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Episode #707 of Hometown Heroes, airing November 13-15, 2021, presents multiple ways for you to get involved and make a difference through honoring the service and sacrifice of our World War II veterans.

Remember WWII is a new initiative aiming to capture the video testimonies of all living World War II veterans. In the United States, a little more than 200,000 of the 16 million Americans who served in the war are still with us. “No Story Left Behind” is the organization’s motto.

Stories Behind the Stars offers another opportunity for volunteers to get involved, with a mission that has target deadline in mind. By the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in 2025, this grass roots effort hopes to have detailed the stories of every single American who died while serving in World War II. Gabriel Garcia (right) introduced me to one of those stories this week, the story of his father, Jesus Gutierrez “Jesse” Garcia, who left behind a wife and two sons when he was killed in action in Italy in 1945. Perhaps you would like to research Mr. Garcia’s story and submit it to the Stories Behind the Stars database. Together, we can build a tribute to those Gold Star heroes that will help inform generations to come about the price that has been paid for our freedom.

Another connection point for those of you in California comes Thursday, November 18th at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District in Clovis, CA. CBMC Fresno has invited me to showcase the stories of local veterans, including 99-year-old Nyle Smith, whose incredible experiences you’ll hear on this episode of Hometown Heroes. The catered lunch is FREE for all veterans who register, and $20 for the rest of us. Click here to RSVP, as a head count is necessary to supply the correct number of meals. Cowboy Music Hall of Famer Jack Hannah will sing the Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America, and we’ll hear incredible stories from World War II veterans who have shared their memories on Hometown Heroes. You can also call (559)225-5095 to register for this event.

Nyle Smith’s story is one he first shared on Hometown Heroes in 2014, but one which could feature some compelling updates in the future. An aircraft mechanic stationed at Snetterton, England with the 96th Bomb Group, he was decorated for his heroic actions in the midst of a horrific B-17 crash on April 12, 1944. Nyle joined me at the annual Veterans Day Assembly at Fresno Christian Schools this week, greeted by hundreds of students singing happy birthday to the newly minted 99-year-old. Nyle didn’t regularly go airborne in bombers as part of his role with the ground crew, but he volunteered to accompany a “pathfinder” plane, equipped with secret radar equipment, on a short flight from one base in England to another. The B-17 was shot down by a German intruder plane while on its final approach, and crash landed on the estate of the Earl of Cranbrook.

“Despite his painful injuries, and the imminent danger of the plane exploding,” his Soldiers’ Medal citation reads. “Sgt. Smith helped the co-pilot remove the pilot and other injured crew members. The plane blew up shortly afterwards.”

The actions that citation explains very succinctly are remembered in captivating detail by this resilient 99-year-old. Listen to Hometown Heroes for Nyle’s memories of that unforgettable night. The current Earl of Cranbrook was 11 years old when the crash happened. He woke up to the devastating scene the next morning. He is now aware that Nyle is still living, and has extended an invitation to entertain Nyle at the site of the crash. Perhaps that will happen before Nyle turns 100 next November, and another possibility is that there will be a change to the medal his heroics warranted. He was given the Soldier’s Medal, which is awarded for “action not against the enemy.” While the military may not have wanted to admit German fighters could fly over the channel and shoot down Allied planes in England in the dark of night, there is overwhelming evidence that it was a German pilot named Wolfgang Wenning who shot down that B-17. Nyle’s actions could potentially qualify him for the Silver Star, the Distinguished Service Cross, or even the Medal of Honor. We hope to have a positive update to this story before Nyle reaches the century mark. —Paul Loeffler