World War II Honoree

Robert W. Gates

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Aberdeen, South Dakota

Honored By

Robert W. Gates

Relationship

Self

HE SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN AND ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATERS OF OPERATIONS WITH THE 77TH BOMB SQUADRON IN ALASKA AND THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS. THEN IN EUROPE WITH THE 438TH TROOP CARRIER GROUP AS THE SQUADRON COMMANDER OF THE 88TH SQUADRON THAT LED THE INVASION INTO NORMANDY. HE WAS AWARDED THE LEGION OF MERIT WITH OAK LEAF CLUSTER, DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS WITH OAK LEAF CLUSTER, AIR MEDAL WITH 8 CLUSTERS, PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION AWARD, EUROPEAN- AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN RIBBON, ASIATIC- PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.