World War II Honoree

Roger Alpine Grant, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Ashville, North Carolina

Honored By

Mc VMI 1943

Relationship

Friend

HE ATTENDED THE VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE WITH THE CLASS OF 1940 FOR 2 YEARS AND WAS GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA. HE WAS AN AVIATOR FLYING P-38 AND P-40 AIRCRAFT OVER THE CORAL SEA AND THE SOLOMON SEA. HE WAS A PILOT IN THE ORIGINAL 'BLACK SHEEP' SQUADRON; 8TH SQUADRON, 49TH FIGHTER GROUP. HE WAS SHOT DOWN IN JAPANESE TERRITORY IN NEW GUINEA SEPTEMBER 1943, HIKED OVER MOUNTAINS AND THROUGH JUNGLES FOR 24 DAYS IN ORDER TO REACH ALLIED TERRITORY. HE WAS AWARDED A PURPLE HEART, 2 AIR MEDALS WITH OAK LEAF CLUSTERS AND THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS.