World War II Honoree

Ernest C. Hess

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Louisville, Kentucky

Honored By

Martin Hess

Relationship

Son

SERGEANT; WITH 23RD FIGHTER SQUADRON, 36TH FIGHTER GROUP. ENTERED SERVICE ON FEBRUARY 19, 1942, AT FORT BENJAMIN HARRISON, INDIANA. HE WAS AN AIRPLANE ARMORER (LOADED BOMBS AND AMMUNITION ON AIRPLANES). HE CLEANED AND REPAIRED BOMB RACKS AND GUNS ON AIRCRAFT. BATTLES AND CAMPAIGNS WERE IN NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, ARDENNES, RHINELAND, AND AIR OFFENSIVE EUROPE. AWARDED THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER RIBBON WITH 5 BRONZE STARS PER WD GO #33/45, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATION WITH 1 OAK LEAF CLUSTER, AMERICAN DEFENSE THEATER RIBBON, AND HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL BUTTON. ON OCTOBER 18, 1945, AT THE SEPARATION CENTER AT CAMP ATTERBURY, INDIANA, HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH A CERTIFICATE AWARDED AS A TESTIMONIAL OF HONEST AND FAITHFUL SERVICE TO HIS COUNTRY.