World War II Honoree

Dr. Thomas A. Fitzpatrick, III

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Kimberly (Denault) Kerrick

Relationship

Friend and neighbor

15th Air Force - 2nd Bomb Group - 96th Squadron Flew 25 bombing missions as a radio operator on a B17 ‘Flying Fortress’ over Nazi held Europe. The primary target was oil as Hitler relied on those. They found all oil refineries, to a point where he couldn’t put his aircraft in the air. Decorations 3 Air Medals with Oak Leaf Clusters Good Conduct Medal Cold War Medal Victory Medal Presidential Unit Citation Excellent with all Small Arms North Africia, Middle East, European Theatre of Operations American Campaign Medal. 5 Bronze Battle Stars for 5 Major Battles Battle of the North Apennine Mountains Battle of Foggia - A major battle to destroy the Italian Air Force. Battle of Rome Battle of the Rhine River - Allies major step in the final assault to invade Germany Battle of Southern France ‘Operation Dragoon’ - This operation drew troops away from Normandy and was a key part of the liberation of Europe. Allies captured Toulon and Marseille and liberated most of southern France in four weeks.