Inspired by the Wright brother’s first flight at age 14, Igor Sikorsky developed his first helicopter prototype at age 20, forever changing the aviation industry.

Flying as a medevac helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War, Jim Ihli endured heartache, danger and heroic rescues in service of their mission: “Dedicated Unhesitating Service to Our Fighting Forces.”

Enlisting in the Army in 1941, Braton was stationed at Fort Mills, Phillipines. Captured in May 1942, he suffered greatly as a POW laborer in Japan, eventually losing all of his toes from disease.

Drafted into the army in 1943, Ted Zimmerman served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam, retiring from an illustrious career in 1971 as a colonel.

Listen to Warhawk Air Museum’s Executive Director, Carson Spear, discuss how he’s learned the value of a healthy work-life balance.

Get a glimpse into some of our veteran’s memories of Christmas in wartime Vietnam.