World War II Honoree

James Roy Edwards

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Barnardsville, North Carolina

Honored By

Samuel Lee Edwards

Relationship

Son

RADIOMAN/GUNNER ON B-24 AIRCRAFT OF THE 717TH SQUADRON, 449TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (HEAVY), 47TH WING, 15TH U.S. ARMY AIR FORCE. BASED IN GROTTAGLIE, ITALY FROM MAY TO OCTOBER 1944. PARTICIPATED IN CAMPAIGN AGAINST AXIS OIL PRODUCTION, INCLUDING HIGH-LEVEL RAIDS ON PLOESTI, VIENNA, WIENER NEUSTADT, MUNICH. COMBAT WOUNDED DURING FINAL ATTACK ON PLOESTI; RETURNED TO DUTY. HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN 1945. AWARDS INCLUDE THE PURPLE HEART AND AIR MEDAL.