World War II Honoree

Hilbert M. Oakley

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Nicholson, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Mr. William A. Aileo

Relationship

Friend

FLEW AS A GUNNER ON 50 MISSIONS WITH THE FIFTH AIR FORCE AND HIS AWARDS INCLUDED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, THE AMERICAN THEATER RIBBON, THE SILVER STAR MEDAL, TWO BRONZE STARS, THE ASIATIC PACIFIC THEATER RIBBON WITH TWO BRONZE STARS, THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, THE DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE AND THE AIR MEDAL FOR COMBAT ACTION ACTION IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC. HE WAS AMONG A GROUP OF GUNNERS COMMENDED BY GENERAL DOUGLAS MACARTHUR FOR COURAGEOUS COMBAT IN NEW GUINEA IN 1943. HE FLEW WITH THE 321ST SQUADRON OF THE 90TH BOMB GROUP 'THE JOLLY ROGERS'.