World War II Honoree

Irvin Thomas 'Tom' Chowning

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Davenport, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

WORKED FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IN OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA BEGINNING IN LATE 1940. HE WAS REGISTERED FOR THE DRAFT BY A WOMAN THAT WOULD LATER BECOME HIS WIFE. ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE IN 1942. SELECTED FOR THE ARMY AIR FORCES AVIATION CADET PROGRAM AND TRAINED AS A PILOT. SERVED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER INCLUDING IN CALIFORNIA AND NEW MEXICO. BECAME AN INSTRUCTOR PILOT FOR THE B-25 'MITCHELL' MEDIUM BOMBER. IN ADDITION TO AMERICAN AVIATORS, HE TAUGHT CHINESE CADETS TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT. AWARDED SILVER PILOT WINGS, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AFTER THE WAR AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.