World War II Honoree

Henry Sherman Fouts

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Atlanta, Georgia

ENTERED THE ARMY AIR FORCE AUGUST 8, 1942. COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AT MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA. GRADUATED FROM AERIAL GUNNERY SCHOOL AT FORT MYERS, FLORIDA ON OCTOBER 18, 1942 AND PROMOTED TO SERGEANT. FLIGHT ENGINEER GUNNER ON B-17 FLYING FORTRESS ASSIGNED TO 346TH BOMB SQUADRON, 99TH BOMB GROUP, 15TH AIR FORCE STATIONED AT FOGGIA, ITALY. FLEW 35 COMBAT MISSIONS. AWARDED DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, AIR MEDAL WITH 3 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, PURPLE HEART AND 6 BATTLE STARS. HE WAS AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS FOR USING HIS PARACHUTE AS DRAG CHUTE TO STOP HIS AIRCRAFT WHEN THE AIRCRAFT'S BRAKE SYSTEM WAS SHOT OUT FOLLOWING A BOMBING MISSION TO BRUX, CZECHOSLOVAKIA ON SEPTEMBER 23, 1944. PROMOTED TO TECHNICAL SERGEANT ON OCTOBER 15, 1944. HONORABLY DISCHARGED MAY 24, 1945.