World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Edward E. Monroe
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Springfield, Missouri
Honored By
Robert S. Cox
ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE IN APRIL, 1943. SERVED AS A RADIO OPERATOR-MECHANIC-GUNNER ON BOMBER AIRCRAFT IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER. HIS AIRCRAFT WAS SHOT DOWN OVER FRANCE, AND HE WAS TAKEN AS A PRISONER OF WAR (POW) BY THE GERMANS. HELD FROM AUGUST 2, 1944 TO APRIL 26, 1945, MAINLY IN A POW CAMP IN GERMANY. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART, AIR MEDAL, PRISONER OF WAR MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. AUTHORIZED THE PRESIDENTIAL (DISTINGUISHED) UNIT CITATION FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION BY HIS UNIT. HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN LATE 1945 AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.