World War II Honoree

James A. O'Neal

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Gainesville, Texas

Honored By

Shirley Lissard

Relationship

Daughter

SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS AS AN AIRPLANE ENGINEER, MECHANIC AND GUNNER ABOARD B-24 & A-20 AIRCRAFT. BASED IN ITALY DURING CAMPAIGNS IN ROME-ARNO, SOUTHERN FRANCE AND GERMANY. FLEW 26 MISSIONS AGAINST ENEMY FLAK & FIGHTERS BEFORE BECOMING A PRISONER OF WAR IN ROMANIA. RECEIVED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE RIBBON, DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS, DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, AIR MEDAL WITH 2 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, PURPLE HEART MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER CAMPAIGN RIBBON WITH 4 BRONZE STARS, DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE, AMERICAN THEATER RIBBON AND THE WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL.