On the 72nd anniversary of D-Day last week, the 419th Fighter Wing hosted 96-year-old Army veteran Charles Hardy, who served in World War II and the Korean War.

During his visit, Hardy toured Hill’s flightline and heard the roar of F-16s engines. He also got an up-close look at the Air Force’s newest fighter jet, the F-35 Lightning II, and met some of the Airmen who have followed in his footsteps.

Born in 1919, the Vernal native is one of 12 children. In 1942, Hardy enlisted as a buck private at Fort Lewis, Washington, and was soon sent to the Philippines and New Guinea, where he served in artillery for three years.

He later joined the National Guard and deployed for two years during the Korean War. He continued to serve his country for 30 years as a maintenance manager at Hill AFB.