World War II Honoree

George A. Naifeh

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Kiefer, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

JOINED THE AIR FORCES AFTER GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL. SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER AS A TAIL GUNNER ABOARD B-17 'FLYING FORTRESS' BOMBERS. ASSIGNED TO THE 490TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP, 8TH AIR FORCE STATIONED AT EYE, ENGLAND. PARTICIPATED IN THE NORTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND, AND ARDENNES-ALSACE (BATTLE OF THE BULGE) CAMPAIGNS. HIS UNIT WAS ENGAGED PRIMARILY IN BOMBING STRATEGIC TARGETS SUCH AS OIL PLANTS, TANK AND AIRCRAFT FACTORIES, AND AIRFIELDS. ALSO ENGAGED IN MISSIONS AGAINST BRIDGES, RAIL LINES, ROAD JUNCTIONS, SUPPLY LINES, AND TROOP CONCENTRATIONS, PARTICULARLY DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. AFTER V-E DAY, CARRIED FOOD TO FLOOD-STRICKEN AREAS OF HOLLAND AND TRANSPORTED FRENCH, SPANISH AND BELGIAN EX-PRISONERS OF WAR FROM AUSTRIA TO ALLIED CENTERS. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART ON FEBRUARY 6, 1945 FOR WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION AT STRASBOURG, FRANCE. ALSO AWARDED THE AIR MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 4 BRONZE SERVICE STARS, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RANK OF STAFF SERGEANT AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.