World War II Honoree

Jack Gardener

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Glouster, Ohio

Honored By

Mr. Karl Strohmeyer

Relationship

Nephew

SERVED IN THE THE 345TH BOMB GROUP KNOWN AS THE 'AIR APACHES.' SERVED AS A GUNNER/CREW CHIEF. FLEW 85 MISSIONS IN NEW GUINEA, SAIPAN AND THE PHILIPPINES. INCLUDED LOW LEVEL SKIP BOMBING AND STRAFING MISSIONS (200 FEET OR LESS) AGAINST HEAVILY DEFENDED JAPANESE AIR FIELDS. AWARDED DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS AND AIR MEDAL. FLEW IN B-25 AIRCRAFT. LATER WORKED WITH THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA) ON THE GEMINI AND APOLLO PROJECTS AS AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ENGINEER AND INSPECTOR FOR FINAL STAGE ROCKET ASSEMBLY.