Flying Tiger Testifies: “I came to seek equity”

Washington, D.C. — One of the few surviving members of the American WWII Volunteer Group famously known as the ‘Flying Tigers’ appeared before a Subcommittee hearing today on behalf of his fellow veterans who were left out of a benefits bill that recently passed the House.

 “I did not come here seeking sympathy, but to seek equity,” said Ed Stiles Sr., a ninety year-old former crew chief for the Flying Tigers. “I believe if benefits are provided to one group of veterans, eligibility should be established for all similarly categorized groups.”

 Mr. Stiles’ testimony referenced H.R. 23, as amended, which the House recently approved to provide a $1000 monthly payment to WWII Merchant Mariners, but did not include the other 28 groups that were awarded veteran status under the G.I Bill Improvement Act of 1977.

 To rectify the unfairness, Steve Buyer, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, introduced H.R. 2270, the Benefits for Qualified World War II Veterans Act of 2009, to provide the payment to all World War II veterans recognized under the 1977 enactment. While Mr. Stiles himself would not qualify, he wanted to ensure that his comrades who fought so bravely would receive the same benefit.

 The Flying Tigers were a group of American pilots and ground crewmen who helped defend Burma and China before and after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Of the more than 300 members of the Flying Tigers, only 18 are still alive today. The Flying Tigers flew the heavily armed P-40 Warhawk fighter with the distinctive shark’s mouth painted on its nose.

 In addition to providing compelling testimony, Mr. Stiles presented an impressive history lesson to the Subcommittee and audience members from a first-hand perspective. Following his volunteer service with the Flying Tigers, Mr. Stiles earned a commission in the Army Air Corps as a pilot and flew B-25 medium bombers.