World War II Honoree

Melvin L. Francis

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Vidor, Texas

Honored By

Ernestine Francis

Relationship

Wife

STAFF SERGEANT; WAIST GUNNER ON A B-24 LIBERATOR, 4-ENGINE HEAVY BOMBER. 15TH ARMY AIR FORCE, 454TH BOMB GROUP, 738TH BOMB SQUADRON. SERVED 29 COMBAT MISSIONS. AWARDED AIR MEDAL WITH 4 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN THEATER RIBBON, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER RIBBON WITH 5 BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, ARMED ARMY OF OCCUPATION (GERMANY), PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION WITH 2 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS (GO 3604 SEPTEMBER 24, 1944) FOR DESTRUCTION OF HERMAN GOERING STEEL WORKS IN LINZ, AUSTRIA AND DESTRUCTION OF MESSERSCHMIDT AIRCRAFT FACTORY IN BAD VOESLAU, AUSTRIA; CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FOR COLD WAR VICTORY (BERLIN) AND CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION FROM THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE AIR WAR OVER FRANCE, 1944-1945. RECEIVED AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE WITH A 'RUPTURED DUCK' LAPEL PIN IN NOVEMBER 1945.