WWII Pilot, 99, To Fly Restored Warhawk: Livermore

LIVERMORE, CA— A 99-year-old former combat fighter pilot hopes to fly again the same model plane that he flew during Word War II, during a Pearl Harbor Day weekend event that begins in Livermore and Dublin. Harry Moyer may be the last living member of the First American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force, nicknamed the Flying Tigers, which sought to protect China from Japanese troops.

"I'm the last one that's still flying anyway," Moyer said, with a laugh.

Moyer, a San Luis Obispo resident who still tries to fly at least once per week, is scheduled to speak and fly the iconic, shark-nosed P-40 fighter plane restored by Chris Prevost of Sonoma at the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation's event on Dec. 7, said Executive Director Jeff Greene.

"He's a remarkable guy, but he is the last," Greene said.

Greene said the restored plane is one of only two or three dual-control P-40 planes in existence. There will also be P-51 Mustang Fighters, AT-6 planes and PT-17 trainer planes on display at the foundation's event.

Mel McMullen, air air gunner and flight engineer on a B-24 Liberator bomber, will be speaking along with his wife, Jennifer, who used to build airplanes, Greene said.

Dublin Mayor David Haubert will be in attendance.

The event will begin at 1 p.m. held at the Livermore Municipal Airport, 700 Terminal Circle. Lunch will be available for a fee at 11:30 a.m., 682 Terminal Circle and dinner will be held at 6 p.m., in Dublin's Koi Palace restaurant, 4288 Dublin Blvd.

On Sunday, Dec. 8, a noon luncheon to discuss The Flying Tigers will be held at Saratoga's 575 Minshien Restaurant, 18818 Cox Ave.

Anyone who wants to RSVP may contact Greene at 818-679-5596 or burmajeff@yahoo.com.

Moyer's relative, Pete Pepper, has started a GoFundMe to fundraise for a trip to Sicily, so Moyer can return the area where he flew during the liberation of Italy in WWII.

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