On Friday, November 22, 2024, the World War II Flight Training Museum, the 63rd Preservation Society, the WWII Flight Training Base Committee, and the City of Douglas held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Cadet Park and the Loring Memorial. This event commemorated the 72nd anniversary of Major Charles J. Loring Jr.’s heroic actions and included the dedication of a memorial in his honor. Many family members of Charles Loring, along with several distinguished guests, were present at the well-attended event.
Tim Oliver, WWII Flight Training Museum Docent, was the master of ceremonies for the program. Mayor Tony Paulk welcomed everyone to Douglas and proclaimed November 22, 2024 as Charles Loring Day followed by remarks from Dr. Carl McDonald (WWII Flight Training Base Committee), Charles Davis (City Manager), Charles White (Office of US Congressman Austin Scott), Mark “Radio” Godwin (23rd Wing Historian, Moody Air Force Base), Cuppy Johndro (Curator of Loring Museum in Limestone, Maine), Joseph Matta (Grandson of Charles J. Loring, Jr.), and Don Brooks (Founding Member of the 63rd Preservation Society). A special 48-star flag rising was conducted by Moody Air Force Base, and closing the ceremony was a special Taps performance by Bugler Don MacArthur (Retired USAF) followed by a T-33 fly-over by Chris Rounds.
Honor was paid to the thousands of cadets who trained at the 63rd Army Air Force Contract Pilot School (Primary) from 1941 to 1944 during World War II. Cadets such as Rosie Rosenthal, Charles Loring, and countless others first trained in Douglas and would serve our country to protect our freedom and save hundreds of thousands from the horrors of World War II.
Cuppy Johndro, Curator of the Loring Museum in Limestone, Maine, gave a brief military history of Major Charles J. Loring, Jr. Major Loring was born Oct 2, 1918, in Portland, Maine. He served in WWII flying P-47 Thunderbolts with the 36th Fighter Group’s 22nd Squadron. He was shot down on December 31, 1944, over Belgium on his 56th mission and was a prisoner of war until May 1945. Major Loring later went to Korea in 1952 with the 8th Fighter Bomber Group and flew with the 36th and 80th Squadrons. He was killed on November 22, 1952 while leading a flight of four F-80C jets in a close support mission. After being hit repeatedly by ground fire during his attack, he drove his plane into the gun emplacements, destroying all of them. For his sacrifice, he was awarded the Medal of Honor (the highest national award). Limestone AFB near Caribou, Maine was renamed in 1954 to Loring AFB in his honor.
Joseph Matta, the grandson of Loring, read the Medal of Honor citation that was awarded to Major Loring posthumously. The citation reads:
“Maj. Loring distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. While leading a flight of 4 F-80 type aircraft on a close support mission, Maj. Loring was briefed by a controller to dive-bomb enemy gun positions which were harassing friendly ground troops. After verifying the location of the target, Maj. Loring rolled into his dive bomb run. Throughout the run, extremely accurate ground fire was directed on his aircraft. Disregarding the accuracy and intensity of the ground fire, Maj. Loring aggressively continued to press the attack until his aircraft was hit. At approximately 4,000 feet, he deliberately altered his course and aimed his diving aircraft at active gun emplacements concentrated on a ridge northwest of the briefed target, turned his aircraft 45 degrees to the left, pulled up in a deliberate, controlled maneuver, and elected to sacrifice his life by diving his aircraft directly into the midst of the enemy emplacements. His selfless and heroic action completely destroyed the enemy gun emplacement and eliminated a dangerous threat to United Nations ground forces. Maj. Loring’s noble spirit, superlative courage, and conspicuous self-sacrifice in inflicting maximum damage on the enemy exemplified valor of the highest degree and his actions were in keeping with the finest traditions of the U.S. Air Force.”
At the heart of Cadet Park stands a striking F-80C aircraft elevated on a sturdy pedestal, serving as a poignant tribute to Major Loring and his remarkable bravery. The aircraft, with its vintage, sleek lines, invites all who visit to reflect on the courage and sacrifices made by those who serve. Several community members, along with Loring family members, assembled in front of the Major Charles J. Loring, Jr. Memorial F-80C aircraft to signify the opening of Cadet Park and the Loring Memorial. The public is invited to explore the WWII Flight Training Base, the WWII Flight Training Museum, Cadet Park, and the Loring Memorial to experience World War II history.
About the Loring Memorial F-80C Aircraft
The aircraft is painted as Lockheed F-80C-10-20, S/N 49-1830 (FT-830) as flown by Major Charles J. Loring, Jr. This F-80 airframe was originally manufactured by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation and accepted by the USAF in the 1950’s as a two-seat T-33A trainer. It was modified into an F-80 configuration by Aero Nostalgia, Inc. of Stockton, California, in the 1980s and painted to resemble an F-80A, S/N 44-84999. The aircraft was acquired in January 1990 by the U.S. Air Force Museum for static display. The Air Force released this aircraft and after transfer through several owners, it was acquired by the Douglas 63rd Preservation Society, Inc. for use in the Major Charles J. Loring, Jr. Memorial.
History of the 63rd Army Air Forces Contract Pilot School (Primary)
From 1941-1944, nearly 7,500 aviation cadets trained here. Today, the Air Base is the most intact and unaltered WWII Contract Flight Training Base in Georgia and possibly the entire country. In December 2003, local citizens gathered to protect the site of the Raymond-Richardson Aviation School and formed the Douglas 63rd Preservation Society. The City of Douglas and the WWII Flight Training Base Committee joined in the efforts to preserve the base and honor those who served here. In March 2013, the site was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today, work continues to preserve this legacy. For more information, please visit www.wwiiflighttraining.org.