WWII veteran shares war stories with 'Fury' actor Brad Pitt

HUGO, Minn. (KABC) -- A World War II tank driver was asked to share his experiences with Brad Pitt for the new war movie "Fury." On Wednesday, George Smilanich, 92, of Minnesota will get the chance to walk the red carpet alongside his wife, Mary Smilanich, and Pitt.

Moviemakers sought out Smilanich's valuable insight. They wanted the cast members who play a tank crew in the new war movie to hear from real "tankers", who had fought in WWII.

Smilanich says he's more of a football fan than a movie man, which may explain his reaction, when actor Pitt came calling.

"I said, 'Who the hell is Brad Pitt?'" Smilanich said.

Smilanich and his wife are no longer asking that question, after their trip to Hollywood last year where Smilanich was among four WWII veterans consulting on "Fury."

"Fury" tells the story of a tank unit commanded by Pitt's character in the waning days of WWII.

Smilanich spent three years as a tank driver, and played a part in battles in Africa to the invasion at Normandy to liberating Belgium and Holland.

"Kind of tough, there," he said. "I can't tell you, how it was."

Smilanich shared his experiences with Pitt and the film's other actors, including Shia LaBeaouf, Michael Pena and Jon Bernthal.

"They asked what life was like on a tank, what we did for excitement, what we were eating," Smilanich said.

Smilanich told the actors how he earned the Bronze Star for pulling his trapped commander from a burning tank - and about temperatures so cold his feet were blackened and nearly amputated from frostbite.

"I wouldn't give up my experiences if I had for a million dollars, but I wouldn't take five cents to go through it again," Smilanich said.

When Fury's stars walk the red carpet, Mary and George Smilanich will be reunited with Brad Pitt.

"Brad Pitt says it's going to be blockbuster and you can believe it," Smilanich said.

"Fury" opens in theaters on Friday.