World War II Honoree

William H. Fairbank, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Palm Desert, California

Honored By

Mr. & Mrs. William & Betty Fairbank

Entered the Army as a Private in 1941. Received a commission in the Corps of Engineers upon completion of Officer Candidate School a year later. Went to the South Pacific area as a Company Officer in an Engineer topographic mapping Battalion in 1942. There joined General Douglas MacArthur's staff being attached to advanced Air Force Photographic Reconnaissance Units to aid in securing required aerial photography from which ground, sea and operational maps were compiled. Participated in the major campaigns from Guadalcanal to the Philippine Islands. Awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, Legion of Merit, Air Medal with Cluster and Purple Heart. Discharged in 1945 with the rank of Major.