Hi again, I was the co pilot and this was the best crew I ever flew with. Great memories with this crew. Still licking at 88 years old.

My dad was the aircraft commander, Jerry McKay. He was a wonderful and loving person and just a great guy. I remember everyone in his crew. They were together for a long time. We looked for this film for years and years. The McKay kids are happy and grateful that someone posted it. And Jimmy Stewart was a true gentleman.

I cannot believe this !!! My dad was in this show. He is the ECM operator. Master Sergeant Bob Schmitz is my dad. We were stationed at Westover for around 5 years. I am so happy you posted this show !! Thank you so much !!!!

Jimmy Stewart is a perfect example of how our nation used to be and now should be. What a great American and patriot!

My dad is the co-pilot, Lewis Van Bibber

On behalf of the Schmitz family I’d like to thank you so much for posting this video. It made my entire family’s night to see my grandfather again. I cannot begin to express how deeply emotional this was for everyone in my family. Thank you thank you thank you!

SAC Troop, here, Castle AFB, Ca 1989-1993. B-52G Aircraft Hydraulic Systems Specialist. Salute to Brig Gen James Stewart. One of the Finest Americans to ever live and serve. Took great pride in his military service and in his Country.

God I truly loved Jimmy Stewart. The man could read a phone book and make it sound like an epic drama. God bless the memory of this great man.

I’m watching this 63 years after it was filmed and not only is the ‘’Manned Bomber’’ still in use but the B-52 is too. Amazing!

Now the Grandchildren of those men are flying those planes. God love the B 52.

61 years after this film was made the B-52 still plays a major role in the defense of America. Now that was an excellent use of tax-payers money!

After watching this, I am truly embarrassed at what the US has become. However, I will NEVER be ashamed to be an American EVER.

The words of a man who had been there and did that a true Great American General Stewart.

I love seeing old Cold War stuff like this. I'm retired Air Force and a Cold War Veteran. God Bliss You Sir and my you Rest in Peace.

A great depiction of a B-52 mission. The one error is the de-breifing. That usually took another 2 hours. The heavy helmet and relieve in taking it off even for a shot time struck home with me. The earphones seemed to be driving into your scull after 4 hours. most of our missions were 12 hours long. Americans have no idea of the sacrifices and security that SAC men and women gave to their country. Planes in the air 24/7 365 days a year for 30 years.

My husband met Jimmy in Guam at the O'club one year while stationed there. Said he was on heck of an officer! A people person!

SAC Troop for 15 yrs....1974-1984, 410th BMW K.I. Sawyer AFB, MI....1984-1986, 8th AF NCO Leadership School, 305 ARW Grissom AFB, IN....1987-1991, 8th AF then 15th AF NCO Leadership School, 633rd ABW Andersen AFB, Guam....1991-1992, 28th BMW, USAF Hospital, Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota. Lived under the direct flight path of the B-52's and KC-135's while at K.I. Sawyer AFB, MI. Our young sons would often ask what all the noise was. Told them (with pride), "It's the sound of Freedom!" Served for a total of 25+ years in the USAF and those 15 years in SAC were some of the best!

My dad says they wanted to pay them but they weren't allowed to accept so Jimmy Stewart gave them all transistor radios. He was also one of the pilots in the flyover for the 2nd inauguration for President Eisenhower

11:34 “You’ll be the last one out, or ride the bomber in” If only today’s politicians had that sort of moral fibre..

A GREAT actor and patriot! Unlike many "pretenders" who stayed home and just made war movies in Hollywood, he ACTUALLY served with distinction! Flying with the angels now for sure!

This film brought me to tears. Where have men of their ilk gone? Serious, dedicated, professional, studied and sure of their mission. And fathers of families. My Dad was one of their kind. I mourn him and them, the last of the greatest generation. 🇨🇦

Wow, today this serves as a powerful piece. It reinforces my belief we are in troubled times and at a crossroad. Peace through strength, importance of family, and true patriotism. I feel as though the importance of family, respect for our elder generations, and love for America as it was founded is under attack. Certainly men like Jimmy Stewart today in Hollywood are vilified, at a time when men like him are not only missed but needed. God bless the USA 🙏🇺🇸👍

We used to follow up, "Peace is our profession", with "War is just a hobby". It took me a very long time to understand that the motto was true. You don't see piles of radioactive rubble where cities used to be in this country because we were ready, and peace really was our profession.

