World War II Honoree

John A. Akes

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Xenia, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON OCTOBER 21, 1942 AT FORT CUSTER, MICHIGAN. SELECTED FOR THE AIR CORPS, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF LIGHT TRUCK DRIVER (345). DEPARTED THE U.S. ON AUGUST 4, 1943 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. RETURNED TO THE U.S. ON AUGUST 17, 1945 AND WAS ASSIGNED TO SQUADRON SP, 4136TH ARMY AIR FORCES BASE UNIT, TINKER FIELD, OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ON DECEMBER 11, 1945 AT SCOTT FIELD, ILLINOIS. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.