STORIES WITH VETERANS
This November, join us in honoring the achievements and contributions of aviation pioneers, veterans, and the development of flight technology!
TAHOF MEMBERS & lsfm volunteers HIGHLIGHT
In recognition of National Aviation History Month and Veterans Day, we are proud to spotlight the remarkable World War II stories of our Texas Aviation Hall of Fame inductees and the incredible contributions of our Veteran LSFM volunteers.
Lloyd M. Bentsen
U.S. Senator, World War II Bomber Pilot – Developed leadership skills as the commander of a B-24 bomber squadron
Before he was a successful businessman, a U.S. Senator and the Democrat nominee for vice president in 1988, Lloyd M. Bentsen, Jr. had a distinguished military career. Born in Mission, Texas, he served as a commander of a B-24 squadron in the 449th Bomb Group, and flew 35 missions over Europe in World War II. Many of the missions were over heavily-defended targets such as the oil fields in Ploesti, Romania. During his 18 months of combat flying, Bentsen was shot down twice but never captured, and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism.
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Emma Carter Browning
Aviation Advocate and Trainer – Established Browning Aerial Services for pilot training
Pilot, aviation advocate and life-long Texas resident, Emma Browning gained flight experience during the Depression as a ferry pilot with her barnstorming husband, Robert. At the beginning of World War II, the couple received U.S. government contracts to train pilots as part of the Civilian Pilot Training Program. Their school trained many pilots who went on to fight in the war and provided the foundation for Browning Aerial Services, which she ran for almost 50 years.
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George A. Davis
American Ace Pilot – Fourth highest ranking American ace of the Korean War
Born in Dublin, Texas, World War II pilot Lieutenant Colonel George A. Davis, Jr. flew 266 combat missions in P-47 Thunderbolts. He had seven confirmed victories against Japanese aircraft in the Philippines. During the Korean War, Davis flew an F-86 Sabre Jet in 60 combat missions and claimed 14 aerial victories, making him the fourth highest ranking American ace of the Korean War. He was one of only seven Americans to achieve ace status in two wars. On Davis’ last mission over the Manchurian border, he intercepted twelve enemy fighters about to attack friendly forces, shooting down two before being shot down himself. Although outnumbered and under continuous fire, he continued to seek out the enemy rather than retreat. His bravery earned him the Medal of Honor.
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David H. Dewhurst, Jr.
World War II Pilot – Led final D-Day bombing run at Utah Beach in Normandy, France
Major David Dewhurst of San Antonio, Texas, flew 85 missions over enemy territory in the Martin B-26 Marauder. He was selected to lead the 553rd Bomb Squadron on an important but highly dangerous mission immediately preceding the D-Day invasion at Utah Beach on June 6, 1944. Dewhurst chose to fly his squadron to the target at a very low altitude, exposing it to enemy gunfire but allowing his planes to accurately place their bombs on German held defenses just minutes before Allied troops stormed the beach. The determined execution of this dangerous mission was a significant factor in the success of the American landings that day. A B-26 painted in the colors of Dewhurst’s plane, Dinah Mite, is a featured attraction in the Utah Beach Museum, in Normandy, France.
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Archie G. Donahue
Marine Corps Fighter Pilot – Two-Time “Ace in a Day”
Archie Donahue distinguished himself during World War II as a Marine Corps fighter pilot and leader. He shot down 14 enemy aircraft primarily flying the F4U Corsair and twice became an ‘Ace in a Day’ by downing five airplanes in one day. Donahue completed 215 combat missions and received the Navy Cross and six Distinguished Flying Crosses with two Gold Stars. After the war, Donahue opened the Texas City Airport and became heavily involved in the historic aircraft preservation movement with what is now the Commemorative Air Force.
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William E. Dyess
Commander of the 21st Pursuit Squadron in the Philippines and P.O.W. – Survivor of the Bataan Death March
Born in Albany, Texas, Lt. Col. William E. Dyess was Commander of the 21st Pursuit Squadron in the Philippines when World War II began for the United States in December 1941. Heavily outnumbered, his squadron continued combat operations until finally overwhelmed. When the United States surrendered the Bataan Peninsula to the Japanese, Dyess was captured and, along with 75,000 Filipino and American troops, endured the Bataan Death March, a brutal 65-mile march to a POW camp. One of only three prisoners to escape from captivity, he returned to the States where he recounted the terrible conditions and inhumane treatment by the Japanese. He was killed in 1943 on a training mission in California while flying a P-38. Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas, is named in his honor.
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lsfm is honored to have U.S. military veterans as volunteers
Donna Bane (U.S. Air Force)
Mark Brynestad (U.S. Navy)
Robert Burger (U.S. Army)
Bill Cooke (U.S. Army)
Jim Davis (U.S. Army)
Nancy Gilman (U.S. Navy)
Joe Grobusky (U.S. Navy)
Brian Klock (U.S. Navy)
Jamie Koula (U.S. Coast Guard)
Joe Lee (U.S. Army)
Doug McMullen (U.S. Navy)
Aaron Rast (U.S. Navy)
Gordon Reed (U.S. Army)
Duncan Stewart (U.S. Army)
Jose Tijerina (US Navy)
Brian Utermahlen (U.S. Army)
Bill Van Tassell (U.S. Air Force)
