DOUGLAS, GA (Nov. 22, 2024) – The World War II Flight Training Museum, the 63rd Preservation Society, the WWII Flight Training Base Committee, and the City of Douglas held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly-named Cadet Park and the Charles J. Loring Memorial. Highlighted in *Air Classics” aviation magazine, the event honored Major Loring, a Medal of Honor recipient whose courage during the Korean War remains legendary. As a member of the Class of 1943-B, Loring trained at the 63rd Army Air Force Flight Training Base in Douglas, one of Georgia’s key WWII aviation hubs. In 1952, while piloting an F-80 Shooting Star, he made the ultimate sacrifice, deliberately crashing his damaged aircraft into enemy positions to protect allied forces.
The dedication ceremony drew a diverse crowd, including Airmen from Moody Air Force Base, the Loring family, local dignitaries, and community members proud to celebrate their heritage. The ribbon-cutting unveiled Cadet Park, a site now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which pays homage to the nearly 10,000 aviation cadets who trained at the base during WWII. A meticulously restored F-80 Shooting Star, painted to replicate Loring’s aircraft, serves as the memorial’s centerpiece, symbolizing his bravery and the sacrifices of an entire generation. This event commemorated the 72nd anniversary of Major Charles J. Loring Jr.’s heroic actions.
As a stop on the Georgia WWII Heritage Trail, the Major Charles J. Loring Jr. Memorial invites visitors to explore Douglas’s pivotal role in preparing pilots who shaped history. The site stands as a testament to resilience, patriotism, and the enduring impact of WWII on small-town America. Through this tribute, Georgia honors not only Loring’s extraordinary heroism but also the broader narrative of service and sacrifice that defined the era, ensuring these stories inspire future generations. Read article here