Steve Pisanos presentation on how he emigrated to the US prior to WWII, developed a passion for flying, and became a double ace fighter pilot. Produced by Betty and Jarel Wheaton for Peninsula Seniors pvseniors.org/_...
This is my uncle ..... he is a hero of the Second War .... I'm proud of him ....... a hero never dies .... Now he flies in the stars .... Hello Uncle...... greets dad!
I was at his funeral yesterday, knew him, adored him, personally, he used to call me, "my distant Turkish cousin". Farewell, my "distant elder Greek cousin", happy landings at God's Heaven to reunite with your Sophie again. Amen. Nicola, below, I met you yesterday, I believe at the ceremonies.
Great story. Is kind of fun to see that being a double ace is completely unimportant to him, being and becoming an American was the top story for him. Even becoming a test pilot was not very important for him. He was the kind of guy you would like to meet in the O'club and listen to for hours and hours.
A humbling story of a great American hero. My own grandfather joined the merchant marine and "made the swim" to the dock. He was a dishwasher in NYC until he saved enough to start his own restaurant in East Orange, N.J. in the early '30s.
I stumbled on these talks from PSRS a couple of weeks ago. They are absolutely captivating. Amazing stories from amazing people. Preserving these talks for the future is important. Great work! Thank you.
The ending of his talk had me tearing up. His dream to become an American because of all the opportunities and He wanted to be a pilot. People born here waste time running our country down and fixating on the problems to give them an excuse for not succeeding in life.
This gave me some idea what my father must have been thinking when he came here in the early 1900's from Crete (He was in WWI and WWII) He never talked about it. A man of Greek heritage and loved America God bless you Steve
This is the true spirit of American immigration. The new ones should try if only half as hard as this great American hero...I spent my childhood in Greece as an American and they were great people, great friends!
Wow what a neat man I cant believe his memory and how clear it is. That brought tears to my eyes . You don't meet people like that anymore respectful and full of gratitude and honor. If there was more people like that the world would be better place how heart warming I wonder if he is still alive ? That man touched my heart neat story loved it!
I could listen to this gent all day.I have always been fascinated by the stories of the americans,poles,french even jewish germans etc. who volunteered to serve with the british armed services against the axis.This mans story is wonderful.
Absolutely amazing story. I had only planned on listening to a few minutes but I couldn't stop. I saw on facebook someone made a movie about him that should be released soon or may already be. I looked him up after I saw the trailer.
i also had 2 uncles from my mother's side who served during ww2 in the US marines in the Pacific only met 1 of them when he came back home in 1948 he was very proud of been an American citizen n for serving in the marines during the war but my one uncle i knew well was the youngest one who spend 18 years in the British army then worked for the NAFI n he was the one who told me very sternly do Not go to live with you uncles in America they had no children n wanted to adopt me, he was very upset with me when i said but uncle surely the usa is better than England he always said England was the best country on earth now am an old man n know more i Do agree with him 100% he past away in 2002 and always proud of his military service
Steve Pianos will always be an aviation legend and a historical figure. His charisma, gentlemanship and wonderful personality will never be forgotten. Thank you Steve, for your remarkable contribution to America, aviators and to freedom. Oli oi Ellines se agapane kai se efxaristoun yia thn politimi thisia sas, Steve!!
Fantastic story. Amazing man, another of my heros. The 4th fighter group, was based not far from me at Debden. Names like Blakeslee, Gentile etc; This man is a legend and a privilege to see this. I thank him for fighting for our freedom. God bless you sir you will never be forgotten.
Dayton,Ohio was the hub for post war evaluation. Many captured Axis aircraft were sent there. Chuck Yeager wanted to go home to west Va. but the AAF had no basses in WVA, so he chose Dayton, since it was the closest to home. The Dayton experience enabled him to get to test pilot status. As for Don Gentile,,,Gentile was from Piqua,Ohio, just 20 miles north of Dayton, so Don was more than happy to go to Dayton. Gentile Air force Station(I worked there a few years)was named for Don,,,located on the southern edge of Dayton. Don was an american hero.
Fantastic story this gentleman has he is truly a patriot and a good American and he works so hard for what he got nothing was given to him he earned it my hat is off to him
