Sons, daughter of 100th BG veterans share their fathers’ stories at RAFM Heritage Day

Dan Rosenthal, 100th Bomb Group Foundation board of directors member, shares stories of his father, U.S. Army Air Forces Lt. Col. Robert “Rosie” Rosenthal, renowned100th Bomb Group pilot who flew 53 missions out of Thorpe Abbotts, England, during World War II, to the audience during Heritage Day at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Aug. 16, 2024. Rosie was one of the main characters featured in the Apple+ mini-series, “Masters of the Air,” which focused on Eighth Air Force and the 100th Bomb Group during World War II, and was highlighted as part of RAF Mildenhall’s Heritage Day celebration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Karen Abeyasekere)

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Sons, daughter of 100th BG veterans share their fathers’ stories at RAFM Heritage Day

Photos of U.S. Army Air Forces Lt. Col. Robert “Rosie” Rosenthal, renowned 100th Bomb Group pilot who flew 53 missions out of Thorpe Abbotts, England, during World War II, his crew and the B-17 Flying Fortress “Rosie’s Riveters” are shared by his son Dan Rosenthal, 100th BG Foundation board of directors member, during a presentation about his father at the Heritage Day event at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Aug. 16, 2024. Rosie was one of the main characters featured in the Apple+ mini-series, “Masters of the Air,” which focused on Eighth Air Force and the 100th Bomb Group during World War II, and was highlighted as part of RAF Mildenhall’s Heritage Day celebration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Karen Abeyasekere)

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Sons, daughter of 100th BG veterans share their fathers’ stories at RAFM Heritage Day

A video of retired U.S. Army Air Forces Lt. Col. Robert “Rosie” Rosenthal, renowned 100th Bomb Group pilot who flew 53 missions out of Thorpe Abbotts, England, during World War II, plays during a presentation given by his son Dan Rosenthal, 100th BG Foundation board of directors member, during a presentation about his father at the Heritage Day event at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Aug. 16, 2024. Rosie was one of the main characters featured in the Apple+ mini-series, “Masters of the Air,” which focused on Eighth Air Force and the 100th Bomb Group during World War II, and was highlighted as part of RAF Mildenhall’s Heritage Day celebration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Karen Abeyasekere)

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Sons, daughter of 100th BG veterans share their fathers’ stories at RAFM Heritage Day

Audience members including 100th Air Refueling Wing leadership, honorary commanders, family members of 100th Bomb Group veterans and other special guests listen intently as Dan Rosenthal, 100th BG Foundation board of directors member shares stories of his father, U.S. Army Air Forces Lt. Col. Robert “Rosie” Rosenthal, renowned100th Bomb Group pilot who flew 53 missions out of Thorpe Abbotts, England, during World War II, to the audience during Heritage Day at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Aug. 16, 2024. Rosie was one of the main characters featured in the Apple+ mini-series, “Masters of the Air,” which focused on Eighth Air Force and the 100th Bomb Group during World War II, and was highlighted as part of RAF Mildenhall’s Heritage Day celebration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Karen Abeyasekere)

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Sons, daughter of 100th BG veterans share their fathers’ stories at RAFM Heritage Day

Dan Rosenthal, left, 100th BG Foundation board of directors member and son of U.S. Army Air Forces Lt. Col. Robert “Rosie” Rosenthal, renowned100th Bomb Group pilot who flew 53 missions out of Thorpe Abbotts, England, during World War II, gives an emotional hug to U.S. Air Force Col. Ryan Garlow, 100th Air Refueling Wing commander and step-grandson of T/Sgt James P. Scott, 351st Bomb Squadron and 100th BG radio-operator gunner, after a presentation at the Heritage Day event at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Aug. 17, 2024. The base welcomed family members of 100th BG veterans who shared stories of their fathers’ time serving during World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Karen Abeyasekere)

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Sons, daughter of 100th BG veterans share their fathers’ stories at RAFM Heritage Day

Paula Harper-Sparks, daughter of U.S. Army Air Forces Flight Officer Joseph Harper, 351st Bomb Squadron and 100th Bomb Group co-pilot, shares stories of her father’s time flying missions out of Thorpe Abbotts during World War II as part of Heritage Day events at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Aug. 16, 2024. The base welcomed family members of 100th BG veterans who shared stories of their fathers’ time serving during World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Karen Abeyasekere)

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Sons, daughter of 100th BG veterans share their fathers’ stories at RAFM Heritage Day

Curtis Wilson, left, son of U.S. Army Air Forces Capt. Charlie “Hong Kong” Wilson, 350th Bomb Squadron pilot, and Paula Harper-Sparks, daughter of U.S. Army Air Forces Flight Officer Joseph Harper, 351st Bomb Squadron and 100th Bomb Group co-pilot, share stories of their fathers’ time flying missions out of Thorpe Abbotts during World War II as part of Heritage Day events at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Aug. 16, 2024. The base welcomed family members of 100th BG veterans who shared stories of their fathers’ time serving during World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Karen Abeyasekere)

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Sons, daughter of 100th BG veterans share their fathers’ stories at RAFM Heritage Day

Curtis Wilson, son of U.S. Army Air Forces Capt. Charlie “Hong Kong” Wilson, 350th Bomb Squadron pilot, shares stories of his father’s time flying missions out of Thorpe Abbotts during World War II as part of Heritage Day events at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Aug. 16, 2024. The base welcomed family members of 100th Bomb Group veterans who shared stories of their fathers’ time serving during World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Karen Abeyasekere)

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Sons, daughter of 100th BG veterans share their fathers’ stories at RAFM Heritage Day

Published Aug. 23, 2024
By Karen Abeyasekere
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England --

Family members of 100th Bomb Group aircrew veterans spoke at the Heritage Day at Royal Air Mildenhall, England, Aug. 16, 2024. They shared stories about their fathers missions during World War II and answered questions from the audience. The Heritage Day event also included question-and-answer session with the executive producer from the Apple+ TV mini-series "Masters of the Air," and 100th Bomb Group Foundation historian; World War II aircraft static displays, and a flyover from the B-17 Flying Fortress "Sally B" to celebrate the 90th anniversary of RAF Mildenhall. The day concluded with the Royal Air Force tradition of a piano burn, which started after an RAF pilot known for playing the piano, was killed in action during World War II.