World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
John D. Wadkins
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Coolidge, Arizona
Honored By
VFW Post 11242
HE SERVED IN NORTH AFRICA AS A GUNNER ON B-17 BOMBERS. HIS DEATH WAS A BRAVE ONE. WHEN THE GERMANS CAME OVER THE AIRDROME ONE NIGHT, HE JUMPED FROM THE TRENCH, WHERE HE WAS SAFE, AND DASHED TO THE NEAREST B-17 FLYING FORTRESS AND BEGAN SHOOTING AT THE ENEMY PLANES FROM THE UPPER TURRET. A BOMB LANDED NEAR BY, AND A SMALL FRAGMENT TORE THROUGH THE SIDE OF THE PLANE AND WENT THROUGH HIS HEART.