WW II vet to fly April 30
BY VICI PAPAJOHN Gulf Breeze News vici@gulfbreezenews.com

Young Frank Dutko received his wings in 1942, and flew the P-38 in Panama during the war. Dutko's father kept the photo at right in his wallet for his lifetime. In it, Frank is united with his brothers, Bob and Joe, prior to being shipped out. Joe served in Patton's Third Army and Bob is a retired USAF Brigadier General.

World War II veteran Frank Dutko will fly again on April 30. This time he will not serve his country but will be an honored guest on the first Emerald Coast Honor Flight.

"I thought we were fighting for something worthwhile," Dutko, 85, remembers. "And everyone was in it and behind it."

The New Jersey native was selected in 1942 for the U.S. Army Air Corps and was "winged" that same year. He was retained as an instructor until 1944. "At one time, I had 13 cadets to get through flight school in nine weeks," he remembers with a grin. "We did it, too!"

In 1945 he reported to XXVI Fighter Command in Panama and flew the P-38s.

"I never really seemed to get away from the military," he remembers with a wry smile. "I was discharged in 1946, and returned to New Jersey where I served in the reserves."

Dutko

Dutko was part of the initial cadre of pilots assigned t the 141st New Jersey Air National Guard. The unit was called up to active duty in 1951 in support of the Korean War. Though the unit never went to Korea, their support efforts took Dutko to such U.S. destinations as Turner Air Force Base (AFB) in Ga., Ft. Knox, Ken., Randolph AFB, Texas and as far away as Newfoundland, Japan and the Philippines.

Life-long service to his country marks his life; Dutko also served in Vietnam. In 1967 he was assigned to the 361st Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron, Nha Trang AFB until June 1968. He flew 123 electronic reconnaissance missions in EC- 47s, amassing over 760 hours. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and six Air Medals. In 1958, he was rated a Command Pilot and achieved over 5,800 flying hours.

Dutko's honors also include a Presidential Unit Citation, WWII Victory Medal and many, many others. But it's the people he thinks of now.

"I cannot imagine quite how it will feel to be at the memorial," Dutko says wistfully. "I do think it will be great to just be with the group."