Jimmy thank you for greeting our Douglas DC9 at Norton AFB when we came home from Vietnam....... ever our HERO and a member of the GREATEST GENERATION !

Good Ol' SAC, Peace was our profession, bombing was our hobby. R.I.P. General Stewart, we miss you.

Brigadier general James Stewart truly a Great Great American Hero! “American Patriot”

I miss Jimmy Stewart and his generation of generous, honorable and intelligent men.

Freedom isn't free. Great video and thanks to all of the patriots that kept us safe.

I'm an Army LTC (former SSG). Blessings to you, BG Stewart and all the men, and women, of the Cold War to include the Air Force. I wonder about the named air and ground crew. Heroes absolutely all. Blessings to the Air Force and all our Uniformed Services.

This kind of show needs to air in every Jr. and Sr. High School in this country at least once every two months!

In 1959, my family lived in Oklahoma City directly under a glide path into Tinker AFB. I remember the B-52's coming over the house, shaking windows and dishes and my mother about in tears. The kids thought the sight of a '52 was terrific. Good times!

I had an uncle who flew with Jimmy Stewart, head of a bombing group. Uncle Johnny said that the actor was just as nice and kind in real life as he seemed. Stewart had a form of PTSD after the war. He was distraught because he knew that his bombs had killed innocent people, especially women and children. It was Henry Fonda who helped him. Few actors now have anything in common with the likes of James Stewart. Faithful in marriage, a gentle and humble man, a good father. He adopted Gloria’s twin boys, on of whom was killed in Vietnam. Yes, Jimmy Stewart, one of the greatest generation. There were millions just like him. Yes, we are blessed with many great men, but not the number we once had.

This is a PRIME example of "Gethomeitis". Risking a bad weather landing...to get home, that day! What Jimmy didn't tell us: The crew day doesn't end when a B-52 crew climbs off the aircraft. It's a least another 1-2 hours to attend a "debrief" meeting with maintenance and fill out the necessary crew training records. The normal "crew day" for a training flight was 2 hours, prior. 8-9 hours in flight, 1-2 hours debrief and paperwork.

Jimmy Stewart was an inspired choice for narrator. As a former bomber pilot in some of the most taxing raids in WW2, he has an empathy for Maj. McKay and all those who fought our "Cold" War. It rings through most clearly in those closing lines, I think. An excellent reminder that military duty is hazardous all the time, not just when the flak surrounds you or the missiles are flying. Bravo for posting this!

Dad was a Crew Chief. USAF ‘51-‘73. I grew up on Ramey & Mather. Good days. I wish I could go back. Thanks for posting.

I worked for the Airforce as a DoD civilian for 39 years...I have the greatest respect for all the military.., James Stewart led a quiet life, and was a badass warrior IRL.

I was an Aircraft Commander of C-141s 30 years ago and this video brought an immense sense of pride for my nation and my United States Air Force. God bless the Cowboy57 crew and Jimmy Stewart.

I worked with a former B-52 driver at an Aluminum Company in the 90s. We called him “Wild Man”. He had some good stories about his time in SAC. Whenever we flew commercial, he’d instantly fall asleep as soon as the plane took off. He said it was his Air Force training; sleep when you can. I miss you Charlie!

If anyone loves History? James Stewart the MAN was the "Perfect" voice for this! He cashed every check he Ever Wrote in Advance, he put every dollar where his mouth was with Interest!! Hollywood should learn a thing or two from This Greatest Generation!! RIP boys and Thank You!

Dear God please send us some more Jimmy Stewarts.

The Old "D" model, had many happy hours in them flying out of Utapo in Thailand. By then the preflights were not as complicated as depicted. Flew Gs out of Guam during Linebacker 2. Sure brings back memories.

Jimmy Stewart, not just Actor playing a Part in the Military, A real Major General serving 27 years in the Army, Air Force and Air Force Reserve.

When America was the greatest nation on earth. Hope still is 2021

Unbelievable. My dad had told me about this episode, and that his father ; SMSgt. (Ret.) Stephen Kimball had been part of the B-52 crew that was featured. I had been trying to find this episode for YEARS. Even contacted CBS back in 2011, it was “Revue Studios Schlitz Playhouse of the Stars Season 8, Episode 17 which aired on July 7th, 1959”, in hopes of acquiring a copy. Happened to google “Cowboy 57” on a whim yesterday and you had uploaded it 3 years ago!! Thank you so much for doing so.

My dad was a crew chief on B-52's at CEF from 56 - 60. He followed that up with 40 years at the CT ANG at BDL. RIP dad.

19:51 - see a black airman in the audience, sitting with everyone else - in 1959. I wonder who was the first black SAC pilot? I know Robert James Thomas (the father of the late KC Chiefs LB Derrick Thomas) was a co-pilot of a B-52 on a raid over Hanoi in 1972, and was KIA.

"Peace Is Our Profession."...war is just a hobby. :-)

As a" SAC Brat" I really enjoyed this. Dad wad a Line Chief in SAC following B-17, B-24, and B-29 flight engineer in WWII and Korea. Served at Smokey Hill ( Schilling) in Kansas and Greenham Common England

I know of a retired Buff pilot today who gives flying lessons. It is said that it takes him 45 minutes to do his run up checks with a student in a 150.

My Dad was attached to Westover about the time this was shot. Among my earliest memories are of B-52's in nose docks. Thanks to all the cold warriors, we owe it all to you.

These guys were some hard ol' Bastards and I say that with all affection. The men of the Strategic Air Command kept the wolf away from the door for many years during operation Chrome Dome. Awesome footage of a B52. I never got to see a B36 but did get to see a B47 around 68 or 69, however, the B52 is a magnificent old girl that has done her share and still keeps on going. I was born in 1964 and the threat of nuclear war loomed all of my childhood days. My father was a WW2 mud Marine 44-45 & a China Marine 46-48, brother was a Vietnam Army Soldier . I am a Proud Marine Veteran and I'm damn proud of the men who went before and after me. I honor all USA Veterans no matter what cline or place they served. Great story and made me proud of the land I call Home of the Free because of the Brave!

I was born at Westover. These days when I head out west on the Pike I look to see what's in the air and where it's heading. Great film! Thanks for posting and the reminder that we owed a lot to those men who flew those planes.

What I like about this is JS, as the narrator was a veteran himself. He knew what he was speaking about. Even the little comment about the chair being uncomfortable but not easy to fill speaks of experience.

My Dad was the navigator on these planes. Great video.

When America was great and men served proudly.

Born 1953. What a time to be a kid!...

Always liked his voice, its somehow calming.

If it was anyone other than James Stewart narrating, it would seem like just propaganda( yes i know it is actually propaganda!!!). He has an emotional attachment to this story and you can tell. Absolutely wonderful to see comments from the relatives of Cowboy 57 crewmembers. Heroes to you, and to me too.

Yes, Stewart piloted the B-24 in WWII and the B-47 while flying for Strategic Air Command. He was the real deal.

I was in my 1966 Corvair with the windows up over 100 feet from a b-52 starting its engines. i thought my head was going to blow up!!!

When this film was made, nobody had any clue that in 2022 the B-52s would still be flying and still doing the same job, but with a few changes to the tactics used to employ them. The best machines remain useful the longest. The B-52 must therefor be among the best machines ever made. But the C-130 and C-135 platforms have also withstood the test of time.

Never saw this before 😲 The 52 was and still is an awesome and magnificent military plane. Jimmy Stewart knew his stuff as a man who flew many missions in WW2, what a great man he was 😊 🇺🇸

No wonder that Jimmy Stewart became an illustrious American icon: you can hear the sincerity in his voice. He was a real deal.

Well, my dad was in a years training at Westover in 1958 and I was nine years old! By August 1959 we had transferred to Ramey AFB in Puerto Rico when the first B52 G landed there. He was the commanding officer of the FMS and took me out in one of the squadrons trucks to watch her land. I had just turned ten years old. Our next station was Loring AFB, top o Maine on a flight line more than twice the size of Ramey. The sound of the B52s initiating their roll, then that timed roll and takeoff was like blood in everyone’s mind.

