World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Russell E. Wires
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Xenia, Illinois
Honored By
Robert Medley Gatewood
ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON 16 FEBRUARY 1943 AT CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS. AFTER BASIC TRAINING, SPECIALIZED AS A MUNITIONS WORKER (901). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON 5 JANUARY 1944 BOUND FOR THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. ASSIGNED TO 5TH AIR FORCE, 38TH BOMB GROUP, 823RD BOMB SQUADRON (THE TERRIBLE TIGERS), WHICH WAS EQUIPPED WITH B-25 MITCHELL MEDIUM BOMBERS OPERATING AGAINST THE ENEMY OUT OF VARIOUS AIR BASES FROM AUSTRALIA TO IWO JIMA. PARTICIPATED IN THE FOLLOWING CAMPAIGNS: AIR COMBAT (BORNEO), AIR OFFENSIVE JAPAN, BISMARCK-ARCHIPELAGO (AIR OFFENSIVE), CHINA (AIR OFFENSIVE), NEW GUINEA, SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES (LIBERATION), LUZON AND WESTERN PACIFIC. EARNED THE DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE WITH 2 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 SILVER AND 3 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE STAR AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A SERGEANT ON 12 JANUARY, 1946 AT CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS.