World War II Honoree

Virgil E. Belford, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Vidor, Texas

Honored By

Marvin K. Williamson

Relationship

Nephew

SERVED IN THE PACIFIC THEATRE. FLEW MISSIONS OVER CHINA IN A B-29 AS A RADAR OPERATOR AS PART OF THE 20TH AIR FORCE, 58TH BOMBER WING, 676TH SQUADRON UNDER THE COMMAND OF MAJOR CHARLES HANSON. THE PLANE WAS RETURNING FROM A MISSION TO YAWATA, JAPAN WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH A CLIFF NEAR KWANGHAN BASE IN CHINA ON 8-20-44. HE WAS THE SOLE SURVIVOR OF THE CRASH. LAST COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PLANE AND THE TOWER DID NOT INDICATE A PROBLEM. RECEIVED THE PURPLE HEART.