Wesley Ling(1918-1956)
- Actor
Captain Wesley G. Ling, was a decorated WWII pilot who was shot down over France, rescued by a young boy and kept hidden for weeks by members of the French Resistance before being captured by the Germans and held in the prison camp Stalag Luft 3 for nine months.
On April 29th, 1945, the Third Army liberated Stalag Luft 3 and Ling was headed for a long journey home. His family celebrated Captain Ling's homecoming along with his hometown of Burbank, CA, where residents had read several stories about him and followed his journey in the war in the local newspaper, including the tale of an encounter with Winston Churchill while in London, and details about his capture and imprisonment.
Upon his return, Captain Ling spoke at a press conference supporting the Red Cross, and was asked to be a military advisor on the classic Academy Award Nominated film Stalag 17, in which he also appears in a cameo role.
On April 29th, 1945, the Third Army liberated Stalag Luft 3 and Ling was headed for a long journey home. His family celebrated Captain Ling's homecoming along with his hometown of Burbank, CA, where residents had read several stories about him and followed his journey in the war in the local newspaper, including the tale of an encounter with Winston Churchill while in London, and details about his capture and imprisonment.
Upon his return, Captain Ling spoke at a press conference supporting the Red Cross, and was asked to be a military advisor on the classic Academy Award Nominated film Stalag 17, in which he also appears in a cameo role.