Posted on Sep 22, 2015
World War II veteran finally earns his wings
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Did you know that World War II veteran finally earns his wings?
Did you know that World War II veteran finally earns his wings?
This is one of those wonderful good news stories RP Members! Enjoy!
Despite his heroic service as a bomber pilot in World War II, Walter F. Hughes was not licensed to fly commercially for 70 years after his return to civilian life.
Until, that is, a woman who heard his story decided it was simply an unacceptable state of affairs for a man who had given so much to his country.
For Marilyn Haymore, there was much with which to be impressed when it came to hearing the life experiences of the then-newcomer to the Big Island. It was 2004, and Hughes, a resident of Hawaiian Paradise Park, was speaking at a meeting of her club, the Experimental Aircraft Association of Hilo.
Hughes told of operating out of Hardwick Airfield in Norfolk, England, and surviving a total of 35 missions flown in B-24 Liberator Bombers over Nazi Germany. It was an amazing feat in and of itself, seeing as each time one of the planes flew over enemy territory, there was only a 50 to 60 percent chance of the crew on board coming home without being captured, wounded or killed, he said.
Click the link for the rest of the story - its a good one!
Did you know that World War II veteran finally earns his wings?
This is one of those wonderful good news stories RP Members! Enjoy!
Despite his heroic service as a bomber pilot in World War II, Walter F. Hughes was not licensed to fly commercially for 70 years after his return to civilian life.
Until, that is, a woman who heard his story decided it was simply an unacceptable state of affairs for a man who had given so much to his country.
For Marilyn Haymore, there was much with which to be impressed when it came to hearing the life experiences of the then-newcomer to the Big Island. It was 2004, and Hughes, a resident of Hawaiian Paradise Park, was speaking at a meeting of her club, the Experimental Aircraft Association of Hilo.
Hughes told of operating out of Hardwick Airfield in Norfolk, England, and surviving a total of 35 missions flown in B-24 Liberator Bombers over Nazi Germany. It was an amazing feat in and of itself, seeing as each time one of the planes flew over enemy territory, there was only a 50 to 60 percent chance of the crew on board coming home without being captured, wounded or killed, he said.
Click the link for the rest of the story - its a good one!
World War II veteran finally earns his wings
Posted from westhawaiitoday.comPosted in these groups: 
WWII World War Two
Flying
WWII World War Two Flying
Posted 9 y ago
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs It is good to see that the FAA didn't drag their heels on this. I love the comment about the fear of flying. Thanks for sharing.
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That is wonderful news that Walter F. Hughes was finally able to earn his Wings after so many years COL Mikel J. Burroughs. Thanks for sharing.
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