At 89, ex-WWII pilot still flying high in Michigan

"BRIGHTON, Mich. - Flying over the snowcapped Himalayas and sweltering Asian jungles as a pilot in World War II was "no big deal" for Norman Allen.

But the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medals and two Battle Stars the 89-year-old Brighton, Mich., resident received tell a different story.

Allen flew more than 200 missions for the U.S. Army Air Force 4th Combat Cargo Squadron. He piloted the C-47, supplying Allied troops in China with weapons, food and munitions in battles against the Japanese in what's commonly referred to as the China-Burma-India Theater.

Missions often required flying at tree level and at constant risk of enemy fire. By the same token, some missions forced Allen to fly at high altitude over the Himalayas, a dangerous proposition for fully loaded C-47s.

"If anything had to be hauled, we hauled it," he said. "It didn't matter the time of day. We knew what we had to do, and we did it."

At 89, ex-WWII pilot still flying high in Michigan -- chicagotribune.com

 

Nice story, good to see him still going strong.

 

Great story! Thank you! Wow 200 missions?