I've interviewed a lot of people, and I can tell you THAT was not an easy interview. Mr. McFalone, you showed a lot of patience and asked great follow-up questions to many of his one-word answers, and it really paid off. It's important to our history and culture to hear from all the different types of people/personalities that served in order to understand how incredible a challenge it was to bring those people together to live and fight together. I still had to laugh near the end of the interview when he said he wasn't that much of an outgoing person....Well, Mr. Livingston, maybe not, but you served with honor through 3 wars and the cold war, so I say job well done sir.
Thanks. The challenge of interviewing these veterans is to get them to relax and just talk. So I would start with telling them this was not a speech - it's just a conversation and we're just going to reminisce for a while. After a while they would forget about the camera and the interview usually became pretty fluid. Anyway, thanks for watching - much appreciated.
The extraordinary experiences of these men were ordinary to them at the time. A twenty-year old man flying a four-engine bomber into combat facing flak and fighters is no doubt a once-in-history event, never before seen and will never again be seen. Their bravery, courage, and determination to complete the mission is beyond comprehension. Then, after the war ended, many remained in the Air Force and again flew combat tours in Korea and Vietnam Nam. Truly the greatest generation.
"Respect, discipline , being on time - that's just the way it is" - Yes, this is so. Dale Livingston - an honorable person. Thanks for your efforts Dale , else I wouldn't be here (born 1948, England)
My Dad helped build those PT-22's down in San Diego , Ryan Aircraft . There are a few of them still flying with the 5 cylinder Kenner engines.Thanks for doing all these interviews !!
Agreed, all kids/young adults should serve in the military in some form, every single one of the. I believe it would transform our country and bring a closeness that's just not there now.
I agree that everyone fit enough needs to serve at least two years in a military outfit. At least during that time you will be organized and on time--actually 15 minutes early--and you'll be exposed to how other people think and act, and learn to work with them. The movie made from Heinlein's sci-fi novel "Starship Troopers" was stupid and failed to capture the major philosophies expressed in the novel, in which I found a lot to agree with, especially the need for discipline.
I have an "addiction" to watching/listening to all these Veteran interviews on many channels on every war. Not to discredit Dale, but this was an exceptionally painful interview - not his fault but really doesn't explain much at all. He was being forced to answer as he literally made 1 word replies. The other thing I have noticed from many vets, especially the Vietnam War is that they " embellish" their story. It is so unfortunate that so many "vets" do tell porky pies when reliving/ being interviewed. I am not sure why. I served for 10+ years, and never embellished anything, but I know many cohorts who have. Like recently I watched an interview where some US fighter pilot shot down a German fighter pilot who ejected,/bailed and he said the pilot stood to attention and saluted him whilst free falling after bailing - I mean that is just a total fabrication.....It has been 33 years since I joined the Army, and there are so many things I cannot remember.... Anyway, not trying to be negative - as they served with distinction, however sooooo many WW2 and Vietnam interviews I have watched are really cringe - as anyone that has been in a firefight/contact etc knows reality from total BS.....It is strange that it is never the Korean War, but mostly Vietnam that the most BS/ unrealistic interviews are. I have listened/watched so many Vietnam Vet interviews where they cannot even explain where they were, what unit, and even mislabel the weapons.... I can recall every weapon ever I fired, ever base, FOB, PB etc and every single weapon the enemy used. I mean during the Vietnam War - the ratio of frontline active combat troops to others was 10:1 or more - meaning less than 10% of total troops that served in country during the war were seeing any kind of combat ( i.e: Infantry) . Even if you were part of an Infantry or "arms" Corps/ Unit - 90+ % of that unit never saw any combat. Anyway just posting my opinion. I served in early 90's and had some fellow soldiers in my unit that had served in Vietnam in the early 70's.... so am well aware of the war etc.....
Raymond McFalone. You have put together a priceless first hand account of history. Well done !
thanks for watching.
I've interviewed a lot of people, and I can tell you THAT was not an easy interview. Mr. McFalone, you showed a lot of patience and asked great follow-up questions to many of his one-word answers, and it really paid off. It's important to our history and culture to hear from all the different types of people/personalities that served in order to understand how incredible a challenge it was to bring those people together to live and fight together. I still had to laugh near the end of the interview when he said he wasn't that much of an outgoing person....Well, Mr. Livingston, maybe not, but you served with honor through 3 wars and the cold war, so I say job well done sir.
Thanks. The challenge of interviewing these veterans is to get them to relax and just talk. So I would start with telling them this was not a speech - it's just a conversation and we're just going to reminisce for a while. After a while they would forget about the camera and the interview usually became pretty fluid. Anyway, thanks for watching - much appreciated.
