101-Year-Old WWII Pilot To Take Flight Once More At Central Jersey Airport

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — WWII veteran pilot Donald Stern of Princeton had one wish for his 101st birthday and that was to return to the skies again.

On Thursday, his wish will be granted thanks to the partnership between the Tri-State Aviation flight school, located at Central Jersey Regional Airport in Hillsborough, and the Brandywine Princeton senior living community where Donald resides.

"As we prepare to honor the incredible milestone of WWII Veteran Donald Stern’s 101st birthday and momentous flight, we stand in awe of Mr. Stern’s legacy and unsurpassed spirit, truly an inspiration to all," said Hillsborough Mayor Robert Britting, Jr. "This special event coincides with the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Central Jersey Airport’s newly renovated runway, symbolizing the intersection of tradition and progress."

Stern will participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Mayor Britting as Central Jersey Regional Airport marks the milestone completion of its newly paved runway. Afterward, Stern and his son, Russel Stern, will take flight in a general aviation aircraft and depart from the runway recognized in the ceremony.

Stern was born on April 25, 1923, in New York City. In October 1944, during WWII, Stern boarded a troop ship in Norfolk, Va., spending over a month zigzagging across the Atlantic, dodging German submarines.

Making landfall in southern Italy, Stern was assigned to the 817th Squadron of the 15th Air Force’s 483rd Bombardment Group (H). From an airfield located in the village of Sterparone, Stern flew 32 combat missions in a B-17 Flying Fortress as a Bombardier from January through April 1945. His last combat mission took place on April 24, the day before his 22nd birthday.

Stern returned home from Europe in the fall of 1945 and earned a degree in Architecture from Cooper Union. He soon married his wife, Barbara, and they had two sons.

In 1960, they settled in the Kendall Park section of South Brunswick. Starting in 1968, he worked as an architect for the state’s Division of Building and Construction (DBC). After 19 years, he retired, having earned the moniker "The Bureaucrat with a Heart."

In retirement, Stern authored a book on his old military outfit, 483rd Bomb Group (H), where he recounted the combat missions, the intense labor of the crew to repair war-damaged aircrafts to resume flight, and the daily life challenges of life as a WWII soldier. He also volunteered to share his WWII experiences with various middle schools, high schools, senior clubs, veterans groups, and other civic organizations.

At the event on April 25, father and son will be flown by retired Air Force Major, Glenn Sinibaldi. While serving our country, Sinibaldi flew four engine jet transports that provided supplies and troops to numerous locations around the world.

Sinibaldi also flew 25 combat missions in Desert Storm, and after retiring from the Air Force, he dedicated his career to flying 31 years for United before retiring. Sinibaldi supports the flight school’s maintenance shop and is a fixture in the airport community.

When asked to participate in this event, Sinibaldi jumped on the opportunity, stating: "This is an honor. There aren’t too many WWII guys that I would have the opportunity to talk to, let alone fly a 'special mission' for a fellow veteran celebrating his 101st birthday!"

Stern will fly to the Verazzano Bridge towards the Freedom Towers and circle the Statue of Liberty before returning to the airport. While in the air, Stern will be given control of the plane and guided on how to fly it.

The flight school is proud to assist in granting Stern this wish so he may add another feather to his flight helmet.

Stern will be cheered on by his fellow residents and community team members who will be on-site to share in this special occasion.

This celebration of Stern and his legacy was formed through Retirement Unlimited, Inc.'s company-wide WOW Moment initiative that creates personalized moments for residents and team members that allow them to reminisce on times past, create new memories, or be honored in some way.

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