World War II Honoree

Neil Woodworth Fox

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Palestine, Illinois

Honored By

Richard E. Detmer

Relationship

Family Friend

HE WAS A PILOT. HE FLEW A B-24 LIBERATOR (CALAMITY JANE) AS PART OF THE 8TH, ASSIGNED TO BURMA. THEIR MISSION WAS TO FLY FUEL AND SUPPLIES OVER THE HIMALAYAS INTO BASES IN CHINA TO SUPPORT THE PACIFIC THEATER COMBAT FORCES. THE BOMB BAY IN THE PLANE WAS CONVERTED TO HOLD A LARGE FUEL TANK. THE PILOTS WERE REQUIRED TO FLY AT NIGHT, INSTRUMENTS ONLY, NO LIGHTS ON THE PLANE WHATSOEVER. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS OR OTHER REFERENCES ON THE GROUND EITHER AND MANY PLANES CRASHED IN THE MOUNTAINS.