World War II Honoree

Bill R. Frederick

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Jones, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED AS A B-25 'MITCHELL' BOMBER AIRCREW MEMBER IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER, MAINLY IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC AREA OF OPERATIONS. FLEW 72 COMBAT MISSIONS AGAINST JAPANESE AIR BASES, SHIPPING, PORT FACILITIES, AND ENEMY TROOP FORMATIONS AND FORTIFICATIONS. ON THE NIGHT OF DECEMBER 26, 1944, HIS AIRCRAFT, THE 'STICKY KITTY', INTERCEPTED AND HELPED DEFEAT A JAPANESE NAVAL FORCE PREPARING TO ATTACK U.S. FORCES ON MINDORO ISLAND IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. HIS AIRCRAFT FLEW VERY LOW LEVEL THROUGH INTENSE ANTIAIRCRAFT FIRE TO ATTACK AND SINK A LEAD JAPANESE CRUISER. HIS AIRCRAFT WAS ONE OF ONLY EIGHT AIRCRAFT AVAILABLE TO DEFEND THE ISLAND GARRISON AND FLEW REPEATED SORTIES DURING THE NIGHT TO DEFEND THE ISLAND AND DEFEAT THE ENEMY EFFORT. AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, AIR MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. ALSO AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL FOR SERVICE IN THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.