Cowles, Richard B-17 Tail Gunner 

My dad was a tail gunner. Shot down on his 11th mission. This so good to hear of Richard’s experiences. My father never talked much about what happened. He settled down in Colorado Springs after the war. So this brings it more to home for me. Thank you for posting this.

Thank you.

These videos are amazing! It really really makes you feel like you were there with these men. They are so vivid. I love them. Thank you so much for posting these. Such heroes!. I keep thinking about the men who did not make it back. These men were so fortunate.

I would like to Thank You for preserving all these precious historical memories and for sharing with us.

Thank you for unwavering service for USA.

This is priceless. Thank you for presenting this. Thank you to Richard for telling his story.

That was a good one. Perform your duty to the best of your ability. That's what it's all about. Thank you so much.

I don’t know we’re you find all the wonderful men like Mr Cowles .wonderful interview thanks so much Ray for all your hard work.

This certainly was a cheerful interview! Thanks for another great job!

Thanks for doing such a great job of recording and sharing these priceless memories.

Thank you for your service

Camp Kilmer is about 3 miles from where I grew up I can remember it like it was yesterday

And I just cannot believe how young they were. 18, 19,20 years old. I look at kids that old these days and wonder how they ever did it.

It would have been interesting to hear more about the Warsaw mission and possible attacks from Soviet fighters etc., important work to get these people on tape, thank you for invaluable historical documentation. Chris Swenson

Richard's story has stayed with me - and I never forgot his gentle face. I am back here to give people a chance to find some more information about Richard. He flew some ops with an airman who flew 104 ops. This airman, Hewitt Dunn, became a bit of a war hero. Amongst the men he flew with, he had a reputation for recognising the worst ops, in briefing. He would walk in, sit on his chair and lean back on the back wall, his chair balanced on the back legs. If he stayed like that, the lads knew the op would not be too bad, but if he lowered the chair and sat square, taking notes, the lads knew it would be a howler. He was infamous for being able to call ack ack as likely to hit. Richard experienced quite a terrifying op with him. That op can be read about, with mentions of Richard, in some write ups, when researching Hewitt Dunn. After the war was over, Dunn had married again, having ditched a first wife and daughter, (He was I think 24ish, in the last years of the war, when he was flying). He had 3 children with his new wife. In 1961, when I believe he was 41ish, he and his wife had gone to an NCO's bar, maybe had food as well, and came home in an intense argument. At some point, Dunn assau lted his wife - badly, on the front lawn, and picked her up and threw her in a nearby ditch. I think she passed out, and when she came to, and lifted her head, she saw either her eldest son (about 13), or 2nd child, another son, (about 9 or 10), standing with a small rif le. He fir ed 5 sho ts at his father and ki lled him, intent on protecting his mother. Some newspapers reported it as an accident. That he d ied teaching gun safety to his son. But a few local papers reported the trag edy as it happened. So Dunn, despite medals, awards, for a long time, was mysteriously hard to find, for curious researchers, given he had been well known. I read that it was only when old local newspapers were accessible online, that this trag edy came to light. You can now get the full story. I have read different reports of which son, I have tried not to give specifics, because I do not personally know the details, but I have reported the framework for this story to be checked - and as I read of Dunn, I saw Richard's name. I think Richard was quite friendly with Dunn, but I am sure he and most of the flight had no idea what was happening in his family, post war. Ah! One of the stories Richard is telling near the middle of the video, mention's 'Buck' Dunn. That is Hewitt Dunn I am writing about.

Sheer guts to fly in these things, you will inspire your nation for eternity .

He is so sweet faced in his thumbnail? picture. I thought he would be English! I can't imagine putting him up for adoption. As a young man, he has the face of the most pretty puppy. I could no more reject him as a child, than kick a puppy. But then, sometimes, to give him a best chance at a good life, mother love would force you to tear out your heart for their best future. I want to weep for his mother. If I had to choose, I would have kept my daughter. Too scared of a predator getting access - but then I would beat myself up, because my poverty would effect her future. My heart just breaks for his mother. I am so glad he had a lovely life.

I can’t imagine staying in a position like that so long. We have to consider that when they talk about a target/ destination its not like a car trip where you can pull over and stretch. When I was young I could not stay awake on a long ride even if I had plenty of rest. I would never have made it as a pilot .

Nice story about the Russians. The Germans didn't stand a chance.

I think I have a problem with face recognition. So rarely can I recognise an older man with his young face. I cannot say I would have a clue if I saw this chap as he is in the interview, and if he stood next to his young photo. Not a clue. I feel quite disappointed in me.