Photo from Northeast High School Yearbook, KC Mo.

© Picture ~ Copyright Michael V. Drachman 2014 ~ All rights reserved

>Edmund L. Decker

Flight Officer, U.S. Army Air Forces
361st Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group
Entered the Service From: Missouri
Service #: T-223119 @ TOD
Enlisted: August 17, 1943
Service # 10601096
Resided 1943, Jackson County, Missouri
Rank @ ToE: Staff Sergeant
Component: National Guard
Branch: Air Corps
Nativity: Missouri
Born: 1920
Education 3 years of college
Marital Status: Singel W/O Dependents

Date of Death: June 08, 1944

Burial: Section D Row 16 Grave 40
Site GPS: 49.360692,-0.855746
Normandy American Cemetery
Colleville-sur-Mer
Departement du Calvados
Basse-Normandie, France

Citations and Awards:

Purple Heart

The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who after 5 April 1917 have been wounded or killed in action against an enemy of the United States or an opposing armed force, while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict, as the result of acts of enemy or hostile opposing forces, as a result of terrorist attacks or attacks on peacekeeping forces since 28 March 1973, or by friendly fire in circumstance as described above.

Air Medal

The Air Medal, established by Executive Order on 11 May 1942 and amended by Executive Order on 11 September 1942, is awarded to a person who, while serving with the United States Armed Forces, has distinguished himself or herself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. Awards may recognize single acts of heroism or merit, or may recognize sustained meritorious service over a period of six months or more. The Air Medal primarily recognizes personnel on flight status requiring frequent participation in aerial flight. It may be awarded to personnel not on flight status whose duties require frequent flight other than in a passenger status. The Air Medal ranks behind the Distinguished Flying Cross in order of precedence.


Distinguished Flying Cross

The Distinguished Flying Cross, established by Act of Congress on 6 July 1926, is awarded to a member of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished himself or herself by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. An act of heroism must be evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty. Extraordinary achievement must have resulted in an accomplishment so exceptional and outstanding as to clearly set the individual apart from others in similar circumstances. Awards will only be made to recognize single acts of heroism or extraordinary achievement, and not in recognition of sustained operations.

A Story of Edmund Decker can be found here, Link provided by E.Jones




View: Kansas City Star Article

Photo credit: David Eulitt, THE KANSAS CITY STAR newspaper, Sat June 6, 2015

© Picture ~ Copyright Michael V. Drachman 2014 ~ All rights reserved

Section D
Site GPS: 49.360422,-0.855871
Normandy American Cemetery
Colleville-sur-Mer
Departement du Calvados
Basse-Normandie, France