World War II Honoree

James A. Hedgpeth

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Rowland, North Carolina

Honored By

James A. Hedgpeth, Jr.

Relationship

Son

ENTERED SERVICE SEPTEMBER 27, 1941. FIGHTER PILOT; MITCHELL FIELD TO HAWAII AND CANTON ISLAND; SERVED AS ONE OF THE FIRST TEN REPLACEMENT FIGHTER PILOTS IN THE PHILIPPINES AFTER WWII BROKE OUT ON DECEMBER 7, 1941. SPENT 13 MONTHS IN THE PACIFIC AND 22 MONTHS IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER; COMBAT OPERATIONS OFFICER, ENGLAND AND EUROPE. OPERATIONS AND TRAINING STAFF OFFICER; NORTHERN FRANCE, HEADQUARTERS EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS; AIR OFFENSIVE EUROPE HEADQUARTERS; NORMANDY HEADQUARTERS; ARDENNES HEADQUARTERS; RHINELAND HEADQUARTERS; CENTRAL EUROPE HEADQUARTERS U.S. FORCES. RECEIVED EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER SERVICE MEDAL WITH 6 BRONZE STARS, ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN THEATER SERVICE MEDAL, WWII VICTORY CAMPAIGN MEDAL, 5 OVERSEAS SERVICE BARS; BRONZE STAR MEDAL GO 3 HEADQUARTERS IX TACTICAL AIR COMMAND AND 9949TH OUTSTANDING SQUADRON AWARD.