A local war hero who made a harrowing escape from enemy territory in World War II, celebrates his 90th birthday Sunday.
Willis Retzlaff was a U.S. Air Force bomber pilot. He was shot down in Austria, while flying into Germany.
Retzlaff parachuted to the ground and spent several weeks alone in enemy territory, before joining with guerilla fighters who helped him get to Italy.
Retzlaff says he wasn't sure he would survive the ordeal, let alone make it to his 90th birthday.
"I never thought about my 90th birthday, that was the last thing. The only thought I had in mind then, was to get back to Allied territory and away from the threat of capture," says Retzlaff.
He adds having made it this far, he has a feeling he's going to keep on celebrating birthdays for years to come.