Balls of Steel

[varmint]

WWII fighter pilot who flew THROUGH the Eiffel Tower to take down a German plane dies in Virginia aged 92

William Overstreet Jr. passed away on Sunday at a hospital in Roanoke
He famously flew his plane beneath the Eiffel Tower in Nazi-occupied Paris in 1944, lifting the spirits of French troops on the ground
In 2009, he was presented France's Legion of Honor

Read more: WWII fighter pilot who flew THROUGH the Eiffel Tower dies in Virginia aged 92 | Mail Online
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[oilcan]

What a guy. I'd loved to had met him.

[Dana Norris]

Being Baby Boomer born in 1950, all I can say is Damn our parents had the Heart and Guts to
do what was needed. Unfortunately that gene did not get passed on to all of us Boomers, thus
the mess this Country is in now. Time to act?
Dana.....

[Bob Kontak]

I fell eight feet off a ladder once. That's my portfolio of bravery.

These guys were hard as nails.

I guess some of us could do it if faced with it. However, it would still be one in a million for those that would nut up and be able to think in that situation.

RIP William Overstreet Jr. You deserve it. Thank you.

92 ain't a bad run.

[futuresoptions]

R.I.P "Salute"

[gamin]

R.I.P. They were a different breed. Wouldn't happen today. Would face court martial for endangering civilians or such. Rules of engagement today favor the enemy.

[Jim Bremner]

Originally Posted by oilcan

What a guy. I'd loved to had met him.

Thank God for men like him!

I'm not in a rush to meet him.

Thank you sir for a life well lived!

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Dana Norris

Being Baby Boomer born in 1950, all I can say is Damn our parents had the Heart and Guts to
do what was needed. Unfortunately that gene did not get passed on to all of us Boomers, thus
the mess this Country is in now. Time to act?
Dana.....

I don't know why people have to say things like this.
This was an act of courage, but one act of courage does not define a generation. Lots of courage was displayed by boomers in Viet Nam and elsewhere. I'm as proud of my generation as I am of my parent's generation.

[Geary]

I tend to agree with you, wd .. The war effort was far more "black & white" back then (or at least the passage of time and history as it's been recorded gives us that impression). SO many acts of bravery in more recent times have never been recorded (and todays medals are awarded to guys flying drones from the safety of underground bunkers thousands of miles from the action).

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Gears

I tend to agree with you, wd .. The war effort was far more "black & white" back then (or at least the passage of time and history as it's been recorded gives us that impression). SO many acts of bravery in more recent times have never been recorded (and todays medals are awarded to guys flying drones from the safety of underground bunkers thousands of miles from the action).

From where do you get that impression? Can you give an example, (of someone getting decorated for flying drones)?

WTF?

I'm with WD, 100%. Human beings rise to meet challenges and they are not making people any differently now than they did 100 years ago. Every time there is a war or a natural disaster, certain people display unimaginable courage and selflessness and others loot Red Cross supplies. Same as in 1944.

Believing in BS serves no one.

[onlycafe]

what was that old saying about old pilots and bold pilots?
this man was both for sure!
r.i.p. sir. you've earned it and more.

[stuartj]

Originally Posted by Dana Norris

Being Baby Boomer born in 1950, all I can say is Damn our parents had the Heart and Guts to
do what was needed. Unfortunately that gene did not get passed on to all of us Boomers, thus
the mess this Country is in now. Time to act?
Dana.....

Or it could just be that he was a 22 year old bullet proof Mustang pilot.

[GH85Carrera]

Not to take ANYTHING away from his deed but...

The man had guts. He flew through this:



That is 100 meters wide and 38 stories tall. The P-51 has a wingspan of 37 feet or 11 meters.

It was for sure a help that he was a 22 year old bullet proof Mustang pilot as mentioned above. He was moving at a high rate of speed and threaded the needle. It was not something that was easy but the man himself said there was "lots of room" but that might be just modesty.

As I said I don't want to take anything away from fighter pilot that shot down a enemy plane during a war in Paris, deep in enemy territory. He was a great pilot and we all owe him deep respect. His feat was nothing superhuman. He was doing his job. Doing it very well.

[fintstone]

He was one hell of a man...as were many of that era. That said, as noted above...I also don't like the term "greatest generation". Many soldiers of the current generation have served valiantly and honorably for many, many more days in combat (with rules of engagement that make them sitting ducks) than the soldiers of that era. Heroes all. God bless each of them.

[kopters]

We had a saying when I was an Army Aviator "No Balls No Air Medals" I am sure this gentleman had both!!

[flipper35]

If you ever watch dogfights there are people from all eras that do courageous things in aircraft. I am inclined to think they do so on the ground as well.

[lowyder993s]

Originally Posted by speeder

From where do you get that impression? Can you give an example, (of someone getting decorated for flying drones)?

THIS:

Petition asks for change to new drone medal