Transcripts For CSPAN3 History Bookshelf Jerry Yellin The Last Fighter Pilot 20240713

[applause] plaws [applause] as we were downstairs getting ready to start, captain yellin was asking me, do i stand for the army . Or do i stand for the air force . Because he was in the Army Air Forces. I said, sir, youre 93 years old, you can stand for anybody you want to. [applause] captain jerry yellin is an Army Air Forces veteran who served in world war ii between 1941 and 1945. He enlisted on his 18th birthday, just two months after the bombing of pearl harbor. After graduating from the air field as a Fighter Pilot in august of 1943, at the ripe old age of 19, he spent the remainder of the war flying p40, p47, and p51 combat missions in the pacific with the 78th fighter squadron. He participated in the first landbased fighter mission over japan on 7 april, 1945, and has the unique distinction of having flown the final combat mission of world war ii on 14 august, 1945, the day combat ended. On that mission, his wing man was the last man killed in a combat mission in world war ii. His experiences as a Fighter Pilot in the Pacific Theater are captured in his book the last Fighter Pilot, published earlier this year. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to our platform, recipient of the air medal with three clusters, world war ii veteran and Fighter Pilot, captain jerry yellin. [applause] thank you, sir. I have to begin by saying this is an unbelievable honor. For me. Throughout my air force career, i was constantly reminded that the air force that i served in stood on the shoulders of giants. And those giants were the men, and no apologies to the women present, but in world war ii, there were no women in combat. Ot that none served. But you and your generation properly referred to as the greatest generation set the standard for what it means to fly, fight and win, which is the basis of what is today the worlds greatest air force that i proudly served in. You gave us a warrior ethos that defines who we are, and im talking about it from an air force perspective, but that same ethos, those same standards are present across all of our military services, and its because of men like jerry yellin and your generation that gave that to us, and i thank you. So im just so honored to be up here with you. We had talked about some questions we were going to go through, but ive got to start with one. It talked about you flew planes. Im the soften a naval aviator. My dad would tell me that the greatest Fighter Aircraft ever built, i got a soft spot for the p51. Every time i see one flying, i am just absolutely in awe. You got to tell us, what was it like flying that p51 mustang . Captain yellin we learned to fly in the 220 horsepower, and then a 400 horsepower, and then a 600 horsepower. Each one of those you flew with an instructor. Then we got in a fighter plane being used by general in china against the japanese, and then we got the p47, which we called a jog. Hard airplane to fly. It didnt have any controls. And then we got the finest airplane that ever was built, p51 mustang. And you can fly that with your fingertips. The sound of it, the feeling of instant response with anything that you wanted to do. That was what the p51 was bout, still the best airplane. I would agree with you. [applause] i made reference about a copy tv here, and were going to talk about the availability thats in our bookstore, and captain yellin is going to be available to autograph copies of the book. In the book, you share juror experiences as a Fighter Pilot in world war ii. I think to start with, and although the book ends with it, but walk us through that last mission, the last Fighter Pilot, the last mission, august 14, 1945. Captain yellin i landed on iwo jima on august 6, the day that the first atomic bomb was dropped on hiroshima. , d my prop was still spinning and one person dropped on my wing and said we dropped one bomb, wiped out a city. I said what are you drinking, i want some. You know, its hard to believe. But it was true. And then on august 9, 1945, the second bomb was dropped on nagasaki. We thought the war was over, we would not fly any more missions. At that point in time i had flown with 15 guys who were killed. I never thought about them as being dead. They were transferred. Wed see them again someday. And we were called to a iefing on august 13 with 100plus pilots and told that we were going to fly a final mission, another mission. And someone asked jim tap, our c. O. , why are we going to japan again. And he said, well, the japs are negotiating, but theres no movement. We have to go and keep them honest. But theyre going broadcast the code word utah to abort the mission. Well hear that, we wont go to japan. When that was said, a 19yearold man leaned over to and he said, captain, if we go on this mission, im not coming back. And i said what are you talking about . He says its a feeling i have. I went to tap and told him what phil told me. And he told me you cannot go to doc lewis, the flight surgeon, but phil will go, he might get off the mission. I told that to phil, and he said no way. Early on the morning of august 14, i said, phil, get on my wing and dont get off, just stick in close. Were never going make it to japan. Well, we had to drop our external tags. We dropped our tanks, and we went in a straight fields, somewhere in japan, over in japan. And we needed 90 gallons of fuel of get back to iwo jima. Somebody in the squadron called 90 gallons. I looked over, phil was on my wing. I gave him the thumbs up. He gave me a thumbs up. And i led my flight of four airplanes into some very heavy weather, towards the b29 that we would fly on the wing back to i with a jim a. And when i came out in the clear