Interview With A B-17 Bombardier Who Survived 35 Missions

A Living Piece of History

Ralph Goldsticker was a war veteran who took to the skies in Europe in the nose cone of the B-17 Flying Fortress as a bombardier and navigator. Goldsticker would then go on to fly 35 combat missions.

During his time in service, Goldsticker would start flying missions over Normandy’s beaches, and then culminate in the bombing of Berlin as well as other German cities. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the French Legion of Honor as well as six other medals.

What’s amazing is that even though this man is over 100 years old in this interview, he is still sharp as a tack, with an incredible recollection of his time during the war. He can still remember the dates and even the time of the day of his missions.

We can’t imagine how much courage it took to go back the second time around experience fighting attacks, the flak, and watching so many other planes go down.

It must be terrifying to see all the noise and we can only imagine how crazy it probably was from the eyes of the pilot being there. We can listen to him all day- what a true American hero!