World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Harold Glen 'Buzz' Bechtold
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Augusta, Kansas
Honored By
Robert S. Cox
ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE IN 1942. SERVED AS A P-38 'LIGHTNING' FIGHTER PILOT IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER WITH THE 8TH FIGHTER 'BLACK SHEEP' SQUADRON, 49TH FIGHTER WING. STATIONED IN NEW GUINEA, AT HOLLANDIA AND BIAK IN THE NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES, AND IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. FLEW MISSIONS IN THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA OF OPERATIONS. AWARDED THE AIR MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN DECEMBER, 1945 AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.