World War II Honoree

Alfred C. Bigum

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Honored By

Hal D. Terrell

Relationship

WWII Buddy

HE ENTERED THE SERVICE AS AN AVIATION CADET AND LATER SELECTED FOR PILOT TRAINING MARCH 19, 1942. COMPLETED PRIMARY PILOT FLIGHT TRAINING AT HICKS FIELD, TEXAS, BASIC FLIGHT TRAINING AT GOODFELLOW FIELD, TEXAS AND ADVANCED TRAINING AT MOORE FIELD, TEXAS. GRADUATED JANUARY 13, 1943 WITH THE CLASS OF 43A AND ACCEPTED HIS COMMISSION WITH THE RANK OF 2ND LIEUTENANT. AFTER TRANSITIONAL TRAINING, HE EVENTUALLY BECAME A CERTIFIED PILOT IN THE SINGLE, TWIN AND 4 ENGINE AIRCRAFT. WHILE ASSIGNED TO THE NEWLY FORMED FERRY COMMAND, ROMULUS FIELD, MICHIGAN HE DELIVERED ALL TYPES OF AIRCRAFT FROM THE FACTORY TO OPERATIONAL UNITS IN THE U.S. AND ALASKA. HE WAS LATER DEPLOYED TO THE CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER ASSIGNED TO THE AIR TRANSPORT COMMAND AND COMBAT CARGO COMMAND. WHILE IN THE CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER HE LOGGED 800 HOURS AS COMMAND PILOT IN THE C-54 AND MODIFIED B-24 AIRCRAFT FLYING MISSIONS OVER THE ‘HIMALAYAN HUMP’ BETWEEN INDIA AND WESTERN CHINA TRANSPORTING GASOLINE AND SUPPLIES. DECORATIONS: LEGION OF MERIT WITH 2 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, BRONZE STAR, AIR MEDAL WITH 1 OAK LEAF CLUSTER, AIR FORCE COMMENDATION MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 7 BRONZE SERVICE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE SERVICE STAR AND HIS SILVER PILOT WINGS. HONORABLY DISCHARGED JANUARY 15, 1947 AT BERGSTROM FIELD, AUSTIN, TEXAS.