I'm saddened to have learned that John R. "Dick" Rossi passed away yesterday, April 17th, 2008. Mr. Rossi was a flight leader with the 1st Squadron--the 'Adam and Eves'--of the American Volunteer Group, better known as the Flying Tigers. He was credited with six victories while with the AVG.
When the AVG was officially disbanded on July 4, 1942, Mr. Rossi joined the China National Aviation Corporation (CNAC) flying supplies from India to support China's war effort. By war's end, Dick held the record for the most "hump" flights over the Himalayas at 735 trips.
I don't know the details of his death, but learned about it on the AVG website:
www.flyingtigersavg.comI met Mr. Rossi in 1999 at a fundraiser in Southern California. He was a gracious gentleman.
Mark
