A fighter pilot who saw a friend come back from the dead and lived to 102, that is a life well spent and rest well earned. Seeing his face light up as he recalled his stories truly has made my day. Thank you for keeping these men's stories alive for future generations.

I became friends with Jack in the last few years of his life. I can attest to what an amazing American he is. Humble, kind, funny and full of energy to the last moment. He was embraced by the local flying community and spent a lot of time flying in all types of aircraft with one of his final flights doing aerobatics in a PT-17 just a year or so before his passing. My wife and I would take home dinner and sit with him when he was in hospice and his stories and memory were incredibly sharp until his last breath. I am honored to have known such a wonderful person and I miss Jack.

His face lit up when he talked about P-38. He truly loved that airplane. God bless and RIP Lt. Thank you for your story and your service.

This is a man who knew what he wanted, did it, loved it, had an adventure, lost friends, unlost one, and lived his best life. What a treasure, hero, and inspiration. Rest well sir.

In Hertfordshire, England, there was a USAAF Airfield called Bovingdon which had P38's. One poor guy crashed just outside Hemel Hempstead soon after take-off. There is a small memorial there and every year on the anniversary, locals gather and lay flowers on the site of the crash. We never forget.

The "Greatest Generation" indeed. I have so much admiration for each and every one. Rest In Peace, Sir.

My grandfather was born the same year as this hero was. My grandfather tried to enlist the day after Pearl Harbor as well but they had him on a delay for about a month and a half. He was eager to go. They determined that he should be sent to flight school in Uvalde, Texas and that was part of the delay. He trained on the same planes as this man. He then learned to fly the P-40 and practiced taking off on short runways in Virginia. Their mission in his squadron was to deliver P-40s to the North African campaign. He flew off the deck of the Naval aircraft carrier USS Ranger CV-4 in 1943. From there he started flying the P-38 for the duration of his time there. He was in the 82nd fighter group in the 12th Air Force. He really loved that P-38 more than any other plane that he ever flew. He credited the dual engines for bringing him home on more than one occasion. My grandfather passed away in 1999 and I would have loved to have had him for more years. He spent 28 years in the Air Force and I loved listening to his stories. When I listened to this gentleman I sort of saw my grandfather in him because of them flying the same planes. They definitely would have enjoyed talking to each other. I'm sorry to hear about this hero's passing but it sounds like he lived a long and full life. Thank you for sharing his story with us. It's great to seem him being remembered for future generations.

My grandpa was a P38 pilot and passed last year as well. These videos are a must, because their unique experiences are lost when they leave us.

What a incredible story. Can you imagine thinking your friend is dead. Come home and he's living at your house. WOW

The smile on this gentlemans face in the beginning as he said "I'm a fighter pilot" was priceless. Thanks to all and the families of those who have served and are serving this Great Nation 👍

You are doing a great service to honor the stories of a soon vanished generation. I am german and my grnadma was 13 when the war started. She told me many stories from her point of view beiing a young girl growing up in a fascist Terror state. I think you found the one true purpose of your life. I enjoy every video so much. The camera work, the editing, the blended in footage, the respect you have for these soldiers really emanates thorugh your and your teams work. Thank you for preserving this history in a medium that has the potential to be around as long as the human race will make it.I like to imagine that 200 years from now, there will be a classroom filled with students watching one of your interviews and can really be enveloped by the Zeitgeist of this era. I wish you only the best, and will watch everything you will put out as long as you are willing to do this important work. Love Max

Its always a great day when MOW2 uploads a video. Thanks team.

RIP Jack, you were a true American patriot 🇺🇸

8:30 Wow, I can really see the kid in him and truly relate to the type of humour these young men had. At the end of the day they were the same as us, kids forced to grow up fast, undertaking in an incredible event, making them legends and heroes. Although this man will probably never see this, a huge thank you to you and all those who fell fighting for our future, the greatest generation who ever lived. ❤🕊

I can only be silent, and awed when I consider your service, Mr. Hallett. Thank you, Sir!

That story was like the end of The Human Comedy only better because the son of the house actually made it home. So good! The detail with which he remembered all of those incidents was extraordinary. I felt like I was in the cockpit with him at times. What a guy! What a life!

I have tears in my eyes every time I watch these interviews

A humble man, filled with his own memories, but still so respectful and in awe of the courage of others. He faced death alone on every mission and has the right to be proud. Inspiring !

"I looked down at the soldiers and thought 'where do they get the courage to do that?" "There was so much lead in the air, but everyone else went in and so you go in..." Love that humility.

