Pilot Who Flew Final Combat Mission Of WWII Had 1 Last Message Before Death

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The Legend Ends.

On Aug. 15, 1945, Jerry Yellin set out on a combat mission over Iwo Jima with his wingman Phil Schlamberg. The pilots narrowly missed the announcement that Emperor Hirohito surrendered, sadly Schlamberg would not return from this mission. Captain Jerry Yellin passed away of lung cancer at age 93 but left one final message before his death.

Jerry Yellin was inspired to become pilot after experiencing anti-semitism directed towards his Jewish heritage and wanted to combat the Nazis. He knew full well that he wanted to be a pilot, despite not having eyesight requirements. He was determined to fly and actually memorized an eye examination chart to bypass the results. At the next stage, he was given a new eye exam failing but admitted what he did, however, his superiors let him pass demonstrating that craftiness would make a great pilot. He was thrust into WWII flying P-51 Mustangs against the Japanese.

Captain Yellin had his ups and downs through his life and for nearly four decades never spoke of the war. He eventually learned that he was dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and learned to cope through meditation. He went on to become an advocate for veterans dealing with PTSD, voicing against war and evil in the world.

“The sights and the sounds and the smells of dead bodies and the sights of Japanese being bulldozed into mass graves absolutely never went away.”

– Jerry Yellin

However, his biggest uphill battle was coming to terms with his enemies after learning his son would marry the daughter of a Japanese fighter pilot. Yellin was reluctant to return to Japan after the carnage he witnessed but eventually found the courage. The meeting between Jerry Yellin and kamikaze pilot Yamakawa was tense but eventually, the two became friends despite a being brought up as enemies. Yamakawa said that any man brave enough to fly P-51 Mustangs in such intense combat was worthy to share his family’s legacy.

“I went from thinking a group of people were my enemy to finding my best friend. It’s a lesson to remember that at the end of the day we are all human and have so much love to give.”

– Jerry Yellin

Captain Jerry Yellin fought in the greatest war and kept fighting long after it was over. Hopefully, now he finally finds peace and is reunited with his long-lost wingman Phil Schlamberg. Thank you so much for your service, your contributions to veterans and to helping to bring peace to the world. This is not death, this is immortality and we will never forget Jerry Yellin.