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Jack Buckner

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The bomber crews were required to fly 25 missions, but as they approached that milestone, it was increased to 50 missions. B-17 bombardier Jack Buckner says they were disappointed but, "That's war. You do what you have to do." Once Rommel was defeated in North Africa, they took the bombing campaign on to Sicily and Italy, despite the German fighters and flak. (4:14)

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The bomber crews had to deal with a lot of problems. The wild temperature swings, the lack of good water in the desert, and the ever present German fighters and flak. Then there was the psychological challenge of losing close friends and knowing you might be next. Jack Buckner says that you had to develop a detached perspective and concentrate on the goals at hand. (7:42)

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B-17 bombardier Jack Buckner recalls a couple of memorable missions and explains the tactic of group bombing, which requires all the bombers in a formation to release on the signal of the lead plane. Once he missed a target he really wanted to hit, a large warship, when the squadron commander insisted he could fly better than the autopilot. He also got credit for downing German fighters while acting as a gunner. (4:43)

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B-17 bombardier Jack Buckner returned to the States after his deployment to North Africa, and after getting engaged and visiting family, he was sent to Roswell, New Mexico to train bomber crews. He says the check rides were sometimes as scary as combat. Looking back on the war, he has no regrets. (3:45)

Jack Caddel

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Mr. Caddel describes operating a tail gunner's position and being shot in the back. (2:03)

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Mr. Caddel discusses his duties aboard the Yorktown, his first training accident, and the results that followed. (4:44)

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Mr. Caddel describes personal emotions he experienced during grueling flying missions. (2:00)

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Mr. Caddel discusses the funny incidents that led him to joining the U.S. Navy. (2:49)

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Mr. Caddel discusses serving as a Spanish translator in the Philippines during a search and rescue mission. (2:10)

Jack Callihan

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Jack Callihan recalls how a pair of binoculars led to a shrapnel injury near St. Malo, France. (:56)