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| Israel-Palestine |
| Pilot Called âIrish Mosesâ dies |
| 2005-09-11 |
| I transcribed this from an article in the latest Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) magazine. In this age of terrorism, and on this somber day in our nation's history, it is inspiring to read about an individual who made a difference in the lives of tens of thousands of people who were systematically terrorized for centuries. Robert E. Maguire, Jr., who was dubbed the âIrish Moses by Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, died on June 10 at the age of 94. The WW2 veteran was a pilot for Alaska Airlines in 1948 when his company was contracted to fly Jewish refugees from Yemen, where they had been oppressed for centuries, to Tel Aviv in the newborn state of Israel. This became possible when the imam of Yemen agreed to allow the entire Jewish population to leave. When Alaska Airlines pulled out of the operation, Maguire kept it going by creating Near East Transport using purchased and leased airplanes. He said he was motivated more by adventure than money and never forgot the gratitude of the Yemenite Jews. âThey would sing and offer blessings as they flew into Israel. It was so touching. I was blessed that God had given me the opportunity to be there.â Maguire was chief pilot of this heroic, dangerous, and secret mission that became known as Operation Magic Carpet. He helped to carry more than 40,000 refugees during more than 400 flights---each round trip was 3,000 miles long---through hostile airspace during Israelâs War of Independence. Although the flights were made at low levels to avoid detection and were frequently fire upon by Arab military forces at war with Israel, no aircraft was lost, and no one was injured. Following Operation Magic Carpet, Maguire transported thousands of Iraqi and Iranian Jews to Israel through Operation Ali Baba. Maguire was raised in Portland, Oregon as an Episcopalian and was of Irish and British descent. He learned to fly at 17 and enlisted in the Army Air Force on December 8, 1941. A memorial service for Maguire was held at the Santa Monica Municipal Airport. The eulogy was presented by Rabbi Marvin Hier, founder and dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. âIt wasnât his conflict,â Hier said, âyet he risked his life every day.â A Douglas C-54 (DC-4) representing those used by Maguire during Operation Magic Carpet was flown to Santa Monica from New Jersey in Maguireâs honor. |
| Posted by:Alaska Paul |
| #1 Baruch ha-ba. Blessed be his coming. I remrmber reading about Operation Magic Carpet as a child. Thank you, Alaska Paul, for sharing the rest of this heroic tale. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2005-09-11 22:36 |