World War II Honoree

Maurice Bolton 'M.B., Whitey' Garlow

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Hays, Kansas

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AIR FORCES RESERVE IN APRIL, 1943 AT AGE 17. AFTER GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL, CALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY IN OCTOBER, 1943. APPLIED FOR AND WAS ACCEPTED INTO THE AVIATION CADET PROGRAM FOR AIRCREW TRAINEES. UPON COMPLETION OF TRAINING AT SELMAN FIELD AT MONROE, LOUISIANA IN DECEMBER, 1944, AWARDED HIS SILVER NAVIGATOR WINGS AND APPOINTED A FLIGHT OFFICER. AFTER UNIT TRAINING, DEPLOYED OVERSEAS TO THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER FOR SERVICE WITH THE 9TH AIR FORCE IN FRANCE. FLEW 2 COMBAT MISSIONS IN A-26 'INTRUDER' LIGHT ATTACK BOMBER AIRCRAFT BEFORE THE END OF HOSTILITIES. PARTICIPATED IN THE CENTRAL EUROPE AND AIR COMBAT CAMPAIGNS. HE WAS PREPARING TO DEPLOY TO THE PACIFIC WHEN JAPAN SURRENDERED. REMAINED IN EUROPE WITH OCCUPATION FORCES UNTIL HIS RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES IN AUGUST, 1946. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RANK OF FLIGHT OFFICER AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON. RECALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY AFTER THE WAR AND SERVED WITH THE U.S. AIR FORCE UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT.