World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Dale Elmer Fortune
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Lebanon, Indiana
Honored By
Sam E. Pennartz
ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS ON 20 JUNE 1941 AT FORT BENJAMIN HARRISON, INDIANA. ASSIGNED TO THE 75TH OBSERVATION GROUP, 21ST OBSERVATION SQUADRON STATIONED AT WILL ROGERS FIELD NEAR OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA. ON 3 OCTOBER 1942 HE FLEW AS AN AERIAL GUNNER ABOARD A NORTH AMERICAN B-25C MITCHELL (SERIAL # 41-12784). IT WAS ONE OF SEVERAL AIRCRAFT ON A RECONNAISSANCE OPERATIONAL TRAINING MISSION. HIS AIRCRAFT SUFFERED ENGINE FAILURE, AND HE WAS KILLED DURING THE ENSUING BAIL-OUT AND CRASH.