World War II Honoree

Van Dewitt Pinner, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

San Antonio, Texas

Honored By

Van D. Pinner, Jr., CDR, USN (Ret)

Relationship

Son

SERVED AS B-17 CREW CHIEF, FLIGHT ENGINEER, AND TOP TURRET GUNNER, 8TH AIR FORCE, 100TH BOMB GROUP. FLEW ELEVEN COMBAT MISSIONS, SHOT DOWN AND CAPTURED DURING FIRST DAYLIGHT BOMBING RAID OVER BERLIN AND SPENT 18 MONTHS AS PRISONER OF WAR. DECORATIONS INCLUDE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS (AWARDED FOR HEROISM AND EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVEMENT BY VOLUNTARY ACTION ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY IN AERIAL FLIGHT), PURPLE HEART AND AIR MEDAL WITH 3 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS.