Soldier With 84 Bombing Missions
Visits In City
Was Aerial Photographer-Gunner in Aleutian Islands
T/Sgt. and Mrs. John R. Potter, of Belle Plaine, Ia., visited Monday and Tuesday in the home of Mrs. Potter’s grandmother, Mrs. M. S. Walker.
T/Sgt. Potter is 24 years of age and has been in the Army air corps for four years. He has just returned from the Aleutian Islands, around Kiska and Attu where he flew 84 missions from June, 1942, to September, 1943.
His chest is practically covered with medals and war citations and when interviewed by a Globe-Post reporter, he proudly pulled an Army identification sheet from his pocket, explaining all the medals and also stating that he had the right to wear them. Here they are:
Air medal, good conduct, American defense, American theater of operations, Asiatic-Pacific with two bronze stars for battles over Kiska and Attu, combined allied operations, (he flew with the Royal Canadian air force for 8 missions,) air crew member wings (permanent,) marksman medal for carbine and pistol.
T/Sgt. Potter’s missions were dangerous ones. He was a photographer and his work consisted of photographing enemy installations; troop concentration; supply, oil and ammunition dumps and they met heavy anti-aircraft fire on many missions.
The young sergeant made missions in B-24s, 25s, 26s, B-17 and even a PBY, with the Navy.
He has been home on furlough and now expects to be sent across for duty in another war theater. He has been an instructor and working in a photo laboratory in Tennessee.
Source: LeMars Globe-Post, August 21, 1944
