PEACHTREE CITY, Georgia — Officials with the Commemorative Air Force Airbase Georgia flew its P-51 Mustang fighter to Florida recently to help surprise a World War II veteran and former P-51 pilot who was celebrating his 100th birthday.
Bill MacClarence, or Mac, flew Mustangs out of Fowlmere, England, with the 339th Fighter Group in 1944-1945 at the age of 21.
While a small group of friends and family gathered at the general aviation terminal at Naples Municipal Airport (KAPF), MacClarence had no idea what was about to pull up on the tarmac. The sound of the engine was unmistakable for this seasoned veteran, and he was delighted to see a P-51 pull up and cut its engine. It was a true visit back in time for the World War II Distinguished Flying Cross recipient.
MacClarence was a freshman at Columbia University when he and several students enlisted in 1942, shortly after the Pearl Harbor attack. After training, he was sent to Fowlmere as a replacement P-51 pilot. He became experienced in bomber escort and ground strafing, and even encountered a German Me-262 jet in his P-51, which he named “The Iron Bird.”
He ended up flying 36 missions before the end of the war. He returned to earn his degree in engineering from Columbia and worked for General Foods, retiring in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, and Naples.
He summed up his wartime experience by telling a writer, “To have had the opportunity to fly a P-51 is probably one of the most memorable experiences any pilot could have.”
“One of the key missions of the CAF and Airbase Georgia is to honor those who gave so much to save the world for democracy,” said Airbase leader Joel Perkins. “Mac MacClarence is one of the many who deserve to be considered among ‘the Greatest Generation.’ We were honored to provide this nostalgic memory for such an outstanding veteran and pilot.”
CAF Airbase Georgia, founded in 1987, is one of the largest units of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF). The group maintains and flies six vintage military aircraft, including a P-51 Mustang, an FG-1D Corsair, an SBD Dauntless, and a P-63A Kingcobra. The Airbase, composed of more than 500 volunteer members, is a founding partner of the Georgia WWII Heritage Trail launched in 2021.
For more information: AirbaseGeorgia.org.
It was always my childhood dream to fly a P-51. On my 60th birthday my wife gave me an hours dual in one. After flying for 50 years professionally in many aircraft types the P-51 was all I thought it would be and more. Thank you for your service! The country owes you a great honor.
Hi Mac,
Nancy and I were tickled pink to see a P-51 paid you a visit on your birthday. Bill J forwarded the link to us. We would have tried to be there had we known. Hope to someday see your Warhorse cameo.
Blue Skies forever, John, Nancy & Thomas
A proper honor for legendary man – accomplished in the pilot seat, restless but respectful in the executive suite, a devoted husband and inspiration to 3 (4?) generations of MacClarences!
Thank you brave sir!!!
Hi Aviation officer Bill Mac Clarence and happy birthday to you and happy Monday I’m COL Donnamarie Fuentes Dumont Lavallee and I’m a retired US Army Air Corps fighter bomber air craft pilot and flight leader and I’m a retired extremely heavy hauling and rigging operator and a very huge coal mine equipment machinery operator and I’m sending you my warm wishes for a wonderful birthday and my honor and respect to your outstanding time of service for all you did for your self and family and country I hope you know how respected you are by all who know you and one’s who served with you I am deeply impressed by you and will always remember what you did for your self and family and country I have. 2 vintage fighter bomber air craft and I 💕 love to fly when I get the chance I’m slowing down some but still try to get some fly time in This year I could not get any fly time because my partner has Alzheimer’s and having a difficult time so I just take one day at a time and I have some help too We’ll I’m going to get some breakfast and some go go juice that’s coffee and hope for a sunny day it’s rainy know I sure hope you have a wonderful and gorgeous day for you and your family and please stay safe and healthy I’ll keep you in my thoughts and ❤️ heart my 💕 love to you and your family COL Donnamarie Fuentes Dumont Lavallee
My father , Major Shelton W Monroe was a fighrer pilot in WWIi and flew a P-51 Mustang with the designation QP-Q. He was an Ace in WWIi and was awarded the Silver Star. He was killed in Korea April 17. 1951 while flying a misson in a P-51. Men like .’Mac” are the Greastet Generation and we should never forget them.
Mike Monroe
God bless those who took to the skys in which can only be described as the greatest flying aircrafts we are every likely to see, but never experience. When I hear about men like Mac a sense of pride, admiration and the memory of a very good friend of mine, Owen Smith a Spitfire Pilot come to mind and the stories he once told me, the friendship forged with other fighter pilot he flew with. Owen became a figurative influence in my life. Thank you Mac…thanks Owen.