skies, he was gone. Just gone. There was no radio contact, no visual contact, and when we landed back on iwo jima, we found out the moment that we had started, the war had already been over for three hours. It was never broadcast to us. We never heard it. So that was a devastating day. It was last of 400plus thousand world war ii veterans who gave their lives. He was the last. 19 years old. And you were 21 . Captain yellin he was 21. I was 9 old guy. The old guy, grandpa. You just made reference to a number of Close Friends and pilots that were tragically killed, either in combat or in flight accidents during world war ii. You relay several of those incidents in your book. How did the loss of so many affect you personally . Captain yellin well, you have to understand that when you put the uniform on of the military, or the policeman, or the firemen, you dedicate your life to protecting your buddies. And when they go, you cant think about them as gone, with being dead or gone, because if you did, youd never fly another mission. You wouldnt get in the airplane. 29th of one guy on the may, danny, we shared a kill of a zero. I landed on iwo jima, had a toothache. The doc from South Carolina pulled four wisdom teeth and grounded me. And danny mathis was given my place for a mission on june 1. The squadron took off, was led to a front, 27 fighter planes went down, 25 guys were killed, including danny mathis. And its hard for me to tell you the truth of how i felt and i missed my airplane, i didnt iss danny. We were there to fight. Question that. It was after the war that i suffered for 30 years. I spoke to these guys every night, 16 guys that i flew with, i thought about suicide. I couldnt work. I suffered from what is now known as ptsd, post traumatic stress, and didnt get my life ck until 1975 when i learned meditation, how to meditate to relieve stress. Combat is the killing of people for what they believe, and thats the height of evil. Japan was evil. Germany was evil. Italy was evil. We fought against those countries, and i dont believe that im part of the greatest generation. General eisenhower, general marshall, general arnold, general macarthur, they were all west point graduates. I was 18. I didnt know anything about the world. But all annapolis graduates, they were the greatest generation. Tom brokaw wrote a book speaking about us, catchy title, sold a lot of books. But really, the leaders of our free world were the military men who served from west point nd from annapolis. Thank you for that perspective. The war ends in 1945. I think i heard you say downstairs you actually spent some time in the reserve, beyond the end of world war two. But then like millions of world war ii veterans, you returned from the war, you started a whole new life in the civilian world, that returning workforce and the work ethic, the belief in freedom that you brought back to our society, really launched an incredible period in american history. How did your military service repare you for that new life and what transpired after the war . I think that the military service for me was the greatest experience that i ever had in my life. I graduated from high school in 1941. I had a scholarship to college. I was going to become a doctor. I didnt have any money for books, didnt have any money for clothing or housing. So i postponed entrance to college to the Spring Semester of 1942. And when we were attacked, on pearl harbor, december 7, i made up my mind i was going fly fighter planes because the japanese, i remember when i was a or 12 years old, i was preboy scout. I went to Boy Scout Camp for two weeks. I thought two weeks gave me the fundamentals to join the military, and to be in the military. And the discipline that we learned, we were all quarterbacks, all guys who were cocky guys who could fly fighter planes, bomber pilots, guys like that, but we were. And we became a squadron. We became more interested in protecting our buddies than we were interested in our own lives. Our life was all about you. Today i have six grandchildren. I have four sons. And it seems to me that today life is all about me, not about you. And the military put me in that frame of mind of service to our country. Thank you for setting that tandard for so many of us. You made reference to some of the things you struggled with based on your combat experience in world war ii, your dealing with p. T. S. , although we didnt have a name for it at the time. So how has your experience as a veteran impacted your life since, your triumph, your struggles, how have you used those experiences . Captain yellin i enjoy speaking to people. I enjoy going to go eighth graders, 10th graders, seniors in high school to talk about 10 of the population served in the military in world war ii. 16 million of us served. We fought against evil. We conquered the people who were evil. Created democracies in germany, japan, and italy that exist today. As friends of america and the two countries that we fought with as allies, russia and china, seemingly to me are the enemies of the world. But what ive learned is were not the color of our skin, were not the language we speak , were not the religion that we believe, were all human beings, all exactly the same. And we have to preserve that feeling. Isis is evil today. Theyre willing to kill people for what they believe, and thats evil. We have to protect that. Which we did, protect the freedom of people who believe that everyone is human being, everybody is part of humanity. I try give that message. Its probably the best of my life, amphetamine when i was in uniform, and i wore the uniform roudly of america. What would you say weve got several young people here. We got the band, the choir. There are several young people in our