Latest news with #RumbleOvertheRedwoods
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Age is just a number: 100-year-old WWII veteran flies P-51 Mustang decades after combat missions
Retired US Air Force Colonel Joe Peterburs (Image credit: A 100-years-old World War II veteran has returned to the skies in California, piloting the same type of aircraft he once flew in combat more than 70 years ago. Retired US Air Force Colonel Joe Peterburs, who enlisted in 1942 at just 18, took the controls of a P-51 Mustang over McKinleyville, California. The legendary fighter plane was the same model he flew during 49 combat missions in World War II. The historic flight was arranged by Rumble Over the Redwoods, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving aviation history and inspiring future generations, as reported by ABC News. Peterburs' decorated career spanned three wars. After earning his pilot wings in WWII and becoming a second lieutenant, he survived capture by German forces and later escaped. He went on to fly 76 combat missions in the Korean War and served through the Vietnam era before retiring as a colonel in 1969. During the recent flight, Peterburs and his co-pilot performed an aerial roll, briefly flying upside down as the 100-year-old veteran waved from the cockpit. After landing, he described the moment as 'exhilarating' and rich with memories. "It was a really exhilarating experience and brought back a lot of memories," he said. The veteran pilot also shared a powerful message for future generations. "To maintain what we have today, you got to do your best. Do your best in whatever you endeavor. And I wish you a lot of luck."
4 days ago
- General
David Muir shares emotional reunion between WWII veteran and fighter plane
"World News Tonight" anchor David Muir reported on a remarkable moment as a 100-year-old World War II fighter pilot returned to the skies over McKinleyville, California, taking the controls of the same type of aircraft he flew during combat missions more than seven decades ago. Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Joe Peterburs, who enlisted in 1942 at the age of 18, took to the air in a P-51 Mustang, the legendary fighter aircraft in which he flew 49 combat missions during World War II. The historic flight was made possible by the nonprofit organization "Rumble Over the Redwoods," dedicated to preserving aviation heritage and inspiring future generations. Peterburs' incredible military service spanned decades. After earning his pilot wings and becoming a second lieutenant, he faced numerous challenges during WWII, including being captured by German forces after an ejection and subsequently escaping. His service continued through the Korean War, where he flew 76 combat missions, and extended into the Vietnam era. He ultimately retired as a colonel in 1969. During the commemorative flight, Peterburs demonstrated that his adventurous spirit hadn't dimmed with age. Observers watched in amazement as the aircraft performed a roll, with the centenarian veteran and his pilot briefly flying upside down, waving from high in the sky. After landing, Peterburs was visibly moved by the experience. "It was a really exhilarating experience and brought back a lot of memories," he told ABC News. The veteran pilot also shared a powerful message for future generations: "To maintain what we have today, you got to do your best. Do your best in whatever you endeavor. And I wish you a lot of luck." The flight served as both a personal milestone for Peterburs and a powerful reminder of what World War II veterans did for our country.
