HEROES OF WWII
A Pilot's Memories
Lt. Julian A. "Bud" Rice Jan 8, 1921 - Aug 4, 2019
Bud Rice enlisted for military service on December 8, 19441, the day after Pearl Harbor was bombed. 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 forever lost. Shortly before his passing in 2019, Bud was able to compile some of his poignant memories into book form and dedicated it to all those
who served - especially those who never made it home. This companion site was created to help preserve those memories.
Bud Rice enlisted for military service on December 8, 19441, the day after Pearl Harbor was bombed. 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 forever lost. Shortly before his passing in 2019, Bud was able to compile some of his poignant memories into book form and dedicated it to all those
who served - especially those who never made it home. This companion site was created to help preserve those memories.
Above: NBC Journalist and author Tom Brokaw is a published expert in WWII history.
Click Here for Video.
Click Here for Video.
2014 was a landmark year for Normandy's annual tribute to freedom in Europe Knowing this was likely the last time WWII 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 Anniversary commemoration events.
Smithsonian Docudrama about the C-47's contribution to WWII. Click Here for video.
Below Left: Bud's D-Day plane returns to Normandy. Click Here for video.
Below Right: Bud flies his D-Day plane one last time. Click Here for video.
Below Right: Bud flies his D-Day plane one last time. Click Here for video.
W7: A Plane That Survived D-Day
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.
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.
Bud tosses 1st Pitch to Justin Turner at a 2019 Dodger Game,
courtesy of Greg Alaimo from Hollywood's veteran center near the Hollywood Bowl.
Turner and the Los Angeles Dodgers are strong supporters of all U.S. veterans.
Click Here for Video.
courtesy of Greg Alaimo from Hollywood's veteran center near the Hollywood Bowl.
Turner and the Los Angeles Dodgers are strong supporters of all U.S. veterans.
Click Here for Video.
Click here for video.
The Rice Family offers Mark Wahlberg our sincerest gratitude for the
extraordinary kindness he showed our Dad in his final years.
The Rice Family offers Mark Wahlberg our sincerest gratitude for the
extraordinary kindness he showed our Dad in his final years.