Inmate creates World War II aircraft carrier replica for museum

Wabash Valley Correctional Facility

​CARLISLE -- What’s made mostly of paper, took over 16 months to put together and was recently presented to the Indiana Military Museum by Wabash Valley Correctional Facility (WVCF) staff?  A model of the aircraft carrier USS Hornet, brought to life by offender Larry James.  James is a Navy and Army veteran and member of the facility Kyle Snyder American Legion Post 398.  
 
The ship, nearly 17 months in the making, is “absolutely superb” according to museum board chairman Jim R. Osborne.  It will become part of their World War II display about the famous Doolittle Raid over Tokyo.  The USS Hornet was the main vessel delivering the B-25 bombers for the mission. 
 
The model ship was delivered to the Vincennes, Indiana - based museum along with some added cargo.  WVCF representatives also presented a $1,000 donation from the facility Post 398, Fatherhood and PLUS (Purposeful Living Units Serve) programs.
 
“We work hard as a facility to keep the public safe and to give back to our community,” said Wabash Valley Community Services Director Breanna Trimble.  “The model was a labor of love for offender James, who serves as historian for the Kyle Snyder Post.  Our monetary donation reflects our support of the museum, which does so much to preserve military history,” added Trimble.
 
James, a model builder for nearly 50 years, was limited to using offender allowable arts and craft materials for his USS Hornet creation.