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The last Flying Tigers of World War II
CNN ^ | September 23, 2016 | Thom Patterson

Posted on 09/23/2016 7:59:35 PM PDT by Leaning Right

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Losonsky is now 96 and is one of three known living survivors of the Flying Tigers. The Greatest Generation, indeed.
1 posted on 09/23/2016 7:59:36 PM PDT by Leaning Right
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To: Leaning Right

My Uncle Dan was a vet of the island-hopping battles in the Pacific. He passed two days ago at 95 years.


2 posted on 09/23/2016 8:02:23 PM PDT by Dr. Bogus Pachysandra (Don't touch that thing Don't let anybody touch that thing!I'm a Doctor and I won't touch that thing!)
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To: Leaning Right

One Tiger pilot and one Raider pilot left. Living history almost gone.


3 posted on 09/23/2016 8:06:26 PM PDT by lodi90 (Clear choice for Conservatives now: TRUMP or lose)
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To: Dr. Bogus Pachysandra

God bless your Uncle Dan and may he rest in peace now.


4 posted on 09/23/2016 8:09:28 PM PDT by Squantos ( Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet ...)
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To: Dr. Bogus Pachysandra

My condolences about your uncle. But you are blessed for having had him with your family for so long.


5 posted on 09/23/2016 8:10:22 PM PDT by Leaning Right (Why am I holding this lantern? I am looking for the next Reagan.)
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To: Leaning Right
 photo gals169_zpsakljn9yv.jpg

I met General Robert L. Scott in the late 90s in South Georgia. He was at a meeting of the local historical society.

The old guy was incredibly charismatic and still mentally sharp. He wrote "God Is My Co-Pilot" along with a dozen other books.General Scott was technically not a member of the AVG tho he did fly with them before he became leader of the successor to the Flying Tigers.

6 posted on 09/23/2016 8:11:59 PM PDT by yarddog (Romans 8:38-39, For I am persuaded.)
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To: Squantos; Leaning Right

Thank you both! A remarkable man. He was a champion swimmer, and held many records. On his 90th birthday, he swam 90 laps in an Olympic-sized pool! He also swam a relay team across the English Channel in his 90s.


7 posted on 09/23/2016 8:13:57 PM PDT by Dr. Bogus Pachysandra (Don't touch that thing Don't let anybody touch that thing!I'm a Doctor and I won't touch that thing!)
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To: Dr. Bogus Pachysandra

Wow...... remarkable life indeed ....put those memories down on paper to share with future family generations.

Stay Safe !


8 posted on 09/23/2016 8:27:27 PM PDT by Squantos ( Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet ...)
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To: yarddog

I had a pair of Robert L. Scott’s pilot’s wings. Sold it a few years back to a guy in China. Boy was I sweating the delivery of that package. LOL.


9 posted on 09/23/2016 8:33:28 PM PDT by lodi90 (Clear choice for Conservatives now: TRUMP or lose)
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To: Dr. Bogus Pachysandra

My Uncle Dan was a vet of the island-hopping battles in the Pacific. He passed two days ago at 95 years.


My grandfather was in a Navy tin can off Iwo, Okinawa and a lot of the rest of the Pacific campaign. They probably passed in the night. They don’t call them the greatest gen for nothing.


10 posted on 09/23/2016 8:35:00 PM PDT by lodi90 (Clear choice for Conservatives now: TRUMP or lose)
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To: lodi90

Scott was a triple ace, maybe more. I think the official record says something like 16 but others say it was 26.

Whatever he flew a lot of combat under Claire Chennault. A lot of his missions involved strafing which was considered dangerous. In one of his books he mentions that he was not allowed to destroy certain bridges which the Japanese were using because the Communists wanted them left.


11 posted on 09/23/2016 8:49:30 PM PDT by yarddog (Romans 8:38-39, For I am persuaded.)
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To: lodi90

He really wasn’t willing to talk about his experiences, except for a few things. He gave me a beautiful Arisaka Rifle that he relieved some Japanese soldier of. It still has the engraved flower, which few of them that got back here have. Took it out today and cleaned it.


12 posted on 09/23/2016 9:12:14 PM PDT by Dr. Bogus Pachysandra (Don't touch that thing Don't let anybody touch that thing!I'm a Doctor and I won't touch that thing!)
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To: Leaning Right

13 posted on 09/23/2016 9:16:10 PM PDT by TaxPayer2000
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To: Dr. Bogus Pachysandra

Sorry for your family’s loss.

You are truly fortunate to have had him for so long - my family’s GG is gone 20-35 years now. G-d, I miss them all.


14 posted on 09/23/2016 10:14:06 PM PDT by Ancesthntr ("The right to buy weapons the right to be free." A. E. van Vogt)
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To: lodi90; Dr. Bogus Pachysandra

Both of them helped insure that my grandfather and thousands of others captured like him earlier in the war didn’t suffer their degrading slavery only to end up in a mass grave. Blessings to them!


15 posted on 09/24/2016 12:27:05 AM PDT by Axenolith (Government blows, and that which governs least, blows least...)
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To: Axenolith

My Great Uncle Petty Officer First Class Claire Clark Craig ,was KIA in the , battle of Cape Esperance on 12 Oct 1942


16 posted on 09/24/2016 1:04:09 AM PDT by DaiHuy (May God save the country, for it is evident the people will not! Millard Fillmore)
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To: Axenolith

I need ammo for my Arisaka!


17 posted on 09/24/2016 2:39:08 AM PDT by Dr. Bogus Pachysandra (Don't touch that thing Don't let anybody touch that thing!I'm a Doctor and I won't touch that thing!)
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To: Leaning Right

One view of history is that it begins when the last living witness to it passes away. World War 1 is pretty much there now by that definition. World War 2 is getting close now. We are 71 years down the road since it ended.


18 posted on 09/24/2016 2:46:51 AM PDT by xp38
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To: yarddog

I wrote Gen. Robert Lee Scott when I was 12 or so. My congressman at the time Sonny Montgomery, sent it to the General and I got a reply ,this back in 1966 or so, I must have read God is My Copilot 4 times, Scott was a great man, and forthatmatter so was Mongomery


19 posted on 09/24/2016 3:03:03 AM PDT by Boowhoknew
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To: Dr. Bogus Pachysandra

My father was also in the Pacific in the 4th Marine Div. 4 islands he was in landings on. I was also priveledged to know many WW2 vets growing up.One was a 2nd marine div. Vet who was on others as well as Iwo Jima who also brought back a Arisaki rifle. Men I miss now days.


20 posted on 09/24/2016 3:13:21 AM PDT by Boowhoknew
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