World War II Honoree

Arthur H. Barton

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Chicago, Illinois

Honored By

Lesley Barton

Relationship

Daughter

DATE OF BIRTH: SEPTEMBER 13, 1921. SERVED WITH THE 9TH AIR FORCE, 323RD GROUP, 453RD BOMB SQUADRON. FLEW 70 COMBAT MISSIONS AS A BOMBARDIER ON A B-26 NAMED 'GO TO HELL'. STATIONED IN ENGLAND FOR 18 MONTHS. SERVED IN THE ARMY AIR FORCE FROM OCTOBER 10, 1942 UNTIL JUNE 14, 1945. HE BOMBED THE OMAHA BEACH. HE ALSO BOMBED UTAH BEACH ON D-DAY. RECEIVED THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS WITH 2 BATTLE STARS, MEDAL FOR AMERICAN THEATER AND THE LIBERTY MEDAL. RECEIVED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS WITH 4 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS. RECEIVED THE AIR MEDAL WITH 12 CLUSTERS AND THE PURPLE HEART TWICE FOR FLAK WOUNDS SUFFERED IN THE FACE AND HAND. WHEN HE RETURNED HOME TO THE STATES, HE TRAINED THE FRENCH AIR FORCE, AND ALSO TRAVELED AROUND THE COUNTRY ON SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS REGARDING WAR SALVAGE.