World War II Honoree

Lyndon Orvis Raff

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

St. Paul, Minnesota

Honored By

Nadine Fox

RECEIVED HIS PILOT'S WINGS AND COMMISSION AS A LIEUTENANT AT STOCKTON FIELD, CALIFORNIA, AUGUST 28, 1942. HE FLEW TO THE ORIENT JANUARY 1943 WHERE HE PILOTED C-46 TRANSPORT PLANES OVER 'THE HUMP' TO CHIANG KAI-SHEK'S FORCES IN CHINA. KILLED IN ACTION OCTOBER 29, 1943 WHEN AN ENGINE ON THE TRANSPORT PLANE HE WAS PILOTING FAILED DURING A SUPPLY DROP IN THE HILLS OF BURMA. ALL NINE SOLDIERS ABOARD WERE KILLED INSTANTLY. HE RECEIVED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, THE OAK LEAF CLUSTER, THE AIR MEDAL AND THE PURPLE HEART.