PENSACOLA — Bob Hasewinkle, a 101-year-old World War II veteran from Fairhope, took to the skies as part of the annual veterans flight in Pensacola on Saturday, July 18.

Born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, Hasewinkle served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946. He fought on the frontlines during the Battle of Okinawa. During the battle, he was injured by mortar shrapnel, after which he was rescued and sent into surgery. Hasewinkle said he believes there is a 99.9% chance the medic who rescued him was Desmond Doss, the famous combat medic who refused to carry a weapon due to his personal beliefs and was later awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Hasewinkle lives in Fairhope with his wife, Jeanne. Although he received a private pilot's license, Hasewinkle said he hasn't flown in a plane like the one on Saturday in over 60 years. He called it a fun experience.

"I wasn't afraid or anything," Hasewinkle said after his flight. "I used to watch all the gauges. Well, I watched all the gauges, made sure everything was operating right, and the view was spectacular of course. All over the Pensacola area plus the beach. It was just a fun thing."

During Saturday's flight, Hasewinkle flew in a Stearman Model 75, also known as a Boeing Stearman, a biplane produced during the 1930s and 1940s that was used throughout World War II. The one Hasewinkle flew in served as a crop duster in California for around 25 years following the war before becoming part of the Pensacola Air Show.

The Pensacola Veterans Flight takes place during the Blue Angels' air show to give veterans an opportunity to fly back into the skies on a scenic trip in a historic plane. Each plane lifts off from the Pensacola Aviation Center and flies to Pensacola Beach before returning.

Roy Kinsey, founder and president of Veterans Flight Inc., a nonprofit that runs the event, said as of Saturday, they have helped 14 veterans aged 100 or older fly. Among them was Royce Williams, a retired U.S. Navy aviator who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor during the State of the Union in February.

"What we're trying to do is in addition to thanking the veterans that made it possible for us to live in the great country, educate our fellow citizens of what the military veterans have done to make it possible for us to enjoy being American citizens," Kinsey said.

According to Kinsey, the Fairhope Yacht Club helped arrange hotel accommodations the night before Hasewinkle's flight so he and his wife could easily get an early start in the morning.

When asked if he would do it again, Hasewinkle said it depends on how he feels next time around.

"My basic health is good, but you never know … but right now, I'd say yes," Hasewinkle said.