World War II Honoree

John Pershing Perrin

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Atlantic City, New Jersey

Honored By

A Grateful American

SERVED AS A CAPTAIN AND CERTIFIED AS AN ACE PILOT WITH AT LEAST FIVE ENEMY AIR CRAFT DESTROYED. ASSIGNED TO FLY A NEW MUSTANG P-51-D FIGHTER FROM AN AIR BASE IN WARTON, LANCASHIRE TO ANOTHER IN STEEPLE MORDEN, CAMBRIDGESHIRE, ABOUT 160 MILES AWAY. EN ROUTE, THE PLANE DEVELOPED ENGINE TROUBLE. HAVING THE OPTION OF BAILING OUT OF THE PLANE OR FLYING IT AWAY FROM THE TOWN OF STAFFORD, ENGLAND, HE CHOSE TO STAY WITH HIS PLANE. HE DIED CRASHING INTO A WHEAT FIELD, THEREBY SAVING THE TOWN. RECIPIENT OF THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS AND AIR MEDAL WITH THREE OAK LEAF CLUSTERS.