World War II Honoree

Paul M. Pittman

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Rinard, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

AS AN ENLISTED MAN, VOLUNTEERED FOR AND ENTERED THE AIR CORPS’ FLYING SERGEANT PROGRAM. UPON GRADUATION PROMOTED TO FLIGHT OFFICER AND SERVED AS SUCH FROM APRIL 29, 1943 TO JANUARY 24, 1945. ACCEPTED COMMISSION AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS SECOND LIEUTENANT ON JANUARY 25, 1945. QUALIFIED AND SERVED AS A FOUR ENGINE BOMBER PILOT (MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY 1074) WITH THE 556TH ARMY AIR FORCES BASE UNIT, 6TH FERRY GROUP, OPERATING FROM LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA, THROUGH JULY 1946. EARNED A DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS WITH A UNIT OF THE 5TH AIR FORCE IN 1944, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY SEPARATED FROM ACTIVE DUTY AND THE 555TH ARMY AIR FORCES BASE UNIT AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, CAMP BEALE, CALIFORNIA ON AUGUST 25, 1946.