World War II Honoree

Royce Carl 'Pete' Philbrook

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Norwich, Vermont

Honored By

James L. & Margaret A. Clonts

Relationship

Friends

SERVED AS RADAR BOMBARDIER AND RANK OF 2ND LIEUTENANT WITH THE BOEING B-17 CREW 1103-315TH BOMBARDMENT WING, 20TH U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES. FLEW FIVE BOMBING MISSIONS ON THE BOEING B-17 FLYING FORTRESS HEAVY BOMBER CALLED 'BUGGER' DURING THE JAPANESE-HELD SECOND BATTLE OF GUAM IN THE PACIFIC CAMPAIGN OF OPERATIONS. AFTER THE END OF THE WAR IN 1945, HE AND HIS CREW WERE ASSIGNED TO THE ISLAND OF HOKKAIDO, JAPAN AREA TO DROP FOOD TO PRISONERS OF WAR AND DELIVER SUPPLIES TO MANILA. UPON COMPLETION OF THE CREW'S ASSIGNMENT IN HOKKAIDO AND MANILA, HE AND HIS CREW FLEW BACK HOME TO THE STATES ON THEIR B-17.