IN UNIFORM
First Lt. Wilson Persinger, a navigator with the 15th A. A. F. in Italy, who is the son of Mrs. C. A. Persinger, 3930 Country Club boulevard, recently was awarded the air medal for meritorious achievement in aerial flight while participating in sustained operational activities against the enemy. Presentation of the award was made at an advanced B-17 Flying Fortress base somewhere in Italy. Lt. Persinger is a graduate of Central high school, and attended Iowa State College before entering the air service in February, 1943. He is a veteran of more than 22 combat missions over German held Europe.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, January 2, 1945
Sioux Cityan Awarded Air Medal
Fifteenth A. A. F. in Italy.—First Lt. Wilson Persinger, son of C. A. Persinger of 3030 Country Club boulevard, a navigator aboard a B-17 Flying Fortress of the 15th air force, was recently awarded the air medal for “meritorious achievement in aerial flight.” The presentation of the award was made to Lt. Persinger, a veteran of more than 26 combat missions over Hitler’s Europe, by Col. Paul L. Barton, group commander, of Ludlow, Vt.
Lt. Persinger is a graduate of Central high school and attended Iowa State College prior to his enlistment in the A. A. F. He was awarded his silver wings, emblematic of an aerial navigator, at Hondo, Tex., in May of 1944.
Shortly after his arrival overseas, Lt. Persinger was appointed squadron navigator and now he leads the giant bomber formations on their destructive attacks on oil, supply and transportation installations of the enemy.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, March 14, 1945 (photo included)
