World War II Honoree

James Andrew Cunningham

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Indianapolis, Indiana

Honored By

The Cunningham Family

SERVED IN THE FIFTH AIR FORCE, 56TH TROOP CARRIER SQUADRON, 37TH GROUP. FLEW C-46 AND C-47 TWIN-ENGINE AIRCRAFT IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. STATIONED IN THE NORTHERN SOLOMON ISLANDS, BISMARK ARCHIPELAGO, SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES (LUZON), RYUKYUS ISLANDS AND JAPAN. AWARDED THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 7 BATTLE STARS, THE AIR MEDAL, AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON. WAS ONE OF THE FIRST AMERICAN PILOTS TO LAND ON MAINLAND OF JAPAN, IN TOYKO, FOLLOWING THE JAPANESE SURRENDER. ENTERED INTO ACTIVE SERVICE ON MAY 3, 1944 AND WAS SEPARATED FROM DUTY ON JANUARY 15, 1946