World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Lyle Monkton
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Clinton, Iowa
Honored By
Andrew J. Speese
A FIGHTER PILOT WHO FLEW THE P-38 LIGHTNING IN THE 428TH FIGHTER SQUADRON, 474TH FIGHTER GROUP, NINTH AIR FORCE. ON JUNE 22, 1944, WHILE PROVIDING CLOSE AIR SUPPORT FOR AMERICAN GROUND TROOPS ADVANCING ON CHERBOURG, FRANCE, HIS AIRCRAFT WAS SHOT DOWN BY GERMAN FLAK. PARACHUTING INTO NO-MAN'S LAND, HE TOOK COVER IN A STREAM BED UNTIL THE AIR STRIKE ENDED. HE THEN HIKED TO AN AMERICAN PATROL DESPITE WOUNDS TO HIS RIGHT HIP AND GROIN. HE WAS AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS, PURPLE HEART AND AIR MEDAL.