World War II Honoree

Rodney E. Montgomery

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Spencer, Nebraska

Honored By

Friends of American Heroes

SERVED AS A MARINE PILOT WITH THE MARINE NIGHT FIGHTERS SQUADRON. THE NIGHT FIGHTERS SQUADRON’S FIRST COMBAT EXPERIENCE DID NOT COME IN THE SKIES BUT ON THE ISLAND OF PELELIU WHERE HE HELPED TO CARRY LITTERS OF WOUNDED BECAUSE THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH MEDICS AROUND. IN ONE OF HIS FINAL AIR BATTLES, HE WAS CREDITED AS THE FIRST MARINE PILOT TO SHOOT DOWN A JAPANESE FIGHTER OVER THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.