World War II Honoree

LeRoy T. Ashley

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Durham, North Carolina

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER AS AN AERIAL ENGINEER-GUNNER ABOARD A B-17 'FLYING FORTRESS' BOMBER NICKNAMED 'STAR DUST'. RESPONSIBLE FOR PRE-FLIGHT INSPECTIONS OF THE AIRCRAFT AND FOR DIAGNOSING AND CORRECTING MECHANICAL PROBLEMS IN FLIGHT. ALSO MANNED THE TOP TURRET MACHINEGUN STATION DURING FLIGHT WITH RESPONSIBILITIES TO INFORM THE CREW OF APPROACHING ENEMY AIRCRAFT, ENGAGING ATTACKING PLANES, AND SERVICING THE GUNS AND TURRET WHEN AIRBORNE. FLEW 27 COMBAT MISSIONS OVER GERMANY AND OCCUPIED TERRITORIES. AWARDED THE AIR MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RANK OF TECHNICAL SERGEANT AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.