World War II Honoree

Ira M. Welkowitz

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Staten Island, New York

Honored By

Mildred

Relationship

Wife

AERIAL GUNNER, ARMORER, TECHNICAL SERGEANT ON B-24 LIBERATOR BOMBER. CROSSING THE ATLANTIC OCEAN EASTBOUND. HAD ORDERS TO DELIVER A B-24 LIBERATOR BOMBER SERIAL NUMBER 42-51549. CREW 66 ON BOARD. (LEG 1): TOPEKA ARMY AIR FIELD, KANSAS TO GRENIER FIELD, NEW HAMPSHIRE. (LEG 2): JULY 28, 1944, GRENIER TO GOOSE BAY, NEWFOUNDLAND, (LEG 3): JULY 29, GOOSE BAY TO MEEKS, ICELAND (BLEW A TIRE ON LANDING), (LEG 4): JULY 31, ICELAND TO VALLEY, WALES. BOMBER DELIVERED TO 8TH AIR FORCE. U.S. TO WALES, EUROPE. OVER WATER 21 HOURS, 8 MINUTES. ONE MONTH IN NORTH IRELAND FOR PRE-COMBAT TRAINING. NEXT STOP, SEETHING AIR FORCE BASE, NORFOLK, ENGLAND. FLEW 35 MISSIONS OVER GERMANY. AWARDED THE AIR MEDAL WITH 4 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 4 BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND SMALL ARMS EXPERT MARKSMANSHIP RIBBON. SERVED WITH THE 8TH AIR FORCE, 448TH BOMB GROUP, 714TH BOMB SQUADRON, CREW 66 BOXCARS, THE CREW 66 FAMILY 'A BAND OF BROTHERS'.