The AC-119 Gunships: From Cargo to Combat
Schedule
Sun Nov 02 2025 at 02:00 pm to 03:30 pm
UTC-05:00Location
The War Memorial | Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
About this Event
Join us on Nov. 2 as local author Barry Levine presents the remarkable history of the Fairchild C-119 "Flying Boxcar" cargo aircraft. After flying unique, one-of-a-kind missions before the Vietnam War (such as midair retrievals of spy satellites returning to earth from space), over 50 Flying Boxcars were repurposed as gunships during the Vietnam War.
Redesignated as AC-119s, and known as "Shadows" or "Stingers", they were highly effective in attacking enemy forces. The presentation will cover development of the aircraft, conversion into gunships, and the human drama (and tragedy) from their service in Vietnam.
To register, visit https://www.warmemorial.org/eventcalendar11/barry-levine
About The Speaker
Barry Levine is a freelance writer, with two books published: "Yankee Air Museum" and "Michigan Aviation: People and Places that Changed History". His articles have appeared in Michigan History, Aviation History, and Vietnam magazines. Barry works part time at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn and is a volunteer at the Michigan Flight Museum in Belleville.
Where is it happening?
The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Drive, Grosse Pointe Farms, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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