audience. I know some rotc cadets, children of our chaplin, others. Children of our chaplain, others. What would you say to those who are at a point where they are considering or maybe simply ave an opportunity to make a decision about serving our nation as a member of the United States military, what would you say to them . Captain yellin my mother used to read a lot 6 books, and 80 years old when i was 13 years old i read a book by a minister and the books game was the magnificent obsession. Its the story of a small town in new york, where the richest son of the richest 20 or 21yearold boy was drowning, and a beloved doctor, dr. Hudson, was dying of a heart attack. And the Fire Department had one resuscitater. They served the young man. And the old doctor died. And then thousands and thousands of people came to his funeral. And his family discovered a journal that he kept and had it translated from the code into english. The opening lines of that journal said do something good for someone else every day of your life until and tell no one what you did, because we talking about it you might lose the benefit new to you or new to the other person. So i would suggest to everyone, find a way to help somebody, find a way to do something for everyone. Somebody every day, even if its a smile, the four professions that i admire in america are the three who put uniforms on, and the four teachers in who give themselves a way in using that stouge give other people knowledge. And theyre not as respected as i think they should be. My feelings are that we should be giving a little bit of ourselves away to other people every single day. Thats the advice i would give o the younger. Suspect for you, what you just described is those of us who wear the uniform, especially around veterans day, lot of people will tell us thank you for your service. But what i hear you saying is service is what our lives should be about every single day, doing something for someone else. So, service is not just military service. Service is how we should lead our lives. Captain yellin yeah, i believe that very much, sir. Were all part of humanity. I think that the pure purpose of everything that is living on this earth from trees to birds to fish, animals, is to recreate ourselves, pass ourselves on. And no one goes to Recreation School t. All comes with the territory. And that territory has to be protected. Our fathers pass on to their sons, others pass on to their daughters whats good in life. And we needed to keep doing that. We might have lost some of it, but to me, thats what life is about. Wonderful. In a moment were going to open it up, see if our audience has any questions that they would like to ask you directly. Any final thought you would like share before we open it up to the audience . Cap continue yellin no. Im just proud to be an american. [applause] and continue to their way uniform proudly. I cant tell what you an honor it is to be for me, to be in is audience on this day in 2017. I sorted of lived my life like a checking account. Yesterday was a cancelled check. Cant get that back anymore. Today is money in the bank. I can spend today. And colonel scott owes me a promissory note tomorrow. And i dont know if im going to get paid tomorrow. So today is the day, and im just thrilled to be here. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Wed like to open up now to any questions that you may have for captain yellin. If you have a question youd like, and please raise your hand and well get the microphone to you. Dwee have time for a couple of questions. Please do, raise your hand. I will come to you with a microphone. Id like to ask a question of captain yellin. This is being broadcast worldwide via facebook. And its being recorded by cspan. So weve got a very large audience. I know you said you suffered with ptsd for a number of years. What suggestion, what guidance might you give to somebody listening to this that would number need of help . Captain yellin i was told that i had battle far teerk the war was over, you cant forget about it. The veterans today, 20 or 22 commit suicide every day. Those who serve. They need something for themselves. We spend a lot for antidepress ant, antipsychotic drugs, which is sometimes a victim. And we can teach trans meditation for 700 to a veteran, onetime fee for a lifetime of help. Tm. Org is a website that they can find out about it. I still meditate twice a day, 20 minutes a day. I think it kept me alive, and its keeping me alive. So im an advocate of that. You cant forget it on anybody. Its something to remove the stress of combat. It did it for me. It can do it for others. Center section, sir. Hellee, yes. My fatherinlaw, 94, world war i, flew over the himalayas from india to india. Hes alive today. And he does walk with a walker. And today i sat with a very good friend of mine at a breakfast whos 95 years old and flew combat in italy. So they are still the 5 , and those of you who have not read the book the greatest generation need to read it. Its a wonderful book. Thank you very much, sir. Captain yellin j. I appreciate that. [applause] sir, in preparation in coming here, i read a little bit about your life after the war and a little bit of some reconciliation you made through your family, and i dont know if you would take a moment just to share that, and i know thats probably a long story, but id like for everyone to hear a little bit about that. Captain yellin 1983, i was a consultant to major banks in california. And they asked me to go to japan to speak to a bank group. Well, i had been on boy jim a. You can replicate the sights and sounds, but you cant replicate the smell of 28,000 bodies rotting in the sun. I had no use for the japanese people. And i said no, i