Mitchell Flint was an American lawyer and a veteran aviator. He was a U.S. Navy Fighter pilot during World War II, and later served as an American Volunteer pilot in Israel's first fighter squadron during its War of Independence.
Mitchell Flint was born in 1923 in Kansas City, Missouri. His father Harry worked for the Pendergast political machine. Harry was also a decorated U.S. fighter during World War I and introduced teenage Mitchell to his lifelong love of flying at Kansas City's original airfield.
Flint graduated from Westport High School in Kansas City, where he took part in the school's Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps, graduating with honors. He volunteered at age 18 to serve as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy's World War II effort. Following his successful completion of the Civilian Pilot Training Program, Mitchell served in the Pacific Theater on the naval air carrier, the USS Wasp, under Admiral John S. McCain, Sr..
Flint performed multiple dive bombing missions in the Pacific while flying the Vought F4U Corsair fighter aircraft. He shot down a Kamikaze and ultimately was awarded three Air Medals for his war efforts. After six years of service in the US Navy, he continued flying for sixteen years in the United States Navy Reserve, ultimately achieving the rank of Commander.
Concerned for the plight of Europe's Holocaust Survivors in the aftermath of World War II, Flint volunteered as an American fighter pilot in Israel's first aviation unit -- The 101 Squadron. He served under Commander Modi Alon and flew alongside Ezer Weizman, the country's future President, during Israel's War of Independence. Flint was one of the founding members of "Machal," a group of non-Israelis who fought in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. He was one of the original members of the Israeli Air Force's first fighter squadron and helped train Israel's first military pilots, his son said.
Flint and other members of the Machal had flown in German planes that were captured during World War II and covered the Nazi insignia with Stars of David. He flew in rebuilt Messerschmitts, Germany's main fighter plane during World War II, as well as Mustangs and Spitfires.
Most notably, he led the dive-bombing team which ousted Colonel Gamel Abdel Nasser, the future President of Egypt). Flint may be the only pilot in history to fly the Corsair, the Avia S-199, North American P-51 Mustang and the Supermarine Spitfire in wartime combat. Flint attended, and along with other War for Independence volunteers, was saluted for his efforts at Israel's Silver Anniversary in 1979, and again in 1999, at Israel's Golden Anniversary.
Mitchell Flint lived in Los Angeles, where he earned his law degree from UCLA, and had a family law practice for over fifty years. At the time of his death he was married to Joyce Flint, a former fashion designer-turned conservator, and had two sons, Michael, a film producer in Hollywood, and Guy, an educator. He also served as a Co-Director for Machal West, an organization composed of American Veterans who fought in Israel's War for Independence, which he co-founded. He was a humble man who did what he did and never looked for glory," Michael Flint said of his father. "He was proud of what he did until the very end."
Flint is survived by his wife, Joyce and his sons Michael and Guy. A memorial service in honor of this heroic life will be held on Tuesday, September 19 at 12 noon in Hollywood Forever Cemetery located at 6000 Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations in honor of Mitchell Flint be made to the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces
Mitchell Flint was born in 1923 in Kansas City, Missouri. His father Harry worked for the Pendergast political machine. Harry was also a decorated U.S. fighter during World War I and introduced teenage Mitchell to his lifelong love of flying at Kansas City's original airfield.
Flint graduated from Westport High School in Kansas City, where he took part in the school's Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps, graduating with honors. He volunteered at age 18 to serve as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy's World War II effort. Following his successful completion of the Civilian Pilot Training Program, Mitchell served in the Pacific Theater on the naval air carrier, the USS Wasp, under Admiral John S. McCain, Sr..
Flint performed multiple dive bombing missions in the Pacific while flying the Vought F4U Corsair fighter aircraft. He shot down a Kamikaze and ultimately was awarded three Air Medals for his war efforts. After six years of service in the US Navy, he continued flying for sixteen years in the United States Navy Reserve, ultimately achieving the rank of Commander.
