Maj. Richard Steele flew Corsairs and Helldivers during WWII. In this clip, Maj. Steele recounts the time he experienced an engine failure in his Helldiver on take off.
My Dad went down 3 times in WW2 Pacific. He was involved with all the tough engagements , from late 42 to 44, down 3 times. 2 pilots died. 2nd pilot died, fratinizing was frounded apon, but the pilot & my Dad pals. His death, when it happened, Dad was diving a bunch of times in ocean to find him, but didn't , Dad in raft for 24 hours, he never forgot that, turned down Purple Heart twice. Dad a FDNY great officer, well liked, but his humble nature, of never putting himself up for recognition kept him from being a top brass, his Morals meant more. HE never brought the job home, he never talked of the job, 50/50 chance he'd have died in famous 23rd street fire, was on vacation, like me on 9/11, way things happened, me being a fireman, losing 1/2 his guys.
