World War II Honoree

Earl F. Cunnyngham, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED AS AN AIRCREW MEMBER IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER ABOARD A B-24 'LIBERATOR' BOMBER. ASSIGNED TO THE 461ST BOMBARDMENT GROUP, 15TH AIR FORCE BASED AT TORRETTO AIRFIELD IN ITALY. HIS UNIT WAS ENGAGED PRIMARILY IN ATTACKS ON STRATEGIC TARGETS IN ITALY, FRANCE, GERMANY, CZECHOSLOVAKIA, HUNGARY, AUSTRIA, ROMANIA, YUGOSLAVIA AND GREECE. FLEW 35 COMBAT MISSIONS OVER EUROPE DURING THE WAR. PARTICIPATED IN THE AIR COMBAT-EAME THEATER, AIR OFFENSIVE-EUROPE, ROME-ARNO, NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, SOUTHERN FRANCE, NORTH APENNINES, RHINELAND, CENTRAL EUROPE, AND PO VALLEY CAMPAIGNS. AWARDED THE AIR MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. AUTHORIZED THE PRESIDENTIAL (DISTINGUISHED) UNIT CITATION WITH BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION BY HIS GROUP AT BUDAPEST, HUNGARY ON APRIL 13, 1944 DURING A STRIKE ON AN AIRCRAFT COMPONENTS PLANT; AND AGAIN AT PLOESTI, ROMANIA ON JULY 15, 1944 DURING A MISSION AGAINST OIL FACILITIES AND IN THE FACE OF FLAK, WEATHER, AND ENEMY FIGHTER ATTACKS. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.