World War II Honoree

Socrates S. Pappas

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Laredo, Texas

Honored By

Douglas M. Alford, USN

HE VOLUNTEERED FOR THE ARMY AIR CORPS IN 1942 AND RECEIVED HIS BASIC TRAINING AT SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA AND GRADUATED INTO BOMBARDIER SCHOOL AT VICTORVILLE, CALIFORNIA IN JULY OF THE SAME YEAR. HE WAS SENT OVERSEAS TO THE ALASKAN AREA OF THE WAR TO REMOVE THE JAPANESE FROM THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS. HE WAS ON A ROUTINE RAID ON THE ISLAND OF KISKA WHEN HIS BOMBER CAME OUT OF THE CLOUDS INTO THE GUNSIGHTS OF THE JAPANESE. THE BOMBER WAS SHOT UP VERY BADLY WHILE HE WAS MANNING THE GUNSIGHTS AND A PIECE OF SHRAPNEL HIT HIS HEART. HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON FEBRUARY 26, 1943 ON THE BOMBING RUN. HIS PLANE WAS ABLE TO LAND BUT WAS DESTROYED IN THE PROCESS.