. . . ' on the glide path,' speaking my language . . . being once an Military Airlift Command airman, some 30+ years ago - Detachment 7, 37th Air Rescue Recovery Squadron - Minot AFB, North Dakota ! 🇺🇸

Thanks! Major General James Stewart! According to google! He retired 2 stars ⭐️ ⭐️

Incredible bit of history! These sorts of gems need to be shown to everyone to remind them of what it was like for previous generations

James Stewart knows exactly what this kind of work is about. He led and was part of at least 20 bombing missions over Europe and Germany during WWII. What a great person.

James Stewart, real war hero. Always wished I could have met him. Got to witness the "BUFFs" at March AFB (B-52D) from 1977 to 1981. Wonderful sight and sounds. Thanks for finding this and posting.

My dad was station at Westover AFB in 1953 and my little brother was born there we went from there to Dover AFB,then to Berstrom AFB,Tx just outside of Austin Tx then Travis AFB I grow up in the Air force God Bless the Air Forces and all the military people

You have touch so many hearts of the yrs...Sadly today there are FEW who could even fill your shoes.....R.I.P.....

I've never heard a take off run narrated so intensely,Jimmy Stewart was perfect for this.

When I was a teenager, James Stewart was one of my great idols. Later I heard that he was a warhero and it make me like him even more. He was one of the brave mans fighting against dictators all over the world. to give us a safe world to live in. They are cruing in there heavens when they see what happends in the world right now. I love and never forget all this brave soldiers, fighting in WW2. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

Wow. Patriotic duty and professionalism coupled with a normal 2 parent family. The leftists will blow a gasket over this vid. God bless our serving members and vets out there!

My father was a B-52 ECM officer at the time this film was made. '57-'60 Fairchild AFB Spokane. Originally a B-29 bombardier on Tinian, he was later on the first B-29 shot down by a MIG in Korea. Survived the war as a POW. My hero. RIP Major Lyle E. Dodd

I was raised an Air Force brat. My Father was a Medical Service Corps Officer. My wife is also an Air Force brat. Her Father among his other assignments was an electrician/gunner on B-36 Peacemakers and later a boom operator on KC-97s and KC-135s. Both my wife and I went bad, however. We both joined the Navy! I flew reconnaissance aircraft for 6 years as a Naval Aircrewman. My wife was a ground-pounder for VQ-2.

Peace is our profession! Let's hope it stays that way. Where are the actors today that can say they defended freedom and liberty. Keep checkin' 6 BG Stewart!

“We the people” work so hard for the liberty of this land. Damn our elected leaders for the crap they give us in return!

I grew up under one of the flights paths into and out of Westover. When I was 6, both the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels came in, in formation to participate in the yearly airshow. Both teams were flying F-4 Phantoms. They came over my hometown (West Springfield, on the west side of the Connecticut River) at what I now know is FAA minimum. It was wonderfully earth shaking. Later on my brother was a loadmaster on C-130's after Westover became a Reserve/National Guard Base. From 1986 - 1991 my wife (a USAF Captain) and I (a USAFR Staff Sergeant) were stationed at SCA HQ, Offutt AFB, NE.

A real Air Force pilot, a real hero... Jimmy Stewart~!

I was in SAC in Minot AFB, ND. I was a B52 mechanic and the upgrades to these Buffs is incredible since this was made. I've talked to B1 and B2 pilots who Flew all and he said he preferred the B52. Impressive. im amused by the over dramatics. These birds have way better Engines and navigation and coms and every single aspect is 10 times better than they were. I was in Pnuedralics and fuel systems. I built everything from brakes to shuttle valves and spoilers and flap actuators. I've seen tires explosions on landings and Bombay doors ripped off from low altitude bomb runs at high speed. Around 250 mph they fold up below 1k ft. Lol! It will be a good day to see all weapons of war turned into plow shears. God bless everyone here and thank you for your service too.

Haven't heard Jimmy Stewart's voice in a long time. What talent he had! The dude was amongst the greatest, of all-time.

