World War II Honoree

Maurice 'Mo' Arnold

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Marysville, Kansas

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE IN 1943. SERVED OVERSEAS AS A RADIO OPERATOR ABOARD B-17 'FLYING FORTRESS' HEAVY BOMBER AIRCRAFT IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER DURING THE WAR FROM 1944-1946. AS A RADIO OPERATOR, HE OPERATED, MAINTAINED AND REPAIRED AIRCRAFT RADIOS, DIRECTION FINDER, AND RADIO COMPASS IN FLIGHT. RELAYED INFORMATION BY RADIO TO GROUND-BASED PERSONNEL AND RECEIVED WEATHER DATA. ALSO SERVED AS AN AERIAL GUNNER WHEN UNDER ATTACK. AWARDED HIS SILVER AIRCREW MEMBER WINGS, THE AIR MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. ALSO AWARDED THE TECHNICIAN QUALIFICATION BADGE WITH ‘RADIO OPERATOR’ QUALIFICATION BAR. HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN APRIL, 1946, AT WALLA WALLA, WASHINGTON, WITH THE RANK OF STAFF SERGEANT AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.