NOVEMBER 2013
SUNRAYS | 35
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explained, “he turned down the promotion because it meant he
would be re-assigned to another base and command, thereby taken
off flying status. He loved flying too much to accept the change.”
As noble as that was, the military couldn’t (and probably still
can’t) feel the same way. Thus, Colonel Simpson became Citizen
Simpson on December 1, 1962.
Hardly a broken man, Simpson shortly became a stock broker
for Dean Witter and went on to become a wealthy man. “But
a modest and humble one,” his son declared. “If I ever write a
book about my father, the title will be ‘Real Heroes Don’t Talk.’
He bragged about just one thing in his entire life, saying ‘I was
the best pilot in the Air Force.’”
HEROIC TALES RETOLD
Now, it’s Larry’s turn to brag about what the contents of that
large box revealed. He has appeared before about 20 service
clubs and other organizations, spinning heroic tales of his dad.
Depending on where and when he is asked to speak, Larry draws
on anecdotes that his father related. Always, though, mention
will be made of the Silver Star that then-Captain Simpson was
awarded in 1945 for “gallantry in action” a year and a half earlier.
After a forced landing behind enemy (Japanese) lines, Simpson
first had his crew abandon the plane; then, despite the danger
of fire and explosions, returned on his own to man a turret gun
and kill or disperse an advancing group of soldiers. He and his
crew then escaped into the jungle, making their way back to
base seven days later.
Some audiences might see the medal personally pinned on the
colonel by Madame Chiang Kai-shek; a June ’54 graduation
program from Air University listing both then-Major Simpson
and Colonel Paul W. Tibbets, Jr. (nine years earlier the pilot of
“Enola Gay” over Hiroshima); or countless other historical items.
Oh, and how about that large B-25 tire that supposedly
landed in the pool at the Taj Mahal? Will that story ever
be part of Larry’s presentation?
“I haven’t looked at everything yet, but this is a treasure
trove my Dad left behind,” Larry affirmed, his eyes gleam-
ing brightly.
Simpson is seen above in his B-25 during World War II. Below is Colonel Simpson’s dress whites, adorned with his many service
medals.
