Last Living D-Day Pathfinder Pilot Turning 100

FREDERICK, OK - (Saturday, July 16, 2022) Famous WWII Pathfinder Pilot, Lt. Col. David Hamilton (USAF, Ret.) will celebrate his 100th birthday with the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team (ADT). Hamilton is scheduled to participate in airborne operations involving World War II ADT’s historic DC-3/C-49 aircraft, “Wild Kat” and ADT members will jump in honor of his 100th birthday.

The Airborne Operations will take place at the Frederick Army Airfield, home of the World War II ADT. Frederick Army Airfield was built during World War II and served as a pilot training base. Hamilton, the last surviving Pathfinder pilot from the Normandy Invasion, also flew troops/cargo in Operation Dragoon, Operation Market Garden, and the Battle of the Bulge. He also logged 51 combat missions in attack bombers during the Korean War and received the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Hank Coates (CAF President and CEO) and RozeLyn Beck (CAF Chief Relationship Officer) will be representing the CAF at Hamilton’s birthday festivities.

What: Centennial Celebration for Last Living D-Day Pathfinder pilot, Lt. Col. David Hamilton

Where: Frederick Airfield, 1801 Flying Fortress, Frederick, OK 73542

When: Saturday, July 16, 2022

Time: Airborne Operations will commence at 6:45am. Interview opportunities with Lt. Col. Hamilton, WWII ADT Team Members and living history parachutists will be available before Airborne Operations and after jump ops. Jump ops are expected to end at 9:00am. Drop Zone Access may be permitted with prior coordination.

Hamilton pictured in the bottom row, far right