It Was Just Too Exciting

Edward Field grew up feeling out of place in Long Island, New York, a gay, Jewish “interloper.” When he joined the Army Air Corps in 1942, he felt he’d “escaped from a world I didn’t like to one I did.” Field became a navigator and flew twenty-seven missions over Germany. One mission ended in a crash landing in the North Sea and an astonishing act of altruism.

For more powerful memories from veterans, visitthe PBS series, American Veteran, where you can also watch the television series and digital short films.

Learn more about American Experience

Follow the show on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube