World War II Honoree

Thomas O. Powell

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

San Antonio, Texas

RECEIVED HIS COMMISSIONED AS A 2ND LIEUTENANT IN 1942 IN THE U.S. ARMY QUARTERMASTER CORPS. UPON COMPLETION OF INITIAL TRAINING HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO ARMY AIR FORCE, 15TH AIR DEPOT GROUP AT DUNCAN FIELD, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS AS A SUPPLY OFFICER. THE UNIT DEPARTED THE U.S. ON MAY, 15 1943 ABOARD THE U.S. ARMY TRANSPORT SHIP 'URUGUAY'. THEY ARRIVED IN BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA ON JUNE 14, 1943 AND THEN CAUGHT A TROOP TRAIN TO TOWNSVILLE. THE UNIT JOINED THE 4TH AND 12TH AIR DEPOT GROUPS ALONG WITH SOME OTHER SEPARATE DETACHMENTS AND FORMED THE 5TH AIR SERVICE COMMAND UNDER THE 5TH AIR FORCE. BY THE WARS END HE HAD BEEN PROMOTED TO CAPTAIN. HIS DECORATIONS INCLUDE THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL; THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH BRONZE SERVICE STAR; WWII VICTORY MEDAL; AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON WITH BRONZE SERVICE STAR. HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON APRIL 19, 1946 AT FT SAM HOUSTON, TEXAS.