Airbase Georgia is saddened to share that Richard E. “Dick” Miralles, World War II SBD Dauntless gunner, proud U.S. Navy veteran, and the last living member of Air Group Eleven, passed away on November 13, 2025, at the age of 101.
Just days after we featured his smiling face in our Veterans Day “Dauntless for the Brave” tribute, we received the news of his passing. The timing made the loss feel especially close to home. Dick represented a generation whose courage, humility, and quiet strength shaped the world we inherited, and it was an honor to share even a small part of his remarkable story.
We were privileged to host Dick at Airbase Georgia in 2022, when he returned to the cockpit of the SBD for the first time in 79 years. His joy that day was unforgettable. Surrounded by volunteers and supporters who were inspired by his service, Dick climbed into the Dauntless with the confidence of a man who had been there many times before. After the flight, he signed his logbook, one more entry after nearly eight decades. It was a moment that touched everyone who witnessed it.
During his visit, Dick shared stories of his squadron mates, his service in the Pacific, and the deep camaraderie that defined Air Group Eleven. Those memories, told with clarity, humor, and humility, offered our team a rare, firsthand connection to the history we work to preserve.
Airbase Georgia joins his family, friends, and the entire naval aviation community in mourning the loss of a hero. We are grateful for his service, grateful for the time we shared with him, and grateful that his story will continue to inspire future generations.
Fair winds and following seas, Dick. You will not be forgotten.