World War II Honoree

Lewis F. 'Pete' Whittet

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Domby, Beaver County, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE AT AGE 21, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE JAPANESE SURPRISE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR, TERRITORY OF HAWAII ON DECEMBER 7, 1941. SERVED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER DURING THE WAR, STATIONED AT GOWAN FIELD, AT BOISE, IDAHO, WITH DUTIES AS A FLIGHT MECHANIC AND FLIGHT ENGINEER ON B-17 'FLYING FORTRESS' AND B-24 'LIBERATOR' HEAVY BOMBER AIRCRAFT. HIS PRIMARY ROLE WAS TO TRAIN MECHANICS AND CREWS BEFORE THEIR DEPLOYMENT TO OPERATIONAL UNITS. AS AN AIRCRAFT MECHANIC, HE SERVED AS PART OF A GROUND CREW RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE OF HIS ASSIGNED AIRCRAFT. DUTIES INCLUDED CHECKING THE CONDITION OF AIRPLANES AND ENGINES; MAKING REPAIRS, REPLACEMENTS AND ADJUSTMENTS; AND INSPECTING ELECTRICAL AND CONTROL SYSTEMS, UNDERCARRIAGE, BRAKES, ENGINES AND PROPELLERS. AWARDED THE TECHNICIAN QUALIFICATION BADGE WITH ‘AIRPLANE MECHANIC’ QUALIFICATION BAR, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.