World War II Honoree

Byron E. Crum

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Franklin, Indiana

Honored By

Steve Crum

Relationship

Son

Air Crew, B-17 8th Air Force, 305th Bomb Group, 366th Bomb Squadron, stationed Chelveston, England. Flew 22 missions over occupied Europe. On final mission in B-17 tail #43-38102 hit by flak over Chemnitz, Germany, turned back but forced to bail out over Trier, Germany after all four engines caught fire. Marched to Prisoner of War camp Kriegsgefangenen Stammlager Stalag VII A outside Moosburg, Bavaria, Germany. Liberated 29 April 1945 by 14th Armored Division, 7th Army, G. Patton commanding. Got transport to Camp Chesterfield cigarette camp in France for food and recuperation. Shipped back to Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas for infantry training for Japan invasion. Awarded Purple Heart, Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters. Discharged after V-J day.