Concerned for the plight of Europe's Holocaust Survivors in the aftermath of World War II, Flint volunteered as an American fighter pilot in Israel's first aviation unit -- The 101 Squadron. He served under Commander Modi Alon and flew alongside Ezer Weizman, the country's future President, during Israel's War of Independence. Flint was one of the founding members of "Machal," a group of non-Israelis who fought in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. He was one of the original members of the Israeli Air Force's first fighter squadron and helped train Israel's first military pilots, his son said.
Flint and other members of the Machal had flown in German planes that were captured during World War II and covered the Nazi insignia with Stars of David. He flew in rebuilt Messerschmitts, Germany's main fighter plane during World War II, as well as Mustangs and Spitfires.
Most notably, he led the dive-bombing team which ousted Colonel Gamel Abdel Nasser, the future President of Egypt). Flint may be the only pilot in history to fly the Corsair, the Avia S-199, North American P-51 Mustang and the Supermarine Spitfire in wartime combat. Flint attended, and along with other War for Independence volunteers, was saluted for his efforts at Israel's Silver Anniversary in 1979, and again in 1999, at Israel's Golden Anniversary.
Mitchell Flint lived in Los Angeles, where he earned his law degree from UCLA, and had a family law practice for over fifty years. At the time of his death he was married to Joyce Flint, a former fashion designer-turned conservator, and had two sons, Michael, a film producer in Hollywood, and Guy, an educator. He also served as a Co-Director for Machal West, an organization composed of American Veterans who fought in Israel's War for Independence, which he co-founded. He was a humble man who did what he did and never looked for glory," Michael Flint said of his father. "He was proud of what he did until the very end."
Flint is survived by his wife, Joyce and his sons Michael and Guy. A memorial service in honor of this heroic life will be held on Tuesday, September 19 at 12 noon in Hollywood Forever Cemetery located at 6000 Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations in honor of Mitchell Flint be made to the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces
Mitchell Flint was an American lawyer and a veteran aviator. He was a U.S. Navy Fighter pilot during World War II, and later served as an American Volunteer pilot in Israel's first fighter squadron during its War of Independence.
Mitchell Flint was born in 1923 in Kansas City, Missouri. His father Harry worked for the Pendergast political machine. Harry was also a decorated U.S. fighter during World War I and introduced teenage Mitchell to his lifelong love of flying at Kansas City's original airfield.
Flint graduated from Westport High School in Kansas City, where he took part in the school's Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps, graduating with honors. He volunteered at age 18 to serve as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy's World War II effort. Following his successful completion of the Civilian Pilot Training Program, Mitchell served in the Pacific Theater on the naval air carrier, the USS Wasp, under Admiral John S. McCain, Sr..
Flint performed multiple dive bombing missions in the Pacific while flying the Vought F4U Corsair fighter aircraft. He shot down a Kamikaze and ultimately was awarded three Air Medals for his war efforts. After six years of service in the US Navy, he continued flying for sixteen years in the United States Navy Reserve, ultimately achieving the rank of Commander.
Concerned for the plight of Europe's Holocaust Survivors in the aftermath of World War II, Flint volunteered as an American fighter pilot in Israel's first aviation unit -- The 101 Squadron. He served under Commander Modi Alon and flew alongside Ezer Weizman, the country's future President, during Israel's War of Independence. Flint was one of the founding members of "Machal," a group of non-Israelis who fought in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. He was one of the original members of the Israeli Air Force's first fighter squadron and helped train Israel's first military pilots, his son said.
Flint and other members of the Machal had flown in German planes that were captured during World War II and covered the Nazi insignia with Stars of David. He flew in rebuilt Messerschmitts, Germany's main fighter plane during World War II, as well as Mustangs and Spitfires.
Most notably, he led the dive-bombing team which ousted Colonel Gamel Abdel Nasser, the future President of Egypt). Flint may be the only pilot in history to fly the Corsair, the Avia S-199, North American P-51 Mustang and the Supermarine Spitfire in wartime combat. Flint attended, and along with other War for Independence volunteers, was saluted for his efforts at Israel's Silver Anniversary in 1979, and again in 1999, at Israel's Golden Anniversary.
