World War II Honoree

Karl C. Beard

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Honored By

Gene Black

Relationship

Friend

ENLISTED ON AUGUST 14, 1942 AND WAS DISCHARGED ON OCTOBER 5, 1945. EARNED HIS AIRCREW MEMBER WINGS IN APRIL 1943. ATTENDED GUNNERY SCHOOL IN MAY 1943, ATTENDED AIRPLANE AND ENGINE MECHANICS SCHOOL IN NOVEMBER 1943, SERVED AS TOP TURRET GUNNER ON B-17 'LITTLE GUY'. SERVED IN NORMANDY CAMPAIGN, SOUTHERN FRANCE CAMPAIGN, RHINELAND CAMPAIGN AND AIR OFFENSIVE EUROPE CAMPAIGN. AWARDED THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN SERVICE MEDAL WITH 4 BRONZE STARS, AIR MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE CLUSTERS, ARMY AIR FORCES TECHNICAL BADGE WITH BAR, DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL.