World War II Honoree

Charles J. O'Rear

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Warren, Arkansas

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

APPLIED, AND WAS SELECTED FOR AIRCREW TRAINING IN THE AVIATION CADET PROGRAM AS A NAVIGATOR. UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF ADVANCED NAVIGATION TRAINING, WAS AWARDED HIS SILVER NAVIGATOR WINGS AND COMMISSIONED A SECOND LIEUTENANT. NEXT, ASSIGNED FOR UNIT TRAINING IN THE AIRCRAFT HE WOULD FLY ON IN COMBAT. SERVED AS A B-29 'SUPERFORTRESS' VERY HEAVY BOMBER NAVIGATOR IN THE AMERICAN THEATER DURING THE WAR. AWARDED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON. CONTINUED IN U.S. AIR FORCE SERVICE AFTER THE WAR UNTIL HE WAS AGAIN HONORABLY DISCHARGED.