World War II Honoree

Joe Bill Heath

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Cameron, Texas

Honored By

Wayne Carson

Relationship

Stepson

JOINED THE ARMY AIR FORCE ON DECEMBER 10, 1943. BASIC TRAINING AT SHEPHERD FIELD IN WICHITA FALLS THEN EARNED HIS GUNNER'S WINGS AT TYNDALL FIELD, FLORIDA. AFTER OVERSEAS TRAINING IN BOISE, IDAHO, HE WENT TO ITALY AND SERVED AS A WAIST GUNNER ABOARD A B-24 LIBERATOR FOR THE 15TH AIR FORCE'S 451ST BOMBARDMENT GROUP. THEIR BOMBING MISSIONS INCLUDED RAIDS ON GERMAN FORCES IN NORTHERN ITALY AND AUSTRIA. HIS GROUP EARNED THE DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE WITH ONE BRONZE CLUSTER.