Mitchell Flint lived in Los Angeles, where he earned his law degree from UCLA, and had a family law practice for over fifty years. At the time of his death he was married to Joyce Flint, a former fashion designer-turned conservator, and had two sons, Michael, a film producer in Hollywood, and Guy, an educator. He also served as a Co-Director for Machal West, an organization composed of American Veterans who fought in Israel's War for Independence, which he co-founded. He was a humble man who did what he did and never looked for glory," Michael Flint said of his father. "He was proud of what he did until the very end."
Flint is survived by his wife, Joyce and his sons Michael and Guy. A memorial service in honor of this heroic life will be held on Tuesday, September 19 at 12 noon in Hollywood Forever Cemetery located at 6000 Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations in honor of Mitchell Flint be made to the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces
Mitchell Flint was born in 1923 in Kansas City, Missouri. His father Harry worked for the Pendergast political machine. Harry was also a decorated U.S. fighter during World War I and introduced teenage Mitchell to his lifelong love of flying at Kansas City's original airfield.
Flint graduated from Westport High School in Kansas City, where he took part in the school's Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps, graduating with honors. He volunteered at age 18 to serve as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy's World War II effort. Following his successful completion of the Civilian Pilot Training Program, Mitchell served in the Pacific Theater on the naval air carrier, the USS Wasp, under Admiral John S. McCain, Sr..
Flint performed multiple dive bombing missions in the Pacific while flying the Vought F4U Corsair fighter aircraft. He shot down a Kamikaze and ultimately was awarded three Air Medals for his war efforts. After six years of service in the US Navy, he continued flying for sixteen years in the United States Navy Reserve, ultimately achieving the rank of Commander.
Concerned for the plight of Europe's Holocaust Survivors in the aftermath of World War II, Flint volunteered as an American fighter pilot in Israel's first aviation unit -- The 101 Squadron. He served under Commander Modi Alon and flew alongside Ezer Weizman, the country's future President, during Israel's War of Independence. Flint was one of the founding members of "Machal," a group of non-Israelis who fought in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. He was one of the original members of the Israeli Air Force's first fighter squadron and helped train Israel's first military pilots, his son said.
Flint and other members of the Machal had flown in German planes that were captured during World War II and covered the Nazi insignia with Stars of David. He flew in rebuilt Messerschmitts, Germany's main fighter plane during World War II, as well as Mustangs and Spitfires.
Most notably, he led the dive-bombing team which ousted Colonel Gamel Abdel Nasser, the future President of Egypt). Flint may be the only pilot in history to fly the Corsair, the Avia S-199, North American P-51 Mustang and the Supermarine Spitfire in wartime combat. Flint attended, and along with other War for Independence volunteers, was saluted for his efforts at Israel's Silver Anniversary in 1979, and again in 1999, at Israel's Golden Anniversary.
Mitchell Flint lived in Los Angeles, where he earned his law degree from UCLA, and had a family law practice for over fifty years. At the time of his death he was married to Joyce Flint, a former fashion designer-turned conservator, and had two sons, Michael, a film producer in Hollywood, and Guy, an educator. He also served as a Co-Director for Machal West, an organization composed of American Veterans who fought in Israel's War for Independence, which he co-founded. He was a humble man who did what he did and never looked for glory," Michael Flint said of his father. "He was proud of what he did until the very end."
Flint is survived by his wife, Joyce and his sons Michael and Guy. A memorial service in honor of this heroic life will be held on Tuesday, September 19 at 12 noon in Hollywood Forever Cemetery located at 6000 Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations in honor of Mitchell Flint be made to the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces
Inscription
Amazing Dad, Devoted Husband, and Beloved Son
Kansas City Native, Cal Berkeley Engineer,
UCLA Juris Dr., and Decorated WWII Fighter Pilot
Founding Father of the Israeli Air Force
Forever an Angel in the Sky Over the State of Israel
Sponsored by Ancestry
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