World War II Honoree

Willard R. Duff

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Whitesville, Kentucky

Honored By

Ferdie Jean Kelley Reid

Relationship

Friend

HE WAS A P-38 FIGHTER PILOT ASSIGNED TO THE 94TH FIGHTER SQUADRON, 1ST FIGHTER GROUP. HE ENLISTED INTO THE ARMY AIR FORCES BEFORE THE WAR AND WAS SELECTED AS A SERGEANT PILOT. HE WAS LATER PROMOTED TO FLIGHT OFFICER AND LATER 1ST LIEUTENANT. CREDITED WITH 1 ME-109 SHOT DOWN. HE WAS KILLED ON MAY 17, 1944 LEADING THE SQUADRON ON WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIS FINAL MISSION (HE HAD SURVIVED OVER 47). HE WAS A RECIPIENT OF THE SILVER STAR, DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, THE AIR MEDAL, AND THE PURPLE HEART. HIS BODY WAS BROUGHT HOME TO KENTUCKY IN 1949.