cant go to japan, im too busy. And i asked my i told my wife when i came home that night that i had turned down a trip to go to japan, and she very quietly said, jerry, you never once asked me if i wanted to go to japan. So being a duty i feel husband in 1983, i found myself in japan, and i was completely overwhelmed by the culture, the education, the food, the scenery, the people, everything. And my youngest of four sons was then a senior at san diego state, and my wife said we should give him a trip to japan for a graduation present. We did that. He signed a contract in 1984 to teach english in japan for one year, and now its 2017, and he hasnt come back yet. Hes still there. In 198 , he married the daufer a kamikaze pilot who hated me as much as i hated him. And we became friends and family. I have three japanese grandchildren. The oldest is 28. He has a masters in physics rom the m. I. T. Of japan. And hes one of 100 beam got a job from 23,000 applicants. Named after mon, two japanese characters, graduated from the university of the city of london, a fouryear demours philosophy was and awarded a twoyear course at oxford to get a masters in philosophy, which he graduated from in one year. And a 21yearold granddaughter, sarah. So my enemy is my family. My whole thought process of world war ii was to kill japanese, and now i have three grandchildren in japan, family in japan, and i found that that was the biggest learning experience that i can ever have. I wrote a book about that in 1988 called quf of war and weddings. I dont like to promote myself, but thats a book that you could read on amazon. And im proud of them im proud of the three american grandchildren. Were all the same in my love for them. Off to your right, sir. [applause] we have time for one last question, and well take now, and then well hear from our choir and band, the very dramatic battle hymn of the republic. Afterwards, jerry will be available to autograph copies of hi book in the front lobby, which are available in our store. Our last question. Thank you, sir, for your service, and everybody out here. Thank you very much for keeping us safe in america. Have you flown anything since your time behind the 51 . Have you maybe even gotten a jet and experience that had . And having parents both in the navy, i have to quickly say go, navy, beat army. Well, you know, you never lose the ability to make love unless you get old, and you really never lose the ability to fly. I flew in a steerman at phoenix two days ago. [applause] t6, 1200 6, the new or 1400 horsepower trarne at Laughlin Air Force base in december. And im going back to phoenix in january to get a ride in an 16. They have a very small club of pilots today, Fighter Pilots, called the 9g club. They pull nine gs in an f16. Im not going to let them do that. I dont think ill make it through. He left out one small detail. He not only flew the t6 at Laughlin Air Force base in texas, he actually landed it. [applause] i dont know how i got to be this age. I guess i have good genes. But i genuinely feel im in the prime of life right now. And to be here, to be with you, sir, and to be with the marine corps chaplain and the audience is one of the thrills and honors of my life. Thank you very much. Sir, thank you very much. Wayne, captain yellin, thank you. We will conclude with the battle hymn of the republic. [applause] mine eyes have seen the lory of the coming of the lord he is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword is truth is marching on glory, glory hallelujah ry, glory, hallelujah ory, glory, hallelujah is truth is marching on i have seen him in the watchfires of a hundred circling camps they have building him an altar n the evening dews and damps i can read his righteous flaring by the dim and lamps is day is marching on glory, glory, hallelujah glory, glory, hallelujah lory, glory, hallelujah his day is marching on in the beauty of the lillies, christ was born across the sea ith a glory in his bosom at transfigures you and me as he died to make men holy et us die to make men free ile god is marching on glory, glory, hallelujah lory, glory, hallelujah ory, glory, hallelujah is truth is marching on glory, glory, hallelujah ory, glory, hallelujah ory, glory, hallelujah his truth is marching on [applause] plaws [applause] ladies and gentlemen, i think its appropriate one more round after plaws for these wonderful young people who have shared their musical talents with us today. The ensemble led by chuck jay and the choir. [applause] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2020] its easy to follow the federal response to the coronavirus outbreak at cspan. Org coronavirus. Track the spread throughout the u. S. And the world with interactive maps and charts. Watch briefings and hearings with Public Health specialists any time unfiltered at cspan. Org coronavirus. Cspan, your unfiltered view of government, created by cable in 1979 and brought to you today by your television provider. Next, National World War Ii Museum Senior Historian discusses how decisions made at the february 1945 yalta conference affected the ending of world war ii. This talk is part of a daylong symposium marking the 75th anniversary of the pivotal meeting between british Prime Minister winston churchill, president franklin roosevelt, and soviet leader joseph stahlen. Josef stalin. Welcome back to the Conference Center here at the higgins hotel. I hope everybody enjoyed their lunch. We spent this morning doing some pretty highlevel analysis of the scomplill strategic situation that existed amongst the allied leaders. But as we all know, wars are fought on battle fields, not in board rooms, and these summits, though they dictated much of what would happen on the ground , they woul