Sad Story Of WWII Hero

CoastieJohn · **Joined:** Fri Feb 11, 2011 5:37 pm **Posts:** 1380

On one of my hunting sites, one of the guys was checking up on his 92 year old uncle during Hurricane Irene. He spoke to him on Saturday and all was good. He went over to his house on Sunday for another check and found him lying on the floor in real bad shape. Very sadly, despite efforts by the paramedics, the uncle later passed. He sounded like a fine gentleman and is a true hero. It breaks the heart to read the story of the events on Sunday. I asked the nephew if it was ok to post his uncle's info here.

The plane in the backgrond looks like it's "Contrary Mary", tail number 170. It would be nice to know something about LT Sunstone's P-51.

The uncle was LT John Sunstone. A WWII P-51 fighter pilot in the Pacific.

93Wing · **Posted:** Wed Aug 31, 2011 11:33 am

Sorry to hear, may he rest in peace, and thanks for his service for our great country.....

michaelharadon · **Posted:** Wed Aug 31, 2011 12:00 pm

Sorry to hear that he died like that alone. The picture makes it even more poignant; there he is in his prime, in as prime a prime as prime can be, and he was found on the floor. This reminds me of how the NFL players and astronauts I loved when I was growing up in the 60's now look like old men. Big surprise, huh? And my turn is coming...

Dan Johnson II · **Joined:** Tue May 04, 2004 1:49 am **Posts:** 659

The mention of "Flying buzz Saws" and the number 170 on the Mustang puts him in the 41st FS, of the 35th FG 5th AF. That would be the place to start looking. They had 39s, then Jugs before they got Mustangs.

Django · **Posted:** Wed Aug 31, 2011 12:30 pm

Godspeed to him.

That is a really neat photo.

Lynn Allen · **Posted:** Wed Aug 31, 2011 2:23 pm

Blue skies and thank you for your service...

Lynn

CoastieJohn · **Joined:** Fri Feb 11, 2011 5:37 pm **Posts:** 1380

Here's some great info.

This link goes to a DVD documentry of his squadron. There may even be footage of his uncle??

http://www.pacificghosts.com/video/41st/

This next link is dedicated to one of LT Sundstone's flying buddies. It has the squadron patchs and the leather flt jacket.

http://harritage.blogspot.com/2009/02/f ... zsaws.html

Here is an oral history of another coworker. Great insight to what LT Sundstone was doing over there in the Pacific.

http://connections.smsd.org/veterans/dena_huitt.htm

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Wed Aug 31, 2011 10:24 pm

He was in the 41st FS and flew P-47Ds and P-51Ds. The number on the
background P-51D is interesting has the sqd's number range was #67- #99.
The yellow nose is correct but the tail markings make me think this 51 was
transfered from the 348th FG.

CWBuff · **Joined:** Tue Jul 19, 2005 1:14 am **Posts:** 854

Blue Skies and Bright Stars to Mr. Sunstone...

Condolences to his family and friends...

Fade to Black...

John Dupre · **Posted:** Fri Sep 02, 2011 2:23 pm

[quote="CoastieJohn"]

I borrowed this image from another post by Coastie John. I am very interested in the Mustang in the background #170 "Contrary Mary" I would love to see a profile view of it or other photos. It has become my favorite PTO Mustang. Any information on its' history? Any models of decal kits available?

CoastieJohn · **Joined:** Fri Feb 11, 2011 5:37 pm **Posts:** 1380

I did a Google for "Contrary Mary P-51". There's quite a few hits for it.

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Fri Sep 02, 2011 5:45 pm

Quote:

I did a Google for "Contrary Mary P-51". There's quite a few hits for it.
I did a Google for "Contrary Mary P-51". There's quite a few hits for it.

that's a different a/c.

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