World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Gwen Grover 'G. G.' Atkinson
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Lufkin, Texas
Honored By
Pearl Thomas
Serving as a pilot, he was shot down over Clark Field outside of Manila. Sleeping in the daytime and running at night for 21 days, he made his way back to where he could be rescued. Among his many awards, he received the Distinguished Service Cross for injuries he incurred while rescuing a fellow pilot from a burning aircraft.