Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 44

World War II B-24 Pilot Lt. Thomas Faulkner (standing left) and crew in bomber flight training.

Our request came to the attention
of the Texas Military Forces commander
and adjutant general, US Air Force Major
General John F. Nichols and the office of
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas). Within
days of corroborating our story, a ceremony was arranged (with three days'
notice!) at the former USAF Strategic Air
Command Caswell Air Force Base, perfectly
appropriate for the old former bomber
pilot. Again, we had to break the news
to Tom. It would be final confirmation
that he "did it right" and would banish
68 years of sore throats and anxiety.
He relented.
Prior to the ceremony, Tom was initially adamant about not having a "fuss"
made over him. I was equally adamant
that it was his duty to allow the USAF
to do theirs. Per General Eisenhower's
orders at war's end, they must correct

the oversight and present the medal to
him. The ceremony, in the presence of
about 75 officers and airmen, was stirring. Major General Nichols, himself a
DFC winner for bravery during Operation
Desert Storm, presented and then pinned
the Distinguished Flying Cross on Tom,
standing at attention. Standing applause
from the officers gathered. Little did
they know it would get better. Tom
stood before the men and women and
spoke in the humble way WWII veterans
describe their service: just doing his job
and duty to his country. He described
the final wartime mission as well as his
final stateside B-24 flight from Dallas to
California as the sole crewman. The airmen
in the audience stood and applauded the
frail hero who at 19 years old did his job
completing his mission, saving his crew
and aircraft. Tom told the audience that

44 The ofﬁcial publication of the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading

he may not be the bravest pilot to have
been presented the DFC ... but he is now
probably the oldest.
In the span of six months, WWII Air Force
documents were discovered that helped to
finally lift the fog of war for Tom. The evidence was quickly acted upon by the Air
Force, and Tom received the hero's recognition that he so richly deserved.
Dan, who came to Dallas/Ft. Worth
for the ceremony he single-handedly had
caused, looked at me with the satisfaction
of deals well done at Northwest and ATA. He
said it was our first transaction together.
We enjoyed seeing a real aviation hero
recognized, erasing 68 years of debilitating self-doubt. Speaking on behalf of Dan
and myself, helping to restore peace of
mind to this World War II veteran and his
family after 68 years has been our most
rewarding transaction.

Jetrader - Summer 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Jetrader - Summer 2014

Q&A: John Slattery
ISTAT Asia Focuses on Challenges, Opportunities of the Region
State of the Regions: Asia Pacific
Cape Town: Global Treaty Expands Thanks to Benefits Offered, Advanced Information Base
ISTAT Americas 2014
In Memory of Gilbert W. Speed
A Long Overdue Thank You
Bundle…Down
East Meets West in Istanbul
A Message from the President
Calendar/News
ISTAT Foundation
Aviation History
Aircraft Appraisals
Advertiser.com
Advertiser Index
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - cover1
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - cover2
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 3
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 4
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - A Message from the President
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 6
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 7
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 8
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - Calendar/News
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 10
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - Q&A: John Slattery
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 12
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 13
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - ISTAT Asia Focuses on Challenges, Opportunities of the Region
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 15
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 16
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 17
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 18
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 19
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - State of the Regions: Asia Pacific
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 21
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 22
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - Cape Town: Global Treaty Expands Thanks to Benefits Offered, Advanced Information Base
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 24
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 25
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - ISTAT Americas 2014
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 27
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 28
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 29
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 30
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 31
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 32
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 33
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 34
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 35
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 36
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 37
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 38
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - In Memory of Gilbert W. Speed
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 40
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 41
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - A Long Overdue Thank You
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 43
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 44
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - Bundle…Down
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 46
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - ISTAT Foundation
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - Aviation History
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 49
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 50
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 51
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 52
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - Aircraft Appraisals
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 54
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 55
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - 56
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - East Meets West in Istanbul
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - Advertiser Index
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - cover3
Jetrader - Summer 2014 - cover4
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