World War II Honoree

Henry E. 'Gus' Gustafson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Brule, Wisconsin

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

IN AUGUST, 1941, BECAME EMPLOYED AT THE DARR SCHOOL OF AERONAUTICS IN PONCA CITY, OKLAHOMA AND SOON AFTER AT TINKER ARMY AIR FIELD OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA. ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AIR FORCES RESERVE IN SEPTEMBER, 1942. CALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY IN AUGUST, 1943. COMPLETED FLIGHT TRAINING IN OCTOBER, 1944, AWARDED SILVER PILOT WINGS, AND ASSIGNED TO A TROOP CARRIER UNIT. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER WITH THE 440TH TROOP CARRIER GROUP, 9TH AIR FORCE. STATIONED AT ORLEANS/BRICY AIRFIELD IN FRANCE, HIS UNIT PRIMARILY FLEW C-47 'SKYTRAIN' TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT. HIS GROUP PARTICIPATED IN THE RHINELAND, ARDENNES-ALSACE (BATTLE OF THE BULGE), AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. AFTER THE WAR, HIS UNIT TRANSPORTED LIBERATED PRISONERS AND DISPLACED PERSONS. AWARDED THE AIR MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.