World War II Honoree

Francisco Cleophas 'Cleofas' Ramirez

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Hebbronville, Jim Hogg County, Texas

Honored By

Carmen Barrera Ramirez and Charlie Khirallah

Relationship

Niece and Great Nephew

He served with the 9th Fighter Squadron, first to land in Tokyo during General McArthur's combined land, sea and air occupation of the Japanese Capital. The honor of being the first fighter outfit to land on Japan homeland was earned by its destruction of 276 enemy planes in combat back from Darwin, Australia to Japan. He earned the Philippines Liberation Medal with bronze star awarded by the Commonwealth Government of the Philippines, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Presidential Unit Citation with two Oak Leaf Clusters.