PIERRE, SD - Barring changes to weather or mechanical difficulties, three WWII airplanes are scheduled to appear at the Pierre Regional Airport on Friday, June 3 for a public memorial ceremony to honor WWII Battle of Midway hero, John C. Waldron.
The aircraft are a P-51 Mustang, an F4F Wildcat and a TBM Avenger. The aircraft will participate in a fly-over the John C. Waldron Memorial Bridge, as well as over the communities of Pierre and Waldron's hometown, Fort Pierre.
The ceremony will feature the dedication of “Dakota Warrior,” an original print of the Douglas TBD-1 Devastator flown by LCDR John C. Waldron during the Battle of Midway.
Waldron is a native of Ft. Pierre, a Naval Academy Graduate and of Oglala-Lakota heritage. Dubbed a hero by numerous war historians, Waldron led fifteen aircraft to an attack of the Japanese carrier fleet during the Battle of Midway.
The brief memorial ceremony begins promptly at 5:30. Afterwards, the aircraft will be available for viewing.
For more information please contact John Mollison, 605-261-6070
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