World War II Honoree

Sam Pellerite

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Fairmont, West Virginia

Honored By

Tina Pellerite-Sims

Relationship

Daughter

SERVED AS A P-47 THUNDERBOLT FIGHTER PILOT: 37 MISSIONS OVER GERMANY. RESPONSIBLE FOR AIR PROTECTION OF GENERAL PATTON'S TROOPS AS THEY CROSSED THE RHINE RIVER. SUPPORTED GROUND TROOPS BY DROPPING NAPALM BOMBS ON TARGETS TO FLUSH OUT ENEMY TROOPS, STRAFED RAILROAD STATIONS AND TRAINS BY EARLY MORNING ATTACKS WHILE TRAIN STEAM WAS VISIBLE, AND USED FRAGMENTARY BOMBS AND (8) 50MM MACHINE GUNS ON ENEMY TROOP LOCATIONS.