WOW...this was great to see.... I worked on ECM equipment from 83 - 86 at CASTLE AFB which is now closed...they trained the crews there when I was there...Thank you for posting, brings back a lot of good memories

This is a walk through a moment in time back in 1957 fast forward to today, 2024...wow, yes all that time has passed yet some things don't change all that much. The US Air Force still uses the B-52. ,kids are still learning how to play musical instruments, scooters still break down. American family values continue to be strong despite the challenges that have tried to do away with our country. The difference is, we don't have the kind of talent today that we did with Jimmy Stewart.

A few tears before this, Boeing introduced the B-52G. I think I was a sophomore in HS. Anyway, I decided I wanted to be an aeronautical engineer because of it. Many detours later including six years in the army and ten years in broadcasting, I went to work for Boeing as an Infrared Engineer/Radar Engineer. About a year on that and I was TDY to Wichita to work on the B-52 smart jammer. I thought it was nice of USAF to keep it around until I got around to working on it.

HI All It was a different time , Patriotism was alive and well. We just thought of our efforts as doing our job. We had great leaders such as Gen. Stewart. Checked him out in B-47's. M/Sgt. Bob Schmitz was the best ECM Op. I ever had. Be proud of the old man , Bob. Went on to fly with N.G. and flew helicopters in VN.

Brings back fond memories of my B52 Air Force service at Westover, Mass 1956 to 1958

jimmy Stewart has been my favorite actor since I was old enough understand why was going on (turned 9 in 1959) I have seen every movie he has made...he excelled in westerns. my ALL TIME favorite was "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" the themes of "graft and corruption" are MORE relevant today ...2023 than they were back in the 40"s. the video was outstanding. I'm not sure , but I think we never lost a SAC B52 on a "protecting the peace" mission. we owe those men and their families a great depth of gratitude. I remember clearly during the cuban missile crisis of seeing Air Force planes going over day and night Central Florida.also military vehicles of every kind conveying on the hi ways down to key west.

This video is a wonderful time capsule. Too bad this short film was not included with the DVD & Bluray release of Strategic Air Command.

I was assigned to the base where Mr. Stewart did the filming aboard the B-52. Our operations center has autographed pictures of Mr. Stewart and other actors and film crew. I got to actually see the B-52 that was used in the movie. It was not a flying aircraft, just the forward section. But it was so cool to see it.

In 1970 I was a student at nearby Western New England College. This was a busy time for the BUFs out of nearby Westover. I’ll never forget some professor’s frustrations as they had to interrupt their lecture for several minutes as these loud low flying monsters overflew the campus! Despite their angst, it was music to my ears as a future professional pilot!

This whole film is fantastic but no one could have brought it to life like the legend Jimmy Stewart.

I have always loved Jimmy Stewart. He completely brought this to life. Great video.

I guarded buffs at KISawyer. 410th SPS. Hated almost every minute of it. Walking around them for 8 hours in sub-zero temps isn’t as glamorous as it sounds. Deathly boring. Luckily the U.P. was a great area if you can handle the winters. Not everyone can.

This is a surprisingly well done movie. Very exciting. And Jimmy Stewart's narration is just right. Love this!

2022 here we are 63 years later and the mighty B52 is still a beast to be reckoned with! The weapons payload is still incredible from 500 pound conventional bombs to thermo nuclear weapons and Cruise missiles! Most importantly the exceptional crews that fly and support the B52 make this bomber special. While we have the B1 and B2 stealth bombers, the B52 is still vital. It's amazing three generations of flight crews have flown this mighty bomber! You are all to be thanked and appreciated in serving the United States Air Force!

13:23 J57 's prove that water can burn!

And would you believe . . .. them B-52's have been in service, for 60+ years now. As they say, them Buff's, got 'Good Bones' ! 🇺🇸

I used to hear the phrase "good old days" from my parents having been born in 1949 and roll my eyes.. But the 50's and 60's truly were the good ole days. Jimmy Stewart was the epitome of class and what a true gentleman was. He was a quiet unassuming man who not only flew bombers out of England during WWII but entertained millions upon millions afterwards. His poetry reading on the Johnny Carson show can still be seen on U-Tube. I am a grateful and proud Vietnam Veteran of the United States Air Force.

Gen Stewart was always an inspiration in my youth...now I can sit back n look at my log book n tell my grandkids what GPA used t o do...