Entered the service from Missouri.
--------
Theodore Paul Deffner enlisted in the Air Corps in 1939. He received his flying training at Corsican, Texas. After the successful completion of his training as Aerial Bombardier, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant, May 21, 1942. Six weeks later he flew to the Middle East as a member of the Halverson Detachment, the first All-American group to bomb on European soil. He was stationed in the Lyberian Desert near Bengasi. On April 30,1943, he was sent on his final mission in the leading B-17 airplane. He dropped his bombs and was triumphantly homeward bound. His required 300 hours of combat flying had been completed and he was eager to return home. But God in His unfathomable wisdom took him instead to his heavenly home and to a peace everlasting. In recognition of his gallant and unselfish service, he was awarded the Airman's Medal, the Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart. General H. H. Arnold pays him the following tribute, "During his Service as an enlisted man, Lieutenant Deffner earned the reputation of being a fine soldier of sterling character. A courageous officer and bombardier, devoted to duty, he maintained the high standards he had established before he was commissioned." (Excerpts from his Memorial Service Program - April 30, 1944).
--------
Theodore Paul Deffner enlisted in the Air Corps in 1939. He received his flying training at Corsican, Texas. After the successful completion of his training as Aerial Bombardier, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant, May 21, 1942. Six weeks later he flew to the Middle East as a member of the Halverson Detachment, the first All-American group to bomb on European soil. He was stationed in the Lyberian Desert near Bengasi. On April 30,1943, he was sent on his final mission in the leading B-17 airplane. He dropped his bombs and was triumphantly homeward bound. His required 300 hours of combat flying had been completed and he was eager to return home. But God in His unfathomable wisdom took him instead to his heavenly home and to a peace everlasting. In recognition of his gallant and unselfish service, he was awarded the Airman's Medal, the Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart. General H. H. Arnold pays him the following tribute, "During his Service as an enlisted man, Lieutenant Deffner earned the reputation of being a fine soldier of sterling character. A courageous officer and bombardier, devoted to duty, he maintained the high standards he had established before he was commissioned." (Excerpts from his Memorial Service Program - April 30, 1944).
Entered the service from Missouri.
--------
Theodore Paul Deffner enlisted in the Air Corps in 1939. He received his flying training at Corsican, Texas. After the successful completion of his training as Aerial Bombardier, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant, May 21, 1942. Six weeks later he flew to the Middle East as a member of the Halverson Detachment, the first All-American group to bomb on European soil. He was stationed in the Lyberian Desert near Bengasi. On April 30,1943, he was sent on his final mission in the leading B-17 airplane. He dropped his bombs and was triumphantly homeward bound. His required 300 hours of combat flying had been completed and he was eager to return home. But God in His unfathomable wisdom took him instead to his heavenly home and to a peace everlasting. In recognition of his gallant and unselfish service, he was awarded the Airman's Medal, the Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart. General H. H. Arnold pays him the following tribute, "During his Service as an enlisted man, Lieutenant Deffner earned the reputation of being a fine soldier of sterling character. A courageous officer and bombardier, devoted to duty, he maintained the high standards he had established before he was commissioned." (Excerpts from his Memorial Service Program - April 30, 1944).
--------
Theodore Paul Deffner enlisted in the Air Corps in 1939. He received his flying training at Corsican, Texas. After the successful completion of his training as Aerial Bombardier, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant, May 21, 1942. Six weeks later he flew to the Middle East as a member of the Halverson Detachment, the first All-American group to bomb on European soil. He was stationed in the Lyberian Desert near Bengasi. On April 30,1943, he was sent on his final mission in the leading B-17 airplane. He dropped his bombs and was triumphantly homeward bound. His required 300 hours of combat flying had been completed and he was eager to return home. But God in His unfathomable wisdom took him instead to his heavenly home and to a peace everlasting. In recognition of his gallant and unselfish service, he was awarded the Airman's Medal, the Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart. General H. H. Arnold pays him the following tribute, "During his Service as an enlisted man, Lieutenant Deffner earned the reputation of being a fine soldier of sterling character. A courageous officer and bombardier, devoted to duty, he maintained the high standards he had established before he was commissioned." (Excerpts from his Memorial Service Program - April 30, 1944).
Gravesite Details
Another Cenotaph Here 128569151
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
