One Final Flight: Family Honors WWII B-24 Pilot
November 11, 2026 (Dallas, TX)– Honoring the men and women who served during World War II is at the heart of the Commemorative Air Force's (CAF) mission. Through its historic aircraft, the CAF helps preserve their stories and gives families an opportunity to connect with the experiences of their loved ones. Over the weekend, during the CAF's Aviation Discovery Fest in Dallas, the B-29/B-24 Squadron had the privilege of helping one family fulfill a special wish for their hero.
Sunday, November 8, the late World War II B-24 pilot Capt. Clarence "Dutch" Schulze took one final flight aboard the CAF's B-24 Diamond Lil, accompanied by his daughter and four other family members. For the family, it was an opportunity to celebrate his life and service before his cremated remains are interred in Missouri. For the CAF, it was an honor to help make that tribute possible.
Throughout the year, the Squadron travels across the country as part of the AirPower History Tour, sharing the history of World War II aviation and the stories of those who served. Along the way, Squadron members meet veterans and families whose lives were forever shaped by the war.
"One of the greatest parts of our mission with the CAF is the opportunity to meet some of the heroes from World War II who are still with us today," said Brian Fenelon, Executive Officer of the CAF B-29/B-24 Squadron. "Those heroes are almost gone. We HONOR their sacrifices by keeping their memories alive."
Before each Living History Flight Experience, the crew briefs passengers, asking whether anyone has a personal connection to the aircraft or the people who once flew them. Often, passengers share stories about a grandfather, uncle, or father who served. Some bring photographs, dog tags, flight logs, or other treasured keepsakes that help tell those stories.
This time, the Schulze family brought something especially meaningful: their father's ashes.
Capt. Schulze served as a B-24 Liberator pilot during World War II, flying more than 30 combat missions, according to his daughter. His service included assignments with the 492nd and 467th Bomb Groups of the Eighth Air Force in England. He received numerous military decorations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and multiple Air Medals.
For Fenelon, a retired U.S. Air Force B-52 pilot, the family's request carried particular significance. In military aviation, a pilot's final flight, often called a "fini flight," marks the end of a flying career. Family members, friends, and fellow aircrew often gather to celebrate the pilot's years of service and accomplishments.
"As a retired USAF B-52 pilot, I remember my 'fini flight', surrounded by family and friends after landing," Fenelon said. "It was a celebration of a legacy of flying that airplane and the joy of a job well done."
Schulze never had that same opportunity following his final B-24 flight at the end of World War II. More than 80 years later, his family wanted to give him that moment.
"It is a bittersweet time when an aircrew member finishes his or her final flight in the aircraft that they trained in and sometimes fought in," Fenelon said.
The flight also allowed the Schulze family to experience a small part of what their father and loved one knew during his military service. From the sound of the engines to the feeling of being airborne in a B-24, Diamond Lil provided a connection to his wartime experiences that photographs and stories alone cannot fully capture.
For the CAF volunteers who dedicate their time to keeping these aircraft flying, moments like this reinforce the importance of their work. Every flight provides an opportunity to educate the public about aviation history, but occasionally, a flight becomes something much more personal. "We at the CAF B-29/B-24 Squadron are especially grateful to the family of Capt. Clarence 'Dutch' Schulze for allowing us to show them what he experienced in flying this magnificent machine," Fenelon said.
While the number of surviving World War II veterans continues to decline, their stories remain an important part of the CAF's mission. Through the dedication of its members and volunteers, the organization works to ensure those stories continue to be shared with future generations. For Capt. Clarence "Dutch" Schulze, his final flight was more than eight decades in the making. Thanks to his family and the CAF B-29/B-24 Squadron, his legacy took to the skies once more.
