World War II Honoree

John Robert Creek

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Knoxville, Tennessee

Honored By

Marilyn T. Creek

Relationship

Spouse

STAFF SERGEANT. SERVED IN SOUTH PACIFIC ON TINIAN ISLAND AS A RADIO OPERATOR ON A B-29. HE WAS AWARDED A DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS AFTER PLAYING A MAJOR ROLE IN BRINGING BACK THEIR PLANE AFTER 6 CREW MEMBERS BAILED OUT OVER TOKYO AFTER COMPLETING THEIR BOMBING MISSION. THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE FROM ENEMY FIRE AND HE WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE BACK TO IWO JIMA WITH NO INSTRUMENTATION. HE NEVER RECEIVED TRAINING FOR NAVIGATIONAL EQUIPMENT.