Major Richard Sherman Has Passed Away At The Age Of 96

Major Richard Sherman, one of the last surviving members of the renowned "Flying Tigers", has Gone West.

The News Star newspaper reports that Major Sherman died January 9th at the Northeast Louisiana Veterans Home at the age of 96.

He was a bombardier and navigator aboard B-25 bombers flown by the Army's 14th Air Force 11th Bomb Group. He flew 52 missions during the 13 months he was posted in China.

The Flying Tigers were a volunteer group of the Chinese Air Force under the authority of the President of the United States. The Army Times reports that the 11th Bomb Group was nicknamed The Flying Tigers after the volunteer fighter group that was also commanded by Maj. General Claire Chennault before the U.S. entered the second world war.

An airplane Sherman was aboard was shot down in February 1944 by a Japanese vessel posing as a Chinese fishing boat.

He was awarded a Purple Heart after being wounded by enemy fire during a flight.

Sherman was one of the founders of the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum in Monroe, LA.

(Image from file)

FMI: Source report, Source report