How One Mistake May Have Saved This B-29 

This guy is a hero and no doubt one of the last survivors to have been a B29 crew member during WW2! We thank him for his service and appreciated him taking the time & effort to tell his story. To be honest I'd like to hear more about his B29 experiences.

Manny is fantastic! I love the part where he says that he doesn't give a !@#$! about looking good, because his life has been miraculous! I teared up. What a generation! ❤

Great interview with an increasingly rare WW2 veteran. Reminds me of when I met some of the few remaining Canadian vets of WWI as a cub scout in the early 1980s.

Thank you so much for interviewing great men like this. I think you realize how important it is. Please keep it up!

Sooo many good things happened and this is one of them. Fate was with the crew and Manny - a reason for everything.

I never thought about tail gunners during a crash landing...I had the fortune of flying in a B-29 this past fall and got to crawl back to the tail in flight and there truly is no room to maneuver or anywhere to go. I respect those men who made that decision to post there. I have plenty of pictures and videos of inside and during the flight down at the tail and blister guns if they'd be of any use for documentation that I'd be glad to share

Manny, that wasn’t a dumb mistake, that was fate giving you and your mates a fighting chance to survive what was coming later in that flight.

Great story, and yes, Manny is a hero, even if it was unintentional. Guys like him are a rare breed these days.

Love Manny! One of my favorite Vets that we’ve filmed 🎥

Amazing story I think he made the wise mistake on that training day and saved most of the crewmen can't wait for part 2 thanks for sharing Manny your a True Hero

Manny’s story is just remarkable! And hey, just wanted to let you know that the other night’s film session didn’t work out, and I apologize for it, but for the next one that requires an aircraft I own, I will get it right!

Props to Manny. I joined the Infantry during OEF for the same reason

Another great interview TJ! Yes, I think his “ mistake “ saved lives. Looking forward to part 2. Thanks for keeping theses stories alive. Thank you for your service to all the veterans out there.

Manny you are an inspiration. Thank you for your service.

This guy is great! He has nothing to fear. In my mind he is one of the heros of WWII, and I could listen to him and guys like him talk all day. You're great, Manny! God bless you!!!

Much respect for Manny! He’s a hero ❤

That's what I would call a Hero. Saving his crew and the other people onboard makes him in my mind a real HERO. 👍

Its funny when he say "I don't give a sh*t" 😂😂😂😂😂

TJ, this veteran is indeed a hero. Another great job from you. You drive the narrative perfectly. The story is flowing completely. I'm looking forward to the second part. Thank you very much.

Interview Manny some more! In fact, take him to go see either Doc or FIFi. Then hit record on the camera and just let him talk uninterrupted. We could listen that exchange for hours.

Love these guys; my father flew a Dornier 17 bomber in 1941/2 and was shot down after a London harbor bombing raid. All of his crew survived the Channel water ditching.

I love this guy instantly. He's absolutely magnetic.

Mistakes happen, but mannys is not one even though the crew chief probably didn't think so

Much respect for Manny, truly a hero.

That ridiculous "Hollywood Producer" remark about making Manny look good in post got just the response it deserved. God bless you, Manny.

Initially the B29 had problems to begin with. Pressing both buttons at the same time is something that should have been checked by Boeing. Manny did their homework for them. It also had a ridged nose gear. That was a mistake as far as I’m concerned. I imagine Darryl Greenamyer and his crew that tried to rescue the Kee Bird would tell you the same thing. Darryl has since passed. If anyone is interested, NOVA made a program entitled “B-29 Frozen in Time”. I can’t watch it anymore though. If you really want to smile, look up “Glacier Girl” about the successful recovery and recovery of a P-38 Lightning. The restoration took I want to say 10 years? Long story short she’s flying today. Sorry for the bunny trail. Manny is clearly a hero for a couple of really good reasons. The incident with the bomb bay doors and the fact he could have sat the war out behind a desk. He’s like other soldiers who though even wounded, kept on fighting. Thank you for your service Manny. Thank you for this channel. See you in the next installment.

