LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Louisville community will come together Saturday to celebrate local veterans in the Veterans Day Parade.

Gerald "Jerry" Kincaid will be there, a World War II and Korean War hero who flew 14 missions and now lives in Louisville. He enjoys the simple things in life like ballgames and puzzles. It's an appreciation that came after spending more than a year fighting for his life and his country.

When Kincaid was 19 years old, he fought in World War II.

"They needed bombardiers, and so I was a bombardier," Kincaid said.

His mother believed he would be safe from the draft because he had a busted ear drum. But that wasn't the case when he saw the local draft board for his physical.

"He passed me, and, my mother, she wasn't happy," Kincaid said.

While at war, he flew on B17s and B24s, serving as navigator and bombardier. Those soldiers aim bombs. He traveled to England, Scotland and Iceland to complete more than a dozen missions. Each one was several hours long.

"Nine or 10 hours is a long time," Kincaid said.

From bombing to humanitarian operations, Kincaid was a part of it all. However, his wildest story comes from his team's very first mission, when the pilot got injured.

"He broke his leg," Kincaid said. "And our copilot had flown around but he had never landed a B17."

Enemies were shooting flack at their bomber left and right, but Kincaid was able to navigate his crew to safety.

That's what he did until he was discharged in 1945. Kincaid earned five medals for his heroism and continues to receive recognition. That includes the Ford Oval of Honor at a Cincinnati Reds game.

"It was great," Kincaid exclaimed. "I couldn't believe it all."

While what he did for our country was great, he "never thought about that.

"I guess it was too big," Kincaid said. "I just did what I had to do."

He went on to serve as an engineer in the Korean War. Kincaid also met the love of his life shortly after coming back to the U.S., and they had three daughters.

He's now surrounded by countless grandchildren and great-grandchildren who all call him "Great." They're planning a huge party for his 100th birthday, which falls on Veterans Day.

"I hope I'll live another 20 years or more," Kincaid said.

It will be a day full of celebration for an extraordinary man. He will also be honored as he rides in the 14th annual Kentucky Veterans Day Parade.

WDRB invites you to come say "Thank you" to Kincaid and all of the local heroes. The parade is happening at noon Saturday in downtown Louisville.

Veterans Day Coverage:

Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.