World War II Honoree

Varney D. Cline

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

West Virginia

LOST HIS LIFE IN A TRAINING ACCIDENT OVER ENGLAND AFTER HE HAD FLOWN HIS 26 PERILOUS B-17 MISSIONS OVER EUROPE IN A SUCCESSION OF FLYING FORTRESSES, ALL BEARING THE NAME 'PAPPY'S HELLION.' KILLED IN ACTION 13 NOVEMBER 1943 OVER CHELVESTON ENGLAND WHEN THE PLANE WHICH HE WAS AN INSTRUCTOR COLLIDED IN MID-AIR WITH ANOTHER AMERICAN PLANE. HE HAD WON DISTINCTION AS A B-17 PILOT FLYING OVER GERMANY. ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE CRAFTS HE WAS PILOTING WERE SHOT DOWN TO THE GROUND. AWARDS: SILVER STAR, PURPLE HEART, DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, AIR MEDAL WITH 4 CLUSTERS.