Manny, I am a 56yr old kid/man...(age is not a # as the saying goes)....Having been a youngster during Vietnam...having neighbors and relatives who sacrificed, fought, died and have been POWs there is NO ONE ON THIS PLANET I RESSPECT, ADMIRE, AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THAN YOU...and those of your Generation...It hurts my heart with the passage of time....having lost all of those I loved and knew personally who I had admired, revered from my childhood. I have 2 Uncles that are still with us who fought in Vietnam. One retired as a General and a former Wing Commander....the other, lived with me and my family for ~2 yrs after we met him upon his return the States from Vietnam....his return was due to being wounded...he was shot 5 times, wasn't captured and within a month was living with us. He has never spoken a word about the war nor does he have anything in his home to give someone reason to believe he was ever in combat...but he was....I love and respect them but had a special admiration for my "Uncle Shelby"...his B-24 was shotdown...he somehow managed to get out of the spiralling aircraft resulting in him being captured by the Germans and became a POW. This may shock some people but one of our neighbors when I was 10yrs old...a wonderful gentleman with a beautiful wife who could tell as a younger lady fit the stereotypical "nose-art" pin-up girl type of look....Mr. & Mrs Falkenberry. I often helped them with their pristine yard and beautiful flowers...Mr. Falkenberry caught me staring at his forearm one day while doing some gardening...I noticed one of his forearms severely scarred with a large section missing almost like a sharkbite...of course it was healed but skin color much different...several other places on his forearms had deep divots or holes looked like pushing your finger into old solid cooking lard...like Crisco or Silly Puddy...He asked me If I wanted to know what they were and how he got them in a humble and gentle manner. This man had served in WWI and WWII...he explained in short, how most of his wounds were the result of being hit with arterillary round....Years later, I would live ~5 miles from Col Hal Moore...the great American who fought in Korea and was sent on a suicide mission that became famous as being the 1st American Operation of the Vietnam War where the Americans did battle with the NVA in what is referred to today (and a movie was made starring Mel Gibson) called "When We Were Soldiers"...based on Col Moore and an AP reporter's accounts of THE BATTLE OF THE IA DRANG VALLEY...He lived in Auburn, AL for about 30 yrs until he passed...During my teenage years also residing ~7 miles from our house was a Professor at a small local college near Birmingham, AL called the University of Montevallo...this man had written a book about his days as a Marine in the Pacific....Hollywood used his book in part as the bases for their miniseries about the PTO called simply, THE PACIFIC...this man was Eugene Sledge...ironically, the college depicted in the mini-series final episode upon his return to America was Auburn University as well...where he earned his undergraduate degree. I share ALL of the above to admit...of the many mistakes and oversights I've made in my life one of the top 3 regrets is how I failed to understand what the passage of time brings to us all...as a young man and even a 30-40yr old it never hit me as it has since I've reached my 50s...and that regret is not taking the time, making the effort, to spend more time with these men...to ask them questions...to have them pass their wisdom down to me that no college or business or movie will teach me...and others about how YOU & YOUR GENERATION are TRULY THE GREATEST GENERATION...From young kids to older people, men and women....besides the Government being forced to inter (imprison Japanese Americans due to the massive spy network uncovered in nearly every significant American City during the late 30s through at least mid -1942 ...Pearl Harbor attack could not have taken place without the collaborators...In cities along the West Coast especially San Diego, San Francisco, Portland, OR and Seattle, WA to Boston, MA, NYC, Washington DC, the massive shipyards in Virginia, the Carolinas all the way down the Eastern Coast to Fort Pierce, Fl, into the Keys, and the Gulf of Mexico ports...particularly Mobile, AL and Houston, TX...the facts about the 1000+ that had infiltrated into sensitive positions or a Japanese American Family towns people never suspected being spies for the Empire of Japan...Facts that history books fail to share (as they do with most Wars or conflicts including the Civil War)....point being, No shame on America for doing what it had to do at that time...Japan of the 1940s as you know all too well is not the Japan of today)....Every American that could help did help including businesses...although a few were reluctant and some openly vocal of their support of Hitler such as Henry Ford and other elitest of the time...the average American felt a duty, a responsibility even more than an obligation to support America once Dec 7, 1941, occurred.... I don't think any of the people I'm related to or knew and spoke to many times but never in a way to learn history from them because they lived it will always burn inside of me as being something I wish so much I could go back in time...never in our Nation's short history besides during our fight for independence were the American people as a whole so United and committed to a single objective...You say you wanted to see what combat was like...However, and with utmost respect, I also believe you felt a deep sense of responsibility...obligation perhaps...because your generation did not look upon those who attempted to avoid combat or war....not only was it expected it burned within most American's souls to do something for the country....Today, sadly or pathetically or as you may say, "very shitty" that young people and worse of all are those in power or so called leadership roles today who are part of the following generation seem to dismiss and discard the sacrifices made by nearly every American Family...and that is why YOU AND YOUR GENERATION ARE KNOWN AS THE GREATEST GENERATION....I can promise you, there are millions of Americans that have not forgotten nor will ever be ungrateful for the sacrifices and actions taken by you and millions of your generation...You sir are a NATIONAL TREASURE and DESERVE YOUR NATION'S DEEPEST GRATITUDE....I would love to speak with you as I would with all veterans...but none are as special to me as you. God Bless you Greeny and Thank you....I pray by TJ sharing your story and agreeing to speak to him ...that you will read some of these comments and realize how much we sincerely respect, admire, care and appreciate you. I pray every day is filled with joy and happiness but most of all peace because in the end, Job well done sir...Well Done indeed. ps. TJ, A gentlemen in my neighborhood began reaching out and meeting, speaking, interviewing as many WWII veterans as he could for the purpose of preserving history...He is compiling a book. Although I have not touched base with him in several months I know he was nearing the end of his journey. If he has not completed his and if I can reach him I will provide him your contact information listed on this channel....perhaps you guys can cross reference your list of WWII vets ... It is stories such as this that need to be told and shared... although the gentlemen I am about to mention is no longer with us...Please take time to watch a video he did..or a video of his presentation he gave to schools and visitors at an Air Museam...His name, Charlie Mohrle ...he was a p-47 pilot and he too is a National Treasure...The 1st link is his primary presentation and the second link is a little different....I will post each link....perhaps will consider doing due-diligence and highlighting some of Charlie's missions or his squadrons... He passed away in 2013 not long after video was done....if the link does not work the video is titled... "Veteran Tales Charlie Mohrle P-47 Pilot" ... apologize for typos and the lengthy post ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-FMGk_Fk_iJk.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Lo_irQ9bjzU.html

