This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you possibly can go to the hyperlink bellow:
https://www.newschief.com/story/news/military/veterans/2026/04/16/sun-n-fun-aerospace-expo-lakeland-florida-honors-9-world-war-ii-veterans-for-americas-250th-birthday/89625813007/
and if you wish to take away this text from our website please contact us
Eight World War II veterans, ranging in age from 98 to 107, have been honored for his or her service to the United States on stage throughout Sun ’n Fun 2026’s opening evening live performance on April 14.
Most of the veterans are Polk County residents. They have been honored on the expo as a part of a tribute to America’s 250th birthday.
“It might be one of the last opportunities we have to celebrate these individuals,” stated Gene Conrad, president and CEO of Sun ‘n Fun.
Those eight people honored ― together with a ninth who was unable to attend on the final minute — shared their tales of service with Gary Clark, chairman of Polk County Veterans Council:
Jordan “JJ” Corbett, 104, Bartow
Florida native Jordan “J.J.” Corbett served within the U.S. Army throughout World War II as a part of the primary all-Black 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, often called The Triple Nickles. During the struggle, the battalion deployed as hearth jumpers preventing fires from balloon assaults launched by the Japanese designed to wreck the western United States. Corbett returned to Bartow after the struggle, changing into a monitor coach, educator and neighborhood chief.
Seaman Ed Diaz, 99, Lakeland
Ed Diaz traces his roots to Pennsylvania, the place he enlisted within the U.S. Navy in 1944. Diaz, 99, served aboard the Baltimore-class heavy cruiser USS Columbus within the South Pacific, working in Chinese and Japanese waters. During his service, Diaz participated in Operation “Road’s End,” throughout which 24 Japanese submarines have been sunk.
Diaz was discharged from lively obligation in 1946 however served 10 further years within the Naval Reserves.
Frank Kurowski, 98, Lakeland
Enlisting at 17, Frank Kurowski joined the U.S. Navy in September 1944. During his service, he was assigned to 3 World War II touchdown craft items designed to assist transport tanks and heavy tools onto invasion seashores — The USS LCT-524, the LCT RONS LANT (LCT-524), and USS LCT 767 (LCT-767).
Sgt. Irv Landis, 101, Winter Haven
At 101, Landis is a survivor of the the Battle of the Bulge, the final main German offensive on the Western Front throughout World War II. Landis, who enlisted within the U.S. Army in 1943, was assigned to the 78th Infantry Division as an ambulance driver. He noticed fight on the Siegfried line in Germany with 127 consecutive days of entrance line fight earlier than being relieved.
After World War II, he served 5 years within the Pennsylvania National Guard.
Bob McClintock, 107, Seminole
At 107, Bob McClintock served within the U.S. Army beginning in April 1941, in response to a profile published by Taylor University. He joined the Air Force in January 1942 to turn out to be a fighter pilot. During his service, he flew 86 fight missions largely in Italy with two situations the place his aircraft was caught by enemy gunfire.
Pvt. John Stamey, 100, Winter Haven
Winter Haven resident John Stamey enlisted in 1944. Stamey discovered himself assigned to a provide depot in Iran, the place his duties included routing provides from the United States to Russia to keep away from the Nazi patrolled North Atlantic route.
When World War II ended, Stamey labored to assist get well useful work and artifacts stolen by the Nazis.
Seaman Hanley Taylor, 98, Michigan
Hank Taylor, 98, grew up in Michigan. He enlisted within the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946, changing into a diver second-class. Taylor was deployed to the Philippine Sea with a firefighting and salvage unit.
Seaman Robert Taylor, 101, Auburndale
Auburndale resident Robert Taylor joined the U.S. Navy following his highschool commencement. He was assigned to the plane provider the USS Yorktown. Taylor noticed motion in the course of the Battle of Midway, when the Yorktown was hit with three bombs and two plane torpedoes on the morning of June 7, 1942. The plane provider sank, killing 141 crew members. Robert Taylor, at 17, survived the vessel’s sinking. He had been aboard the Yorktown earlier that yr on the Battle of the Coral Sea when the ship was severely broken.
Howard Knox, 101, Winter Haven
Howard Knox was scheduled to be among the many World War II veterans honored at Sun ‘n Fun however was unable to attend on the final minute. The Ledger has included him for his service.
Knox entered the U.S. Navy Seabees in 1943, a specialised Naval Construction Force. At 18, he was in New Guinea in preparation for the assembly between Gen. Douglas MacArther and Adm. Chester W. Nimitz planning the recapture of the Philippines. He served over 20 years with the Seabees.
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you possibly can go to the hyperlink bellow:
https://www.newschief.com/story/news/military/veterans/2026/04/16/sun-n-fun-aerospace-expo-lakeland-florida-honors-9-world-war-ii-veterans-for-americas-250th-birthday/89625813007/
and if you wish to take away this text from our website please contact us
