World War II Honoree

Irvin 'Chappie' Hardesty Chapman

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Lu Verne, Iowa

Honored By

Janet Chapman

Relationship

Granddaughter

SERVED WITH THE 5TH AIR FORCE, 90TH ‘JOLLY ROGERS’ BOMBARDMENT GROUP, 319TH SQUADRON AS A B-24 BOMBER (LIBERATOR) TAIL GUNNER IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. HIS UNIT SAVAGED JAPANESE TARGETS IN THE ADMIRALTIES, THE HALMAHERAS AND DUTCH NEW GUINEA, AS WELL AS STRIKES AGAINST NEW IRELAND, NEW BRITAIN, THE PHILIPPINES, CELEBES AND NEW GUINEA. WHEN THE WAR ENDED, HE WAS 48 YEARS OLD, THE OLDEST GUNNER IN THE PACIFIC THEATER, COMPLETING 72 COMBAT MISSIONS IN HIS BOMBER ‘NAUGHTY BLUE EYES’, FLYING MORE THAN 500 COMBAT HOURS. HE WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY ENLISTED MAN OF HIS GROUP TO ACCUMULATE 500 COMBAT HOURS. AWARDS INCLUDE THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, AIR MEDAL WITH FOUR OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION AND THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON WITH FOUR BRONZE BATTLE STARS. HONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM THE SERVICE AUGUST 22, 1946.