World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Leonard Porter
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Kansas City, Missouri
Honored By
Missouri DAV Chapter 67
HE SERVED IN THE PACIFIC AS A PILOT FLYING 40 COMBAT MISSIONS IN B-24 BOMBERS. ON ONE MISSION ONE OF THE BOMBERS WAS BADLY HIT AND TURNED BACK TOWARD BASE. AFTER COMPLETING THE BOMBING AND ON THEIR RETURN, HE DECIDED TO LOOK FOR THE DAMAGED BOMBER. ONE OF HIS CREWMEN SPOTTED IT FLYING AT A VERY LOW ALTITUDE AND WELL OFF COURSE. HE AND HIS CREW ESCORTED THE STRICKEN BOMBER BACK TO SAIPAN. BOTH BOMBERS LANDED SAFELY. HE WAS AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS AMONG MANY OTHER MEDALS AND AWARDS.