World War II Honoree

Tom W. Curlin

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Waxahachie, Texas

Honored By

Tim Ketchum

Relationship

Friend

PILOT B-17G AIRCRAFT, 342ND BOMB SQUADRON, 97TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP, 15TH AIR FORCE. ON 28 APRIL 1944 AS THE LEAD PLANE IN THE SQUADRON FLYING OUT OF FOGGIA, ITALY, HE WAS SHOT DOWN BEHIND ENEMY LINES IN NORTHERN ITALY. HE AND THREE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CREW WERE TAKEN IN BY SOME LOCAL PARTISANS. THEY BEGAN AN EIGHT WEEK TRIP THROUGH ENEMY TERRITORY AND REACHED THE AMERICAN LINES ON THE 21ST OF JUNE. HE WAS RETURNED TO DUTY AND SURVIVED THE REST OF THE WAR.