Bud Rice Interviewed by Tom Brokaw on D-Day Anniversary

Windsor Square resident Julian “Bud” Rice was interviewed by Tom Brokaw on air yesterday as part of NBC’s commemoration of the 70th anniversary of D-Day.  Rice was 22 years old when he flew a C-47 in the D-Day invasion, his mission to drop 21 paratroopers into France.

Back in Normandy this week with sons Mark and Billy and other family members to join in D-Day  anniversary events, Rice had the opportunity to climb back into the pilot’s seat and fly the very same plane he flew 70 years ago, the restored C-47 named “Whiskey 7.” It’s a sweet moment.

We’ve found two NBC video segments on Bud Rice, shared below. The first shows Rice in France this week aboard the C-47, the second is a more in-depth interview with Tom Brokaw at Rice’s home on Norton Ave.

Bud Rice is an avid golfer at the Wilshire Country Club, an active parishioner at St. Brendan Church, a talented painter, and a model husband, father and grandfather. “He’s the most lovely person you’ll ever know,” a fellow Windsor Square resident told the Buzz.