World War II Honoree

Herbert Maxwell 'Max' Darks

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Wetumka, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE IN 1942, AT AGE 17. APPLIED, AND WAS SELECTED FOR AIRCREW TRAINING IN THE AVIATION CADET PROGRAM AS A PILOT. UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF PREFLIGHT SCHOOL, PRIMARY FLYING SCHOOL, BASIC FLYING SCHOOL AND ADVANCED FLYING TRAINING, HE WAS EARMARKED FOR FOLLOW-ON MEDIUM BOMBARDMENT AIRCRAFT TRAINING, AND AWARDED HIS SILVER PILOT WINGS. NEXT, ASSIGNED FOR 2-ENGINE TRANSITION FLYING TRAINING IN THE AIRCRAFT HE WOULD FLY IN COMBAT. SERVED AS A B-25 'MITCHELL' MEDIUM BOMBER PILOT. AWARDED THE ARMY AVIATOR BADGE, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RANK OF SECOND LIEUTENANT IN LATE 1945, AFTER THE END OF THE WAR AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.