World War II Honoree

Carl W. Eklund

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Kenedy, Texas

Honored By

Mrs. Ruby Eklund Johnson & Jean Carter Stafford

Relationship

Sister & Great Niece

SERVED IN THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCE. HAD 25 MONTHS OVERSEAS DUTY WITH THE 15TH ANTI-AIRCRAFT FORCE MARCH 3, 1942 TO JULY 13, 1945. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO SERVICE AT FORT SAM HOUSTON. RECEIVED HIS TRAINING AT VARIOUS AIR BASES AT SHEPPARD FIELD, SALT LAKE CITY; WALLA WALLA, WASHINGTON; SIOUX CITY, IOWA AND WATERTOWN, SOUTH DAKOTA. WENT OVERSEAS APRIL 28, 1943. HE SERVED ON DUTY WITH THE 15TH ANTI-AIRCRAFT FORCE IN NORTH AFRICA AND ITALY AS AN AIRCRAFT MECHANIC ON THE B-17, WHICH BOMBED THE GERMANS FROM AFRICA TO GERMANY. HE WAS TWICE AWARDED THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION, HIGHEST HONOR BESTOWED ON ANY COMBAT UNIT. HE WAS ALSO AWARDED THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER RIBBON WITH 9 BATTLE STARS AND THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL. RECEIVED HONORABLE DISCHARGE JULY 13, 1945.