Our Neighbors in the Service
Spirit Lake, Iowa—Special: Berkley W. Bedell, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.B. Bedellk, was graduated from the army air force school at Napier field, Dothan, Ala., and was given his wings and a second lieutenant’s commission. Bedell also received a medal for excellent gunnery. He was ordered to report at Randolph field to serve as an instructor. He entered the army air force last August and has trained at Greeville, Miss; Nashville, Tenn., Maxwell field at Decatur, Ala., and at the school of Montgomery, Ala. He had just completed two weeks special gunnery at Englin, Florida.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, June 1, 1943
Berkley Bedell Now Second Lieutenant
In Army Air Force
Berkley Bedell, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Bedell, was graduated Friday, May 28, from the Army Air Forces Advanced Flying School at Napier Field, Dothan, Ala., and sworn in as a second lieutenant. He received the silver wings of a pilot at a presentation presided over by Colonel James L. Daniel, Jr., Commanding officer and a veteran army flyer.
Lt. Bedell’s parents were present for the impressive ceremonies and are returning to Spirit Lake this week.
The local youth also received a special gunnery medal, he having attended gunnery school at Eglin Field, Fla., during the final phases of his advanced course in flying.
Lt. Bedell has been assigned to Randolph Field, Texas, as an instructor, and will not have a furlough home at this time.
“Berk” entered the service in September, 1942, being inducted at Nashville, Tenn. He had his pre-flight training at Maxwell Field, Ala., and went from there to Decatur, Ala.
for his primary training. His basic training was completed at the Greenville, Miss. Flying School, after which he went to Dothan, Ala. for the advanced training of the air forces at Napier Field.
Source: The Spirit Lake Beacon, Spirit Lake, Iowa, Thursday, June 03, 1943, Page 1 (photo included)
***Further Research:
Berkley Warren Bedell was born Mar. 5, 1921 to Walter and Virginia Bedell. He died Dec. 7, 2019 in Naples, FL.
Source: ancestry.com
