World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Merle J. Hetrick
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Boyne Falls, Michigan
Honored By
Robert Medley Gatewood
ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON OCTOBER 10, 1941 AT DETROIT, MICHIGAN. SELECTED FOR THE AIR CORPS, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF AUTOMOTIVE REPAIRMAN (965). ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED WITH THE 2523RD ARMY AIR FORCES BASE UNIT SUPPORTING A NAVIGATOR TRAINING SCHOOL AT HONDO ARMY AIR FIELD, TEXAS. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A STAFF SERGEANT ON NOVEMBER 30, 1945 AT THE ARMY AIR FORCES SEPARATION BASE, RANDOLPH FIELD, TEXAS.