World War II Honoree

Warren Stanley Krushat

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Twenty Nine Palms, California

Honored By

Kathleen L. Odau

Relationship

Cousin

FIRST ENLISTED MARCH 1942 IN THE NAVY, THEN DECIDED TO JOIN THE ARMY AIR CORPS, AND WAS SENT TO BOMBARDIER SCHOOL. IN 1943 WAS COMMISSIONED A SECOND LIEUTENANT AND SENT TO SALT LAKE CITY TO JOIN TO HIS CREW. IN 1944 THE CREW JOINED THE 15TH AIR FORCE, 463RD BOMB GROUP, ITALY AND BOMBED PLOESTI OIL FIELDS AND MANY OTHER TARGETS. ON THEIR 15TH MISSION THE AIRCRAFT CAUGHT FIRE AFTER HEAVY FLAK HITS, THEY ALL BAILED OUT. HE WAS CAPTURED AND IMPRISONED FOR 5 MONTHS. THE 463RD BOMB GROUP WAS AWARDED TWO COMMENDATION CITATIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT. HE WAS AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL, AIR MEDAL WITH OAK LEAF CLUSTER AND A PRISONER OF WAR MEDAL. UPON RETURNING TO THE UNITED STATES, HE WAS PROMOTED TO FIRST LIEUTENANT. SERVED BRAVELY AND WAS PROUD OF HIS SERVICE.