While it is not US Military, the last surviving pilot of the Battle of Britain passed away today.
See https://raf.mod.uk/news/articles/the-last-surviving-battle-of-britain-pilot-john-paddy-hemingway-dfc-passes-away/
The part about surviving a bailout at 600 feet and surviving:
See https://raf.mod.uk/news/articles/the-last-surviving-battle-of-britain-pilot-john-paddy-hemingway-dfc-passes-away/
Quote:
"It is with great sadness that I heard of the passing of John 'Paddy' Hemingway today. I am thankful that I was able to meet and spend time with him in Dublin, most recently in January this year. Paddy was an amazing character whose life story embodies all that was and remains great about the Royal Air Force. In his youth he travelled from Ireland to join the RAF and following the outbreak of World War II, was assigned to No. 85 Squadron in France, where he is recorded as destroying two enemy aircraft during the Battle for France, as well as flying supporting missions during the Battle of Dunkirk. He eventually retired from the RAF in 1969 as a Group Captain. Throughout his life he inspired those he knew and served with. My thoughts are with his family and all those who cared for him over the past few years.
"This was a generation who understood the importance of service and comradeship. A generation who believed that with hard work, clarity of purpose and a determination to succeed, they would not lose. Their efforts and the efforts of all our personnel past & present are the bedrock on which the Royal Air Force maintains the security of the UK at home and abroad. Their sense of duty and willingness to put others before themselves should inspire those who will build the next generation Air Force."
Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton
Chief of the Air Staff
The part about surviving a bailout at 600 feet and surviving:
Quote:
In 1941, serving with No. 85 Squadron, based at RAF Hunsdon, in a Havoc night fighter, Paddy had to bail out at 600 feet due to instrument failure in bad weather, breaking his hand on the tail section. Paddy's parachute failed to open properly, and he was saved further injury as the chute caught on the branches of a tree.