Interview with Vincent J. "Bill" Purple-WWII B-17 Pilot 

I met this fine man a few years back at a Collings Battle for the Airfield Show in Stow, Mass. He approached me because I was wearing a B-17 "909" shirt and wanted to know if I was a crewmember. I sure wished it could be so, but I sheepishly admitted to only being a fan. It was a great honor just to speak with him!

94 YEARS OLD. what a guy. speaks well and still a force.

Wow,I am lost for words.I am Australian but I admire this man and those like him more than words can describe.

Truly the greatest generation. Nineteen years old and all that responsibility. We'll never see that again. God bless them all.

Who in hell would give this video a thumbs down?? Thank God for men like this!!

What a great guy! I could listen to his stories all day long.

A very close friend of my family Robert E "Gene" Roberts was Bill's original top turret gunner/engineer in the 379th bomb group. Sadly Gene died from cancer in the 1970s. I posted an inquiry on the internet about Gene on the 379th website and two days later the phone rang. It was Bill! He kindly sent me a CD with all the details of the 379th missions Gene flew on. God Bless you Bill!

I met Mr Purple. He flew with us on the B-17 Aluminum Overcast over Massachusetts

Outstanding ! Bill you're an amazing guy. The greatest genration for sure. SEMPER FIDELIS.

What a legend.I could only dream to be that sharp @ 94.

Thank you for recording and posting this brave man's experience I truly enjoyed it. Thank you Vincent for your service in the most dangerous times. You inspired me and a perfect model of the American warrior of that generation. I love your 'get the job done right' and do it again the next day attitude.

What a guy! Hats off to you fella and folks like you. You have my total respect and admiration.

Truly The Greatest Generation !!

Thank you for your service sir

for anyone who is a relative of this hero, you should be very proud. extremely sharp for 94, similar to a young man.

He really has it all together! God Bless you sir!

wonderful video, wonderful man. inspiring at 94! thank you.

I could hear the New England accent the minute he started talking

What an incredible man! To think of what he went through, it was a miracle that any air crew survived. It's people like him that won wwii !!!

WOW. Thanks for blessing my evening. What an amazing guy!

19 YEARS OLD .......OUR HEROS ..THANK YOU SIR...THANK YOU..

God bless these men.

Thanks for sharing his AMAZING story!! I can't wait to come up and see the US Air Force Museum. Keep up the great work guy's. 👍👍

Much respect and many thanks Captain. 👍🇺🇸

This is the real deal. The man is a hero that made it back alive. Thanks

94... unbelievable... He's sharper than some 19 year olds I know!!

These men were a special kind of brave.

This mans words are going to stick in my brain forever . He represents the best of America.

Respect Sir

WOW! Seriously WOW! Great interview, story telling and subject.

Can not say enough! Brings a tear down my cheek to say! Thank you!! Love you and thanks for your bravery and sharing your story!

Look at that air medal ribbon with multiple stars on it, meaning he was awarded the air medal several times.

3rd time through the 12 oclock high series. I still can't believe what these kids did for the country...the world. The Greatest Generation indeed. Makes me a tad weepy knowing how many of those teens and early 20's were shot out of the sky. Humanities greatest I dare say. Only US war ever worth fighting in my opinion as well.

My wife asked me if I want to be as alert as this gentleman when I am 94.... I said "I'd like to be that alert NOW."

For completion, the Fort in the background is the Memphis Belle. The B-24 is the crate that the B-17 came in. :)

What a wonderful man. It would be an honor to meet him.

Thank you Sir, God bless you.

Truly the Greatest Generation ! The world would be a better place today if we could treat each other as that generation did ! No more respect for ones self or ones neighbors , these folks were the best of the best from pilots to ground crews and all the support That went along with them. Thank you again you will never be forgotten and will always be appreciated !! R Thaule

Thank you for your story thank you for your dynamic flying ability

Amazing interview

wow, age 94 looks about 80. RESPECT to those who served

Thank you Sir...

great video

An amazing generation

My favorite aircraft of all time is the B17...its number ONE on my bucket list to at least see it....

What a hero!!! Can I ask when is your birthday? My Dad is Marty Sidener whose birthday is February 1, 1925. He flew a B26 in WWII.

We love you Bill (from Diane and Dave). God bless all of your comrades who were killed or injured in the performance of their duties. Liberating the free world. ❤️ 🇺🇲🇺🇸

Great interview

Love you sir!

wow I'm blown away and humbled by these men.

wow...great interview

never forget

He’s an absolute legend, sharp as a tack !👍👍

The man knows no fear

I agree

Thanks for your service,a different time for sure,15000ft in a side slip with engine on fire and he makes it sound like a minor technical issue !!

What a man, I'd love to shake his hand and buy him a beer.

Greates generation

Did he say a b17 did 150 total missions ?

This young generation can't hold a candle to the brave men that went to war back then without a thought as to what they would have to go t hru for the USA for freedom. Keep Your Eye On The Grand Old Flag 🎶

Old WWII pictures of the Belle's mission notches show some with swastikas. These have been removed. Why? Didn't they shoot down eight fighters? Isn't that an amazing accomplishment? That crew had some amazing wing shooters.

thanks bill for sharing your story as fpr the Memphis belle display, should be on the ground for people to tour not hung from the pilons in the air

I think each and every person serving on any American Heavy Bomber (4 Engines) should have been automatically promoted to AT LEAST 1st Lt, or better, with all the Pay, rights, honor, privlidges, ect... After all each crew member of every Heavy Bomber, 17, 24, Lancaster and the other English Types flown by both Americans and Brit crews/pilots, are absolutely at risk to The exact same danger levels, at least the pilot can himself physically move around the cockpit and give himself the illusion of increasing his odds of survival... the gunners however, most especially the waist, Tail, and Ball Turret gunners , when in position , are in such crammed, unnatural and difficult to get into n out of that for all intents they’re stuck, until they’re cleared of enemy fighter Range they’re in the same Boat as the other officers- a pilot doesn’t die any more than a tail gunner!! Yet one is far better paid with far better pension and rights after discharge

Memorias que no se olvidan por completo aun volviendo a naser ay caminos en el tiempo que algunos logran recorrer con mejor ecsito en la vida y lograr el desvio al triunfo por la Livertad de la humanidad y ser mejores seres humanos unidos por la lucha en mantener la sobrevivensia de la especie humana solo unida global mente prodra sobrevivir a lo que en la istoria a exterminado a aqueyas grandes culturas pasadas Egipto mayas aztecas.we are next las armas no fueron enseñadas junto a muchos otros conocimiento para ser usadas en destrucción de la humanidad sino para defender la tierra y la vida q la avita contra quien. Encontra y división en guerra hay por el solo aver tenido el humilde jesto y amor a uana creación que solo deseaban ala esclavitud dar lo mejor de uno por amor paz y la Livertad de lo que amas. Es la mas grande satisfacción y alegría en el alma lo mas sagrado y valioso q se yerba el espiritu al mory su cuerpo feliz 4 d julio algo que debería a ver un dia mundial pues miles an muerto y naciones unidas por la victoria ante los nacis la cual marco la humanidad del terror y del infierno.dioz bendiga y sus ángeles gien y protejan el camino En la luz entre las tinieblas y la oscuridad 🌞⚡🌑

Why is he in uniform lol