The light in his eyes when he said "that's my favorite story" was beautiful.. you can tell how happy that memory made him.. God bless soldier

Another incredible story, I couldn't imagine being in their shoes back then. RIP Jack Hallett. I was very curious on what happened to John Rufas Lund and found out he passed away on February 14th 2005 at age 88. RIP John Lund.

Here's the sound of a wisened warrior not some arrogant loudmouth but a man who is genuinely happy and grateful not to have died in awe of the valor he witnessed in love with aviation and still possessing a sense of humor.

Don't ever forget these men. The powers that be couldn't do what they are till these men were gone.

The part of the story where he pursues a fighter into the ground is one of the best war stories I've ever heard.

holy mackerel, this gave me goosebumps.. I'm a young German guy, fascinated by the stories of our grandparents, on both sides of the pond. I love hearing stories like this when enemy soldiers, or pilots in this case, behave so humanely and treat those that came to fight them with dignity and respect. Unfortunately such a behavior was less common in the east when it came to the war between the Germans and the Russians.. But I, and I suppose many other Germans, still feel grateful towards the Americans and other western allies for joining the war to fight Hitlers aggression and even more for not treating all Germans like Hitler's after the war, despite the many acts of war crimes and atrocities, and for allowing and enabling us and the rest of Europe to recover and nurture a free, prosperous and democratic Europe. Your work is truly indispensable and a great way to let the memories of those men and those that did not come back live on. Please relay my gratitude to the next brave veteran you interview!

My dad was a P-51 pilot with the 15th Air Force in Italy. He didn't talk much about the war until he was in his 70s, but I felt that, looking back, he considered it the most exciting thing in his life. This video captures what my dad felt for me.

He lived a long life! Thank you for letting him share his story with us.

What an outstanding family project! I got an associate degree in history somewhere around 50 years old after a career in the Marines. I conducted a couple of historical interviews, one of a veteran and neighbor who served right through the war in Europe in the infantry. Another lady who worked with my wife, who lived in an occupied town in Belgium, her brother was in the resistance. The stories literally blew my mind. This project you're doing is priceless, and I commend you and your family! The Jack Hallet interview is one of the best I've seen! I recruited in that town, Newton, MA.... really great people there.

In my teen, i read a lot of ww2 airplane fighters books and loved it! This was a beautiful thing, thank you! The joy in this man face is priceless!

You may have only got one air to air battle victory, but you did it with great bravery and courage all while being completely upside down. That is badass! I absolutely love what this channel is doing!

This amazing man remembers everything like it was yesterday …

What a great story about his buddy surviving and being at his house when he got home. ❤

These hero's were so young they didn't realize the amount of bravery they were showing. Amazing Men and Women!

My grandfather was a Combat Medic in WWII. My dad wasn't in the picture, so I was raised by my single mother and her parents. My grandfather took the fatherly roll and I couldn't be more grateful or proud to be raised by him. He's gone now and buried in Arlington Cemetery but his stories are held in my heart. And will be till I'm no longer here myself. Here's to the Greatest Generation.

This makes me sad but yet happy that they had some real life experiences no one will ever have. My dad and both my uncles fought in WWII, I miss them dearly..

Rest easy, Jack. Thank you for serving our great nation. Thank you to the Memoirs of WWII team for keeping Jacks' story alive.

This has to be one of my favorites. He lit up sharing his story, and it brought me to tears. Beautiful!

One of the most humble and beautiful World War Two true stories ever told. Direct from the man who lived it, Jack Hallet, himself. Rest in Peace Great American.

What a kind, gentle man. I was lucky enough to grow up around men like this. My dad's boss at DSA was a 2-star Air Force General who had survived the Bataan Death March. He explained to me how a reflector gunsight works. My Italian in-laws are from the very north-east of Italy. My wife's mom has described watching aerial combat over her village, with empty cartridges falling from the sky, and one day they discovered all the fields and hedges covered in strips of aluminum foil. This was called "window," and it was tossed out of bombers to dazzle enemy radar. We call it chaff. So many stories. --Old Guy

Rest in peace brave pilot, it was a joy to hear telling your story!

What a great story. I'm glad he got to live such a long life he definitely deserved it.

I have a feeling hes not too proud of his dog fight victory. Seems like sich a gentle man. Thank you for your service. So much respect!!

The way he spoke about the men on the ground, that’s proper admiration. God bless their souls, all of them.

I couldn't help but smile along with Jack as he recollected his time of service in WWII Thank you Jack for your selflessness!