Bless Manny's heart! He's had a stroke and this is the reason he is struggling to speak clearly. I know this because I've had so much experience with my father-in-law's stroke and my mother's stroke. Their minds were sharp but their ability to speak their thoughts is what the strokes took away from them. Manny's "silly" mistake is what we Southern folks down here in TN would call getting twitterpated. And, it served to save others. What a GREAT story. This one brought a tear to my eye.

Great interview and story. How old is Manny, by the way? At the youngest I guess he'd be 96-97 if he was 18 when he joined up in '44.

parachutes available for bailout, places in the main cabin for tailgunner to sit against the radioman/engineer table/bulkhead...

I worked with a pilot who was a pilot in the atomic squadron. When they trained for the maneuvers after dropping an atomic bomb. The escape maneuver placed so much stress on the engines that after each practice run all the engines were replaced. He had other tales, like when training on P-38’s prior to bomber training he had Tom Lamphier as an instructor. After the war he was training Taiwanese pilots in multi engine aircraft. We were in an agricultural quarantine service and dealt with international flights. Many of his former students were flying for Taiwan based China Airlines who he would greet. Later he was involved with the rebuilding of a B-29 at Joint Base Travis.

Thank you for preserving history, TJ3! Good job! GOOD JOB!

Wow, not long into his training he had to belly land. That must have been scary

A true hero and an honest man. Lots of soldiers and civilians believe that when a person makes a mistake then he should be cast out. But everyone makes some mistake at some point. Mistakes are because we are all human and not machines. When I was in service, we had a guy on the firing range accidentally discharge his weapon and the bullet went by the drill sergeant's head. Oh, he paid for it by extra duty, pushups and other exercises lol but some of the guys told the sergeant that that guy needed to be discharge or he would get someone killed. The drill sergeant said one mistake no matter how bad does not make a bad soldier. He said the only thing that makes a bad soldier is repeating a mistake.

Definitely not a Schmuck. Thank you Manny.

Keep up these videos you’ll always have us watching! Can’t wait for part 2 and I absolutely loved where he didn’t give a (not kid safe word)

An untold hero among the many in WW2 who lived to tell !!!

I mean you know bless this guy for his service and all that. This is in no way shape or form miraculous though. He was a nervous trainee and he hit both buttons. And consequently they got lucky.

A friend of my Father was an Air Crewman on the B-29 Superfortress as a gunner who flew in 15 missions over Japan then turned around and flew 20 more missions over North Korea. He has told me some of the stories and even showed pictures of Mount Fuji taken on the fly over it.

Don't worry Manny no one is going to come after you! Your awesome and will never be forgotten!

Manny is one of the reasons why we are not speaking German or Japanese today - truly the GREATEST GENERATION!!

Manny, The humble hero. I salute you.

This man is a hero. It's hard to believe that he is most likely almost 100 years old.

My dad was part of a B-29 crew. The plane was known for engine fires. One day the pilot told the crew to be watching for anything unusual. Right after take off my dad spotted leaking fuel coming from an engine. The pilot quickly landed the plane. A fuel line had broken free due to the flexing of the wings. Further investigation discovered that when the plane went into production the fuel line was shortened slightly. When lengthen to original size, engine fires were greatly reduced.