Amen!
Hi Mike,
I’m with the 4th Fighter Group Association. I have some questions about your father’s service after the 4th, and what he did between the wars. At your convenience, would you send me an e-mail at [email protected]?
Thank you!
Tim McCann
Thank you Mr. MacClarence, you are a perfect example of why you and yours have become known as the “Greatest Generation”. Absolutely amazing man and machine!
God bless these members of the Greatest Generation. 🙏 They truly saved the world.
I salute you sir, from an Airforce Vietnam Vet 1962 to1966.
Thank you for your honorable service to our nation! God bless you!
Great to see a gentleman from the Greatest Generation honored in this way. Thank You for your service to America and it’s citizens.
This story brought a tear to my eye. Thank God for the Greatest Generation and all you did and sacrificed.
It’s certainly refreshingly to have this kind of story in the news.
Thank you to those who arraigned this event!
Thank you for your service. There is nothing finer on God’s green earth than flying a North American P-51. I have 1 hour of dual stick time in a Mustang. Best flight of my lifetime. I’m waiting for a ride in an FA-18 . Dream on….
I think that what you did for Mac is really wonderful. He truly is a member of the Greatest American Generation, I know that you made an old man very happy.
This is a great story like the one about the British woman who was an ATA ferry pilot and got to ride in a dual seat SPITFIRE on I think her 80th birthday ❤️
Wonderful honor, bless you guys!
He has to be on of the last!
This is so cool. Thank you for your service Mr. Bill MacClarence! I give you all my respect!
I support CAF , and this is one of the many reasons why. My uncle flew P-51’s during WW II as a 20 year old pilot , he sadly was lost on Aug. 18 th. 1951 flying combat during the Korean War. I flew in a P-51 with the Collins’s foundation in his honor.
Our greatest generation…these heroes were part of America’s greatest historical moments, a P51 Mustang pilot who helped define ‘courage’ flying an American fighter that helped the USA maintain air superiority in two theatres of the war…this man faced the enemy and prevailed during the world’s greatest conflict of all time.
I remember this aircraft when she was on the strength of West Houston Sqdn CAF and flown by my old sqdn mate Rick Sharpe.She was also flown by AVM Ron Dick,RAF to obtain his 5000th hour out of Harlingen TX ln 1987.I think the 339th were part of The 4TH FGthat were based at RAF Debden along with the 336th sqn code VF.Anyway good to see her going strong and I’ve got a feeling that I have had the honor to meet that pilot during my days with THE CONFEDERATE Air Force W TX Wing.David Hammond.Ex RAF.
From one old pilot to a real 51 driver, God bless you.
My father,R.A.Bernard,turned 98,6/28/23 and was a machinest mate 2nd on the Gleaves class destroyer USS Livermore,DD-429. He quit school after Pearl Harbor and joined the Navy at 17! I wish there was something special could be done to honor him…….PS,he is the last living crewmember of said ship
What an Honor to have become acquainted with Mac at our many meetings at Wing South in Naples at Kevin Dey’s hanger. Quite a story teller, like making a Low Victory pass over a house when hearing the War with Germanywas over and the Prop Wash knocked off some Brick off the Chimney . Fond memories.
Jerry,
What a priveledge for me to have lunch with you and Mac, and all the other WWII veterans at Kevin Dey’s. I’m sorry you could not join us at Oshkosh. Several of the WWII veterans in our lunch group, got rides in Cowden Ward’s P-51.
God bless you.
John M.
My company Kal Aero Service restored about a dozen aircraft for museums across the country.to honor these guys. It was my privilege to remember them.
Wow I would like to thank Mac for his service. Also for all he has done since. My father was in the pacific in a B-29. He told me of the life saving escorts. The P-51s did all they could to keep the B-17 crews alive. I am very honed to have seen this article. Also thank you to all who cared enuf to set it up for a aging soldier who you know endured hell.
THANK YOU ALAN
Truly an Honor for America. Thank You, Sir. You are truly America’s finest. God Bless !
What a beautiful way to honor one of the bravest men of the greatest generation. My childhood dream to become a fighter Pilot was fueled by the Mustang. The best aircraft of the war for the Allies. Men like Mac and my Father. Inspired me to join the military even after my dream of a pilot was dashed I still joined the AirForce. I had the honor of being stationed in England and to go to the places where these stayed and lived was inspiring also. Thank you Sir for your Service and Sacrifice and I envy you being able to fly such a beautiful
Bird