World War II Honoree

Jerome F. Aldridge

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Shreveport, Louisiana

Honored By

Melvin, Calvin, Allen & Arthur

Relationship

Sons

TOOK BASIC TRAINING AT BARKSDALE AIR BASE, LOUISIANA. ASSIGNED FOR DUTY TO 207TH ARMY AIR FORCE BASE UNIT. FLEW 47 MISSIONS OVER ENEMY TERRITORY FROM NORTH AFRICA AND ITALY IN B-17 BOMBER. AS A CREW MEMBER, HE WAS A GUNNER IN POWER TURRET AND ALSO OPERATED LOWER BALL TURRET. HE WAS FAMILIAR WITH ALL ARMAMENT ON THE AIRCRAFT INCLUDING BOMB RELEASE MECHANISM. HE TRANSFERRED FUEL FROM TANKERS TO HIS AIRCRAFT, WHILE IN FLIGHT, AS NEEDED.