BALL TURRET GUNNER: Operating from the Deadliest Position | Lester Schrenk

Video Description

Lester Schrenk joined the U.S. Army Air Forces on his 19th birthday in November 1942. Being the last to join his flight crew, he was assigned to the only open position left - a ball turret gunner on a B-17 bomber. At 5'11", he was much bigger than most men tasked with squeezing into that very tiny space. Schrenk tells us what the missions were like for a ball turret gunner and why, on one particular mission, the pilot's decision to let him leave his position saved his life. Though he survived that mission, he landed in enemy hands, where he would remain for 15 grueling months. Interview recorded on November 9, 2024 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Support the American Veterans Center's mission to preserve the legacy and history of our heroes by making a tax-deductible donation today: https://americanveteranscenter.org/donation-form/ Learn more about the American Veterans Center: http://www.americanveteranscenter.org/ Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/americanveteranscenter/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AVCupdate Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/americanveteranscenter/ Subscribe to the Veterans Chronicles podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/americanveteranscenter?sid=youtubedescription ---------------------------------------------------------------- Video Credits: Interviewer - Greg Corombos Director of Photography - Jon Hambacker Editor - Bramley Sullivan