On December 7, 1941… he flew straight into Pearl Harbor—unaware the attack had already begun.

As his SBD Dauntless approached Oahu from the USS Enterprise, American anti-aircraft crews—overwhelmed and under attack—mistook him for the enemy and opened fire.

He survived.

And months later, he would help change the course of World War II at the Battle of Midway.

👉 This is Episode 15 of the Our WWII Dad series.

In this episode, Chris and Ken Cangilla are joined by Bill Kroeger, who shares the remarkable story of his father, Captain Edwin “Bud” Kroeger—a Pearl Harbor survivor, Navy dive bomber pilot, and one of the most decorated aviators of WWII.

CHAPTERS

0:01 — Introduction
3:18 — Meeting Bill Kroeger

5:39 — Bud’s Early Life & Flight Training
10:14 — Joining the Navy
12:42 — USS Enterprise Assignment

🔥 13:14 — Pearl Harbor — Mistaken for Enemy & Fired Upon

25:35 — First “Payback” Mission — Wounded in Combat

30:35 — Battle of Midway — Attacking Akagi & Hiryu

43:16 — The Legendary SBD Dauntless

47:22 — Later WWII Service

49:51 — Post-War Career & Achievements

52:06 — Personal Artifacts & Keepsakes

1:02:22 — Why We Must Preserve These Stories

1:03:36 — Bud’s Final Chapter