World War II Honoree

David Wenning Bessire

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Nashville, Tennessee

Honored By

Jack Tarkington

Relationship

Friend

SERVED FROM OCTOBER 1940 THROUGH JUNE 1945. RADIO GUNNER CREW MEMBER OF A B-26. ASSIGNED IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC TO THE 22ND BOMB GROUP, 408TH SQUADRON AND PARTICIPATED IN 1 CAMPAIGN. PART OF THE FIRST GROUP TO FLY A 2 ENGINE BOMBER FROM HAWAII TO AUSTRALIA. MEMBER OF THE FIRST BOMBARDMENT GROUP TO ENGAGE THE JAPANESE. CREDITED WITH SHOOTING DOWN ONE JAPANESE FIGHTER. ASSIGNED TO BARKSDALE AIR BASE, LOUISIANA TRAINING BOMBER CREWS. ASSIGNED TO EUROPE TO THE 320TH BOMB GROUP, 442ND SQUADRON IN CORSICA, SARDINIA AND DIJON, FRANCE. ASSIGNED TO THE FRONT LINES IN ALSACE, FRANCE. PARTICIPATED IN 5 CAMPAIGNS IN EUROPE. SURVIVED A CRASH LANDING IN CORSICA. PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION OF SOUTH FRANCE AND THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, THE AIR MEDAL WITH 6 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, 3 PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATIONS AND THE FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM.