HEROES OF WWII
A Pilot's Memories
Lt. Julian A. "Bud" Rice Jan 8, 1921 - Aug 4, 2019
The day after Pearl Harbor was bombed, Bud quit his job and enlisted in the US Army. He served as a C-47 transport pilot until the war ended. With the number of WWII veterans dwindling each year, more and more people want to know their stories before they are lost forever. Bud compiled his memories into book form in his late 90's. He dedicated it to all those who served and especially those who never made it back. This companion site was created to help preserve those stories.
The day after Pearl Harbor was bombed, Bud quit his job and enlisted in the US Army. He served as a C-47 transport pilot until the war ended. With the number of WWII veterans dwindling each year, more and more people want to know their stories before they are lost forever. Bud compiled his memories into book form in his late 90's. He dedicated it to all those who served and especially those who never made it back. This companion site was created to help preserve those stories.
Above: NBC Journalist and author Tom Brokaw is a published expert in WWII history.
Click Here for Video Interview.
Click Here for Video Interview.
2014 was a landmark year for Normandy's annual tributes to freedom won by WWII. Knowing this was likely the last time veterans in their 90's would be able to attend, news crews from around the world were anxious to interview them. See Anniversary Page for more information about the 70th D-Day events.
Smithsonian Docudrama
about the role of the C-47 in WWII. Click Here
about the role of the C-47 in WWII. Click Here
Below Left: Bud's D-Day plane returns to Normandy. Click Here.
Below Right: Bud flies his D-Day plane one last time. Click Here.
Below Right: Bud flies his D-Day plane one last time. Click Here.
W7: D-Day Plane
W7 (Whiskey 7) was found abandoned by a private collector who restored it to original condition. When he learned that it participated in D-Day he had it flown to France's 70th Anniversary tribute as a functioning artifact of the Normandy Invasion, When not attending various military or aviation events worldwide, W7 remains housed at the New York Warplane Museum with other historic planes. Click Here for Cockpit Clip.
W7 (Whiskey 7) was found abandoned by a private collector who restored it to original condition. When he learned that it participated in D-Day he had it flown to France's 70th Anniversary tribute as a functioning artifact of the Normandy Invasion, When not attending various military or aviation events worldwide, W7 remains housed at the New York Warplane Museum with other historic planes. Click Here for Cockpit Clip.
Bud catches 1st Pitch from Justin Turner at a 2019 Dodger Game,
courtesy of Greg Alaimo/Hollywood Post 43 Veteran Center :
Click Here for Game Video.
courtesy of Greg Alaimo/Hollywood Post 43 Veteran Center :
Click Here for Game Video.
Greeting from a Golfing Buddy
The Rice Family offers Mark our sincerest gratitude for the extraordinary kindness
he showed our Dad in his final years. Click here for Video Clip.
The Rice Family offers Mark our sincerest gratitude for the extraordinary kindness
he showed our Dad in his final years. Click here for Video Clip.