World War II Honoree

Cornelis Anthony Veldhuizen

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Bellflower, California

Honored By

Sophie Schoolmeester

Relationship

Sister

ENTERED SERVICE IN JANUARY 1947, TRAINED AT BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI AND CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS FOR SPECIALIZED INSTRUCTION IN THE F-80 JET. HE WAS SENT TO PANAMA AND ASSIGNED TO THE MAINTENANCE CREW OF THE FIRST OPERATIONAL JET SQUADRON IN THE AIR FORCE, A SELF-CONTAINED UNIT, STATIONED IN THE JUNGLE. HE HAD TO DISMANTLE AN F-80 JET FOR A 100 HOUR INSPECTION. THAT PARTICULAR F-80 WAS HIS TO MAINTAIN. OF 21 F-80 AIRCRAFT THERE, SIX CRASHED. HIS REMAINED INTACT. RETURNED FROM PANAMA IN JANUARY 1950.