After Gordon Sterling earned his wings one of the first things he did was buy himself a car.
Not a Maserati or an Alfa Romeo convertible.
But a 1941 Buick with four doors and whitewall tires.
The car was in mint condition when the young pilot arrived at Wheeler Army Airfield in Honolulu, Hawaii and found the base under attack. Without hesitation he jumped into a plane left idling on a runway and after handing his watch to a crew chief and telling him to give it to his mother he slammed the canopy and flew off to join a small squadron of pilots, who succeeded in getting their airplanes off the ground during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
He died that day.
His plane was last seen in a ball of fury diving for the Pacific Ocean but not before he engaged in several furious dogfights with the enemy that are credited as some of America’s first victories during World War II.
His car will be one of three military vehicles during Selfridge Air Military Museum’s 2025 Salute To Veterans and the 80th anniversary of the Allied Victory in WWII being held May 17-18 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
“The car isn’t worth much but it’s a million dollar story,” said John Michalek of Dexter, referring to the Buick his wife inherited from her grandfather, who was Sterling’s brother.
After Sterling’s death the military shipped the vehicle back to California, where it was loaded on a train and shipped to Connecticut. When it arrived, his family discovered a bullet hole in the windshield.
Why the young pilot, who was only 22 years old, chose a car his father might drive is unknown.
“If I had to guess I would say he probably bought it for the engine,” Michalek said.
He loved racing it around and the car’s engine was known as the fireball eight because of its power. He was also engaged to be married and had plans to go on a picnic with his fiance the day Pearl Harbor was attacked. Michalek said that might also be the reason he bought the four door Buick, as he imagined himself becoming a father with a big family.
Joining the Buick on display will be two other vehicles with amazing stories related to WWII and action in the Pacific and European theater including the staff cars used for Generals Dwight Eisenhower and Douglas MacArthur.
“We’re very excited about the event,” Michalek said. “The last time this car was on an active military base we were at war with Japan.”
Also part of the celebration May 17 are two special events. At 12 p.m. Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel will present certificates of appreciation to two WW II veterans, one of whom flew a Corsair Fighter in WW II. He will be reunited with a Corsair at our Aviation Education Hanger. Then at 4 p.m. guests will be treated to a performance by the 126th Army Field Band.
No coolers will be allowed but attendees can bring lawnchairs. There will be food and beverages available for purchase from Mission BBQ, National Coney Island, Texas Roadhouse, Better Made and Faygo.
The military air museum is located on Selfridge ANG base in Harrison Township. Base access and museum admission is required.
For more information visit selfridgeairmuseum.org/
