‘I Loved the Air Force’: WWII Bomber Pilot Celebrates 100th Birthday With Family in Florida

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Not only is Jack Donald Koser one of an ever-decreasing faction of U.S. World War II veterans, but Nov. 8, 2019, marked the occasion of his 100th birthday. Koser’s family and friends gathered at his residence in Bradenton, Florida, to celebrate the outstanding achievement.

“I loved the Air Force. I loved flying,” Jack explained in an interview with Fox 13 News.

Jack was born in 1919 in St. Joseph, Missouri. The eldest of three siblings, Jack first learned to fly while attending high school. Instead of being drafted, Jack chose to enlist in the Army Air Corps in 1940.

In recent years, a stroke has affected Jack’s clarity of speech. His memories, however, remain crystal clear. “I flew 23 missions against Japan,” he recalled. “I could hear the rumblings of war.”

The young pilot was deployed to Tinian, one of the three islands of the Northern Mariana Islands. He flew a B-29 with the 6th Bomb Group, 39th Bombardment Group, and the 313th Bombardment Wing of the 20th Air Force. “Some [missions] were easy; some of them were tough,” he recalled.

According to his University of Texas biography, one of Jack’s B-29 planes was named Here’s Lucky. The plane lived up to its name; Jack was the only known pilot to roll a Boeing B-29 Superfortress and survive. On one occasion, he even flew back to base having lost two out of four engines on the same side of the plane.

Illustration - Shutterstock | Everett Historical

Once promoted to Aircraft Commander, Jack assembled a brand-new, crack team of pilots to make a flight into China to drop supplies inside a prisoner-of-war camp. Jack and his crew filled two bomb bays with medicine and food and made two passes over the camp.

Later, in 1946, Jack became an aide to Lieutenant General E. R. Quesada in Tactical Air Command. The esteemed pilot received two unit citations, two distinguished flying crosses, and five air medals, all of which hang proudly on his bedroom wall today.

Illustration - Shutterstock | Everett Historical

After the war ended, Jack joined the University of Texas at Austin and earned a degree in physics. He obtained a master of arts in physics three years later.

Many would proudly assert that Jack is a true American hero. After the war, Jack continued serving his country for 24 years; he acted as President Harry Truman’s personal aide before marrying—only single men were entitled to serve in this position—and later served in the Pentagon.

Jack married Eleanor Jean Morgan on Aug. 3, 1951, in Arlington County, Virginia. The couple had four children: Vickie, Robert, Michael, and Chynne.

The dedicated veteran finally retired in 1961 and moved to live with his son in Bradenton, Florida. And on Nov. 8, 2019, with his family by his side, Jack celebrated 100 years of life.

Jack’s grandson Bobby Koser took to Facebook to mark the special occasion. “Here’s to a huge happy birthday to my grandfather,” Bobby began. “Triple digits! He is one of the most amazing individuals you will ever meet with stories that need to be made into a movie.”

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the United States is currently losing World War II veterans at the rate of approximately 348 per day. Of the more than 16 million Americans who served in World War II, fewer than 500,000 remained alive as of 2018; the youngest surviving veterans were already in their mid to late 90s.

Illustration - Shutterstock | Klemen K. Misic

Time is swiftly running out for the citizens of the United States of America to hear World War II veterans’ memories of battles won and lost and to honor their service and sacrifice in person. On the occasion of his 100th birthday, however, Jack Donald Koser was able to share his story.

“I feel good,” Jack told Fox 13 News. He then admitted a birthday wish, “God willing, I'll make 102.”