A wish come true: Washington native becomes World War II downed pilot

Carl Hess, Make-A-Wish recipient, poses for a photo while holding a blackout restriction certificate with Army Aviator (retired) Jerryl Stanfield at the Pacific Aviation Museum, Ford Island, Hawaii, Feb. 19, 2013. A blackout during war, or in preparation for an expected war, is the practice of collectively minimizing outdoor light, including upwardly directed (or reflected) light. This was done in the 20th century to prevent crews of enemy aircraft from being able to navigate to their targets simply by sight. Carl is fighting acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a fast-growing cancer of the white blood cells, and wished to be a downed World War II pilot. During his visit he received a rare opportunity to spend the night aboard the USS Missouri, fly in a bi-plane, and tour various historical WWII sites. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jerome S. Tayborn)