World War II Honoree

Melvin Edward Neel

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Duncan, Oklahoma

Honored By

Marsha D. Neel Long

Relationship

Daughter

HE WAS A TURRET GUNNER IN THE B-29 AIRCRAFT, AND FLEW 30 SUCCESSFUL MISSIONS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATRE OF OPERATIONS OVER GUAM, KWAJALEIN, AND IWO JIMA WITH THE 73RD BOMB WING, 500TH BOMB GROUP, 882ND BOMB SQUADRON, BASED IN SAIPAN. HE ENLISTED IN JANUARY 1943, AND HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN OCTOBER 1945 AS A TECHNICAL SERGEANT.