World War II Honoree

Rudolph J. Cherkauer

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Tonawanda, New York

Relationship

Self

ENTERED CADET TRAINING TO BECOME A PILOT. RECEIVED HIS WINGS AND COMMISSION ON APRIL 15, 1944. SERVED FIVE MONTHS IN THE 6TH ARMY AIR FORCES FLYING PATROL MISSIONS FROM THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS. IN OCTOBER 1944 HE WAS SENT BACK TO THE USA IN A GROUP OF 20 CREWS. WENT TO TONAPAH, NEVADA TO HELP THEM STRAIGHTEN UP THE BASE WHICH HAD THE WORST CASUALTY RATING OF ALL OF THE TRAINING FIELDS IN THE USA. THEN ALL 20 CREWS WERE SHIPPED TO NADZAB, NEW GUINEA, PAPUA. HIS CREW JOINED THE 5TH ARMY AIR FORCES, 43RD BOMB GROUP, 65TH SQUADRON IN WHICH THEY SERVED UNTIL THE WAR ENDED. HE WAS PRESENT ON IE SHIMA WHEN THE JAPANESE GROUP FLEW TWO JAPANESE BETTYS TO THAT ISLAND TO SURRENDER TO THE ALLIED FORCES. HE EARNED 2 AIR MEDALS, A DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, AND MANY BATTLE RIBBONS AND STARS INCLUDING TWO MEDALS FROM THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT. HE WAS RELEASED FROM ACTIVE DUTY IN DECEMBER 1945.