World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
John J. Ovadal
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Madison, Wisconsin
Honored By
G. E. Holcomb
SERVED IN THE 8TH AIR FORCE AND FLEW 11 COMBAT MISSIONS OVER OCCUPIED EUROPE AS A TAIL GUNNER ON A B-17 BOMBER. ON JANUARY 29, 1944, HIS PLANE WAS SHOT DOWN AND HE WAS TAKEN PRISONER. HE SPENT 15 MONTHS IN GERMAN PRISONER OF WAR CAMPS AND ENDURED TWO FORCED MARCHES INCLUDING THE INFAMOUS 'BLIZZARD MARCH.'