World War II Honoree

Fred Cox

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Tampa, Florida

Honored By

James L. Capps II

Relationship

Nephew

TRAINED AT CAMP BLANDING, FLORIDA IN 1942. INITIALLY SERVED AT LAKELAND, FLORIDA AS A MECHANIC UNTIL BEING SENT TO THE PACIFIC. SERVED ON IWO JIMA FOR NINE MONTHS AS AN AIRCRAFT MECHANIC. RETURNED TO LAKELAND, FLORIDA IN 1945 AND WAS PLACED ON CONVALESCENT LEAVE, RETURNING HOME TO TAMPA. HE WAS NEVER OFFICIALLY DISCHARGED THROUGH AN OVERSIGHT BY THE MILITARY AND DUE TO HIS CONTINUING HEALTH PROBLEMS. HE HAD BEEN THROUGH LUCITE AND MUSTARD TESTS AT CAMP BLANDING, FLORIDA IN 1942 WHICH CAUSED HIM TO HAVE CHRONIC LUNG PROBLEMS FOR THE REMAINDER OF HIS LIFE. HE WAS PERSONALLY COMMENDED FOR HIS OUTSTANDING SERVICE AT IWO JIMA BY GENERAL 'HAP' ARNOLD.