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THIS WEEKEND!!!
 The Pacific War:
Power and
Pursuit
June 10 & 11
Symposiums at 10:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m
Followed by Meet-and-Greet
Initiated on December 7, 1941, with the attack on Pearl Harbor, The Pacific War pitted Allied powers against the Empire of Japan, engaging the U.S. for the first time in battle with a non-European enemy in his theatre of operations. The cultural and strategic requirements would test the spirit and strength of all combatants--on land, sea, and in the air. The challenges of living on aircraft carriers and remote islands, the engagement of fearsome kamikaze, and the legacy of the atomic bomb are just a few of many possible topics.
Learn more about all the Legends & Legacies programs here.
One of the Pacific War panelists, Lt. Col. Doug Canning, flew in military service for 28 years through three wars. On April 19, 1943, he and a handpicked group of P-38 pilots flew in loose formation fifty feet above the ocean in pursuit of a target. Their mission was to shoot down a Japanese bomber that was transporting the number one top military strategist of the Japanese Imperial forces. These men had been ordered not to return until that man was dead. His name: Yamamoto. The same Yamamoto who had ordered the attack on Pearl Harbor. The mission was completed as ordered.
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Survivors of the Yamamota mission pose in front of a P-38. Doug Canning: front row, 2nd from left. |
Don't miss the chance to meet remarkable heroes of the Pacific War and to learn history from the people who lived it.
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Grumman F3F
and Pilot Reunited
"Junior" Hagemann had no children of his own. He died in Maui during the summer of 1941--piloting one of three Navy Grumman F3F aircraft that crashed into the side of Haleakala during a foggy night training mission. His aircraft was identified as #1028.
 | | "Junior" Hagemann's flying documents. |
However, Junior had four brothers who refused to forget their dashing brother's courage. They shared stories of the "devastatingly handsome lieutenant" with their own children, who grew up with their uncle close to their hearts. Eventually the children started following up on clues about their uncle's legend, sleuthing out more details, travelling far and wide to learn about his life... and to connect to his story.
As it turns out, the wreckage of Junior's aircraft had been retrieved more than 40 years after the crash. From the remains of that aircraft and several other F3Fs, three flying F3Fs were built, including one that was eventually acquired by Fantasy of Flight and bears the military identifier #1028.
 | | John Hagemann visits his uncle's military aircraft. |
By tracing the military identification number, Junior's niece Nancy Hagemann of Kansas City, KS, concluded her search at Fantasy of Flight, with Junior's flying documents in hand. She presented them to Kermit Weeks, Fantasy of Flight owner, who has had them preserved and permanently placed in the Grumman F3F. A few days later, Junior's nephew John Hagemann, of Texarkana, TX, dropped by to visit with his uncle's plane and share more legends of Junior with staff.
Fantasy of Flight is honored to be the keeper of Junior Hagemann's documents. We offer admiration for the abiding love of his brothers and their children in preserving the memory of a remarkable young man. |
