World War II Honoree

Jesse C. Blair

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Iola, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON MARCH 4, 1943 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR THE AIR CORPS, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, ATTENDED RADIO OPERATOR AND MECHANIC SCHOOL AND MACHINE GUNNER SCHOOL AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF RADIO OPERATOR AND MACHINE GUNNER (757). DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON JANUARY 31, 1945 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. FLEW COMBAT MISSIONS IN THE NORTHERN APENNINES, PO VALLEY AND RHINELAND CAMPAIGNS. RETURNED TO THE U.S. ON JUNE 25, 1945 AND ASSIGNED TO THE 233RD AIR BASE UNIT, DAVIS-MONTHAN FIELD, TUCSON, ARIZONA. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A TECHNICAL SERGEANT ON OCTOBER 27, 1945 AT STATION OF ASSIGNMENT. EARNED THE AIR MEDAL WITH 1 OAK LEAF CLUSTER, AIRCREW MEMBER BADGE (WINGS), GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE BATTLE STARS AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.