World War II Honoree

E. F. 'Gene' Potts

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Terlton, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

DRAFTED INTO MILITARY SERVICE ON AUGUST 14, 1942. SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER AS A WAIST GUNNER ABOARD A B-17 'FLYING FORTRESS' BOMBER NICKNAMED 'THUNDER MUG.' STATIONED IN ENGLAND AND FLEW 25 MISSIONS OVER NORTHERN FRANCE, NORMANDY AND GERMANY. MAINTAINED AND REPAIRED ARMAMENT, INCLUDING GUNS, GUNSIGHTS, TURRETS AND BOMB RACKS. SERVED IN FLIGHT AS AN AERIAL GUNNER MANNING A WAIST MACHINE GUN, INFORMING THE CREW OF APPROACHING ENEMY PLANES AND ENGAGING ATTACKING AIRCRAFT. AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, AIR MEDAL WITH BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. ALSO AUTHORIZED THE DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATION FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION BY HIS UNIT. HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON SEPTEMBER 6, 1945 AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.