“WWII’s ‘last fighter pilot’ relives fateful flight and the PTSD that followed” New York Post

On April 7, 1945, five months before the end of World War II, Capt. Jerry Yellin and his squadron flew over Japan and bombed it, lighting up “a big square of fire” 15,000 feet below.

“Little fires became big fires, and it never occurred to me, ever, that there were human beings on the ground,” says Yellin, 93, speaking to The Post in the run-up to Memorial Day.

“They were Japanese. They were terrible people. They did horrific things in China, and I saw horrific things done in Iwo Jima to dead Marines — faces bashed in to get gold out of their teeth. They just were not human beings to me then.”

Click the link for full article: WWII’s ‘last fighter pilot’ relives fateful flight — and the PTSD that followed

“If you wanna stop war everybody would go to war naked,” he says. “Then nobody would know who to shoot.” -Captain (ret) Jerry Yellin to the New York Post

 

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I Flew For Freedom! I Live For Peace!

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Thank You For Your Service

AS WE OBSERVE VETERANS DAY NOVEMBER 11, let us celebrate the service of all U.S. military veterans. Let us remember with gratitude those who made the greatest sacrifice, their lives, for our freedom and democracy. Let us openly and genuinely extend our appreciation to those in our families, our communities and around the country, who have given of themselves so that we may live in a better country. ¦

Please click to read the full story: Thank You For Your Service

BY GLENN MILLER • FLORIDA WEEKLY CORRESPONDENT

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WWII Veteran Speaks So History Doesn’t Repeat Itself

Captain Jerry Yellin speaking with Japanese students about war and peace

“It’s 2016,” he said. “I’m 92 years old. I’m reading the same headlines in the newspaper about race, religion, terrorism and killing people for (beliefs) that I read when I was 12 years old in 1936. It’s no different.” -Jerry Yellin

Click this link for full story: WWII Veteran Speaks So History Doesn’t Repeat Itself

Captain Jerry Jellin

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Last U.S. fighter pilot to fly WWII mission to tell cautionary tale to Japan, U.S. youth

As Hawaii prepares to mark 75 years since Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor thrust the United States into the war in December, Yellin is reaching out to children to tell his tale.

Popularly known as the fighter pilot who flew the last combat mission of the war, Yellin, at the age of 92, remains a captivating storyteller.

“I’m just an ordinary man who’s had an extraordinary experience in life,” he told The Japan Times in an interview in Tokyo last week.

Please click the link below to read the full feature:

World War II veteran Jerry Yellin has a new mission: keeping the memory of the conflict alive

Captain Jerry Yellin is joined by his Japanese Grandaughter, Sarah.

Captain Jerry Yellin is joined by his Japanese Grandaughter, Sarah.

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Obama’s Hiroshima visit reveals progress of reconciliation, disagreements over history

“Had we had more bombs, we would’ve considered using them to bomb them till they said that that’s enough. It took till Aug. 15 to make the (surrender) announcement,” he said. “We wanted to get it over with and go home.” Captain Jerry Yellin via The Japan Times

Click link below to read full story:

Obama’s Hiroshima visit reveals progress of reconciliation, disagreements over history

Retired U.S. Army Air Corps Capt. Jerry Yellin attends the 71st Commemoration of the Battle of Iwo Jima at Iwo To, Japan, March 19, 2016. The Iwo Jima Reunion of Honor is an opportunity for Japanese and U.S. veterans and their families, dignitaries, leaders and service members from both nations to honor the battle while recognizing 71 years of peace and prosperity in the U.S. – Japanese alliance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by MCIPAC Combat Camera Lance Cpl. Juan Esqueda / Released)

Retired U.S. Army Air Corps Capt. Jerry Yellin attends the 71st Commemoration of the Battle of Iwo Jima at Iwo To, Japan, March 19, 2016. The Iwo Jima Reunion of Honor is an opportunity for Japanese and U.S. veterans and their families, dignitaries, leaders and service members from both nations to honor the battle while recognizing 71 years of peace and prosperity in the U.S. – Japanese alliance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by MCIPAC Combat Camera Lance Cpl. Juan Esqueda / Released)

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WWII fighter pilot’s Japan experience: From foe to family from The Japan Times

“The long and circuitous life of 92-year-old World War II veteran Jerry Yellin reads like a work of fiction.” Jesse Johnson, The Japan Times

Click to read the full article: WWII fighter pilot’s Japan experience: From foe to family

U.S. Air Force Capt. Jerry Yellin, a veteran of the Battle of Iwo Jima , answers questions on March 19, during the 71st Reunion of Honor Ceremony at Iwo To, Japan. The ceremony gathers surviving veterans, their families and active duty service members of both nations to reflect on 71 years of peace and prosperity between the U.S. and Japan alliance. Click to view video: Interview With Jerry Yellin

Captain Jerry Yellin is joined by his Japanese Grandaughter, Sarah.

Captain Jerry Yellin is joined by his Japanese Grandaughter, Sarah.

Former U.S. Army Air Corps Capt. Jerry Yellin attends the 71st Commemoration of the Battle of Iwojima on Iwoto island on March 19. | III MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE COMBAT CAMERA

Former U.S. Army Air Corps Capt. Jerry Yellin attends the 71st Commemoration of the Battle of Iwojima on Iwoto island on March 19. | III MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE COMBAT CAMERA

 

 

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Captain Jerry Yellin at the Southwest Florida Military Museum and Library

Join Captain Jerry Yellin speaks at the Southwest Florida Military Museum and Library

Tuesday, May 17th at 11 am.

Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive !

Click here: Appearance Schedule (1)

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SWFL Veterans Alliance

Naples Hilton

Naples Air Center

Life in Naples

Wayne Smith

Supporters:

Help at Home

Republican Women of SWFL Federated

Flight Sponsored by: 

Richard Gentil, Naples Air Center

Press inquiries: tracy@lightfinderpr.com

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Sitting In A Cockpit Again, World War II Fighter Pilot Recounts Final Mission

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) — Military history was on the tarmac at Dallas Love Field over the weekend: a vintage aircraft that has seen its share of battles.

The Frontiers of Flight Museum featured Wings of Freedom, a display in the midst of a national 110-city tour, and the bombers and fighter aircraft that came with it.

Standing among the history was a man who remembers it well. Capt. Jerry Yellin, 92, was a fighter pilot in World War II.

On a sunny Easter afternoon, he was reacquainted with the type of plane he flew during the war, the P-51 Mustang.

Click the link below to read the full story:

Sitting In A Cockpit Again, World War II Fighter Pilot Recounts Final Mission

Captain Jerry Yellin

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Captain Jerry Yellin attends the Iwo Jima 71st Anniversary Reunion of Honor

U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Color Guard participate in the 71st Reunion of Honor Ceremony at Iwo To, Japan, March 19, 2016. The Iwo Jima Reunion of Honor is an opportunity for Japanese and U.S. veterans and their families, dignitaries, leaders and service members from both nations to honor the battle while recognizing 71 years of peace and prosperity in the U.S. – Japanese alliance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by MCIPAC Combat Camera Lance Cpl. Juan Esqueda / Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Color Guard

Retired U.S. Army Air Corps Capt. Jerry Yellin attends the 71st Commemoration of the Battle of Iwo Jima at Iwo To, Japan, March 19, 2016.

The Iwo Jima Reunion of Honor is an opportunity for Japanese and U.S. veterans and their families, dignitaries, leaders and service members from both nations to honor the battle while recognizing 71 years of peace and prosperity in the U.S. – Japanese alliance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by MCIPAC Combat Camera Lance Cpl. Juan Esqueda / Released)

Captain Jerry Yellin

In 1942, two months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Captain Jerry Yellin volunteered for the U.S. Army Air Corps on his 18th birthday. Jerry graduated from Luke Air Field as a fighter pilot in August of 1943. He spent the remainder of the war flying P-40, P- 47 and P-51 combat missions in the Pacific with the 78th Fighter Squadron.

Captain Yellin participated in the first land-based fighter mission over Japan on April 7, 1945. He also has the unique distinction of having flown the final combat mission of World War II on August 14, 1945 – the day the war ended. On that mission, his wing-man, Phillip Schlamberg, was the last man killed in combat during WWII.

After the war, Jerry went on to write about his experiences during World War II and is the author of numerous books including Of War and Weddings, The Blackened Canteen, The Resilient Warrior, and The Letter.  His books can be purchased through his website: www.captainjerryyellin.com

Jerry is currently working on a feature film about his life titled “The Last Man Standing.” This documentary will explore Jerry’s experiences coming to terms with the War and his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Currently in production, the film will be submitted to various film festivals including Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.

Click here: Scarlett Johannson and Captain Jerry Yellin: Keep The Spirit of 45′ Alive

On June 23, Jerry’s wife Helene recently passed away after 65 years of marriage. They had four children together. Jerry currently resides in Orlando, Florida.

For press inquires, please contact tracy@lightfinderpr.com

 

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