Thank you Manny. Thank you for more than anybody can ever know.

I like him. He's got a positive attitude. Whatever the reason for his mistake, it probably saved him & others. The B29 was by far the most complex bomber of that time, a fully pressurised high altitude solution unlike B24 or B17.

Thank you for your service. Manny was fantastic. I think it was supposed to happen to prevent more death and injuries.

What a lucky guy if he did not make that little mistake he would probs not be here

Thank you for this thank you everyone involved from in front and behind the camera

Gotta love his last comment "I don't give a shit," what they say.

I have never been in a B29, but I believe there was a tunnel leading from the tail gunner position to the rest of the crew compartment. I must be missing something, but it would seem the tail gunner would have been safer in the main cabin. A second crewman was also killed, and they don't say which crewman. Sounds like it was a pretty rough crash landing.

Manny found a design flaw. 2 switches should have an inter lock to prevent such an issue.....But, considering the amount of plane failures and engine fires this was really a minor thing. It prolly is still a problem to this day....

Manny, you are a Hero!! And, a fellow new Yorker! I'm sending this to my dad, he grew up in Brooklyn, he wasn't able to serve, but he has spent his life studying war history. G-d bless.you!!!

I'm certainly love it too? These kinds of stories just break my ❤️

Thank you “Manny” Greer for your service 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Smuck or not your service to this great country is greatly appreciated sir‼️🇺🇸

Welcome home, Manny, and thank you.

All these years later, STILL the Greatest Generation!

My Nana is a survivor of the bombings in London, she just had her 88th birthday yesterderday

God bless him. Thank you for your service Manny.

May Manny keep that fire he has!!

I would call what this guy did a curious and very fortunate turn of events. I say he ended up getting very lucky.

Sounds like my pop. RIP dad.

man I really love him god bless Manny

Sounds like Manny at the time was hardest on himself than anybody could have been. Did Manny ever say the crew thought his blunder at the time was better because of the situation that happened. I’m glad he didn’t let this incident effect him for all them guys that served had more Guts than we will ever know.

Love Manny and this video.

What Bombardment Squadron & Bombardment Group was Manny part of? My Grandfather was a Bombardier/Navigator in the 73rd BW, 498th BG, 873rd BS on Saipan from January-June 1945.

Thank you for your service Mr. Greer!

Thank these dear folk for service.

Great story, good man. Thanks

I wonder if this guy tried so hard to save everyone that some of his effort went back to help before the plane even took off.

Manny is a fine gentleman.

the B-29 cost more than the manhattan project

Manny , like the rest of the Men & Women of your generation , Your Magnificent !!! Im waiting for part 2 of your Adventure !

What a Lovely old man!

Everybody makes mistakes. It's the human condition. Manny suspects such a stupid mistake(as he called it) was such foolishness that perhaps it was an intervention? A miraculous life. It certainly did two good things. Maybe savedmost of their lives , and the brass got have the wreck inspected. Which someone else's mistake or sabotage must have contributed to the engine trouble. That would have saved countless lives thereafter. You come wonder if that was meant to be a total loss crash? Adding up to nervous crews, reduced confidence in the new aircraft, and reduced confidence in it by command.

Little mistakes can have good consequences. To go back to the squadron after getting a chance at a safe desk job is heroic in itself. One problem, why is his WW2 photo captioned Greenberg yet you call him Greer?

Your a true hero.

I've watched the US airforce instruction films about B 17 crash procedures and the preparation for a crash landing. But after watching an tour inside and out i noticed there where very few safe places in the B 29, probably there where none. The pilots surely need to be in their seats during a crash landing, but does anyone know the safe positions for the rest of the crew?

Once a man twice a child

The national insignia was placed on only one wing in the Army Air Corps in February 1942.

That was interesting. Fate

God bless you Manny!

Manny is a hero, whether or not he thinks so.

excellent video!!!

Sometimes an accident saves lives

Every one makes mistake but his saved him and most of the crew

Manual IS a Hero!

Peyote is pronounced [pay oh tea] from a Texas resident

Sounds like Manny saved several lives that day with his mistake. the Hand of God? it often works through humans without them ever knowing.

Divine intervention

Hero

True hero 💯❤️✊🙏🙏

Yes it did!!

manny is the best

Luv u manny

I would have made room somehow

The game for the video: Warthunder

Manny is a Hero thanks for your service.

Hey can you please make a video about charles carpenter aka "bazooka Charlie" and about Aleksey Maresyev if you can’t please reply to this comment

Yes! I think Manny was used to save his friends.. By LORD JESUS!