top of page
Vintage Wings Inc.
1942 Douglas C-53-DO Skytrooper
Meet the "Honor Crew "of "Beach City Baby!"
The inside of the cabin of our C-53-DO Skytrooper is a restored time capsule that honors the memory and legacy of our aircraft. On display will be many forms of the variations of it's interior and the different roles it played in WWII. While displaying these variations the aircraft's ten passenger seats and four stretchers are being restored to honor fourteen sponsored veterans and their service to our great nation during this time period. These fourteen veterans have become known by Vintage Wings Inc. as our "Honor Crew." In fulfilling our mission of history, remembrance & education, each aircraft seat & stretcher will honor the name of a veteran chosen by the seat sponsor.
Our C-53's "Honor Crew" is as follows:
​
Sgt. Charles Bartolovich
WWII, US Army
Military Police
China / Burma / India Theater
Sponsored by: Harry Myers
2nd Lt. Kazimir Pulaski
WWII, US Army Air Force
C-47 / C-46 Pilot
Sponsored by: Mike Pulaski & Family
Captain Howard William Sass
WWII, US Army Air Force
C-47 Pilot, 314th TCG
50th TCS
Sponsored by: Jerry E. Sass & Family
1st Lt. Wilbur S. Riesbeck
WWII, US Army Air Force
Ferrying Division
Air Transport Command
C-53, C-47, B-24, B-25, A-20, B-17, P-38, P-39, P-40 & P-51
Sponsored by: Randy Riesbeck
Staff Sgt. Peter C.Kost
WWII, US Army Air Force
B-24 "The Sky Shark" Waist Gunner
392nd BG
Sponsored by: Doug Kost & Family
Lt. James E. K. Stewart
WWII, US Army Air Force
B-17 Captain
493rd BG / 861 BS
Sponsored by: Gary Lampman
Corporal Joseph Salina
WWII, 745th Railway Operating Battalion
Company C
China / Burma / India Theater
Sponsored by: Debbie Clarke
TSGT. Robert R. Clarke
WWII, US Army
Pacific Theater
Sponsored by: Kim Clarke
Captain Bill Riggle
WWII, 5th Air Force, 3rd BG
"Grim Reapers"
Pacific Theater
Sponsored by: Heather & Charlie Riggle Family
Gerald Audley McClintock
WWII, US Merchant MArines
All Theaters of Operation
1942-1945
Sponsored by: Jim & Janet Aaron
Flight Officer, Wayne Aaron
WWII, US Army Air Forces
State Side, US 1945
Sponsored by: The Aaron Family
S. Sgt Herb Jankovich
USAF, 121st Tactical Fighter Wing
Ohio Air National Guard
1962-1964
Sponsored by: Dawn Jankovich
Sgt. Edward J. Wright
US Army Air Corps
C-47/C-53 Radio Operator
60th Troop Carrier Squadron
Operation Torch, Operation Husky
1942-1945
Sponsored by: The Wright family
Sgt. Theodore Adamczyk
US Army Air Corps
C-47, C-53, & B-17 Radio Operator
22nd Troop Carrier Group
5th Air Force
Pacific Theater of Operation
WWII
Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, and two Air Medals.
Sponsored by: Michael Adamczyk
Sgt. Louis R. Garrone
US Army Air Corps
C-47/C-53 Navigator
65th Troop Carrier Squadron
403rd Troop Carrier Group
13th Air Force
American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon.
Sponsored by: The Garrone Family
Lt. Commander Xavier Poster
US Navy
Supply Officer for Mediterranean Theater of Operation
WWII
Sponsored by: Christine M St Onge
Captain Joesph A. Walker
US Army Air Corps, USAF, NACA, & NASA
P-38, F-5, D-558-I, D-558-II, X-1, X-3, X-4, X-5, X-15, F-100, F-101, F-102, F-104 & B-47
NAsa Test Pilot, 1st Civilian Astronaut
Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with Seven Oak Clusters
​
Sponsored by: Jason Capra
bottom of page