World War II Honoree

Clifford James Gormley

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Honored By

James O. Sweeny

Relationship

Classmate

HE WAS ACCEPTED INTO THE ARMY AIR FORCE AND WAS TRAINED TO BE A PILOT. HE RECEIVED HIS WINGS AT MAXWELL FIELD IN JUNE, 1940. HE WAS RELEASED AFTER A YEAR, BUT RECALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY ON JUNE 12, 1941 AND ASSIGNED TO THE AIR CORPS ADVANCED FLYING SCHOOL. FOLLOWING SERVICE IN THE STATES AND OVERSEAS, HE WAS TRANSFERRED BACK TO THE SMYRNA AIR FORCE BASE, WHERE HE BECAME A PILOT INSTRUCTOR. ON THE MORNING OF WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, HE WAS KILLED AT THE START OF A ROUTINE TRAINING FLIGHT WHEN HIS PLANE, A B-24 LIBERATOR, CRASHED ON TAKE-OFF FROM SMYRNA FIELD, KILLING ALL FIVE OCCUPANTS. HIS BODY WAS RETURNED TO CRANSTON, WHERE HE WAS BURIED ON JUNE 23 WITH FULL MILITARY HONORS. HE EARNED THE AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.