WWII veteran honor flight takes him to Vietnam Wall and his son's name

Angelo Papale didn't have a way to get to the Vietnam Memorial Wall until a flight to take him to the WWII Memorial brought him to Washington. The other WWII veterans wanted to go to the Vietnam Memorial Wall where Angelo was able to see the name of his son. Arthur was shot down after the third trip to save the lives of Rangers.

A veteran's emotional goodbye to son at Vietnam Memorial
Oct 06, 2011
By Jeff Lawson
WASHINGTON D.C., (WLOX)
Angelo Papale was one of nearly 90 World War II veterans who traveled to see their memorial in the nation's capital in late September. During the war, Angelo flew 30 bombing missions as a gunner on board a B24. Somehow, he made it back alive and unscathed.

At 88, this was the first time he has ever gone to the WWII Memorial. Like the rest of the veteran's on the trip, he called it a great honor.

For Angelo and the other vets, the day also included a stop at the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall, where they saw all those names of soldiers gone too soon. For Angelo, the stop was personal, because one of those 58,195 names, is that of Arthur L. Papale, Angelo's son.

It was 1969, when Arthur Papale was shot down while piloting a helicopter.

"He had gone in and picked up two rangers," Angelo said. "He went back to pick up more, and there was too much firepower. So he went back a third time and that is when they shot him down."

Angelo and his wife did not learn of their son's fate until several days later, while at their Biloxi home.
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If you want to see a powerful video report on two heroes watch this video.