World War II Honoree

Bert Benear

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Honored By

Melva

Relationship

Wife

AFTER TAKING FLIGHT TRAINING AND PILOTS TRAINING, SHIPPED TO ITALY AND ASSIGNED TO THE 526TH FIGHTER SQUADRON NEAR NAPLES. FLEW A P-47 FIGHTER SUPPORTING GROUND TROOPS NEAR ANZIO BEACHHEAD. AFTER ANZIO, HE FLEW SUPPORT MISSIONS FOR THE FRONT LINES IN ITALY AND SOUTHERN FRANCE. HE ALSO FLEW THE P-51 FIGHTER AND HAD 130 OFFICIAL MISSIONS AND 30 OR 40 UNOFFICIAL MISSIONS FOR TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY. HE SHOT DOWN SEVEN ENEMY AIRCRAFT AND IS AN AMERICAN ACE.