Wow! I don’t have the words for incredible service these men did. Truly the greatest generation. Thank you for all that you do to keep these stories alive

What an amazing story, definitely one of my favorites. Just a kid with a love of flying. Even in the midst of war, all he wanted to do was fly.

What a beautiful heart warming story. Thanks for preserving those precious memories. God bless Jack and thanks for his service to our country.

Rest in Peace Jack. Thanks for sharing your story.

There's an 8th AAF vet in the Lutheran home in Telford Pennsylvania that just turned 106yrs old. I believe he was crew cheif for B17's. You should try to interview him.

Magnificent josh! Thank you for what you and your family do! My maternal grandfather was an Ace P-38 pilot... And a very rare case of having served in both S. Pacific, as well as Europe, and later to remain among the occupying population of Germany. My paternal grandfather was a Commander in the C.B.'s USN, Midway, Palau, and surrounds.... From both just a multitude of the deepest and most moving true accounts of what they, the greatest generation did! So very rich and with such pure, honest humanness and humanity, I am ever moved and I never tire of learning from such recounts! Blessings, Thank you! -Cpt. Loyal Tarbet

Rest easy and in Peace, Jack.

I wish i could be happy about ANYTHING like he does when he talks about being in a P38. What an amzing man.

Could u freaking imagine coming home to your family housing your best friend that you thought was dead?!?!? What an amazing story!!

The story of Jacks friend John easily is the best I’ve ever heard. The emotions, the back and forth of why he had that dang jacket…I mean nobody could write a better ending. May they both rest in peace.

Such a great guy. Great story teller too. God Bless him, and all of the Greatest Generation. Rest in Peace.

Best part of these videos are hearing them talk about their friends

When he returned his friends jacket back to him 😭😭 who’s cutting onions 😢

I am 65 now all My of My Uncles Who had served in WW2 have Passed on . This story moved Me to tears. Rarely have I left California. If I ever go to Kansas I will have to go to Ensign Kansas. When I watch these stories or read about these people like the Men shot down over the Pacific and never seen again . I read that maybe they were born and raised in a remote and little known town in Nevada or a suburb now so changed that if they could see it today they would not know it as their old home. Perhaps there remains a old walk or step where their proud parents posed holding them as babies for a photo. Or where they strode in the immortality of their Youth. 19:47

Thank you, Sir, for your service and your memory. You were part of the Greatest Generation. Your generation was in charge when I was growing up. They were our leaders, our teachers, our carpenters, our mechanics, our doctors, our neighbors. I wish I had known better that I was growing up with the toughest and most resilient people on Earth, but I was just a kid. I am privileged to have grown up in your generations shadow. Rest in peace Sir.

The stories you get to hear on this channel is better than watching a movie, these veterans telling there tale of the time they defended there country in WW2 it’s them that you honor.I was raised by a vet from WW2/Korea and it was the greatest generation this country will ever know and I can say that with conviction….back when men were men.

Wow...brought tears listening to his story about his buddy.

Although I think your whole channel is incredible, this was my favourite video of them all 👍🏻 What an amazing story!

Boston born 1960 I know my freedoms are because of men like him. God bless America🇺🇸

I have watched this particular interview many times, and Jack makes me smile every time. What a humble man. From Ireland: RIP Jack Halett.

The greatest generation especially in the U.S.A. was these guys in the 40's I don't just say that because my pop was in WWII but because of all the military and soldiers I've seen in videos like this plus the fact I remember my father working 3 jobs when I was growing up to feed and cloth 12 kids ,he not only worked the 3 jobs but also stained and painted people's wood plank fences on the weekends, I don't know of anyone that doesn't have a college degree making so much they don't have to work that many jobs doing it so I hold extremely high honors for these guys I also had many of my brother's in other wars ,I had 2 brother's in Vietnam before they told them only one brother in a family had to be there, the youngest of the two got to come home after his tour and the older stayed and did 2 terms, they got their pride from my father, God bless all these guys.

Wow, I love this guy so much. What an amazing story!

And now we all know why Jack Hallett took John Lund's Leather Jacket. Everything does happen for a reason & that is a most wonderful story. Jack continued to marvel at the courage of those who fought on the Normandy Beaches. However, anyone who climbs into a plane during wartime is a Hero in my book. Courage takes all forms. Thank You Jack, you & your wartime friends will never be forgotten.

The greatest generation will forever live on. I wish they lived forever I absolutely love their stories more than words can say. The courage of these people were uncanny.

This is why I love our Country

This guy had the coolest war stories I've ever heard. Kudos for preserving this kind of priceless history.

