't feel sad. Instead what i felt was an overwhelming feeling of honor and pride to have the chance to come to salute them and honor them. I was formerly in the military and i heard the words honor, duty, and dedication to your country many times. In that moment standing there in the presence of so many that had fallen the true feeling and meaning of what those words really mean hit home with me. Since that day i've truly taken to heart the blessing that each new day brings and the pride that such men as those who lay before me had once given everything so that all of our lives could be lived out in peace and freedom. God bless you Mr Hackleman and all of those like you who served and sacrificed for us all so long ago.

Thank you Sir

Its amazing how they allowed you to fly back then a B-17 with only 210 hrs of flying and then after 100 hrs cut you loose!! I would have absolutely loved to be a pilot in those days! Even if i paid the ultimate prize.

If I Could Get The Engine Started, I Could Fly It !!!!

Love this guy. R.I.P.

It would be helpful if I knew the name and discharge rank of this hero. Try to formalize and create a format so these gentlemen have a framework and your audience will have a better perspective.

Such a shame after all 909 survived for the plane to crash a couple years ago

My father was a grunt in WW2 in the South pacific.

everyone in 8th Air Force = heroes. 8th AIr Force combat crews = special heroes.

What a cool guy Rip

Nine 0 Nine toured the area here couple months ago as a wwll veteran here was a propeller specialist was sadened to hear the loss of 909 as this plane had two prior crashes one in 1987 in Beaver County Pa and in Nebraska in 1995. as of the accident the Collings Foundation has suspended its Wings of Freedom tour for the rest of 2019. as 2011 another B-17 was lost in a fire but no fatalities which was the Liberty Belle. as 909 is currently being investigated by the NTSB as the NTSB has secured the #4 engine that was reported problems. it said the engines, propellers, and airframe has been inspected in Janurary 2019. as there is currently 9 airworthy B-17s in the US left and one in the UK. with some under restoration for airworthy and display.

Didn't the Nine-0-Nine crash a few years ago and get totally destroyed?

I heard the Germans would fly Stukas above these tight Bomber formations and drop bombs on them. How often would that happen?

This guy might have known my Grandfather “John Garrett”. He ended up killing Nazis in Italy.

My father said the same, Smelled like a new car.

This is NOT the pilot at the controls when the 909 crashed.

Rest easy master aviator, rest easy

Correct

Rip b17 909

These men were truly courageous who fought, killed and died for our country. Many of today's crop of young men won't even wear a face mask or was their hands.

I wonder what he thinks about the people that crashed his plane

Fascist destroyers. What an era! It’s the grasping of the edges of their experience, that warms me

still see the google wear on his face

Always thought the phrase "Free, white and 21" was a little redundant, no?