Bernice “Bee” Haydu :: website

Between 1942 and 1944, at the height of World War II, more than a thousand women left homes and jobs for the opportunity of a lifetime—to become the first in history to fly for the U.S. military. They volunteered as civilian pilots in an experimental Army Air Corp program to see if women could serve as pilots and relieve men for overseas duty.

These women became the Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II, better known as the WASP. Under the determined leadership of Jacqueline Cochran, Nancy Harkness Love, and General Henry “Hap” Arnold, the WASP exceeded beyond all expectations.

The 2011 Warriors and Warbirds Air Show is extremely honored to have two WASPs at the show this year. Bernice “Bee” Haydu will be on hand all weekend to share their amazing experiences while serving our Country.

Bee continues to be an ambassador for the WASP Program and is a true pioneer. Her dedication and service to this country has been well documented, and we are truly fortunate to have Bee on hand to share a piece of U.S. military history.

Carl Constein (former C-46 pilot)

On Jan. 1, 1943, Carl Constein entered the military. Following training as an aviation cadet, he went on 96 missions in one year, flying what his fellow World War II veterans call “the Hump” – a route over the Himalayas covering China, Burma and India. He flew a C-46 that carried equipment and gasoline.

Constein will be on hand to share his firsthand experiences flying the C-46 from China to India. His excitement and love for the C-46 is evident and it is a pure treat listening to him recount his experiences.

Bud Anderson (WWII Triple Ace) :: learn more

Bud Anderson was part of the 357th Fighter Group, also known as “the Yoxford Boys,” of the 8th Air Force in the United Kingdom. A pilot who shot down five enemy airplanes was considered an Ace, but Anderson shot down 16 and a quarter, earning him the title of Triple Ace “with change” as he puts it.

Theodore “Dutch” Van Kirk (Enola Gay Navigator) :: learn more

Theodore Van Kirk is a former United States Army Air Force navigator. He is famous as the navigator of the Enola Gay when it dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Van Kirk is also the last surviving member of the Enola Gay crew.

Van Kirk joined the Army Air Force Aviation Cadet Program October 1941. On 1 April 1942 he received both his commission and navigator wings and transferred to the 97th Bomb Group, the first operational B-17 Flying Fortress unit in England. The crew of the “Red Gremlin” also included pilot Paul Tibbets and bombardier Tom Ferebee. Van Kirk would later fly with these men on the Hiroshima mission.

The thirteen-hour mission to Hiroshima began at 0245 hrs Tinian time. By the time they rendezvoused with their accompanying B-29s at 0607 hrs over Iwo Jima, the group was three hours from the target area. As they approached the target Van Kirk worked closely with the bombardier, Tom Ferebee, to confirm the winds and aimpoint. The bomb fell away from the aircraft at 0915:17 Tinian time. Van Kirk later participated in Operation Crossroads, the first Bikini Atoll atomic bomb tests. According to the 1995 New York Times interview by Gustav Niebuhr Mr. Van Kirk told he was often asked, “given a choice about his role in the Hiroshima bombing, would he do it again?”

Under the same circumstances—and the key words are ‘the same circumstances’—yes, I would do it again. We were in a war for five years. We were fighting an enemy that had a reputation for never surrendering, never accepting defeat. It’s really hard to talk about morality and war in the same sentence. In a war, there are so many questionable things done. Where was the morality in the bombing of Coventry, or the bombing of Dresden, or the Bataan death march, or the Rape of Nanking, or the bombing of Pearl Harbor? I believe that when you’re in a war, a nation must have the courage to do what it must to win the war with a minimum loss of lives.”