CDR's Jon and Dave Kantenberger travel abroad to commemorate their late grandfather, Doolittle Raider Col. Rodney "Hoss" Wilder
May 08, 2018 at 10:07 PM
The CDR's Dave and Jon Kantenberger made international headlines in recent months, as they travelled to commemorate their late grandfather, Doolittle Raider Col. Rodney "Hoss" Wilder.
First Dave journeyed to Britain in August 2017 to join a centennial celebration at RAF Mildenhall for what began as the 95th Aero Squadron at Kelly Field, Texas, on Aug. 20, 1917. Reorganized many times over the years, the squadron -- known as the 95th Bombardment Squadron in April 1942, and today called the 95th Reconnaissance Squadron - contributed six of the 16 aircraft and crew during the Doolittle Raid. Dave Kantenberger was one of the speakers at the ceremony, and presented the 95th RS with his grandfather’s second lieutenant rank, which he wore as a squadron member, and a replica of the Congressional Gold Medal presented to the Doolittle Raiders by former president Barack Obama in 2015. Click on the photo to see an article about the event.
Then in March Dave and brother Jon made a pilgrimage to China to follow in their grandfather's footsteps there. They visited a number of sites in Zhejiang Province where Doolittle Raiders had stayed, including a cavernous air-raid shelter near Quzhou City where many of the U.S. airmen had sheltered after bailing out or crash-landing in the area in April 1942. One highlight of the trip took place at the foot of a hill where Wilder had landed by parachute. There, the Kantenbergers wanted to raise a toast to their grandfather, and to the Chinese who risked life and limb to help the Raiders in 1942. More than 30 people, both Chinese and Americans, took part in the toast ceremony at the foot of "Hoss Hill" including two elderly Chinese men whose late father had helped Wilder find his way to a village. The event was covered by local media and a Chinese documentary team; here's a photo:
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