Flights of Valor: Honoring Military Aviators

From a USS Hornet Museum press release:

The will honor six local military pilots for their service spanning from the Korean War through the Vietnam War on Saturday, May 19.

Between them, they have more than 19,000 hours of flight time and a total of 1,145 carrier landings. Each pilot will share his personal story of combat aviation. Among the different aircraft piloted by these men are the Grumman F6F, Grumman F8F Bearcat, Grumman F9F Panther, Grumman F9F-6/8 Cougar, Grumman F11F Tiger, Grumman S2Tracker, Grumman A-6 Intruder, Douglas A4 Skyhawk and a Douglas AD Skyraider.

Last year marked the 100th anniversary of Naval aviation and the Hornet will continue honoring the heroic achievements not only of the naval aviators, but also of the U.S. Air Force.

The event begins at 1 p.m. with a presentation as the six veteran military pilots share their experiences. It will be followed by a meet-and-greet.

Among those scheduled to attend:

• Lt. Allan Cartwright, a Navy attack pilot with 220 mission in Vietnam; witnessed many SAM missiles; later flew for Western & Delta Airlines.
• Lcdr. Mike Arrowsmith, a Navy helicopter pilot with two tours in Vietnam; flight instructor for two years; 466 Helo Helicopter landings on ships, HS-85 ASW (Russian attack boat).
• Capt. Jim Long, a Navy jet pilot with three six-month deployments with the 6^th Fleet in the Mediterranean area and the Berlin crisis 1961-1962, later a civilian instructor; has flown 51 different types of aircraft.
• Cdr. Dwight Lubich, a Navy ASW pilot involved in the Cuban blockade, tracked Soviet submarines, a former captain for United Airlines.
• Capt. Don Merucci, USAF, more than 4,000 hours in AEW anti-electronic warfare surveillance; tracked Soviet MIG’S during  the Cuban missile crisis; former captain with United Airlines.
• Lt. John Suckow, a Navy attack pilot and Vietnam veteran; as a pilot during the Vietnam War, he often came under ground-to-air missile attacks. During a training mission he was forced to eject from his cockpit into the jungle.  
• Master of Ceremonies Ltjg. Dale Berven, a Navy pilot in Korea and also a Hornet pilot in 1954; 90 combat missions in Korea; 192 carrier landings, native of the Bay Area.

Included among the day’s activities is a musical performance by The Frisky Frolics from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., as well as children’s activities.

Living Ship Day aboard the Hornet offers something for everyone. The museum comes to life as an operating aircraft carrier with flight simulations between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. when aircraft are lifted to the flight deck and placed into launch position. Visitors can meet former crew membes, sit in the cockpit of a fighter jet and experience the sights and sounds of naval aviation.

Living Ship Day demonstrations are held on the third Saturday of most months. Regular museum admission is $6-$15 for youths through adults and there is ample free parking across from the pier. For more information, visit www.uss-hornet.org or call (510) 521-8448. Museum members receive free admission. The USS Hornet Museum is located at 707 W. Hornet Ave., Pier 3 in Alameda.