Rush Limbaugh II

[CoastieJohn]

I see talk show icon and Conservative Rush Limbaugh passed from his battle with lung cancer. While reading Rush Limbaugh's bio on Wiki, it said his father, Rush Limbaugh II, was a WWII fighter pilot in the China Burma India (CBI) Theater. I didn't know that. Does anyone know anymore about Rush Limbaugh II's WWII career? Maybe some photo's??

*edited by WIXMod* NO POLITICS!

Last edited by CoastieJohn on Wed Feb 17, 2021 3:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[CoastieJohn]

Anyway.....I just looked on Fold3 and only seen the draft cards of Limbaugh I and Limbaugh II. RLII was born on 26 Feb 1918 and passed on 8 Dec 1990. His draft card was dated Oct 16, 1940.

*edited by WIXMod* NO POLITICS!

[CoastieJohn]

Rush Limbaugh II's headstone is here. It shows he was a Major in the USAAC.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/865 ... hoto=91002

*edited by WIXMod* NO POLITICS!

[Snake45]

I heard Rush mention from time to time that his father had flown P-51s in the CBI theater.

[Snake45]

And come to think of it, when he was on TV back in the '90s, didn't he have one of those big wooden desk models of a P-51 on the bookcase or a wall shelf behind him? I have a vague recollection of such....

[Dan K]

I heard Rush mention from time to time that his father had flown P-51s in the CBI theater.

...also read he was a B-25 instructor stateside.

[CoastieJohn]

If Limbaugh II's draft card was in 1940, I'm speculating he wouldn't have made over to the theater until the mid to latter part of the war. Where would P-51's have been in that timeframe of the CBI theater?

[Dan K]

For all it's worth:

Effective 0001, 3 May 1944, the I Tactical Air Division, Meridian, Mississippi, to which the 159th Liaison Squadron was assigned, was reorganized without change of station or assignment as the III Tactical Air Division. On 15 May 1944, the 159th Liaison Squadron was redesignated to the 159th Liaison Squadron, Commando, reorganized, without change of station, assigned to the 3rd Air Commando Group, III Fighter Command, and attached to the III Tactical Air Division, effective as of 1 May 1944. The unit was authorized a strength of fourteen officers and seventy-nine enlisted men.

Captain Rush H. Limbaugh, Jr, (father of the radio talk-show host) was assigned and assumed command of the "159th" on 21 May 1944. He had formerly been assigned to the Key Field Replacement Training Unit (TE), Key Field, Meridian, Mississippi. (Captain Ray J. Binder, the former commanding officer, was transferred to headquarters III Tactical Air Division, Key Field, Meridian, Mississippi.)

(AND THEN LATER...)

From Statesboro Army Air Field, Georgia the Squadron moved to Cross City AAB. Florida. In October they transferred to Tampa, Florida for final processing prior to overseas shipment. Shortly after arrival at Drew Field, Tampa, Florida, the commanding officer was hospitalized and replaced by Lt. William G. Price III, a P-51 pilot from the Fighter Squadrons.



Found here:

https://sites.google.com/a/georgiasouth ... -commandos

[RyanShort1]

If Limbaugh II's draft card was in 1940, I'm speculating he wouldn't have made over to the theater until the mid to latter part of the war. Where would P-51's have been in that timeframe of the CBI theater?

The 1st Air Commandos apparently had their first P-51A aircraft in the CBI in late 1943.

[Forgotten Field]

Per a friend who is a good researcher, Limbaugh II had appendicitis, and required surgery so he could not deploy. Also, his father was a very connected judge in Missouri, and he did not want his son to go overseas. He ultimately deployed, but as a fighter pilot under a different squadron.

3rd Air Commando's deployed to the Philippines. I have a signature on my L-5 from one of their pilots, who is the grandfather of Courtney Hazlett (MSNBC entertainment editor).

*edited by WIXMod* NO POLITICS!

[WIXMOD-Charlie]

MOD note: Please keep it strictly to their military career. No politics allowed, or the thread will be deleted.

[Snake45]

They just now replayed a segment where Rush was talking about his father's flying. P-51s in the CBI, and then an instructor in B-25s, "I think in Alabama." Later he owned a Cessna 182 and was an aviation enthusiast and instrument rated.

[JohnB]

A reminder...
Not only are WWII vets rare...
But their kids are getting up in age too.

The oldest "baby boomer" is 75...The youngest 55.