Lying about his age, he was only 16 years old when he joined the Navy in 1943. Within months of his enlistment, Al Hansen came face to face with the enemy flying as a gunner on a Navy patrol bomber in the Pacific Theater.
“I wasn’t scared,” remembered the 98-year-old Al, who flew more than 20 combat missions during the war. “When you’re 16 years old, nothing can happen to you, but it turned a 16 year-old kid into a man overnight.”
Al was one of 10 World War II veterans who were honored during the USS Midway Museum’s “Heroes Among Us” tribute held in conjunction with this year’s 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. The event was a rare and powerful opportunity to meet these humble heroes who personify America’s Greatest Generation. The veterans, who represented the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Army Air Corps and Coast Guard, gathered on Midway’s hangar deck to interact with museum guests and share their stories.
For museum visitors, the event was more than just a “meet & greet,” it was a chance to pay tribute and thank those men and women who answered the call of duty more than eight decades ago, and fought for freedom and democracy on battlefields around the world.
“It was important for us to meet them so that we have a better understanding of our history,” said Brittani Landy, who was visiting Midway with her husband Tim and son Luke. “This helps us understand the sacrifices they made and how they fought for the freedoms that we all enjoy today.”
“It is up to us to let people know there are some of us military veterans still left from World War II,” said 101-year-old Walt Travis, who served with a Marine Corps fighter squadron that was deployed to Guadalcanal, New Guinea and the Philippines during the war. “People need to hear our stories, and see that we made a difference for America and the world.”
More than 16 million Americans wore the uniform of the nation during World War II. Sadly, it is estimated that fewer than 100,000 of these veterans are still alive today. Meeting the World War II veterans on Midway was a chance to ensure the service and sacrifices of the Greatest Generation are never forgotten.
“I hope that they learn a little bit about World War II by learning a little bit about us,” said Ena Slaughter, a former Coast Guard hospital corpsman who recently turned 100 years old. “I also hope that other young men and women will want to be part of the military and serve their country today.”
The 10 veterans ranged in age from 98 to 104 years old. For Midway guests, this event was more than just the chance to casually meet these American heroes in person, but also to talk to them and understand their experiences during the war.
“Sometimes we take it for granted in our work that we get to hang out with the military veterans all the time,” said Holly Shaffner, who is the vice chairman and public relations director for Honor Flight San Diego. “For some of the museum visitors, who came from all over the country, this may have been their first time interacting with a World War II veteran. One visitor told me that they chose to come to the Midway because of this event.”
“I hope that they learn a little bit about World War II by learning a little bit about us. I also hope that other young men and women will want to be part of the military and serve their country today.”
As moving as it was for Midway’s guests, the experience was just as rewarding for the veterans.
“I truly loved talking to all the people on Midway,” said Ena, who was in Times Square during the public celebration at the end of the war. “I think I got as much from them as they got from me.”
“This was important to my dad,” said John Dioli, whose 98-year-old father, Art Dioli, served in the Navy on the USS Wilmette during the war. “He loves remembering the past and sharing stories of serving in World War II, especially with the younger generations who know very little if anything at all about the war.”
The event ultimately served to help these veterans connect their experiences more than 80 years ago to the present.
We were grateful to meet them,” said Kathy Harnish, who was visiting Midway with her husband James. “I’m sure some of their friends and buddies never came home, so it’s important for us to honor them.”
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