World War II Honoree

Abe L. Hesser

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Stillwater, Oklahoma

Honored By

Cheryl Hesser Lee & Richard L. Hesser

Relationship

Daughter & Son

SERVED AS RADIO OPERATOR AND GUNNER ON A B-24 LIBERATOR BOMBER WITH THE 746TH SQUADRON, 456TH BOMB GROUP IN NAPLES-FOGGIA, ITALY. FLEW 49 BOMBING MISSIONS. SHOT DOWN AND INTERNED AS A POW IN STETTIN, POLAND. REPATRIATED ON MAY 26TH AFTER AN 80 DAY FORCED MARCH THROUGH NORTHERN GERMANY. AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, AIR MEDAL WITH 5 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, THE PURPLE HEART, TWO PRESIDENTIAL CITATIONS, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL AND THE CROSS OF VALOR. SERVED A TOTAL OF 6 YEARS; INCLUDING 3 YEARS IN AIR FORCE RESERVES WHERE HE WAS PROMOTED TO MASTER SERGEANT.