The extraordinary experiences of these men were ordinary to them at the time. A twenty-year old man flying a four-engine bomber into combat facing flak and fighters is no doubt a once-in-history event, never before seen and will never again be seen. Their bravery, courage, and determination to complete the mission is beyond comprehension. Then, after the war ended, many remained in the Air Force and again flew combat tours in Korea and Vietnam Nam. Truly the greatest generation.
I love this guys interviews. When I think of a question I would ask, he asks. Very thorough.
Thanks for your comment - much appreciated.
Thanks for these great interviews! Each one has given me a look into the past of some amazing survivors of war.
Thank you Mr. Livingston, first of all for your heroic service along with all of our service people. So interesting to hear your personal stories!
Fantastic video. Tremendous Man!! Thank you Sir. 🇺🇸🇺🇸
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching. Raymond
"Respect, discipline , being on time - that's just the way it is" - Yes, this is so.
Dale Livingston - an honorable person.
Thanks for your efforts Dale , else I wouldn't be here (born 1948, England)
My Dad helped build those PT-22's down in San Diego , Ryan Aircraft . There are a few of them still flying with the 5 cylinder Kenner engines.Thanks for doing all these interviews !!
Thanks for the info
Lt. Col. Livingston was blessed to see three Wars from the relative comfort of a pilot seat
This interview left an impression on me. From MIT students to high school graduates ,,,,, Earnest Gann had it right all along. Fate is the hunter.
Agreed, all kids/young adults should serve in the military in some form, every single one of the. I believe it would transform our country and bring a closeness that's just not there now.
I agree that everyone fit enough needs to serve at least two years in a military outfit. At least during that time you will be organized and on time--actually 15 minutes early--and you'll be exposed to how other people think and act, and learn to work with them.
The movie made from Heinlein's sci-fi novel "Starship Troopers" was stupid and failed to capture the major philosophies expressed in the novel, in which I found a lot to agree with, especially the need for discipline.
When the Memphis Bell was in Europe it was 25 missions. Now it’s 35 missions?
As the war progressed, flying bombing missions was deemed "less risky" and so they increased the required number of missions to 35.
I have an "addiction" to watching/listening to all these Veteran interviews on many channels on every war. Not to discredit Dale, but this was an exceptionally painful interview - not his fault but really doesn't explain much at all. He was being forced to answer as he literally made 1 word replies. The other thing I have noticed from many vets, especially the Vietnam War is that they " embellish" their story. It is so unfortunate that so many "vets" do tell porky pies when reliving/ being interviewed. I am not sure why. I served for 10+ years, and never embellished anything, but I know many cohorts who have. Like recently I watched an interview where some US fighter pilot shot down a German fighter pilot who ejected,/bailed and he said the pilot stood to attention and saluted him whilst free falling after bailing - I mean that is just a total fabrication.....It has been 33 years since I joined the Army, and there are so many things I cannot remember.... Anyway, not trying to be negative - as they served with distinction, however sooooo many WW2 and Vietnam interviews I have watched are really cringe - as anyone that has been in a firefight/contact etc knows reality from total BS.....It is strange that it is never the Korean War, but mostly Vietnam that the most BS/ unrealistic interviews are. I have listened/watched so many Vietnam Vet interviews where they cannot even explain where they were, what unit, and even mislabel the weapons.... I can recall every weapon ever I fired, ever base, FOB, PB etc and every single weapon the enemy used. I mean during the Vietnam War - the ratio of frontline active combat troops to others was 10:1 or more - meaning less than 10% of total troops that served in country during the war were seeing any kind of combat ( i.e: Infantry) . Even if you were part of an Infantry or "arms" Corps/ Unit - 90+ % of that unit never saw any combat. Anyway just posting my opinion. I served in early 90's and had some fellow soldiers in my unit that had served in Vietnam in the early 70's.... so am well aware of the war etc.....
A terribly modest and reticent man... I imagine he was a good poker player, and probably a very good pilot...
I agree that everyone should do military service.
And saved by the Pilot’s (his) stiff neck!! Amazing!
Was he a POW?
20 years old!! ‘Nuff said!! Wait…21 year old co-pilot and… 35 missions!!!
I wonder how they dropped there bombs without dropping on another planes?
The combat box they flew in was designed with staggered positions to keep this from happening. It did happen when planes got out of position.
What a hero Dale Livingston is. Thanks for posting this video
You're welcome and thanks for watching.
A real American