| Recent Address: |
3382 Dermot Thurston Road, Owensboro, KY 42303 |
| E-mail Address: |
|
| Family Info: |
Parents: Chester and Sarah, Wife: Lorraine, Siblings: Jerry, Tommy |
| Hometown: |
Owensboro, KY |
| Date Entered Service: |
December 4, 1942 |
| Service Number: |
15382422 |
| Bomb Group: |
468th |
| Squadron: |
|
| Squadron: |
793rd |
| Location of Unit: |
|
| Missions Flown: |
35 |
| Hump Missions: |
Numerous missions to move gas to forward base. |
| Targets: |
Japan - numerous times |
| Awards: |
Distinguished Flying Cross with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Presidential Unit Citation |
| Service Schools: |
|
| MOS: |
MOS 888-Radio Mechanic F, MOS-889-Radio Mechanic M |
| Rank Upon Discharge: |
Staff Sergeant |
| Crew Type: |
Flight crew |
| Airplane Serial No.& Name: |
42-63355 Bella Bortion |
| Where You a POW?: |
|
| POW Location: |
|
| Where You a Interned?: |
|
| Internment Location: |
|
| Date Transferred from the 58th: |
|
| Date Discharged: |
October 9, 1945 |
| Post WWII Service: |
|
| Post WWII Civilian Occupation(s): |
Chester was an Engineer for General Electric Company. His specialty was designing vacuum tubes. The Patriots that shot down enemy planes had three vacuum tubes in them. Chester designed one of these tubes. He received recognition for that vacuum tube from the General Electric Company. |
| Thoughts About the 58th: |
Chester was very proud of his time in the Army Air Force. He became very close to his crew. They flew their missions together. By the time they had completed their 35 missions, they and the plane were ready to come home. Their plane “Bella Bortion” had been declared “war weary” so the crew flew it back to the States. We attended many Air Force reunions and enjoyed every one of them. We were like family. |
| Comments: |
Mr. Claypool passed away May 7, 1998 and is buried at Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery in Philpot, KY. |
