World War II Honoree

Gilbert D. Palko

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Honored By

LaVerne M. Palko

Relationship

Wife

ENLISTED IN ARMY JUNE 20, 1942. MILITARY POLICE IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND. TRANSFERRED TO ARMY AIR CORPS. SERVICE SCHOOLS; ENGINEER MECHANICAL SCHOOL, JOHNSON, NORTH CAROLINA AND AERIAL GUNNERY SCHOOL, FORT MYERS, FLORIDA. ASSIGNED TO 447TH BOMB GROUP, 709TH SQUADRON AND WAS BASED IN RATTLESDEN, ENGLAND. FLEW 33 MISSIONS IN MID-EUROPEAN THEATER. LAST MISSION, SHOT DOWN OVER LYONS, FRANCE AND PICKED UP BY FREE FRENCH AND RETURNED TO ENGLAND. EARNED AIR MEDAL WITH 4 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL. SEPARATED, OCTOBER 16, 1945 FROM ARMY AIR FORCE SEPARATION BASE IN SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA.