Last Living D-Day Pathfinder Pilot Turning 100, Joins Airborne Operations in Celebration of Miles...
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: