B-17 Tail Gunner to POW: The Story of Tailspin

For decades, Gene Moran rarely spoke about what happened in the skies over Germany. In Tailspin, author John Armbruster brings that story to life—from a catastrophic fall from a shattered B-17 to the harsh realities of life as a prisoner of war. Along the way, the story becomes something more: a shared journey between two men confronting trauma, loss, and the challenge of telling the truth about war. In this Warbird Tube episode, we talk with Armbruster about the process of uncovering this story and why preserving these voices matters now more than ever.Aired on: May 29, 2026Guest: John ArmbrusterHost: Steve BussProducer: Bob ScoreProduced by: Commemorative Air ForceSend us Fan MailThanks for watching CAF Warbird Tube — where history takes flight. You can join us live for upcoming broadcasts by registering at www.WarbirdTube.com. The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is dedicated to Educating, Inspiring, and Honoring through flight and living history experiences. Programs like this help preserve and share the stories of aviation history — and we couldn’t do it without your support.To learn more or get involved, visit www.CommemorativeAirForce.org.Thanks for helping us keep history flying.