World War II Honoree

Lloyd R. Nuckolls

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Wichita, Ks, Kansas

Honored By

Randy Nuckolls

Relationship

Son

He enlisted in March 1942. He was 23 years old. He trained/graduated at the Army Air Force Advanced Glider School in Victorville, Ca. He flew in three missions: D-Day, Market Garden, and The Rhine Crossing. As part of 72nd Troop Carrier Squadron, on D-Day, he piloted the first glider to land where all of those onboard survived. He was awarded the Army Air Corps Air Medal. In September 1944, as part of Market Garden, he successfully landed his glider behind enemy lines and was awarded The Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, and The Double Oak Leaf Cluster. In March 1945, he was part of a successful operation with the 77th Troop Carrier Squadron, landing his glider near Wessel, Germany crossing The Rhine River. He was awarded The Bronze Star Medal. The Presidential Citation was awarded to the 434th and 435th Troop Carrier Units. First Lt. Nuckolls served in both of these units.