World War II Honoree

Gerald E. Paquette

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Springfield, Massachusetts

Honored By

Gina Willette

Relationship

Niece

PROUDLY SERVED IN THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCE FROM MAY 1942 TO SEPTEMBER 1945. HE ATTAINED THE RANK OF TECHNICAL SERGEANT AS A RADIO OPERATOR/GUNNER ON A B-25 MITCHELL BOMBER WITH THE 500TH BOMB SQUADRON, FIFTH AIR FORCE. HE FLEW 50 MISSIONS IN THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATRE FROM NEW GUINEA TO THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AND WAS AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT RIBBON, ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER RIBBON, PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON, AIR MEDAL WITH TWO OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, AND FOUR BRONZE CAMPAIGN STARS.