This might be better in Stove Huggers, but it has so much Studebaker content...
At our Potomac Chapter Christmas Party yesterday, the Chapter President, Bob Devore, called one of our long-time members, Leonard Summers, to the podium. Leonard had received some mention several weeks ago about being honored in a War Veterans' parade in Williamsport, MD, but even those of us you have known him for a long time didn't know "the rest of the Story". Bob has somehow gotten more information from Leonard who has always been reluctant to talk about his WW II experience other than to say that Studebaker engines always got his B-17 back safely. We also knew that Leonard was a flight engineer on a B-17 flying 8th Air Force bombing missions over Germany. But, it turns out that Leonard he had flown 35 missions and had been awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross, three Air Medals, and three Bronze Stars in addition to campaign medals. Bob had arranged to get a flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol to present to him as part of the recognition for his service.
Bob also learned that even with the all the high ranking medals, Leonard had never received a Good Conduct Medal. So, he contacted Leonard's Congressman and they arranged to get him the medal.
Leonard wasn't the only one with a tear in his eye.
Paul Johnson, Wild and Wonderful West Virginia. '64 Daytona Wagonaire, '64 Daytona convertible, '53 Commander Starliner, Museum R-4 engine, '62 Gravely Model L, '72 Gravely Model 430
At our Potomac Chapter Christmas Party yesterday, the Chapter President, Bob Devore, called one of our long-time members, Leonard Summers, to the podium. Leonard had received some mention several weeks ago about being honored in a War Veterans' parade in Williamsport, MD, but even those of us you have known him for a long time didn't know "the rest of the Story". Bob has somehow gotten more information from Leonard who has always been reluctant to talk about his WW II experience other than to say that Studebaker engines always got his B-17 back safely. We also knew that Leonard was a flight engineer on a B-17 flying 8th Air Force bombing missions over Germany. But, it turns out that Leonard he had flown 35 missions and had been awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross, three Air Medals, and three Bronze Stars in addition to campaign medals. Bob had arranged to get a flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol to present to him as part of the recognition for his service.
Bob also learned that even with the all the high ranking medals, Leonard had never received a Good Conduct Medal. So, he contacted Leonard's Congressman and they arranged to get him the medal.
Leonard wasn't the only one with a tear in his eye.
Paul Johnson, Wild and Wonderful West Virginia. '64 Daytona Wagonaire, '64 Daytona convertible, '53 Commander Starliner, Museum R-4 engine, '62 Gravely Model L, '72 Gravely Model 430
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