World War II Honoree

Cletus 'Lee' Wadlow

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

San Rafael, California

Honored By

Paul Wadlow

Relationship

Grandson

SERVED AS A BALL TURRET AND A WAIST GUNNER ON B-17 FLYING FORTRESSES IN THE 390TH BRIGADE, FLYING OUT OF ENGLAND. FLEW 25 COMBAT MISSIONS FROM DECEMBER 1944 UNTIL THE END OF THE WAR IN EUROPE. SHOT DOWN OVER BELGIUM DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, EVADED CAPTURE, FOUND AN ADVANCED INFANTRY UNIT AND EVENTUALLY RETURNED TO THE UNIT IN ENGLAND. AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, AIR MEDAL WITH 4 CLUSTERS, PURPLE HEART AND THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 BATTLE STARS.