World War II Vet, 95, Dies during a Flight While Returning from an 'Honor Flight'

Frank Manchel, a 95-year-old World War II veteran, passed away during a flight to San Diego right after visiting the WW II Memorial in Washington DC.

The group Honor Flight San Diego, which provides veterans with all-expense-paid trips to pay respect to their late war mates in war memorials in Washington DC, took Frank to the country’s capital as part of their activities.

Unfortunately, the man passed away during the flight (the evening on May 6) and, even though the staff tried to resuscitate him, Frank could not be revived.

Honor Flight San Diego released a statement on its Facebook page sharing more details about the incident.

"It is with our most deepest [sic] sympathy that we send our condolences to the Frank Manchel family. Mr. Manchel passed away on the flight to San Diego last evening. He collapsed, and resuscitation measures were taken but he could not be revived.”

The group also revealed that, soon after his passing, his body was draped in the American flag that was in the flight. Apart from that, two chaplains on board prayed for him.

One of the people in the plane was Shelly Zimmerman, a retired San Diego police chief. She ensured that the group followed the protocol as medical personnel, firefighters, and law enforcement saluted Frank as paramedics escorted his body to the tarmac.

American Airlines, which took Frank from Washington to San Diego, also offered to fly Frank’s body and his family to his final resting place in Michigan for free.