World War II Honoree

Thomas S. 'Tom' Potts

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Litchfield, Illinois

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE IN THE SUMMER OF 1941. RECEIVED BASIC TRAINING IN THE INFANTRY AND APPLIED FOR THE AVIATION CADET PROGRAM. HE WAS SELECTED FOR AIRCREW TRAINING AND UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION WAS AWARDED SILVER WINGS AND COMMISSIONED A SECOND LIEUTENANT. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER IN THE MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS, IN ITALY WITH THE 464TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP. PARTICIPATED IN THE ROME-ARNO, SOUTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND, AIR COMBAT-BALKANS, AND NORTH APENNINES CAMPAIGNS. FLEW 33 MISSIONS IN B-24 'LIBERATOR' BOMBER AIRCRAFT. AWARDED THE AIR MEDAL WITH THREE BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, PURPLE HEART FOR WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. CONTINUED IN U.S. AIR FORCE SERVICE AFTER THE WAR UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT. ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.