CAF Florida Wing Honors 105-Year-Old WWII Veteran

DeLand, Florida (October 10, 2025) – Recently, the CAF Florida Wing had the privilege of flying 105-year-old World War II veteran Fred LaPonzina on a special flight in their T-34 Mentor. LaPonzina has lived an extraordinary life, and this flight was a small token of the Unit’s appreciation for a man who continues to inspire others through his remarkable service and spirit.

Florida Wing Leader CAF Col Joel Lonky piloted the flight and shared, “Today I had the honor and privilege of taking Fred LaPonzina for a flight. Fred is 105 years old and a World War II veteran with the U.S. Army Air Corps.”

During World War II, LaPonzina worked on aircraft in Colorado, fueling and servicing trainers before moving into rescue operations in the Pacific. He flew aboard PBY Catalina rescue aircraft and B-24 bombers—manning guns, loading bombs, pulling fellow airmen to safety, all while taking the occasional enemy fire. His memories include long missions, island rescues, surviving Japanese air attacks, and even negotiating supplies to keep his men fed in the field.

LaPonzina was a member of the 2nd Emergency Rescue Squadron, a remarkable unit that operated PBY Catalinas. The Catalina was typically a Navy aircraft; however, some were transferred to the Army Air Forces to perform rescue missions. His role as a blister window gunner placed him on the front lines of dangerous recovery operations in the Philippines, where he helped retrieve downed airmen, often under heartbreaking circumstances.

“It’s hard for Fred to talk about,” said one Florida Wing member. “Most of the men they rescued were already gone when they reached them.” This year, LaPonzina celebrated his 105th birthday on September 23, 2025, with a large celebration hosted at the Port Orange VFW Post 3282. Just days later, he was back in the air—this time with the Commemorative Air Force. “We were able to get Fred into the CAF’s T-34 airplane, and he did great… even flew the plane!” said the team proudly.

Col. Lonky reflected on the moment, saying, “This is what we are all about.”

Fred is also featured in one of the oral histories archived on the Commemorative Air Force Florida Wing’s website, where his reflections continue to preserve the memory of those who served alongside him. His closing words from that interview still resonate today:

“Thank you [Commemorative Air Force] for being there for me and getting me to express some of the things that I have gone through and what some of the boys have gone through. I can only [now] speak for them.”

Special thanks to Laura Kelly for helping arrange this unforgettable experience and for putting this story together.