[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 158 (Tuesday, October 3, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING THE LIFE OF MR. FLINT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TED LIEU

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 3, 2017

  Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life 
of Mr. Mitchell Flint--a beloved husband, father, and former U.S. Navy 
fighter pilot--who passed away on September 16, 2017, at the age of 94.
  Mitchell Flint was born on June 27, 1923, in Kansas City, Missouri, 
and attended Westport High School, where he took part in the school's 
Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps, graduating with honors. His 
father, Harry, was also a decorated U.S. fighter during World War I and 
introduced Mitchell to his lifelong love of flying.
  Mitchell enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 18 to serve as a 
fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy's World War II effort. He served on the 
aircraft carrier USS Wasp under the command of Admiral John S. McCain 
Sr. and earned three Air Medals and eight Navy Unit Commendations. 
After six years of service in the U.S. Navy, he continued flying for 
sixteen years in the United States Navy Reserve, ultimately achieving 
the rank of Commander.
  Inspired by his Jewish heritage and the plight of Europe's Holocaust 
survivors, Mitchell then volunteered as an American fighter pilot in 
Israel's first aviation unit that fought in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. 
He was one of the founding members of the Israeli Air Force's first 
fighter squadron and helped train Israel's first military pilots. In 
1949, he flew in Israel's First Independence Day Parade and for the 
first time Israel's entire fighter squadron of 12 fighter planes got in 
the sky at the same time, led by future Israeli President Ezer Witzman. 
Mitchell pulled up the rear and was the last plane from his squadron to 
fly over that day. Prophetically, Mitchell was the last living pilot of 
that group of flyers.
  After his military service, Mitchell moved to Los Angeles, attended 
law school at UCLA, and became an attorney while continuing to fly. He 
practiced law for nearly 60 years and was the President of the 
Hollywood Bar Association. At the age of 90, Mitchell was honored by 
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during ceremonies recognizing 
the 65th anniversary of the birth of Israel.
  Mitchell is survived by his wife of 59 years, Joyce, and sons, 
Michael and Guy, whom I hope take comfort in the way Mitchell lived his 
life as a patriotic, selfless and caring Veteran who served his nation 
and its ally, Israel. May his memory be a blessing to us all.

                          ____________________