David Clifton, B-17 Pilot, The Last Farewell

David Clifton, a B-17 pilot in WWII, sings about the war, life, and love in his version of The Last Farewell. For those interested in a first-hand account of B-17s during the war, Lt. Colonel Cliftons oral history, prepared by Charles Riley, provides detailed recollections. The tapes and transcripts are available at Florida Atlantic University Library, Mighty Eight Air Force Museum in Savannah, and the Library of Congress.

Today, Dave is living in Pompano Beach, FL with his "inspiration", Ruth. He is an avid golfer, capable of shooting his age on any given day with what he terms the med handicap. That is, when one reaches his age and a golf shot is bad due to balance problems caused by medications, one gets to do it over again. He can often be found on the Pompano Beach Golf Course. As fate would have it, this golf course is next to the Pompano Beach Airport where he used to train B-17 pilots in 1943.

Thanks to the Apple Store Lenox Square trainers and the following for providing photos and information:

1. Riley, Charles. Oral History Interviews of Lt. Colonel David S. Clifton, USAF Retired, June 12th-July 26, 2001. Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, 19 April 2004.
2. Moncur Gary L. Hells Angels, 303rd Bomb Group (H) 31 January 1998. Website photos. . Accessed on 28 January 2009.
http://www.303rdbg.com/
3. Rogers-Price, Vivian. Mighty Eight Air Force Museum, 175 Bourne Ave., Pooler, GA. http://www.mightyeighth.org/
4. Recshooter. B-17 flying fortress defending against fighters World War II. 07 December 2007. Online video clip. YouTube. Accessed on 09 February 2010.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEhd5M9uHho
5. National Museum of the Air Force. Website photos. Accessed on 28 January 2009. http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/photos/index.asp

Category:

Music

Tags:

• David Clifton
• The Last Farewell
• Pilot
• B-17
• B-17F
• Flying Fortress
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• Satans Workshop
• World War II
• WW2
• US Army Air Corps
• 8th Air Force
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• 303rd Bomb Group
• Hells Angels
• 360th Bomb Squadron
• Molesworth
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• 1943
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• Ruth Parker
• Ruth Clifton
• Warsaw NC

[BahamasDave1]

Happy 90th Birthday Dad!! It is hard to believe that at 22 you were flying B-17 combat missions in WWII. Needless to say I am glad You got the chance to see your son grow into a man. I dont know how many years you have been my golf swing coach, but I look forward to many more lessons. Love, David

[baujahr90er]

@BahamasDave1 you can be proud of your dad!

btw he is also a good musician :D

[IdahoAir]

Just got to go up in a B-17 with my son today - while doing so, was thinking of what it must have been like for all the brave young men of those days to have flown it into battle. Hats off to all of you.

[gooziegirl]

So, so beautiful!  Thank you for your service to our country, sir!

[v3blackrazr]

Happy belated birthday! A very touching video, it made me remember my dad who flew in the 359th. His was 2LT James H. Kelly and was a bombadier for 1Lt Arthur J. Hybert. Thank you for all you have done for our country, we owe so much for the freedoms you have given us all.

[m9078jk3]

Your father is in great shape for his age.I tell you that if my father was still around he would have loved to play a round of golf with your dad.

Your father is also an excellent signer and guitar player.

I wish him many more years.

[nixco2000]

Happy 90th Birthday, Mr. Clifton! Your song was beautifully sung and moved me deeply. Thank you very much for your service to our country. I know your family is as proud of you as I was of my Dad who flew in the 305th as a flight engineer. I wish you many, many years of singing and guitar playing! You make your family and country proud!

[nixco2000]

Happy 90th Birthday, Mr. Clifton! Your song was beautifully sung and moved me deeply. Thank you very much for your service to our country. I know your family is as proud of you as I was of my Dad who flew in the 305th as a flight engineer. I wish you many, many years of singing and guitar playing! You make your family and country proud!

[TheClifton5]

HAPPY 90TH BIRTHDAY - WOW!! Hope it is wonderful. You have lived quite an incredible life and I feel so blessed to have had you for my Father-in-Law for 35 years. You said that you are coming to visit us in NC when you turn 100 and we're going to hold you to that. The video is great and I love listening to it, now we can hear you sing any time we want. YOU ARE AN AMERICAN HERO and we are all very Proud! Love you, Rannah

[LClifton5]

Happy 90th Birthday Poppy! Im so sorry we can't be there to celebrate! Your life is such an inspiration to us all and we miss you so much! Hope you have a great birthday! We love you! Love, Lindsay and Caeden