World War II Honoree

Herbert S. 'Tex' Erskine

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Stranger, Texas

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE AFTER GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL. APPLIED FOR AND WAS ACCEPTED FOR AIRCREW TRAINING, AND UPON COMPLETION OF PILOT TRAINING WAS AWARDED SILVER PILOT WINGS. SERVED AS A P-38 'LIGHTNING' FIGHTER PILOT OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER DURING THE WAR. FLEW A VARIETY OF MISSION PROFILES BUT WAS PRIMARILY ENGAGED IN RECONNAISSANCE MISSIONS. RECALLS THE CHALLENGES OF FLYING THROUGH STORMS OVER THE PACIFIC. AWARDED THE AIR MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON. CONTINUED IN U.S. AIR FORCE RESERVE AND ACTIVE SERVICE AFTER THE WAR UNTIL HONORABLY DISCHARGED.