A non-profit organization that maintains and flies vintage aircraft brought in a dive bomber to Mitchell Airport Friday morning to honor eight surviving crewmen of a World War II aircraft carrier. They are in town with 80 family members for an annual reunion.
William Schauer was an electrician and fireman aboard the USS Franklin. Schauer, now 89 years old, said he liked sharing his wartime experiences with the young crew.
“They try to mix the crew. Use the older guys which have got the experience will teach the younger fellows, you know, how to ship and how to operate it. It’s quite the life,” he said.
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The USS Franklin was the most heavily damaged U.S. carrier that survived World War II.
Three generations of the Schauers were present for the reunion.
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