World War II Honoree

Emil Clayton Morlan

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Pollock, Missouri

Honored By

Janet Morlan Barnes & Janel Morlan Jannusch

Relationship

Daughter & Niece

SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS AS A RADIO OPERATOR GUNNER ON B-17 FLYING FORTRESS BOMBERS FLYING MISSIONS OVER GERMAN OCCUPIED FRANCE AND GERMANY FROM GRAFTON-UNDERWOOD AIRFIELD, ENGLAND. ASSIGNED TO THE 544TH BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON (HEAVY), 384TH BOMB GROUP, U.S. 8TH AIR FORCE. FLEW 25 COMBAT MISSIONS OVER EUROPE IN 1944 INCLUDING THE D-DAY INVASION OVER NORMANDY. CREW OF 'LANE'S FLAK FINDERS' SO CALLED BECAUSE THEIR LEAD PLANE FOUND ALL THE FLAK. ENTERED SERVICE IN FEBRUARY 1943 AND RECEIVED AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE IN OCTOBER 1945 WITH THE RANK OF TECHNICAL SERGEANT. AWARDED THE AIR MEDAL WITH 3 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS; EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE STARS: AIR OFFENSIVE, EUROPE; NORMANDY AND NORTHERN FRANCE CAMPAIGNS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AND HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.