Pollak, James, age 78, passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 in the presence of his loving family in Santa Ana, CA. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Jim proudly served his Country during the Vietnam War. He then went on to a prestigious 31 year career as a Commercial Pilot for 15 years with Western Airlines and 16 years with Delta Airlines until his retirement in the year 2000. Jim was a member of The American Legion, Post 291, in Newport Harbor, CA. Jim is lovingly survived by his wife of 55 years, Bonnie; heir daughters, Kimberly (Brach) Rick, Pamela (Greg) Gardner and Holly (John) Nilson; as well as his five grandchildren: Garrett, Jenna, Brach, Trey and Natalie. A Funeral Mass for Jim will be on Friday, April 5, 2019 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Tustin, CA, beginning with the Rosary at 9:30 AM and Mass beginning at 10:00 AM. Burial services will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 10:00 AM at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Orange, CA. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Jim’s honor to The Wounded Warrior Project at:
https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/default.aspx?tsid=10043&ovr_acv_id=5246.
Today in History – April 29, 1949 – Prototype of McDonnell XF-85 “Goblin” dropped from crane at Moffett Field.
29 April 1949 – During WWII a need was discovered for a “parasite fighter” – a jet fighter to protect bombers from hostile intercept aircraft. Pilot fatigue from P-41 and P-51 pilots who were protecting Boeing B-17’s, B-24’s, and Boeing B-29’s was a real problem. Aerial refueling hadn’t been perfected and these interceptors couldn’t match