World War II Honoree

Wallace R. Wilmot

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Kingston, Michigan

Honored By

Gary Thede

Relationship

Cousin

SERVED FROM 1942 TO 1945 WITH THE 15TH ARMY AIR FORCE, 97TH BOMBER GROUP AS A RADIOMAN, GUNNER. AS PART OF THE ROME-ARNO CAMPAIGN, HE FLEW WITH THE CREW OF A B-17 OUT OF FOGGIA, ITALY OVER THE ALPS AND INTO SOUTHERN FRANCE, CENTRAL AND NORTHERN EUROPE AND THE BALKANS. SHOT DOWN AFTER COMPLETING THEIR 23RD MISSION OVER STEYR, AUSTRIA AND AS 1 OF ONLY 3 SURVIVORS, WAS CAPTURED IN YUGOSLAVIA. HELD IN FRANKFURT AND THEN AUSTRIA IN STALAG 17B FOR 14 MONTHS. THEN PARTICIPATED IN A 12 DAY FORCED MARCH INTO THE FOREST NEAR BRANAU, AUSTRIA UNTIL THE CAMP WAS LIBERATED BY PATTON'S 3RD ARMY ARMORED DIVISION. RECEIVED THE AIR MEDAL WITH 3 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS AND THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN SERVICE MEDAL.