WWII vet gets Wish of a Lifetime

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - It was a flight to remember at NAS Pensacola Thursday for one World War II veteran. Retired Navy Captain Beau Bankcroft had a dream come true as a recipient of this year’s Jeremy Bloom’s Wish of a Lifetime.

It was 50 years since Bankcroft had last been to the Naval Air Station, so for him it was a real walk down memory lane. Bankcroft trained in Pensacola during and after WWII and spent many hours flying the iconic SNJ, N2.

“His Wish of a Lifetime was to return to NAS Pensacola and once again fly in an SNJ or a T-28, an aircraft he flew primarily in training here at NAS Pensacola,” said NAS Pensacola spokesman Harry White.

Friends from Bankcroft’s retirement community in Chicago nominated him for the award.

“Next thing I know, they said, ‘You’re going to Pensacola,’” said Bankcroft.

He could not wait to go.

“I said, ‘When?’ They said, ‘In about 10 days,’ and I said, ‘Whoa,’” Bankcroft recalled.

With a little help, the 89-year-old climbed aboard a vintage SNJ and strapped in just like old times. The 20-minute flight took Bankcroft out over the beaches and the Gulf of Mexico. The trip back brought him over downtown Pensacola, a sight that has changed a lot in 50 years.

“It’s so much bigger,” Bankcroft remarked. “I guess the last time I flew around this town was in 1960.”

Once back on the ground, Bankcroft's smile was contagious, as was his reaction to the flight. He thanked the pilot, Captain Joe Fagundes, and explained what a thrill the ride was.

“Well, it was a little bumpy up there today, but it sort of felt like it always did in the many hours I spent in that back seat,” said Bankcroft.

Fagundes was just as thrilled to give the ride, but he did not do all of the flying. He turned the controls over to Bankcroft for the approach back to the airfield. He was excited to make this wish come true for a fellow Navy veteran.

“To be here with these veterans is certainly a thrill,” Fagundes said. “I’m a Vietnam vet. We didn’t have any thrilling experiences coming back from that war. But to see these World War II vets that have flown these airplanes, it’s wonderful.”

“It’s great to have it happen. I really feel good about it,” Bankcroft said in closing.

Jeremy Bloom’s Wish of a Lifetime was established by the former NFL football player in 2008, in living honor of his grandmother. Bloom wanted to initiate a cultural change by enriching the lives of seniors.