World War II Honoree

James E. Bower

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Xenia, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

AFTER EARNING HIS WINGS THROUGH THE AVIATION CADET PROGRAM, COMMISSIONED AND BEGAN ACTIVE DUTY TOUR AS A FIGHTER PILOT ON 27 AUGUST 1942. DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON 24 NOVEMBER 1942 BOUND FOR ENGLAND. FLEW COMBAT THROUGH THE SICILIAN AND NAPLES-FOGGIA CAMPAIGNS. RETURNED STATESIDE ON 24 OCTOBER 1943 AND SERVED WITH THE 261ST ARMY AIR FORCE BASE UNIT AT AVENGER FIELD, SWEETWATER, TEXAS. EARNED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, THE AIR MEDAL WITH 2 SILVER OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY SEPARATED FROM THE SERVICE AS A FIRST LIEUTENANT ON 6 JULY 1945 AT FORT SHERIDAN, ILLINOIS.