World War II Honoree

Carl J. Wills

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Ralston, Pawnee County, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE IN 1943. TRAINED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER AT CAMP BARKELEY AT ABILENE, TEXAS; KEESLER FIELD AT BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI; LOWRY FIELD AT DENVER, COLORADO; TONOPAH ARMY AIR FIELD, NEVADA; AND LANGLEY FIELD AT HAMPTON, VIRGINIA. SERVED OVERSEAS AS AN AERIAL GUNNER IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER WITH THE 868TH BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON (HEAVY) DURING THE WAR, IN THE SOUTH AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREAS INCLUDING IN THE DUTCH EAST INDIES AT BORNEO AND CELEBES ISLAND. SERGEANT WILLS WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON JUNE 20, 1945 DURING A COMBAT MISSION OVER CELEBES ISLAND. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART FOR WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION, AIR MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. AUTHORIZED THE PRESIDENTIAL (DISTINGUISHED) UNIT CITATION FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION BY HIS UNIT IN COMBAT.