World War II Honoree

Joe Childers

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Henryetta, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED AS A RADIO OPERATOR-MECHANIC/GUNNER ABOARD B-26 'MARAUDER' MEDIUM BOMBER AIRCRAFT OVERSEAS IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER DURING THE WAR. FLEW ON 66 MISSIONS. AS A RADIO OPERATOR, OPERATED, MAINTAINED AND REPAIRED AIRCRAFT RADIOS, DIRECTION FINDER, AND RADIO COMPASS IN FLIGHT. RELAYED INFORMATION BY RADIO TO GROUND-BASED PERSONNEL AND RECEIVED WEATHER DATA. ALSO SERVED AS AN AERIAL GUNNER WHEN UNDER ATTACK. AWARDED THE AIR MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. ALSO AWARDED THE FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM FOR ACTIONS BY HIS UNIT. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.