World War II Honoree

Arthur Bernard Cleaveland

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Springfield, Ohio

Honored By

Arthur B. Cleaveland, II

Relationship

Son

FIGHTER PILOT, JOINED THE ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE IN 1940. FLEW IN BATTLE BRITON, FLEW IN ROYAL AIR FORCE IN THE BATTLE OF MALTA, FIRST AMERICAN TO FLY SPITFIRE OFF AIRCRAFT CARRIER TO MALTA, THE USS WASP IN 1942, JOINED U.S. ARMY AIR FORCE IN EGYPT, BECAME ACE IN 1942, SHOT DOWN 5 PLANES IN ONE DAY IN WHAT WAS CALLED THE GREAT EASTER TURKEY SHOOT, CRASH LANDED PLANE THAT DAY, SENT HOME BECAUSE OF DAMAGE TO HIS PLANE AND INJURY TO HIMSELF.