This One's 4 U "Red" > Honoring American War Hero D J Iberling

Image from Janice Dell

We Do Care, "Red" !!
A story about compassion and honoring a World War II American Hero hardly got on the local news radar screen.
It happened yesterday on the tarmac at the Commemorative Air Force Museum at Falcon Field when Boeing B17 Flying Fortress Radioman DJ Iberling climbed aboard history once again - after 70 years - for a sentimental journey.
[see previous post on December 24]
It's a personal human-interest story, not publicized or promoted by press releases hoping to score political points.
The story started a long time ago with a happy new chapter added in the life of one air force veteran to up-date his mission memories of the 398th Bombardment Group 602 Squadron that flew 198 missions over Germany from May 1944 - April 1945.

Let's first step back in time to June of last year, when the sacrifices of US airmen in World War II were recognised in a memorial service at a pub which stands near the site of the now defunct RAF Nuthampstead.
D J Iberling is shown standing left of center in this image
Read more: http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/American-war-heroes-honoured-Nuthampstead-remembrance/story-21992552-detail/story.html#ixzz3vcIVzGiA From April 1944 until the end of the conflict the base was home to the 398th Bombardment Group who flew the iconic B-17 Flying Fortresses.
The 398th lost 70 aircraft and 296 airmen, including their first commanding officer, Colonel Frank Hunter.
A further 298 airmen were shot down and captured by the Germans during the war. "Red" Iberling survived the war. He is the only one in his squadron not deceased and had a distinguished law career. His dear and loving wife Mary passed away last year after contracting pneumonia from the rainy weather at the remembrance in England last year.

Image from Janice Dell

Fortunately, Falcon Field here in Mesa is far from defunct.
It's a valuable large tract of real estate, mostly city-owned, for both establishing an historic district and promoting economic development - industrial, commercial, high-tech, defense, education and residential.
One of two former airmen-training bases started here in the 1940's that have morphed into Aerotropolis - drivers of the local economy and accelerating investment for future smart growth.
At the same time it's good to know that both Airbase Arizona in the Commemorative Air Force Museum and the Falcon Field District join in generosity for the remembrance and honor of one particular war hero, D J Iberling who climbed aboard history once again.
Turns out, "Red", that quite a lot of people do care.

Related posts on this site: May 8, November 11 and 29

Related post on City of Mesa Newsroom 12 December 2015
City celebrates Falcon Field Airport terminal building renovation
http://www.mesaaz.gov/Home/Components/News/News/733/

For more information about the terminal ribbon-cutting or other improvement projects, call 480-644-2450 or email Airport.Info@mesaaz.gov.
Contact: Dee Anne Thomas
Marketing/Communications Specialist II
480-644-4233
Dee.Anne.Thomas@mesaaz.gov   

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