World War II Honoree

Leaford Bearskin

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Wyandotte, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

A MEMBER OF THE WYANDOTTE INDIAN NATION OF OKLAHOMA, HE SERVED AS A B-24 'LIBERATOR' BOMBER PILOT OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER WITH THE 90TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP, 5TH AIR FORCE. CAPTAIN BEARSKIN'S AIRCRAFT WAS NICKNAMED 'BIG CHIEF.' HE COMPLETED 46 COMBAT MISSIONS AND DID NOT LOOSE A CREWMEMBER DURING THE WAR. HIS CREW WAS CREDITED WITH DESTRUCTION OF SIX JAPANESE 'ZERO' AIRCRAFT. PARTICIPATED IN OPERATIONS IN THE NEW GUINEA AREA. AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, AIR MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. ALSO AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL FOR SERVICE IN THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES. CONTINUED IN U.S. AIR FORCE SERVICE AFTER THE WAR UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT WITH THE RANK OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL. ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.