World War II Honoree

Richard Steven Zelinske

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Oak Park, Illinois

Honored By

Kim Wiorski

Relationship

Daughter

DEPARTED THE UNITED STATES FOR ENGLAND ON MAY 9, 1944 BY WAY OF BRAZIL AND AFRICA. SERVED WITH THE 8TH AIR FORCE, 491ST BOMB GROUP AND THE 852ND BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON. SERVED IN NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE AND AIR OFFENSIVE EUROPE. FLEW A TOTAL OF 31 MISSIONS IN A B-24 NAMED 'HARE POWER', HIS 4TH MISSION WAS ON D-DAY. RECEIVED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AIR MEDAL WITH THREE OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS AND EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER RIBBON WITH THREE BRONZE STARS.