[afraidfortherepublic]

Many pictures and more story at the link.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Action: An artist's depiction of the dramatic moment shows Overstreet in his P51 Mustang chasing an ME 109 under the Eiffel Tower in Spring 1944. He was able to shoot the plane down

[Farnsworth]

not sure if they make ‘em like that anymore. RIP

[FlingWingFlyer]

Are you kidding me? I had never heard of this one. Love it!

[freekitty]

RIP

[central_va]

[a fool in paradise]

[headstamp 2]

Great story, thanks

[Perseverando]

Good discussion with some additional pics here:

WWII veteran William Overstreet Jr. celebrated for flight in France (under Eiffel Tower in dogfight)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3107587/posts

Also detailed article of WWII experiences here:

WWII Veteran Aviator Bill Overstreet and His P-51 Mustang, “Berlin Express”
http://www.warbirdsnews.com/warbird-articles/wwii-veteran-aviator-bill-overstreet-p-51-mustang-berlin-express.html

[NYer]

Historical moment, ping!

[virgil283]

Thanks AFR...good article ... .....notice how 'rough' this early P51 is to later versions?; Whitewall fires?

[fatima]

Wow.

[Perseverando]

Interment is in 15 minutes. His memorial service is this afternoon at 2:00 pm in Roanoke according to the funeral home obit. - http://www.memorialsolutions.com/sitemaker/sites/Oakeys1/memsol.cgi?user_id=1204221

You can sign and read the funeral home guestbook online (only 19 entries so far) - http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/Batesville/guestbook.aspx?n=william-overstreet&pid=168842356

It’s all yours, Freepers. Go for it.

Gotta run. Got a memorial service to attend at 2:00 pm. Will provide after action later today.

[llevrok]

At age 92?

So much for the old chestnut - “There are old pilots and there are bold pilots. But there is no such thing as old, bold pilots!”

He’s flying with the angels now!

[left that other site]

RIP, American hero.

[Big Red Badger]

Well Done,Good and Faithful Servant.

[Excellence]

Thanks for posting.

[cynwoody]

Robert Moriarty flies a Bonanza through the Eiffel Tower, "Just for fun", 31 March 1984:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_txdqnVP3-c

His story. "I made only one mistake. Instead of doing the flight on the 31st of March, I should have waited one more day."

And here's some flight simulator fun, flying a bigger plane through a bigger arch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ro3EEPawrKo

[LeoWindhorse]

awesome story !

My dad was USAAF ETO

[Gay State Conservative]

The WWII generation will soon be gone...and the Korean War vets aren't far behind.Thinking about their amazing courage and sacrifice I often think back to that quote by a Navy Admiral or Marine General who,commenting on a Pacific battle that had just been won...at huge cost (can't recall which one)...said "uncommon courage was a common commodity".

IMO that sums up everyone who fought then...Army,Army Air Corps,Navy and Marines

[Perseverando]

Vintage aircraft offer salute as World War II hero is laid to rest in Roanoke

Bill Overstreet was a decorated combat veteran who flew more than 100 missions over Europe

Joe Dashiell, jdashiell@wdbj7.com
POSTED: 05:03 PM EST Jan 04, 2014 UPDATED: 05:05 PM EST Jan 04, 2014

ROANOKE, Va. - Two P-51 Mustangs flew overhead Saturday afternoon as family and friends of Bill Overstreet gathered for his memorial service in Roanoke.

Saturday afternoon, two P-51 Mustangs made a wide pass near Roanoke's Second Presbyterian Church, where Overstreet's memorial service was held. And then the two planes flew over Evergreen Burial Park, where Overstreet was buried earlier in the day.

----------------------------------------------------------

Sorry I was not there to see it. It must have been a beautiful sight!