OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- 55th Wing and Royal Air Force members, along with members of the Offutt family, are scheduled to participate in wreath-laying ceremony at Omaha’s Forest Lawn Memorial Park (7909 Mormon Bridge Rd.) at 3 p.m., today, to honor the 100th anniversary of Offutt’s death in World War I.
Offutt Air Force Base is named after Offutt who died Aug. 13, 1918, when his plane crashed near Valheureux, France. At the time, Offutt was flying for the RAF’s 56 Squadron. He was the first Omaha pilot killed in the Great War and, at the time of his death, was 23-years old.
Media interested in covering the events are asked to proceed directly to the event site in a respectful manner. Members of the Offutt family, 55th Wing and RAF will be available for comment after the ceremony. Any questions about the event can be directed to the 55th Wing Public Affairs office at 402-294-3663.