Swordmaker - My great Uncle was a pilot that flew supplies over the hump (Burma?) and I think was part of the Doolittle raid from what I recall. His plane was shot down over China, but the whole crew survived, the worst injury being a broken ankle. God was watching over them. People from a small village in China rescued them and hid them from the Japanese, gave them mules to ride through the mountains back to their base. I have a copy of the flight log that was kept. All these guys are such incredible heroes. My heart breaks for how their service is disparaged by the corrupt behavior of the so called elite.
Unfortunately upon returning to the states after the war my g- uncle drowned trying to save a little boy (which he did) while at a family picnic. I truly believe he was put on this earth to save his men and that little boy. His job was done. Just like your father.
So sorry to hear about a hero not surviving his last heroic deed. That is epic heroism. There is a special place in the halls of honor for such men.