World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Sledge 'Bennett' Hiley, Sr.
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Chipley, Florida
Honored By
Joe Feaster
HE JOINED THE ARMY AIR CORPS IN 1942. THERE HE EARNED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, AIR MEDAL WITH 2 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATRE RIBBON AND MEDAL AND THE SILVER STAR FOR SAFELY LANDING HIS B-17 AIRCRAFT AFTER THE LANDING GEARS HAD BEEN BLOWN OFF SAVING THE ENTIRE CREW. (97TH BOMB GROUP SQUADRON, B-17 BOMBER WITH 483 MISSIONS FROM 1942 TO 1945).