Local documentary on World War II veterans to air in Macon

Fewer than 46,000 World War II veterans are still alive to share their stories, but a local director made it his mission to record living history. The result is a documentary, “10 Good Men,” which will premiere Sunday at the Piedmont Grand Opera House in Macon.

The film is about the crew members who served on the Boeing B-17, also known as the “Flying Fortress.” Director Trent Jones said it was the most iconic bomber of World War II, and in his opinion, American history.

“10 Good Men” is a 90-minute documentary that includes rare and colorized archival footage. Emmy Award-winning voice talent Dan Nachtrab narrates it. Jones said the film has already received rave reviews from New York Times bestselling authors and respected Air Force historians.

The B-17 was the first heavy bomber developed by the United States. By the time production ended in 1945, Boeing produced more than 12,000 of them.

They were sent to lead the bombing campaign in Europe and saw action in every combat zone during the war. They are most known for strategic daytime strikes against German industrial targets. Robins Air Force Base in neighboring Houston County has one on display at its Museum of Aviation.

Jones said the film, through surviving crew members, tells the story of the B-17. He believes this film is important right now because, on average, World War II veterans are in their 90s or older. 

“This is their last time telling this story,” he said.

Jones was born and raised in nearby Warner Robins and is a graduate of Houston County High School. He made his directorial debut on YouTube in 2019. He started by making short documentaries about aviation history. He quickly gained a following and made his video career his full-time job. His YouTube channel now has 295,000 subscribers.

He first interviewed a World War II veteran in late 2022 and then recreated that veteran’s story in a video. People then started reaching out to Jones, eager to share stories about other service members.

Jones and his associate producer, fellow Houston County native Joshua Profit, have since interviewed about 40 veterans, including 15 who served on a B-17. Ten of those veterans are featured in the aptly titled “10 Good Men.” Ten was also the crew complement of the B-17, Jones noted.

Jones is passionate about history and said he wants to preserve and promote the legacies of these warfighters.

“You realize … that eventually they’re not going to be here,” he said. “If nobody records … those stories and those firsthand accounts, then they’re simply gone forever.”

He said combat reports only tell part of the story, but people who lived through the war can describe how moments felt, how they smelled, how scary they were and even how it felt to lose a friend.

“Those sorts of things cannot be conveyed by simple military histories,” Jones said. “Those can only be preserved by firsthand accounts.”

Jones said it is vital that people understand the war, its causes and how thousands of young men answered a call to fight tyranny.

“Without that, the world would be very different and, likely, a whole lot worse today,” he said. “It is because of the courage and sacrifice of a bunch of 18- and 19-year-old kids that we have what we have today. If we forget that, then eventually we’re doomed to repeat the same mistakes.”

After its premiere, “10 Good Men” will be distributed to 10 theaters across the country, Jones said.

To buy tickets for the Sunday premiere, which also includes a Q&A session with Jones, visit thegrandmacon.com. The event begins at 5 p.m.View the film’s trailer and see more of the director’s work at youtube.com/@TJ3.