World War II Honoree

Dewey H. Ouellette

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

St. Francis, Maine

Honored By

Craig T. Ouellette

Relationship

Son

STAFF SERGEANT. SERVED WITH THE 464TH BOMB GROUP, 776TH (HEAVY) SQUADRON. ON HIS 15TH MISSION ON AUGUST 29, 1944 AS A NOSE GUNNER ON A B-24G LIBERATOR, THE CREW WAS FORCED TO BAIL OUT OVER YUGOSLAVIA DUE TO MECHANICAL FAILURE. ENEMY FLAK FILLED THE FUEL TANK WITH HOLES AND THE LIBERATOR RAN OUT OF FUEL. HE WAS MISSING IN ACTION FOR 11 DAYS THEN CAPTURED BY GERMANS. WENT BY TRUCK HAULING GERMAN TROOPS TO STALAG LUFT 111, THEN TO STALAG LUFT 11, AND TO STALAG LUFT 1 (SOUTH CAMP); IT TOOK 3 WEEKS TO GET THERE. SPENT 9 1/2 MONTHS AS PRISONER OF WAR UNTIL LIBERATION. ALSO SPENT 28 DAYS IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT FOR TRYING TO ESCAPE. RECEIVED MANY MEDALS INCLUDING THE PURPLE HEART,SILVER STAR, AIR MEDAL WITH OAK LEAF CLUSTER, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER SERVICE MEDAL WITH FIVE BRONZE STARS, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, MARKSMANSHIP BADGE WITH RIFLE AND PISTOL BARS, AND AVIATION BADGE. HE WAS DISCHARGED ON OCTOBER 12, 1945.