World War II Honoree

Wilson James Binebrink

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Ridgely, Maryland

Honored By

Sandy Carr

Relationship

Niece/Godchild

DRAFTED INTO THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES, BEFORE PEARL HARBOR ON APRIL 1, 1941 AT THE AGE OF 24. A GRADUATE OF THE MARYLAND INSTITUTE OF ART. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO DESIGN CAMOUFLAGE AND ATTENDED THE MAP PRODUCTION ENGINEERING COURSE, SPECIALTY SCHOOL, FORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA. HE ACHIEVED THE RANK OF SERGEANT AND AFTER GRADUATING FROM OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL IN MIAMI BEACH. COMMISSIONED 2ND LIEUTENANT IN APRIL 1943. HE TRAINED AS A PILOT WHILE STATIONED IN ALASKA'S ALEUTIAN ISLANDS FOR 2 1/2 YEARS. WHILE THERE HE PAINTED A LARGE CANVAS DEPICTING AERIAL 'ACTION OVER ATTU', A SUCCESSFUL BATTLE TO RETAKE THIS ISLAND FROM THE JAPANESE. RECEIVED THE VICTORY MEDAL, AMERICAN SERVICE MEDAL AND ASIATIC-PACIFIC SERVICE MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A 1ST LIEUTENANT IN 1946.