World War II Honoree

Robert E. Cope

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Wichita, Kansas

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED AS A P-51 'MUSTANG' FIGHTER PILOT IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER WITH THE 356TH FIGHTER GROUP, 8TH AIR FORCE STATIONED AT MARTLESHAM, ENGLAND. FLEW 52 MISSIONS FROM HIS BASE IN EAST ANGLIA NEAR THE NORTH SEA. HIS GROUP PARTICIPATED IN OPERATIONS THAT PREPARED FOR THE INVASION OF THE CONTINENT, SUPPORTED THE LANDINGS IN NORMANDY, FRANCE AND THE SUBSEQUENT DRIVE ACROSS FRANCE AND GERMANY. FLEW IN BOMBER ESCORT, BOMBING AND STRAFING MISSIONS AGAINST TARGETS SUCH AS SUBMARINE BASES, AIRDROMES, MARSHALLING YARDS, RAIL AND ROAD TRANSPORTATION, FLAK TOWERS AND RADAR STATIONS. BOMBED AND STRAFED IN THE ARNHEM, HOLLAND AREA IN SEPTEMBER 1944 TO NEUTRALIZE ENEMY GUN EMPLACEMENTS. HIS GROUP WAS AWARDED THE PRESIDENTIAL (DISTINGUISHED) UNIT CITATION FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN THE ARNHEM ACTION. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.