East Bay Flyover Honors Air Warrior Thursday
An echelon of fighter jets flying a memorial pass for a U.S. Navy pilot who died in Walnut Creek last month sparked a flurry of inquiries from locals when they roared overhead Thursday.
The jets, two F18s and a pair of F35’s believed to have lifted off from the Naval Air Station in Lemoore, flew in honor of World War II aviator Dean S. “Diz” Laird of Coronado, who died in Walnut Creek at 101.
Laird’s career spanned 29 years, during which he shot down the first German planes of World War II off the coast of Norway for the Navy and was the only Navy Flying Ace who scored victories against German and Japanese planes in both the European and Pacific Theatres. Diz flew 99 different military aircraft before retirement and then flew his 100th at the age of 95, flying a T-34C in Coronado in July 2016. He flew 175 combat missions and served on 12 aircraft carriers, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1945, won the National Air Races in 1949 (setting a world speed record at the time), and holds the U.S. military record for most straight deck carrier landings. Additionally, Diz was part of the Navy’s first Jet Squadron, becoming the first pilot to land a jet on the deck of the USS Midway. In 1969, he flew as the lead stunt pilot and helped choreograph the reenactment of the attack on Pearl Harbor for 20th Century Fox’s 1970 film “Tora! Tora! Tora!”
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All my admiration! He’s still flying!
What a beautiful sentiment
Quite a man. We need more like him.
They buzzed our place and I thought the roof was coming off. Nice honor.
Wow!!!
A fitting tribute and a nice surprise in the sky!
My gratitude to Diz and all our veterans, especially our WWII combat vets. They quite literally saved humanity and bestowed the next five generations of Americans (and counting) with unimaginable prosperity.
Oh, and 101 is a ripe old age for a WWII dogfighter!
Separately, I’m really glad those Hornets and Lightnings are on our side! Could you imagine if they wanted you dead…or even your neighbor?
Respects to you sir.
LoveLoveLove this commanding tribute to this patriot—so very proud?
Awesome! I heard them and wondered what the occasion was for. What a hero and what an exceptional way to honor him. Thank your Diz for your service.
Amazing tribute and once again, News 24/680 reports first. Thank you.
Honored. Thank you…
I’ll bet he loved it.
Deserved
Never thought my first F-35 in the wild sighting would be right at home. Loved it, and they went around twice!
It gave me goosebumps. Seeing the formation, we knew it was in honor of a hero! He sure was! They don’t make them like that anymore! You’re flying high Diz! Thank you for your service!!
Hope you’re flying & smiling Diz … Rest In Peace good sir! ????
Losing all our heros.
How fitting a tribute to a hero of several wars! I especially loved the missing man formations of the jets.
I was just amazed of what I heard and saw. Proud to be an American with these hero’s on our side. Rest in peace sir
What an honorable salute. Well done Lemoore Naval Pilots. I salute you all for our freedom here in the USA.