World War II Honoree

Emil A. Mrizek

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Lyons, Illinois

Honored By

Emil A. Mrizek

Relationship

Self

INDUCTED FEBRUARY 17, 1941. SERVED AS CAPTAIN, STATESIDE AND IN THE PACIFIC. RECEIVED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, AIR MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. AS A FIGHTER PILOT, HE FLEW THE P-38 LOCKHEED LIGHTNING IN THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS AGAINST THE JAPANESE, WHO OCCUPIED THE ISLANDS OF KISKA AND ATTU. BASED ON THE ISLANDS OF ADAK AND AMCHITKA FROM WHERE HE FLEW 60 STRAFING, DIVE BOMBING AND AERIAL COMBAT MISSIONS. AFTER THE OVERSEAS TOUR, HE WAS AN INSTRUCTOR PILOT IN THE P-38 AND P-39 BELL AIR COBRA AIRCRAFT AT BASES IN CALIFORNIA AND WASHINGTON.