For the third time, World War II veteran Robert McClintock sang the national anthem during the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Military Appreciation night in November 2019.
Speaking on his accolades, the announcer told the hockey crowd, “And making his third appearance as our special guest, we’re honored to be joined by a World War II veteran, who joined the Army Air Corps in 1941, became a commissioned pilot at 23, and flew 86 combat missions over Italy and north Africa.”
He piloted modified p-51 Mustangs with the 86th fighter bomber group. After the war, McClintock went to Temple University and was a member of the esteemed Westminster Choir. He has performed at Carnegie Hall and the Mormon Tabernacle with the choir.
The night was a special occasion because Thursday’s game came just two days after his 101st birthday.
He first performed the anthem in 2016, when he was 98 years old.
His second appearance came in 2018, 4 days before his 100th birthday.
All three times, he sang with retired Air Force technical sergeant Sonya Bryson. They began each performance together, but in the middle – both had a chance to shine with a short solo, before finishing out “The Star-Spangled Banner” together.
Watch McClintock’s 2019 anthem performance below!