World War II Honoree

James Ashley

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Honored By

Carol Polser

Relationship

Stepdaughter

SERVED AS AIRCRAFT ENGINEER-GUNNER ON B-24 AIRCRAFT IN THE PACIFIC THEATER. HE REMEMBERS ONE BOMBING RUN WHERE THEY ENCOUNTERED HEAVY ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE WHILE BOMBING THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT ON RABAUL. SAYS HE RODE THAT AIRPLANE ON AND OFF SO MANY LITTLE 5,000-FOOT RUNWAYS, HE CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAMES OF ALL THE ISLANDS.