World War II Honoree

Charles A. Cripps

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Webster, Texas

Honored By

Walter V. 'Bud' Lawrence

Relationship

Friend

ENTERED SERVICE 1942. ENGINEER GUNNER WITH THE 465TH BOMB GROUP STATIONED IN ITALY. WAS SHOT DOWN BY 109 FIGHTERS NEAR NIMES FRANCE. PARACHUTED TO SAFETY AND EVADED CAPTURE BY APPROACHING A FRENCH FARMER, WHO CONNECTED HIM WITH THE FRENCH UNDERGOUND. AFTER ABOUT 6 WEEKS IN FRANCE HE WAS ABLE TO RETURN TO AMERICAN FORCES, NAMELY, THE 7TH ARMY FIELD CAMP. RETURNED TO THE STATES, TAUGHT MECHANICS AT KEESLER FIELD, MS. FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS, DISCHARGED AT ELLINGTON FIELD IN 1945 WITH 3 YEARS SERVICE. RECEIVED A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION. AWARDED THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL, EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS MEDAL, AIR MEDAL AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL.