World War II Honoree

Verlin C. Gale

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Mountain View, Missouri

Honored By

Thelma Gale

Relationship

Wife

HE JOINED THE UNITED STATES ARMY AIR CORPS IN FEBRUARY, 1943. HE WENT TO ENGLAND TO THE 8TH AIR FORCE, THE 384TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP IN EUROPE AND FLEW OVER GERMANY AND OTHER COUNTRIES THAT HAD BEEN TAKEN OVER BY THE GERMANS. HE WAS A WAIST GUNNER ON A B-17. HE FLEW 34 COMBAT MISSIONS IN 6 MONTHS. HIS 1ST MISSION WAS APRIL 13, 1944 TO SCHWEINFURT, GERMANY. HE WAS AWARDED PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION, CONGRESSIONAL CITATION, DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS AIR MEDAL, 3 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN- AFRICAN-MIDDLE EAST CAMPAIGN MEDAL, 2 BRONZE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, 2 ROWS OF RIBBONS, AND A MEDAL FROM THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT FOR THE NORMANDY INVASION.