Last Living D-Day Pathfinder Pilot Turning 100
Lt. Col. David Hamilton to join airborne operations in celebration of his 100th Birthday
David Hamilton with C-47 'Boogie Baby' which he's flown and dropped WWII ADT parachutists on July 20 2021 for his 99th Birthday
OXFORD, CONNECTICUT - May 17, 2022 - On Saturday, July 16, 2022, the last living D-Day Pathfinder Pilot, Lt. Col. David Hamilton (USAF, Ret.) will celebrate his 100th birthday with the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team (ADT). Hamilton is scheduled to participate in airborne operations involving WWII ADT’s historic DC-3/C-49 aircraft, “Wild Kat” and ADT members will jump in honor of his 100th birthday.
The Airborne Operations will take place at the Frederick Army Airfield, home of the WWII ADT. Frederick Army Airfield was built during WWII and served as a pilot training base. Lyndse Costabile, executive director of the D-Day Squadron, will be present supporting this event.
"Dave is a great friend to our organization and we are honored to ring in his 100th birthday with one of the best jump teams we get to participate in a number of airborne operations. Seeing Dave fly the C-47 and drop paratroopers never gets old! What a way to commemorate and celebrate a living national treasure," Costabile shared.
What: Centennial Celebration for Last Living D-Day Pathfinder pilot, LtCol David Hamilton
Where: Frederick Airfield, 1801 Flying Fortress, Frederick, OK 73542
When: Saturday, July 16, 2022
Time: Airborne Operations will commence at 6:45am
Hamilton, the last surviving Pathfinder pilot from the Normandy Invasion, also flew troops/cargo in operations Dragoon and Market-Garden as well as the Battle of the Bulge. He logged 51 combat missions in attack bombers during the Korean War receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Interview opportunities with Lt. Col. Hamilton, WWII ADT Team Members and living history parachutists will be available before Airborne Operations and after jump ops. Jump ops are expected to end at 9:00am. Drop Zone Access may be permitted with prior coordination.
Event Media Contact: For media wanting to cover this event, please contact media affiliate partner and proud WWII ADT member, CJ Machado at: CJ@Force-Con.com or (858) 735-8487 OR WWII ADT event public relations, Paul Parsons at: parsons.paulr@gmail.com or (802) 522-4679
D-Day Squadron media contact: Lyndse Costabile at lyndse@ddaysquadron.org or 904-404-9192.
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Lt. Col. David Hamilton Flying Squadron C-47 in Normandy - June 2019
About the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team
Considered to be the premier living history team of World War Two parachute operations, the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team Foundation was formed to remember, honor and serve the memory of those men and women who fought and died to preserve freedom. Like those who served during the war, our members come from all corners of the world, all walks of life and with or without prior military or parachuting experience. We host an immersive Parachute School two times a year at our WWII era hangar in Frederick, OK where students are held to the high standards of safety, execution, and performance commensurate with the Airborne ideals. The Team performs at air shows and commemorations across the globe in support of our vision to keep the stories of the WWII generation alive to inspire others. Learn more at www.wwiiadt.org and at https://www.facebook.com/wwiiairbornedemonstrationteam
About the DC-3 Society & D-Day Squadron
The DC-3 Society is a program of the D-Day Squadron with the purpose to promote DC-3 type aircraft airworthiness, serve members and promote static and flying displays for future generations. The North American DC-3 Society was born to organize the collective efforts of enthusiasts, pilots, mechanics and operators. It actively educates and involves the next generation in “flying freedom” and celebrates everything the DC-3 has accomplished in war and peace.
The D-Day Squadron is part of the Tunison Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. In June 2019, the D-Day Squadron led an American fleet of 15 historic, restored C-47 World War II military aircraft to take part in a flyover of more than 30 international aircraft to drop over 200 paratroopers over the original 1944 drop zones in Normandy commemorating the 75th anniversary of D-Day. The event honored the citizen soldiers of the War, whose bravery led the Allies to the liberation of France, and then to an end of the devastating War in Europe. The Squadron’s education program takes the compelling story of the citizen soldier to audiences at airshows and events off the flight line to honor these brave Americans and ensure their memory and significance is appreciated for generations to come. The group’s efforts are funded through the generous tax-deductible contribution of their supporters. Learn more at DDaySquadron.org.