My Uncle Dan was a vet of the island-hopping battles in the Pacific. He passed two days ago at 95 years.
One Tiger pilot and one Raider pilot left. Living history almost gone.
I met General Robert L. Scott in the late 90s in South Georgia. He was at a meeting of the local historical society.
The old guy was incredibly charismatic and still mentally sharp. He wrote "God Is My Co-Pilot" along with a dozen other books.General Scott was technically not a member of the AVG tho he did fly with them before he became leader of the successor to the Flying Tigers.
One view of history is that it begins when the last living witness to it passes away. World War 1 is pretty much there now by that definition. World War 2 is getting close now. We are 71 years down the road since it ended.
Yesterday I attend the funeral of a 90 year old WWII vet. No honor guard just a folded flag.