World War II Honoree

Russell J. O'Rourke

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Coventry, Rhode Island

Honored By

Mary O. Campbell

Relationship

Sister

BALL TURRET GUNNER B-17 AIRCRAFT STATIONED ROUGHAM, BURY ST EDMUNDS ENGLAND, BOMB GROUP 94, BOMB SQUADRON 410 FLEW 14 MISSIONS. KILLED JULY 16, 1945 WHEN B-17 CRASHED INTO MOUNTAIN VICINITY VILS, AUSTRIA. DECORATIONS: FIRST OAK LEAF CLUSTER TO THE AIR MEDAL, AMERICAN THEATER RIBBON, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER RIBBON WITH 3 BRONZE STARS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE RHINELAND, ARDENNES AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS, WWII VICTORY RIBBON, ARMY AIR FORCES TECHNICIAN BADGE WITH AIRPLANE ARMORER AND TURRET AND SIGHT SPECIALIST BAR, SHARPSHOOTER BADGE WITH CARBINE BAR, SECOND CLASS GUNNER BADGE WITH AERIAL GUNNER BAR, MARKSMAN BADGE WITH PISTOL DISMOUNTED BAR.