A World War II pilot who was also a prisoner of war recently had the chance to see an airplane he thought no longer existed.

Barney Wasowicz said that, after 70 years, seeing the B-26 Marauder at Fantasy of Flight gave him an incredible feeling.

"It feels great, feels great,” he said.

The last time he flew one, it was during World War II. The plane was shot down, and he parachuted out and ended up in enemy territory.

"I was able to get out of my chute and look around and that’s when I was surrounded by Germans coming in, and they paraded me through this small town," he said.

He said he was held prisoner for 16 months before eventually being freed.

Even with all of that history, though, he said he's still excited to see the plane that he thought no longer existed.

"I was shocked because I didn’t think there were any B-26s left and I was really anxious to see one again," he said. "It was really a pleasure to be able to get up and sit in this seat where I sat before. It was a real thrill. I’m more thrilled now than I was before.”

John Stonecipher owns a aviation company in Arizona, where Wasowicz lives, and he said when he heard Wasowicz’s story he knew he had to make this trip happen.

"This is just truly one of the greatest privileges and honors that we can ever have," Stonecipher said. "Being aviators and to bring this gentleman back to his airplane, he’s truly an American hero so we’re really blessed to be here."

Wasowicz’s son Jeff says he’s waited his whole life for this day.

"For me it’s like a the childhood story coming to life," he said. "To see him up there and for him to point at everything."

Wasowicz said he hasn’t flown a plane in 70 years, but for this trip to Fantasy of Flight from Arizona he was able to get back in the cockpit.