World War II Honoree

Sun Wah 'Harry' Pang

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Mercer Island, Washington

Honored By

Ted, Woody & Nellie Pang

Relationship

Proud Brothers & Sister

STAFF SERGEANT PANG WAS A MACHINE GUNNER IN THE SIDE TURRET OF A B-17 FLYING FORTRESS BOMBER WITH THE U.S. 8TH AIR FORCES, FLYING BOMBING MISSIONS TO GERMANY FROM THEIR BASE IN ENGLAND. STAFF SERGEANT PANG HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS DURING HIS MANY BOMBING MISSIONS AND WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE ESCAPED SERIOUS INJURIES FROM THE BURSTING OF ANTI-AIRCRAFT SHELLS AND GERMAN FIGHTER AIRCRAFTS. HIS PILOT WAS NOT AS LUCKY, LOST HIS EYESIGHT PERMANENTLY FROM ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRES DURING ONE OF THE MISSIONS. ONE OF THE SHELL FRAGMENTS THAT KILLED HIS BUDDY WHO WAS MANNING THE 50-CALIBER MACHINE GUN JUST BEHIND HIM COULD JUST AS EASILY HAVE KILLED PANG. STAFF SERGEANT PANG WON THE DISTINGUISH FLYING CROSS FOR COMPLETING OVER 30 BOMBING MISSIONS INCLUDING THE D-DAY INVASION OVER NORMANDY. SERVED IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS 1942 TO 1945 WITH HONORABLE DISCHARGE.