SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio World War II veteran was given a much-deserved special honor on Thursday night.
James Spencer Calvert, 96, who recently passed away on April 20, was memorialized with a special Air Force flyover.
Pilots with Randolph and Lackland Air Force bases flew over both the San Antonio Country Club golf course and Fort Sam Houston executing the missing man formation, which traditionally honors a well-known military service member or veteran.
Another aircraft flew into the sunset honoring Calvert during the celebration. One of his sons, Joe, said he knows his father was watching the event from above.
“I was thinking about how much dad is enjoying this, because I’m sure he’s watching. In his typical humble fashion, he’s going, ‘This is for me? Why would they be doing this for me?’” Joe Calvert said.
Calvert was honored by President George H.W. Bush for his service and was awarded the distinguished flying cross. He also earned the Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with three battle stars and the American Theater Ribbon.
Joe Calvert said one thing his father taught him that he will always remember is, “to live a good life, you need to be a loving, caring and compassionate person.”