Napoleon, Ohio – On Saturday, retired Delta captain Barry Behnfeldt took to the skies in a 1941 Navy trainer, carrying 101‑year‑old World War II veteran Bob Masters over the town of Napoleon. The flight celebrated the shared legacy of two sailors who both served aboard ships named USS Enterprise and highlighted the work of Behnfeldt’s nonprofit, 48N48, which supports the Veterans Airlift Command.
Connecting two generations of Enterprise sailors
Behnfeldt, a former Navy Reserve pilot who logged more than 30 years flying F‑18s, said the flight was a tribute to the enduring spirit of the Enterprise legacy. “I served on a different ship, but the same name, USS Enterprise,” he explained. “When I learned that Bob’s uncle also served on an Enterprise, I knew we had to get him up in a Navy airplane and give him the experience.”
How the flight came together
The idea originated after Behnfeldt landed his vintage trainer in a harvested soybean field near a local farmer. The farmer mentioned his uncle, Bob Masters, was a World War II veteran. A call to Bob’s daughter in Colorado, more than 1,200 miles away, secured the veteran’s participation. “I turned him down at first, but then his daughter called and said she had set up an interview and a flight for Wednesday,” Masters recalled. “I was surprised, but I said ‘What?’”
Bob Masters’ service
Bob Masters enlisted at 17, serving as a Yeoman Second Class, handling administrative duties aboard the Enterprise. He also flew in the war, and Behnfeldt believes there is a “high probability that some of those pilots actually flew in this airplane.” Masters, who turned 101 on Saturday, expressed excitement at being back in the air, smiling as he boarded the historic aircraft.
Supporting veterans through aviation
Behnfeldt’s nonprofit, 48N48, promotes aviation education and raises funds for the Veterans Airlift Command, which provides cost‑free private air transportation for combat‑wounded veterans and their families. “They provide cost‑free private air transportation for combat‑wounded veterans for their medical and compassion needs for them and their family,” Behnfeldt said.
A record‑setting pilot with a charitable mission
Since retiring from Delta in 2014, Behnfeldt has broken a world record by flying to all 48 contiguous states in 48 hours. His passion for aviation and service to veterans continues to drive community‑focused events like this historic flight, which brought together a centenarian veteran, a retired airline captain, and local residents who gathered to watch the aircraft soar above Napoleon.
The flight not only honored personal histories but also underscored the importance of preserving aviation heritage and supporting those who have sacrificed for the nation. As the plane glided over the town, onlookers were reminded of the enduring bonds between generations of service members and the community’s commitment to caring for its veterans.
Original reporting: 13abc WTVG Toledo (news) — read the source article.