The story about his comrade John Lund is a really great one. Happy to support, Thank you for doing this work guys

This episode is emotional. What a terrific bloke and a credit to the American Air Force. Thanks for your contribution towards defeating Nazi Germany Sir. Love from Great Britain

Its amazing there are still ww2 veterans still alive given that the war started over 80 years ago

What a story had tears in my eyes one very humble man RIP

They don’t make men like these anymore. Thank you for your service sir.

These Men and Women, fought bleed and died for this Country. The Greatest generation ever. These Hero’s that are gone on are turning over in their graves at what is happening to our Country today. We need to stand in there stead and fight for our Country. Who is willing to stand ?

You go through the flame and whoa! What a great story, had me laughing and holding back tears. Thanks for sharing his story

These men gave up their youth for our future. My dad was one of them. Oh how I miss him

I wish I found these videos 3 years ago to have my grandpas stories told… lost him when I was 29 and he was 99 back in January of 2020. He always told us stories of his time in both Europe and the Pacific… greatest generation full of selflessness

Seemed like such a sweet and gentle guy.

This one hear is the one that got me. Greatest generation to ever live.

I was so lucky growing up with my grandparents. Not only was my Grandpa a WWII merchant marine but the ran an assisted living for the elderly. Basicly i ended up with 50 or so adopted grandparents. I recall just sitting in the smoke room with a few of the old men talking about thete times in the military. I met a man that was part of the test crew on one of the first successful US submarines. Another told me the tales his Dad told him about the civil war, he was over 100 himself back in the 1980s. I just loved hearing about all the historic and brave things not only these men did but they witnessed others do. This one old man we called smokey since he chain smoked even into his 90s. He told me about his time as an officer of the law back in the 40s. Some of the crimes he investigated and solved. He told me one time that the only thing her regrets was not being able to solve some of the worse crimes such as murders. It was a part of my life the made me the way i am, a person that trys to live life to the fullest. Today i have my own tails to tell as a combat vet. I have done things that today i would say were crazy. I was into xstream sports before they were called that. I have climbed mountains, parachuting off of it after, just to say i did it. I have be3n around the world many times, been to all states but Alaska (to damn cold dor me lol). I have hunted bear with bow, have had to kill a cougar out of self defense (damn thing was about to pounce on me, and i got one hell of a shot with my 1911 .45). I have rode a buffalo (a freind had a herd of them and no it was not exactly tame lol) thats one of those stupid things i did.

Amazing... my grandfather told me many stories. Unfortunately I was a little to young to fully understand them. Miss you grandad Jim.

Happiest WWII vet ever 😊

A kill's a kill...CONGRATS! Thanks for your service. RIP Sir!

Thank you Sir for your courage, sacrifice and service for freedom. 🇺🇸 your my hero ❤RIP❤

My great-grandfather was a medic on D-day. He didn't even carry a gun. He and all other veterans have my utmost respect. Thank you for your service.

Thank you, Jack. Rest In Peace.

Rest well Sir and thank you for our freedom. You get to fly with the angels now.

Great story, another wonderful character gone but atleast we have this for his memory. What a legend Rip Jack what a life you lived

I'm incredibly intrigued when it comes to World War 2 and these stories these hero's tell. I used to sit with my grandmother and get her to tell me the stories she had already told me so many times before. She still had her ration books and I never liked touching them to much because they were so sentimental to me and they were so old and delicate. I've watched and listened to so many stories since I was a child and came across this one today..this is definitely one of the best ones and got emotional when he talked about his friend and him living at his house..incredible..these guys are REAL hero's and I have so much administration for them. To think in 10 yeah there might not be any of these great men/women alive anymore..they are a huge part of history and will never be forgotten. At ease Jack..u were a great man! RIP

What a great man. I'm sure his family is very proud of him.

The fact that he threw the p38 into a spin like that is insane

Honour Humility Respect. What an amazing man and generation.

Bless the souls of all these Heroes. With deepest respect.

The "jesus christ I've been wounded" story had me in stitches for some reason 🤣

Another great man with a fantastic story. I hope he rests in peace with his friends and John especially!

This man lived to be 101 years old he was alive during prohibition imagine living in the 2020's and having been around during that didn't end till the 1930's.. Crazy all the stuff this guy's seen.. From prohibition to ww2, both the Kennedy assassinations, 9/11.. And so much else it's amazing, ,RIP sir...

That's brilliant Josh. What a fantastic story of Jack's. Many thanks to your family for keeping these memories alive. Best wishes from Australia.

What a cool guy and what a cool story about John Lund! RIP Jack, thank you for your service and thank you for the stories! 🕊️