World War II Ace Ralph Wandrey

At 20 years old, Ralph Wandrey joined the United States Army Air Corps about a month before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was told he would start in six months. Three weeks later, he was summoned for basic training. A World War II Ace, 96-year-old Wandrey now resides at an assisted living home in Hayden, Idaho. His son, Kurt Wandrey, is a pastor at a local church.

Section:Gallery

Mon., Aug. 6, 2018

WWII fighter pilot Ralph Wandrey is photographed at Maplewood Assisted Living in Hayden on Wednesday, July 25, 2018.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
This needle point and photograph of WWII fighter pilot Ralph Wandrey is photographed at Maplewood Assisted Living in Hayden on Wednesday, July 25, 2018.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Ralph Wandrey pictured in this US Army Corps uniform.

Kurt Wandrey Courtesy
The eldest son of a Japanese soldier whose flag Wandrey returned, Kazuhira Obara, holds his father’s flag. He is joined by his younger brother, (left) his brother’s wife (top left) daughter (second from left in the back row) wife Shigue, his grandchild and two other relatives (right). Until 2000, the family had no other mementos from Kazuhira Obara’s late father.

Henry Sakaida Courtesy