This section of the website is dedicated to the Andrews-Willsie Romanian Rescue exhibit.
This showpiece was designed and built by Howard Ramshorn, Lowell Stacy and the late Stan Jones with volunteer man-hours.
They went to great pains to make sure the story was depicted accurately, and they used some very creative artistic techniques to get the special visual effects to work in a static display. Well done!
The photos follow the project and show in great detail the different aspects of the rescue, including Andrews signaling to Willsie, who can be seen high-tailing it over to Andrews and, hopefully, the safety of his P-38.
The full exhibit is on display at our P-38 Museum, which is located across the runway from the present-day March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, CA.
When you click on the thumbnail +, it will take you to a larger version of the photo. Just click the x at the top to close and come back here.
Stan Jones painting the backdrop for the exhibit.
Dedication Plaque.
Willsie preparing for emergency landing
One P-38 is taken out during the aerial battle, raging on.
The dogfight continues overhead during this rescue.
Willsie running to Andrews and possible safety
Final Romanian Rescue exhibit, with interactive media telling the story.
The diorama portrays the dramatic Romanian rescue operation when a young Dick Andrews swooped in under enemy fire to pick up his fellow pilot, Dick Willsie, after Willsie’s left engine had been knocked out by anti-aircraft fire and he was forced to land due to loss of coolant in his remaining, right engine.
The entire project was funded by the Willsie family with their gratitude to Dick Andrews for dropping in to rescue Dick Willsie on that autumn day in 1944. You can read the whole, breath-taking story here.
Dick Andrews received the Silver Star for his actions, and his bravery was the inspiration for another rescue during the Vietnam war.
There are links at the bottom of this page, if you would like to make a donation in memory of either of these brave airmen.
Here are the links to make a donation in memory of either or both of these brave pilots.
